15.06.340 Sign measurement.
A. Computation of Sign Area.
1. The area of a sign face shall be computed by means of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle, or combination thereof that will encompass the extreme limits of the message, logo, symbol, name, photograph, writing, representation, emblem, artwork, figure or other display used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed (see Figure 6.17).
2. Any supporting framework, bracing, poles, fence or wall, or architectural feature or landscape element that is clearly incidental to the sign display shall not be computed as sign area. Signage that includes structures or frameworks that are decorative or integral to the design intent of the signage shall have their framework calculated in the overall calculation.
3. Architectural treatments that aid in integrating the signage with the building design are encouraged, but any such treatment shall not be created for the purpose of visually enlarging the size of the sign. If more than ten percent (10%) of any wall or roof surface of any nonresidential building or any accessory structure to a nonresidential use is painted, finished or surfaced in a distinctive color scheme that includes some or all of the same colors, shapes, symbols, images, patterns or textures used on any sign identifying an owner, tenant or user of the building, and the Town Manager determines that such wall or roof surfaces serve as a sign for an owner, tenant or user of the building, such wall or roof area shall be counted as signage and shall be subject to the limitations on signage area in Table 6.2.
4. All sign faces visible from one (1) point shall be counted and considered part of the maximum total sign area allowance for a sign.
a. When two (2) identical sign faces are placed back to back so that both faces cannot be viewed from any point at the same time, and are part of the same sign structure, the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the two (2) sign faces, unless otherwise noted in the above sections.
b. When the sign has more than two (2) display surfaces, the area of the sign shall be the area of largest display surfaces that are visible from any single direction.
5. The area of the sign shall be measured as follows if the sign is composed of more than one (1) individual cabinets or modules:
a. The area around and enclosing the perimeter of each cabinet or module shall be summed and then totaled to determine total area.
b. If the sign is composed of more than two (2) sign cabinets or modules, the area enclosing the entire perimeter of all cabinets and/or modules within a single, continuous geometric figure shall be the area of the sign.
c. Pole covers, framing, decorative roofing, and other such embellishments shall not be included in the area of measurement if they do not bear advertising copy.
6. For the purpose of determining sign area and the allowable number of wall signs, a wall shall be considered the entire building side or elevation, and not each articulated wall face per building side or elevation.
Figure 6.17. Sign Measurement Detail
B. Computation of Sign Height.
1. The height of any freestanding pole or monument sign shall be determined by the distance between the topmost portion of the sign structure and the ground elevation at the base of the sign (see Figure 6.18). The grade shall not be artificially changed solely to affect the sign height measurement.
Figure 6.18. Sign Height Detail
(Ord. 711 §1 (Exh. A), 2017; Amended Ord. 794 §4, 2021)