The following principles shall control the computation of sign area and sign height.
(a) Computation of Sign Area.
(1) Freestanding Sign: The area of a freestanding sign shall be determined by computing the visible surface display are, that is, all solid surface area excluding air space and architectural features.
Figure 1191-1. Freestanding Signs. Source: Hamilton County Zoning Resolution
(2) Building Sign: The area of a building sign shall be determined by computing the visible surface display area, that is the words, numbers, and/or graphics which are totally enclosed by a frame or graphic design. In the case of words containing lower case letters mounted individually to the wall of the building, the area of the sign is the square footage area that is measured by taking the height of the lower case letters multiplied by the total word length. See Figure 1191-2.
Figure 1191-2. Building/Wall Signs. Source: United States Sign Council
(b) Computation of a Multifaced Sign Area.
(1) The sign area for a sign with more than one (1) face shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces visible from any one (1) point.
(2) When two (2) identical sign faces are placed back to back, so that both faces cannot be viewed from any point at the same time, and when such sign faces are part of the same sign structure and are not more than twenty-four (24) inches apart, the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the faces.
Figure 1191-3. Multifaced Sign. Source: Hamilton County Zoning Resolution
(c) Computation of Height.
(1) The height of a 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.
(2) Where a freestanding sign or sign structure is mounted along a roadway that has a higher grade level as compared to the grade level directly below the freestanding sign or sign structure, then the freestanding sign or structures height will be measured from the roadway grade to the highest point of the freestanding sign or structure. See Figure 1191-4.
Figure 1191-4. Height computation. Source: United States Sign Council.
(d) Street and Building Frontage.
(1) 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 wall defining the unit.
(2) The building frontage is the length of an outside building wall on a public or private street.
Figure 1191-5. Building Frontage. Source: Hamilton County Zoning Resolution
(e) Window Area.
(1) Where the sign area is based on the total window area, the window area shall be calculated as the total area of glass on the building frontage.
(f) Setbacks.
(1) The required setbacks for a sign shall apply to all elements of the sign including its frame and base.
(2) The setback of a freestanding sign shall be measured horizontally from the edge of the sign frame to the street right of way line or lot line.
(Ord. 99-1966. Passed 5-4-99.)