§ 9.00.04. Definitions.

The following specialized definitions shall apply to this article:

Accessory sign. A permanent ground or building sign that is permitted under this code as incidental to an existing or proposed use of land.

Advertising. Sign copy intended to directly or indirectly promote the sale or use of a product, service, commodity, entertainment, or real or personal property. This definition shall also be deemed to include political copy intended to directly or indirectly promote a candidate, party or issue.

Building sign. A sign displayed upon or attached to any part of the exterior of a building, including walls, windows, doors, parapets, marquees and roof slopes of 45 degrees or steeper. See figure 9.00.04-A.

Commercially developed parcel. A parcel of property on which there is at least one walled and roofed structure used, or designed to be used, for other than residential or agricultural purposes.

Copy. The linguistic or graphic content of a sign.

Electric sign. Any sign containing electric wiring.

Erect a sign. To construct, reconstruct, build, relocate, raise, assemble, place, affix, attach, create, paint, draw, or in any other way bring into being or establish; but it shall not include any of the foregoing activities when performed as an incident to the change of message, or routine maintenance.

Frontage. The length of the property line of any one parcel along a street on which it borders.

Ground sign. A sign that is supported by one or more columns, upright poles, or braces extended from the ground or from an object on the ground, or that is erected on the ground, where no part of the sign is attached to any part of a building. See figure 9.00.04-B.

Harmful to minors. With regard to sign content, any description or representation, in whatever form, of nudity, sexual conduct, or sexual excitement, when it:

A.

Predominately appeals to the prurient, shameful, or morbid interest of minors in sex, and

B.

Is patently offensive to contemporary standards in the adult community as a whole with respect to what is suitable sexual material for minors, and

C.

Taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.

The term "harmful to minors" shall also include any nonerotic word or picture when it:

A.

Is patently offensive to contemporary standards in the adult community as a whole with respect to what is suitable for viewing by minors, and

B.

Taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.

Illuminated sign. A sign which contains a source of light or which is designed or arranged to reflect light from an artificial source including indirect lighting, neon, incandescent lights, backlighting, and shall also include signs with reflectors that depend upon automobile headlights for an image.

Marquee. A structure projecting from and supported by a building which extends beyond the building line or property line and fully or partially covers a sidewalk, public entrance or other pedestrian way.

Multiple occupancy complex. A commercial use, i.e., any use other than residential or agricultural, consisting of a parcel of property, or parcel of contiguous properties, existing as a unified or coordinated project, with a building or buildings housing more than one occupant.

Occupant (occupancy). A commercial use, i.e., any use other than residential or agricultural.

Parcel. A unit of land within legally established property lines. If, however, the property lines are such as to defeat the purposes of this code or lead to absurd results, a "parcel" may be as designated for a particular site by the director.

Permanent. Designed, constructed and intended for more than shortterm use.

Portable sign. Any sign which is manifestly designed to be transported by trailer or on its own wheels, including such signs even though the wheels may be removed and the remaining chassis or support structure converted to an A- or T-frame sign and attached temporarily or permanently to the ground.

Roof sign. A sign placed above the roofline of a building or on or against a roof slope of less than 45 degrees.

Roofline. A horizontal line intersecting the highest point or points of a roof.

Sign. Any writing, pictorial presentation, number, illustration, or decoration, flag, banner or pennant, or other device which is used to announce, direct attention to, identify, advertise or otherwise make anything known. The term "sign" shall not be deemed to include the term "building" or "landscaping," or any architectural embellishment of a building not intended to communicate information.

Sign face. The part of a sign that is or may be used for copy.

Sign face area. The area of any regular geometric shape which contains the entire surface area of a sign upon which copy may be placed.

Sign structure. Any construction used or designed to support a sign.

Street. A public or private right-of-way for vehicular traffic, including highways, thoroughfares, lanes, roads, ways, and boulevards.

Temporary. Designed, constructed, and intended to be used on a shortterm basis.

Unit. That part of a multiple occupancy complex housing one occupant.

Vehicle sign. Any sign affixed to a vehicle.

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FIGURE 9.00.04-A. EXAMPLES OF BUILDING SIGNS

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FIGURE 9.00.04-B. GROUND SIGNS