§ 138-3755. Computation of dimensions.

(a)

Computation of total permitted sign area.

(1)

The permitted sign area for freestanding signs shall be based upon one square foot for each linear foot of zone lot frontage up to a maximum amount as established in section 138-3755. A freestanding sign shall be allowed to have an additional eight square feet per sign face, provided that this allowance is used exclusively for the street address number, numbers or number range, depicted in Arabic numerals. The public purpose for the address is to assist the traveling public to locate specific places and to assist public safety and emergency service vehicles to rapidly locate addresses.

(2)

The permitted sign area for attached signs shall be based upon one and three-quarters square feet for each linear foot of building frontage up to a maximum amount as established in section 138-3755.

(3)

Zone lots fronting two or more streets are allowed the permitted signage for each frontage, but signage cannot be accumulated and used on one street in excess of that allowed for the zone lot based on that one street frontage.

(b)

Computation of sign area.

(1)

The area of a sign shall be computed on the basis of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, or other geometric figure, or combination thereof, that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem, lighting or other display, together with any material, color or border trim forming 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 computation of a sign area does not include any framework, bracing, fence or wall that is reasonably necessary to support the sign.

(2)

The area of a sign shall be computed on a per sign face basis and all requirements with respect to sign area reference the area of a single face of a sign. A double-faced sign shall be permitted to have the allowed area for a single-faced sign on each of the two faces of the double-faced sign.

(c)

Computation of sign height. The height of a freestanding sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at ground level to the top of any portion of the sign structure. In cases where the ground level, as defined in this section, cannot reasonably be determined, sign height shall be derived on the assumption that the elevation of the ground at the base of the sign is equal to the average elevation at the front property line of the zone lot.

In the case where a freestanding sign is on a parcel contiguous to an overpass or elevated road (excluding service roads) from which the sign is designed to be viewed, the height of the sign shall be measured from the highest point of the overpass or elevated road at the crown of the roadway surface to the top of the sign, such highest point to be determined by the average elevation between the perpendicular extension of the contiguous zone lot lines on which the sign is to be located, as such lot lines intersect the overpass or elevated road (see illustration in appendix). Any sign erector who requests to use this calculation for height determination shall provide to the zoning staff sufficient information in the form of surveys, engineering drawings, official roadway elevation data, or other official documentation to allow accurate determination of roadway heights. No permit shall be issued where insufficient information is provided.

(d)

Computation of visual clearance and sight triangle. The visual clearance and sight triangle, to assure adequate sight distance at the intersection of two public roadways and at the intersection of a public roadway and an accessway or driveway, shall follow the criteria of the state department of transportation's Manual of Uniform Minimum Standards for Design, Construction and Maintenance for Streets and Highways, or criteria otherwise specified by the county traffic engineer.

(e)

Illustrations in section 138-3758. The computation of sign dimensions shall be as set forth in this division and as depicted in the appropriate figure delineating such sign dimensions in section 138-3758.

(Ord. No. 18-36 , § 3(Att. B), 10-23-18)