(A) Calculation of sign area. The area of every sign shall be calculated as follows.
(1) If a sign is enclosed by a box or outline, the total area (including the background) within that outline shall be deemed the sign area.
(2) If a sign consists of individual letters, parts, or symbols, the area of the 1 imaginary square or rectangle that would completely enclose all the letters, parts, or symbols shall be deemed the sign area.
(3) In calculating sign area, only 1 side of any double-faced sign shall be counted.
(4) The area of signs of unusual shapes such as globes, cylinders, or pyramids shall be computed as ½ of the total of the exposed surfaces.
(1983 Code, § 18.5-52)
(B) Sign area allowance.
(1) Within the limitations and restrictions as further provided in this chapter, the total of the areas of flush-mounted signs which a particular establishment is permitted to display shall be computed according to the following formula: 2 square feet of sign area per 1 foot of lineal street frontage up to a minimum of 32 square feet.
(2) The total areas of all other signs which a particular establishment is permitted to display shall be computed according to the same formula; provided that no establishment in any zoning district shall display more than 300 square feet of signs or 500 square feet if it is a highway sign.
(1983 Code, § 18.5-53)
(Ord. 2944, passed 10-4-2001; Am. Ord. 2965, passed 3-7-2002; Am. Ord. 3553, passed 7-2-2019) Penalty, see § 153.999