Sign Cabinets. The area of a sign face enclosed in a frame or cabinet is determined by the outer dimension of the frame or cabinet. See Figure 30-22.6.

Two-Sided Signs. When the faces of a two-sided sign are parallel or within 10° of parallel, only one side is counted. If the sign faces are not parallel or within 10° of parallel, each side is considered one sign face and both sides are counted.

Multiple Cabinets. If a sign consists of more than one module or cabinet the area is calculated by adding the individual cabinets. Freestanding signs which contain multiple cabinets on one structure oriented in the same direction shall be calculated by combining the sign area of each cabinet.

Round or Oval Signs. The area shall be that of the smallest rectangle that will wholly contain the sign.

Irregularly Shaped Signs. The area shall be that of the smallest trapezoid that will wholly contain the sign.

Signs on a Base Material. When a sign is on a base material and attached without a frame, such as wood board or Plexiglas panel, the dimensions of the base material panel are to be used.

Individual Elements. When signs are constructed of individual elements such as freeformed logos and independent channel letters attached to a building, wall or base material, the sign area shall be calculated by enclosing the independent symbols and/or letters in the sign text within a square, rectangle or circle and computing the area of that geometric shape. Refer to Figure 30-22.7 for an illustration of sign area calculations for individual elements.

Awnings and Canopies. When signs are incorporated into awnings and canopies, the sign area is determined by computing the area of an imaginary rectangle drawn around the sign text or face.

No sign shall extend above the eave line or parapet of the building on which it is located.

Signage on multiple-story buildings shall be restricted to the third-story ceiling level and below, except for high-rise identification signs which shall be located upon the wall area above the highest story of the building and below the parapet or roof line.

The overall height of the sign or sign structure shall be measured from the ground (existing grade, excluding any filling, berming or mounding) directly below the sign to the highest point of the sign or sign structure. See Figure 30-22.8.

All signs placed adjacent to or suspended above any pedestrian walkway shall have a minimum vertical clearance of eight feet.

All signs suspended over any roadway, driveway, alley or other vehicle travel way shall have a minimum vertical clearance of 15 feet.

Frontage for single-tenant buildings shall be calculated using the entire applicable exterior wall.

Frontage for multiple-tenant buildings shall be calculated using the applicable exterior wall area located between the interior "party walls" which separate one tenant from another.

When walls are not parallel to a street/parking lot they shall be assigned to the frontage to which they are most oriented.

Diagonal corner signs that face more than one street/parking lot must be assigned to a building and street/parking lot frontage by the applicant. The sign must meet all standards for the building and street/parking lot frontage to which it is assigned.

When computing maximum aggregate facade sign area all facade signs, including logos, trademarks, canopy and accessory signs, shall be included.

Maximum height and width of a wall sign shall not exceed 75% of the applicable building fascia. See Figure 30-22.9.

There shall be a minimum clearance of 30% of the height of the largest letter, but no less than six inches, above and below each line of copy, whichever is greater. See Figure 30-22.10.

Minimum and maximum letter size shall be determined by the Architectural Review Board based on fascia height, street frontage and building setback.

Logos may not exceed 25% of allowable sign area. The City acknowledges the jurisdiction of Federal law regarding registered logos. If challenged on this basis, proof of Federal registration shall be required.