(1) Sign Height
(a) The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at normal grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign. If the normal grade where the sign is to be installed is lower than the adjacent public street, the height of a sign can be measured from the grade at the edge of the street pavement nearest the sign, with appropriate topographic documentation, to the top of the highest attached component of the sign.
(b) The height of a sign may not be artificially increased by the use of mounding.
(2) Sign Area
The surface of a sign to be included when computing maximum allowable square footage of sign area shall be calculated as follows:
(a) For sign copy mounted or painted on a background panel, cabinet, or surface distinctively painted, textured, lighted, or constructed to serve as the background for the sign copy, the sign area shall be computed by means of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle, or combination thereof that encompasses the extreme limits of the background panel, cabinet, or surface. See Figure 154.11-B and Figure 154.11-C.
(b) For sign copy where individual letters or elements are mounted or painted on a building façade where there is no background panel, cabinet, or surface distinctively painted, textured, lighted, or constructed to serve as the background for the sign copy, the sign area shall be computed by means of the combination of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle, or combination thereof that encloses all the letters or elements associated with the sign. See Figure 154.11-B and Figure 154.11-C.
(c) The calculation of sign area shall not include any supporting framework, bracing, or decorative fence or wall unless such structural support is determined to constitute an integral part of the sign design by means of text or other commercial message, as determined by the Zoning Administrator. See Figure 154.11-B.
(d) The sign area for a sign with more than 1 face (multi-faced signs) shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces visible from any 1 point.
(e) When 2 identical sign faces are placed back to back, so that both faces cannot be viewed from any 1 point at the same time, and when such sign faces are part of the same sign structure and are not more than 24 inches apart, the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of 1 of the faces.
(f) When the calculation for the sign area is based on a width or lineal measurement of the primary façade frontage and when there is a question regarding the interpretation of the façade measurement, the Zoning Administrator shall have the authority to determine what is considered the primary façade and the maximum measurement of such façade. The Zoning Administrator may take into consideration:
(i) Whether the façade clearly faces a public street or right-of-way;
(ii) The location of the principal building entrance and/or customer entrance; or
(iii) Other unique features that clearly demonstrate that the applicable façade is a primary façade for the building.
(g) The calculation of the width or lineal measurement of the primary façade shall be the measurement of the façade between 2 side façades. The calculation shall be based on viewing the primary façade that is visible from a 90 degree angle (i.e., straight on), regardless of façade insets, offsets, or angles. See Figure 154.11-D.
(h) When calculating street frontage, only the street frontage that lies in the incorporated area of Tipp City shall be used in the calculation.
(Ord. 5-14, passed 3-17-2014)