18.29.440 Sign Area, Height and Projection

A. Sign Area: The measured area of a sign shall be the entire area within a single continuous perimeter of the least rectangle, triangle or circle enclosing the extreme limits of a writing, representation, emblem, or any figure of similar character, together with any material or color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate a sign designed with more than one exterior surface. The supports, uprights or structure on which any sign is supported shall not be included in determining the sign area unless such supports, uprights or structure are designed in such a manner as to form an integral background of the display. Except as found herein, where a sign has two or more display faces, the area of all faces shall be included in determining the area of the sign. 1. In computing sign area, only one side of a back-to-back or double face sign covering the same subject shall be computed when the signs are parallel or diverge from a common edge by an angle of not more than forty-five degrees. 2. For signs that do not have a frame or a separate background, sign area shall be computed on the basis of the least rectangle, triangle or circle large enough to frame the display. 3. Where a sign message consists of separated or individual letters, modules or symbols, each portion of the sign message shall not be considered a sign panel. In such cases, a single continuous perimeter completely surrounding the sign message shall be utilized to determine its sign area. 4. When more than one use or business occupies a lot, the lot or building frontage is to be used to calculate the sign sizes for a combined total of a detached or attached sign, not for each use. The total may then be divided between the uses. B. Sign Height: Sign height shall be governed as follows: 1. For the purpose of determining height on freestanding signs, measurement of the vertical distance shall be from the elevation of the nearest public sidewalk within thirty feet, or, if there is no sidewalk within thirty feet, from the average of the finished grade of the yard area (front, side, etc.) of the lot upon which the sign is located and that portion within thirty feet of the sign, to the uppermost point on the sign or sign structure. 2. Wall or Fascia Mounted Signs: Sign height is the distance from the top of the sign structure to the top of the curb nearest the sign or to the crown of the adjacent roadway if no curb exists, or grade of the building where significant grade separations from the road exists. 3. Projection of Parapet Sign: No parapet sign may project more than five feet above the roofline, but must remain below the top line of the parapet. 4. Height of Attached Signs. The height of attached signs shall conform to the following provisions: a. When a building has more than one level, the wall on which the sign is installed will govern. b. No sign shall be allowed on any floor other than the first and second levels. c. Flat Signs; Flat signs may extend a maximum of two feet above the roofline or parapet wall of the building on which they are located. Nameplates: Nameplates shall not be located above the first floor level of the building. d. Projecting Signs; A projecting sign shall not extend above the top of the vertical building wall on which it is located. e. Window Signs. Window signs shall not be located above the second floor. C. Projection and Clearance Requirements. 1. Clearance standards. a. Clearance Between Sign and Ground. i. Generally, pole and ground signs must not be located in or hang over areas of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. ii. If no other location is reasonably available, pole signs must have a minimum clearance of ten feet between the bottom of any pole or overhanging sign and the ground or sign base. Pole signs which have a maximum clearance of four feet may be allowed. iii. Signs projecting over a pedestrian or vehicular way must maintain a minimum clearance of eight feet over pedestrian ways and fourteen feet over vehicular ways. 2. Projection of signs. Signs may be allowed to project from buildings or structures in conformance with the following general provisions: a. No sign shall be allowed to project over any property lines. b. Projecting signs may be allowed to extend even with the roof line or parapet wall of a building. c. Flat signs. Signs placed flat against a building must be erected parallel thereto and the outside face of the sign may not extend more than one foot from the wall of the buildings. Flat signs may have no copy visible from the sides. d. Attached signs, other than flat signs, marquees, canopies or awnings (which have specific requirements), may project no more than six feet from the building. Such signs must maintain a minimum clearance of eight feet over pedestrian ways and fourteen feet over vehicular ways. (Ord.2009-6, dated 5/12/09)