The following regulations shall control the computation and measurement of sign area, sign height, and building frontage:
(a) Determining Sign Area. Sign area shall include the sign face and frame, but shall not include the structural support unless such structural support is illuminated or determined to constitute an integral part of the sign design.
(1) 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.
(2) For a ground or wall sign comprised of individual letters, figures or elements, the area of the sign shall be the area of one rectangular shape that encompasses the perimeter of all of the elements in the display, including any open space separating such elements.
(3) For a window sign comprised of individual letters, figures or elements, the area of the sign shall be the area of one or more rectangular shapes that encompass the perimeter of each of the elements in the display, excluding any open space separating such elements.
(4) One minor extension may be permitted to extend above or below the sign area when the area of the extension is less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the open space created by the extension. For the purposes of this Chapter, only the open space within the sign area shall be included in the calculation.
(5) The area of a sign with more than one face shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces. When two identical sign faces are joined back to back, and not more than twelve (12) inches apart or form an angle not more than forty-five (45) degrees, the sign area shall be the area of one of the sign faces.
(6) 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.
(7) Street address numerals not exceeding seven inches in height shall not be included in the calculation of sign area. Street address numerals exceeding seven (7) inches in height shall be included in the calculation of sign area.
(b) Determining Sign Height. The height of a sign shall be measured from the average grade at the base of the sign or support structure to the tallest element of the sign structure. Decorative caps, finials, and similar design elements not exceeding twelve (12) inches in height and located on top of supporting posts for a ground sign shall not be included in the calculation of sign height. A ground sign on a man-made base, including a graded earth mound, shall be measured from the lowest point of the base or mound.
(c) Determining Building Frontage and Building Unit for Wall, Awning, and Canopy Signs. For the purposes of this Chapter, the length of the building wall that faces a street or building wall that contains a public entrance to the uses therein shall be considered building frontage.
(1) Building frontage shall be measured along such building wall between the exterior faces of the exterior side walls.
(2) In the case of an irregular wall surface, a single straight line extended along such wall surface shall be used to measure the length.
(3) A building shall have only one building frontage except as otherwise set forth below.
(4) A building shall be considered to have a second frontage whenever the lot fronts on two (2) or more streets, or the building has a public entrance on a wall other than the wall that faces the street. The property owner shall determine which wall shall be the primary building frontage and which wall shall be the secondary building frontage. A building shall not be permitted to have a third building frontage.
(5) For multi-occupant buildings, the portion of a building that is owned or leased by a single occupant shall be considered a building unit. The building frontage for a building unit shall be measured from the centerline of the party walls defining the building unit.
(Ord. 109-14. Passed 6-23-14.)