(19) Sign Area. 33

Sign area shall be measured as follows:

(a)   Generally.

The area of a sign shall be measured by determining a minimum imaginary rectangle parallel to the plane of view that completely encloses any lettering, copy, or illustrations and any background created so as to distinguish the sign or the message contained therein from the building, structure, marquee, awning, or canopy upon which the sign is located, provided that, the sign area of a free- standing sign shall include all elements of the sign structure, except any supporting columns, uprights, or braces. Each face of a sign shall be counted toward the maximum permitted sign area. Embellishments and sign aprons shall be excluded from the measurement of sign area.

(b)   Three-Dimensional or Irregularly-Shaped Signs.

(.1)   Three-dimensional or irregularly-shaped signs shall be measured by determining the surface area of the face of a minimum imaginary rectangle parallel to the plane of view that completely encloses all of the extremities of the largest side of the sign, excluding its supports. The rectangle shall enclose the extreme limits of each word and written representation, including any series of letters, emblems or figures of similar character, including all frames, face plates, nonstructural trim or other component parts not otherwise used for support.

(.2)   If elements of a sign are movable or flexible, such as a flag or a string of lights, the measurement is taken when the elements are fully extended and parallel to the plane of view.

(c)   Embellished Area.

The area of an embellishment is computed as the area of the minimum imaginary rectangle parallel to the plane of view that completely encloses the embellishment.

Parallel and Perpendicular Planes of View

{For printable PDF version of image, click HERE}

 

Notes

33	Amended, Bill No. 120430-A (approved January 14, 2013).

(19.1) Sign Area, Maximum. 34

The total amount of sign area permitted on a lot.

 

Notes

34	Added, Bill No. 120430-A (approved January 14, 2013).

(19.2) Sign Height. 35

The vertical distance from the average ground level at the base of the sign to the top of the sign.

 

Notes

35	Added, Bill No. 120430-A (approved January 14, 2013).

(19.3) Spacing, Non-Accessory Sign. 36

The spacing between sign structures shall be measured as a straight-line distance between the edges of each sign face closest to each other.

 

Notes

36	Added, Bill No. 120430-A (approved January 14, 2013).

(20) Street Frontage, Width of. 37

The measurement of any lot line contiguous to a confirmed street.

 

Notes

37	Amended, Bill No. 130764 (approved December 18, 2013).

(21) Story. 38

A horizontal level of a structure that is more than fifty percent (50%) above grade plane.

 

Notes

38	Amended, Bill No. 120774-A (approved January 14, 2013).

(21.1) Window Sill in Calculating Sign Height. 39

This measurement shall be based on the floor of a building with which the window is associated, which is fully above grade plane, not measured as including basement, cellar, or other space below grade plane.

 

Notes

39	Added, Bill No. 150379 (approved June 18, 2015); amended, Bill No. 161003-A (approved May 8, 2017); amended, Bill No. 210075 (approved March 29, 2021).

(22) Yard, Front (Depth of). 40

The depth of the front yard is measured from the extreme front of the building to the closest point of the frontmost lot line. In the case of flag lots, the "pole" or portion of the lot forward of the front setback line with the least width, generally used for access to the remainder of the lot, shall be ignored. See also § 14-203(370) (Yard).

 

Notes

40	Amended, Bill No. 120774-A (approved January 14, 2013).

(23) Yard, Front (Width of). 41

The width of the front yard is measured along the shortest possible line extending from one side line of the lot to the opposite side line of the lot, located between the street line and the front of any structure (not including fences). See also § 14-203(370) (Yard).

 

Notes

41	Amended, Bill No. 120774-A (approved January 14, 2013); amended, Bill No. 150766 (approved December 8, 2015).