1. The nature of the violation, including citation of specific sections of this Article 4 to which the sign is non-conforming in its current condition;
2. That the violation is to be corrected no later than the date specified on the notice;
3. That if the property owner or business does not correct the violation by the date specified in the notice, the City will begin abatement proceedings to have the sign repaired or removed at the property owner's expense; and
4. If the Building Official determines the sign is an immediate hazard to the public, the City may remove and impound the sign at the property owner's expense.
A. Abandoned Sign. A sign or sign structure, whether conforming or non-conforming as to type, size, or location, that is not used for twelve (12) consecutive months or more, in the case of a single building owned by the prior occupant or operator, or twenty-four (24) consecutive months in the case of a building or tenant space that is leased. A sign may become abandoned because it has no sign face or cabinet, or no characters, text, or symbols on its face, or because the building on the same property is vacant, or there is no building on the same property.
B. Attention-Attracting Device. Signs, objects, or devices intended to attract the attention of the public that are installed on or in the ground, to a light pole or fence, or on the side or roof of a building, and that move, flicker, flap, flash, gyrate, or make noise using compressed air, wind, electrification, or other means. Attention-Attracting Devices include Air Dancers, pennant string flags, feather or sail banners, signs with a revolving beam, Beacon, or searchlight, signs with a light or lights resembling an emergency vehicle or traffic control signal, or as determined by the Planning Director.
C. Balloon or Inflatable Sign. A non-porous envelope either tethered to the ground or to a building or structure, inflated with air that has been compressed, pressurized, or exhausted into the envelope, causing it to expand.
D. Bandit Sign and Snipe Sign. Any unauthorized sign placed in the ground or posted on a utility pole, official sign or support structure, traffic signal or support structure, signal box, fence, wall, barricade, tree, or other fixture in the public right-of-way or on public property. Any sign erected or painted on a tree, rock, or natural feature, or sign placed on a vehicle without the consent of the owner is considered a Bandit Sign. Temporary Signs that do not meet the requirements of
Section 4.2.2 may also be considered Bandit Signs or Snipe Signs.
E. Billboard. A sign typically erected in view of a major thoroughfare or highway and with one or more individual support poles and a sign face consisting of an opaque vinyl, fabric, or similar sign face stretched over a support structure or an Electronic Message Board (EMB).
F. Cabinet Wall Sign. A sign with a structure or shell (cabinet) containing the lighting elements and electrical components for light projection through a translucent medium or film supported or contained within the cabinet and on which the message of the sign is printed. Cabinet Signs are prohibited for use as Wall Signs but may be allowed for other types of signs under certain conditions (see
Section 4.2.2).
G. Dilapidated Sign. A sign that is in an unmaintained condition evidenced by rust, peeling or missing paint, chipped or missing Masonry or mortar, one or more non-functional lighting elements, leaning or sagging footings or footings in need of repair, damaged or exposed wiring, missing characters, or overgrown vegetation.
H. Changeable Message Board.
Electronic Message Board (EMB). A panel consisting of individual electronic elements such as Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that when stimulated by electricity produce controlled light impulses to create a changeable message across a display area. Exception: EMBs may be permitted for Signs on Public School Campuses (see
subsection 4.2.2.D.14) and for Order Board Signs not visible from a Right-of-Way (see
subsection 4.2.2.E.8).
Manual Message Board. A panel consisting of durable plastic or metal backing on which moveable characters are arranged by hand or hand-operated apparatus to create a message.
I. Pole Sign. A sign placed on one or more individual poles or pylons for support, with the combined width of the support poles being less than the width of the sign
J. Portable Sign. A sign mounted on a device that can be moved by a vehicle or by hand. Exceptions: Sidewalk Signs conforming to
Section 4.2.2.E.10, and signs, not including EMBs, that are mounted on a registered vehicle capable of moving under its own power or a trailer being actively towed by a registered vehicle.
K. Channel Letters. Individual characters or symbols mounted directly to the wall of a building or on a raceway, with internal or direct exterior illumination. Reverse-lit Channel Letters are allowed.
L. Reflective Sign. A sign other than a Traffic Control Sign or Official Sign with a coating, film, or other element that reflects light from an external source back toward the viewer.
M. Painted Sign. A sign painted directly onto the building face other than a mural commissioned by the City or approved as part of an agreement between the City and a property or building owner.
N. Graffiti. A painted message, text, characters, symbols, or art applied to a building, wall, vehicle, or other surface without the approval of the property owner.
O. Roof Sign. A sign attached to the roof of a building or attached to the facade of a building but extending above the roof eave or parapet wall.
