The following standards shall control the computation of sign area and sign height:
(a) The area of a sign face, 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 shall encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem, or other display, together with any material or color that is an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from backdrop or structure against which it is placed. This does not include any supporting framework, monument, bracing, or decorative fence or wall when such fence or wall meets the standards of this chapter.
(b) The sign area for a sign with more than one face (multi-faced signs) shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces visible from any one point.
(c) When two identical sign faces are placed back to back, 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 twenty-four 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.
(d) Ground sign display areas shall not be wider than the base or sign support structure. (See Figure 826-B). Ground based sign structures shall be no more than eight feet tall measuring from the prevailing level of the surrounding land. Mounding of earth or other materials under the ground based sign shall be included in the total height of a ground based sign compared to the prevailing level of the surrounding land.
(e) The surface of a sign to be included when computing maximum allowable square footage of a sign shall be calculated as follows:
(1) 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 826-B)
(Figure 826-B. Illustration of sign area and sign height calculation for a monument sign)
(2) For sign copy where individual letters or elements are mounted, 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 826-C and 826-D).
(3) For a sign which is composed of separate structural elements (e.g., sign cabinets, channel lettering, etc.) to form a single sign, where the elements are separated by more than six inches of open space, the sign area of each individual sign structure shall be calculated separately. If the elements are six inches or closer, the sign area shall be computed by means of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle, or combinations thereof that shall encompass the extreme limits of all structures. (See Figure 826-C and 826-D).
(Figure 826-C. Illustration of a sign area calculation for a wall sign with individual layers within six inches of one another)
(Figure 826-D. Illustration of a sign area calculation for a wall sign with two separate components that are not within six inches of one another)
(4) 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, as determined by the Planning and Zoning Administrator.
(f) In the case of a three-dimensional sign where the sign faces are not mounted back-to-back, the sign area shall be calculated by adding together the vertical sign faces of all four faces of the smallest cube encompassing the sign and dividing that area by one-half. (See Figure 826-E).
(Figure 826-E. Illustration of a sign area calculation of a three-dimensional sign is measured by totaling the sum of all four faces of the smallest cube encompassing the sign and dividing by one-half)
(g) The height of a sign shall be determined by measuring the vertical distance between the top part of the sign to the elevation of the ground beneath the sign measuring from the prevailing level of the surrounding land, excluding additional elevation added by the creation of berming or mounding or to the grade of the adjacent street, whichever is less.
(h) The maximum sign area is based on street frontage where the sign is located.
(Ord. 05-2021. Passed 3-4-21; Ord. 30-2021. Passed - -.)