(A) Computation of sign face area.
(1) The area of a sign face enclosed in a frame or cabinet shall be determined on the basis of the outer dimensions of the frame or cabinet surrounding the sign face. Where the frame or cabinet is not in the shape of a rectangle, square, triangle or circle, the sign face area shall be determined by calculating the area within a continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of the message delineated by the sign message.
(2) (a) The area of an attached sign where the sign consists of letters, numerals or symbols painted on or affixed to a wall shall be the entire area within a continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of the message delineated by the letters, numerals or symbols.
(b) Where the message consists of more than one word, the words grouped together shall constitute one sign unless the space between words is greater than the average widths of the letters or symbols used in the sign.
(3) The area of an attached or suspended sign where the letters, numerals or symbols are on a sign surface which is hung or affixed to a structure shall be the total area of the hung or affixed surfaces. For signs that contain multiple frames on a single structure and oriented in the same direction, the sign area shall be determined on the basis of the sum of the areas of each surface.
(4) Freestanding signs (double-faced or back-to-back signs): when the faces of a back-to-back sign are parallel or within 35 degrees of parallel, the sign face area shall be determined on the basis of only one side of such sign. If the sign faces are not within 35 degrees of parallel, the sign face area shall be determined on the basis of the sum of the areas of each sign face.
(5) Individual element and three-dimensional signs: when signs are constructed of individual elements attached to a building or wall, or for any three-dimensional sign), the area shall be determined by calculating the area of an imaginary rectangle drawn around the sign elements (the smallest rectangle which encloses all of the letters, symbols and characters as seen from one side).
(6) For signs that are required to meet a certain percentage of wall facade or other background area, the height of the surface area multiplied by the width of the surface area, multiplied by the percentage requirement will be used to determine size of signage allowed.
(B) Freestanding sign locations. Setbacks for freestanding signs are measured from the property boundary which may also be the road right-of-way.
(C) Sight visibility triangle.
(1) No sign taller than 42 inches or with less clearance than eight feet tall may be placed in the sight triangle of any street or driveway intersection.
(2) The site triangle is measured from the corner of pavement where two streets meet, back 25 feet to form the triangle.
(D) Sign heights.
(1) 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.
(2) The clearance of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at normal grade to that portion of the sign hanging or mounted lowest to the ground
(3) (a) Normal grade shall be construed to be the level of existing grade prior to sign installation.
(b) When filling to match existing grade levels is done, the finished grade shall be considered normal. When berming or mounding, solely for the purpose of locating the sign, the pre-existing grade shall be considered normal.
(Prior Code, § 310.09) Penalty, see § 153.99