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Oxford City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 1151

Signs

1151.01 PURPOSE.

   (a)    The purpose of this Chapter is to regulate the display of signs that pertain to residential and nonresidential land uses and activities that take place on the same site as where the sign is located. These regulations are intended to:
      (1)   Provide property owners and occupants an opportunity for effective identification.
      (2)   Maintain and enhance the quality of the City's appearance by limiting the number, sign face area, total area, location, and design of signs permitted on all sites.
      (3)   Protect residential zoning districts from the adverse impacts of excessive signs both from within residential districts and from surrounding districts.
      (4)   Reduce sign clutter.
      (5)   Ensure that signs are located and designed to maintain a safe and orderly pedestrian and vehicular environment.
      (6)   Provide reasonable and appropriate methods to identify goods sold or produced and services rendered in all zoning districts.
      (7)   Control the size, location, and design of temporary and permanent signs so that the appearance of such signs will be aesthetically harmonious with their surroundings and will enhance the overall appearance of the built environment.
      (8)   Eliminate any conflict that could be hazardous between private signs and traffic control devices and signs.
      (9)   Preserve and perpetuate uncluttered and natural views, significant architecture, and cultural resources for the enjoyment and environmental enrichment of the Oxford residents and visitors.
         (Ord. 3365. Passed 8-16-16.)

1151.02 ADMINISTRATION.

   (a)    Interpretation and Enforcement. The Zoning Administrator shall interpret and enforce this chapter. Appeal from the decision of the Zoning Administrator may be made to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
   (b)   Nonconforming Signs. Legal nonconforming signs are regulated at Chapter 1137, Nonconformities, Section 1137.10, Nonconforming Signs.
   (c)   Zoning Inspections. The Zoning Administrator is authorized to inspect any sign for compliance with this Code at any time.
   (d)   Installation and Maintenance. All signs shall be installed in a workmanlike manner and shall not be allowed to exist in a state of disrepair, which includes dysfunctional lighting, broken glass and plastic, rotted wood, peeling paint or vinyl, missing parts, rust, illegibility, and the like. The Zoning Administrator shall order the removal or repair of any sign that does not meet this standard after giving proper notice.
   (e)   Construction.
      (1)   No sign shall be constructed of highly flammable materials.
      (2)   Any glass other than that contained in incandescent bulbs, fluorescent bulbs or neon tubing which form part of any sign shall be comprised of glass approved by the building official for use in the particular application.
   (f)    Penalties for Violation. Any person, firm, or corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor pursuant to Oxford Code Section 501.99. Each day's continuance of a violation shall be considered a separate offense.
   (g)   Identification of Permanent Signs. Every permanent sign for which a permit is issued according to these regulations shall be plainly marked with the name of the responsible party and the permit number for the sign. Except for legal nonconforming signs, failure to display such information as required is prima facie evidence that the sign is a violation of this Code.
   (h)   Invalid Signs. A sign, whether conforming or nonconforming, that displays a commercial message that applies to an entity no longer in operation or to goods or services no longer provided shall be completely removed or the sign face replaced with a blank face within 45 days of such discontinuation of operation, sales, or service. The sign, sign structure, and mounting hardware must be removed in its entirety if a legal operation, sales, or service is not reinstated or established within 2 years of the original date of such discontinuation.
   (i)   Applications and Permits.
      (1)   The application requirements, permitting procedure, and issuance of a permit shall be as determined by the Zoning Administrator in accordance with this code.
      (2)   Temporary signs require obtaining a building and zoning permit unless specifically exempted below and shall be issued no sooner than 7 days from the date of application.
      (3)   A permit is required for all signs permitted in this Chapter except as specifically exempted below.
      (4)   The following signs do not require obtaining a permit but must comply with all applicable regulations in this chapter:
         A.   Street addresses as required by Oxford Code.
         B.   Public signs.
         C.   Nonresidential land use name plate signs.
         D.   Nonresidential land use direction signs.
         E.   Self-service facilities signs.
         F.   Structure identification signs.
         G.   Associations signs
         H.   Real estate signs.
         I.   Construction signs.
         J.   Flags.
         K.   Noncommercial and political signs.
         L.   Window signs.
         M.   Special Event Signs.
         N.   Building identification signs.
   (j)   Fees. Permit fees for signs shall be as set forth by City Council.
   (k)   Measurement.
      (1)   All sign face area shall be counted towards any total sign area regulation provided in this Code. Signs that are exempted from the permit requirement of this Code are not counted towards the total sign area permitted for a site or nonresidential occupant.
      (2)   Where this Code regulates the total sign area or the sign face area of a sign based upon the site or structure relative to an adjacent public right-of-way, the following provisions apply:
         A.   If a site abuts only one public right-of-way, the area regulations are based upon only that right-of-way.
         B.   If a site abuts more than one public right-of-way, the number and area regulations are based upon all rights-of-way, however, the sign number and area permitted based upon each right-of-way shall only be oriented towards the right-of-way upon which the permitted sign area is based.
(Ord. 3365. Passed 8-16-16.)

1151.03 GENERAL REGULATIONS.

   (a)    Proposals for signs on properties within the Historic District Overlay, regardless of zoning district, shall consult the guidelines provided by the Historical Architecture Preservation Commission and shall follow the procedures for approval contained therein.
   (b)   No signs are permitted other than those specifically permitted in this Code.
   
   (c)   The time, place, and manner of signs shall be regulated to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare as follows, unless specifically provided elsewhere in this chapter.
   (d)   Design.
      (1)   Signs shall only describe or direct attention to a nonresidential occupant, business, commodity, service, person, product, service, or entertainment produced, provided, conducted, sold, offered, or performed on the same premises on which the sign is displayed.
      (2)   No sign shall approximate the design or effect of public traffic control sign.
      (3)   No sign shall be painted directly upon a residential structure.
      (4)   No wall sign shall project more than 1 inch from the side of a building or structure that is adjacent to a public alley.
      (5)   The following signs are specifically prohibited: moving signs, flashing or animated signs, balloons, gas or other inflated signs, portable signs, searchlights, streamers, spinners, pennants, flags (except as specifically permitted in this Chapter), and the like.
   (e)   Location.
      (1)   No freestanding sign shall be closer to a lot line or the public right-of-way than the height of the sign, except as specifically exempted in this Chapter.
      (2)   No sign shall be attached to a standpipe, fire escape, utility pole, utility cabinet, or other utility or safety device.
      (3)   No sign shall be attached to a tree or other natural vegetation.
      (4)   No sign shall be upon or project above a roof line.
      (5)   Any wall sign that extends more than 3 inches from the surface to which it is attached shall be a minimum of 8 feet above the adjacent ground.
      (6)   No sign or sign structure shall be attached in a place that is likely to restrict the view of any street intersection, railroad crossing, or pedestrian crosswalk.
      (7)   No sign shall be attached in a place or manner that is likely to restrict free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape.
   (f)   Illumination.
      (1)   Sign shall be only naturally illuminated unless specifically permitted to be direct or indirect illumination elsewhere in this Chapter.
      (2)   No sign illumination shall be permitted that casts light towards a right-of-way or that casts light into an adjoining residential zoning district or where a light source is directly visible from off of the site.
         (Ord. 3365. Passed 8-16-16.)

1151.04 PUBLIC PROPERTY.

   For the purposes of this section, public property includes the property of any public governmental entity located in the City of Oxford including the City, Butler County, the State of Ohio, Miami University, the Lane Public Library, and the Talawanda City School District.
   (a)   Public Signs. Public signs and signs serving a public interest are permitted at any time, in any place, and in any manner deemed appropriate by the City Manager for the benefit of the public interest.
   (b)   Private Signs Over Public Property.  
      (1)   No privately owned signs may be affixed to or placed within the public right-of-way or on other public property, except as provided for in this Code. Wall signs attached to nonpublic structures that project into the public right-of-way are subject to the same provisions regulating signs that are on private property.
      (2)   The owners of all signs installed in the airspace of or directly on or in a public right-of-way or other public property in accordance with this Code shall be required to maintain insurance protecting The City of Oxford, Ohio from any claims of liability relative to personal injury or property damage in the right-of-way or other public property resulting from such sign. Failure to maintain such insurance shall be cause to revoke a sign permit and shall be a violation of this Code.
   (c)    Sandwich Board Signs. On the public right-of-way, in the GB, UP, NB, and RO zoning districts each nonresidential occupant shall be permitted 1 free-standing sandwich board sign as follows:
      (1)   The sign shall have a maximum total area of 16 square feet. The sign may have a maximum of two sign faces. The maximum area per sign face shall be no more than 12 square feet.
      (2)   The sign shall not extend more than five feet into the right-of-way.
      (3)   The sign shall not result in less than five feet of unimpeded sidewalk area adjacent to the sign.
      (4)   The City is authorized to require removal of such signs at any time deemed appropriate for the convenience and protection of the public health, safety, and general welfare.
(Ord. 3365. Passed 8-16-16.)

1151.05 PERMANENT SIGNS.

     (a)    Nonresidential Land Use Identification and Advertising Signs in the following Districts. These regulations describe the signs permitted for the purposes of identification and advertising for nonresidential land uses in those zoning districts that permit nonresidential land uses by right. Such signs are primarily intended to provide for identification of such uses from off-site, but also include pedestrian-scale signs that are intended to provide more detailed information to people who approach the primary entrance to such land uses.
            (1)    NB - Neighborhood Business District. No more than a total of one (1) wall or freestanding sign is permitted per nonresidential occupant in accordance with the following:
         A.    Wall Signs:
                     1.    No more than one (1) sign as follows, for identification and advertising:
                          a.    No more than twenty (20) square feet
                           b.    Attached between nine (9) and eighteen (18) feet above the adjacent ground.
         B.    Freestanding Signs:
                     1.    No more than one (1) sign as follows, for identification and advertising:
                           a.    No more than twelve (12) square feet per sign face
                           b.    No closer than ten (10) feet to a side lot line
                           c.    No combination of a freestanding sign structure and sign shall be higher than six (6) feet or wider than twelve (12) feet.
                  C.    Illumination:
                     1.    Signs shall have only indirect illumination.
                  D.    Proposals for signs on properties that fall within the Historic District Overlay in an NB zoning district shall consult the HAPC sign guidelines and follow the procedures therein.
            (1)      RO - Residential Office District. No more than a total of one (1) wall or freestanding sign is permitted per nonresidential occupant in accordance with the following:
                  A.    Wall Signs:
                     1.    No more than one (1) sign as follows, for identification and advertising:
                           a.    No more than twenty (20) square feet
                           b.    Attached between nine (9) and eighteen (18) feet above the adjacent ground
                  B.    Freestanding Signs:
                     1.   No more than one (1) sign as follows, for identification and advertising:
                           a.    No more than twelve (12) square feet per sign face
                           b.    No closer than ten (10) feet to a side lot line
                           c.    No combination of a freestanding sign structure and sign shall be higher than six (6) feet or wider than twelve (12) feet.
                  C.    Illumination:
                     1.    Signs shall have only indirect illumination.
                  D.    Proposals for signs on properties that fall within the Historic District Overlay in an RO zoning district shall consult the HAPC sign guidelines and follow the procedures therein.
            (2)      UP - Uptown District. No more than a total of two (2) wall signs are permitted per nonresidential occupant in accordance with the following:
                  A.    Wall signs:
                     1.    No more than one (1) sign per nonresidential occupant as follows, for identification and advertising:
               a.    No more than three (3) feet in height that extends horizontally across the entire facade of the structure.
                  b.    Attached between nine (9) and eighteen (18) feet above the adjacent ground.
                           c.    If a building has more than one (1) business occupant, the owner of the building shall apportion the space allotted for signs among the various business occupants in accordance with the regulations above.
                           d.    If a building is on a corner lot or the corner of an alley, it is permissible to have one (1) additional wall sign on the side of the building facing the secondary roadway in accordance with the regulations above.
                     2.    No more than one (1) sign per nonresidential occupant as follows, for menu box:
                           a.    No more than two (2) square feet in area
                           b.    Attached between four (4) and six (6) feet above the adjacent ground.
                           c.    Incorporates no text greater than two (2) inches in height.
                  B.    Illumination:
                     1.    Signs shall have only indirect illumination.
                  C.    Proposals for signs on UP properties that fall within the Historic District Overlay shall consult the HAPC sign guidelines and follow the procedures therein.
            (3)      GB - General Business District.
                  A.    Maximum total sign area for all signs on a development site shall be no more than two (2) square feet of sign area per linear front foot of the site.
                     1.    Single Tenant Site: No more than a total of two (2) wall or freestanding signs are permitted per site.
                           a.    Wall Signs: No more than two (2) signs as follows:
                                 i.    If the average front setback of the structure is less than 100 feet, then the sign may be no more than three (3) feet tall. If the average front setback of the structure is 100 feet or greater then a sign may be no taller than the average front setback of the structure multiplied by 0.04, but in no case taller than twelve (12) feet.
                                 ii.    No wall sign may exceed the total front width of the building façade facing the public right-of-way.
                                 iii.    If a building is on a corner lot or the corner of an alley, it is permissible to have one additional wall sign on the side of the building facing the secondary roadway in accordance with the regulations above.
                           b.    Freestanding Signs: No more than one (1) sign as follows:
                                 i.    No more than forty-eight (48) square feet per side.
                                 ii.    No combination of a freestanding sign support structure and sign shall be higher than six (6) feet or wider than twelve (12) feet.
                     2.    Multi-Tenant Site:
                           a.    Wall Signs: No more than one (1) wall sign per tenant and the size is limited to the following:
                                 i.    If the average front setback of the tenant is less than 100 feet, then the sign may be no more than three (3) feet tall. If the average front setback of the tenant is 100 feet or greater then a sign may be no taller than the average front setback of the tenant multiplied by 0.04, but in no case taller than twelve (12) feet.
                                 ii.    No wall sign may exceed the building width of a tenant space.
                                 iii.    If a building is on a corner lot it is permissible to have one (1) additional wall sign facing the secondary roadway in accordance with the regulations above.
                           b.    Free-Standing Signs: No more than one (1) sign as follows:
                                 i.    No more than forty-eight (48) square feet per side.
                                 ii.    No combination of a freestanding sign support structure and sign shall be higher than six (6) feet or wider than twelve (12) feet.
                  B.    Illumination:
                     1.    Signs may be indirectly or directly illuminated.
             (4)    OI & LI - Office and Light Industrial District and Light Industrial District. No more than a total of one (1) wall or freestanding sign is permitted per development site in accordance with the following:
                  A.    Maximum total sign area for all signs on a development site shall be nor more than one (1) square foot of sign area per front foot of the development site.
                  B.    Wall Signs:
                     1.    No more than one (1) sign as follows:
                           a.    If the average front setback of the structure is less than 100 feet, then the sign may be no more than three (3) feet tall. If the average front setback of the structure is 100 feet or greater then a sign may be no taller than the average front setback of the structure multiplied by 0.04, but in no case taller than twelve (12) feet.
                           b.    If a building is on a corner lot or the corner of an alley, it is permissible to have one (1) additional wall sign on the side of the building facing the secondary roadway in accordance with the regulations above.
                  C.    Freestanding Signs:
                     1.    No more than one (1) sign as follows:
                           a.    No more than forty-eight (48) square feet per side
                           b.    No closer than thirty (30) feet to a side lot line
                           c.    No combination of a freestanding sign structure and sign shall be higher than six (6) feet or wider than twelve (12) feet.
                  D.    Illumination:
                     1.    Signs may be indirectly or directly illuminated.
   (b)    Nonresidential Land Use Signs in Residential Zoning Districts. The following regulations describe the signs permitted for identification of nonresidential land uses such as day care, institutional, public, semi-public, charitable, non-profit, religious, or medical facilities in any residential zoning district as defined in Chapter 1133, Provisions for Zoning Districts. Such signs are primarily intended to provide for identification of such uses from off-site. Signs for legal nonconforming nonresidential land uses are regulated according to the Nonconforming Chapter of this Code and are not entitled to the signs permitted in this section.
            (1)    No more than one (1) sign per development site is permitted as follows:
                  A.    The sign may be either a wall or a freestanding sign but not both
                  B.    No more than twelve (12) square feet in area
                  C.    Indirect illumination only
   (c)   Name Plate and Direction Signs in Any District. These regulations describe the signs permitted for the purposes of controlling the flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic on-site and for identifying the building entrances for nonresidential land uses in any zoning district. Such signs include vehicular and pedestrian-scale signs that describe building occupants, secondary entrances, intended travel directions, and parking regulations and are permitted in accordance with the following:
            (1)    No more than one (1) wall sign per principle structure as follows, to describe the names, address, and locations within the structure:
         A.    No more than two (2) square feet in area
                  B.    Attached between four (4) and eight (8) feet above the adjacent ground
                  C.    Attached either on or within two (2) feet of a door.
                  D.    Indirect illumination only
            (2)    No more than one (1) wall sign per secondary entrance to a principle structure, excluding that described in part 1 of this section, as follows, to describe the purpose of secondary entrances:
                  A.    No more than two (2) square feet in area
                  B.    Attached on or within two (2) feet of a door
            (3)    No more than one (1) wall or freestanding sign per development site as follows, to describe parking regulations:
                  A.    No more than four (4) square feet in area
                  B.    Single sign face only
                  C.    Display no commercial message except identification and address
                 D.    Indirect illumination only
            (4)    Any number of wall or freestanding signs as follows, to describe intended direction of vehicular travel on-site:
                  A.    No more than two (2) square feet in area
                  B.    No higher than four (4) feet
                  C.    No closer than five (5) feet to any lot line
                  D.    Display no commercial message except identification and address
   
   (d)    These regulations describe the signs permitted for the purposes of identification of residential land uses in any location. Such signs include addresses, large multi-family identification, and subdivision identification and are permitted in accordance with the following:
      (1)   No more than one (1) freestanding sign per development site as follows, for identification of residential structures with more than three (3) dwelling units in the R3, R3MS and R4 zoning districts:
         A.   The development site must have at least one (1) acre in area and 250 feet in street frontage.
                  B.    A maximum of two (2) sign faces
                  C.    No more than twenty-four (24) square feet in area per sign face
                  D.    No combination of a freestanding sign structure and sign shall be higher than six (6) feet or wider than twelve (12) feet.
                  E.    Indirect illumination only
            (2)    No more than one (1) freestanding sign per street intersection at the boundaries of a subdivision as follows, for identification of the subdivision:
                  A.    A maximum of two (2) sign faces
                  B.    No more than forty-eight (48) square feet per sign face
                  C.    No combination of a freestanding sign structure and sign shall be higher than six (6) feet or wider than twelve (12) feet.
                  D.    Indirect illumination only
   
   (e)    Other Permitted Specific Development, Land Use, and Accessory Land Use Signs.
            (1)    Street Number Signs. Signs for the display of street numbers as regulated in Oxford Code Section PM-304.3, Street Numbers.
            (2)    Building Identification Signs. No more than one (1) wall sign per principal structure as follows:
                  A.    No more than six (6) square feet in area
                  B.    Attached between four (4) and eighteen (18) feet above the adjacent ground
                  C.    The sign shall be naturally illuminated only.
      (3)    Fuel Sales. In addition to other provisions of this Chapter, a publicly available fuel dispensing station may use a twelve (12) square foot area of no more than one permitted wall or freestanding sign for changeable copy to display the price of fuel. This may be applied on both sides of a two-sided sign.
            (4)    Self-service facilities. No such facility shall have more than four (4) square feet of total sign area. Such signs shall be permanently attached to or be a part of the facility and shall not extend above it.
            (5)    Planned Developments. Signs for planned developments shall be regulated according to the approved final plan.
            (6)    Commemorative Structure Identification. Structure names, erection dates, commemorative plaques and the like are permitted on any structure if carved into stone or concrete or set in brick or in some other way permanently made a part of the structure or if made of metal and permanently adhered to the structure. This is intended to permit signs that will remain on the structure until it is razed and that is independent of the occupants. These signs shall be naturally illuminated only.
            (7)    Associations. Credit card, trading stamp, trade association window signs are permitted for any nonresidential land use in any zoning district. No symbol shall exceed one-half (1/2) square foot in area. No more than ten (10) such signs are permitted per nonresidential occupant. These signs shall be naturally illuminated only. (Ord. 3570. Passed 6-2-20.)
 

1151.06 TEMPORARY SIGNS.

   Temporary signs are not subject to the sign area provisions described elsewhere in this Chapter.
   (a)   Special Events. No more than 1 sign per nonresidential occupant, to advertise special events:
      (1)   No more than 30 square feet in area in a nonresidential zoning district.
      (2)   No more than 16 square feet in area in a residential zoning district.
      (3)   Single sign face.
      (4)   Installed flat against a wall or stretched between pillars or other supporting members of a principal structure.
      (5)   Placed or positioned at or below the lowest residential window sill.
      (6)   Installed for no more than 14 days.
      (7)   Installed no more than 6 times per calendar year (January through December).
   (b)   Real Estate. No more than 1 sign per lot per adjacent public right-of-way as follows, to advertise real estate:
      (1)   No more than 24 square feet in area per side in a nonresidential zoning district.
      (2)   No more than 6 square feet in area per side in a residential zoning district.
      (3)   Must be freestanding.
      (4)   Must not be permanently anchored to the ground or attached to concrete, asphalt, or other natural ground surface.
   (c)   Construction.
      (1)   No more than 2 construction signs that together have a total sign area of no more than 32 square feet.
      (2)   The maximum number of sign faces per sign shall be limited to 1.
   (d)   Flags. No more than 4 flags per principle structure are permitted for any land use in any zoning district.
   (e)   Noncommercial and Political Signs. Any principle structure in any zoning district may display no more than 5 noncommercial or political signs. Each sign may have a maximum of 2 sign faces (a double faced sign), each face with a maximum of 12 square feet in sign area. Signs may be wall, window, or freestanding. Signs shall be naturally illuminated only.
   (f)   Window Signs. Any land use in any zoning district may have window signs that obstruct no more than 50 percent of the glass within a structural frame of the wall in which it is located.
(Ord. 3365. Passed 8-16-16.)

1151.07 DEFINITIONS.

   (a)   Area, Sign Face - the area of the smallest rectangle that encloses all of the letters, figures or symbols that comprise the sign message, including any background forming an integral part of the display, but not including any structure supporting the sign, unless the support structure forms a part of the message being displayed.
   (b)   Area, Total - the area permitted for a residential or nonresidential occupant, structure, site or other entity that is comprised of all separate sign face areas
   (c)   Banner - a non-rigid cloth, plastic, paper, or canvas sign typically related to a public demonstration or for the promotion of civic, welfare or charitable enterprises.
   (d)   Building Identification Sign - a sign intended to identify a building from beyond the site on which the sign is located.
   (e)   Changeable Copy Sign - a sign or portion thereof with characters, letters, or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged by mechanical, electronic, or manual means.
   (f)   Commercial Sign - a sign proposing or promoting a commercial transaction or directing attention to a business, commodity, or service.
   (g)   Construction Sign - a temporary sign identifying the persons, firms, or businesses directly connected with an ongoing construction project and other information or diagrams about the project.
   (h)   Development Site - Any area of land that is characterized by a single, unified, integrated development or land use regardless of ownership or underlying legal land divisions.
   (i)   Direction Sign - a sign intended to control the flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic that does not contain any other commercial message.
   (j)   Flag - any fabric or bunting that display only the symbol of an official public entity or political jurisdiction.
   (k)   Flashing Sign - a sign that changes in intensity, color, or pattern of illumination at less than two-hour intervals when the sign is activated.
   (1)   Freestanding Sign - a sign that is affixed to the ground and that is not affixed to any other structure.
   (m)   Ground Sign - a freestanding sign structure that is affixed to the ground and that is not affixed to any other structure and that has a base that contacts the ground over at least 80 percent of the maximum width of the structure.
   (n)   Height, Sign - the distance between any part of the sign face area and the natural finished grade directly below it.
   (o)   Identification Sign - a sign that serves to identify only the names, addresses, and occupations conducted on or in the site, structure, building, or portion thereof on which it is located.
   (p)   Illegal Sign - either of the following:
      (1)   A sign erected without first complying with all ordinances and regulations in effect at the time of its construction and erection or use.
      (2)   A sign that was legally erected, but whose use has ceased, or the structure on which the display is placed has been abandoned by its owner, not maintained, or not used to identify or advertise an ongoing business after a period of more than 45 days. See 1151.02(h).
   (q)   Illumination, Direct - a source of illumination enclosed entirely within a sign and not directly visible from outside of the sign.
   (r)   Illumination, Indirect -- a source of illumination directed toward a sign so that a beam of light falls on the exterior surface of the sign.
   (s)   Illumination, Natural - illumination provided only by the sun, moon, and other broad environmental sources such as street lights, parking lot lights, and building lights and not provided with direct or indirect illumination as defined in this Chapter.
   (t)   Instruction Sign - an on-site sign designed to be visible on-site or immediately adjacent to the site by pedestrians and motorists and that conveys instructions with respect to the premises on which it is maintained. Examples of such signs include a sign designating the entrance to or exit from a parking area, trespassing sign, a danger sign, entry or exit signs, directional signs, service entrance signs, and on-site information signs.
   (u)   Menu Box - a pedestrian-scale, nonresidential occupant sign that provides an opportunity to change the message on a regular basis to provide information about a restaurant menu, scheduled entertainment, special events, and the like.
   (v)   Mural - a picture on an exterior surface of a structure. A mural is a sign only if it is related by language, logo, or pictorial depiction to the advertisement of any product, service, place, person or the identification of any business.
   (w)   Noncommercial and Political Sign - a sign other than a commercial, instructional, entry feature, construction, identification, outdoor advertising, professional or real estate sign.
   (x)   Nonconforming Sign, Legal - a sign that was lawfully erected or displayed under laws or ordinances in effect at the time of its installation, but that is not allowed under this Code.
   (y)   Nonresidential Occupant - Any single entity that is involved in the operation of a nonresidential land use.
   (z)   Off-Site Sign - a sign that is not an on-site sign as defined in this Chapter.
   (aa)   On-Site Sign - a sign directing attention to a business, commodity, service, person, or entertainment conducted, sold or offered on the same site on which the sign is located.
   (bb)    Portable Sign - a sign that is designed to be or capable of being moved or transported, and not permanently affixed or attached to any building, structure, or grounds.
   (cc)    Professional Sign - a sign indicating the name and occupation of a professional person or group of associated professional persons.
   (dd)    Projecting Sign - a sign that is wholly or partly dependent on a building for support or suspended from a pole attached to a structure and that projects more than 16 inches from the building at a perpendicular angle or approximately perpendicular angle.
   (ee)   Real Estate Sign - a sign advertising the sale, rental, open house, or lease or other disposition of the structure, property, or land on which it is installed.
   (ff)    Roof Line - the uppermost line or point of the facade or parapet of a flat roof structure, or the lower edge of an eve, gable, or rake of a sloped roof structure including a mansard roof.
   (gg)    Roof Sign - a sign erected on or projected above the roofline of a building or structure.
   (hh)    Sandwich Board Sign - a sign with two hinged, connected or double-faced boards or other material that can be temporarily placed on the ground and is customarily placed on a sidewalk to advertise changing sales, specials, or products sold in the adjacent establishment.
   (ii)    Sign - any object, device, display, or structure, or part thereof, situated outdoors or indoors, which is used to advertise, identify, display, direct, or attract attention to an object, person, institution, organization, business, product, service, event, or site by any means, including words, letters, figures, design, symbols, fixtures, colors, illumination, or projected images.
   (jj)    Self-service Facilities - machines, containers, and other external appurtenances that are publicly available and that are generally used by the public without assistance, such as canned and bottled drink dispensers, ice storage chests, propane tank corrals, automated teller machines (ATMs), gasoline pumps, air compressors, newspaper boxes, pay telephones, vehicle washing and vacuuming facilities, and the like, whether freestanding or attached to a structure.
   (kk)    Site, Development - See Development Site
   (ll)    Special Event Sign - a sign displaying a message about a grand opening, change in management, promotion, annual activity, sale, seasonal sale, temporary price change, new merchandise, new service, special service, and the like relative to the nonresidential occupant that displays the sign.
   (mm)    Temporary Sign - a sign designed, intended, or installed for a relatively short period of time and that consist only of materials that are not subject to degradation from exposure to inclement weather, the sun, or other natural hazards. Prohibited materials include uncoated paper, cardboard, untreated cotton, and other untreated natural fibers.
   (nn)    Wall Sign - a sign painted on or affixed flat against the wall of a building or structure, or a marquee, awning, or canopy in such a manner that the wall becomes the supporting structure for, or forms the background surface of, the sign and that does not project more than 16 inches from such building or structure.
   (oo)    Window Sign - a sign painted on or affixed to a windowpane or glass door or displayed on the inside of the building or structure that is within two feet of a windowpane or glass door and is visible from a public right-of-way or adjacent property.
(Ord. 3365. Passed 8-16-16.)

1151.99 PENALTY.

   Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor pursuant to Oxford Code Section 501.99(a). Each day's continuance of a violation shall be considered a separate offense.
(Ord. 3365. Passed 8-16-16.)