§ 15-2. Definitions.

(a)

Some of the important words used in this document are listed below, followed by an explanation of what the words mean:

Abandoned sign means a sign pertaining to or associated with an event, business, or purpose which is no longer ongoing and which has been inactive or out of business for a period of ninety (90) consecutive days or longer; or a sign which contains structural components but no display for a period of ninety (90) consecutive days or longer or a sign which has a display surface with torn and/or unreadable coverage on the message board which has remained in such state for a period of forty-five (45) consecutive days or more.

Alter means to change the size or shape of a sign.

Building frontage means the exterior wall of a building or tenant space that has a primary, public entrance.

Building setback means the shortest distance from the nearest public street right-of-way to the building frontage.

Changeable electronic variable message sign (CEVMS) means a sign which permits light to be turned on or off intermittently or which is operated in a way whereby light is turned on or off intermittently, including any illuminated sign on which such illumination is not kept stationary or constant in intensity and color at all times when such sign is in use, including light emitting diode (LED) or electronic message board or digital sign, and which varies in intensity or color. A CEVMS does not include a sign located within the right-of-way that functions as a traffic control device and that is described and identified in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) approved by the Federal Highway.

Electronic message board means any sign with a fixed or changing display/message composed of a series of lights that may be changed through electronic means. Signs whose alphabetic, pictographic, or symbolic informational content can be changed or altered on a fixed display screen composed of electrically illuminated segments.

Off-premise sign means any sign, including without limitation, signs commonly known as billboard, displaying advertising copy that pertains to a business, person, organization, activity, event, place, service or product not located or manufactured or sold on the premises on which the sign is located or that directs persons to a location other than the premises where the sign is installed and maintained.

On-premise sign means any freestanding sign identifying or advertising a business, person, or activity, and installed and maintained on the same premises as the business, person or activity for business purposes.

Reface means to refurbish or to update the area or display surface used for the message but without altering the sign.

Sign means a picture, logo, letters, lights, color, displays and all other such devices or items used to promote or attract attention to a product, business, service or activity.

Sign area means the total area of a box drawn around the entire dimension of a sign background (which is used to distinguish the sign), sign cabinet or structure (See Illustration A).

Sign code area means the corporate limits of the City of Decatur and the area identified as the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) as defined by the Texas Local Government Code, § 42.021 and as expanded in accordance therewith from time to time by annexation.

Sign height means the distance from grade to the top of the sign.

Signs that cannot be seen from the street frontage (defined herein) are not regulated by this chapter nor are signs that are installed by public utilities and governments that are erected for safety reasons, such as traffic and street signs.

Street frontage means the property line adjacent to the right-of-way of a public street.

(b)

Words not defined are to be interpreted according to the normally accepted meaning of the word or its customary usage.

(Ord. No. 2008-05-10, § 1(Exh. A), 11-10-08)