The following principles shall control the computations of sign area, height, and setback.
(a) Sign Face or Area.
(1) The area of a sign face shall be computed by means of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle, or combination thereof that shall encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem, or other display, together with any material or color that is an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from backdrop or structure against which it is placed.
(2) The calculation for the sign face area does not include any supporting framework, bracing, or decorative fence or wall unless such structural support is determined by the zoning commissioner to constitute an integral part of the sign design or is determined to be designed to attract attention. See Figure 1179.03-1.
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Figure 1179.03 1: Illustration of sign area calculation for a wall sign (left) and a monument sign (right).
(3) The sign area for a sign with more than one face (multi-faced signs) shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces visible from any one point.
(4) When two identical sign faces are placed back to back, so that both faces cannot be viewed from any one point at the same time, and when such sign faces are part of the same sign structure and are not more than 24 inches apart, the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the faces.
(5) No more than two display faces shall be permitted for freestanding and projecting signs.
(6) In the case of irregularly shaped three dimensional signs, the area of the display surface shall be measured on the plane of the largest vertical cross section.
(7) When calculating sign area, fractional amounts are not required to be rounded.
(b) Street and Building Frontage.
(1) The building frontage is the length of an outside building wall on a public or private street.
(2) For multi-occupant buildings, the portion of a building that is owned or leased by a single occupant 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.
(c) Window Area. Where the sign area is based on the total window area, the window area shall be calculated as the total area of glass windows on the building frontage.
(d) Sign Height.
(1) The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the average natural grade at the base of the sign or support structure to the top of the highest attached component of the sign.
(2) A freestanding sign on a man-made base, including a graded earth mound, shall be measured from the average natural grade, where the sign is to be located, prior to the addition of the sign.
(e) Sign Setbacks.
(1) The required setbacks for a sign shall apply to all elements of the sign including its frame and base.
(2) The setback of a freestanding sign shall be measured horizontally from the edge of the sign frame to the street right-of-way line or lot line, as applicable. (Ord. 7675. Passed 11-11-14.)