Beaumont Municipal Code Ch. 17.E.06 Definitions of Sign

This Chapter provides definitions for signs referred to in Chapter 17.C.08 (Signs).

Advertise. Describe or draw attention to a product, service, or event in a public medium in order to promote sales or attendance.

Animated Sign. A sign designed to attract attention through movement or the semblance of movement of the whole or any part including, but not limited to, signs which swing, twirl, move back and forth or up and down; or signs which change color or shades of color or any other method or device which suggests movement.

Commercial Message. A message displayed on a sign that primarily concerns business, commercial or economic interests, or which proposes an economic transaction. Commercial messages may be onsite or offsite; however, the onsite/offsite distinction applies only to commercial messages.

Commercial Sign. A sign displayed for the purpose of identifying a commercial message, or advertising a service, product, business or venture that is offered for trade or sale which can be located onsite or offsite.

Copy. Graphic content of a sign surface designed to allow the changing of copy through manual, mechanical, or electrical means.

Electronic Message Center Sign. A sign with the capability of presenting variable advertising message displays by projecting an electronically controlled light pattern against a contrasting background and which can be programmed to change the message display periodically. An electronic message center is neither an animated sign nor a simulated motion sign.

Flashing Sign. Lighted signs which disappear and reappear at periodic intervals, or are intermittently on and off, and which are placed so as to attract vehicular traffic with emphasis on the recurrence of lights. This definition includes beacons, searchlights, and klieg lights only when they are used for commercial messages.

Foot-Candle. A quantitative unit of measure for luminance. One foot-candle is equal to the amount of light generated by one candle shining on one square foot surface located one foot away. It is equal to one lumen uniformly distributed over an area of one square foot.

Freestanding Sign. A permanent sign anchored directly to the ground or supported by one or more posts, columns, or other vertical structures or supports, and not attached to or dependent for support from any building.

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

Nits. A luminance unit equal to one candela (one candle) per square meter measured perpendicular to the rays from the source. Nits, when used in conjunction with contrast ratio and viewing angle, determine image quality in a desired application.

Noncommercial Message. A message or image displayed on a sign which concerns matters not included within the definition of commercial message. The onsite/offsite distinction applies only to commercial messages.

Noncommercial Sign. A sign that is displayed for the purpose of identifying a noncommercial message. The sign does not do any of the following:

Advertise a product, business or service for profit and/or a business purpose; or
Relate solely to economic interests. Noncommercial signs are not considered either off-site or on-site signs.

Off-Site Sign. A sign related in its subject matter to some premises or lot other than the premises or lot on which the sign is located.

On-Site Sign. A sign related in its subject matter to the premises on which it is located, or to products, accommodations, services, or other activities on the premises.

Permanent Sign. A stationary sign permanently attached to the ground or to a structure.

Portable Sign. A temporary sign designed and constructed so as to be easily moved. Such signs are usually not secured to a building or anchored to the ground. Common types include "A" frame signs, sandwich board signs, and sidewalk signs.

FIGURE 17.E.06-1: PORTABLE SIGNS [Figure: FIGURE 17.E.06-1: PORTABLE SIGNS]

Poster Sign. Any sign attached to the ground in a manner approved by the building official, which may be visible from adjacent streets or highways.

Relocated Billboard. An existing billboard that is located in the City that is relocated through a City Council approved relocation agreement, including the replacement of a static billboard face with an electronic message center. The relocated billboard is not considered a new billboard.

Revolving Sign. A sign or a portion thereof, which rotates or revolves.

Sign. Any device, fixture, placard or structure, including its component parts, which draws attention to an object, product, place, activity, opinion, person, institution, organization, or place of business, or which identifies or promotes the interests of any person and which is to be viewed from any public street, road, highway, right-of-way or parking area. However, the following are not within the definition of "sign" for regulatory purposes of this Code:

Signs or other visual communicative devices that are located entirely within a building or other enclosed structure and are not visible from the exterior thereof, provided the building or enclosed structure is otherwise legal;
Decorative or architectural features of buildings (not including lettering, trademarks or moving parts);
Symbols of noncommercial organizations or concepts including, but not limited to, religious or political symbols, when such are permanently integrated into the structure of a permanent building which is otherwise legal;
Items or devices of personal apparel, decoration or appearance, including tattoos, makeup, costumes (but not including commercial mascots);
Marks on tangible products, which identify the maker, seller, provider or product, and which customarily remain attached to the product even after sale;
The legal use of fireworks, candles, and artificial lighting not otherwise regulated by this Code;
Advertisements or banners mounted on trains or duly licensed mass transit vehicles that legally pass through the City;
On street legal vehicles and properly licensed watercraft: license plates, license plate frames, registration insignia, commercial and noncommercial messages, messages relating to the business of which the vehicle or vessel is an instrument or tool (not including general advertising) and messages relating to the proposed sale, lease or exchange of the vehicle or vessel;
Gravestones or grave markers; and
News racks and newsstands.

Sign types include:

Banner Sign. A fabric or fabric-like material on which an advertising message is painted or otherwise affixed.

FIGURE 17.E.06-2: BANNER SIGN [Figure: FIGURE 17.E.06-2: BANNER SIGN]

Billboard Sign or Billboard. A permanent sign structure used for the display of offsite commercial messages, other than a directional sign, which directs attention to a business, commodity, service or entertainment conducted, sold or offered elsewhere than upon the premises where the sign is located, or to which it is affixed. Commercial copy on any billboard sign may be replaced with noncommercial copy.

Directional Sign, On-site. A 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, exit, or entrance signs).

FIGURE 17.E.06-3: DIRECTIONAL SIGN, BUILDING-MOUNTED [Figure: FIGURE 17.E.06-3: DIRECTIONAL SIGN, BUILDING-MOUNTED]

FIGURE 17.E.06-4: DIRECTIONAL SIGN, FREESTANDING [Figure: FIGURE 17.E.06-4: DIRECTIONAL SIGN, FREESTANDING]

Flag Sign. A device, generally made of fabric or flexible materials, (usually cloth, paper or plastic), which displays visual colors, images, or symbols, typically those of governments, religions, causes, organizations, or specific business activities.

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.

Identification Sign (Residential). A freestanding or wall sign identifying a recognized subdivision, condominium complex, or residential development.

Monument Sign. A sign with an overall height of six feet or less, standing directly on the ground or on a base where the supporting poles or structures, if any, are covered from public view.

FIGURE 17.E.06-5: MONUMENT SIGN [Figure: FIGURE 17.E.06-5: MONUMENT SIGN]

Pennant. A display device, usually triangular in shape and made of flexible materials, such as cloth, paper or plastic, used primarily to attract attention of passersby.

Pylon Sign. A sign with an overall height exceeding six feet and supported by one or more poles or pylons attached directly into or upon the ground.

FIGURE 17.E.06-6: PYLON SIGN [Figure: FIGURE 17.E.06-6: PYLON SIGN]

Real Estate Sign. A temporary sign advertising that a property or structure is for sale, lease, rent, or exchange. The advertising contained on a real estate sign shall be limited to the following information:

That the property is for sale, lease, rent or exchange by the owner or his or her agent;
The property is in escrow or there is an "open house";
Directions to the property; and
The owner's or agent's name, address and telephone number.

Roof Sign. A sign supported by or attached to or projecting through the roof of a building or structure, or projecting above the eave line or parapet wall of the building or structure.

FIGURE 17.E.06-7: ROOF SIGN [Figure: FIGURE 17.E.06-7: ROOF SIGN]

Under Canopy Sign. A sign attached to the underside of a projecting canopy perpendicular to the building frontage, commonly used for identifying the land use at that location.

FIGURE 17.E.06-8: UNDER CANOPY SIGN [Figure: FIGURE 17.E.06-8: UNDER CANOPY SIGN]

Wall Mural. The decoration on the exterior surface of a structure with scenic, architectural or artistic paints which in themselves do not identify or advertise any product, service, or business. A wall mural is a sign if it is related by language, logo, or pictorial depiction to the advertisement of any product or service or the identification of any business.

Wall Sign. A sign which is in any manner affixed to any exterior wall of a building or structure, the exposed face of which is in a plane approximately parallel to the plane of the wall.

FIGURE 17.E.06-9: WALL SIGN [Figure: FIGURE 17.E.06-9: WALL SIGN]

Window Sign. A temporary sign painted, attached, glued or otherwise affixed to a window, which is easily visible from the exterior of the building.

FIGURE 17.E.06-10: WINDOW SIGNS [Figure: FIGURE 17.E.06-10: WINDOW SIGNS]

Sign Structure. The supports, uprights, bracings, guy rods, cables and other structural framework of a sign or outdoor display.

Temporary Sign. A sign structure or device used for the display of messages or images, which is easily installed and removed and which is not intended or suitable for long-term or permanent display due the sign construction, materials, placement, or installation. Temporary signs shall include noncommercial signs, real estate signs, yard or garage sale signs, construction signs, on-site temporary window signs displaying a commercial message, future tenant identification signs, commercial flags and banners for real estate sales and leasing, commercial flags on commercial, industrial, or agricultural properties, signs supported by and affixed to the ground by a wire frame or special event signs. Any sign not covered by this definition is a permanent sign and must comply with the applicable permanent sign regulations.

Uniform Sign Program. A detailed set of plans, to-scale drawings, specifications, and other information for signs in a commercial, industrial, or office complex; a group of three or more businesses on a parcel or project site; or for commercial recreation uses.

Window Area. The total area of a window upon which signs, images or messages may be mounted. A group of window panes or panels can be considered one window if they are adjoining on the building face and are less than six inches apart.