§ 33-1391. Definitions.

The following are definitions of terms contained in this article:

"Abandoned sign" means a sign, or portion thereof, advertising or identifying a business, use or activity which has not been in operation for 180 calendar days or more.

"Advertise" means any notice to the public for the purpose of increasing sales or business, announcing the availability of a service or product, or making claims as to the value or quality of any service or product.

Animated sign. See Flashing sign or Moving sign.

"Area of sign and area of super-graphic sign" mean the entire area within any type of perimeter or border which may enclose the outer limits of any writing, representation, emblem, figure or character, together with any other material or color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate such sign from the background on which it is placed. The area of a sign or a super-graphic sign having no such perimeter shall be computed in a reasonable manner by enclosing the entire integral parts of the sign copy area within trapezoids, triangles and/or circles in sizes sufficient to cover the entire area and computing the size of such area. In the case of a double-faced sign where the two faces are of equal size, are parallel to each other, and are not separated more than 36 inches, the total area shall be computed as the area of a single display face. In the case of a sign with more than two sign faces where each face contains identical copy, the total area of the sign shall be computed by dividing the total number of sign faces by two (resulting fractional numbers shall be rounded up to the next whole number), and multiplying this number by the sign area of a single face. The supports or uprights of a freestanding sign, the support structure of a monument sign, and other significant architectural features around the copy shall not be included in the sign area. In the case of any cylindrical sign, the total area shall be computed on the total area of the surface of the sign. For multi-shingle/panel signs, the sign area may be calculated by totaling only the area of the individual panels, along with any other copy area.

"Awning" means a shelter projecting from and supported by an exterior wall of a building and constructed of nonrigid materials on a supporting framework.

"Banner, flag, pennant, balloon or other attention-getting device" means any cloth, bunting, plastic, paper or similar flexible material used for advertising purposes or to attract attention, which is attached to or pinned on any structure, staff, pole, line, framing or vehicle, but not including flags as described in section 33-1393(a)(12) or temporary portable signs as described in section 33-1396(j).

, flag, pennant, balloon or other attention-getting device" means any cloth, bunting, plastic, paper or similar flexible material used for advertising purposes or to attract attention, which is attached to or pinned on any structure, staff, pole, line, framing or vehicle, but not including flags as described in section 33-1393(a)(12) or temporary portable signs as described in section 33-1396(j).

"Billboard" means a sign structure advertising an establishment, merchandise, service or entertainment which is not sold, produced, manufactured or furnished at the property on which the sign is located (e.g., off-premises signs or outdoor advertising). A sign placed within the public right-of-way, immediately adjacent to commercially zoned property and property designated for commercial use, for which there is a valid encroachment-removal agreement shall not be considered a billboard.

"Building face and/or frontage" means the area of the front building elevation in which the business is located and which faces a street or parking lot excluding driveways. If more than one business is located in a single building, then such area shall be limited to that front portion which is occupied by each individual business.

"Building floor area" means the total gross leasable space occupied by the business or tenant.

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City of Escondido, CA

ESCONDIDO CODE

§ 33-1391

§ 33-1391

"Bulletin sign" means any sign erected by the City of Escondido, other public body, theater owner, or other use authorized by this chapter, which is erected upon the same property as the institution for the purpose of announcing events which are held on the premises.

"Cabinet sign" means an advertising display which is constructed like a box to enclose the source of illumination (internally illuminated) so that the light shines through the translucent portions of the sign's copy panel(s).

"Canopy/marquee" means a permanent roof-like structure extending from part or all of a building face and constructed of durable rigid material.

"Canopy/marquee sign" means a wall sign attached to the face of a canopy or marquee, but not projecting above the top of the canopy or marquee.

"Center" means a commercial or industrial development which includes two or more tenant spaces in which businesses, structures and parking/circulation are designed as an architecturally integrated and interrelated development. Such design is independent of the number of structures, lots or parcels making up the center.

"Changeable copy sign" means a sign whose informational content can be changed or altered regardless of the method of attachment or change, or materials of construction.

"Commercial, industrial, or professional center" means a development which is located on more than one legal lot, but which constitutes a comprehensively designed complex through common or shared use arrangements.

"Comprehensive sign program" means a sign program for commercial and industrial centers consisting of two or more tenant spaces, which establishes design criteria for all signs in the center and integrates them with building and landscaping design, and achieves architectural compatibility. A comprehensive sign program may also be implemented for car-wash, polishing, vacuuming, and detailing uses with directional/informational signage exceeding two square feet in area or three feet in height, regardless of the number of tenant spaces on the property.

"Construction or contractor sign" means a temporary sign which states the names of the individuals and/or firms connected with the construction of a project. Such signs shall be located at the project site and may include, but are not limited to, the name of the project, the address of the business, and the telephone numbers.

"Copy" means any words, letters, numbers, figures, designs or other symbolic representations incorporated into the graphic content of a sign.

"Directional/informational sign" means an on-premises sign which contains words such as "entrance," "in," "out," "rest rooms," "no parking," "curbside pickup," "online orders," "reserved for _______," or other similar words, or a sign containing arrows or characters indicating traffic directions used either in conjunction with such words or separately. The sign area shall not be greater than two square feet and the sign not higher than three feet. Signs exceeding this area and/or height may be allowed with approval of a comprehensive sign program, for carwash, polishing, vacuuming, and detailing uses only. No directional/informational sign shall contain any advertising or trade name information, although minor business identification, not exceeding 20% of the sign area, is allowed for directional purposes. Real estate kiosk and directional signs as defined in section 33-1396(c) and (d) shall not be included in this category.

"Director" means the director of community development, or a designated representative, whose responsibility it is to administer and enforce the provisions of this article.

"Districts" mean designated areas of the community approved by city council resolution or

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City of Escondido, CA § 33-1391

ZONING