(a) Sign Area. Sign area shall be measured in the following ways:
(1) The area of the surface, or surfaces of any opaque or translucent panels used for displaying a message but excluding all material(s) not conveying significant visual information and whose major function is providing structural support for the sign;
(2) For a sign comprised of individual letters, figures, or elements on a wall or similar surface, or an irregularly shaped sign, the area of the sign shall be measured by calculating the surface area of a simple plane or solid geometric shape which approximates the size and shape of the sign surface area. No more than twelve sides may comprise this geometric shape.
(3) The supporting structure or bracing of a sign shall not be counted as a part of sign area, unless such structure or bracing is made a part of the sign’s message by including a symbol, logo, or other three-dimensional figure, in which case a combination of regular geometric shapes that can encompass the area of said symbol or figure shall be included as part of the total sign area calculations.
(4) Where a sign has two display faces that measure twenty-four inches or less back-to-back, only the area of one face of the sign shall be considered for the purposes of measuring total sign area. Further, in the case of a sign with a "V" or similar shape, provided that only one face can be visible at a time to a pedestrian or driver, only one face of said sign shall be counted toward the total sign area.
(b) Sign Height.
(1) A. The height of a freestanding sigh shall be determined by measuring the vertical distance between the top part of the sign or a sign or its structure, whichever is highest, to the elevation of the finished grade directly beneath the sign. Finished grade shall be the grade after constructive, exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign.
B. In cases where signs are to be located on man-made berms, hills, or other similar ground formations, with sides steeper than one foot of rise to five feet of horizontal run, the Development Department shall utilize the elevation of the street curb nearest the location of the sign for determining sign height. In the case of a private or public street without curbing, the edge of pavement shall be utilized to determine sign height. The same shall apply in cases of a sign being located on land that slopes downward relative to the surrounding street at a rate of one foot of fall to five feet of horizontal run.
(2) Any material whose major function is providing structural support for a sign shall be considered part of the sign for purposes of determining sign height. Up to twelve additional inches of height may be added to freestanding signs in the form of decorative and ornamental sign caps.
(Ord. 6717. Passed 5-1-18.)