(a) Computation of Area of Individual Signs. The area of a sign shall be computed by means of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle, or geometric combination thereof that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem, and/or other display, together with any material or color forming an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed.
(1) Panels. The area of the surface, or surfaces, of an opaque or translucent panel used or intended for displaying a message.
(2) Irregular Shapes. For a sign comprised of irregularly shaped elements, the area of such sign shall be computed as a combination of not more than four (4) rectangles which form or approximate the perimeter of all the elements in the display.
(3) Combining Individual Elements. For a sign comprised of individual letters, figures, or elements on a wall or similar surface, the area of such sign shall be calculated by determining the geometric form or combination of forms which comprise all the display area, including the space between the elements.
(4) Window or Door Panels. The area of the surface of any opaque panel used or intended for displaying a permanent message that is affixed to windows or doors.
(b) Structural Support Not Included In Sign Area. The supporting structure or bracing of a sign shall not be computed as part of the sign area, unless such supporting structure or bracing is made a part of the sign's message by including a symbol, logo, or other three- dimensional figure. If such is the case, a combination of regular geometric shapes which can encompass the area of said symbol or figure shall be included as part of the total sign area computation.
(c) Computation of Area of Multi-faced Signs. The sign area for a sign with more than one (1) face shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces.
(d) Computation of Height of Freestanding Sign. The height of a freestanding sign shall be computed as follows:
(1) Sign Without Mounding. The height of a freestanding sign shall be calculated by measuring the vertical distance between the top part of such sign or its structure, whichever is highest, to the elevation of the ground directly beneath the center of the sign. The elevation of the ground directly beneath the center of the sign shall be construed to be the lower of the existing grade prior to construction or the newly established grade after construction, exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding, or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign.
(2) Sign With Mounding. In cases in which the newly established grade within the required front yard consists of man-made berms, hills, or other similar ground formations with sides steeper than one (l) foot rise to four (4) foot horizontal, the Zoning Administrator shall utilize the elevation of the street curb nearest to the location of the sign for determining sign height. If no street curb exists, the elevation of the edge of pavement nearest the sign location shall be used.
(e) Computation of Height of Building Signs. The height of an awning, canopy, projecting, wall, or window sign shall be determined by measuring the vertical distance between the top part of a sign panel or individual letter or characters, whichever is highest, to the elevation of the ground underneath such sign.
(f) Structural Support Included In Sign Height. Any material whose major function is to provide structural support for a sign shall be considered part of the sign for purposes of determining sign height. (Ord. 7-2009. Passed 2-2-09.)