The following terms are specific to signs as regulated by this
Part 5:
A sign which, for a period of at least one year or longer,
no longer identifies or advertises an ongoing business, product, location,
service, idea or activity conducted on the premises on which the sign
is located. Exemption(s):
Off-premise advertising signs that do not contain any advertising
copy due to the lack of a lease or rent of such signs, but are being
maintained in accordance to this Part 5.
 Figure 86 - Abandoned Sign
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A change in the size or shape of an existing sign. Copy or
color change of an existing sign is not an alteration. Changing or
replacing a sign face or panel is not an alteration.
A temporary sign constructed of a strip of cloth, paper,
plastic, or other flexible material upon which copy is written and
which is supported between poles or sticks or fastened to buildings
or other structures.
The total length in linear feet of the portion of a building
that fronts directly on a road. Buildings with no road frontage shall
use the linear feet of the portion of a building that has its principal
entrance.
An on-premises sign attached to or made a part of a canopy;
a canopy being a permanent structure which is made of cloth, metal
or other approved materials, whether attached or unattached to a building,
for the purpose of providing shelter or as a decorative feature. For
clarification purposes, an awning sign shall be classified as a canopy
sign. Lastly, please refer to Appendix A for examples of awning and
canopy signs.[1]
An on-premises, electronically activated changeable permanent
sign whose variable message and/or graphic presentation capability
can be electronically programmed by computer from a remote location.
 Figure 87 - Electronic Changeable Message Center
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An on-premises, permanent sign that is changeable by manual
(nonelectronic) means that is composed of individual letters panel-mounted
in or on a track system.
 Figure 88 - Manual Changeable Message Center
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A message that identifies a business or advertises a product.
This term is also known as "commercial speech."
A temporary sign identifying the persons, firms or business
directly connected with a construction project.
 Figure 89 - Construction sign
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An on-premises, permanent instructional sign directing or
guiding pedestrian and/or vehicular traffic onto the property and/or
toward parking or other identified locations on the lot of record.
 Figure 90 - Directional Sign
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An on-premises, permanent sign that is not attached to a
building or structure. Please refer to Appendix A for examples of
freestanding signs.[2]
An on-premises sign erected and maintained pursuant to and
in discharge of any governmental functions, or required by law, ordinance
or other governmental regulation.
 Figure 91 - Government Sign
|
The total area of all signs located on a lot of record.
The vertical distance from the grade plane immediately under
a sign to the highest point of a sign structure, but shall not include
architectural embellishments. Additionally, the ground shall not be
altered for the sole purpose of providing additional height for a
sign.
Signs or displays including lighting which are a nonpermanent
installation celebrating local, national, religious, state and other
holidays or holiday seasons.
A freestanding sign or wall sign that identifies a permitted
home occupation.
 Figure 92 - Home Occupation Sign
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An on-premises, permanent sign containing the name or address
of a building and may include hours of operation and emergency information.
 Figure 93 - Identification Sign
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A sign illuminated by a light source. Such a sign shall be
classified as either:
ILLUMINATED SIGN, EXTERNALLYA sign illuminated by an external light source. Such source cannot be a device that changes color, flashes, or alternates.
 Figure 94 - Externally Illuminated Sign
|
ILLUMINATED SIGN, INTERNALLYA sign illuminated by an internal light source.
 Figure 95 - Internally Illuminated Sign
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An on-premises, permanent sign clearly intended for instructional
purposes shall not be included in the permitted sum of the sign area,
provided such sign is not larger than necessary to serve the intended
purpose.
 Figure - Instructional Sign
|
Any sign placed within a building, but not including window
signs. Interior signs, with the exception of window signs, are not
regulated by this Part 5.
An on-premises sign or visual element that is designated
by the Zoning Board of Appeals as having historic and/or architectural
significance. A landmark sign shall be at least 50 years old unless
such board makes a finding that a newer sign that contains historic
and/or architectural significance should be designated to protect
it.
 Figure 97 - Landmark Sign
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A permanent canopy that is designed by a registered design
professional that extends more than two feet from part or all of a
building face, which may or may not project over a public right-of-way.
Any on-premises sign painted on or attached to or supported
by a marquee.
 Figure 98 - Marquee Sign
|
An on-premises freestanding sign used to advertise businesses
that occupy a shopping center or complex with multiple tenants.
A type of public art that is typically a hand-painted, hand-tiled,
or digitally printed image on the exterior wall of a building that
does not contain any commercial message.
Any sign containing a political, philosophical, religious
or other message not used for commercial purposes and not made in
furtherance or promotion of a commercial product, service or enterprise.
A sign which was validly installed under laws or ordinances
in effect at the time of its installation, but which is in conflict
with the current provisions of this Part 5.
An outdoor sign whose message directs attention to a specific
business, product, service, entertainment event or activity, or other
commercial or noncommercial activity, or noncommercial message about
something that is not sold, produced, manufactured, furnished, or
conducted at the property upon which the sign is located. Such a sign
shall be classified as either:
OFF-PREMISES SIGN, ADVERTISINGAny sign advertising a product, service, business or activity sold, located or conducted elsewhere than on the lot of record in which such sign is located.
 Figure 99 - Off-Premises Sign, Advertising
|
OFF-PREMISES SIGN, DIRECTIONALAny sign indicating the location of or directions to a business, office or other activity located or conducted elsewhere than on the lot of record in which such sign is located.
 Figure 100 - Off-Premises Sign, Directional
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An outdoor sign whose message and design relates to an individual
business, profession, product, service, event, point of view, or other
commercial or noncommercial activity sold, offered, or conducted on
the same property where the sign is located.
Any sign intended and installed to be permanently in place
at a given location by means of suitable fastening to a building or
to a structure specifically erected to hold such sign(s) or to the
ground.
A temporary sign identifying, either singly or combined,
a political candidate, slate of candidates, issue, or party. These
signs are used or intended to be used for the display of any announcement,
advertisement or notice of any individual candidate or slate of candidates
for any public office or similar political purposes.
 Figure 101 - Political Sign
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An on-premises building-mounted sign with the faces of the
sign perpendicular to the building fascia. Please refer to Appendix
A[3] for examples of projecting signs.
Art in any media that has been planned and executed with
the intention of being staged in the physical public domain, which
is typically outside and accessible to all, and does not contain a
commercial message.
 Figure 102 - Public Art
|
A temporary sign pertaining to the sale, exchange, lease,
rental, or availability of land, buildings, condominiums and similar
units, or apartments. Such signs may include building name and address,
price and amenities, identity of seller or broker, and similar information.
 Figure 103 - Real Estate Sign
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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. Please refer
to Appendix A as well as Appendix C of this chapter for examples of
roof signs and the difference between roof and wall signs.[4]
Any device visible from a public way whose essential purpose
and design is to convey either commercial or noncommercial messages
by means of graphic presentation of alphabetic or pictorial symbols
or representations. In addition, a sign shall include its sign structure
for the purposes of this article. Lastly, noncommercial flags or any
other flags will not be considered to be signs.
The area of the smallest geometric figure, or the sum of
the combination of regular geometric figures, which comprise the sign
face. Please refer to Appendix B[5] of this chapter for computational methodology for various
sign area configurations.
The letters, numerals, figures, symbols, logos and graphic
elements comprising the content or message of a sign, exclusive of
numerals and/or letters identifying an address.
The surface upon, against or through which the sign copy
is displayed or illustrated, not including structural supports, architectural
features of a building or sign structure, nonstructural thematic or
decorative trim, or any areas that are separated from the background
surface upon which the sign copy is displayed by a distinct delineation,
such as a reveal or border. Please refer to Appendix B[6] of this chapter for sign face computational illustrations.
In the case of panel or cabinet-type signs, the sign face shall
include the entire area of the sign panel, cabinet or face substrate
upon which the sign copy is displayed or illustrated, but not open
space between separate panels or cabinets.
In the case of signs painted on a building, or individual letters
or graphic elements affixed to a building or structure, the sign face
shall comprise the sum of the geometric figures or combination of
regular geometric figures drawn closest to the edge of the letters
or separate graphic elements comprising the sign copy, but not the
open space between separate groupings of sign copy on the same building
or structure.
In the case of sign copy enclosed within a painted or illuminated
border, or displayed on a background contrasting in color with the
color of the building or structure, the sign face shall comprise the
area within the contrasting background, or within the painted or illuminated
border.
The aboveground poles, beams, columns, posts, foundations
and/or framing providing structural support for the sign face.
 Figure 104 - Sign Structure
|
An event of temporary and limited duration, including, by
way of example and not limitation, yard sales, sidewalk and boardwalk
sales, special promotions, and public events.
A temporary sign that is used to advertise or promote a special
event.
 Figure 105 - Special Event Sign
|
Any nonpermanent sign that is temporary in nature and displayed
in conjunction with a specific activity, as opposed to a sign which,
under this Part 5, may be displayed on a permanent or indefinite basis.
Types of temporary signs include, but are not limited to: real estate
signs, construction signs, development signs, banners, pennants, flags,
and streamers, inflatable displays, special event signs and yard sale
signs.
A sign attached to or painted on a vehicle parked and visible
from the public way, unless such vehicle is used for transporting
people or materials in the normal operations of the business and it
is properly parking in a designated parking space. Signs attached
to trailers or inoperable vehicles are presumed to be vehicle signs
if they are parked in plain view from a public way. Bumper stickers
are not vehicle signs.
 Figure 106 - Vehicle Sign
|
An on-premises sign mounted on a building elevation with
the face of the sign parallel to such elevation. Please refer to Appendix
A[7] for examples of wall signs.
An on-premises or temporary sign which provides warning of
a dangerous condition or situation that might not be readily apparent
or that poses a threat of serious injury (e.g., gas line, high voltage,
condemned building, etc.) or that provides warning of a violation
of law (e.g., "no trespassing," "no hunting allowed," etc.).
 Figure 107 - Warning Sign
|
An on-premises sign affixed in any manner to a window such
that it is intended to be viewable from the exterior. This term does
not include merchandise located inside of a building or structure
that is within close proximity of a window.
 Figure 108 - Window Sign
|
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix A is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[2]
Editor's Note: Appendix A is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[3]
Editor's Note: Appendix A is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[4]
Editor's Note: Said appendixes are included as attachments to this chapter.
[5]
Editor's Note: Appendix B is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[6]
Editor's Note: Appendix B is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[7]
Editor's Note: Appendix A is included as an attachment to this chapter.
