1296.04 COMPUTATIONS AND RULES OF MEASUREMENT.

   The following regulations shall control the computation and measurement of sign area, sign height, window area, and building frontage:

   (a)   Determining Sign Area or Dimension.

      (1)   Sign area shall include the face of all the display area of the sign. Sign area shall not include the frame and structural support, except as provided for in subsection 1296.04(a)(4) B.

      (2)   For a sign that is framed, outlined, painted or otherwise prepared and intended to provide a background for a sign display, the area of the sign shall be the area of not more than three geometric shapes that encompasses the entire area of the sign including the background or frame.

      (3)   For a sign comprised of individual letters, figures or elements on a wall or similar surface of a building or structure, or an irregular shaped freestanding sign, the area of the sign shall be the area of not more than three regular geometric shapes that encompass the perimeter of all the elements in the display.

         A.   When separate elements are organized to form a single sign, but the elements are separated by open space, the area of the sign shall include all the display areas, including the space between the elements.

         B.   Up to five percent of the permitted sign area may be considered minor protrusions, and extend outside of the maximum limitation of three geometric shapes and are, therefore, exempted from being included as part of the sign area. See Figure 1, Calculation of Open Space and Area of Minor Protrusion.

      (4)   For freestanding signs and projecting signs.

         A.   The sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the faces when two identical display faces are joined, are parallel, or within thirty degrees of being parallel to each other and are at no point separated by a distance that exceeds three feet apart. For any sign that has two display surfaces that do not comply with the above regulation or has more than two display surfaces, then each surface shall be included when determining the area of the sign.

         B.   For freestanding signs, the portion of a solid sign base up to a maximum height of four feet, shall not be calculated as sign area.

   (b)   Determining Sign Height. The height of a freestanding sign shall be measured from the base of the sign at its point of attachment to the ground to its topmost element. However, if the support of a freestanding sign is placed on a graded earth mound or located at an elevation different from the nearest public street, the sign height shall be measured from the surrounding natural grade, as determined by the Zoning Administrator.

   (c)   Determining Building Frontage and Building Unit. For the purposes of these sign regulations, the length of the building wall that faces a public street, that faces a public parking lot, or that contains a public entrance to the uses therein shall be considered the building frontage. Each building frontage shall be entitled to the sign area permitted in this chapter.

      (1)   The building frontage shall be measured along such building wall between the exterior faces of the exterior side walls.

      (2)   In the case of an irregular wall surface, a single straight line extended along such wall surface shall be used to measure the length.

      (3)   For multi-occupant buildings, the portion of a building that is owned or leased by a single occupant shall be considered a building unit. The building frontage for a building unit shall be measured from the centerline of the party walls defining the building unit.

      (4)   The primary frontage shall be defined as the portion of a frontage that serves as the main access point to a building or building unit, except as provided for in subsection 1296.04(c)(5). A site/building will be considered to have secondary frontage when any of the following site/building characteristics are present: (See Figure 2, Illustration of Primary and Secondary Frontage.)

         A.   The subject site is a corner lot;

         B.   The primary parking area is not located adjacent to a public street; and,

         C.   The building or unit has walls with ingress and egress that do not face the public street.

      (5)   When a site has primary and secondary frontage, as defined in subsection 1296.04 (c)(4), the property owner shall determine which wall shall be the primary building frontage and which wall(s) shall be the secondary building frontage. Only one outside wall of any business shall be considered its primary frontage. Any business, business unit, and/or building shall be limited to two secondary frontages.

Figure 2
Illustration of Primary & Secondary Frontage

   (d)   Determining Window Area. The window area of a building shall be the total glass area of windows on the building frontage. For the purposes of determining window area for ground floor occupants, the ground floor shall be considered to be no more than fifteen feet in height above grade.

(Ord. 2009-17. Passed 9-15-2009.)