The following regulations shall control the computation and measurement of sign area, sign height, and building frontage:
(a) Determining Sign Area.
(1) Sign area shall include the face of the entire display area of the sign. Sign area shall not include the structural support unless such structural support is an integral part of the sign design.
(2) For a sign that is framed, outlined, painted, or otherwise prepared and intended to provide a background for a sign display, the area of the sign shall be the area of no more than three geometric shapes that encompasses the entire background or frame. Any protrusions beyond the area of less than five percent (5%) of the total sign area shall be exempt.
(3) For a sign comprised of individual letters, figures or elements on a wall or similar surface of a building or structure, or on a regular or irregular shaped freestanding sign, the area of the sign shall be the area of up to three geometric shapes that encompasses the perimeter of the area on which all elements of the sign display are located. Any protrusions beyond the area of less than five percent (5%) of the total sign area shall be exempt.
(4) For freestanding signs and projecting signs:
A. The sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the faces as prescribed above when two identical display faces arejoined parallel to each other and are within two (2) feet of each other.
B. No more than two (2) display faces shall be permitted for one sign.
(b) Determining Sign Height. The height of a sign shall be measured from the average grade at the base of the sign or support structure to the top of the sign or support structure, whichever is highest. Decorative caps on top of the support posts shall not be included in the total sign height provided they do not exceed nine (9) inches in height. The height of a freestanding sign on an earthen mound shall be measured from the average site grade at the perimeter of the mounded area.
(c) Determining Building Frontage and Tenant Space Frontage. For the purposes of these sign regulations, the length of the building wall that faces a public street, that faces a parking lot, or that contains a public entrance to the uses therein shall be considered the building frontage. See subsections 1149.07 (c) (6) and (7) below.
(1) Each building frontage shall be entitled to the sign area permitted in this Chapter.
(2) The building frontage shall be measured along such building wall between the exterior faces of the exterior side walls.
(3) In the case of an irregular wall surface, a single straight line extended along such wall surface shall be used to measure the length.
(4) For multi-occupant buildings, the portion of a building that is owned or leased by a single occupant shall be considered a tenant space. The building frontage for a tenant space shall be the distance as measured between the centerlines of each party wall bordering the tenant space.
(5) In a multi-story building with multiple tenants, the combined maximum allowable sign area for all tenants shall be two (2) square feet of sign area per lineal foot of building frontage. A tenant shall not be permitted a sign area of more than one (1) square foot per lineal foot of frontage. The sign area may be allocated among the businesses in any combination, but each tenant shall have a minimum of six (6) square feet (unless prohibited by the size of existing signs on the building). Signs should be arranged or clustered to be adjacent to one another.
(6) The primary frontage is the wall with the main public entrance to a building or tenant space. A site/building shall have secondary frontage when any of the following site/building characteristics are present: (See Figures 1149.07(a) and 1149.07(b))
A. The subject site is located on a corner lot; or
B. The primary parking area is not located adjacent to a public street; or
C. The building or unit has exterior walls with public entrances that do not face the public street.
(7) When a site has primary and secondary frontage, as defined in subsection 1149.07 (c)(6), the applicant shall determine, for signage purposes, which wall shall be the primary building frontage and which wall(s) shall be the secondary building frontage. A business shall have only one wall with primary building frontage. Any business and/or building shall be limited to two secondary frontages.
Illustrations of Primary and Secondary Frontage
(Ord. 3273. Passed 5-9-24.)