Interpretation, Penalties, and Validity

               The interpretation, enforcement, and validity of this sign regulation shall be as provided in the zoning bylaws, sections 10.11, 10.12, and 10.14 respectively. Additionally, these sign regulations rely upon the authority of the Village Charter, Sections 20 and 21, to enforce violations by means of penalties, fines, forfeiture, or other legal remedies. Given the flexible and fluid nature of signage, the Village Charter enables rapid enforcement of its ordinances in instances of violations.

DEFINITIONS

Arcade Sign -- Any sign projecting beneath the underside of any structural overhang or passageway.

Alter -- any change to a sign, with the exception of change of copy or maintenance of an existing sign.

Awning -- a structure, usually composed of canvas or other non-rigid material, but which may also be of a rigid material, which provides shelter and shade over windows, entrances, porches, terraces, and the like. Such structures may be adjustable, and are supported either partially or entirely from the exterior wall to which they are attached. Awnings with wording, logos, or other identifying information are wall signs. The area of such sign will be determined as the area of the smallest polygon which encloses all parts of the information message.

Banners -- non-rigid material secured or mounted so as to allow movement caused by wind.  Traditionally sized national flags, flags of states, are excluded from this definition.

Bulletin board -- a single faced sign, lighted or unlighted, for display of notices, bulletins, schedules, information for the public, etc., most usually used by churches, schools, public offices, and other institutions.

Canopy -- see awning.

Change of copy -- the change of name of business, personnel, logo, and/or message on the face or faces of a legally existing sign.

Dimensions (of signs) – dimensions of signs are measured:

               For signs which are regular or irregular polygons with distinct exterior boundaries (i.e., the background material upon which the sign is placed), the dimensions shall be the measurements of the exterior boundaries of the sign, and including any supporting members located above the bottom edge of the signboard itself.

               For signs which are irregular, and/or have no backing material to form a mass (i.e., letters placed on a building wall, a logo placed with lettering, but which is larger than the lettering, etc.), the dimensions shall be the area of the smallest regular polygon which encloses all parts of the informational message.

Directional signs -- a permanent sign void of advertising, necessary for the safety and direction of residents, employees, patrons, or visitors whether in a vehicle or on foot.

Facing or surface -- the surface of a sign upon, against, or through which the message is displayed or illustrated. A two-faced sign is considered to be one sign, and may have the permitted sign areas found in these regulations for each face of the sign.

Flag -- see Banners.

Free-standing sign -- a sign supported by one or more uprights or braces placed upon the ground, and not attached to any building.

Garage sale/tag sale sign -- a sign advertising a sale of goods which temporarily occurs at a residential dwelling.

Multiple tenant business building -- a business building in which there is more than one separate commercial or industrial establishment.

Multiple tenant business development -- a business development of more than one building in which there exists more than one separate commercial or industrial establishment, in which there may be shared facilities such as parking, pedestrian mall, or common ownership of the real property upon which the development is located.

Name plate -- a sign identifying the name, street address, occupation, and/or profession of the occupant of the premises.

Permanent sign -- any legally placed sign which is intended to be, and is so constructed as to be, of a lasting and enduring condition, remaining unchanged in character, condition (beyond normal wear), and position, and affixed in a permanent manner to the ground or to the wall of a building.

Perpendicular sign -- a conforming sign mounted at right angles to the wall of a building.

Real estate sign -- a sign which advertises the real estate on which it is located for rent, sale, or lease.

Roof sign -- a sign placed upon any part of the roof of a building, including sides of mansard roofs, gables, dormers, etc.

Sign -- An object, made of any material, including symbols, lettering, and logos, located on any surface, the purpose of which is to call attention to, or advertise, a place, building, product, land use, service, or person from without the building.  Merchandise displayed inside windows of business establishments is not considered a sign.

Sign height -- the vertical distance from the lowest point of the adjacent grade below the sign to the highest part of the sign or sign supports.

Single tenant, multiple building business development -- a business development of more than one building in which there exists a single business use.

Temporary sign -- any type of sign not permanently attached to the ground or to a building, and which is intended to be displayed for a limited time period.

Traffic control sign or device -- a route marker, guide sign, warning sign, or sign regulating traffic, which has been erected by the Village of Manchester.

Wall sign -- a sign attached to, erected against, or painted on a wall of a structure.  Awnings, canopies, and marquees which contain language or logos are considered signs.

Window sign -- a sign, located inside a building, or on a window surface, the purpose of which is to be visible from without the building.