D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10, r. 10-C2599
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed below:
Advertisement: The use of any image, text, logo, symbol, color, or other form of public announcement to encourage a commercial transaction or to market a business, entity, or commodity.
Awning: An architectural projection that provides weather protection, identity or decoration and is wholly supported by the building to which it is attached. An awning is comprised of a lightweight, rigid skeleton structure over which a covering is attached.
Banner: A hanging sign, typically of fabric, which may be hung perpendicular or parallel to the face of a building.
Billboard: A permanent signboard or structure on which lettering or images can be attached or posted, as further defined in the D.C. Building Code.
Blade sign: A vertically-oriented, double-faced projecting sign that hangs perpendicular to the façade of a building, allowing copy on both sign faces.
Box sign: A plastic- or acrylic-faced sign mounted on a box or cabinet that houses a source of internal illumination; also called a "cabinet sign."
Branding: The use of signs, logos, symbols, figures, shapes, colors, or other elements individually or collectively, to market a business or identify it as part of a larger corporate entity.
Bulletin sign: A free-standing or wall-mounted sign box, usually constructed of metal with a hinged glass face, housing a letterboard for changeable copy.
Cabinet sign: A plastic- or acrylic-faced metal sign mounted on a box or cabinet housing a source of internal illumination; also called a "box sign."
Canopy: An architectural projection that provides weather protection, identity or decoration and is supported by the building to which it is attached and at the outer end by at least one stanchion. A canopy is comprised of a rigid structure over which a covering is attached.
Channel letter sign: A sign consisting of individually formed letters, which may include illumination within each letter or many be mounted on a continuous raceway.
Color branding: The use of a color or colors associated with a business or entity as a means to convey its identity.
Copy: The use, amount, and size of lettering, numbers, or imagery on a sign.
Fascia: A plain, flat horizontal band, typically part of a storefront cornice, intended for sign placement; also called a "frieze" or "sign band."
Flag sign: A fabric panel with signage displayed or configured as a flag.
Frieze: The portion of the façade that is typically just above or at the top of a storefront which provides an area for signage; also called a "fascia" or "sign band."
Ground-mounted sign: A free-standing sign that is located within the public space, yard, or landscape of a property; also called a "monument sign."
Halo lit sign: A sign of an opaque material illuminated from behind to form a "halo" of light around the silhouetted letters or symbols.
Hanging sign: A double-faced sign that projects perpendicular from the face of a building, allowing copy on both sign faces, and which typically hangs from an overhead bracket.
Historic sign: A sign that is original to a building, historically significant, or at least fifty (50) years old and which has features, qualities, or associations that may warrant preservation.
Marquee: A permanent roofed structure attached to and supported by the building to which it is attached and that projects into the public right-of-way.
Monument sign: A free-standing, ground-mounted sign.
Moving sign: A sign that displays three-dimensional, moving, rotating, flashing, animated, or changing images or text, and is propelled by wind, solar or electric power.
Painted sign: A sign painted directly onto the face or other element of a building.
Panel sign: A one-sided sign mounted on a flat wall surface.
Pin-mounted sign: A sign composed of individual letters or other components attached to a panel or building by pins or screws.
Pole-mounted sign: A free-standing sign mounted on a single tall pole or pylon, typically located within the site or landscape of a property, and frequently used to advertise auto-related businesses.
Projecting sign: A double-faced sign that projects perpendicular from the face of a building, allowing copy on both sign faces.
Raceway sign: A sign consisting of individual channel letters mounted on a horizontal or vertical structural raceway element that houses electrical conduit for illumination.
Real estate sign: A sign announcing the sale, rent, or lease of land or premises.
Reverse channel sign: A sign where individual letters or images are cut in to an opaque panel allowing the letters or images to be illuminated when back lit.
Roof sign: A sign that is mounted on the roof of a building, as defined further in the D.C. Building Code.
Routed sign: A sign, typically of wood, into which letters or images are carved or routed.
Sign or Signage: A physical medium or display, including its structure and component parts, used to advertise, identify a person, object, or entity, or to provide information, consisting of words, letters, figures, designs, symbols, numbers, illumination, or projected images.
Sign band: A plain, flat horizontal band at the top of a storefront intended for sign placement; also called a "fascia" or "frieze."
Special sign: A sign that is erected, hung, placed, posted, painted, displayed or maintained on an outside, exterior wall or surface of a building pursuant to a Special Sign permit issued pursuant to the D.C. Building Code, and as further defined in the D.C. Building Code.
Symbol: A recognizable image, icon, logo or other graphic representation for a business, service, institution or other object or entity.
Temporary sign: A sign erected for a limited and defined period of time.
Three-dimensional sign: A sign, symbol, icon, object, or logo that is sculptural or three-dimensional in form.
Vintage sign: A sign less than fifty (50) years old which may have distinctive characteristics or aesthetic qualities that lend character to a building or district.
Window sign: A sign that is hung, etched, painted, or mounted inside a glass storefront, door, window, or transom.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10, r. 10-C2599