(a) Computation of Sign Area. The aggregate surface area of a sign or of all the signs on a property shall be calculated as follows:
(1) The area of a sign (which is also the sign area of a wall sign or other sign with only one face) shall be computed by means of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle, or combination thereof that will encompass the extreme limits of the copy, representation, emblem, and/or other display;
(2) The area of a sign, or any portion thereof, shall exclude any decorative embellishments and any supporting framework, bracing, or decorative fence or wall when such structures do not have letters, parts of letters, words, figures, numerals, emblems, devices, designs, trademarks, posters, handbills or other objects affixed thereon and is clearly incidental to the display itself. Freestanding sign structures may extend above the allowable height and/or permitted horizontal dimension for the purposes of sign structure enhancement or embellishment, provided such extension does not exceed a maximum of twelve (12) inches on any side;
(3) The area of a sign, or any portion thereof, having a distinctive or ornamental background which sets the background apart from a larger surface so that it forms an integral part or element of the sign, including any frame that forms an integral part of the display or is used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed, shall include the area of the background;
(4) If any portion of the words, symbols or pictorial elements of a sign extends beyond a border or background, the area of that portion of the sign shall be the area of a rectangle inscribed around it;
(5) The area of any sign hung, placed, painted or displayed on a marquee or awning shall be included in determining the total area of signs erected or displayed;
(6) The total area of a double-face sign shall be considered to be the area of the largest face;
(7) The total area of a sign having more than two faces shall be the sum of the area of all the faces of the sign, less the area of the smallest face;
(8) The total area of spherical, free-form, sculptural, or other non-planar signs shall be seventy-five (75) percent of the sum of the areas using only the four vertical sides of the smallest cube that will encompass the sign;
(9) The total area of all signs shall not include temporary window signs.
(b) Computation of Freestanding Sign Height. The height of a freestanding sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at a normal grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign. In cases in which the normal grade cannot reasonably be determined, sign height shall be computed on the assumption that the elevation of the normal grade at the base of the sign is equal to the elevation of the nearest point of the crown of a public street, or the grade of the land at the principal entrance to the principal structure on the zone lot, whichever is lower.
(Ord. 1-2006. Passed 2-22-06.)