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Unless otherwise set forth, the following words as used in this chapter shall have the following meanings:

“Changeable copy sign (automatic)” means a sign on which the copy changes automatically on a lamp bank or through mechanical means, e.g., electrical or electronic time and temperature units.

“Double-faced sign” means a sign with two faces.

“Electrical sign” means a sign or sign structure in which electrical wiring, connections or fixtures are used.

“Facade” means the front or face of a building.

“Flashing sign” means a sign which contains an intermittent or sequential flashing light source used primarily to attract attention. It does not include changeable copy signs, animated signs, or signs which, through reflection or other means, create an illusion of flashing of intermittent light.

“Freestanding sign” means a sign supported upon the ground by poles or braces or other structure designed and constructed to support the sign only and not attached to any building.

“Illegal sign” means a sign which does not meet the requirements of this code and which has not received legal nonconforming status.

“Internal illumination” means an indirect concealed light source that is recessed or contained within any element of a sign.

“Maintenance” means, for purposes of this chapter, the cleaning, painting, repair of defective parts of a sign in a manner that does not alter the basic copy, design or structure of the sign.

“Mural” means a picture or picture-print combination that contains no advertising copy and which does not convey an advertising message which is painted or otherwise applied on the exterior wall of a building or structure.

“Nonconforming sign” means a sign which was erected legally but which does not comply with subsequently enacted sign restrictions and regulations.

“Off-premises sign” means a sign structure advertising an establishment, merchandise, service or entertainment, which is not sold, produced, manufactured or furnished at the property on which the sign is located, e.g., “billboards” or “outdoor advertising”; provided, however, that signs located on property under the same ownership and which would be in a single tax parcel or immediately adjacent thereto but for the presence of an intervening right-of-way shall not be construed as an “off-premises sign” for purposes of this chapter.

“Owner” means a person recorded as such on official records. For the purpose of this chapter, the owner of property on which a sign is located is presumed to be the owner of the sign unless facts to the contrary are officially recorded or otherwise brought to the attention of the administrator, e.g., a sign leased from a sign company.

“Projecting sign” means a sign, which is attached to and projects horizontally from a building wall.

“Public benefit sign” means an off-premises sign installed, maintained, and controlled in, over or adjacent to the public right-of-way for the sole purpose of providing directions to an establishment that serves or provides a benefit to the general public, including but not limited to directional signs to hospitals, schools, and other establishments of general public need or interest. In the case of a designated American Red Cross Emergency Shelter a digital message center sign not to exceed 45 square feet per face, with no more than two sign faces, may be permitted for the purpose of providing emergency information, community information and information related to events and activities that help fund or otherwise support the designated Emergency Shelter. The Digital Message Center Sign shall only be operational from the hours of 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time to 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time. A minimum of one-second transition time between messages is required. A permit for any public benefit sign may be additionally conditioned by the responsible official as to size, height, location, illumination, coloring, hours of operation, and similar characteristics to keep with the purposes and objectives of the Cle Elum Municipal Code and the Cle Elum Comprehensive Plan.

“Public service sign” means a sign installed, maintained and controlled by the City of Cle Elum for the sole purpose of providing directions to locations and objects of interest to visitors and the traveling public and not to advertise a specific business or product.

“Reverse internal illumination” means an indirect concealed light source located within the sign and where the majority of the sign face does not allow light to be revealed except for the sign letter or graphics.

“Sandwich board sign” means a portable sign capable of supporting itself through an “A” frame structure.

“Sign” means any communication device, structure, placard or fixture that is visible from any public right-of-way, pedestrian path or sidewalk and is intended to aid in promoting the sale of product, goods, services or events or to identify a building using graphics, letters, figures, symbols, trademarks or written copy but not murals.

Sign, Area of.

1. Projecting and freestanding. The area of a freestanding or projecting sign shall have all faces of any double-faced or multi-faced sign counted in calculating its area. The area of the sign shall be measured as follows if the sign is composed of one or two individual cabinets:

a. The area around and enclosing the perimeter of each cabinet or module shall be summed and then totaled to determine total area. The perimeter of measurable area shall include embellishments such as pole covers, framing, decorative roofing, etc. Support structures shall not be included in the determination of total area unless the support structures contribute to the advertising message.

b. If the sign is composed of more than two sign cabinets or modules, the area enclosing the entire perimeter of all cabinets and/or modules, within a single, continuous geometric figure shall be the area of the sign. Support structures shall not be included in the determination of total area unless the support structures contribute to the advertising message.

2. Wall signs. The area around and enclosing the perimeter of each cabinet or module shall be summed and then totaled to determine total area.

3. Awning signs. The area of awning signs shall be measured by the area around and enclosing the adverting message.

“Sign, awning” means a sign attached, painted or installed on an awning projecting from a storefront.

“Temporary sign” means any sign or advertising display constructed of cloth, wood, canvas, light fabric, paper or other light materials with or without frames that is not permanently mounted and is intend to be displaced for a limited time only such as for political candidacy or special events.

“Wall sign” means a sign attached, painted or erected on or parallel to the face of building to which it is attached and supported throughout its entire length with the exposed face parallel to the plane of the building. Signs on or in windows will be considered wall signs.

(Ord. 1345 § 1, 2011; Ord. 1333 § 1, 2010; Ord. 1279 § 1 (Attach. A), 2007; Ord. 1211, 2004; Ord. 1198 § 1, 2003; Ord. 866 § 2, 1987)