Duluth UDC § 603.02

a. Generally. 1. The area of a sign face or module shall be computed by means of the smallest rectangle that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem, color, or other display, together with any material or color 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, but not including any supporting framework, bracing, or decorative fence or wall when such fence or wall otherwise meets other regulations of the City and is clearly incidental to the display itself. 2. If a sign face is composed of two or more sign modules, the sign face area shall be the area of each module, measured in accordance with the preceding paragraph (1), totaled together. 3. The area of a sign structure shall be computed by means of the smallest rectangle that will encompass the extreme limits of the sign, by multiplying: i. The width of the body of the sign (exclusive of the sign’s base or decorative cap, if any) measured at the widest portion of the sign body; times ii. The total height of the sign as defined in Article 14 under “sign height.” 4. The following are examples of how sign structure and sign face area measurements are made; the signs shown are illustrative and only provided for clarity. b. Area of Multi-Faced Signs. The sign face area of a sign structure with more than one side, and such sides are not more than 12 inches apart at their closest point, shall be computed as follows: 1. Double-faced signs. For double-faced signs, when the sign face surfaces are parallel (back-to- back), or where the smallest angle formed between the two faces is 60 degrees or less, the area of the sign shall be taken as the area of the largest side. For double-faced signs where the interior angle formed by the faces is more than 60 degrees, the sign face area shall be the total area of both sides. 164 | P a g e Article Six. Sign Regulations 2. Signs with three or more faces. i. For sign structures having only three sides and the interior angle formed between each of the sides is 60 degrees, the sign face area shall be taken as the area of the largest of the three sides. ii. For all other multi-faced signs with three or more sides, the sign face area shall be either the largest sign on any one side, or the largest total of all sign faces that are joined by an interior angle of more than 60 degrees, whichever can be viewed from an adjoining street. c. Free-Form Signs. For signs that have no identifiable frame or border, the smallest rectangle that includes all of the sign’s words, letters, figures, symbols, logos, fixtures, colors or other design elements intended to convey the sign’s message shall establish the area of the sign face. d. Kiosks. For a kiosk or other cylindrical sign structure, the area of the sign face shall be the largest measurement achieved from any view Free-Form Sign Sign Face Area Three-sided Sign Structures Kiosk Sign of the sign structure. Measurements shall be made as a flat plane rectangle projected on or bisecting the sign structure.