A. Sign area shall be measured as defined and illustrated below:
1. For signs whose shape is a regular geometric figure (square, rectangle, circle, oval, etc.), the area shall be calculated using standard formulas (H x W, p x R2, etc.).
2. For signs whose shape is irregular (such as individual letters placed on a wall or a monument sign), the area shall be measured by enclosing the sign elements within up to eight (8) straight, intersecting lines.
B. Where a sign has two (2) faces, the area of the largest sign face shall be included in determining the area of the sign, so long as the two (2) sides are within five degrees (5°) of parallel.
Where a sign has two (2) or more faces which are more than five degrees (5°) from parallel, the sign area shall be computed as the sum of the area of each sign face.
C. The area of spherical, cylindrical, or other three-dimensional signs shall be measured by calculating the area of an elevation drawing of the sign.
D. Where a sign contains a frame, background, or other material used to differentiate the sign from the background on which it is placed, the sign area shall be measured to include the entire frame, background, or other material.
E. The area of a monument sign which is supported by a base which is architecturally distinct from the sign face itself shall not include the area of the base. See figure 11 of this section.
F. The supports of a pedestal sign shall not be included in the area of a sign, unless they form an integral part of the sign face.
G. The following standards shall be used to determine the area of signs containing multiple elements. Figure 12 herein illustrates these measurement methods.
1. Regardless of their spacing, the letters forming a word or name shall be considered a single sign.
2. When two (2) or more separate items in a sign (such as a word and a logo) are separated horizontally or vertically by less than twice the width or height of the largest item, the items shall be considered a single sign, and the area shall be determined by measuring the area enclosed by a perimeter enclosing all of the items.
3. When two (2) or more separate items (such as a word and a logo) are separated horizontally or vertically by more than twice the width or height of the largest item, the items shall be considered two (2) signs, and the area of each item shall be determined individually.
H. For signs placed on an awning or other translucent surface lighted from below or behind (other than a window), the sign area shall be calculated to include the entire lighted area of the awning. (Ord. 2552 § 1, 2004)