HomeMy WebLinkAboutDefinitions - Original related to Sign OrdSijn Ordinance Update Current Definitions
(Related to the Sign Ordinance)
Docket No. 11090004 OA
3.07 Definitions:'
October 7, 2011
ALTERATION, MATERIAL. Any change to an approved plan of any type that involves the
substitution of one material, species, element, etc. for another.
ALTERATION, MINOR. Any change to an approved plan of any type that involves the revision
of less than ten percent (10 of the plan's total area or approved materials.
ALTERATION, SUBSTANTIAL. Any change to an approved plan of any type that involves the
revision of ten percent (10 or more of the plan's total area or approved materials.
AWNING, PERMANENT. A permanent shelter supported entirely from the exterior wall of a
building and composed of rigid or non -rigid materials. (See definition of WALL SIGN).
BANNER. A temporary sign composed of lightweight material either enclosed or not enclosed in
a rigid frame, secured or mounted so as to allow movement of the sign caused by
movement of the atmosphere.
BOARD. The Carmel/Clay Advisory Board of Zoning Appeals.
BUILDING; MULTI TENANT, GROUND FLOOR. An office or commercial building, occupied
by two (2) or more businesses in which every business occupies space on the ground
floor and every floor existing above.
BUILDING; MULTI TENANT, MULTI LEVEL. An office or commercial building, occupied by
two (2) or more businesses, which cannot be classified as a Multi- tenant, Ground Floor
Building.
BUILDING, PRINCIPAL. A Building in which is conducted the main or principal Use of the Lot
on which said Building is situated. Where a substantial part of an Accessory Building is
attached to the Principal Building in a substantial manner, as by a roof, such Accessory
Building shall be counted as a part of the Principal Building.
BUILDING, SINGLE TENANT An office or commercial building in which all space is
occupied by one (1) tenant.
CENTER, UNIFIED. A grouping of businesses (in one building) or buildings designed to function
or visually appear as a unit including converted residential structures with more than one
occupant space.
COMMISSION. The Carmel/Clay Advisory Plan Commission.
COPY. The wording on a sign surface either in permanent or removable letter form.
COPY, CHANGEABLE. Characters, letters or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged non
electrically or non electronically without altering the face or surface of the sign.
1 Section 3.07 amended per Ordinance No. Z -320; Z -339; Z -340; Z -345; Z- 365 -01; Z- 369 -02, §b -g; Z- 389 -02; Z- 415 -03, §a -h, Z-
417-03, §3; Z- 419 -03, §a; Z- 453 -04, §l; Z- 461 -04, §a; Z- 471 -05; Z- 486 -06, §g -h.
COPY AREA. The area in square feet of the smallest geometric figure(s) which describes the
portion of the sign which encloses the actual Copy of the sign.
COUNCIL. The Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana.
ESTABLISH. In reference to signs, this term shall mean attach, alter, construct, paint, or move.
FRONTAGE. Generally, the distance of the Front Lot Line of a Lot abutting a Street. When a
particular development standard requires that Buildings occupy a certain minimum
percentage of the Frontage, the Frontage shall be the distance of the Front Lot Line
reduced by physical, legal and other characteristics of the Lot located in or impacting the
Front Yard in a manner that limits of prevents the construction of Buildings on the Lot
which Buildings could, except for such characteristics, be oriented to the Build -to Line.
Examples include, without limitation, retention and detention ponds, rights -of -way,
permitted parking areas, and utility easements.
FRONTAGE, BUILDING. The linear length of the primary frontage of the building or segment
thereof facing the street on which the sign shall be established. (Applies to Ground Floor
only).
FRONTAGE, PROPERTY. The length of property line of any one premises parallel to and along
one (1) public and /or one (1) private street.
HOME, MODEL. A finished, residential unit, including units in a multi family structure and
mobile homes for which a certificate of occupancy could be obtained, located in a
residentially zoned district but utilized as an example of a product offered for sale to
purchasers (by a realtor, builder, developer, or contractor). The dwelling house may be
furnished but not occupied as a residence while being used as a Model Home.
HOME OCCUPATION. An Accessory Use conducted in a Single Two- or Multiple- family
Dwelling which is clearly incidental and secondary to the Use of the Dwelling for
dwelling purposes. (see also Section 25.18)
HOUSE, BOARDING. A Building not open to transients, where lodging and /or meals are
provided for three (3) or more, but not over thirty (30), persons regularly; a lodging
house.
ILLUMINATION. Artificial light which shall not be blinking, fluctuating, or moving. Light rays
shall shine only upon the property within the premises and shall not spill over the
property lines in any direction in excess of development standards of the Ordinance.
INSTITUTION. A non profit organization established for public, charitable, educational or
religious purposes such as church, college or university, hospital or school.
LOGO. The official emblem or insignia of an organization, corporation or institution.
LOT. A portion of a Subdivision or other parcel of land intended as a unit for transfer of
ownership or development and having its principal frontage on a street.
LOT, THROUGH. A Lot having frontage on two (2) parallel or approximately parallel streets.
MULTI FAMILY HOUSING COMPLEX. A building(s) for residential purposes with three (3) or
more dwelling units, having common or party walls, on a single lot.
NAMEPLATE. A non electrical wall sign identifying only the name and occupation or profession
of the occupant of the premises on which the sign is located. If any premises include
more than one occupant, refers to all names and occupations or professions as well as the
name of the building and directional information.
OLD TOWN CARMEL. For purposes of signage, see Section 25.07, Diagram 3.
PREMISES. A tract or Lot together with all of the structures in that tract or Lot.
SIGN. Any type of sign as further defined and regulated by the Sign Ordinance for Carmel -Clay
Township, Ordinance Z -302, as amended. Any structure, fixture, placard, announcement,
declaration, device, demonstration or insignia used for direction, information,
identification or to advertise or promote any business, product, goods, activity, services
or any interests.
SIGN AREA. The area of a sign shall be calculated by multiplying its maximum vertical
dimension by its maximum horizontal dimension, excluding the structural support. The
gross Sign Area of a Ground Sign or Projecting Sign with back -to -back identical Copy
mounted on the same standard(s) shall be the total area on one (1) side of the sign.
SIGN FACE. The part of the sign area that is intended primarily for or can be utilized for
communication purposes.
SIGN PERMIT. A permit signed by the Director stating that a proposed sign has met with general
provisions of this ordinance.
SIGN STRUCTURE. Any structure which supports, has supported or is capable of supporting a
sign, including decorative cover and planter boxes.
SIGN, CENTER IDENTIFICATION GROUND. Applicable only in a Multi -tenant Building
Complex. Copy is limited to the name and/or address of the Multi -tenant Building Complex
plus permitted Changeable Copy.
SIGN, DIRECTORY. A sign identifying the names and locations of the occupants of a building. A
directory sign may utilize Changeable Copy. For the purpose of this Ordinance a directory
sign is not counted as a Ground Sign even if it is supported from the ground.
SIGN, DWELLING UNIT. A Nameplate with a Sign Area not exceeding one (1) square foot.
SIGN, GROUND. A sign supported by one or more uprights or braces placed in the ground, not
attached to any building or structure. No display or advertising sign shall be attached to the
standard of a ground sign other than the display surface originally constructed as a part of
such sign.
SIGN, HEIGHT OF GROUND. The vertical distance measured from the ground level upon which
the sign is Established to the highest point of the Sign Structure.
SIGN, HOLIDAY. Temporary signs or displays of a primarily decorative and non commercial
nature, clearly incidental and customary and commonly associated with any national, state,
local or religious holiday.
SIGN, IDENTIFICATION. A sign which is limited to the name and /or address of a building,
institution or person; to the activity carried on in the building or institution; the
occupation of the person; and /or the logo. A logo, if desired, representing the building,
business or institution on a sign in a unified center is limited to twenty five percent (25
of the Sign Area.
SIGN, INSTITUTIONAL. Any given sign setting forth the name of any public, charitable,
educational or religious purposes such as, church, college or university, hospital, school.
SIGN, INTEGRAL. A sign which is limited to the name of the building, the date of erection, a
historical marker and /or a commemorative building tablet such as a cornerstone, when
carved into stone, concrete or similar material or made of bronze, aluminum, or other
permanent type construction and made part of the structure. Integral signs are not
intended to be used as a means or promotion, advertising or identification other than as
outlined above.
SIGN, LEGAL NON CONFORMING. Any given sign which was lawfully established (has
received a sign permit) and maintained prior to such time as it came within or under the
terms of this Code, November 5, 1981 or the prior Sign Code, May 23, 1973 and any
amendment thereto, and which fails to conform to all applicable regulations and
restrictions of this Ordinance, or a non conforming sign for which a variance has been
granted by the Board and for which a sign permit has been issued. (See also Section
25.07.08).
SIGN, MULTI TENANT BUILDING COMPLEX DIRECTORY. A directory sign in a multi
tenant building complex only if approved by the Commission when presented as part of a
total sign package. Copy is limited to the names and /or locations of the buildings in the
Multi- tenant Building Complex.
SIGN, PARKING. Any sign used to designate parking areas of spaces for public or private use.
Signs identifying parking areas shall be used solely for identification purposes, with only
one parking sign per property frontage, including alleys for the purpose of this definition
only, permitted. Signage used to indicate the reservation of a parking space for a specific
person is permitted but, copy shall be limited to the name or title of the person for whom
the space is reserved. (See Section 25.07.01 -03 Exempted Signs).
SIGN, PERMANENT.
1. A sign that is intended to be erected for more than 1 year, other than a
Subdivision Construction Sign.
2. A sign that in fact has been in place for more than 1 year. In situations where a
sign has been in place for more than 1 year, the property owner is entitled to a
single renewal of the yearly temporary sign permit. Upon expiration of that
renewal, the property owner must submit an application for a permanent sign
and must adhere to the ordinances applied to permanent signs.
SIGN, POLITICAL CAMPAIGN. Any sign having reference to a candidate for elective public
office or a public question or issue to be submitted to the voters at a general, special or
primary election.
SIGN, PORCH. A sign attached to a porch or overhang. This type of sign shall be permitted
only in Old Town Carmel.
SIGN, PORTABLE. A sign not permanently anchored or secured to either a building or the
ground.
SIGN, PROJECTING. A sign attached to and supported by a building and which extends out at
any angle therefrom. This type of sign shall be permitted in Old Town Carmel, Old
Meridian District, and within the Carmel Drive Range Line Road Overlay only.
SIGN, PUBLIC. Official notices posted by the public officers or employees in the performance of
their duties.
SIGN, PUBLIC EVENT. A temporary sign announcing function of public interest. This does not
include SALE signs.
SIGN, REAL ESTATE. Any sign advertising the sale, rental or lease of the premises or part of
the premises on which the sign is located.
SIGN, ROOF. A sign established and maintained upon the roof of a building which is located
between the roof line and the roof crown. Roof signs are prohibited on residences which
been converted to office, business and /or manufacturing uses.
SIGN, SUSPENDED. A Ground Sign suspended from and installed on an arm or spar attached to
one (1) upright, decorative pole. No display or advertising sign shall be attached to the
standard of a suspended sign other than the display surface originally constructed as a
part of such sign. This type of sign shall be permitted only in Old Town Carmel.
SIGN, TEMPORARY.
1. A Subdivision Construction Sign and a sign that is intended to be erected for a
specified amount of time that is less than 1 year. The duration must be specified
in the application.
2. A sign that in fact is erected for less than a year.
SIGN, TRAFFIC DIRECTIONAL. Sign directing traffic movement onto and /or within a premise,
not exceeding three (3) square feet in sign area for any one (1) sign; and shall not be
higher than three (3) feet above ground level. Standard traffic directional signs, such as
STOP and YIELD signs, shall comply with the "Uniform Manual for Traffic Control
Devises."
SIGN, VEHICLE. A sign on a vehicle of any kind, provided the sign is painted or attached
directly to the body of the original vehicle and does not project or extend beyond two (2)
inches from the original manufactured body proper of the vehicle. The vehicle to which
the sign is attached shall be in proper working order and shall bear a current license plate
and shall not be permanently parked on a public street or street right -of -way. See also
Section 25.07.01- 04(q).
SIGN, WALL. A sign established on the wall of a building with the face in a parallel plane to the
plane of the building wall, and which projects from the surface less than twelve (12)
inches at all points. Said sign shall not extend beyond the edges of the wall upon which it
is mounted nor above the roofline.
SIGN, WINDOW. Any building sign, picture, symbol or combination thereof, designed to
communicate information about an activity, business, commodity, event, sale or service,
that is:
a) placed
i) inside of and within two (2) feet of a window; or
ii) upon the window panes or glass; and
b) visible from the exterior of the window.
STREET. A Right -of -way, other than an Alley, dedicated and accepted, or otherwise legally
established for public use, usually affording the principal means of access to abutting
property.
STREET, PRIVATE. A Street which is not dedicated to or maintained by any public agency.
STRUCTURE. Anything constructed or installed or portable, the Use of which requires a location
on a parcel of land. It includes a movable Structure which is located on land which can be
used for housing, business, commercial, agricultural or office purposes, either
temporarily or permanently. Structure also includes billboards, swimming pools, poles,
pipelines, transmission lines, tracks and advertising signs, whether located on a rock, tree,
separate Structure or part of another Structure. Also, a Structure that is principally above
ground and is enclosed by walls and a roof. The term includes a gas or liquid storage
tank, a manufactured home, or a prefabricated Building. The term also includes
recreational vehicles to be installed on a site for more than one hundred eighty (180)
days.
USE, TEMPORARY. Short-term or seasonal uses which may be associated with construction
projects or which intend to sell or promote specific merchandise or products and shall
include, but not be limited to, special events, outdoor displays, outdoor seasonal sales,
temporary construction facilities, residential model homes, and temporary sales offices.
VARIANCE. A modification of the specific requirements of this ordinance granted by the Board
in accordance with the terms of this ordinance for the purpose of assuring that no
property, because of special circumstances applicable to it, shall be deprived of privileges
commonly enjoyed by other properties in the same vicinity and district.
VISION CLEARANCE ON CORNER LOTS. A triangular space at the street corner of a Corner
Lot, free from any kind of obstruction to vision between the heights of three (3) and eight
(8) feet above the established street grade. The street grade is measured at the intersection
of the centerlines of the intersecting street pavement, and the triangular space is
determined by a diagonal line connecting two (2) points measured fifteen (15) feet
equidistant from the Lot corner along each property line at intersections of two (2)
residential streets or twenty -five (25) feet at the intersection of any other types of Streets.
WINDOW AREA. The total area of all windows along a Building Frontage.