Division 13 — DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this article, the following definitions shall apply:

A-frame sign. See "portable (a-frame) sign."

Abandoned sign means any lawfully erected sign, sign structure, advertising structure, or display that is not operated or maintained for a period of one year or longer. The following conditions shall be considered as the failure to operate or maintain a sign: (a) the sign displays advertising for a product of service that is no longer available; (b) the sign displays advertising for a business that is no longer licensed; (c) the sign advertises a business that is no longer doing business on the parcel where the sign is located; (d) the sign has a purpose for which the purpose has lapsed; or (e) the sign is blank.

Alter; alteration means any change in the weight, depth, height, area, thickness, materials, location, or type of display of an existing sign but shall not be construed to prevent normal or periodic maintenance, upkeep, or repair of a sign or change of copy (e.g., repainting).

Animated sign means a sign, other than an electronic message sign, whereby the sign itself or the information conveyed incorporates or involves action, motion, or the appearance of action or motion, such as flashing lights, color changes, moving parts, reflective materials, traveling, tracing, or scrolling messages, rotating images, or video-like features.

Awning sign means any sign that is painted or applied to the face, valance, or side panel of a projecting structure consisting of a frame and a material covering, attached to and wholly supported by a building wall and installed over and partially in front of doors, windows, or other openings in a building.

Balloon. See "inflatable sign."

Banner sign or banner means a temporary sign composed of cloth, canvas, plastic, fabric, or similar lightweight, non-rigid material that can be mounted to a structure with screws, cord, rope, cable, or a similar method. This sign type does not include flags (see "flags").

Billboard. See "general advertising sign (billboard)."

Blade sign. See "projecting sign."

Building means any structure built for the support, shelter, or enclosure of persons, animals, fowls, chattels, or personal property of any kind.

Building frontage. See "frontage, building."

Business frontage. See "frontage, business."

Cabinet, cabinet sign means a type of sign that contains all the text and/or logo symbols within a single enclosed frame with flat or shaped panels that is mounted to a wall or other surface (cabinet). Such sign structures typically use slide-in panels to display the message to the public.

Canopy means a permanent roof-like structure of rigid materials extending from the main entrance of a structure and is typically supported by posts at the corners farthest from where the canopy attaches to the structure.

Canopy, fueling station means a roof-like structure, typically consisting of supporting columns, at a fueling station that covers the fueling islands and surrounding fueling area.

Canopy sign means a sign that meets any one or more of these criteria: (a) a sign mounted on a permanent canopy; (b) a traditional industry term for the variable message portion of a canopy sign; and/or (c) an integral sign and permanent canopy.

Change of copy means changing of the face or letters on a sign.

Changeable copy means sign copy designed to be used with removable graphics which will allow changing of copy.

City Council means the City Council of the City of Fontana.

Commemorative sign means signs generally highlighting dates of construction, historic accomplishments, personal accolades, and the like when carved in stone, concrete, or similar material or made of bronze, aluminum, or other similar permanent material.

Commercial message means message concerning primarily a proposed economic transaction or the economic interests of the sign sponsor or audience.

Commercial mural. See "mural, commercial."

Complex, commercial or industrial means any group of two or more principal uses on a parcel or combination of parcels, which are generally served either by common access or common parking. Accessory uses shall not be considered in the calculation of the number of uses on a parcel or combination of parcels. Complexes may include commercial strip or commercial in-line development.

Conforming sign means a sign that is legally installed in accordance with federal, state, and local permit requirements and laws.

Content-neutral; time, place, and manner regulations means consistently applicable, nondiscriminatory sign regulations that specify—without reference to the content of the message—when, how, and where a sign can be displayed, with physical standards such as but not limited to height, size, and location, that allow the sign to be readable.

Contour sign means a cabinet sign where the outline of the cabinet follows the outline of the letters.

Contrast means the difference or degree of difference between things having similar or comparable natures, such as light and dark areas, colors, or typefaces.

Copy means the message or content of a sign, which may include letters, numbers, figures, and/or images.

Creative sign means a two- or three-dimensional representation of a unique sign that exhibits a high degree of thoughtfulness, imagination, and inventiveness and provides aesthetic enjoyment for the viewer while still conveying the name of the business or a commercial message about the products or services offered on the property upon which the creative sign is displayed.

Creative sign examples:

Decorative feature means the ornamental embellishments, adornments, and elements intended to enhance architectural compatibility and character of the sign with the surrounding built environment. Decorative features help to beautify the support structures and make the sign more aesthetically pleasing. Sign area calculations shall not include decorative features, so long as letters and/or graphics do not appear on the decorative features. However, sign height calculations shall include decorative features.

Decorative feature, base means a decorative masonry or natural stone base used to mount monument signs and pylon signs. Where a monument sign or pylon sign is to be constructed for a nonresidential use located within a brick or decorative masonry building, the decorative base shall be constructed of a decorative masonry material.

Decorative feature, cap means a decorative masonry or natural stone cap used to decorate the top of freestanding signs. Where a freestanding sign is to be constructed for a nonresidential use located within a brick or decorative masonry building, the decorative cap shall be constructed of a decorative masonry material.

Decorative feature, trim means a decorative masonry or natural stone trim used to decorate the sides of freestanding signs.

Digital sign. See "electronic message sign."

Director of Community Development means the Director of Community Development of the City of Fontana, which shall include his or her designee.

Display area. See "sign area."

Double-sided sign means a sign constructed to display its message on two parallel opposing (back-to-back) faces.

Driveway/on-site traffic directional sign means a sign located adjacent to a pedestrian or vehicle travel way that is internal to a site or complex, intended to provide orientation and safety assistance.

Eave line means the bottom of the roof eave or parapet.

Electronic message sign means a variable message sign that utilizes computer-generated messages or some other electronic means of changing copy. These signs generally include displays using LEDs (light emitting diodes), CCDs (charge coupled devices), plasma, or functionally equivalent technologies to display a series of still images or full motion, usually remotely programmable and changeable, and are sometimes referred to as "digital signs" and "LED signs."

Exposed raceways means an enclosed channel of metal or nonmetallic materials designed expressly for holding wires, cables, or busbars. Raceways include, but are not limited to, rigid metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit, intermediate metal conduit, liquid tight flexible conduit, flexible metallic tubing, flexible metal conduit, electrical nonmetallic tubing, electrical metallic tubing, underfloor raceways, cellular concrete floor raceways, cellular metal floor raceways, surface raceways, wireways, and busways.

Externally illuminated sign means a sign that is illuminated by a light source that is located on the exterior of the sign or nearby and directed toward, and shines on the face of a sign.

Façade, building means an exterior side of a building, generally set facing a parking lot, street, or driveway. Refers to the side of a building to which a sign is attached.

Façade, porte-cochère means an exterior side of a porte-cochère, generally set facing a parking lot, street, or driveway. Refers to the side of a porte- cochère to which a porte-cochère sign is attached.

Face means the surface area on a sign where advertising copy is displayed.

Feather sign means a temporary sign constructed of cloth, canvas, plastic fabric, or similar lightweight, non-rigid material, typically taller than it is longer, and supported by a single vertical pole mounted into the ground or on a portable structure. This sign type does not include flags (see "flags").

Flag means a fabric, cloth, plastic, vinyl, canvas, leather, or other similar material sheet of square, rectangular, or triangular shape that is attached to a staff cord and mounted on a pole. This sign type includes official flags of national, state, or local governments. This sign type does not include feather signs (see "feather sign"), banners (see "banners"), or pennants (see "pennants").

Flashing sign means a sign that contains an intermittent or sequential flashing light source. Generally, the sign's message is constantly repeated, and the sign is most often used as a primary attention-getting device.

Floor inlay sign means signs that are embedded into the walkway or sidewalk outside the entryway to a building.

Freestanding sign means a sign that is supported by one or more uprights, braces, poles, or other similar structural components that is not attached to a building or buildings.

Freeway means the Interstate 10 (I-10), Interstate 15 (I-15), and State Route 210 (SR-210) rights-of-way within the boundaries of the City of Fontana.

Freeway sign means a freestanding sign with high overall height oriented towards a freeway. Moreover, a freeway sign includes a decorative cap and trim. See "freestanding sign."

Frontage, building means the building façade width that directly abuts a public street, private street, parking lot, or parking space. The building frontage shall not include alleys, porte-cochères, and other drive-through structures.

Frontage, business means the width of a building occupied by a business tenant that fronts on a public street or faces a plaza, courtyard, pedestrian corridor or walkway, or parking lot, where customer access to the building is available. Width is measured as the widest point on an architectural elevation.

Frontage, parking lot means the portion of the building or property which faces or abuts a parking lot(s).

Frontage, street means the portion of the building or property which faces or abuts a street(s).

General advertising means the enterprise of advertising or promoting other businesses or causes, in contrast to self-promotion or on-site advertising; also known as "advertising for hire." See "general advertising sign."

General advertising sign (billboard) means a permanent sign in a fixed position that meets any one or more of these criteria: (a) the sign is routinely used for general advertising for hire; (b) the sign is used to display commercial advertising for a business not located on the same premises as the sign; (c) the sign is a separate economic unit, not an accessory or auxiliary use serving the principal use on the land; and/or (d) the message display area is made available to message sponsors other than the owner. "General advertising sign" does not include "freeway signs." "General advertising sign" may also be referred to as "billboard" or "outdoor advertising sign" in other sections of the Municipal Code.

General advertising sign, mobile. See "vehicle sign."

Graffiti means any unauthorized inscription, word, figure, mark, or design that is written, marked, etched, scratched, drawn, inscribed, or painted on any public or private real or personal property without the consent or permission of the owner thereof.

Graphic projection sign means a sign that uses a template that light shines through to project an image onto a surface.

Height, freestanding sign means the greatest vertical distance measured from the highest elevation of the adjoining finished grade at the mid-point of the freestanding sign support(s) that intersect the ground to the highest element of the freestanding sign as described in Section 30-735, unless otherwise specified in this article.

Height, wall sign means the greatest vertical distance measured from the highest point of the wall sign to the lowest point of the wall sign.

Iconography means the traditional or conventional images or symbols associated with a subject.

Illegal sign means a sign that meets any one or more of these criteria: (a) a sign erected without first complying with all ordinances and regulations in effect at the time of its construction and erection or use; (b) a sign which is a danger to the public or is unsafe; (c) a sign which is a traffic hazard not created by relocation of streets or highways or by acts of the City or county; and/or (d) a sign that is a public nuisance as defined under Article .

Illuminated means signs or individual letters in which an artificial source of light is used to make the message readable and includes both internally and externally lit signs.

Inflatable sign means a sign that is an air-inflated object such as a balloon, which may be of various shapes, made of flexible fabric, resting on the ground or a structure, and either filled with or helium gas or equipped with a portable blower motor that provides a constant flow of air into the device.

Internally illuminated sign means a sign that is illuminated by a light source contained inside the sign.

LED means light emitting diode.

Legal nonconforming sign means a legally established sign which fails to conform to the regulations of this chapter.

Legibility means the characteristics of letters, numbers, graphics, or symbols that make it possible to differentiate one from the other.

Logo means an established identifying symbol or mark associated with a business or business entity.

Luminance means the perceived brightness of an illuminated sign, measured in foot-candles above the ambient light level.

Major neighborhood entrance means an area proximate to the intersection of two streets, which creates the primary entryway(s) into a neighborhood officially recognized by the City of Fontana.

Mansard roof means a decorative fascia used to hide equipment or articles on the roof or to enhance the storefront appearance.

Marquee means a permanent roofed structure attached to and supported by the building and projecting from the building face and generally used to post or otherwise display copy associated with the on-site business. See also "canopy."

Marquee sign means a sign attached to a marquee.

Menu board means a permanently installed sign with changeable copy (electronic message or manual) for the purpose of providing product and/or service information for drive-through service at a business where customers remain seated in a vehicle occupying a drive-through service lane.

Message. See "copy."

Monument sign means a freestanding ground sign with low overall height and the appearance of having a solid base. Moreover, a monument sign includes a decorative base, cap, and trim. See "freestanding sign."

Multi-faced sign means a sign constructed to display its message on three or more connected faces.

Multiple tenant site. See "complex, commercial or industrial."

Mural, commercial means the graphic artwork applied to and made an integral part of an exterior wall of a structure, public or private, that is professionally applied by a sign manufacturer, artist, or similarly qualified entity or person, contains a commercial message (e.g., business logo or images of items for sale), and does not have any electrical or mechanical components. A mural is distinguishable from graffiti based on the property owner's permission to paint or affix the mural onto the property.

Mural, noncommercial means the graphic artwork applied to and made an integral part of an exterior wall of a structure, public or private, does not contain a commercial message (e.g., business logo or images of items for sale), and does not have any electrical or mechanical components. A mural is distinguishable from graffiti based on the property owner's permission to paint or affix the mural onto the property.

Neon sign means a sign illuminated by or utilizing neon tubing, and/or related inert gases, or products that produce the same or similar effect as neon, such as flexible light-emitting diode (LED) neon-like tubing which is visible to the viewer.

Noncommercial message means debate or commentary on topics of public concern, for example, politics, religion, philosophy, science, or art.

Noncommercial mural. See "mural, noncommercial."

Nonconforming sign means any permanent sign or temporary sign, including its physical structure and supporting elements, which was lawfully erected and maintained in compliance with all applicable laws in effect at the time of original installation, but which does not now comply with the provisions of this article.

Nonresidential zoning districts means zoning districts in Fontana that allow nonresidential uses, including commercial, industrial, and mixed-use zoning districts. This definition specifically excludes the following zoning districts: R-E, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-PC, and neighborhood and multiple-family zoning districts within the FBC.

Off-premises sign means any sign which advertises or informs in any manner businesses, services, or events at some location other than that upon which the sign is located. See also "general advertising sign."

On-premises sign means a communication device whose message and design relates to a business, an event, goods, profession, or service being conducted, sold, or offered at the location where the sign is erected. All noncommercial signs are considered on-premises signs.

Painted sign means a sign erected by means of painting the copy and all related material directly upon any portion of a building or other structure. This definition includes commercial murals.

Parapet means a wall-like barrier at the edge of a roof or structure.

Pennant means a triangular or irregular piece of fabric or other material, whether or not containing a message of any kind, commonly attached by strings or strands intended to flap in the wind. This sign type does not include flags (see "flag").

Permanent sign means a sign constructed of durable materials and attached to a building, structure, or the ground in a manner that will resist environmental loads such as wind, and precludes ready removal or movement of the sign, and intended to exist for the duration of time that the use or occupant is located on the premises.

Placed means erected, constructed, posted, painted, printed, tacked, glued, carved, or otherwise fastened, affixed, or made visible in any manner.

Planning Commission means the Planning Commission of the City of Fontana.

Pole sign means an elevated freestanding sign that is supported by one or more exposed poles that are permanently attached directly into or upon the ground.

Portable (A-frame) sign means a sign that is not permanently affixed to a structure or the ground. Portable (A-frame) signs generally include A-frame structures or similar low-profile signs, and are usually hinged at the top, or attached in a similar manner, and widened at the bottom to form a shape similar to the letter "A." Portable (A-frame) signs may also be referred to as a sandwich board sign. Other variations of such signs may also be in the shape of the letter "T" (inverted) or the letter "H." This definition does not include feather signs.

Porte-cochère means a permanent roof-like structure of rigid materials attached to a drive-through establishment and typically supported by posts or pillars at the corners farthest from where the porte-cochère attaches to a drive-through establishment. Porte-cochères are large enough for vehicles to pass through and/or underneath.

Porte-cochère sign means any sign placed on a porte-cochère façade.

Porte-cochère sign examples:

Primary wall sign. See "wall sign, primary."

Projecting sign means a building-mounted sign with faces projecting from and perpendicular to the building fascia.

Public property means an area that is accessible to any member of the public. Includes land or other property in which the City of Fontana holds a present right of possession and control, City road easements, and all public rights-of-way, regardless of ownership.

Public nuisance means a sign, sign structure, or advertising structure that meets any one or more of these criteria: 1) a nuisance as defined in the Municipal Code; 2) an abandoned sign as defined in this section; and/or 3) an illegal sign as defined in this section.

Pylon sign means a freestanding sign that is supported and in direct contact with the ground or one or more solid, monumental structures or pylons and which typically has a sign face with a vertical dimension that is greater than its horizontal dimension. Moreover, a pylon sign includes a decorative base, cap, and trim. See "freestanding sign."

Responsible party means the person liable for placement of a sign. The following is a nonexclusive list of facts which when found to exist, shall constitute prima facie evidence that a person is a responsible party:

(1)

Based on information contained on the sign, and information from other sources, the person is identified as the owner or lessee of property used for the activity or event, and/or is the sponsor or promoter of the activity or event described on the sign.

(2)

Based on information that appears on the sign, and information from other sources, including, but not limited to, information establishing the individual or corporate identity of the owner of the sign, it is found that the person placed the sign or caused the sign to be placed.

Reviewing Body means the individual or official City body (e.g., Director of Community Development, Planning Commission, City Council) identified by this article as having the responsibility and authority to review, approve, and deny a permit application. May also be referred to as "responsible Reviewing Body."

Roof sign means a sign erected, constructed, or placed upon or over a roof of a building, including a mansard roof, and which is wholly or partly supported by such buildings.

Screening means fencing, landscaping, berms, walls, hedges, or a combination of techniques used to obscure the view from one site to another or from one site to any public right-of-way or publicly accessible area to a reasonable extent.

Secondary wall sign. See "wall sign, secondary."

Shopping center. See "complex, commercial or industrial."

Sign means a structure, device, figure, display, message placard, or other contrivance, or any part thereof, situated outdoors or indoors, which is designed, constructed, intended, or used to advertise, provide information in the nature of advertising, provide historical, cultural, archaeological, or social information, or direct or attract attention to an object, person, institution, business, product, service, event, policy, or location by any means, including words, letters, figures, designs, symbols, fixtures, colors, illumination, or projected images. The following do not fall within the definition of a sign for the purposes of this article.

(1)

Architectural or decorative features of buildings (not including lettering, trademarks, or moving parts).

(2)

Graphic images that are visible only from above, such as those visible only from airplanes or helicopters, but only if not visible from the street surface or public right-of-way.

(3)

Gravestones and grave markers.

(4)

Holiday and cultural observance decorations that are on display for not more than 60 calendar days per year (per parcel or use) and which do not include commercial advertising messages.

(5)

Manufacturers' marks on tangible products that identify the maker, seller, provider, or product and which customarily remain attached to the product even after sale.

(6)

Murals, painted or otherwise attached or adhered, with images or representation on the exterior of a structure that are visible from a public right-of-way or neighboring property; do not contain commercial advertisement (is noncommercial in nature); and are designed in a manner so as to serve as public art, enhance public space, and provide inspiration.

(7)

Colored or illuminated elements that contain no lettering, numbers, trademarks, or logos, and are located on a wall or canopy.

(8)

News racks and newsstands.

(9)

Merchandise on display and available for immediate purchase.

(10)

Shopping carts.

(11)

Symbols embedded in architecture such as 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 building; the definition also includes foundation stones and cornerstones.

(12)

Vehicle and vessel insignia as shown on street-legal vehicles and properly licensed watercraft including, but not limited to, license plates, license plate frames, registration insignia, noncommercial messages, messages relating to the business of which the vehicle or vessel is an instrument or tool (not including general advertising for hire), and messages relating to the proposed sale, lease, or exchange of the vehicle or vessel.

(13)

Vending machines that do not display off-site commercial messages or general advertising messages.

Sign area. See subsection 30-735(d) for specific rules for measuring the area of different sign types.

Sign band means a horizontal area above the entrances to a multiple tenant building, architecturally designed to accommodate signage in a sign-centric manner.

Sign copy means all portions of a sign displaying a message, including text, symbols, emblems, logos, or representations, but not including the supporting structures, decorative features, or base of a sign.

Sign copy, channel means sign copy with three-dimensional individual letters, symbols, emblems, logos, or representations, with an open back or front, illuminated or not illuminated, that are affixed to a building or to a freestanding sign structure with translucent faces, reverse lit channel letters, or push- through acrylic panels.

Sign copy, illuminated channel means channel sign copy with either an internal light source with an opaque face or an internal light source with a translucent face. The background illumination portion of illuminated channel sign copy is commonly referred to as halo lighting.

Sign copy, push-through means sign copy routed out of aluminum or other sign material and then pushed through the routed area to provide depth.

Sign face means the area of a sign on which copy is intended to be placed.

Sign structure, supporting structure means the structural portion of a sign securing the sign to the ground, a building, or to another structure including, but not limited to, columns, crossbeams, and braces.

Single face sign means a sign with only one face plane.

Sign, fueling island means a sign permanently affixed to pump islands of a fueling station or convenience store with gas pumps.

Structure means anything constructed or built. An edifice or building of any kind, or any piece of work artificially built up or composed of parts joined together in some definite manner. A building is a type of structure.

Suspended sign means a sign that is suspended from the underside of an eave, canopy, awning, arcade, or other covered walkway.

Temporary sign means a sign that is intended to be displayed for a definite and limited period of time and which is not permanently installed, affixed, or maintained on a building or structure.

Three-dimensional sign means any sign which is a three-dimensional, sculptured, or molded representation of an animate or inanimate object that identifies, advertises, or otherwise directs attention to a product or business.

Trademark means a word or name which, with a distinctive type or letter style, is associated with a business or business entity in the conduct of business.

Vehicle sign means any sign or device placed on, mounted on, or affixed to a motor vehicle, freight, flatbed or storage trailer, or other conveyance. Vehicle signs shall not include signs wrapped on a vehicle actively being used to load, transport, or unload persons, goods, or services in the normal course of business.

Visibility means the quality of a letter, number, graphic, or symbol which enables the observer to distinguish it from its surrounds or background.

Wall sign means any sign attached to, or erected against the wall, parapet, or mansard roof of a structure, with the exposed face of the sign in a line approximately parallel to the plane of the building or structure wall. This definition includes painted signs, including commercial murals, individual letters or logos, primary wall signs, and secondary wall signs.

Wall sign, primary means of multiple wall signs, the wall sign with the largest sign area per building frontage.

Wall sign, secondary means of multiple wall signs, the wall sign with a smaller sign area than the primary wall sign per building frontage.

Width means the measurement of a sign, base of a sign, building, or façade at its full extent from side to side.

Window glass area means the area within the perimeter window frames and glass doors located on a business frontage or street frontage.

Window sign means any sign that is applied or attached to a window or located in such a manner that it can be seen from the exterior of the structure.

Yard sign means any temporary sign placed in the ground or attached to a supporting structure, posts, or poles, that is not attached to any building, not including banners.

(Ord. No. 1868, § 9(Att. 2), 5-25-21)

Secs. 30-784—30-930. - Reserved.