§ 22-23. Definitions.

Words and phrases used in this article shall have the meanings set forth in this section. Words and phrases not defined in this section but defined in the zoning ordinance of the City of Pine Bluff shall be given the meaning set forth in such ordinance. All other words and phrases shall be given their common, ordinary meaning, unless the context clearly requires otherwise. Section headings or captions are for reference purposes only and shall not be used in the interpretation of this section.

Area. (see "Sign, Area of").

Awning. A shelter projecting from and supported by the exterior wall of a building constructed of nonrigid materials on a supporting framework (compare "Marquee").

Clearance (of a sign). The smallest vertical distance between the grade and the lowest point of any sign, including framework and embellishments, extending over that grade.

Copy. The wording on a sign surface in either permanent or removable letter form.

Festoons. A string of ribbons, tinsel, small flags, pinwheels or pennants.

Frontage, building. The length of an outside building wall on a public right-of-way.

Height (of a sign). The vertical distance measured from the highest point of the sign, including decorative embellishments, to the grade of the adjacent street or the surface grade beneath the sign, whichever is less (compare "Clearance").

Maintenance. For the purposes of this article, the cleaning painting, repair or replacement of defective parts of a sign in a manner that does not alter the basic design or structure of the sign.

Mansard. A steeply sloping ornamental roof-like structure commonly used on exterior walls of buildings having flat, or nearly flat roofs.

Owner. A person recorded as such on official records. For the purposes of this article, the owner of property on which a sign is located is presumed to be the owner of the sign unless facts to the contrary are officially recorded or otherwise brought to the attention of the administrator, e.g., a sign leased from a sign company.

Parapet. The extension of a false front or wall above a roofline.

Person. For the purposes of this article, any individual, corporation, association, firm, partnership or legally recognized entity.

Point of purchase display. Advertising of a retail item accompanying its display, e.g., an advertisement on a product dispenser.

Premises. A parcel of land with its appurtenances and buildings which, because of its unity of use, may be regarded as a conveyable unit of real estate.

Roofline. The top edge of a roof or building parapet, whichever is higher, excluding any cupolas, pylons, chimneys or minor projections.

Setback. The distance from the property line to the nearest part of the applicable building, structure, or sign measured perpendicular to the property line.

Sign, types:

Abandoned sign. A sign which no longer identifies or advertises a bona fide business, lessor, service, owner, product or activity, and/or for which no legal owner can be found.

Animated sign. Any sign that uses movement or change of lighting to depict action or create a special effect or scene.

Awning sign. A sign painted on, printed on, or attached flat against the surface of an awning.

Banner sign. A sign made of fabric or any nonrigid material with no enclosing framework.

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.

Bench sign. Any sign attached, painted or otherwise mounted on benches, in which copy is to be viewed from the right-of-ways.

Billboard. (See "Off-Premise Sign").

Building marker. Any sign indicating the name of a building and date and incidental information about its construction, which sign is cut into masonry surface or made of bronze or other permanent material.

Building sign. Any sign attached to any part of a building, as contrasted to a freestanding sign.

Canopy sign. Any sign that is a part of or attached to an awning, canopy, or other fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover over a door, entrance, window, or outdoor service area. A marquee is not a canopy.

Changeable copy sign (automatic). A sign on which the copy changes automatically on a lampbank or through mechanical means, e.g., electrical or electronic time and temperature units.

Changeable copy sign (manual). A sign on which copy is changed manually in the field, e.g., readerboards with changeable letters.

Construction 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.

Directional/information sign. An on-premise sign giving directions, instructions or facility information and which may contain the name or logo of an establishment but no advertising copy, e.g., parking or exit and entrance signs.

Directory sign. Any sign located on or in a building or premise depicting the uses in the building or on the premises.

Double-faced sign. A sign with two (2) faces.

Electrical sign. A sign or sign structure in which electrical wiring, connections or fixtures are used.

Electronic message center. (see "Changeable Copy Sign Automatic").

Flashing sign. A sign which contains an intermittent or sequential flashing light source used primarily to attract attention. Does not include changeable copy signs, animated signs, or signs which, through reflection or other means, create an illusion of flashing of intermittent light (compare "Animated Sign," "Changeable Copy Sign").

Freestanding sign. A permanently attached sign supported upon the ground by poles or braces and not attached to any building.

Government sign. Any temporary or permanent sign erected and maintained by the city, county, state, or federal government for traffic direction or for designation of or direction to any school, hospital, historical site, or public service, property, or facility.

Ground sign. The entire bottom of a sign is in contact with or in close proximity to the ground. (May be grouped with pole signs under freestanding signs).

Identification sign. A sign whose copy is limited to the name and address of a building, institution, or person and/or to the activity or occupation being identified.

Illegal sign. A sign which does not meet the requirements of this Code and which has not received legal nonconforming status.

Illuminated sign. A sign with an artificial light source incorporated internally or externally for the purpose of illuminating the sign.

Incidental sign. A sign, generally informational, that has a purpose secondary to the use of the zone lot on which it is located, such as "no parking," "entrance," "loading only," "telephone," and other similar directives. No sign with a commercial message legible from a position off the zone lot on which the sign is located shall be considered incidental.

Marquee sign. Any sign attached to or supported by a marquee structure.

Nameplate. A nonelectric on-premise identification sign giving only the name, address and/or occupation of an occupant or group of occupants.

Nonconforming sign. A sign which was erected legally but which does not comply with subsequently enacted sign restrictions and regulations.

Off-premise sign. A structure advertising an establishment, merchandise, service or entertainment, which is not sold, produced, manufactured or furnished at the property on which said sign is located, e.g. "billboards" or "outdoor advertising."

On-premise sign. A sign which pertains to the use of the premises on which it is located.

Painted wall sign. A sign which is applied with paint or similar substance on the face of a wall.

Pennant. Any light weight plastic, fabric or other material whether or not containing a message of any kind, suspended from a rope, wire, or string, usually in series, designed to move in the wind.

Political sign. For the purposes of this article, a temporary sign used in connection with a local, state or national election or referendum.

Portable sign. Any sign designed to be moved easily and not permanently affixed to the ground or to a structure or building.

Projecting sign. Any sign fixed to a building or wall in such a manner that its leading edge extends more than six (6) inches beyond the surface of such building or wall.

Real estate sign. A temporary sign advertising the real estate upon which the sign is located as being for rent, lease or sale.

Roof sign. Any sign erected and constructed wholly on and over the roof of a building, supported by the roof structure, and extending vertically above the highest portion of the roof.

Rotating sign. A sign in which the sign itself or any portion of the sign moves in a revolving or similar manner. Such motion does not refer to methods of changing copy.

Snipe sign. A temporary sign or poster affixed to a tree, fence, etc.

Subdivision identification sign. A freestanding or wall sign identifying a recognized subdivision, condominium complex, or residential development.

Temporary sign. A sign not constructed or intended for long-term use, and not permanently attached to the ground, a building or structure.

Under-canopy sign. A sign suspended beneath a canopy, ceiling roof or marquee.

Wall sign. Any sign attached parallel to, but within six (6) inches of, a wall, painted on the wall surface of, or erected and confined within the limits of an outside wall of any building or structure, which is supported by such wall or building, and which displays only one sign surface.

Window sign. Any sign, pictures, symbol, or combination thereof, designed to communicate information about an activity, business, commodity, event, sale, or service, that is placed inside a window or upon the window panes or glass and is visible from the exterior of the window.

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, area of. That area enclosed by one continuous line connecting the extreme points or edges of a sign. The area shall be determined using the largest sign area or silhouette visible at any one time from any one point. This area does not include the main supporting sign structure but all other ornamental attachments, inner connecting links, etc., which are not a part of the main supports of the sign, are to be included in determining sign area.

Use. The principle purpose for which a building, lot, sign or structure is intended, designed, occupied or maintained.

(Ord. No. 5596, § 1, 11-21-94)