§ 81-21. Definitions.

For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

Applicant means any person who has submitted an application for a sign permit.

Area identification/subdivision sign means a sign only identifying, without other message, a common area containing a group of structures, or a single structure on a minimum site of five acres, typically consisting of a residential subdivision, apartment complex, industrial park, mobile home park, or shopping center, located at the entrance or entrances of the area.

Awning means a frame mounted on a permanent structure with a covering of material that serves as a shelter, as over a storefront, window, door, or deck. For the purposes of this chapter, awnings with signage shall be treated as wall or projecting signs (depending on placement).

Banner means any sign printed or displayed upon cloth or other flexible material, without frames.

Beacon means a structure-mounted stationary or revolving light which flashes or projects illumination, single color or multicolored, in any manner which is intended to attract or divert attention; except, however, this term is not intended to include any kind of lighting device which is required or necessary under the safety regulations described by the Federal Aviation Agency or similar agencies.

Billboard means a surface ten feet by 24 feet or larger, on which advertisements or notices are displayed.

Building construction sign means a sign that identifies the general contractor and the on-site project name only, without other message.

Bulletin board/changeable copy sign means any sign having changeable copy and used only to give public notice of varying events which are held on the premises.

City means the City of Siloam Springs, its city administrator, and the administrator's designees.

Highway means any state or federal numbered highway.

Directional sign means a sign of a noncommercial nature which, without other message, directs the reader to the location of public or educational institutions, or to the location of historical structures or areas open to the public, or to the location of public parks or buildings.

Display surface area/sign face area means the net geometric area of the sign plane; provided, display surface area shall not include the structural supports and only one face of a double-faced sign shall be considered in determining the display surface area.

District or zoning district means the zoning districts of the city as shown by the zoning map.

Electronic message board/LED sign means any sign that uses changing lights, LEDs, or pixels, to form a sign message or image.

Erect means to build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend, or affix, and shall also include the painting of wall signs.

Flag means a piece of flexible material usually attached at one edge to a staff or cord.

Flashing sign means an illuminated sign in use with light source that is intermittent, or flashing, or otherwise varying in projected color or intensity.

Freestanding sign means a sign which is attached to or a part of a completely self-supporting structure affixed to the ground.

Illuminated sign means any sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs or outline illuminated by electric lights or luminous tubes as a part of the sign design or use.

Illumination, direct means illumination which is so arranged that the light is directed into the eyes of the viewer from the light source.

Illumination, indirect means illumination so arranged that the light is reflected from the sign to the eyes of the viewer.

Inflatable sign means any sign that is either expanded or supported by gasses contained within the sign, or sign parts, at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure.

Joint identification sign means a sign which, without other message, provides only common or collective identification for a group of persons or businesses operating on the same or adjacent lot(s) (e.g., shopping center, or business complex, etc.).

Logo means a graphic representation or symbol of a business or company name, trademark, or abbreviation.

Lot means a parcel of land, whether described by metes and bounds or as a platted lot.

Mall means any concentration of retail stores and/or services establishments which share customer parking areas and are located within an enclosure having public walkways whereby a customer in one store or establishment may walk to another store or establishment without leaving the enclosure.

Mansard roof means any roof that has an angle greater than 45 degrees and which derives part of its support from the building wall and is attached to (but not necessarily a part of) a low slope roof and which extends along the full length of the front wall. For purposes of this chapter, a low slope roof shall mean any roof with a pitch less than three inches rise per 12 inches horizontal.

Monument sign means a freestanding sign that is permanently affixed to the ground and does not utilize a pole or support structure.

Nonconforming sign means a sign existing at the effective date of the provisions of this chapter which could not be built under those terms.

Parking informational sign means a wall sign or a freestanding sign indicating, without other message, only the location of a motor vehicle parking lot, or designating the persons authorized to park in said lot.

Person means any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, organization, or other legal entity of any kind.

Platform sign means a single or double-face portable sign attached to a supporting base placed on the ground surface.

Portable swinger 'A' frame attraction sign means a single or double face sign, which is temporary in nature. The sign may (without limitation) be constructed in a frame, or mounted on wheels, or held by a person to attract attention of the viewer, are easily movable, and are not permanently attached at any location.

Projecting sign means any sign affixed at an angle or perpendicular to the wall of any building.

Property line means the boundary of a property, and shall be deemed to abut the right-of-way on any street frontage.

Public notice signs means a sign required or erected by a governmental agency for the purpose of informing the general public of a public hearing or information; or a sign (not exceeding 300 sq. in.) that identifies a non-for-profit civic organization.

Real estate sign means a temporary sign which, without other message, advises the public of the availability of, and contact information for, the sale or lease of the property where the sign is located.

Roof sign means any sign erected, constructed or maintained on the roof structure or parapet wall of any building.

Shopping center means any combination of two or more retail stores and/or service establishments, which share any customer parking area, regardless of whether the businesses occupy separate structures or are under separate ownership.

Sign (signage) means any device visible from the exterior of a structure where its essential purpose and design is to convey to the general public either commercial or noncommercial messages by means of graphical presentation of alphabetic or pictorial symbols or representations. For the purpose of determining number of signs, a sign shall be considered to be a single display surface or display device containing elements organized, related, and composed to form a unit. Where matter is displayed in a random manner, without organized relationship to elements, or where there is a reasonable doubt as to the relationship of elements, each element shall be considered to be a single sign.

Sight distance triangle means a triangular area at the corner between any two intersecting streets, where: (1) the apex of the triangle is the point of intersection of the two rights-of-way; and (2) the legs of the triangle extend 25 feet from the apex along each of the two rights-of-way; and (3) the hypotenuse joins the ends of the triangle legs.

Sign owner means any one or combination of the following: (a) the owner of the real property upon which the sign is located, (b) the owner of the sign structure, and (c) any lesser or other person that, for consideration, is benefited by the sign.

Sign setback means the measurement required from the property line to the sign structure.

Temporary sign means a sign typically displayed for a short period of time, not permanently attached to any structure, motor vehicle, or the ground; and including (without limitation) a display, informational sign, banner, or other advertising device, and decorative displays for holidays or public demonstrations.

Wall sign means any sign affixed parallel to the wall or printed on the wall of any building in such a manner as to read parallel to the wall on which it is mounted, and shall include any sign display surface that is affixed flat against the sloping surface of a mansard roof, and any sign that is affixed to the face of a building marquee, building awning, or a building canopy.

Wind-assisted sign means any flag, pennant, or sign consisting of a balloon, spinner, or blimp.

(Ord. No. 08-17, § I, 10-21-2008)