19.23.080 Sign computation.

The following principles shall control the computation of sign area and sign height.

(A) Height of a Sign. The height of a sign shall be computed by measuring the vertical distance from the midpoint, or average ground level, along the base of the sign structure, excluding any berming, to the highest point of the structure.

(B) Maximum Total Wall Sign Area. The maximum total wall sign area allowed for a building or tenant shall be based on the lineal frontage (based on total horizontal width of business, exclusive of any jogs or variation to wall plane) of the business façade. A portion of this total sign area may be allocated to one or more secondary façades. If a business faces both Highway 29 and an arterial road, the signage for the wall facing the arterial road may be calculated separately under the wall signage ratio established for businesses without Highway 29 frontage.

Figure 19.23.080

Computation Examples

(C) Distinct Border or Boundary. For signs with a distinct border or boundary, the sign area shall be computed by multiplying the length times the width of the entire surface within the border, boundary, sign board, or sign face.

(D) No Distinct Border or Boundary. For signs with no distinct border or boundary, the sign area shall be calculated by computing the area of a simple rectilinear figure, consisting of not more than eight perpendicular lines, which contains all of the writing, representation, emblem, or other display on such sign.

(E) Double-Sided Sign. The sign area of signs which have two identical faces, arranged back to back in parallel planes, shall be computed for one side only provided that the two sign faces are no more than eighteen inches apart.

(F) Multiple-Sided Sign. Signs which have more than one side and are not double-sided signs have a sign area as computed for all sides.

(G) Including Sign Structure or Support. Where a sign structure, support or other sign feature is designed in such a manner to make the sign more noticeable or appear larger (such as backlighting of an entire awning), as determined by the director or commission, the area of the structure or support shall be included in the sign area.