A sign is abandoned when for a period of 90 days or more, there is no sign copy appearing on the sign, or where the establishment with which the sign is associated has ceased operation for a period of 90 days or more, or where it is relatively clear that the sign has been forsaken or deserted. Any sign which is a conforming sign not in use, but which could be re-used in conjunction with the ownership or operation of a new business on a property, shall not fall under the definition of abandoned.

Any change of size, shape, illumination, position, location, construction or supporting structure of an existing sign.

A sign with action or motion, rotating, flashing or color changes, excepting therefrom wind-actuated elements such as flags, banners, streamers, whirligigs or other similar devices, and public service signs such as time and temperature units.

Any sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is attached to a building or other structure. Flags, as defined in this section, shall not be considered banners.

A building or group of buildings on one or more lots or building sites containing three or more separate businesses.

The outermost surface of any exterior wall of a building, but not including cornices, bay windows, balconies, or other architectural features which extend beyond the general outermost surface of such exterior wall.

Building face that fronts a public street or shared common parking area within a commercial center, measured in linear feet from the edge of wall to the edge of wall.

Also referred to as "can sign." A sign that contains all the text and/or logo symbols on the display face of an enclosed cabinet

Any sign that is part of a projecting awning, canopy, or other fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover over a door, entrance or window or outdoor service area, or otherwise attached to a building face.

A sign with changeable copy, regardless of the method of attachment or the materials of construction, that is non-digital.

Any wording, logo or other representation that, directly or indirectly, names, advertises or calls attention to a commercial or industrial business, product, good, service or other commercial or industrial activity.

Any sign with wording, logo, or other representation that, directly or indirectly, names, advertises, or calls attention to a business, product, service, or other commercial activity.

A property that has been issued a building permit by the City of Atascadero for activities related to demolition, remodel, or new construction of a property.

The area at a street corner inscribed by a line drawn between points established by measuring back 15 feet from the beginning of the curb radius along the curb line, or edge of pavement when there is no curb, and the face of the curb or edge of pavement.

The portion of a sign message made up of internally illuminated components capable of changing a message periodically. Digital displays may include, but are not limited to, LCD, LED, plasma, or high intensity displays (hid).

A structure located above the height of a wall projecting from a sloping roof that is enclosed on both sides and top, and does not project above top of the roof structure.

Any building or portion thereof which contains living facilities, including provisions for sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.

Any City official or agent designated by the City Manager as having authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

Also known as a blade sign, teardrop sign, or similar type of temporary signage that is constructed of cloth, canvas, plastic fabric, or similar lightweight, non-rigid material and that is supported by a single vertical pole mounted into the ground or portable structure for means of advertising.

A device, generally made of flexible materials, usually cloth, paper or plastic, usually used as a symbol of a government, school, or religion, and not containing a commercial message.

Any sign supported by structures or supports that are placed on, or anchored in, the ground which are independent from any building or other structure. This definition may include pole signs, ground signs and monument signs.

A sign oriented to be viewed primarily from Highway 101.

Any freestanding sign greater than six feet in height and supported wholly by uprights, braces, or poles in or upon the ground and where any supports or angle irons are enclosed in a wood, plastic, metal or other decorative form, such that the angle irons or supports are not visible. The entire bottom of a ground sign is generally in contact or in close proximity to the ground.

The height of any sign shall be the measurement from the top of the sign cabinet, including all ornamentation and supports, to the existing grade beneath the sign.

Any sign placed without all required governmental approval and/or permits at the time such sign was placed or is an existing sign which was not constructed in accordance with the ordinances and other applicable laws in effect on the date of construction, did not receive government approval or permits, or a legal nonconforming sign that has exceeded its authorized amortization period.

Any sign employing the use of lighting sources for the purpose of decorating, outlining, accentuating or brightening the sign area.

A sign, generally informational, that has a purpose secondary to the use of the lot on which it is located, such as no parking, entrance, loading only, telephone and other similar directives. A sign that also includes a commercial message is not considered incidental.

Any air or gas filled device located, attached, or tethered to the ground, site, merchandise, building, or roof and used for the purpose of signage, advertising or attention-getting.

A sign which was legal when first erected, with all necessary permits, but due to a change in the law it became nonconforming.

A temporary banner or sign that is designed to be attached to a permanent light pole and where the temporary sign element can be changed without modifying the structure.

Those portions of a lot or building site which abut a public street. For purposes of determining frontage on corner lots and through lots, all sides of a lot abutting a public street (excluding an alley) shall be considered frontage.

A permanent roofed structure attached to and supported by the building and projecting beyond the building face.

The use of a moving trailer, automobile, truck, or any other vehicle to display commercial or noncommercial messages primarily for advertising purposes unrelated to the principal use of such vehicle.

A freestanding sign which is supported by a base which extends the entire length of the sign area and is an integral part of the design.

A sign with two or more sign faces where any two sign faces are oriented such that they have an interior angle of greater than 45 degrees from each other.

Any wording, logo or other representation that does not directly or indirectly, name, advertise or call attention to a commercial or industrial business, product, good, service or other commercial or industrial activity.

Any signage which is not determined to be commercial signage, as defined herein.

The molding, battens, caps, nailing strips, lattice, cutouts, or letters and walkways which are attached to the sign structure.

Signage when taken as a whole, which to the average person applying contemporary Statewide standards, appeals to the prurient interest and as a whole depicts or describes in a patently offensive way sexual conduct which lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.

Signage that is not located on the site of the business, accommodations, services, or commercial activity served by the sign.

A sign advertising the business, accommodations, services or commercial activities provided on the site on which the sign is located. For the purposes of this chapter, all signs with noncommercial messages are deemed to be on-site, regardless of location

Any legal sign designed or used in excess of 45 days.

Signs permitted pursuant to this chapter.

A sign wholly supported by one pole and separated from the ground by air.

Any freestanding, moveable sign.

Signs specified in Section 9-15.007 of this chapter or any sign not specified in Sections 9-15.008 through 9-15.010, nor in compliance with the design criteria for this chapter.

A sign which involves an image projected on the face of a wall, structure, sidewalk, or other surface from a distant electronic device such that the image does not originate from the plan of the wall, structure, sidewalk, or other surface.

An on-site sign used to identify the name of an apartment housing complex, mobilehome park, condominium subdivision or other residential subdivision.

A sign which projects more than 12 inches from the exterior face of a building wall or facade and which uses the building wall as its primary source of support.

A sign erected upon or above a roof (angled surface) or a parapet of a building or structure, and not contained within a dormer (flat surface).

The setback area shall be that area defined as the required minimum yard as specified by the Zoning Ordinance for each Zoning District, unless a specific setback is designated within this chapter.

Any device, fixture, placard, or structure that uses any color, form, graphic, illumination, symbol, or writing to advertise, announce the purpose of, or identify the purpose of a person or entity, or to communicate information of any kind to the public, with the exception of the following:

The entire area contained within the frame, cabinet or fixture, including all ornamentation or decoration used to attract attention. In the case of pole signs, that area above the supporting column, provided such supporting column is not decorated or displayed with advertising. The area of signs painted on walls, individual letter signs, trough signs, and other directly illuminated signs, shall be calculated on the basis of the smallest rectangle, circle or spherical figure that will enclose the entire copy area of the sign. The area of any two or more faced signs or type signs having any interior angle of more than 45 degrees (multi-faces signs) shall be the total area of all faces or panels. If all interior angles are 45 degrees or less, the greatest sized panel or face shall only be counted as the sign area.

Any words, letters, numbers, figures, designs or other symbolistic representation incorporated into a sign with the purpose of attracting attention to the subject matter.

The surface of the sign upon, against, or through which the message is displayed or illustrated on the sign.

Any structure that supports or is capable of supporting any sign as defined in this section. A sign structure may be a single pole and may or may not be an integral part of the building.

A lot, or group of contiguous lots, with or without development, in single ownership, or having multiple owners, all of whom join in an application for signage.

Signage that is attached to trees, utility poles, in-ground wires or to other objects that has a message appearing on it.

A public or private highway, road or thoroughfare which affords the principal means of access to adjacent lots.

Temporary signage for properties that are for sale or rent.

An outdoor pole consisting of either wood, metal, or other similar material, installed by an entity operating under the jurisdiction of the California Public Utilities Commission or other similar state or federal agency to support telephone, electric, and other cables.

A sign no larger than six square feet in size comprised of light weight material such as vinyl, canvas, fabric, or other similar materials that are staked, or framed in the ground.