§ 190-131. Sign area computation.

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

A. 

Computation of area of individual signs.

(1) 

The area of a sign face shall be computed as the area of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, or triangle that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem, or other display, together with any material or color determined by the Chief Building Inspector to form an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed. The supporting structure or bracing of a sign shall be omitted in measuring the area of the sign unless such structure or bracing is made part of the message or face of the sign.

(2) 

Where a sign consists of individual letters, words or symbols attached to a surface, building, canopy, awning or wall, the sign area shall be the area of the smallest rectangle which completely encompasses all such letters, words or symbols and any accompanying background of a color different than the color of the wall.

B. 

Computation of area of multi-faced signs. The sign area for a sign with more than one face shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces visible from any one point. When the two identical sign faces are placed back to back or at an angle less than 45° and when such sign faces are part of the same sign structure, the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the faces.

C. 

Computation of height. The height of a sign shall be computed as the mean distance from the base(s) of the sign at the finished grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign. Normal grade shall be construed to be the newly established grade after construction, exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding, or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign.