The following principals shall control the computation of sign area and sign height:
(a) Determining Sign Area or Dimension.
(1) For a sign that is framed, outlined, painted or otherwise prepared and designed to include a background for a sign display to differentiate the sign from the environment or surroundings in which it is placed, the sign area or dimensions shall include the entire portion within such background or frame.
(2) For a sign comprised of individual letters, figures or elements on a wall or similar surface of the building or structure, or an irregular shaped freestanding sign, the area of a sign shall be computed as including the entire area within a regular, geometric form, or combinations of regular geometric forms, comprising all of the display area of the sign and including all elements of the matter displayed. When separate elements are organized to form a single sign, but the elements are separated by open space, the area shall be calculated by determining the geometric form or combination of forms which comprise all the display areas, including the space between elements.
(3) Structural members, not being advertising matter, shall not be included in the computation of sign area, unless such structural support is illuminated or otherwise designed to constitute a display device.
(4) Only one side of a double-faced freestanding or projecting sign shall be included in calculating sign area, provided that the two display surfaces are joined at an angle not greater than 15 degrees.
(b) Determining Sign Height. The height of a sign shall be measured from the base of the sign or supportive structure at its point of attachment to the ground to the top most elements of the sign. A freestanding sign on a man-made base, including a graded earth mound, shall be measured from the grade of the nearest street, drive or parking area.
(c) Determining Clearance of a Sign. The smallest vertical distance between the grade of the adjacent street or street curb and the lowest point of any sign, including framework and embellishments, extending over that grade.
(d) Determining Building Frontage and Building Unit. The length of the building that faces a street or a length of the wall of a building that contains a main entrance to the uses therein shall be considered a building frontage.
(1) The building frontage shall be measured along the wall between the exterior faces of the exterior side walls.
(2) In the case of an irregular wall surface, a straight line extended along such wall surface shall be used to measure the length.
(3) For multi-tenant buildings, the portion of a building that is owned or leased by a single tenant shall be considered a building unit. The building frontage for a building unit shall be measured from the centerline of the party walls defining the building unit.
(Ord. 58-01. Passed 5-29-01.)