(A) In general, sign area shall be calculated as follows:
(1) The area of an attached sign where the sign consists of words, numerals or symbols painted on or affixed to a wall shall be the entire area within a contiguous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of each word, symbol, numeral, group of symbols, or groups of numerals, where the symbols or numbers are meant to be read as a unit. Where there is a symbol that encompasses or partly encompasses the message of the sign, the sign area shall be the entire area within a contiguous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of the symbol.
(2) The area of a suspended, attached, or projecting sign, where the letters, numerals, or symbols are on a sign surface which is hung or affixed to a structure, shall be the total area of the hung or affixed surfaces.
(3) The area of a freestanding monument sign shall be the total area of all surfaces (excluding poles) visible from the public right-of-way or other point from which the sign is intended to be viewed. Only one display face shall be measured in computing the total sign area where the sign faces are arranged to be viewed one at a time.
(4) The area of a monument sign shall not include the surface area of the base of the sign which is not designed to contain any copy area.
(5) The Zoning Administrator shall determine the area of any sign not specifically provided for herein, according to the principles contained in this section.
(B) The area of a wall sign limited to a percentage of a facade shall be calculated as follows:
(1) The area of the facade is calculated by multiplying the width by height of the facade. The height shall be measured by calculating the vertical distance from grade to the top of the wall of a flat roof, or to the eave line of a gable, hip, or gambrel roof.
(2) In cases where the height of the building cannot be determined the average height shall be 12 feet per story.
(3) Signage shall be attached to the facade from which the sign area is calculated. Facades may not be combined for the purposes of calculating sign area.
(Ord. O-05-04, passed 4-11-05)