§ 3101. Definitions.

(a)

Rules for words and phrases. For the purpose of this article, words used in the present tense include the future tense; words in the singular number include the plural number, and words in the plural number include the singular; the word "shall" is mandatory and not directory; the word "may" is permissive. Any term not defined in this section shall be construed to be used in this article as by the latest edition of Webster's Unabridged Dictionary.

(b)

Definitions.

(1)

Abandoned sign: An on/off premise sign which no longer correctly directs or exhorts any person, advertises a bona fide business, lessor, owner, project or activity conducted or product available on the premises where such sign is displayed.

(2)

Animated sign: Any sign which includes action or motion. For purposes of this article, this term does not refer to flashing or changing, all of which are separately defined.

(3)

Background area: The entire area of a sign on which copy could be placed, but does not include permanent building space.

(4)

Banner: A sign composed of lightweight material enclosed or not enclosed in a rigid frame, not to exceed three (3) feet by eight (8) feet in size unless a variance is granted by the city council or the county board of supervisors, and located only in commercial, industrial and waterfront zoned areas.

(5)

Bench sign: An advertising message on any portion of a bus stop or other bench.

(6)

Billboard: An outdoor advertising sign structure which advertises goods, products or services not conducted or a product not offered or sold upon the premises where such sign is located. None of the following shall be deemed a billboard:

a.

Directional and other official signs authorized by law;

b.

Signs advertising the sale or lease of property upon which they are located;

c.

Signs advertising activities conducted on or products sold on the property upon which they are located;

d.

Signs that have not less than two-thirds ( 2/3 ) of their face area devoted to giving public service information such as, but not limited to time, date, temperature, weather or similar information;

e.

Signs which contain no more than thirty-two (32) square feet.

(7)

Board of appeals: The board of appeals is that appointed body established pursuant to section 9-26 et seq. of the Code of Ordinances of city.

(8)

Building face or wall: All window and wall area of a building in one (1) plane or elevation.

(9)

Building official: The designated authority or officer charged with the administration and enforcement of this Code, or his duly authorized representative.

(10)

Canopy sign: A sign mounted on and supported by a canopy, or found on the side of, below the roof line, or hanging beneath the canopy.

(11)

Changeable copy sign (manual): A sign on which copy is changed manually in the field, i.e., reader boards with changeable letters or changeable pictorial panels.

(12)

Changing sign (automatic): A sign such as an electronically or electrically controlled message center or reader board, where different copy changes are shown on the same lamp bank.

(13)

Commemorative sign: Any sign commemorating persons, organizations or events having some historical relationship to the property upon which such sign is located.

(14)

Copy: The wording or graphics on a sign surface.

(15)

Council: The city council of Greenville.

(15.5)

Digital sign: Any sign having the capability to display a message by manipulation of light projected onto a screen or otherwise produced within the screen. Digital sign includes signs using LED Technology, Plasma Technology, or any industry equivalent that produces the same result as these technologies.

(16)

District: As defined under the Zoning Ordinance and zoning district map.

(17)

Double-faced sign: Sign with more than one (1) face. If the angle formed between the backs of the signs is more than 90 degrees it shall constitute one sign face for determination of sign area or size.

(18)

Erected: This term shall mean attached, altered, built, constructed, reconstructed, enlarged or moved.

(19)

Face of sign: The entire area of sign on which copy could be placed. The area of a sign which is visible from one (1) direction as projected on a plane.

(20)

Flashing sign: Any sign which contains an intermittent or flashing light source, or which includes the illusion of intermittent or flashing light by means of animation, or an externally mounted intermittent light source.

(21)

Ground level: Immediate surrounding grade.

(22)

Ground mounted sign: A sign erected on a freestanding frame, mast or pole, and not attached to any building.

(23)

Height of Sign: The vertical distance measured from the surrounding grade to the highest point of the sign.

(24)

Illegal sign: A sign which contravenes this article, or a nonconforming sign for which a permit required under a previous ordinance was not obtained.

(25)

Interior property line: Property lines other than those forming a dedicated public right-of-way.

(26)

Interior sign: Signs legible only inside a building. If a sign is legible from the street right-of-way, that sign will be considered an exterior sign and regulated under this article.

(27)

Logo: Any pictorial or graphic representation that may be presented by itself or with verbiage to identify a business. Where used will be considered as a sign or part of a sign.

(28)

Lot of record: A lot is part of a subdivision, the map of which has been recorded in the office of the chancery clerk of Washington County.

(29)

Marquee sign: A wall sign mounted on a permanent roof-like projection over the entry to an establishment.

(30)

Multi-tenant sign: Ground mounted sign with name of building or development at top and name of businesses or tenants below.

(31)

Nonconforming sign: A sign existing prior to enactment of this article which does not meet all requirements of this article.

(32)

Nonregulated sign: Signs not visible from a street right-of-way.

(33)

Off-premises sign: A sign which advertises an activity, business, product or service not conducted on the premises on which the sign is located.

(34)

Outdoor advertising: See "Billboard."

(35)

Owner: A person recorded as such on official records and including duly authorized agent or notary, a purchaser, devisee, judiciary; any person having a vested or contingent interest in the property in question.

(36)

Permit office: The office located at the Greenville City Hall, 340 Main Street, Greenville, Mississippi, which issues sign permits.

(37)

Portable sign: Any business sign or outdoor advertising sign not permanently attached to a building, post, or other type of foundation and which is capable of being moved by means of lifting or rolling on wheels with a minimum of difficulty by disconnection of wiring, bolts, or other anchors.

(38)

Premises: An area of land with its appurtenances and buildings which, because of its unity of use, may be regarded as the smallest conveyable unit of real estate.

(39)

Projecting sign: Any sign which is attached to any outside building wall or structure and extends outward at any angle more than twelve (12) inches beyond the surface of such outside wall or other structure.

(40)

Publicly owned property: Any property owned by a public entity.

(41)

Right-of-way (R.O.W.): Shall be the right-of-way indicated on the maps and records on file in the city public works department.

(42)

Roof line: The highest edge of the main roof.

(43)

Seasonal or special occasion temporary sign: A sign which is not permanent and is limited to a specific activity or in the celebration of holidays or other special events.

(44)

Setback: The minimum horizontal distance between the property line and any part of the sign. On dedicated streets the setback is measured from the right-of-way line. On private streets for public use, the setback is measured from the street easement, curb or pavement, or legally required width, whichever results in greater setback.

(45)

Sign: Any identification, description, illustration, mural, painting, decal or other device illuminated or non-illuminated which is visible from any public place or is located on private property and exposed to the public and which directs attention to a product, service, place, activity, person, institution, business or solicitation; or any emblem, mural, painting, decal, banner, pennant or placard designed to advertise, identify or convey information.

The term "sign" shall further mean and include every device, frame, letter, figure, character, mark, point, design, picture, trademark or reading matter, which is used or intended to be used to attract attention or convey information when the same is placed out of doors in view of the general public. The terms "sign" shall also include any sign that shall be painted, printed, or otherwise affixed or placed on the wall or roof of any building, fence or other structure.

The term "sign" shall not include decorative devices or emblems which may be displayed at residential doors, windows, or mail boxes. Also not included are yard or building decorations associated with legal holidays, provided no business logo, name or advertising message is displayed.

(46)

Sign area: The entire area within the perimeter enclosing the outer dimensions of the actual message or copy area. It does not include decorative trim, customary extensions or embellishments nor any structural elements forming an integral part of the display. For v-type, back-to-back, stacked, or side-by-side sign structures, only display area shall be counted in computing the actual sign area. Each sign face is counted separately.

(47)

Sign structure: Any structure which supports, has supported or is capable of supporting a sign, including decorative cover.

(48)

Size : Determination of the measured area of a sign including the mounting surface where it can be determined. In the case of lettering on a wall, size shall be determined by the measured area of the letter and the space between the letter.

(49)

Spreader bar: A horizontal member, parallel to the ground, connecting two (2) columns.

(50)

Street: A public thoroughfare which affords the principal means of access to abutting property.

(51)

Temporary sign: A sign in lieu of a permanent sign for a specific period of time. Permanent and temporary do not refer to method of attachment for purpose of this article.

(52)

Traffic directional sign: Any sign which aids the flow of traffic.

(53)

Use: The purpose of which a building, lot, sign or other structure is arranged, intended, designed, occupied or maintained.

(54)

Wall sign: A sign at the wall of a building with the face parallel to and within twelve (12) inches of the plane or building wall.

(55)

Window sign: A sign painted or placed in or upon a window.

(Ord. No. 97-0006, § 101, 3-25-97; Ord. No. 00-0002, § I, 4-4-00; Ord. No. 06-002, § I, 3-7-06; Ord. No. 08-007, § 1, 8-19-08)