§ 28-6-6. Sign Area and Height Computations.

(a)

Computation of Area of Individual Signs. The area of a sign shall be the surface area of the sign, which shall be considered to include all lettering or elements of a sign, accompanying designs and symbols, together with the background, whether open or closed, on which they are displayed, but not including any supporting framework and bracing which are incidental to the display itself and which are not designed to attract attention. Where a sign consists of letters or symbols affixed to a surface or building, without any distinguishing border, panel or background, the area of the sign shall be considered to be the smallest rectangle or shape which encompasses all of the letters and symbols. The area of one side of a double faced sign shall be regarded as the total area of the sign provided that such sign faces are either parallel or at an angle of thirty (30) degrees or less to each other, and are part of the same sign structure, and not more than forty-two (42) inches apart at any point.

(b)

Computation of Height of a Freestanding Sign. The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at normal grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign. Normal grade shall be construed to be the lower of the following:

(1)

The existing grades of the lot before construction, or

(2)

The newly established grade of the lot after construction exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding, or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign.