[Ord. No. 1400 §34, 12-18-2014; Ord. No. 1515 §2, 3-16-2016; Ord. No. 2146, 5-15-2024]
For the purposes of this Article, the following definitions shall apply:
"A" FRAME SIGN
A sign that stands on its own support(s), is portable and movable, and the structure of which resembles the letter "A."
ARCHWAY SIGN
A sign depicted on, constructed out of, or integrated directly into: (1) an archway; (2) a flat, horizontal cross member; or (3) some combination of archways and flat, horizontal cross members (each of the foregoing referred to in this definition as "spanning material"), where such spanning material bridges the gap between at least two (2) independent support structures, and which crosses over a private driveway, walkway, or some other similar private area, such that vehicles and people can safely travel underneath the spanning material and in between the support structures.
AWNING
Any structure entirely supported by the wall to which it is attached and which has a frame covered by canvas, cloth or other similar material and/or which can be retracted or rolled to the structure by which it is supported.
AWNING, CANOPY AND MARQUEE SIGN
A sign mounted or painted on or attached to an awning, canopy or marquee.
BANNER
A sign which is painted or otherwise permanently affixed upon cloth or other flexible material and which is building mounted only.
CANOPY (or MARQUEE)
A permanent roof-like shelter extending from part or all of a building face onto which signs may be placed.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN (AUTOMATIC)
A sign using an automated time interval to change between different copy.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN (MANUAL)
A sign on which copy is changed manually.
CITY PROPERTY
Property of the City of Cottleville, whether or not the property is at the time being used for a public purpose, and includes that property which is owned, rented or leased to the City of Cottleville. This definition shall not apply to property owned by the City that is leased or rented to others.
COLD AIR BALLOON
A stationary balloon in which a blower (fan) system runs continually to keep the balloon inflated.
COPY (PERMANENT)
The wording, symbols or pictorial representations on a sign surface either in permanent or removable form.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
The office or individual having specific authority to administer the regulations of this Article, or his/her designee.
ELECTRICAL SIGN
Any sign containing electrical wiring that is attached or intended to be attached to an electrical energy source.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE SIGN
A sign or portion thereof with a face designed specifically to allow characters, letters, or illustrations to be changed or altered electronically.
ERECT
To build, construct, attach, hang, rehang, place, affix or relocate and includes the painting of lettering for signs.
FACADE
The front or main part of a building facing a street; for purposes of this Article the facade is measured from the ground elevation to the parapet line.
FACE OF SIGN (or SIGN FACE)
The entire area of a sign on which copy could be placed. The area of the face of a sign is calculated in square feet by measuring the smallest geometric figure which covers the area enclosed by the actual copy of a sign. For wall signs, the copy area limits refer to the message, not to any illuminated background.
FLAG
A usually rectangular or triangular piece of fabric attachable by one edge to a pole or rope containing copy on one or both sides.
FLASHING SIGN
A sign or accessory light that is illuminated on an intermittent cycle except changeable copy sign (automatic).
FREESTANDING SIGN
A sign which is erected or mounted on its own self-supporting permanent structure or base detached from any supporting elements of a building.
GRADE
The average level of the finished surface of the ground adjacent to a sign or the exterior wall of the building to which a sign is affixed.
GROUND SIGN
A freestanding sign resting upon the ground.
HEIGHT OF SIGN
The measurement from the top of the highest structural element of the sign to the average level of the finished ground surface or grade.
ILLUMINATED
Any sign designed to provide artificial light either through transparent or translucent material from a light source within the sign.
INSTITUTIONAL SIGN
A sign located at the entrance to a facility owned, leased or used by a Federal, State or local governmental entity.
MEMORIAL SIGN
A sign attached to a building and either:
1.
Cut into any masonry surface;
2.
Inlaid so as to be part of a building; or
3.
Constructed of bronze or other incombustible material.
MONUMENT SIGN
A self-supporting, freestanding sign resting on or supported by a solid base or similar structure on a foundation in the ground.
NON-CONFORMING SIGN
Any sign which was lawfully erected and maintained prior to such time as it came within the purview of this Article, and any amendments thereto, but which does not meet the requirements of this Article.
NON-ELECTRICAL SIGN
Any sign that does not contain electrical wiring or is not attached or intended to be attached to an electrical energy source.
OBSCENE
The copy on a sign is obscene when:
1.
The average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the work, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest;
2.
The average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the work depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, specified sexual conduct; and
3.
The work, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.
PARAPET
That portion of a building wall that rises above the roof level.
PERSON
Any individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind.
POLE SIGN
A freestanding sign attached to the ground by means of one (1) or more poles or standards.
PORTABLE READER BOARD
A portable changeable copy sign (manual).
PORTABLE SIGN
A sign which is not permanently affixed to the ground.
PREMISES
That portion of a lot or building occupied by a single occupant, exclusive of common area, if any, shared with adjacent occupants.
PUMP ISLAND SIGN
A sign located on or attached to a pump that draws gasoline or other vehicular fuel from underground storage tanks.
RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION ENTRANCE SIGN
A permanent ground sign that is located at the entrance to a residential subdivision.
RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION TEMPORARY ENTRANCE SIGN
Any temporary sign that is erected during the period of time that a residential subdivision is under construction and is located at the entrance to the residential subdivision. A residential subdivision temporary entrance sign shall be taken down after the last lot in a residential subdivision is constructed.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
That part of any street, road, alley or avenue dedicated for public use as a walkway or thoroughfare for pedestrians or motor vehicles, whether or not the public improvements thereon extend to the fully dedicated limits of such right-of-way.
ROOF LINE
The top edge of the roof or the top of the parapet, whichever forms the top line of the building silhouette.
ROOF SIGN
A sign mounted on the roof of a building or projecting above the top of the roof line (except a ground or pole sign).
SANDWICH BOARD
Two boards connected by hinges or fabric at one end and designed for either hanging from a person's shoulders or to be freestanding.
SIGHT TRIANGLE
A triangle delineated by the right-of-way lines of intersecting streets and a line connecting points on those right-of-way lines twenty-five (25) feet in each direction from the intersection point of the right-of-way lines or at equivalent points on the streets.
SIGN
Any identification, description, illustration or device, illuminated or non-illuminated, which is visible to the general public and directs attention to a product, service, place, activity, person, institution, business or solicitation, including any permanently installed or situated merchandise; or any emblem, painting, flag, banner, pennant or placard designed to advertise, identify or convey information. Sign supports are not considered part of the sign.
SUBDIVISION ENTRANCE SIGN
A sign located at the entrance to a subdivision or development.
SUPPORTS
All structures by which a sign is held up, including, but not limited to, poles, braces, guys and anchors.
TEMPORARY SIGN
A sign erected within the City for a limited period of time.
TRAFFIC SIGN, SIGNAL OR DEVICE
Any device, whether manually, electrically or mechanically operated, erected by the Federal, State or local government, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and to proceed.
TRIM
The molding, battens, nailing strips, latticing and platforms that are attached to the sign structure.
UNSAFE OR INSECURE SIGN
A sign which is not in good repair because the poles, frames, braces, panels or facings are broken, damaged, or not securely affixed to a substantial structure.
WALL SIGN
A sign attached to or erected against a wall of a building with the face horizontally parallel to the wall.
WINDOW SIGN
A sign permanently affixed to either side of the glass of an exterior door or window. For the purpose of this Article, a glass brick wall shall be deemed a window. This definition does not include merchandise located in the window.