The language set forth in the text of this chapter shall be
interpreted in accordance with the following rules of construction:
A.Â
Singular and plural. The singular number includes the plural, and
the plural the singular.
B.Â
Tense. The present tense includes the past and future tenses, and
the future the present.
C.Â
Shall and may. The word "shall" is mandatory; the word "may" is permissive.
D.Â
Gender. The masculine gender includes the feminine and neuter genders.
E.Â
Defined words and terms. Whenever a word or term defined hereinafter
appears in the text of this chapter, its meaning shall be construed
as set forth in the definition thereof, and any word appearing in
parentheses between a word and its definition herein shall be construed
in the same sense as that word.
F.Â
Words not defined herein. Any words not defined in this article shall
be presumed to have their customary dictionary definitions.
G.Â
The words "this chapter" shall mean this Sign Ordinance of the Town
of Barton, Washington County, Wisconsin.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A structure overhang made of canvas, metal, wood, plastic,
or other like material extended before a window, door, portico, or
entrance to a building.
A sign having characters, letters, symbols or illustrations,
which is typically nonilluminated, elongated, made of or applied to
cloth, paper, or fabric of any kind, with or without a frame, and
usually used as a temporary display for the special announcement of
a coming event.
See definition for "sign, off-site or off-premises."
An area of land within the boundaries of a lot or site, generally adjacent to and parallel with the property line, either consisting of natural existing vegetation or using trees, shrubs, fences, and/or berms, designed to limit continuously the view and/or sound from the lot or site to adjacent lots or sites. Buffer yards are typically defined by a delineated easement graphically indicated on the face of a site plan, landscape plan, certified survey map, subdivision plat, or condominium plat. Buffer yards may be required between zoning districts and/or land uses to eliminate or minimize conflicts between them as set forth in Chapter 500, Zoning, as amended.
See definition of "awning."
The wording on a sign surface in either permanent or removable
letter form.
A sign message such as a manual, electronic, or electric-controlled
time and temperature message, message center or reader board, whether
electronic, electric or manual, where copy changes.
In terms of signage, to build, construct, attach, hang, place,
suspend, or affix, and shall also include the painting of wall signs.
The elevational surface of a building.
A band located at the top edge of a building but below the
actual roofline and above the building wall. Fascia material is typically
of a different type than either the actual roof or the building wall.
A barrier of posts, wire, rails, boards, metal sheets, trees,
shrub hedge, or other material which is used as a boundary or means
of protection or confinement.
Devices generally made of flexible materials, such as cloth,
paper, or plastic, and displayed on strings or wires.
For the purposes of determining sign height, the elevation
or level of the public street closest to the sign as measured at the
street center line.
The vertical distance as measured from the grade of the edge
of pavement of the closest street right-of-way from which the sign
is located to the highest point of such sign.
The vertical distance measured from the average ground elevation
to the highest point on such structure.
An area of land designated as a lot on a plat of subdivision
or certified survey map recorded or registered pursuant to statute.
The cleaning, painting, repair, or replacement of defective
parts of a sign in a manner that does not change or alter the basic
copy, design, or structure of the sign.
A picture or photograph painted or applied directly on a
wall and which in no way identifies a product.
See definition of "flags."
The top or bottom edge of a roof or building parapet, whichever,
excluding any cupolas, pylons, chimneys, or other minor projections.
Any object, device, display, structure, supporting 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, religious group, product, service,
event, or location by any means, including words, letters, figures,
designs, symbols, fixtures, colors, illumination, or projected images.
Signs do not include the flag or emblem of any nation, organization
of nations, state, county, city, town, or religious, fraternal, or
civic organization; also merchandise and pictures or models of products
or services incorporated in a window display, works of art which in
no way identify a product, or scoreboards located on athletic fields.
A sign which no longer correctly advertises a bona fide business,
lessor, owner, product, or activity conducted or product available
on the premises where the sign is displayed or elsewhere.
The total surface of a sign, including its background and
frame, but not structural supporting elements outside its frame. Where
a sign is composed of letters, characters, or symbols applied to a
frame or to a background which provides no border or frame, the area
of the sign shall be the smallest rectangle, triangle, or circle which
will include the sign display.
A sign which provides special information such as direction,
price, sales information, hours of operation or warning and which
does not include names, brand names, or information regarding product
lines or services. Examples of such signs include directories of tenants
in buildings, "no trespassing" signs, and signs which list prices
of gasoline.
A sign which is fastened to an awning or canopy, including
signs which are attached by metal screws, or metal bands that are
hung from, or attached to, the underside of a parapet wall or roof
eave and made of any material.
A sign supported by wind, air, or other gas and attached
to the ground, a building, structure, or other sign.
A temporary sign identifying an architect, contractor, subcontractor,
and/or material supplier participating in construction on the property
on which the sign is located.
Any sign whose purpose is exclusively limited to the identification
of a platted subdivision, condominium, or development and which names
such subdivision, condominium, or development without further elaboration,
display, or advertisement.
A sign used to identify the tenants of a shopping center,
business park, office park, or industrial parks.
Signs which support a candidate for public office or measures
on an election ballot.
A sign that is located on the fascia of a building.
A sign that is located, placed upon, or attached to a fence.
A self-supporting sign resting on or supported by means of
poles, standards, or any other type of base on the ground and not
supported by or attached to a building.
Any sign used for posting legal notices, identification of
streets, traffic regulation, notice of danger, or other emergencies
by a governmental authority.
See definition of "sign, freestanding."
A sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs or
outlines illuminated by electric lights or luminous tubes designed
and provided for such illumination.
See definition of "sign, balloon."
A permanent sign containing changeable copy which is used
to announce special events or information. A portable sign or a temporary
sign shall not be considered a marquee.
Any sign or tablet used for the purpose of identifying the
names of buildings and the date of erection and which are cut into
any masonry surface or inlaid so as to be part of the building or
structure or which are attached to a building or structure and which
are constructed of bronze or other noncombustible material.
A sign displaying the time, date, temperature, or other information.
A sign which does not meet the requirements of this chapter.
A sign that did not meet Town regulations, codes, and ordinances
when it was originally installed and/or does not meet the regulations
of this chapter if constructed or erected subsequent to the adoption
of this chapter.
A sign that did meet Town regulations, codes, and ordinances
when it was originally installed but does not meet the regulations
of this chapter.
A sign which is not illuminated by lights designed and provided
for the purpose, either external or internal.
A sign that provides off-site directional information following
a standard format for important municipal, emergency, or educational
uses or identifies general commercial areas or places.
A sign which is not located on the same property as the establishment
which the sign's message pertains to or where the product, service,
or activity is not present or where the message does not pertain to
the use of the site.
A sign indicating the direction or location of some on-site
facility or service incidental to a use and not advertising the use
in any way. Such signs shall include vehicular entrance and exit signs,
vehicular flow signs, and instructional signs.
A sign which is located on the same property as the establishment
which the sign's message pertains to or where the product, service,
or activity is present or where the message pertains to the use of
the site upon which the sign is located.
Any sign which is applied with paint or similar substance
on the face of a building wall.
A sign displayed for more than 30 consecutive days, made
of materials intended for more than short-term use, and which is not
a temporary sign as defined in this chapter.
The permit required by this chapter prior to a sign being
located, erected, moved, reconstructed, enlarged, expanded, altered,
converted, operated, placed, or relocated where such sign complies
with all provisions of this chapter.
A permanent sign mounted on a frame and/or chassis which
is designed for easy and repeated relocation.
A temporary sign advertising the real estate upon which the
sign is located as being for rent, lease, or sale.
Any sign erected upon, against, or above the lowest roofline
of any building or structure.
A sign which is movable and not secured or attached directly
or indirectly to the ground, structure, or building.
A temporary sign or poster affixed to a pole, tree, structure,
building, fence, etc.
Any device or material which supports, has supported, or
is capable of supporting a sign in a stationary position, including
decorative covers or sign roofs.
A sign or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas,
fabric, paper, plywood, or other light material and intended to be
displayed for a short period of time (30 or less consecutive days)
not more than three times per calendar year. Included in this category
are retailers' signs temporarily displayed for the purpose of informing
the public of a sale or special offer.
A sign intended to warn off trespassers upon the property
which the sign is located.
A sign suspended beneath a canopy.
The sign(s) permitted for each land use.
A sign mounted parallel to a building facade or other vertical
building or structure surface. Wall signs shall also include those
signs which are placed below the outside edge of a building overhang
and those which are placed below the lowest roofline.
A sign painted or installed on a window surface for purposes
of viewing from outside the premises.
Anything constructed or erected which requires location on
the ground, including a fence or freestanding wall. A sign, billboard,
or other advertising medium, detached or projecting, shall be construed
to be a structure.
An upright surface of a building or structure (not including
fences) serving to enclose, divide, support, or protect the building.
Such upright surface shall be the furthest extension of the building's
edges and include overhangs covering a boardwalk, false roofs, and
unenclosed porches.
A yard extending along the full length of the front lot line
between the side lot lines.
A yard extending along the full length of the rear lot line
between the side lot lines. On a corner lot, the rear yard shall be
that yard directly opposite the front yard.
A yard extending along a side lot line from the front yard
to the rear yard.
The Zoning Administrator of the Town of Barton, Washington
County, Wisconsin.
A single tract of land located within a single block which
(at the time of filing for a sign permit) is designated by its owner
or developer as a tract to be used, developed, or built upon as a
unit, under single ownership or control. Therefore, a zoning lot may
or may not coincide with a lot of record.
