The area of a sign shall be measured as follows:
(a) If a sign face is enclosed by a frame or an outline, the area around and enclosing the sign face (with or without the remainder of the sign structure) reasonably resembles a trademark, service mark, logo, and/or similar graphics normally associated with that business, the surface area of the structural supports and/or architectural embellishments that resemble such a graphic shall be included in the calculation of the sign area.
(b) If a sign face is not enclosed by a frame or an outline, the sum of the areas around and enclosing each graphic along the sign face (as determined by calculating the area of the smallest single parallelogram, triangle, circle, or trapezoid which would completely enclose the area in question) shall be the area of the sign.
(c) If the sign is composed of more than one sign face, the area enclosing the sum of the sign faces shall be the area of the sign.
(d) Where matter is displayed in a random or unconnected manner, without organized relationship of components, each component shall be considered to be a single sign.
(e) The area of individual elements of a sign placed against a non-localized background (such as letters placed against an awning, canopy, wall, or window) shall be measured by calculating the area of the smallest single rectangle which would completely enclose all elements of the sign.
(f) In computing allowable area for signs on corner lots, either frontage may be used in determining the total permitted sign area.
(Ord. 06-29. Passed 5-1-06.)