Chapter 27.06 DEFINITIONS

“Architectural blade” means a roof or projecting sign with no legs or braces, and designed to look as if a part of the building structure. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.025 Awning.

“Awning” means a protective covering of noncollapsible, rigid construction attached to a structure, the surface of which has a pitch sloping away from the structure. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.027 Banner.

“Banner” means a single- or double-faced sign, made of nondurable material and attached to a utility pole located within or adjacent to a public right-of-way. [Ord. 09-02; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.028 Banner – Sponsored.

Repealed by Ord. 08-19. [Ord. 09-02].

27.06.030 Billboard.

“Billboard” means a ground, wall, or roof sign erected, constructed, or maintained for the purpose of displaying outdoor advertising by means of pictorial or reading matter attached thereto or posted thereon and available by means of rental to persons other than the owner or lessee of the sign. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.035 Building facade.

“Building facade” means that portion of any exterior elevation of a building extending from the grade of the building to the top of the parapet wall or eaves for the entire width of the building elevation. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.040 Building line.

“Building line” means a line established by ordinance beyond which no building may extend. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.045 Bulletin board.

“Bulletin board” means a board for messages for uses of the premises on which the board is erected and not intended for view from the dedicated street right-of-way. A bulletin board is not a sign. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.047 Business center.

“Business center” means a grouping of multiple business establishments having defined boundaries or shared facilities, including but not limited to: shared common parking, shared access drives, buildings that are physically attached or connected to each other, common ownership, or businesses that are part of the same master plan, binding site plan or commercial site plan. For the purposes of determining sign regulation, properties included within a business center shall be considered as a single premises. [Ord. 14-04; Ord. 22-06; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.050 Canopy.

“Canopy” means a nonrigid, retractable or nonretractable, protective covering located at the entrance to a structure. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.052 Channel letters.

“Channel letters” means three-dimensional individually cut letters or figures, typically made from metal or plastic and affixed to a structure. [Ord. 15-11 § 1.01; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.055 Curb line.

“Curb line” means the line at the face of the curb nearest to the street or roadway. In the absence of a curb, the curb line shall be established by the city engineer. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.060 Freeway.

“Freeway” means an expressway with full control of access. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.065 Grade.

“Grade” means elevation or level of the street closest to the sign to which reference is made, as measured at the street’s centerline, or the relative ground level in the immediate vicinity of the sign. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.070 Height.

“Height” means the vertical distance from the grade to the highest point of a sign. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.075 Marquee.

“Marquee” means a permanent roofed structure attached to and supported by a building and projecting over property thereunder. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.080 Multiple business center.

Repealed by Ord. 08-19. [Ord. 3-89].

27.06.085 Projection.

“Projection” means the distance by which a sign extends beyond the building wall. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.090 Property line.

“Property line” means the line denoting the limits of legal ownership of property. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.095 Readerboard.

“Readerboard” means a sign or part of a sign on which the letters are readily replaceable such that the copy can be changed from time to time at will. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.100 Sign.

“Sign” means any medium, including structure and component parts, which is used or intended to be used to attract attention to the subject matter for advertising, identification, or informative purposes. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.102 Sign, abandoned.

“Sign, abandoned” means any sign located on property that is vacant and unoccupied for a period of six months of more. [Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.105 Sign, awning.

“Sign, awning” means graphics on a fixed awning used or intended to be used to attract attention to the subject matter for advertising, identification, or information purposes. An awning sign shall not be considered a fabric sign. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.110 Sign, business district identification.

Repealed by Ord. 08-19. [Ord. 3-89].

27.06.112 Sign, can.

“Sign, can” means a sign that contains all text and/or logo symbols within a single enclosed cabinet that may or may not be illuminated. [Ord. 15-11 § 1.01; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.115 Sign, canopy.

“Sign, canopy” means graphics on a canopy used or intended to be used to attract attention to the subject matter for advertising, identification, or information purposes. A canopy sign shall not be considered a fabric sign. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.120 Sign, changing image.

“Sign, changing image” means a sign which changes its message or background by means of electrical, kinetic, solar or mechanical energy, not including message board signs. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.125 Sign, chasing.

“Sign, chasing” means a sign which includes one or more rows of lights which light up in sequence. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.130 Sign, combination.

“Sign, combination” means any sign incorporating any combination of the features of freestanding, projecting and roof signs. The individual requirements of roof, projecting and pole signs shall be applied for combination signs incorporating any or all of the requirements specified in the code. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.135 Sign, commercial.

A sign, display, or device designed, intended or used to encourage or promote purchase or use of goods or services. [Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.140 Sign, directional.

Repealed by Ord. 08-19. [Ord. 3-89].

27.06.145 Sign, double-faced.

“Sign, double-faced” means a sign which has two display surfaces in approximately parallel planes backed against each other or against the same background, one face of which is designed to be seen from one direction and the other from the opposite direction. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.150 Sign, electric.

“Sign, electric” means any sign containing electrical wiring, but not including signs illuminated by an exterior light source. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.155 Sign, externally illuminated.

“Sign, externally illuminated” means a sign illuminated by an exterior light source. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.160 Sign, fabric.

“Sign, fabric” means a sign made of canvas, cloth, or similar nonrigid material. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.165 Sign, flashing.

“Sign, flashing” means an electrical sign or portion of an electrical sign which changes light intensity in sudden transitory blasts. Flashing signs do not include changing image or chasing signs. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.170 Sign, freestanding.

“Sign, freestanding” means a sign that is supported by one or more poles, columns, or supports anchored in the ground. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.175 Sign, freeway interchange.

“Sign, freeway interchange” means an on-premises freestanding sign located within the prescribed distance from the right-of-way boundary of a grade separated interchange that is designed and placed to attract the attention of freeway and interchange traffic. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.180 Sign, identification.

Repealed by Ord. 08-19. [Ord. 3-89].

27.06.185 Sign, incidental.

Repealed by Ord. 08-19. [Ord. 3-89].

27.06.190 Sign, industrial.

Repealed by Ord. 08-19. [Ord. 3-89].

27.06.195 Sign, marquee.

“Sign, marquee” means a sign placed on, constructed in or attached to a marquee. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.200 Sign, message board.

“Sign, message board” means an electric sign which has a readerboard for the display of information which can be changed through the turning on or off of different combinations of light bulbs within the display area. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.205 Sign, noncommercial and public service.

Repealed by Ord. 08-19. [Ord. 3-89].

27.06.210 Sign, nonconforming.

“Sign, nonconforming” means a sign which is not in conformance with the provisions of this code. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.215 Sign, off-premises.

“Sign, off-premises” means a sign relating to a business activity, use, product, or service not available on the premises upon which the sign is erected. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.220 Sign, off-premises directional.

Repealed by Ord. 08-19. [Ord. 3-89].

27.06.225 Sign, on-premises.

“Sign, on-premises” means a sign relating to a lawful business activity, use, product, or service available on the premises upon which the sign is erected. Such definition shall not include signs located within a business establishment except signs oriented so as to be visible through a window. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.230 Sign, political.

Repealed by Ord. 08-19. [Ord. 3-89].

27.06.235 Sign, portable.

“Sign, portable” means a sign which is not permanently affixed and is designed for or capable of being moved, and is constructed of wood, metal, or plastic durable materials containing a hinge mechanism for folding (commonly referred to as sandwich board or A-frame signs). Portable signs do not include those signs explicitly designed for people to carry on their persons or which are permanently affixed to motor vehicles. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.240 Sign, primary.

“Sign, primary” means any sign which is not exempt from provisions of this title. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.245 Sign, projecting.

“Sign, projecting” means a sign other than a wall sign which projects from and is supported by a wall of a structure. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.250 Sign, residential district identification.

Repealed by Ord. 08-19. [Ord. 3-89].

27.06.255 Sign, roof.

“Sign, roof” means a sign erected upon or above a roof or parapet of a building or structure. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.260 Sign, rotating.

“Sign, rotating” means any sign that revolves on a fixed axis. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.265 Sign, subdivision.

Repealed by Ord. 08-19. [Ord. 3-89].

27.06.270 Sign, temporary.

“Sign, temporary” means any sign which is to be displayed for a limited period of time only, including but not limited to banners, pendants, streamers, fabric signs, wind animated objects, clusters of flags, festoons of lights and search lights. A temporary sign may be of rigid or nonrigid construction. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.275 Sign, temporary merchandising.

Repealed by Ord. 08-19. [Ord. 3-89].

27.06.280 Sign, under marquee.

“Sign, under marquee” means a sign attached to the underside of a marquee. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.285 Sign, wall.

“Sign, wall” means any sign painted, attached or erected against the wall of a building or structure, with the exposed face of the sign on a plane parallel to the plane of the wall to which it is attached. The sign shall not extend above any adjacent parapet or roof of the supporting building, nor project more than 18 inches from the wall. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.290 Sign, window.

“Sign, window” means any sign located inside and affixed to or inside and within three feet of windows of a building, which may be visible from the exterior of the building. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.292 Sign, window – permanent.

“Sign, window – permanent” means any window sign designed to withstand fading, chipping or peeling over time that is not constructed of cloth, canvas, vinyl, paper, plywood, fabric, or other lightweight material. [Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.293 Sign, window – temporary.

“Sign, window – temporary” means any window sign that is composed of ink, paint or other applied product which is not designed to withstand fading, chipping or peeling over time or that is constructed of cloth, canvas, vinyl, paper, plywood, fabric, or other lightweight material not well suited to provide a durable substrate. [Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.295 Sign structure.

“Sign structure” means any structure which supports or is designed to support any sign as defined in this chapter. A sign structure may be a single pole or may be an integral part of the building. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.300 Single business.

“Single business” means a building with one enterprise on a separate parcel of land. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.305 Special sign permit.

“Special sign permit” means a permit which allows a sign to exceed dimensional standards and which is issued only after special review and finding that it meets criteria allowing for such exception. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.310 Structure.

“Structure” means anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires location on the ground or attachment to something having location on the ground. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.315 Surface area.

“Surface area” means the greatest area of a sign visible from any one viewpoint, excluding sign support structure which does not form part of the sign proper or of the display. “Surface area” includes only one face of a multiple-faced sign. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.320 International Building Code.

“International Building Code” means the International Building Code (IBC), promulgated by the International Conference of Building Officials, as adopted by the city. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.325 Uniform Sign Code.

“Uniform Sign Code” means the Uniform Sign Code, promulgated by the International Conference of Building Officials, adopted by the city. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].

27.06.330 Visible.

“Visible” means capable of being seen (whether or not legible) without visual aid by persons of normal visual acuity. [Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 3].