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Raceway: An electrical enclosure that may also serve as a mounting structure for the sign.

Readability: That which enables the observer to correctly perceive the information content of letters, numbers or symbols grouped together in words, sentences, or other meaningful relationships on the sign. Readability is the character of a sign which leads to comprehension of its intended message, and depends on Section 1127 (1988).

Return: The sides of a channel letter.

Reveal: An indented detail on a sign.

Right of Way (ROW): The land on which a public thoroughfare is located and certain lands adjacent thereto. Permanent commercial signs are generally located on private land adjacent to the public right of way.

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Pan Face: A plastic sign face molded into a three-dimensional shape. Also called molded face, molded and embossed face, or molded and debossed face.

Parapet Sign: A sign mounted on top of the parapet of a building. (See building-mounted sign.)

Post and Panel Sign: An unlighted sign which uses one or more visible posts to support the sign body.

Push-Through: A letter or logo that is cut out of a backing material as thick or thicker than the sign face material, and then mounted on the inside of the sign face so that the backing material’s thickness extends flush with or through and beyond the front plane of the sign face.

Pylon Sign: A freestanding sign with a visible support structure, which may or may not be enclosed by a pole cover.

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Off-Premise Sign: A sign directing attention to a specific business, product, service, entertainment event or activity, or other commercial activity that is not sold, produced, manufactured, furnished, or conducted at the property upon which the sign is located. Also known as a third-party sign or outdoor advertising, and considered out-of-home media.

On-Premise Sign: A sign whose message and design relates to a business, profession, product, service, event, or other commercial activity sold, offered, or conducted on the same property where the sign is located. Signs in the on-premise category are not considered out-of-home media.

Open Channel Letter: A dimensional letter that has no face and, if illuminated, has a visible light source. A clear face for physical protection of internal components may be used.

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Nonconforming Sign: A sign that was legally erected and maintained but does not comply with subsequently enacted sign restrictions. Under the Highway Beautification Act (HBA), removal or acquisition of legal nonconforming outdoor advertising structures requires the payment of just compensation (that is, cash). Amortization is not a permissible form of compensation under the HBA.

Neon Sign or Tube: A sign utilizing a cold-cathode-gas discharge tube produced in straight or formed configuration; generally referred to as a neon-gas discharge tube, whether filled with neon or a mixture of two or more other inert gases (argon, helium, krypton, or xenon). Neon-tube lighting is a custom designed, optimally visible lighting system that may be shaped to form letters, parts of letters, skeleton tubing, outline lighting, and other decorative elements or art forms, in various colors and diameters. The cold-cathode tube can operate for many years, while the hot-cathode fluorescent lamp is limited to a relatively short life, as is the incandescent bulb.

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Marquee Sign: (1) A sign mounted on a permanent canopy. (2) A traditional industry term for the variable-message section of a canopy sign. (3) An integral sign and permanent canopy.

Message Area: The area within the sign panel describing the limits of the message.

Message Center: An electronically or mechanically variable-message sign enabling changes to be made from locations other than at the sign.

Monument Sign: A ground sign with low overall height.

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Just Compensation: The full monetary value to be paid for property taken by the government in accordance with the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Just compensation is generally determined by obtaining an appraisal.




Legibility: The physical attributes of a sign that allow for differentiation of its letters, words, numbers, or graphics, which directly relate to an observer’s visual acuity. Legibility is considered an objective stimulus. (See conspicuity.)

Light-Emitting Diode/Display (LED) and Liquid Crystal Display (LCD): Electronic devices that channel light through tubes to create patterns that can produce changing video displays. (Used instead of neon today.)

Listed Sign: A sign labeled to indicate that the manufacturer of the sign is identified on a list published by a nationally recognized testing laboratory as producing signs in conformance with the applicable American national standard.

Logo: A design or symbol that represents a product, identity, or service.