(A) Sign faces and sign application. When a sign has multiple faces, the sign area shall be calculated as follows:
(1) One-sided sign. The area will be the area of the one face.
(2) Two-sided sign, front and back. The sign area is calculated separately for each side. The area of each side shall not exceed the maximum permitted sign area.
(3) Signs faces on different planes of an architectural sign structure.
(a) Two sign faces where the interior angle between the two faces is 45 degrees or less. The sign area is calculated separately for each sign face. The maximum permitted sign area applies to each sign face.
(b) Two sign faces where the interior angle between the two faces is greater than 45 degrees. The sign area is the sum of the individual sign faces. The combined sign area of the two faces shall not exceed the maximum permitted sign area.
(c) Where more than two sign faces exist on a single architectural structure, the sign area is the sum of the individual sign faces. The combined sign area of the faces shall not exceed the maximum permitted sign area.
(4) All signs on a single supporting structure, that is not an architectural sign structure, shall be measured together as though they were one sign to determine the total sign area, except that signs separated by more than 36 inches of air space at every point between the signs, and not separated by being located on different planes of an architectural sign structure, shall be measured separately and added together to determine the total effective area.
(5) Spherical, free-form, sculptural, or other non-planar signs. The sign area is the area enclosed by the smallest imaginary regular shape, or combination of shapes, which would fully contain all portions of the sign when rotated horizontally around the sign. Marquee signs are not considered freeform if information is only displayed on the front and back.
(B) Manner of measurement. The measurement required for signs by this chapter shall be made using the following procedures:
(1) Setback. To apply the setback provisions of this chapter for signs at any one point, the following measuring procedure shall be used:
(a) Draw an imaginary vertical extending upwards from the curb-line of the premises;
(b) Beginning at any point on the vertical line, draw an imaginary horizontal line perpendicular to the vertical line and curb-line extending toward the premises; and
(c) Beginning at the point where the vertical line intersects the horizontal line, measure along the horizontal line for the required setback.
(2) Height. The maximum height of a sign mounted to the ground shall be determined by the method of measurement that allows the greater height, as follows:
(a) Curb-line measurement. Measure along a vertical line extended upward from the nearest curb-line of the public street fronting the premises where the sign is to be located, to the maximum height allowed for the sign. From that point, extend a horizontal line to where the sign is to be located. The horizontal line is the maximum height allowed at that location.
(b) Street level measurement. Along SH 67 and the Chisholm Trail Parkway, the height of a sign may be measured from the principal lane, the frontage road, or the ground, whichever allows the greatest height. At the highest point of the sign, draw a horizontal line to the outer extremities of the sign. At the center of the horizontal line, draw a vertical line to the street level (the level of the principal lane, the frontage road or the ground). The vertical line may not exceed the height allowed for a sign at that location for that particular district.
(c) Natural ground level measurement. At the highest point of the sign, draw a horizontal line to the outer extremities of the sign. At the center of the horizontal line, draw a vertical line to the natural ground level below (the “natural ground level” shall include any changes in typography necessary for development of the property). The vertical line may not exceed the height allowed for the sign at that location.
(3) Sign area. Sign area means the area enclosed by the smallest imaginary regular shape (e.g. parallelogram, triangle, circle, trapezoid) or combination of regular shapes that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem, or other display, or combination thereof, together with any material or color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed. Sign area includes such features as decorative or ornamental elements or features, borders, trims, but not including the architectural enclosure or supporting structure which is used solely for support of the sign, such as poles columns and cables, pylons, or architectural enclosures.
(Ord. 01-2016-07, passed 1-26-16)