The following regulations shall control the computation and measurement of sign area, sign height, window area and building frontage.
(a) Determining sign area or dimension.
(1) Sign area shall include the face of all the display area of the sign. Sign area shall not include the frame and structural support unless such structural support is determined by the Zoning Inspector to constitute 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 one rectangular shape that encompasses the entire background or frame. (See Figure 1.)
(3) For a sign comprised of individual letters, figures or elements on a wall or similar surface of a building or structure, or an irregular shaped ground sign, the area of the sign shall be the area of one rectangular shape that encompasses the perimeter of all the elements in the display.
A. When separate elements are organized to form a single sign, but the elements are separated by open space, the area shall be the area of one rectangular shape that comprises all the display areas, including the space between the elements.
B. One minor extension may be permitted to extend above or below the sign area when the area of the extension is less than 25% of the open space included in the sign area. For the purposes of this section, only the open space within the sign area that is located above and below the majority of the letters shall be included in the calculation. See Figure 2.
(4) For ground signs and projecting signs: The sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the faces when two identical display faces are joined, are parallel or within 30 degrees of being parallel to each other.
(5) Air under a ground sign between supporting posts, air between a projecting sign and the wall to which it is attached and lighting fixtures and associated brackets shall not be included in the calculation of sign area. See Figure 1.
(Ord. 04-O-28, passed 8-23-2004)