§ 6-163. Definitions.

[The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:]

Abandoned sign. Any sign or portion thereof, that does not represent any business in whole or in part, is considered to be an abandoned sign.

Attention attracting device. Any flasher or blinker, with a strobe like effect or other object designed or intended to attract the attention of the public to an establishment, which because it is flashing could create a safety hazard.

Awning or canopy. A fixture constructed of various materials which projects from the front or surface of a building. An awning may or may not have a message or signage on it. If an awning carries an advertising message or symbol or corporate logo, it may be counted as a wall or fascia sign.

Banner. A strip of cloth or other synthetic material that displays or projects a message for an event or product. Banners are normally meant to be used for intermediate events, or advertisement needs.

Billboard or poster panel signs. A freestanding sign structure especially built for the display of characters, letters, or illustrations produced on paper sheets, vinyl, or painting applied directly to the surface or sign structure advertising a product or service not located on the same lot. The term "billboard" does not include real estate, subdivision, or downtown sandwich type signs.

Building code. The current building code adopted by the city.

Canopy. See awning.

Central business district (CBD). An area of the city described as follows: Beginning at the intersection of Franklin and Patterson streets, then West on Patterson to First street, North on First to Normal street, West on Normal to the old Norfolk and Western Railroad right-of-way, North on the right-of-way to Pierce street, West on Pierce to Osteopathy street, North on Osteopathy to Washington street, East on Washington to the old Norfolk and Western Railroad right-of-way, North on the right-of-way to Missouri street, East on Missouri to Main street, North on Main to Cottonwood street, East on Cottonwood to High street, South on High to Harrison street, East on Harrison to Mulanix street, South on Mulanix to Washington street, East on Washington to Florence street, South on Florence to McPherson street, West on McPherson to Mulanix street, South on Mulanix to Normal street, West on Normal to Franklin street, South on Franklin to Patterson street, to the point of beginning.

Code enforcement officer. The person charged with the administration and enforcement of this sign code, or his duly authorized deputy.

Curb line. 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 code enforcement officer.

Detached sign. Any sign located on the ground or on a structure located on the ground or a pole and not attached to a building. Often called a freestanding, pole, or pedestal sign.

Directly illuminated sign. Any sign that has a separate lighting source directed upon the face of the sign.

Door sign. A sign with letters or illustrations mounted on the door of a retail establishment. Signs of this type will not be counted as a wall sign, even if such letters or illustrations are mounted on the exterior surface.

Downtown Kirksville area. That area contained within the CBD and further described as follows: The Downtown Kirksville area is bounded from the middle of Illinois Street on the north, east to the middle of Marion Street, south to the middle of Jefferson Street, west to the old Norfolk & Western Railroad right-of-way, then north to Illinois Street.

Fluttering sign. Signs which flutter in the wind and includes pennants, banners, nonofficial governmental flags or other flexible material which moves with the wind or by some artificial means. This includes the type of air powered "sign man" signs, that imitate a person with arms, that stands up and falls, and then repeats, with the use of an air blower.

Illuminated sign. Any sign that is partially or completely illuminated by use of internal electricity or other lighting source.

Indirectly illuminated sign. Any sign that has internal lighting features that direct light through the face(s) of the sign, to illuminate the words or pictures.

Mansard. A sloping roof which projects from the wall of a building. For purposes of this regulation a mansard having a pitch not exceeding one (1) foot horizontal in three (3) feet vertical shall be deemed a wall. A mansard having a lesser vertical slope shall be deemed as a roof.

Marquee sign. Any sign attached flat against the marquee or permanent sidewalk canopy of a building.

Moving message or video sign. A sign that involves wording moving electronically across the face of a sign, or may have a video image on the face of the sign. These types of signs may not use strobe-like effects.

National Electrical Code. The electrical code currently adopted by the city as published by the National Fire Protection Association.

Neon lighted sign. An electric sign lighted by a long luminous gas-discharge tube that contains rarefied neon or other gases. They are the most common use for neon lighting.

Non-illuminated sign. A sign that has no internal or external lighting source to illuminate the sign face.

On-premises sign. A sign pertaining to an existing permitted use on the property upon which the sign is located. These signs must be made of metal, wood, or other structural supports that meet the wind resistance requirements. Flexible vinyl or tarpaulin type materials are not allowed for use as part of a permanent sign structure unless the flexible material is stretched tight and is completely covered by glass or a clear Lexan type material. Stick-on vinyl lettering or designs attached to a hard surface is acceptable.

Product sign. A sign that advertises a product and does not include the name of the business in use on the site. These signs do not require a permit, but must be attached to a fixed structure on the property, such as a building, driveway canopy, private light pole, fence, etc.

Projecting sign. Any sign extending more than one (1) foot from the face of the building to which it is attached or on a wall and having its face approximately at right angles to the face of the building.

Roof sign. Any sign erected, constructed and maintained upon or over the roof of a building and using the roof as a principal means of support.

Sandwich board sign. A sign that is so designed to be self-supporting by design. Often times this sign is of the folding type and when collapsed is flat in nature, therefore "sandwiches" together.

Searchlight. An apparatus containing a light source and a reflector for projecting a high-intensity beam or beams of approximately parallel rays of light. A searchlight is considered to be an advertisement or an attention attracting device and is subject to all sign permitting processes.

Sign. Any medium, including its structure and component parts, which is used or intended to be used to attract attention to the subject matter contained thereon, which shall include paint on the surface of the building when used for the purposes of advertising. This shall include, but is not limited to pole signs, billboard or poster panels, illuminated signs, marquee signs, roof signs, searchlights, electric signs, wall signs, and projecting signs. Murals shall not be considered signs.

Signs normally consists of four (4) types:

(1)

Detached, freestanding, pedestal, or pole sign: An off-premise sign erected on a freestanding framework supported and affixed by one (1) or more uprights or braces in or upon the ground.

(2)

Projecting signs. A sign affixed to a building or structure not mounted flush with a wall.

(3)

Temporary sign. Any sign which may not have any structural support, footing, foundation, pier, pole, grade beam or any other accepted method of frost heave prevention. It may include any sign which is not designated or manufactured to be permanently anchored or affixed to the ground, building or structure, but rather is designed or primarily used as a sign which is moveable from place to place. This shall include, but is not limited to, signs affixed to a trailer or other portable structure, and "A" frame or sandwich signs and yellow-flashing signs. This shall include signs of a material such as cardboard, paper, pressed woods, plastic or metal which is attached to a fence, tree, or temporary structure. Any temporary sign requires a permit.

(4)

Wall sign or fascia sign or awning sign. Any sign attached to and erected parallel to and/or within one (1) foot of the face or wall of a building, including signs painted on the walls of buildings, or on the vertical flap of an awning or canopy.

Signboard sign. A type of sign placed under a canopy or awning, advertising the store or business it is in front of. Normally placed at a right angle to the front wall of the store, so that pedestrians can read the store's name.

Sign area. The area of a sign set out in these regulations shall mean the total area of the surface "or face" of the sign. Such signs as projecting, detached and outdoor advertising panels and bulletins may have more than one (1) face, in which case the maximum area allowed herein shall apply to the total face or surface per sign side. The area of the sign, for purposes of these regulations, shall be computed from the dimensions of the entire surface upon which the letters, logo, etc., are placed, except that when individual letters, logos, etc., are mounted individually and directly upon a building wall surface without change in the color or appearance of the wall, the area of the sign shall be deemed to be the rectangle or other geometric form that encompasses the letters, logo, etc. When some question exists as to the area of a sign, the method of computing the same shall be determined by the code enforcement officer.

Sign height (how measured). Sign height shall be measured from the average grade level of the land or surface directly beneath the sign that serves the parcel or lot where the sign is located to the highest projection on the sign.

(Ord. No. 11970, § 1, 8-1-2011; Ord. No. 12231, 2-6-2017)