(a) Computation of Sign Area. The aggregate surface area of a sign or of all the signs on a property shall be calculated as follows:
(1) If sign area calculations are completed by the applicant and provided to the City as a part of the application, the area of a sign (which is also the sign area of a wall sign or other sign with only one face) shall be computed by means of the smallest square, rectangle or contiguous combination thereof that will encompass the extreme limits of the copy, representation, emblem and/or other display including all area within individual letters and between individual letters, words, representations and emblems or logos;
(2) The area of a sign, or any portion thereof, shall exclude any decorative embellishments and any supporting framework, bracing, or decorative fence or wall when such structures do not include letters, parts of letters, words, figures, numerals, emblems, devices, designs, trademarks, posters, handbills or other objects affixed thereon and is clearly incidental to the display itself.
(3) The area of a sign, or any portion thereof, having a distinctive design, color, or ornamental background commonly known and identified with the trade or business which sets the background apart from a larger surface so that it forms an integral part or element of the sign, including any frame that forms an integral part of the display or is used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed, shall include the area of the distinctive design, color, or ornamental background.
(4) The total area of a sign having two faces with a maximum distance between the two faces less than forty-two (42) inches at any point of each face, shall be considered to be the area of the largest face.
(5) The total area of a sign having more than two faces shall be the sum of the area of all the faces of the sign, less the area of the smallest face.
(6) If sign area calculations are not provided by the applicant as part of the application, the area of a sign shall be computed by the City by means of the smallest single square or rectangle that will encompass the extreme limits of the copy, representation, emblem, and/or other display including all area within individual letters and between individual letters, words, representations and emblems or logos.
(b) Computation of Freestanding Sign Height. The height of a freestanding sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at normal grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign. In cases in which the normal grade cannot reasonably be determined, sign height shall be computed on the assumption that the elevation of the normal grade at the base of the sign is equal to the elevation of the nearest point of the curb of a public street, or the grade of the land at the principal entrance to the principal structure on the zone lot, whichever is lower.
(Ord. 057-2012. Passed 3-19-12.)
(Ord. 057-2012. Passed 3-19-12.)