Definitions. As used in this article, the following terms shall mean and include:
ABANDONED SIGNAny sign advertising an establishment which has ceased to operate on the site for a period of more than 30 days.
AUTOMATIC CHANGEABLE COPY SIGNA sign which changes its content automatically on a frequency of more than once every 12 hours, whether by electronic or mechanical means.
AWNING SIGNAny visual message incorporated into an awning attached to a building.
BANNER/PENNANTA sign that is painted or displayed on a sheet composed of plastic, paper, fabric or other nonrigid material, fastened to the exterior of a building or structure or a flagpole, but excluding any flag representing federal, state, or other governmental entity and political unit or of any charitable, educational, philanthropic, civic or religious organizations.
ESTABLISHMENTA business, residence, public or private organization or similar.
FLAT SIGNA sign attached to a building or other structure that projects less than 18 inches beyond the building but extends parallel or substantially parallel thereto.
FREE-SPEECH SIGNA sign that does not advertise, identify or promote any establishment, business, service product or organization but rather states an opinion.
FREESTANDING SIGNA sign not attached to or part of any building but separate and permanently affixed by any other means in or upon the ground. Included are monument signs and masonry wall-type signs.
ILLUMINATED SIGNAny sign illuminated by electricity, gas or other artificial light.
NONCONFORMING SIGNA sign which exists at the time of enactment of this article and which does not conform to the regulations and restrictions imposed herein.
OFF-SITE SIGNA sign located on one site that relates to a different site.
PORTABLE OR MOBILE SIGNA sign that is designed and intended to be transported from place to place and is not permanently affixed to the ground or to a building or structure. Portable signs may or may not have wheels.
PROJECTING SIGNA sign which is attached to the exterior of a building beyond the surface of that portion of the building to which the sign is attached and not parallel to the face of the building.
ROOF SIGNA sign that is mounted upon the roof of a building or which is wholly dependent upon a building for support and which projects more than six inches above the highest point of a building with a flat roof; an eave line of a building with a gambrel, gable or hip roof; or the deck line of a building with a mansard roof.
SANDWICH BOARD SIGNA sign composed of two panels set up as a triangle shape, hinged along the top.
SIGNAny material, structure or device or part thereof composed of lettered or pictorial matter or a logo, which is located out-of-doors or on the exterior of any building or inside a building in view of the general public from a street or public way and displays an advertisement, announcement, notice or name.
SIGN AREAThe entire area within a single, continuous perimeter enclosing all elements which form an integral part of the sign. The structure supporting a sign shall be excluded unless the structure is designed in such a way as to form an integral background for the display.
SIGN STRUCTUREThe supports, uprights, bracing and framework for the sign.
TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNA sign directing and guiding traffic and parking but bearing no advertising matter.
WALL SIGNA sign which is attached to the outside wall of a building, with the face of the sign in plane parallel to such wall and not extending more than 12 inches from the face of the wall.
WINDOW/DOOR SIGNA sign visible from a sidewalk, street, off-street parking area or other public place, painted or affixed on glass or other window material or located inside within three feet of window, but not including graphics in connection with customary display of products.