2.04 TERMS NOT DEFINED.
Where terms are not defined through the methods authorized by this section, such terms shall have ordinarily accepted meanings such as the context implies.
ADVERTISED MESSAGE AREA. That portion of a sign used or intended to be used to display commercial copy, convey information or to attract attention to the subject matter of such sign.
APPROVED PLASTICS. Any thermoplastic, thermosetting or reinforced thermosetting plastic material that conforms to combustibility classifications specified in the section applicable to the application and plastic type. See building code § 402.14.4 and Chapter 26.
BUILDING OFFICIAL. The officer or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of this code, or a duly authorized representative. For the purpose of this code, the CODE OFFICIAL shall be the BUILDING OFFICIAL, and his or her regularly authorized deputy shall be the chief electrical inspector.
COMMERCIAL COPY. A message or logo displayed on a sign which relates solely to the economic interests of the advertiser and its audience; a message pertaining to price and product advertising, goods and services.
MARQUEE. A permanent roofed structure which is attached to and supported by a building and which projects over public property.
MARQUEE SIGN. A sign projecting over public property displayed as a part of a marquee.
NON-ADVERTISED MESSAGE AREA. That portion of a sign not used or intended to be used to display commercial copy, convey information or to attract attention to the subject matter of such sign.
NONCOMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL. Materials tested in accordance with ASTM E 136; or materials having a structural base of noncombustible material in accordance with ASTM E 136 with a surfacing not more than 0.125 inch thick that has a flame spread index not greater than 50 when tested in accordance with ASTM E 84.
NONSTRUCTURAL TRIM. The moldings, battens, caps, nailing strips, latticing or base and walkways that are attached to a sign.
PERSON. Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind.
PREMISES.
(1) A single tract or platted lot. In addition, multiple adjacent tracts or platted lots under common ownership will be deemed to be a single premises if they meet the following requirements:
a. Lots or tracts are not separated by intervening streets, alleys, utility or railroad rights-of-way or other interruption;
b. Property contains a single primary use; and
c. Property is not used for one- or two-family residential purposes.
(2) Tracts or platted lots that are at cross corners or that are connected by narrow strips of land too small to serve as emergency access easements shall not be considered to be adjacent.
SIGN. Any surface, fabric, device, display or visual medium, including the component parts, which bears letters, pictorial forms or sculptured matter, including logos, used or intended to be used to convey information or to attract attention to the subject matter of such sign. Graphics painted upon the side of a building which carry no advertising shall not be construed to be a SIGN, except where such graphics pictorially display products or business that convey an advertising intent. The term SIGN includes the sign structure.
SIGN, ANIMATED. A sign employing visible moving parts or the changing of colors.
SIGN, ATTACHED. A sign which is affixed to, or supported by or painted on a building.
SIGN, BANNER. A temporary banner is a sign which is constructed of pliable materials such as canvas, fabric, vinyl plastic or similar materials which will withstand exposure to wind and rain without significant deterioration.
SIGN, CHANGEABLE COPY. A sign that is characterized by changeable copy, letters, symbols or numerals that are not permanently affixed to the structure, framing or background allowing the letters, characters or graphics to be modified from time to time manually or by electronic or mechanical devices, such as but not limited to, a bulletin board or electronic message board. CHANGEABLE COPY SIGNS may not be used to display commercial messages relating to products or services that are not offered on the premises.
SIGN, DETACHED. A sign which is supported by structures, supports or foundations in or upon the ground and independent of support from any building.
SIGN, ELECTRICAL. Any sign containing electrical wiring in or upon such sign or its sign structure, but not including any sign illuminated by an exterior light source not attached to such sign or sign structure.
SIGN, FLASHING. A sign that contains an intermittent or sequential flashing light source.
SIGN, FREEWAY. A sign which is oriented to be viewed primarily from an adjacent non-signalized freeway.
SIGN, ILLEGAL. Any sign erected, constructed, enlarged or altered which does not conform to the provisions of the comprehensive zoning ordinance, the sign code or other applicable ordinances in effect at the time of erection, construction, enlargement or alteration.
SIGN, ILLUMINATED. Any sign illuminated an any manner by an artificial light source.
SIGN, KIOSK. Freestanding sign structure located in or adjacent to public right-of-way that features a City of Fort Worth identification panel at the top of each structure and displays directional information to new homes and municipal facilities and parks.
SIGN, MONUMENT. Any sign in which a majority of the structure’s width is in contact with the ground.
SIGN, NONCONFORMING. A sign that was lawfully installed in compliance with all city ordinances applicable at the time of installation, but that does not comply with the current provisions of the comprehensive zoning ordinance, the sign code of the City of Fort Worth, or other applicable ordinances.
SIGN, OFF-PREMISES. A sign which advertises businesses, commodities, activities, services or persons which are not usually available or present upon the premises upon which such sign is located, or which directs persons to any location not on the premises. Any sign with more than 10% of the sign devoted to such use shall be deemed to be an OFF-PREMISES SIGN.
SIGN, ON-PREMISES. A sign which advertises the business name, owner and/or commodities, activities or services offered on the premises where such sign is located and where at least 90% of the sign is devoted to the advertisement of such business name, owner, commodities, activities or services.
SIGN, POLE. A detached sign which is supported by one or more poles in or upon the ground.
SIGN, PORTABLE. A sign whose principal supporting structure is intended by design, use or construction, to be used by resting upon the ground for support and which may be easily moved or relocated for reuse. PORTABLE SIGNS shall include but not be limited to signs mounted upon or designed to be mounted upon a trailer, bench, wheeled carrier or other non-motorized mobile structure with or without wheels.
SIGN, PYLON. A freestanding sign, which has at least 50% of the sign structure width in contact with the ground and in which the sign face is separated from ground level by means of one or more supports such as poles, pole covers or columns.
SIGN, REVOLVING. A sign which revolves on, around, or about a structural support. A structural support includes, but not limited to, a pole, building or other type of support. Revolving parts within the sign shall not be construed as a REVOLVING SIGN.
SIGN, ROOF. Any sign erected, constructed or maintained on the roof of a building.
SIGN, RUNNING LIGHT OR TWINKLE. A sign with low wattage outline lighting that runs or twinkles.
SIGN STRUCTURE. Any structure which supports or is intended to support any sign.
SIGN, TEMPORARY. Any sign intended to be displayed for a limited period of time only, including by way of example but not of limitation, any sign, banner, pennant, valance or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, wallboard or other light materials, with or without frames or wheels.
SIGN, WINDOW. Any commercial copy sign located on the internal and or external surface of a window or a glass door, or is located less than ten feet from the window or a glass door of any establishment for the purpose of being visible to and read from the outside of the building.
