The following principles shall control the computation of sign area and sign height.
(a) Determining Building Frontage and Building Unit. The building frontage shall be the length of the building which faces the principal street. In the event that due to the unique nature of the site, building, or parcel, the principal entrance to the uses therein is located on any side of a building that is not adjacent to the principal street, one (1) additional sign is permitted to clearly delineate the location of the entrance.
(1) In the case of an irregular wall surface, a straight line extended along such wall surface shall be used to measure the length.
(2) Only one (1) exterior wall of any business shall be considered its frontage. If the building is located on a corner lot, only one side of the building shall be used to calculate frontage. In this instance, it shall be the Planning Commission's discretion as to which side of the building is considered to front a principal street.
(3) For multi-tenant buildings, the portion of a building which is owned or leased by a single tenant shall be considered a building unit.
(4) The length of a building unit is that portion of the building so occupied by a single activity and calculated in the same manner as the building frontage.
(b) Determining Sign Area or Dimension. Signs may be displayed as freestanding ground signs, wall signs, roof signs, window signs and projecting signs within the limitations and restrictions as further described by this Chapter, provided the items of information allowance authorized by this Section is not exceeded.
(1) For a sign which is framed, outlined, painted and otherwise prepared and intended to provide a background for a sign display, the area shall include the entire portion within the outside dimensions of the background or frame.
(2) Signs should be commonly designed as part of the building or architectural style and not just be unrelated areas with lettering.
(3) For a sign comprised of individual letters, figures, or elements on a wall or similar surface, or an irregularly shaped freestanding or projecting sign, the area of the sign shall encompass a regular geometric shape or a combination of regular geometric shapes which form, or approximate, the perimeter of all the elements in the display. 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 area including the space between the elements. See Figure 1129.03 below:
 |
(4) The sign area shall include the frame, but shall not include the pole or other necessary structural support unless such pole or structural support is illuminated or otherwise so designated to constitute a display surface or device.
(5) A freestanding sign shall have no more than two (2) display surfaces provided that the two (2) display surfaces are arranged back-to-back, and not more than eighteen (18) inches from each other. No more than two (2) display faces shall be permitted. Only one (1) display surface is used in computing total signage area.
(6) In the event there is a dispute in determining the sign area or any sign dimension, the Planning Commission shall have the final responsibility for making such determination.
(c) Determining Sign Height. The height of a freestanding sign shall be measured from the finished grade of the site to the top of the highest element of the sign. All freestanding signs on a man-made base, including a graded earth mound, shall be measured from the average site grade prior to the addition of the sign. The height of a temporary freestanding sign in a residential district shall be measured from the grade at the base of the signpost to the top of the highest element. See Schedule 1129.05(d)
(d) Determining Window Area. The window area of a building shall be the total glass area of windows on the first floor of the wall of the building facing the primary frontage, provided that for the purposes of these regulations, the height of windows on the first floor shall be that portion of the window within fifteen (15) feet of the grade.
(Ord. 2015-8. Passed 8-25-15.)