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<baltimore-city-law heading="§ 17-102 Definitions.">
  <section prefix="§" num="17-102" heading="Definitions.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="In general.">In this title, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="A-frame sign.">“A-frame sign” means a sign, ordinarily in the shape of the letter “A”, or some variation of it, that is displayed on the ground, not permanently attached, and usually 2-sided.</para>
    <para num="(c)">Above ground floor.<para num="(1)" heading="In general.">“Above ground floor” means the occupiable space in a building that is above the ground floor.</para>
      <para num="(2)" heading="Exclusions.">“Above ground floor” does not include:<para num="(i)">anything determined to be the ground floor as defined in this section;</para>
        <para num="(ii)">any exterior or interior spaces created from or defined by the structural or architectural items described in &lt;cite data-path="|32|§15-301|(b)"&gt;§ 15-301(b) of this article&lt;/cite&gt;;</para>
        <para num="(iii)">interior loft space or mezzanine space within the volume of the ground floor; or</para>
        <para num="(iv)">anything otherwise described in &lt;cite data-path="|32"&gt;this article&lt;/cite&gt; as not above ground floor.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <para num="(d)" heading="Attention-getting device.">“Attention-getting device” means any pennant, flag, feather flag, festoon, spinner, streamer, searchlight, balloon, inflatable sign, strobe light, or similar device or ornamentation designed for the purpose of attracting attention.</para>
    <para num="(e)" heading="Awning or canopy sign.">“Awning or canopy sign” means a sign that is printed on, or is attached above, on, or under the outer edge of, an awning,  canopy or other fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover over a door, entrance, window, or outdoor service area.</para>
    <para num="(f)" heading="Banner sign.">
      <para num="(1)" heading="In general.">“Banner Sign” means a sign that:<para num="(i)">is printed or displayed on cloth or other flexible material;</para>
        <para num="(ii)">is attached to a frame, a pole or other structure on a lot;</para>
        <para num="(iii)">is mounted flat against the wall of a structure  or projects from a structure; and</para>
        <para num="(iv)">is mounted and attached to a structure that is meant to be durable and permanent.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(2)" heading="Types.">
        <para num="(i)">A banner sign may be either a freestanding banner sign, a projecting banner sign, or a wall mounted banner sign.</para>
        <para num="(ii)">For purposes of this definition:<para num="(A)">“freestanding banner sign” means any banner sign, including a flag, that is attached by only one side to a pole, frame, or any structure and hanging freely so that it can flutter or move in the wind;</para>
          <para num="(B)">“projecting banner sign” means any banner sign that is mounted non-parallel to a building wall or any other surface of a structure and is attached on multiple sides to a rigid frame that is attached to a structure; and</para>
          <para num="(C)">“wall mounted banner sign” means a banner sign that is attached to a building wall and projects no more than 8 inches from the wall, with the exposed face of the sign in a plane parallel to the face of the wall.</para>
        </para>
      </para>
      <para num="(3)" heading="Exclusions.">“Banner sign” does not include any provisional fence sign or attention-getting device.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(g)" heading="Canopy sign.">See “Awning or canopy sign”.</para>
    <para num="(h)" heading="Changeable copy sign.">“Changeable copy sign” means a permanent sign that contains a part that allows copy to be changed manually</para>
    <para num="(i)" heading="Electronic sign.">
      <para num="(1)" heading="In general.">“Electronic sign” means a sign or portion of a sign that uses changing light to form a message or messages in text, digital graphics, or digital animation, where the sequence of messages and the rate of change is electronically programmed and can be modified by electronic processes.</para>
      <para num="(2)" heading="Inclusion of “electronic display screen”.">
        <para num="(i)">“Electronic sign” includes an electronic display screen.</para>
        <para num="(ii)">For purposes of this definition, “electronic display screen”:<para num="(A)">means the portion of an electronic sign that displays digital art or an electronic graphic, image, or video, which may or may not include text; and</para>
          <para num="(B)">includes any television screen, plasma screen, digital screen, flat screen, LED screen, video boards holographic display, projected video sign, and exterior wall integrated technology.</para>
        </para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <para num="(j)" heading="Flag.">&lt;em&gt;See &lt;/em&gt;“Banner sign”&lt;em&gt;.&lt;/em&gt;</para>
    <para num="(k)" heading="Freestanding sign.">
      <para num="(1)" heading="In general.">“Freestanding sign” means a sign that:<para num="(i)">is made of durable material that is not cloth or other flexible material; and</para>
        <para num="(ii)">is placed on or supported by the ground, independent of the principal structure on the lot.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(2)" heading="Exclusion.">“Freestanding sign” does not include a banner sign.</para>
      <para num="(3)" heading="Types.">
        <para num="(i)">A freestanding sign may be either a freestanding monument sign, a freestanding pole sign, or a freestanding pylon sign.</para>
        <para num="(ii)">For purposes of this definition:<para num="(A)">“Freestanding monument sign” means any freestanding sign that is placed directly on the ground or supported by a decorative base, including a post, pole, or other structure, that is an integral part of the sign design.</para>
          <para num="(B)">“Freestanding pole sign” means any freestanding sign that is erected and maintained on 1 or more freestanding poles, uprights, or braces directly inserted into the ground and is not attached to any other structure.</para>
          <para num="(C)">“Freestanding pylon sign” means any freestanding sign that is supported by a support structure that is a solid-appearing base constructed of a permanent material, such as concrete block, brick, or metal.  The ground support does not include any post, pole, or other structure.</para>
        </para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <para num="(l)" heading="Ground floor.">
      <para num="(1)" heading="In general.">“Ground floor” means the first level of occupiable space of a building.</para>
      <para num="(2)">Exclusions.
“Ground floor” does not include:<para num="(i)">anything determined to be above ground floor, as defined in this section;</para>
        <para num="(ii)">basement or sub-basement spaces; or</para>
        <para num="(iii)">anything otherwise described in &lt;cite data-path="|32"&gt;this article&lt;/cite&gt; as not ground floor.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <para num="(m)" heading="Monument sign.">&lt;em&gt;See &lt;/em&gt;“Freestanding sign”.</para>
    <para num="(n)" heading="Moving sign.">
      <para num="(1)" heading="In general.">“Moving sign” means a sign that, in whole or in part, rotates, elevates, or in any way alters position or geometry.</para>
      <para num="(2)" heading="Exclusions.">“Moving sign” does not include an analog clock.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(o)" heading="Nonconforming sign.">“Nonconforming sign” means a sign that was lawfully erected and maintained under a previous version of this Code but does not now conform to the requirements of this Code.</para>
    <para num="(p)" heading="Open-structural framework sign.">
      <para num="(1)" heading="In general.">“Open-structural framework sign” means a sign that is attached to an expressed or projecting structural member of a building  below the roofline of any roof surface of any section of the building.</para>
      <para num="(2)" heading="How attached.">The sign:<para num="(1)">may be attached above, on, or under the structural member; but</para>
        <para num="(2)">may not be located on a roof or above the roofline of any roof surface of any section of the building.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <para num="(q)" heading="Painted/mural sign.">
      <para num="(1)" heading="In general.">“Painted/mural sign” means a sign applied directly to the wall of a building or other permanent structure element on a lot through paint, glue, or other medium application without the use of fasteners, frames, or other support structures.</para>
      <para num="(2)" heading="Inclusions.">For the purposes of this definition:<para num="(i)">a painted/mural sign lies on the same plane of the structure to which it is applied, unless otherwise specified in this title; and</para>
        <para num="(ii)">a structure shall include building walls, roofs, architectural elements, fences, driveways, parking lots, or other paved areas, and structural or architectural items described in &lt;cite data-path="|32|§15-301|(b)"&gt;§ 15-301(b) of this article&lt;/cite&gt;.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(3)" heading="Exclusions.">A “painted/mural sign” does not include:<para num="(i)">wall signs;</para>
        <para num="(ii)">awning or canopy signs;</para>
        <para num="(iii)">projecting signs;</para>
        <para num="(iv)">window signs; or</para>
        <para num="(v)">roof signs.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <para num="(r)" heading="Pole sign.">&lt;em&gt;See &lt;/em&gt;“Freestanding sign”.</para>
    <para num="(s)" heading="Pole mounted banner sign.">&lt;em&gt;See&lt;/em&gt; “Banner sign”.</para>
    <para num="(t)" heading="Portable sign.">
      <para num="(1)" heading="In general.">“Portable sign” means a sign whose principal supporting structure is intended, by design and construction, to rest on the ground for support and may be easily moved or relocated.</para>
      <para num="(2)" heading="Inclusions.">“Portable sign” includes a sign mounted on a trailer, wheeled carrier, or other non-motorized mobile structure, with wheels or with wheels removed.</para>
      <para num="(3)" heading="Exclusions.">“Portable sign” does not include an A-frame sign, even if the A-frame sign is designed to be easily moved.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(u)" heading="Projecting banner sign.">&lt;em&gt;See&lt;/em&gt; “Banner sign”.</para>
    <para num="(v)" heading="Projecting sign.">
      <para num="(1)" heading="In general.">“Projecting sign” means a sign that:<para num="(i)">is made of a durable material that is not cloth or other flexible material;</para>
        <para num="(ii)">is attached to a building or other structure; and</para>
        <para num="(iii)">extends beyond the surface of the building or structure to which it is attached.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(2)" heading="Inclusions.">“Projecting sign” includes:<para num="(i)">any sign that is non-parallel to the face of the wall of a structure; and</para>
        <para num="(ii)">any sign that:<para num="(A)">is in a plane parallel to the face of the wall of a structure; and</para>
          <para num="(B)">projects more than 12 inches from that wall.</para>
        </para>
      </para>
      <para num="(3)" heading="Exclusions.">“Projecting sign” does not include any:<para num="(i)">banner sign; or</para>
        <para num="(ii)">roof sign.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <para num="(w)" heading="Provisional fence sign.">“Provisional fence sign” means a sign placed on any fence that is constructed or installed primarily for the purposes of making a safety perimeter around a construction site.</para>
    <para num="(x)" heading="Roof sign.">“Roof sign” means a sign that:<para num="(1)">is erected, constructed, or maintained on any roof surface, on any permitted projection on a roof, or has 30% or more of the sign face above any parapet of a building; and</para>
      <para num="(2)">has its principal support attached to the roof structure or behind the parapet of a building.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(y)" heading="Wall sign.">
      <para num="(1)" heading="In general.">“Wall sign” means a sign:<para num="(i)">that is made of a durable material that is not cloth or other flexible material;</para>
        <para num="(ii)">that is mounted flat against or painted on the wall of a structure;</para>
        <para num="(iii)">that projects no more than 12 inches from the wall, with the exposed face of the sign in a plane parallel to the face of the wall; and</para>
        <para num="(iv)">whose sign face extends less than 30% beyond the roof line or parapet of a building.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(2)" heading="Exclusions.">“Wall sign” does not include any:<para num="(i)">banner sign;</para>
        <para num="(ii)">painted/mural sign;</para>
        <para num="(iii)">roof sign; or</para>
        <para num="(iv)">window sign.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <para num="(z)" heading="Wall mounted banner sign.">&lt;em&gt;See&lt;/em&gt; “Banner sign”.</para>
    <para num="(aa)" heading="Window sign.">
      <para num="(1)" heading="In general.">“Window sign” means a sign that:<para num="(i)">is intended for viewing from the exterior of a building; and</para>
        <para num="(ii)">is:<para num="(A)">attached to, placed on, or printed on the interior or exterior of a window of the building;</para>
          <para num="(B)">attached to, placed on, or printed on a door of the building; or</para>
          <para num="(C)">displayed within 12 inches of a window of the building.</para>
        </para>
      </para>
      <para num="(2)" heading="Exclusion.">“Window sign” does not include a painted/mural sign, as defined in this section.</para>
    </para>
    <annotation type="History">Ord.18-216</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 20-350</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 22-181</annotation>
  </section>
</baltimore-city-law>
