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HomeMy Public PortalAboutORD-CC-1992-02ORDINANCE # 92-02 AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AND SETTING FORTH RESTRICTIONS, PROVISIONS, AND REQUIREMENTS FOR SIGNS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF MOAB. WHEREAS, the Moab City Council recognizes that signs provide a useful function by identifying businesses by name and allowing them to promote the goods and services they offer; and WHEREAS, the proliferation and disrepair of signs can deter the effectiveness of signs, cause dangerous conflicts with traffic control signs and signals and contribute to visual clutter; and WHEREAS, the Moab City Council recognizes the need to govern and control the erection, remodeling, enlarging, moving, alteration, operation and maintenance of all signs within all zones within the limits of the City of Moab. IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED AS FOLLOWS: That the following shall be included in the Moab City Ordinances and shall be known as "The Moab City Sign Ordinance", including the "Moab City sign Ordinance Outline": SECTION 1 PURPOSE SECTION 2 SCOPE SECTION GENERAL Section MOAB SIGN ORDINANCE OUTLINE 3 SIGN PROVISIONS 3.01 - Height Limitations --On Highway 3.02 - Size Limitations --On Highway 3.03 - Height Limitations --Off Highway 3.04 - Size Limitations --On Highway 3.05 - Projecting & Suspended Signs 3.06 - Roof Signs 3.07 - Lighted Signs 3.08 - Lighted Signs Adjacent to Residential Zones 3.09 - Residential Signs 3.10 - Public & Religious Signs in Residential Zones 3.11 - Flags SECTION 4 COMPUTATIONS Section 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 - Height - Area of Individual Signs - Area of Multifaced Signs - Number of Signs Per Lot A. Primary Frontage B. Secondary Frontage - Set Backs Shopping Centers - Off -Premise Signs SECTION 5 PROHIBITED SIGNS Section 5.01 - Parked Vehicle Signs 5.02 - Signs on Public Right -of -Ways 5.03 - Signs Attached to Public Property SECTION 6 TEMPORARY SIGNS Section 6.01 - 6.02 - 6.03 - 6.04 - 6.05 - SECTION 7 EXEMPT SIGNS Section 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 Mobile Changeable Copy Signs Balloon Signs Construction Signs Political Campaign Signs Real Estate Signs - Public Signs - Integral Signs - Private Traffic Direction Signs - Service Signs 7.05 - Name Plates 7.06 - Temporary Decorations 7.07 - Nonbusiness Temporary Signs 7.08 - Rear Entrance Signs 7.09 - Menu Signs 7.10 - Private Warning or Instructional Signs 7.11 - Murals 7.12 - Pennants, Window Dressings & Window Banners SECTION 8 DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE & LIABILITY SECTION 9 ABANDONED SIGNS SECTION 10 PERMIT PROCEDURES & ENFORCEMENT 10.01 - Permit Required 10.02 - Applications 10.03 - Fees 10.04 - Action 10.05 - Inspections 10.06 - Renewal of Sign Permits 10.07 - Lapse of Sign Permit 10.08 - Registration of Existing Signs 10.09 - Nonconforming Signs 10.10 - Violations 10.11 - Notice, Action & Penalty 10.12 - Unsafe, Illegal & Non -maintained Signs 10.13 - Removal of Signs SECTION 11 RIGHT OF APPEAL SECTION 12 DEFINITIONS MOAB CITY SIGN ORDINANCE SECTION 1 PURPOSE It is recognized that signs provide a useful function by identifying businesses by name and allowing them to promote the goods and services they offer. However, the proliferation and disrepair of signs can deter the effectiveness of signs, cause dangerous conflicts with traffic control signs and signals and contribute to visual clutter. It is the purpose of the sign ordinance to: 1. Promote traffic and pedestrian safety; 2. Reduce visual clutter; 3. Increase the readability and effectiveness of signs; 4. Encourage individuality and creativity; 5. Promote City beautification; 6. Encourage fair business representation through signage; and 7. Enable the fair and consistent enforcement of these sign provisions. SECTION 2 SCOPE This ordinance shall govern and control the erection, remodeling, enlarging, moving, alteration, operation and maintenance of all signs within all zones. It also provides penalties for violations of this code. Nothing contained in this ordinance shall be deemed a waiver or variance of the provisions of any other articles or sections in this code applicable to signs. Signs located in areas governed by several sections of this code shall comply with all such sections. In the case of contradicting requirements or provisions, the more restrictive shall apply. SECTION 3 GENERAL SIGN PROVISIONS A sign permit shall be required for the placement, construction, and/or alterations of all signs, unless a sign qualifies as an exempt sign or an identified temporary sign. The following provisions are required before a permit shall be granted: 3.01 - Height Limitations --On Highway There shall be a 28 foot height limitation for all signs that front on a highway (includes freestanding, wall and roof signs). 3.02 - Size Limitations --On Highway The size limitations for signs fronting a highway are as follows: 1. 256 square feet maximum square footage per lot. 2. 160 square feet per individual sign face. 3. Formula for maximum square footage is 2 square feet for each 1 linear foot of frontage along a public right-of-way. 4. The total square footage on a lot with 2 tenants must be divided between the tenants with proportions decided by the tenants and/or landlord(s). 3.03 - Height Limitations --Off Highway There shall be a 20 foot height limitation for all signs that front off of a highway (includes freestanding, wall and roof signs). 3.04 - Size Limitations --Off Highway The size limitations for signs that do not front a highway are as follows: 1. 160 square feet maximum square footage per lot. 2. Formula for maximum square footage is 1 square foot for each linear foot of frontage along a public right-of-way. 3. The total square footage on a lot with 2 tenants must be divided between the tenants with proportions decided by the tenants and/or landlord(s). 3.05 - Projecting & Suspended Signs Projecting and suspended signs shall have a height limit maximum of 28 feet or the height of the wall of the building, whichever is lower. They shall have an 8 foot minimum vertical clearance above sidewalks, walking areas, or right-of-ways and 36 square feet maximum size per sign face. Owners of projecting signs that project over public right-of-ways must furnish proof of liability insurance for such signs before being issued a permit. 3.06 - Roof Signs No roof sign shall exceed 4 feet above the wall line or top of the exterior wall; however, if the peak of the roof is over 4 feet above the wall line, roof signs cannot exceed the height of the peak. A11 roof signs must adhere to a 28 foot overall height limitation. 3.07 - Lighted Signs Lighted signs shall have stationary and constant lighting. 3.08 - Lighted Signs Adjacent to Residential Zones A lighted sign on a property that abuts a residential zone shall be subdued and shall not be allowed to penetrate beyond the property in such a manner as to annoy or interfere with the adjacent residential properties. Any complaints concerning lighted signs adjacent to residential properties can be taken before the City Council. The City Council has the authority to dismiss unreasonable complaints or require the sign(s) to be shielded. 3.09 - Residential Signs No advertising signs of any kind shall be allowed in any residential zone, except signs pertaining to the sale or lease of residential property, name plates, institutional signs, or signs 2 indicating the existence of an office of a professional person, a home occupation, guest apartment and/or bed and breakfast establishment. Lighted signs in residential zones must be indirect and no more than 25 watts total. Residential signs, except for apartments and public and religious institutional signs, shall not exceed 2 square feet. Apartments and guest apartments may be allowed up to 16 square feet of signage if they have more than 4 units; 4-plexes, tri-plexes and duplexes may be allowed up to 8 square feet of signage. (See Exempt & Temporary Sign Sections for exceptions to the 2 square feet rule). 3.10 - Public & Religious Signs in Residential Zones Public, public educational or religious institutional signs shall be located entirely upon the premises of that institution, shall not exceed an area of 50 square feet per frontage and shall require indirect lighting if lighted. If mounted on a building, these signs shall be flat wall signs and shall not project above the roof line; if ground mounted, the top shall be no more than 6 feet above ground level. Non-profit, charitable and private institutional signs in residential zones shall not exceed 2 square feet. 3.11 - Flags Flags other than government flags, i.e., country and state, shall be added towards the maximum allowable signage. Flag poles that display government flags shall not exceed 35 feet in height in commercial zones. SECTION 4 COMPUTATIONS The following principles shall control the computation of signs: 4.01 - Height The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the highest attached component of the sign to the nearest sidewalk, curb, or street crown, whichever is highest. 4.02 - Area of Individual Signs The area of a sign face (which is also the sign area of a wall sign or other sign with only one face) shall be computed by means of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle, or combination thereof that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem, or other display, together with any material or color forming an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed, but not including any supporting framework, bracing, or decorative fence or wall when such fence or wall otherwise meets zoning ordinance regulations and is clearly incidental to the display itself. 4.03 - Area of Multifaced Signs The sign area for a sign with more than one face shall be computed 3 by adding together the area of all sign faces visible from any one point. When two identical sign faces are placed back to back, so that both faces cannot be viewed from any point at the same time, and when such sign faces are part of the same sign structure and are not more than 42 inches apart, the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the faces. 4.04 - Number of Freestanding Signs Per Lot A. Primary Frontage: One freestanding sign per lot, one additional freestanding sign is permitted if property has more than 200 feet of frontage (exception, see Shopping Center restrictions). Two freestanding signs on one property must be separated by 100 feet, and the 2nd sign shall not be higher than the 50% of the allowed height. B. Secondary Frontage: One freestanding sign is allowed on each additional frontage and shall not be higher than 50% of the allowed height. Two freestanding signs on one property must be separated by 100 feet, and the 2nd sign shall not be higher than the 50% of the allowed height. 4.05 - Set Backs Signs may not block traffic visibility. If a sign is located at an intersection, the following rules apply: Signs located within a 25 foot triangle (measured 25 feet from the street corner both ways) must be under 2 1/2 feet tall, or should have over 8 feet of clearance to the bottom of the sign. This triangle shall be maintained in an open manner so as to provide proper clear view area. All advertising signs shall be set back from public streets a distance at least equal to the distance that buildings are required to be set back within the zone in which the signs are located. The areas between Mi11 Creek & Pack Creek (C2 zone) will have the same sign set back as the C3 zone (the C3 zone has no set back). A 25 foot sign setback for C2 and C4 zones with an exception of monument signs, which are to be 2 feet from the City right-of-way. 4.06 - Shopping Centers/Office Building Complexes Only 1 freestanding sign is allowed for shopping centers and office building complexes which lease to 3 or more businesses on one lot of record. The group freestanding sign identifying the shopping center/office building complexes and its businesses may use all sign area allowed for that lot. In addition individual businesses may have 1 square foot of signage for each front line of building up to a maximum of 128 square feet per business to identify their building. 4.07 - Off -Premise Signs Off -premise signs shall be regulated the same as on premise signs. The total allowable square footage of signage per lot for both off - premise and on -premise signs is determined according to the total linear street frontage of the lots. 4 SECTION 5 PROHIBITED SIGNS Signs which are erected after the adoption of this code and do not comply with the provisions of this ordinance are prohibited. Other prohibited signs include the following: 5.01 - Parked Vehicle Signs Parked vehicles with a sign painted or placed on them and parked for the expressed intent of directing attention to a business is prohibited. This provision does not include vehicles used regularly in the course of conducting daily business activities. 5.02 - Signs On Public Right -Of -ways No private sign shall be placed on public right-of-ways. 5.03 - Signs Attached To Public Property No private sign shall be attached to public property or public utility poles. SECTION 6 TEMPORARY SIGNS Temporary signs shall be figured in the total square footage allowed per lot. Sign owners must designate areas where temporary signs will be displayed. Temporary signs displayed outside of designated areas require a permit. Temporary signs must be maintained and in good condition while being displayed. Signs less than 6 square feet in size and associated with an event do not require a permit. 6.01 - Mobile Changeable Copy Signs Mobile changeable copy signs shall not exceed 32 square feet and shall not be displayed for more than 30 consecutive days. 6.02 - Balloon Signs Balloon signs are allowed to be displayed for up to 30 days per lot, per year. 6.03 - Construction Signs No more than 1 construction sign identifying a project to be built and the project participants shall be allowed per lot. Construction signs in residential zones shall not exceed 6 square feet in area and 5 feet in height. In commercial zones the sign area shall not exceed 50 square feet and shall not exceed 8 feet in height. Construction signs must not exceed the time period of construction and or the day the business opens, whichever comes first, and shall be counted into the square footage of the total footage allowed for the lot. An additional 32 square feet would be allowed in commercial zones for artist renditions of the project. Proposed development signs may be allowed for 90 days prior to ground breaking. 5 6.04 - Political Campaign Signs Political campaign signs require a $15.00 permit shall pertain to a specific election and shall be displayed not earlier than 45 calendar days prior to that election. Political campaign signs shall not be located closer than 150 feet to any designated polling place. Political campaign signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area. Political campaign signs shall be removed within 1 day after the election day. The candidate or persons responsible for the placement of a political campaign sign shall be responsible for its removal. 6.05 - Real Estate Signs In residential zones, real estate signs shall not exceed 6 square feet in area and shall not exceed 5 feet in height. In commercial zones real estate signs shall not exceed 32 square feet. Real estate signs must be placed on the premises of the property being sold. Only 1 real estate sign per street frontage, per real estate company is allowed. SECTION 7 EXEMPT SIGNS Sign permits are not required for the following signs unless the limitation and requirements of this section cannot be met. In such cases a sign permit is required. 7.01 - Public Signs Signs of a non-commercial nature, erected by, or on the order of, a public officer in the performance of his duty, such as, but not limited to safety signs, danger signs, trespassing signs, traffic signs, memorial plaques, signs of historical interest, informational signs and the like. 7.02 - Integral Signs Names of buildings, dates of erection, monumental citations, commemorative tablets and the like when carved into stone, concrete or similar material or made of metal or other permanent -type construction and made an integral part of the structure. 7.03 - Private Traffic Direction Signs Signs directing traffic movement into a premise or within a premise not exceeding 2 square feet in area for each sign. Horizontal directional signs on paved area and flush with paved areas are exempt from these standards. Only one exempt directional sign is allowed per frontage, per lot. 7.04 - Service Sign A sign that is incidental to a use lawfully occupying the property upon which the sign is located, and which sign is necessary to provide information to the public, such as direction to parking lots, location or rest rooms, entrance and exits, etc. These signs shall not exceed 2 square feet in size. 6 7.05 - Name Plates A name plate shall contain only the name of a resident. 7.06 - Temporary Decorations Temporary decorations or displays clearly incidental and associated with national or local holiday celebrations for a period not to exceed 90 days per year, per lot. 7.07 - Nonbusiness Temporary Signs Temporary signs not associated with a businesses may be displayed not more than 30 days per year or exceed 6 square feet in size. Examples include garage sale signs, puppies for sale signs, agricultural produce sales, etc. 7.08 - Rear Entrance Signs Rear entrance signs, when associated with pedestrian walk-through buildings. These signs shall not exceed 16 square feet in area and shall be flush mounted, identifying only the name of the establishment and containing directional information. 7.09 - Menu Signs Menu signs at drive-in restaurants which are not readable from the nearest public right-of-way; and signs not visible beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel upon which they are located or from any public right-of-way. 7.10 - Private Warning or Instructional Signs Private warning or instructional signs such as "No Soliciting," "No Trespassing," "Beware of Dog," or other similar types of signs not exceeding 2 square feet per sign. 7.11 - Murals Murals must be painted or attached to the wall of buildings and are exempt from the sign ordinance except for the lettering and logo portion of the mural. 7.12 - Pennants, Window Dressings & Window Banners Pennants, window dressings and window banners are exempt from the provisions of this ordinance. SECTION 8 DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE & LIABILITY A11 signs shall be designed, constructed, and maintained to comply with applicable provisions of the Uniform Building Code, electrical code and all other codes of the City. A11 signs shall be maintained and in good structural condition. Sign owners are liable for their signs. The City of Moab, the Official and other agents of the City shall in no way be liable for damages caused by signs. 7 SECTION 9 ABANDONED SIGNS A sign which meets the following criteria shall be considered an abandoned sign: 1. A sign which identifies an establishment, service(s), goods, or product(s) which are no longer provided on the premises where the sign is located. A sign which remains in such condition for a period of 1 month and which sign is otherwise conforming, shall have its copy vacated within 30 days from when the stated circumstances commenced. If the copy remains vacant for a period of 6 months or more from the date the stated circumstances commenced, the sign structure shall be removed by the sign owner. Removal shall be within 5 working days following the expiration of the 6 month period. 2. A sign which identifies a time, event, or purpose which has passed or no longer applies. Such sign shall be removed by the sign owner within 3 working days from time the event or purpose has passed or no longer applies. 3. An off -premise advertising sign which is vacant of copy or which advertises an establishment, service(s) goods, or product(s) which no longer exist. Such sign which remains in the defined condition for a period of 1 month, shall be removed by the sign owner within 5 working days of the end of the 1 month period. 4. When building -mounted and painted wall signs or murals are removed, the face of the structure shall be treated to conform to surrounding building conditions. Such removal shall not leave any evidence of the sign's existence. SECTION 10 PERMIT PROCEDURES & ENFORCEMENT The following is required to obtain a sign permit in the City of Moab: 10.01 - Permit Required If a sign requiring a permit under the provisions of this ordinance is to be placed, constructed, erected, or altered on a lot, the sign owner shall secure a sign permit from the Official prior to the construction, placement, erection, or alteration of such a sign. 10.02 - Applications All applications for sign permits of any kind and for approval shall be submitted to the Official. One application and permit may include multiple signs on the same lot. An application for construction, creation, or installation of a new sign or for the structural alteration of an existing sign shall be accompanied by 8 detailed drawings to scale of all existing and proposed signs on a lot and must show: 1. The height of all signs on a lot; 2. The square footage of all individual signs on a lot; 3. The total combined square footage of all signs on a lot; 4. A site plan indicating length of street frontage, location of buildings, parking lots, driveways, landscaped areas and all existing and proposed signs on the site --includes wall signs, projecting signs, suspended signs, roof signs, freestanding signs, window signs, murals, flags, etc.; 5. The overall dimensions, design, structure, materials, proposed copy and illumination specifications of all signs requiring a permit on a lot; and 6. Photograph(s) of the lot. 10.03 - Fees Each application for a sign permit shall be accompanied by the applicable fee, which shall be established by resolution by the governing body of the City. Fee: Up to 30 square feet is $15.00 plus $.25 for each additional square foot above 30 square feet. 10.04 - Action Within 5 days of the date of submittal of application the Official shall review it for completeness and compliance. If the applicant complies to all the sign ordinance regulations, the Official shall issue a sign permit within 15 days upon receipt of a completed application. If the Official finds the application incomplete, the Official shall send to the applicant a notice of the application's deficiencies, with appropriate corrections or references to the applicable section to this ordinance. 10.05 - Inspections The Official shall cause an inspection for each permit issued for the erection of new signs and the structural alteration of existing signs. If the signs do not comply, the Official shall issue the applicant notice of the deficiencies and shall allow 30 days from the date of notice for the deficiencies to be corrected. If the deficiencies are not corrected by such date, the permit shall lapse. The Official may also periodically inspect lots to see that sign owners comply to the provisions of this ordinance. 10.06 - Renewal of Sign Permits It is the intent of this ordinance for the renewal sign permitting process to be tied in with yearly business license renewal. If sign owners comply to the provisions of this ordinance and make no structural alterations or changes to their existing registered and permitted signs, the City shall automatically renew sign permits every year by June 30th. The renewal sign permit fee shall be waived if the sign owner has not constructed, placed, erected, or 9 structurally altered existing registered signage to a lot. A new application must be processed and an applicable fee shall be charged for signs constructed, placed, erected, or structurally altered to existing registered signage to a lot. 10.07 - Lapse of Sign Permit A sign permit shall lapse automatically if the permit is not renewed or if the business license for the premises lapses or is revoked. Sign permits shall lapse for abandoned signs. Once a sign permit lapses, a new sign permit is required with the appropriate fees. 10.08 - Registration of Existing Signs After the ordinance is approved, all signs (including previously permitted signs) must be registered with the City by the sign owner within a 2 year period. Sign owners that have not received a previous permit for their sign(s) must obtain a sign permit. Existing signs that do not comply with the ordinance will be issued a non -complying sign permit. 10.09 - Nonconforming Sign A nonconforming sign may not be moved to a new location, structurally altered, enlarged, or replaced unless it be made to comply with the provisions of this ordinance. If a nonconforming sign changes ownership, the sign(s) must comply with the provisions of this ordinance within 6 months of close of purchase. 10.10 - Violations Any of the following shall be a violation of this ordinance and shall be subject to the enforcement remedies and penalties provided by this ordinance, by the applicable city ordinances and state laws: 1. To install, create, erect, alter or maintain any sign in a way that is inconsistent with any plan or permit governing such sign or the zone lot on which the sign is located; 2. To install, create, erect, alter or maintain any sign requiring a permit without such a permit; or 3. To fail to remove any sign that is installed, created, erected, altered or maintained in violation of this ordinance, or for which the sign permit has lapsed. 4. To continue any such violation. Each such day of a continued violation shall be considered a separate violation when applying the penalty portions of this ordinance. 10.11 - Notice, Action & Penalty The Official shall issue notice to sign owners that display signs without a permit and allow 30 days from the date of notice for the deficiencies to be corrected. If the deficiencies are not 10 corrected within the given time, the sign owner's business license may be revoked, a fine may be imposed or the sign owner may be convicted of violating a Class B misdemeanor. 10.12 - Unsafe, Illegal & Non -maintained Signs The Official shall issue written notice of violation to the sign owner found in violation to this code or any sign found unsafe, illegal or not maintained. 10.13 - Removal of Signs If any unsafe sign is not repaired or made safe within 5 days after giving said notice, the Official shall remove said sign. If any sign is found in violation of this code, illegal, or not maintained and is not made conforming to this code within 30 days after given written notice, the Official may remove said sign(s). The sign owner shall pay the City of Moab within 30 days after written notice the cost incurred to remove such sign(s). SECTION 11 RIGHT OF APPEAL Any person who has been ordered by the Official to alter or remove any sign, or any person whose application for a sign permit has been refused may appeal the Official's order to the Board of Adjustment. The Board of Adjustment shall have power to review and allow or disallow variances to the sign ordinance only in cases of unusual conditions and/or extreme hardships. SECTION 12 DEFINITIONS Alteration: Alteration shall mean a change or rearrangement in the structural part of design whether by extending on a side, by increasing in area or height, or by relocating or change in position. Alterations shall include changes to all support and frame members including panels. Alterations shall not be interpreted to include changing outdoor bulletin or other similar signs which are designed to accommodate changeable copy. Building, Front Line of: Front line of building shall mean the line of that face of the building or structure nearest the front line of the lot. This face includes sun parlors, bay windows, covered and/or uncovered porches whether enclosed or unenclosed, but does not include uncovered steps less than 4 feet above grade and eaves overhanging less than 2 feet. Clear View Area: Clear view area shall mean a triangular area formed by the intersection of lines extended from the front facet of the curb and a line connecting them at points 25 feet from the intersection of the lines. Frontage: The distance for which a lot line of a zone lot adjoins a public street, from one lot line intersecting said street to the 11 furthest distant lot line intersecting the same street. Illegal Sign Any sign erected or altered after the effective date of the City Ordinance governing signs from which this section was derived, not complying with the provisions thereof, unless such provision was expressly waived or granted a variance, is an illegal sign. Lot: Any piece or parcel of land, the boundaries of which have been established by some legal instrument of record, that is recognized and intended as a unit for the purpose of transfer of ownership. Nonconforming Sign or Sign Structure: Nonconforming sign or sign structure shall mean a sign or sign structure or portion thereof lawfully existing at the time of its construction which does not conform to all height, area, yard spacing, animation, lighting or other regulations prescribed in the zone in which it is located. Official: The City's designated official to enforce the sign code. Shopping Center: Any group of 3 or more businesses on one lot of record. Sign: Any device, fixture, placard, or structure that uses any color, form, graphic, illumination, symbol, or writing to advertise, announce the purpose of, or identify the purpose of a person or entity, or to communicate information of any kind to the public. Sign Face: Sign face shall mean one continuous surface with no visual breaks separated from any other sign face by at least 6 inches. Sign Owner: A sign owner shall mean the owner, user, property owner, applicant, or person having charge or control of a sign. Sign Setback: Sign setback shall mean the minimum distance that any portion of a sign or sign structure shall be from any street right- of-way line. Sign Structure: Sign structure shall mean anything constructed or erected supporting a sign which requires locations on or below the ground or attached to something having locations on or below ground. The following are individual sign definitions which are specific types of signs included within the general definition above. Animated Sign: A sign which involves motion or rotation of any part, created by artificial means, or which displays flashing, revolving or intermittent lights. 12 Balloon Sign: Advertisement supported by a balloon anchored to the premises where the advertised use is conducted, product or commodity sold, service performed, or business name is located. Banner Sign Any sign of lightweight fabric or similar material. National, state or municipal flags are not considered banners. Beacon: Any light with one or more beams directed into the atmosphere or directed at one or more points not on the same zone lot as the light source; also, any light with one or more beams that rotate or move. Changeable Copy Sign: A sign, or portion thereof, on which copy is changed either manually in the field; e.g., readerboards with changeable letters, or automatically on a lampbank or through mechanical means; e.g. electrical or electronic time and temperature units. Construction Sign: A sign identifying an existing or proposed development project which may contain the name of the project, name and address of construction firms, architects, engineers, developers, etc. Flag: Any fabric, banner, or bunting containing distinctive colors, patterns, or symbols, used as a symbol of a government, political subdivision or other entity. Flashing Sign: A sign which has a appears to have motion or rotation of the lighting elements or displays flashing or intermittent light. Free Standing Sign: A permanent sign supported by structures or supports that are placed on, or anchored in, the ground and that are independent from any building or other structure. Illuminated Sign: A sign in which a source of light is used in order to make the message readable. This definition shall include internally and externally lighted signs. Monument Sign: A sign less than 6 feet in height above the curb. It is to be flush to the ground or a gap less than 12,inches from the ground permanently affixed, and is to be incorporated into the landscape or architectural design scheme and has to display the name of the building, occupants, and/or business. Name Plate Sign: A sign indicating the name and/or occupation of a person legally occupying the premises. Off -Premise Sign: An advertising sign which directs attention to a use, product, commodity, or service not related to the premises on which the sign is located. 13