The following regulations shall control the computation and measurement of sign area, sign height, sign setbacks, building frontage, and window area.
(A) Determining Sign Area or Dimension.
(1) Sign area shall include the face of the entire display area of the sign. Sign area shall not include the structural support unless such structural support is an integral part of the sign design.
(2) The surface area of a sign shall be computed by calculating the area of the sign face.
(3) Sign Area.
(a) Framed: A sign that is framed, outlined, painted or otherwise prepared and intended to include a background for the sign display, the sign area shall include the entire portion within such frame or background.
(b) Nonframed: For a sign comprised of individual elements such as letters, symbols, or other graphic objects or representations that are painted, attached to, or otherwise affixed to a surface such as a wall, window, canopy, or awning, the sign area shall be based on the sum of the individual areas of the smallest geometric shape or combination of geometric shapes capable of encompassing the perimeters of the individual elements comprising the sign. When separate elements are organized to form a single sign, but are separated by open space, the sign area and dimensions shall be calculated by determining the geometric shape, or combination of shapes, that comprises all of the display areas, including the space between different elements. Minor appendages to a particular regular shape, as determined by the Zoning Administrator or Planning Commission, shall not be included in the total area of a sign.
(4) Freestanding Sign Area.
(a) When two identical, flat sign faces are placed back-to-back or at angles of 30 degrees or less, so that both faces cannot be viewed from any one point at the same time, and when such sign faces are part of the same sign structure and are not more than 12 inches apart, the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the faces. If the two faces are unequal, the sign area shall be calculated based on the larger of the two faces.
(b) No more than two display faces shall be permitted for one sign.
(B) Determining Sign Height.
(1) The height of a freestanding sign shall be measured as the distance from the highest portion of the sign including frame and structural members to the average finished grade of the street closest to the sign.
(2) In the case of a sign located greater than 100 feet from a public street, height shall be measured to the average finished grade at the base of the sign. The finished grade shall be construed to be the newly established grade after construction, exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding, or excavating solely undertaken for the purpose of locating or increasing the height of the sign.
(3) Clearance for freestanding and projecting signs shall be measured as the smallest vertical distance between finished grade and the lowest point of the sign, including any framework or other embellishments.
(C) Sign 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 or projecting sign shall be measured horizontally from the outward edge of the sign frame to the street right-of-way or lot line, as applicable.
(D) Determining Building Frontage, Building Units, and Building Facades.
(1) For the purposes of this Article, building frontage includes the length of any building wall described below:
(a) Any building wall that faces a public or private street;
(b) Any building wall that contains a public entrance to the uses therein.
(2) The calculation of the width or lineal measurement of any building frontage shall be the measurement of the façade between two side facades. The calculation shall be based on viewing the façade from a 90-degree angle (i.e., straight on), regardless of façade insets, offsets, or angles. See Figure 150.355(D).
(3) For multi-tenant buildings, the portion of a building that is owned or leased by a single occupant or tenant shall be considered a building unit. The building frontage for a building unit shall be measured from the centerline of the party walls defining the building unit.
(E) Determining Window Area. The window area of a building shall be the total glass area of windows on the building frontage. For the purposes of determining window area for ground floor occupants, the ground floor shall be considered to be no more than 15 feet in height above grade.
(Ord. 2023-03, passed 2-27-2023)