Appendix 1002. Definitions.

Except as specifically defined herein, all words used in Article X have their customary dictionary definitions. For the purpose of the sign ordinance, certain words or terms used are herein defined as follows:

(a)

Administrative Officer. The local official (i.e. Zoning Administrator) or designated agent responsible for granting permits and enforcement of the provisions of this article.

(b)

Animation. The movement, or optical illusion of movement of any part of the sign. Also included in this definition are signs having "chasing action" which is the action of a row of lights commonly used to create the appearance of motion. Time or temperature boards, electronic message centers and tri-vision boards are not included in this definition.

(c)

Banner. A sign or outside display having the letters illustrations or visual representation applied to cloth, paper, vinyl, fabric or similar material with or without frame. The term banner shall include flags, pennants, rafts, t-shirts, floats, balloons, spinners, streamers and kites.

(d)

Building frontage. The linear length of a building facing the principal street right-of-way.

(e)

Building identification sign. A sign bearing only the name, number(s), letter(s), and/or symbol which identifies a particular building.

(f)

Building Inspector. The person(s) designated by the County Administrator to enforce the provisions of the Standard Building Code and related adopted codes and ordinances.

(g)

Business identification sign. A sign bearing the name, trademark, or symbol of the business located on the premises. A business identification sign contains the name of the business enterprise located on the same premises as the sign and the nature of the business conducted there.

(h)

Changeable copy sign. A sign on which message copy is changed manually as events change throughout the utilization of attachable letters, numbers, or symbols.

(i)

Commercial center. Two (2) or more retail stores, service establishments, professional offices or any other business serving a community or neighborhood, not necessarily owned by one (1) party nor by a single land ownership, which occupy a common or adjacent building(s) on-premises and utilize common parking area(s).

(j)

Double-faced sign. A sign with two (2) faces which are usually parallel, but may be v-shaped if the angle of v is no greater than forty-five (45) degrees.

(k)

Freestanding sign. A sign supported by a sign structure placed in the ground and which is wholly independent of any building, fence, vehicle or object (other than the sign structure) for support. A freestanding sign may contain a sign or signs on one (1) side only or it may be a v-shaped structure or one containing signs back-to-back. A freestanding sign structure is one (1) sign.

(l)

Frontage. The length of the property line of any one (1) premises serving as a public street right-of-way line.

(m)

Group development. Multi-family development having multi-family units grouped within one (1) or more than one (1) structure.

(n)

Height of sign. The vertical distance measured from the ground to the top of the sign face or sign structure, whichever is greater unless otherwise specified within this article.

(o)

Off-premises sign. A sign that identifies or communicates a message related to an activity conducted, a service rendered, or commodity sold, which is not the primary activity, service or commodity on the premises where the sign is located.

(p)

On-premises sign. A sign that identifies or communicates a message related to the activity conducted, the service rendered, or the commodity sold, on the premises upon which the sign is located.

(q)

Political or campaign sign. A temporary off-premises sign which refers only to a political candidate or the issues in an upcoming political election or referendum.

(r)

Portable/temporary sign. Any sign designed or intended to be readily relocated. The term includes signs on wheels or on portable structures, tent signs, A-frame signs and similar devices and any sign not secured or securely affixed to the ground or a permanent structure.

(s)

Public agency. An agency of the local, state, or federal government.

(t)

Scenic Highway District. Land abutting a highway or section of a highway which is officially determined by Horry County Council to contain exceptional scenic value such as, but not limited to, marsh and river vistas, trees, farm fields, timber stands or important architectural or historic structures.

(u)

Sign. Any letters, pictorial representation, symbol, emblem, flag, banner, illuminated or animated device, displayed in any manner whatsoever, which directs attention of persons to such device, and which is located within view of the general public from a public way. Customary graphics found on soft drink and newspaper dispensers and similar machines shall not be considered as signs.

(v)

Sign, projecting. Any sign other than a parallel sign, which projects from a wall or other vertical surface to which it is attached to more than six (6) inches.

(w)

Sign, wall. Any sign attached flat to the exterior surface wall of a building. Such sign may also be painted directly onto a vertical surface.

(Ord. No. 52-99, § 1, 5-18-99)