Sign area shall be defined by the following:
(A) Sign Area Calculation For Freestanding And Marquee Signs: In the case of freestanding and marquee signs, the entire surface area of the sign on which copy could be placed (including background and sign framing) and which is the smallest rectangle, triangle or circle (as applicable) which encloses the entire sign structure is the sign area. Where a sign has 2 display faces back to back, the area of only 1 face shall be considered the sign area. Where a sign has more than 1 display face, all areas which can be viewed simultaneously shall be considered the sign area.
(B) Sign Area Calculation For Wall, Fascia, Awning/Canopy And Graphic Signs:
(1) For wall, fascia, awning/canopy and graphic signs whose message is fabricated together with the background which visually borders or frames that message (and which sign background is not a structural part of the wall, fascia, awning or canopy upon which said sign background is placed), the sign area shall be the total area of the background (inclusive of the message area itself) which is the smallest rectangle, triangle or circle (as applicable) that visually borders or frames that message and sign background.
(2) For wall, fascia, awning/canopy and graphic signs whose message is fabricated together with the sign background which visually borders or frames that message (and which sign background is a structural part of the wall, fascia, awning or canopy upon which said sign background is placed), the sign area shall be the smallest rectangle, triangle or circle (as applicable) that visually borders or frames that message.
(C) Height And Clearance Determination: Sign height and clearance shall be determined as follows:
(1) Height Of A Freestanding Sign. The height of a freestanding sign shall be measured as indicated in § 157.1400 of this chapter for the definition of "Sign Height".
(2) Clearance Of A Projecting Sign. The clearance of a projecting sign shall be measured from the base of the sign face area to the average elevation of the ground directly below the sign.
(3) Height Of A Wall Sign. The height of a wall sign shall be measured from the grade level of the base of the building below the sign to the top of the sign area. The top of the sign shall be no higher than the actual building height.
(Ord. 11-6-1851, passed 6-27-2011)