Chapter 8 Sign Regulations Part 1 Sign Regulations General Provisions Page 1 of 4

8.1.1 Relationship to the Comprehensive Plan

The Sign Regulations implement the following Cornerstone 2020 Comprehensive Plan Goals, Objectives and Plan Elements:

8.1.2 Definitions

Certain terms are defined for the purposes of this regulation. All other words and phrases shall be given their common, ordinary meaning unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

Address sign: The numeric reference of a use or building to a street name.

Area of sign: The total area of the sign face, which is used to display a message or attract attention, not including its supporting structures.

Attached Sign: A business sign painted on or mounted on and parallel to the façade of a building and extending in front of the building wall 18 inches or less. Signs temporarily or permanently affixed to a window are not considered attached signs.

Illustration 8.1.1 Attached Sign

Awning: A shelter supported by the exterior wall of a building and projecting a minimum of 24 inches from the wall over a window and/or doorway or building facade.

Awning sign: Graphics, symbols and written copy painted on, printed on, or attached flat against the surface of an awning.

Illustration 8.1.2 Awning and Awning Sign

Banner Sign: A cloth, plastic or other soft material sign placed flat against the façade of a building. No banner sign shall flap or move with the wind.

Bench sign: A sign painted on or affixed to any portion of a bench or seating area at bus stops or other such pedestrian areas.

Business Sign (on premises sign): A sign used to identify a business, profession, trade or occupation on the site and/or the generic or brand name products or services available at the site, and shall include an attached sign, window sign, freestanding sign, projecting sign, awning sign, and freestanding directional sign all as more specifically described in and allowed by Chapter 8, Part 3 hereof, and a small freestanding sign as more specifically described in and allowed by Section 8.5.2 hereof.

Canopy, Building: A rigid, multi-sided structure covered with fabric, metal or other material and supported by a building at one or more points and by columns or posts at the other points.

Canopy, Free-standing: A rigid multi-sided structure covered with fabric, metal or other material and supported solely by columns or posts.

Canopy Sign: is a sign painted on, printed on or attached flat against the surface of the canopy.

Illustration 8.1.3 Canopy and Canopy Sign

Changeable copy sign/Reader board: A sign or portion thereof with characters, letters, or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged without altering the face or the surface of the sign. A sign on which the only copy that changes is an electronic or mechanical indication of time or temperature shall be considered a “time and temperature” portion of a sign and not a changeable copy sign for purposes of this Regulation.

Changing Image Sign: A sign, including a sign using a video display method, which changes its message or background by means of electrical, kinetic, solar or mechanical energy. A video display method is a method of display characterized by real-time, full-motion imagery of at least television quality.

Club Identification Sign: A sign used to identify a club, lodge, fraternity or sorority.

Columnar Sign: A freestanding business sign supported by columns or pillars having an aggregate width equal to at least 40% but less than 80% of the width of the sign cabinet or sign face.

Illustration 8.1.4 Columnar Sign

Community Facility Identification Sign: A sign identifying public and governmental buildings and facilities including offices, training armories, storage, maintenance and repair facilities located on the site.

Construction Sign: A sign used to identify the persons or businesses engaged in the construction of a building on site.

Corporate Flags: A flag used to advertise a business, product or service. Corporate flags shall be considered business signs and shall be subject to the business sign restrictions as listed under Chapter 8, Signs.

Directional Sign: An on-premise sign used to direct pedestrian or vehicular traffic, including but not limited to signs for entrances, exits, parking areas, one-way drives and drive-throughs.

Illustration 8.1.5 Freestanding and Attached Directional Signs

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