§ 24-104. General standards.

A.

Measurement of Sign Area.

1.

The area of each face of a sign is measured as the area of the smallest rectangle or circle that encloses all of the words, characters, images, and symbols on the sign face, and also includes any border or frame around any information and any background color on the sign face.

2.

The area of a sign that has two (2) parallel and back-to-back faces is counted only once. For such a sign, the area shall be measured as the area of the largest face.

3.

The area of a three (3) dimensional sign is measured as the area of the smallest rectangle that encloses the projection of that sign onto a vertical plane.

4.

Structural elements that are clearly incidental to the display of a sign and that do not include advertising are not counted as part of a sign's area.

B.

Maintenance. Signs shall be maintained in a state of good repair at all times. Damage to signs, including cracked sign faces, frayed or weathered fabric, and broken lighting, shall be repaired.

C.

Illumination. All signs may be illuminated from an internal or external light source. Illuminated signs in residential zones shall comply with the provisions of Article III, Division 4 (Outdoor Lighting). Signs with individual, three (3) dimensional letters may also use rear "halo" illumination for each letter.

D.

Setbacks. Freestanding, monument, freeway, and off-site signs taller than forty-two (42) inches shall not be located within fifteen (15) feet of any parcel line adjacent to a residential zone or within fourteen (14) feet of any intersection, driveway or alley, or obstruct adequate and safe sight distance for vehicles as determined by the Director of Public Works, unless it can be certified by a Registered Civil Engineer that the sign will not obstruct adequate and safe sight distances. There shall be no setback requirements for all other types of signs. No sign shall be placed within any road right-of-way.

E.

Removal. If an establishment ceases to operate for a period of two (2) years, all signs and their structures associated with the establishment shall be removed. Blank, broken, abandoned, or unused signs on a parcel not used by the existing business shall be removed, unless a plan for use is presented and approved by the Zoning Administrator.

F.

Content Neutrality. It is the County's policy to regulate signs in a constitutional manner that is content neutral.

G.

Traffic Safety. No sign shall restrict safe sight distances for vehicles on any public or private road as approved by the Director of Public Works.

(Ord. No. 4062, § 1, 9-10-13)