§ 25.5-3. Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Animated sign means any sign which includes action, motion, the optical illusion of action or motion or color changes of all or any part of the sign face, requiring electrical energy or set in motion by movement of the atmosphere or a sign made up of a series of sections that turn and stop to show two (2) or more pictures or messages in the copy area. For purposes of this definition, animated signs shall also include all electronic reader boards in which the message may be changed and shall include all signs which utilize, in whole or part, light emitting diodes (LED), liquid crystal displays (LCD), digital light processing (DLR), organic light emitting diodes (OLED), plasma or similar light transmitting gases, cathode ray tubes (CRT) or which produces a television-like picture. The board of county commissioners finds that animated signs can present a distraction or hazard to moving traffic and shall be subject to additional requirements as contained in this chapter.
Banner. A sign backed by cloth, fabric, or similar material designed to be attached between or upon poles, posts, trees, fences, buildings or similar devices. Banner does not include flag as defined in this chapter.
Bench/shelter signs. Any county-approved advertisement or public service sign located and attached to mass transit benches and/or shelters.
Community service use. includes places of public assembly, schools, community centers, parks and other similar community service uses.
Flag. Any piece of cloth, fabric or similar material containing distinct colors, characters, numbers, letters, illustrations, patterns or symbols mounted on a single vertical staff along one (1), two (2) or three (3) edges.
Lot or parcel. any land in Hernando County separately classified according to a unitary individual, corporate or collective ownership by the Hernando County Property Appraiser, for purposes of tax assessment; or any platted lot or other identified tract within a recorded subdivision (or unrecorded subdivision, if recognized by the property appraiser); but not including any public road right-of-way or easement, or any rights-of-way or easements owned by public or quasi-public utility providers and directly used for the provision of utility services.
Portable sign. Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure, or a sign designed to be transported, but not including a vehicle sign as defined herein.
Sandwich board signs. Any sign, double or single faced, which is portable and may readily be moved from place to place.
Sign. Any structure, display, device, painting, drawing, message, placard, poster, billboard or notice bearing a name, direction, advertisement, statement or other message that is displayed or posted for public view.
Sign area. The area of a sign shall be the area within the smallest square, rectangle, parallelogram, trapezoid, triangle, circle or semicircle, the sides of which touch the extreme points or edges of the sign face. Where a sign has two (2) display faces back to back, parallel to one another, the area of only one (1) face shall be considered the sign area. For spheres and other three-dimensional structures, the sign area will be the maximum two (2) dimensional area the sign displaces.
Sign face. The surface of a structure either designed for, designated for or displaying sign copy. No portion of the supporting structure shall extend past the sign face except for the structure base which makes contact with the ground or unless the supporting structure is architecturally compatible with the buildings located on site.
Special event. temporary events including such uses as carnivals, circuses, tent revivals, festivals and other special events of a similar nature. Such special events must receive conditional use permit approval pursuant to the zoning ordinance, or a special event permit through the county or other applicable jurisdiction.
Vehicle sign. a sign painted on or affixed to a vehicle, as such term is defined in chapter 316, Florida Statutes, in such manner that the contours of the sign structure, if any, are coexistent with the contours of the vehicle.
(Ord. No. 2008-03, § 3, 2-5-08; Ord. No. 2010-12, § 1, 5-25-10; Ord. No. 2014-10, § 1, 5-13-14)