ABANDONED SIGN — Any sign and/or its supporting sign structure which remains without a message or whose display surface remains blank for a period of one year or more, or any sign which pertains to a time event or purpose which no longer applies shall be presumed to have been abandoned. Signs applicable to a business temporarily suspended because of a change in ownership or management of such business shall not be deemed abandoned unless the property remains vacant for a period of one year or more. Any sign remaining after demolition of a principal structure shall be deemed to be abandoned. Signs which are present because of being legally established nonconforming signs or signs which have required a conditional use permit or a variance shall also be subject to the definition of abandoned sign

ACCESSORY SIGN — An on-premises sign which is customary, incidental and subordinate to the primary use of a parcel, building or establishment, which is frequently allowed in addition to any other on-premises signs specifically permitted, and which contains a message that is usually temporary or ephemeral in relevance. Examples of accessory signs include warning signs, trespass signs, signs announcing the sale, lease, or rent of a premises (or portion thereof), or announcing construction, repair, renovation, or remodeling activities on a site, or signs with campaign, political or advocacy messages posted prior to an election, or referendum, or prior to an anticipated action or hearing by a public body. Such signs usually contain primarily noncommercial speech

ACCESSORY USE STRUCTURE — Any structure other than an accessory building, which is subordinate and accessory to the principal permitted use and which is located on the same lot as the principal permitted use, and which is used for purposes customarily incidental to those of the principal permitted use, such as parking areas, driveways, signs, fencing, walls, tennis courts, basketball courts, swimming pools and other similar man-made objects

ADDRESS — The number or other designation assigned to a housing unit, business establishment, or other structure for purposes of mail delivery, emergency services, and so forth

ADDRESS SIGN — An on-premises sign containing the address of the premises, site, or building or portion thereof

AGGREGATE SIGN AREA — The total available sign area of all sides or portions of a sign, except in the case of double-faced signs

ANIMATED SIGN — A sign employing actual motion, the illusion of motion, or light and/or color changes achieved through mechanical, electrical, or electronic means. Animated signs, which are differentiated from changeable signs as defined and regulated by Article 20, include the following types:

ENVIRONMENTALLY ACTIVATED — Animated signs or devices motivated by wind, thermal changes, or other natural environmental input. Includes spinners, pinwheels, pennant strings, and/or other devices or displays that respond to naturally occurring external motivation.

MECHANICALLY ACTIVATED — Animated signs characterized by repetitive motion and/or rotation activated by a mechanical system powered by electric motors or other mechanically induced means. This subcategory includes signs which are inflated and driven by force of machine produced air current.

ELECTRICALLY ACTIVATED — Animated signs producing the illusion of movement by means of electronic, electrical, or electromechanical input and/or illumination capable of simulating movement through employment of the characteristics of one or both of the classifications noted below:

FLASHING — Animated signs or animated portions of signs whose illumination is characterized by a repetitive cycle in which the period of illumination is either the same as or less than the period of nonillumination. For the purposes of Article 20, flashing will not be defined as occurring if the cyclical period between on-off phases of illumination exceeds four seconds.

PATTERNED ILLUSIONARY MOVEMENT — Animated signs or animated portions of signs whose illumination is characterized by simulated movement through alternate or sequential activation of various illuminated elements for the purpose of producing repetitive light patterns designed to appear in some form of constant motion.

AWNING — A roof-like cover often of fabric plastic metal or glass designed and intended for protection from the weather or as a decorative embellishment and which projects from a wall or roof of a structure primarily over a window walk or the like. Any part of an awning which also projects over a door shall be counted as an awning.

AWNING SIGN — A building sign or graphic printed on or in some fashion attached directly to the awning material.

BALLOON — A flexible, nonporous hag inflated with air or a gas.

BALLOON SIGN — A sign consisting of a bag made of lightweight material supported by helium, gas, or hot or pressurized air or gas which is greater than 24 inches in diameter.

BANNER -- A sign intended to be hung by being tethered, made of paper, plastic, or fabric of any kind.

BUILDING SIGN -- A permanent or temporary sign displayed upon, attached to, or supported by any part of the exterior of a building including, but not limited to, walls and windows.

CABINET SIGN — Any wall sign that is not of channel or individually mounted letter construction.

CANDELA — The basic unit of measurement of light in SI (metric) units.

CANDELA PER SQUARE METER (cd/m²) — The SI (metric) unit used to describe the luminance of a light source or of an illuminated surface that reflects light. Also referred to as Nits.

CANDLE OR CANDLEPOWER — Synonymous with candela, but in English, not SI, terms.

CANOPY — A roof-like cover often of fabric plastic metal or glass on a support which provides shelter over a doorway.

CANOPY SIGN — Any sign that is part of or attached to a canopy made of fabric plastic or structural protective cover over a door or entrance. A canopy sign is not a marquee and is different from service area canopy signs.

CANOPY SIGN, SERVICE AREA — Any sign that is part of or attached to a freestanding roofed structure supported by columns, but not enclosed by walls, that provides shelter, and under which products, services, or entertainments are provided to pedestrians or vehicles. The surface(s) or and/or soffit a freestanding canopy may be lighted by means of internal or external sources of light.

CHANGEABLE SIGN — A temporary, portable, or permanent sign with the capability of content change by means of manual or remote input, including the following types:

MANUALLY ACTIVATED — Changeable sign whose message copy or content can be changed manually on a display surface.

ELECTRICALLY ACTIVATED — Changeable sign whose message copy or content can be changed by means of remote electrically energized on-off switching combinations of alphabetic or pictographic components arranged on a display surface. Illumination may be integral to the components, such as characterized by lamps or other light-emitting devices; or it may be from an external light source designed to reflect off the changeable component display. See, also, "electronic message center." (The control signals may be transmitted to the sign by via wired or wireless systems, either in analog or digital form.)

CLADDING — A non-structural covering designed to conceal the actual structural supports of a sign. See, also, "pole cover" or "pylon cover."

COMMERCIAL SPEECH — Speech advertising a business, profession, commodity, product, service, activity, event, or entertainment: For contrast, see, "noncommercial speech."

COPY — The letters, text, symbols, or other graphics which compose the message displayed upon the sign surface area.

DELAWARE COUNTY — Delaware County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

DIRECTIONAL SIGN — Any sign that is designed, erected or posted for the purpose of providing direction, guidance, and/or instructions for pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

DISPLAY TIME — The amount of time a message and/or graphic is displayed on an electronic message sign.

DISSOLVE — A mode of message transition on an electronic message sign accomplished by varying the light intensity or pattern, in which the first message gradually appears to dissipate and lose legibility with the gradual appearance and legibility of the second message.

DYNAMIC FRAME EFFECT — An electronic message center sign frame effect in which the illusion of motion and/or animation is used.

ELECTRIC SIGN — Any sign activated or illuminated by means of electrical energy.

ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER OR SIGN (EMC) — An electrically or digitally activated changeable sign whose variable message and/or graphic presentation capability can be electronically programmed by computer from a remote location. Also known as an EMC. EMCs typically use light emitting diodes (LEDs) as a lighting source. (See also, following terms principally associated with electronic message centers: "display time," "dissolve," "dynamic frame effect," "fade," "frame," "frame effect," "scroll," "transition" and "travel").

ELECTRONIC VARIABLE MESSAGE SIGN (EVMS) — A sign or portion thereof where the message copy includes characters, letters, symbols, or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged electronically without touching or physically altering the primary surface of the sign. Message copy may be changed in the field or from a remote location. The term EVMS includes EMC.

ELEVATION — The view of the side, front, or rear of a given structure(s).

ELEVATION AREA — The area of all walls that face any lot line.

ERECT — Activity of constructing, building, raising, installing, assembling, placing, affixing, attaching, creating, painting, drawing, or any other way of establishing or bringing into being.

EXEMPT SIGN — A sign for which a permit is not required but which must, nonetheless, conform to the other terms and conditions of these regulations.

EXISTING GRADE — Existing grade shall be construed to be the average existing ground elevation prior to construction on a site and installation or construction of a sign. Earth mounding criteria for landscaping and screening or storm water management is not part of the final grade for sign height computation.

FADE — A mode of message transition on an electronic message sign accomplished by varying the light intensity, where the first message gradually reduces intensity to the point of not being legible and the subsequent message gradually increases intensity to the point of legibility.

FASCIA SIGN — See, "wall sign."

FLAG — Any fabric or similar lightweight material attached at one end of the material usually to a staff or pole so as to allow movement of the material by atmospheric changes and which contains distinctive colors patterns symbols emblems insignia or other symbolic devices. The sign material might and may hang limply or droop when not set in motion by the movement of air.

FLAGPOLE — A freestanding, ground mounted, structure or a structure mounted to a building, or to the roof of a building and used for the sole purpose of displaying a flag.

FLASHING — A pattern of changing light illumination where the sign illumination alternates suddenly between illuminated and non-illuminated.

FLASHING SIGN — A directly or indirectly illuminated sign which exhibits changing light or color effect by any means so as to provide intermittent illumination which includes the illusion of intermittent flashing light by means of animation. Also any mode of lighting which resembles zooming twinkling or sparkling or similar effect.

FOOTLAMBERT — An English unit of measurement of the amount of light emitted by or reflecting off a surface (luminance) equivalent to 3.4262591 candelas per square meter.

FREESTANDING SIGN — Any sign which has supporting framework that is placed on or anchored in the ground and which is independent from any building or other structure. A ground sign, pole sign, pylon sign, and monument sign are forms of a freestanding sign.

FRAME — A complete, static display screen on an electronic message sign.

FRAME EFFECT — A visual effect on an electronic message sign applied to a single frame. See, also, "dynamic frame effect."

FRONTAGE (PROPERTY) — The length of the property line(s) of any single premises along either a public way or other properties on which it borders.

FRONTAGE (BUILDING) — The length of an exterior building, wall or structure of a single premises along either a public way or other properties that it faces.

GROUND SIGN — See, "freestanding sign."

HEIGHT OF SIGN — The height of the sign shall be computed as the vertical distance measured from the base of the sign at the average existing grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign and includes the structure supporting the sign.

ILLUMINATED SIGN — Any sign which contains an element designed to emanate artificial light internally or externally. A illuminated, whether internally or externally lighted sign shall not be considered outdoor lighting. Light from any source other than the sun, moon and stars, directly or reflected therefrom, shall be considered artificial light.

INFLATABLE SIGN — An object or device that can be filled with air or gas and constructed so as to resemble a figure, shape, or object when inflated.

INTERIOR SIGN — A sign which is located within the interior of any building or within an enclosed lobby, courtyard or atrium of any building and a sign for and located within the inner or outer body court or entrance of any theater.

LEGALLY ESTABLISHED NONCONFORMING SIGN — Any sign and its support structure lawfully erected prior to the effective date of this chapter which fails to conform to the requirements of Article 20. A sign which was erected in accordance with a variance granted prior to the adoption of this chapter and which does not comply with Article 20 shall be deemed to be a legal nonconforming sign. A sign which was unlawfully erected shall be deemed to be an illegal sign.

LIGHTPOLE SIGN — A ground sign displayed on a lightpole in a parking lot or in the public right-of-way which is supported at the top or bottom or side of the sign by brackets or other rigid supports.

LISTED SIGN — A sign manufactured and labeled in accordance with specifications promulgated by a recognized testing laboratory designed to assure compliance with applicable American National Standards (ANSI) and/or the National Electric Code (NEC).

LUMINANCE — The light that is emitted by or reflected from a surface. Measured in units of luminous intensity (candelas) per unit area (square meters in SI measurement units or square feet in English measurement units.) Expressed in SI units as cd/m², and in English units as footlamberts. Sometimes also expressed as "nits," a colloquial reference to SI units. Can be measured by means of a luminance meter.

MARQUEE — Any permanent roof-like structure projecting beyond a building or extending along and projecting beyond the wall of that building generally designed and constructed to provide protection from the weather.

MARQUEE SIGN — Any building sign painted mounted constructed or attached in any manner on a marquee.

MOBILE SIGN — Any sign which is manifestly designed to be transported including by trailer or on its own wheels even though the wheels of such sign maybe removed and the remaining chassis or support is converted to another sign or attached temporarily or permanently to the ground since this characteristic is based on the design of such a sign.

MONUMENT SIGN — Any freestanding sign with its sign face mounted on the ground or mounted on a base at least as wide as the sign.

MULTIPLE TENANT SITE — Any site which has more than one tenant and each tenant has a separate ground level exterior public entrance.

MURAL — A sign that is a painting, or an artistic work composed of photographs or arrangements of color or shades of gray, or alternating black and white, and that displays a commercial or noncommercial message, relies solely on the side of a wall or building for rigid structural support, and is painted or frescoed on the building or wall.

NIT — A photometric unit of measurement referring to luminance. One Nit is equal to one candela per square meter (cd/m²).

NONCOMMERCIAL SPEECH — Dissemination of messages not classified as commercial speech which include, but are not limited to messages concerning political, religious, social, ideological, public service, non-profit, charitable, and informational topics.

NONCONFORMING SIGN — A sign, including it supporting and structural components, which does not conform to the controls regulating signs in Article 20 for the district in which it is located, but which was in existence at the time the controls regulating signs were established, or amended, as the case might be.

OFF-PREMISES SIGN — A sign relating in its subject matter to other than the premises on which it is located, or to products, services, accommodations, entertainments, or activities available on a premises other than the premises on which the sign is located. For purposes of Article 20, easements and other appurtenances shall be considered to be outside such lot and any sign located or proposed to be located in an easement or other appurtenance shall be considered an off-premises sign.

ON-PREMISES MESSAGES — Messages that identify or advertise an establishment, institution, facility, residence, person, activity, goods, products, materials, supplies, accommodations, entertainments, or services located on the premises where the sign is installed. An on-premises messages also include expressions of opinions of, or advocacy statements made by, an occupant of the premises where the sign is located.

ON-PREMISES SIGN — A sign relating in its subject matter to the premises on which it is located or to products, services, accommodations, entertainments, or activities available on the premises where the sign is located. An on-premises signs shall also be deemed to be a sign which contains or carries on-premises messages.

OWNER — In the case of a lot, the legal owner of the lot as officially recorded by Delaware County and including fee owners, contract for deed purchasers, and ground lessees. In the case of a sign, the owner of the sign including any lessees.

PARALLEL SIGN — See, "wall sign."

PENNANT — A triangular shaped sign or series of signs made of paper, plastic or fabric of any kind intended to be hung by being tethered along its base.

PERMANENT SIGN — Any sign not defined or not qualifying as a temporary sign, including any sign attached to a building, structure, or the ground in some manner and which is made of durable materials intended for long-term use. Permanent signs are typically intended to exist for the duration of time that the use or occupant is located on the premises. Signs associated with special events are not considered permanent signs unless specifically defined as such in Article 20.

PLUMB — Placed, installed, erected, or constructed so as to be exactly vertical or perpendicular to a level horizontal plane, as typically determined with a free swinging line and attached weight, e.g., plumb bob.

POLE COVER OR PYLON COVER — An enclosure designed to conceal poles and/or other structural supports of sign. See, also, "cladding."

POLE SIGN — See, "pylon sign."

PORTABLE SIGN — Any sign which is not permanently affixed to a building, structure or the ground in accordance with requirements of the Thornbury Township Building Code and which may be moved readily from place to place; except that this definition shall not apply to signs painted directly on vehicles, or signs displayed through, but not on, windows.

PORTE COCHERE — A roofed structure or roof-like cover extending from the entrance of a building and which provides shelter over a doorway.

PREMISES — The lot or lots, plots, parcels of land or portions thereof considered as a single development or activity, including, but not limited to, shopping centers, industrial parks, office parks, and multi-use buildings.

PROJECTING SIGN — Any sign which is affixed to a building or wall in such a manner that its leading, edge extends more than 18 inches beyond the surface or such building or wall face (for contrast, see, the definition of "wall sign").

PUBLIC NOTICES — Official notices posted by public officers, employees, or their agents in the performance of their duties or as directed by such officers, employees, or agents.

PUBLIC STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY (ROW OR R.O.W) — The entire right of way of any public street, road, or thoroughfare.

PYLON SIGN — Any freestanding sign which has its supportive structure anchored in the ground and which has a sign face elevated above ground level by pole(s) or beam(s) and with the area below the sign face open.

REVOLVING SIGN — A sign that has the capability to revolve 360° about an axis. See, also, "animated sign, mechanically activated."

ROOF SIGN — A sign mounted on the main roof portion of a building or on the uppermost edge of a parapet wall of a building and which is wholly or partially supported by such building. Signs mounted on mansard facades, pent eaves, and architectural projections such as canopies or marquees shall not be considered to be roof signs, nor shall wall and fascia signs be considered roof signs.

ROTATING SIGN — A sign or portion of a sign which turns about on an axis, but perhaps less than 360°.

SHIMMERING SIGNS — A sign which reflects an oscillating sometimes distorted visual image.

SI (INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM OF UNITS) — The modern metric system of measurement; abbreviated SI for the French term "Le Systeme International d'Unites."

SIGN — Any writing, graphic or pictorial presentation, number, illustration, or decoration, flag, banner or pennant, figure, or other device, including the sign structure and sign face area, which is used to announce, direct attention to, or otherwise make anything known, and which is visible from any public or private street, right-of-way, alley, or other property. The term "sign" includes any letter, word, symbol, poster, decal, picture, statuary, reading matter, or representation in the nature of advertisement, announcement, message, notice, or visual communication whether painted, posted, printed, affixed, or constructed, including all associated brackets braces, supports, wires, and structures, which is displayed for informational, communicative, or attention attraction purposes. The term shall not be construed to include "building" or "landscaping," or any architectural embellishment of a building not intended to communicate information, nor any grave marker, historical marker, historical plaque, stained glass window, or any manufacturer's mark or logo permanently affixed to a product or equipment. Outdoor lighting of buildings, driveways, parking lots, walkways, lawns, and landscape elements, or portions thereof, shall not be considered signage.

SIGN FACE — The surface of the sign upon, against, or through which the message of the sign is exhibited.

SIGN STRUCTURE — The structure which is designed specifically for the purpose of supporting a sign, or which has supported, or is capable of supporting, a sign. This definition shall include any decorative coves, braces, wires, supports, uprights, or components or framework attached to or placed around the sign structure.

SITE — A lot or combination of contiguous lots which are intended, designated, and/or approved to function as an integrated unit.

SNIPE SIGN — Any sign which is attached in any way to a utility pole, traffic sign, tree, rock, fence post, or any other similar object located on public or private property, and placed without authority pursuant to Article 20, and typically without permission of the utility or the property owner or other appropriate authority, but not necessarily so.

STRINGER — A line of string, rope, cording, or an equivalent to which is attached or tethered a number of pennants or streamers.

SUBDIVISION SIGN — A ground or building sign erected at the entrance of a platted subdivision.

SUSPENDED SIGN — Any building sign that is suspended from the underside of a horizontal plane surface and is connected to this surface.

SWINGING SIGN — Any sign that is attached to and/or suspended from the underside of a horizontal plane (s) or side support(s) that has the ability to turn in place, sway to and fro, move back and forth, move up and down, turn on its axis, binge or pivot, or has the ability to move in similarly described ways or means.

TEMPORARY SIGN — A sign intended to be displayed before, during or after an event to which the sign relates, and which is scheduled to take place at a specific dine and place, and for a limited duration. Typically the messages on the sign are of a transitory or temporary nature. Portable signs or any sign not permanently embedded in the ground, or not permanently affixed to a building or sign structure that is permanently embedded in the ground, are considered temporary signs.

TEMPORARY NONCOMMERCIAL SIGN — A sign bearing a noncommercial message which is displayed before, during or after an event, to which the sign relates, and which is scheduled to take place at a specific time and place, and for a limited duration.

TOTAL SITE SIGNAGE — The maximum permitted combined area of all freestanding and wall identification signs allowed on a specific property.

TOWNSHIP — Unless specifically stated otherwise means Thornbury Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

TRANSITION — A visual effect used on an electronic message sign to change from one message to another.

TRAVEL — A mode of message transition on an electronic message sign in which the message appears to move horizontally across the display surface.

UNIT — That part of a multi-occupancy housing, commercial, industrial, or institutional complex that houses or provides space for one occupant, dwelling, business, or establishment. A dwelling occupied by a single-family shall be considered a unit.

VEHICLE SIGN — A vehicle, trailer, or similar device, with a sign(s) affixed thereto or painted thereon, and positioned in such a manner that the vehicle, trailer or device is used as a freestanding sign rather than its usual and customary purpose(s).

VISIBLE — Capable of being seen by a person of normal visual acuity whether legible or not without visual aid.

WALL — Any structure which defines the exterior boundaries or courts of a building or structure and which has a slope of 60° or greater with the horizontal plane.

WALL SIGN — Any building sign attached parallel to but within 18 inches of a wall, painted on the wall surface of, or erected and confined within, the limits of an outside wall of any building or structure which is supported by such wall or building and which displays only one sign surface.

WAYFINDING SIGN — A sign, frequently off-premises, specifically designed to provide directional or destination information. See also, "off-premises sign."

WINDOW SIGN — A sign posted, painted, placed, or affixed to the interior or exterior of a window or placed immediately behind a window pane and is visible from the exterior of the window or designed to attract the attention of persons outside a building.

WINDOW SIGN/COMMERCIAL SERVICE BAY OPENING SIGN — A temporary sign which is painted on, affixed, or attached to or visible through a window of a service bay opening, The display of merchandise shall not be considered a window sign or a service bay opening sign.