Display Frontage (In Feet) | Maximum Allowable Area For All Signs Added Together |
1 - 25 | 0.9 sq. ft. for each 1' of display frontage |
26 - 75 | 1.1 sq. ft. for each 1' of display frontage |
76 - 100 | 1.3 sq. ft. for each 1' of display frontage |
101 and above | 1.5 sq. ft. for each 1' of display frontage |
This maximum permitted area may be split up between as many signs and sign types as desired by the applicant, subject to the maximum sizes permitted for each sign type indicated in section 10-2-16-5 of this chapter.
B. Calculation Of Sign Area: The following methods shall be used to calculate the sign area of various types of signs:
1. For ground signs, pole signs, projecting signs, pylon signs and roof signs, the sign area shall be calculated by measuring the entire area enclosed within the smallest regular geometric form, or combination of regular geometric forms, which may be inscribed to encompass the perimeter of the sign structure, excluding structural support members extending beyond the frame or background border of the sign. In the case of signs with more than one face, the area shall be computed only for the maximum single display surface which is visible from any one ground position.
2. For wall signs, awning and canopy signs, and window signs, the sign area shall be calculated by measuring the entire area enclosed within the smallest regular geometric form, or combination of regular geometric forms, which may be inscribed to encompass all letters and graphic symbols of the sign, including horizontal spacings between such letters and symbols plus any additional portion of the background which is framed by a border, internally illuminated, consisting of a color or tone different than the wall to which the sign is attached, or projects more than three inches (3") beyond the plane of the wall to which it is attached.
C. Multiple Frontages: When a business has more than one building frontage, the restrictions on the number of signs and sign area shall apply independently to each frontage, subject to the following limitations:
1. The maximum permitted sign area shall apply to any one building frontage at the applicant's option and the permitted sign area on any other frontage shall be reduced by fifty percent (50%).
2. No signs permitted by one frontage may be transferred to another frontage.
3. Double faced signs erected on or near the corner of a building or parcel so as to be equally visible from each frontage shall be counted as part of the permitted sign area for each frontage.
D. Multiple Floors: When a business premises contains more than one floor aboveground, the display frontage may be used to calculate permissible sign area for each floor, subject to the following limitations:
1. If the operations of a single business cover more than one floor and at least seventy five percent (75%) of the floor(s) above the ground floor is open to public customers or clients, then twenty five percent (25%) of the display frontage of the upper floor(s) may be used to calculate permissible sign area.
2. If the floor(s) above the ground floor contains one or more businesses different from the business(es) occupying the ground floor, and if the aggregate area occupied by such business(es) equals at least seventy five percent (75%) of the upper floor(s), then one hundred percent (100%) of the display frontage of the upper floor(s) may be used to calculate permissible sign area.
E. Multiple Occupants: In buildings with multiple business occupants, each occupant shall be allotted a sign area proportional to the ratio of total floor area in the building to the floor area he occupies. Common areas shall not be included in this calculation.
F. Business Premises Without Buildings: For business premises which do not contain buildings larger than four hundred (400) square feet, and which lawfully store their merchandise outside, the permitted sign area shall be calculated on the basis of five one-thousandths (0.005) of a square foot of sign area for each one square foot of the subject parcel, up to a maximum of eighty (80) square feet of sign area. (Ord. 2010-07-23, 7-15-2010)