El Centro Municipal Code Div. 3 Definitions

The purpose of the following sections is to promote consistency and precision in the interpretation of this chapter. The following definitions shall apply to this chapter.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22)

Alley: A public or private way, other than a street, intended for vehicular access to the rear or side of property served by a street. A narrow way, less in size than a street, and which is not designed for general travel, which is used primarily as a means of access to the rear of business establishments and which generally affords only a secondary means of access to the property abutting along its length shall be construed to be an alley. A public alley is considered public property.

Animated sign: Any sign that is designed to give a message through a sequence of progressive changes of parts or lights, or degree of lighting, through electrical or mechanical means. Although technologically similar to flashing signs, the animated sign emphasizes graphics and artistic display. This definition does not include public service signs such as time and temperature units.

Architectural projection: Any projection which is not intended for occupancy and which extends beyond the face of an exterior wall of a building; such terms, however, shall not include signs.

Area (of a sign): The entire area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of writing, representation, emblem, or any figure of similar character, together with any frame or other material or color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate such sign from the background against which it is placed; excluding the necessary supports or uprights or tower(s) on which such sign is placed. Where a sign has two (2) or more faces the area of all faces shall be included in determining the area of the sign, except that where two (2) such faces are placed back to back and are at no point more than two (2) feet from one another, the area of the sign shall be taken as the area of the face if the two (2) faces are of equal area, or as the area of the larger face if the two (2) faces are of unequal area. See section 22.1-51.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22)

Banner sign (includes pennants): A temporary sign composed of a lightweight material, fabric, or any non-rigid material, supported between poles or sticks or fastened to buildings or other structures. Banner signs may not be used as permanent signage. Windfeather flags are not considered banner signs. Banner signs present significant and special health, safety and aesthetic issues and thus may be regulated differently.

Bench sign: Commercial signs on city bus benches and shelters, subject to review and approval of city council.

Billboard: A fixed single or multiple message advertising structure used as an outdoor display for advertising that does not pertain to the business or activity on the site where the sign or advertising structure is located.

Building facade: That portion of any exterior elevation of a building extending from grade to the top of the parapet wall or eaves and the entire width of the building elevation.

Building: For purposes of this chapter, a building shall, in addition to the ordinary meaning, be taken to include a structure, but shall not be taken to include an advertising structure.

Building face: Same as "building facade."

Building setback line: The front, side, or rear yards as defined for each zone in the Zoning Ordinance or as shown on recorded maps.

Bus signs: Permanent sign holders mounted on the sides of public buses that may display commercial or non-commercial messages.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22)

Canopy: A removable, roof-like, protective cover constructed of a durable fabric or other flexible material extending from all or a portion of a building such as a door, entrance, window, or outdoor service area.

Changeable copy sign: A sign on which message copy can be changed through the use of attachable letters and numerals, or by the electronic switching of lamps or illuminated tubes. This includes public message displays or any sign that features automatic switching, such as time and temperature signs. The government refers to these signs as variable message signs. The primary types are manually changeable copy signs, tri- or multi-vision faces, scrolling plastic messages, and computer-aided message changing devices.

Chaser sign: A sign that creates a running effect in a bank of lamps or tubes. This definition is not intended to include a flashing sign nor an animated sign.

Cluster sign: A number of similar signs attached to one (1) support (pole).

Commercial sign: Any sign that contains commercial speech. A commercial sign may be either temporary or permanent, on-premises or off-premises.

Commercial speech: Any message proposing a commercial transaction or related to the economic interests of the speaker or the audience.

Community development director: The director in charge of the planning and zoning department, building and safety division and code enforcement or designee.

Copy area of sign: The actual area of the sign copy applied to any background; in computing copy area, straight lines drawn closest to copy extremities encompassing individual letters or words shall be used.

Curb line: The line at the face of the curb nearest to the street or roadway. In the absence of a curb, the city engineer shall establish the curb line.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22)

Days: Calendar days unless otherwise specified.

Digital sign/billboard: A sign that is designed to give a message through a sequence of progressive changes in lights or degree of lighting. This definition does not include public service signs such as time and temperature units.

Directional sign: On-site incidental signs on private property designed only to guide or direct pedestrian or vehicular traffic on the same parcel, or off-site if within a contiguous development where properties have the same owner or show extreme hardship due to the unique location of the property which the sign serves. For purposes of this article, such signs shall not be classified the same as subdivision directional kiosk signs and do not include governmental traffic signage. Directional signs do not include human directional signs which are considered mobile commercial signage.

Directly illuminated sign: A sign designed to emit artificial light directly (or through transparent or translucent material) from a source of light within such sign, including but not limited to neon and exposed lamp signs.

Display surface: The area made available by the sign structure for the purpose of displaying the advertising message.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22)

Electrical sign: Any sign containing electrical wiring, but not including signs illuminated by an exterior light source.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22)

Flashing sign: An illuminated sign, which contains an intermittent or sequential flashing light source in order to attract attention or communicate a message.

Freestanding sign: A sign which is in no part supported by a building, and which is supported by one (1) or more columns, uprights or braces in or upon the ground.

Freeway: A highway, in respect to which the owners of abutting lands or in respect to which such owners have only limited or restricted right or easement of access, the precise route for which has been determined and designated as a freeway by an authorized agency of the state or a political subdivision thereof.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22)

Garage sale sign: A temporary sign subject to the requirements of City Code section 16-416 as well as this chapter. No garage sale sign may be placed on public property.

General advertising sign (off-site commercial sign): A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, industry or other activity which is sold, offered or conducted elsewhere than on the premises upon which such sign is located, or to which it is affixed and which is sold, offered or conducted on such premises only incidentally if at all.

Governmental sign: A sign placed by a government agency to provide information to the public for public health, safety and welfare purposes, such as traffic signs, railroad crossings, directional signs to public events or facilities, identification signs for public facilities, regulatory signs such as parking, standing or stopping signs, warning signs or signs which convey similar laws, regulations or requirements or regulate behavior, public notices or signs authorized for a public purpose by a governmental entity. Only governmental signs are allowed on public property unless explicitly allowed by this ordinance.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22)

Height (of a sign): The vertical distance from the uppermost point used in measuring the area of a sign, or structure supporting a sign, to the ground immediately below such point or to the level of the upper surface of the nearest curb of a street, alley or highway (other than a structurally elevated roadway), whichever measurement permits the greater elevation of the sign. See section 22.1-50.

Human directional: Also known as sign twirlers, sign spinners, human arrows, and sign holders that direct, spin, twirl or dance with the promotional sign in order to attract attention. Most commonly, this means holding or wearing a sign of some sort, but also may include wearing advertising as clothing or in extreme cases, having advertising tattooed on the body.

Human directional signs are considered mobile commercial signs. Human directional signs are prohibited except for the business on the premises being advertised.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22)

Identification sign: A sign that displays only the name, address, phone number and lawful use of the premises (such as a product or service) upon which the sign is located or on the building to which affixed. A bulletin to display announcements relative to meetings to be held on the premises shall be deemed an identification sign and such announcements must be removed after the date of the event. For identification signs on vehicles, see "vehicle identification sign."

Inflatable sign: A sign that holds its shape by receiving a one-time or continuous supply of air or other gas. Inflatable signs include balloons.

Illuminated sign: A sign in which a source of light is used in order to make readable the message. This definition shall include internally and externally lighted signs and reflectorized, glowing or radiating signs.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22)

Reserved.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22)

Reserved.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22)

Reserved.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22)

Marquee: A permanent roofed structure attached to and supported by the building and projecting over public property.

Marquee sign: Any sign attached to or constructed in a marquee.

Mobile sign: Any permanent or temporary sign, whatever the construction, painted, pasted, wrapped, mounted or placed on a vehicle, truck bed, the side of a truck, trailer or any moving or stationary vehicle or equipment except for vehicle identification signs. Mobile sign includes vehicles and trailers with permanent or temporary signs that are parked or stored, on either private or public property, for the sole purpose of advertising or displaying messages to the general public. Mobile sign includes electronic or digital signs mounted or placed on a vehicle or trailer.

Notwithstanding, "mobile sign" excludes the following: (i) bus signs; (ii) mobile signs allowed with a mobile food vendor or sidewalk vendor permit; or (iii) vehicle identification signs.

Monument sign: A permanent, freestanding, self-supported sign, supported by and integrated with a solid base, as opposed to poles, posts, or other such supports, which is placed on or at ground level and not attached to any building wall, fence or other structure, and in a fixed location. This definition does not include portable or trailer type signs.

Mural: Any non-commercial graphic representation displayed on the exterior of a building or structure generally for the purposes of decoration or artistic expression, including but not limited to painting, fresco, tile, or mosaic. A mural may not be used for commercial purposes.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22; Ord. No. 23-04, § 1, 8-15-23)

Name plate: A sign affixed flat against a wall of a building and serving to designate only the name or the names and professional occupation of a person or persons residing in or occupying space in such building. A name plate sign is a form of identification sign.

Neon sign: A sign composed wholly, or in part, of glass tube lighting in which a gas and phosphors are used in combination to create a colored light.

Non-commercial sign: Any sign that is not a commercial sign as defined herein or does not include commercial speech. A non-commercial sign may be on or off premises and may be temporary or permanent.

Non-illuminated sign: A sign that is not illuminated, either directly or indirectly.

Nonstructural trim: The molding, battens, caps, nailing strips, latticing, cutouts or letters and walkways which are attached to the sign structure and that are not supporting, or being supported by, any structure.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22)

Off-premise commercial sign: Any commercial sign advertising a product, good, service, business or activity that is available at a location other than that on which the sign is located, or which advertises a product, good, service, business or activity sold, located or conducted on such premises only incidentally on the premises if at all. A billboard is an example of an off-premises commercial sign. Off premises commercial signage is also known as "outdoor advertising."

On-premise sign: Any sign advertising a product, goods, service, business or activity that is available at the same location as the sign.

Outdoor advertisement: Any advertising done outdoors that publicizes a business' or entities' position, products or services. Types of outdoor advertisement include, but are not limited to, billboards, private bus bench signs, interiors and exteriors of private buses, taxis and business vehicles and signs posted on the outside of the entities' place of business.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22)

Permanent sign: A sign that is intended to be left in place for an ongoing period of time.

Pole sign: A sign that is wholly supported by a freestanding pole or poles.

Pole-mounted sign: Same as "pole sign."

Portable sign or display surface: A display surface temporarily fixed to a standardized advertising structure that can be moved from structure to structure at periodic intervals.

Professional sign: Same as "name plate sign"

Projecting sign: A horizontally extending sign other than a wall sign, which protrudes from and is supported by a wall of a building or structure below the parapet wall or eave line and where the exposed face of sign is not in plane parallel to the plane of said wall.

Projection: The distance by which a sign extends over public right-of-way or beyond the building setback line.

Property frontage, primary: The side of a parcel that abuts a public street and provides primary access to said parcel.

Property frontage, secondary: Where two (2) or more sides of a parcel abut on a public street, the side (or sides) of said parcel that abuts a public street but does not provide the primary access to said parcel.

Public property: Means and includes all real and personal property owned, leased or controlled by the city or another public agency (whether federal, state or local) within the city and includes, but is not limited to alleys, streets and their adjacent rights-of-way, utility poles, traffic signals and poles, streetlight poles, median or other landscaped areas, and bus shelters or benches.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22)

Reserved.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22)

Real estate signs (includes open house signs but not transient occupancy, estate sale or garage sale signs): A temporary on-premises sign conveying information about the sale, rental or lease of that those premises, placed by the owner, or agent, advertising the real property upon which the sign is located for rent, lease or sale. Real estate signs may not be placed on or in public property.

Revolving sign: Any sign or portion thereof that physically rotates about an axis.

Roof sign: A sign erected upon or above a roof, mansard or parapet of a building and structurally attached thereto.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22)

Sign: Any structure, part thereof, or device or inscription which is located upon, attached to, or painted, projected or represented on any real or personal property, or on the outside of any building or structure including an awning, a canopy, marquee or similar appendage, or permanently affixed to the glass on the outside or inside of a window so as to be seen from the outside of the building, and which displays or includes any numeral, letter, works, model, banner, emblem, insignia, symbol, device, light, trademark or other representation used as, or in the nature of, an written message. A sign is composed of those elements included in the area of the sign and, in addition, the supports, uprights and framework of the display. Two (2) or more faces shall be deemed to be a single sign if such faces are contiguous on the same plane, or are placed back-to-back to form a single structure and are at no point more than two (2) feet from one another. Signs may be permanent or temporary, commercial or non-commercial, onsite or offsite.

Signs include but are not limited to banners, pennants, valances, balloons, posters, flags or advertising display

Sign structure: Any structure that supports or is capable of supporting any sign as defined in this chapter. A sign structure may be a single pole and may or may not be an integral part of the building. Sign structure varies depending upon whether or not the sign is permanent or temporary.

Small permanent sign: Any permanent on-premises sign measuring less than twenty-five (25) square feet and not elsewhere described in this shall be considered a small permanent sign that shall only be permitted in commercial and industrial zones.

Snipe sign: A sign which is tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued or otherwise attached to trees, poles, fences, rocks, or other natural objects bearing a message not applicable to the present use of the object upon which the sign is located. Such signs are considered temporary non-commercial or temporary commercial signs and are not allowed on public property.

Street property line: The "street property line" shall mean any lines separating private property from either a street or an alley.

Structure: That which is built or constructed, an edifice or building of any kind, or any piece of work artificially built up or composed of parts jointed together in some definite manner.

Subdivision directional kiosk sign: A temporary decorative sign structure for the purpose of advertising new residential subdivisions containing sign panels that identify the names of residential subdivisions, the developer's name or logo, or other branding identification, and directional arrows. Panels on the kiosk sign may not be displayed after the developer has completed the sale of all units in the development. For purposes of this article such signs shall not be classified the same as directional signs.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22)

Temporary sign: Any commercial or non-commercial sign constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, wallboard, or other light materials, with or without frames, intended to be displayed for a limited period of time only.

Traffic sign: See governmental sign.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22; Ord. No. 23-04, § 2, 8-15-23)

California Uniform Building and Electrical Codes: The current edition of the California Building and Electrical Codes that have been officially adopted by the city and become related to these guidelines regarding construction standards, approved materials, and projection standards unless otherwise specified herein.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22)

Vehicle identification sign: An identification sign on a vehicle may include only the name and contact information for the entity that owns or uses the vehicle, and such information may not block windows, mirrors or doors. Vehicle identification signs cannot be mobile signs.

Visual enhancement area: Areas such as corridors, districts, gateways, and other activity nodes that would benefit from a coordinated design plan for streetscape improvements, amenities, and elements in the public rights-of-way. Existing and proposed developments are to be visually linked through enhanced landscaping, hardscape, signage, and streetscape amenities and furnishings in order to improve the visual environment of the city.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22)

Wall sign: Any sign painted on, attached to or erected against the wall of a building or structure, with the exposed face of the sign in plane parallel to the plane of said wall. Said sign shall not extend more than sixteen (16) inches therefrom.

Wind feather sign: A temporary portable sign used as commercial advertising flags that are vertical instead of horizontal as traditional flags. Their unique shape provides a shorter flag width giving a flutter effect as opposed to a waving one that traditional size and shaped flags have. The portable advertising flag is fastened to a modular and/or permanent metal, telescopic stacking fiberglass, or other similar pole which pole is then secured to the ground with a galvanized washer and fiberglass stakes, or is embedded with concrete or soil in the ground.

Window signs or display window sign: A temporary sign that may be painted or plastic or cloth pasted across the inside or outside of one (1) window of the business establishment which cannot cover more than forty (40) percent of the total window area.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22)

Reserved.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22)

Reserved.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22)

Zone or zoning: A mapped area to which a uniform set of regulations applies; or a uniform set of regulations including a list of permitted uses and standards for development.

(Ord. No. 22-07, § 4, 11-15-22)