§ 142-2. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Area of a sign. Refer to Section 142-5(a).

Banner means any suspended sign made of any flexible material such as, but not limited to, cloth, plastic or paper whether or not imprinted with words or characters.

Billboard means any sign that is required to be registered with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) pursuant to F.S. Chapter 479 and exceeds the size limitations set forth in Section 142-4 of this chapter.

Business frontage. See "frontage, business."

Changeable copy sign means a sign specifically designed for the use of replaceable copy that does not involve replacement of the sign face itself or alteration of the sign structure.

Clear sight triangle means a triangular-shaped area at any driveway connection to a public street and at all street intersections, as required in Section 114-201, in which nothing is allowed to be erected, placed, planted or allowed to grow in such a manner as to limit or obstruct the sight of motorists entering or leaving the driveway or street intersection. Also referred to as clear vision triangle.

Copy means the text or graphic representations of a sign that depict the name of an establishment, products, services or other messages, whether in permanent or removable form.

Erect means, in the context of this chapter, to build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend, affix or paint a sign.

Facade means the face of a building or structure is most nearly parallel with the right-of-way line under consideration, including related architectural elements such as awnings, parapets and mansard roofs but excluding signs attached to a building that are not otherwise incorporated into such architectural elements.

Face of sign means the planes of a sign on which copy could be placed, including trim and background.

Flag means a piece of light weight, flexible material such as cloth or plastic with one side attached to a pole and the other end flying freely.

Frontage, business means the horizontal linear distance measured along the facade of an individual business. Also referred to as "business frontage."

Frontage, property means the distance measured along a public or private right-of-way or easement including canals, shorelines and runways that affords vehicular access to the property between the points of intersection of the side lot lines with such right-of-way or easement. Where a street or highway is divided as occurs on Key Largo, a parcel of land in the median of the street or highway shall be considered to have a frontage on each side. All parcels that abut U.S. 1 or County Road 905 shall be considered to have a frontage on such roads regardless of whether a curb cut exists. Also referred to as "property frontage."

Ground-mounted sign means any sign that is mounted on or supported by an upright or brace in or upon the ground, such upright or brace being directly attached in or upon the ground and independent of any other structure. Signs affixed to fences shall be considered ground-mounted signs.

Illuminated sign means any sign that is illuminated by artificial light, either from an interior or exterior source, including outline, reflective or phosphorescent light, whether or not the source of light is directly affixed as part of the sign.

Interior property information sign means signs located entirely on the property to which the sign pertains, are not readily visible from public rights-of-way, and which are intended to provide information to people on the property. Examples include, but are not limited to, "pool closed," "no walking on grass," "pay ramp fee at the office" and "no fishing."

Licensed sign contractor means any person holding a valid certificate of competency in sign erection issued by the county.

Off-premises sign means any sign located on premises other than those on which the business or organization uses products, goods or services that the sign advertises are available. When in the right-of-way of or visible from U.S. 1, off-premises signs are required to be registered with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) pursuant to F.S. Chapter 479.

Pennant means a series of small flag-like pieces of cloth or similar type of material attached and strung between two or more points.

Plane means any surface such as a rectangle, square, triangle, circle or sphere that is capable of carrying items of information; any area enclosed by an imaginary line describing a rectangle, square, triangle or circle which includes freestanding letters, numbers or symbols.

Portable sign means any sign or sign structure that is not permanently attached to the ground or to any other permanent structure or which is specifically designed to be transported. This definition shall include, but not be limited to, trailer signs, A-frame signs, sandwich board signs and vehicles whose primary purpose is advertising.

Posted property sign means a sign such as, but not limited to, the following, which indicates "no trespassing," "beware of dog," "no dumping," or other similar warnings. State statutes may establish requirements for these signs.

Premises means any parcel of land owned, leased or controlled by the person actively engaged in business and so connected with the business as to form a contiguous component or integral part of it; or owned, leased or controlled by a person for living accommodations.

Promotional sign means a temporary sign erected by a nonprofit organization or organizations, holding a valid county public assembly permit, to advertise a special event such as a bazaar, dance, art show, craft show, or similar type of event.

Property frontage. See "frontage, property."

Real estate sign means a sign used solely for the purpose of offering for sale, lease, or rent the property upon which the sign is placed and which includes, but is not limited to, "open house," "open for inspection" and "model home." Such signs are allowed only while a property is for sale, lease or rent.

Sign means any object, device, display or structure, or part thereof, situated outdoors or indoors that is used to advertise, identify, display, direct or attract attention to an object, person, institution, organization, business, product service event or location and by any means, including words, letters, figures, designs, symbols, fixtures, colors or projected images. Signs do not include:

(1)

The flag or emblem of any nation or organization of nations, state, city, or fraternal, religious or civic organizations;

(2)

Merchandise that is not otherwise incorporated into a sign structure;

(3)

Models or products incorporated in a window display;

(4)

Works of art that do not contain advertising messages and in no way identify a product, use or service; or

(5)

Scoreboards located on athletic fields.

Sign structure means any structure that supports, has supported or is capable of supporting a sign, including decorative cover.

Wall-mounted sign means any sign mounted on or painted on and parallel to the facade or wall of a building.

Window sign means any sign mounted to or painted on, or visible through a window for display to the public.

( Ord. No. 006-2016 , § 1(Exh. 1), 4-13-2016)