18.115.060 Rules for sign measurement.
A. Sign Area. “Sign area” is defined and shall be measured as follows:
1. Sign copy mounted or painted on a background panel or area distinctively painted, textured or constructed as a background for the sign copy shall be measured as that area within the outside dimensions of the background panel or surface. The base of a freestanding monument sign shall not be calculated as sign area unless said base contains signage.
2. Sign copy mounted as individual letters and/or graphics against a wall, fascia, or other structure that has not been painted, textured, or otherwise altered to provide a distinctive background for the sign copy shall be measured as a sum of the smallest rectangle that will enclose each word, grouping of such letters, words, or graphics in the total sign copy.
Figure 18.115.060.A.2. Sign Area
3. Multi-face signs shall be measured as follows:
a. A double-faced sign shall be considered as one sign when determining the sign area, provided both faces are parallel and the distance between faces does not exceed two feet or the interior angle between the two sign faces is 45 degrees or less. If the interior angle is greater than 45 degrees or two feet, the sign area shall be the sum of the area of the two faces and shall be considered as two signs.
b. Where a sign has three or more faces, the area of the sign shall be calculated as the total sum of the area of all faces and shall be considered as three signs.
Figure 18.115.060.A.3.b. Multi-Face Signs
c. Where a sign is a spherical, free-form, sculptural or other nonplanar sign, the sign area shall be 50 percent of the sum of the area of the sides of the smallest polygon that will encompass the sign structure.
Figure 18.115.060.A.3.c. Nonplanar Signs
4. The aggregate sign area for all signs on a lot or parcel shall be the sum of the areas of all the signs except the area for the following:
a. Directional signs, assisting in the flow of traffic, which do not exceed an area of three square feet or a height of three feet and do not include advertising or logos;
b. Street address wall signs, which do not exceed an area of two square feet;
c. Signs necessary for safety, which do not exceed an area of two square feet or height of three feet;
d. For sale, lease, or rent signs.
B. Sign Height. “Sign height” is defined and shall be measured as follows:
1. The height of a freestanding monument sign shall be measured as the vertical distance from the top of the highest element of the sign or sign structure to the top of the curb or sidewalk, or the street grade of the nearest adjacent roadway where no curb exists. The height of any monument base or other structure erected to support or ornament the sign, above curb, sidewalk, or street grade, shall be measured as part of the sign height.
2. Wall or fascia sign height shall be measured as the vertical distance to the top of the sign or sign structure from the base of the wall on which the sign is located. [Res. 22-12; Ord. 22-03 § 2; Ord. 14-12 § 1; Res. 14-36 § 409.06.]