The following principals shall control the computation of sign area and sign height:
(a) Determining Sign Area or Dimension.
(1) The sign area shall include the face of all display area(s) of the sign. The sign area shall include the frame but shall not include the pole or other structural support unless such pole or structural support is illuminated or otherwise so designated to constitute a display device.
(2) For a sign that is framed, outlined, painted or otherwise prepared and intended to provide a background for a sign display, the area or dimensions shall include the entire portion within such background or frame.
(3) For a sign comprised of individual letters, figures or elements on a wall or similar surface of the building or structure, or an irregular shaped freestanding sign, the area of the sign shall encompass a regular, or a combination of regular geometric shapes which form or approximate the perimeter of all the elements in the display. When separate elements are organized to form a single sign, but the elements are separated by open space, the area 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) When two identical, flat sign faces are placed back-to-back or at angles of thirty (30) degrees or less, 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 twelve (12) 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.
(5) Whenever a freestanding sign is comprised of more than one sign face and the interior angle is greater than thirty (30) degrees so that more than one face can be viewed from any point at the same time, the sign area shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces.
(b) Determining Sign Height. The height of a sign shall be measured from the base of the sign or supportive structure at its point of attachment to the ground to the top most element. A projecting sign or a freestanding sign on a man-made base, including a graded earth mound, shall be measured from the grade of the nearest street, drive or parking area.
(c) Determining Building Frontage and Building Unit. The length of the building which faces the principal street or the length of the wall of the building which contains the main entrance to the uses therein shall be considered the building frontage.
(1) The building frontage shall be measured along the front wall between the exterior faces of the exterior side walls.
(2) In the case of an irregular wall surface, a straight line extended along such wall surface shall be used to measure the length.
(3) For lots fronting on two or more streets, or where the building has its main entrance on a wall other than the wall that faces the street, the building frontage shall be calculated separately for each building wall facing a street or having a main entrance. The sign area that is located on a particular building wall shall not exceed the area permitted for such building wall.
(4) For multi-tenant buildings, the portion of a building that is owned or leased by a single tenant 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.
(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 these regulations, a single glass window shall be the area of all the glass and mullions that has less than four (4) inches of separation from other glass areas. For the purposes of determining window area for ground floor occupants, the ground floor shall only include the glass area to a height of fifteen (15) feet above the elevation of the first floor of the building.
(e) Determining Sign Setbacks. The required setbacks for freestanding and projecting signs shall apply to all elements of the sign, including its frame and base. The setback for such sign shall be measured horizontally from the outward edge of the sign frame to the street right-of-way or lot line, as applicable.
(f) Disputes. In the event there is a dispute in determining the sign area or any sign dimension, the Sign Review Board shall have the final responsibility for making such determination. (Ord. 2020-21. Passed 2-18-20.)