(a)

The purpose of this article is to regulate all exterior signs placed for exterior observance so as to protect property values, to protect the character of the various neighborhoods in the Township, to protect health and safety, and to protect the public welfare.

(b)

The principal features are the restriction of advertising to the use of the premises on which the sign is located and the restriction of the total sign area permissible per site. Any sign placed on land or on a building for the purposes of identification or for advertising a use conducted therein or thereon shall be deemed to be accessory and incidental to such land, building, or use. It is intended that the display of signs will be appropriate to the land, building, or use to which they are appurtenant and be adequate, but not excessive, for the intended purpose of identification or advertisement. With respect to signs advertising business uses, it is specifically intended, among other things, to avoid excessive competition and clutter among sign displays in their demand for public attention. It is further intended that all signs within one complex or center be coordinated with the architecture in such a manner that the overall appearance is harmonious in color, form, and proportion.

(c)

It is also intended by this article that all temporary signs erected for directional purposes, for public information or to call attention to special events shall be confined to those that are of general public interest and that such signs shall be limited to the giving of information.

(d)

All other signs, commonly referred to as outdoor advertising, billboards, or poster panels which advertise products or businesses not connected with the site or building on which they are located, are deemed by this article to constitute a principal use of the lot. Any widespread display of outdoor advertising is deemed to be inappropriate to the character and sound development of the Township and it is intended that such advertising be confined to undeveloped commercial or industrial property.

(Comp. Ords. 1990, § 130.1301)

No sign shall be erected or replaced at any location where, by reason of position, size, shape, color, or illumination, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with, any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device so as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic. All signs shall be designed, constructed, and maintained so as to be appropriate in appearance with the existing or intended character of their vicinity so as not to change the essential character of such area. Signs, including signs painted onto building walls, shall conform to all yard and height requirements of the district in which located unless otherwise provided in this article. A permit for any sign, whether freestanding or mounted on or applied to a building, including signs painted on building walls, or other structures, or for any change in copy, shall be obtained from the Township Building Inspector before such sign may be erected, replaced, or relocated. Strings of pennants or flags attached to or part of a sign, or independently displayed for purposes of advertising, shall be prohibited.

(Comp. Ords. 1990, § 130.1302)

Subject to the other conditions of this chapter, the following signs shall be permitted anywhere within the Township:

(1)

One sign shall be permitted for all building contractors, one for all professional design firms and one for all lending institutions on sites under construction, each sign not to exceed six square feet overall, with not more than a total of three such signs permitted on one site. The sign shall be confined to the site of the construction, construction shed, or construction trailer and shall be removed within 14 days of the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.

(2)

One temporary real estate "for sale" sign located on the property and not exceeding six square feet in area shall be permitted for each lot. If the lot or parcel has multiple frontage, one additional sign not exceeding six square feet in area shall be permitted on the property on each street frontage. Under no circumstances shall more than two such signs be permitted on a lot. Such sign(s) shall be removed within seven days following the sale.

(3)

Street banners advertising a public entertainment or event, if such banners are approved by the Township Board and in locations designated by the Township Board, may be displayed 14 days prior to and seven days after the public entertainment or event.

(4)

Name, directional, and informational signs and emblems of service clubs, places of worship, civic organizations, and quasi-public uses shall be permitted on private property and set back in accordance with the requirements of the zoning district in which located. Each sign shall not be more than three square feet in area. The top of such sign shall not exceed eight feet above grade. In the event that more than one sign is to be placed at one location, all civic organizations and service clubs signs must be consolidated and confined within a single frame, and all signs for places of worship shall be consolidated and confined within a single frame which may be separate from that for civic organizations and service clubs.

(Comp. Ords. 1990, § 130.1303)

(a)

One incidental sign advertising the type of farm products grown on the farmstead premises is permitted. Such sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in area.

(b)

One sign for each public street frontage identifying a park, or school building, other authorized use, or a lawful nonconforming use, is permitted. Such sign shall not exceed 18 square feet in area.

(Comp. Ords. 1990, § 130.1304)

The following signs are permitted:

(1)

One sign for each public street frontage advertising a recorded subdivision or development, not to exceed 18 square feet in area. Such sign shall be removed within one year after the sale of 90 percent of all lots or units within such subdivision or development.

(2)

One sign on each street frontage of a new multiple-family development advertising the new dwelling units for rent, not to exceed 18 square feet in area. Such sign shall be removed within 60 days of the initial rental of 90 percent of the dwelling units within the development or within the first phase, whichever is applicable.

(3)

One sign for each public street frontage identifying a multiple-family building, subdivision, or development, not having commercial connotations, not to exceed 18 square feet in area.

(4)

One sign advertising "For Rent" or "Vacancy" may be placed on each frontage of a rental residential development provided that such sign shall not exceed three square feet in area and is incorporated into the identification sign permitted in subsection (3) of this section.

(5)

One sign for each public street frontage identifying a school, place of worship, public building, other authorized use or lawful nonconforming use, not to exceed 18 square feet in area.

(Comp. Ords. 1990, § 130.1305; Ord. No. 3-2017, 6-19-2017; Ord. No. 5-2017, 11-20-2017)

(a)

A sign, except outdoor advertising signs, which shall be regulated as set forth in section 74-837, in C-1, O and R-D districts, is permitted only where it identifies an enterprise occupying the same lot upon which the sign is located and shall conform to the following regulations:

(1)

An identification sign, limited to one sign per building, may be affixed to a wall of the building. If the building contains more than one enterprise, as in a shopping center, each enterprise located therein may have one such sign. Total sign area for wall signs shall not exceed two square feet for each foot of length of the wall to which it is affixed. Wall signs shall not project more than one foot from the wall face, as measured to the farthest face of the sign.

(2)

Where more than one sign is permitted on a wall face, the minimum horizontal distance between such signs shall be two feet.

(3)

One freestanding identification sign may be erected for an individual lot, or group of lots developed as one lot, when not provided for by subsections (a)(4) and (5) of this section, and shall not exceed 36 square feet in area for offices and 80 square feet in area for other uses. If the lot fronts on more than one street, the total permitted sign area may be divided among two or more such signs, provided, however, that the maximum permitted sign area shall not be exceeded.

(4)

One freestanding identification sign may be erected for a research park or office center, or combined research park/office center. Such sign shall not exceed 36 square feet in area. If the lot fronts on two or more collector or arterial streets, one such sign may be permitted for each such frontage.

(5)

One freestanding identification sign stating the name of a shopping center or commercial development, and major tenants therein, may be erected for a shopping center or other integrated group of store or commercial buildings. The sign area shall not exceed one square foot per front foot of building, or buildings, for which it is erected; however, such sign shall not exceed 200 square feet in area. If the lot fronts on two or more collector or arterial streets, one such sign may be permitted for each such frontage.

(6)

Identification signs for rear or side entrances shall be permitted, at the rate of one such sign for each entrance, provided that the area of each such sign shall not exceed four square feet. The area shall not be included in the area limitations set forth elsewhere in this section.

(7)

Wall signs shall not extend above the top edge of walls.

(8)

Signs may be placed on the vertical faces of a marquee in place of a wall sign. One identification sign per establishment, not exceeding four square feet in area, may be placed on the underside of a marquee provided it does not project below the lower edge of a marquee more than 24 inches, but the bottom of a sign placed on a marquee shall be no less than eight feet above the sidewalk or grade at any point. No part of the sign shall project above the top of the vertical faces of a marquee.

(b)

In I-1 districts, a sign, except outdoor advertising signs, which shall be regulated as set forth in section 74-837 of this section, is permitted only where it identifies a business occupying the lot upon which the sign is located. Such signs shall conform to the following regulations:

(1)

An identification sign, limited to one sign per building, may be affixed to a wall of the building. If the building contains more than one enterprise, each enterprise may have one such sign, similarly affixed. The total sign area shall not exceed one square foot for each foot in length of the wall to which it is affixed. A wall sign shall not project more than one foot from the face of the wall, measured to the farthest face of the sign.

(2)

One freestanding identification sign may be erected for an industrial park, district, or subdivision, or for an individual lot or group of lots. The area of such sign shall not exceed 80 square feet. If the lot fronts on two or more collector or arterial streets, one sign may be permitted on each such frontage.

(3)

Identification signs for rear or side entrances shall be permitted, at the rate of one for each entrance, provided that the area of each such sign shall not exceed four square feet. The area shall not be included in the area limitations set forth elsewhere in this section.

(4)

Wall signs shall not extend above the top edge of walls.

(Comp. Ords. 1990, § 130.1306)

Outdoor advertising signs are prohibited in the Township except where permitted by the Highway Advertising Act of 1972 (MCL 252.301 et seq.).

(Comp. Ords. 1990, § 130.1307)

Signs for automobile service stations shall be regulated as set forth in section 74-836(a). In addition, the following regulations shall apply:

(1)

The permitted wall sign or legend may be attached either to a wall of the building or to the canopy of a fuel pump island.

(2)

One permanent sign for the purpose of advertising gasoline prices and similar announcements, when mounted on a freestanding structure or on the structure of another permitted sign, may be installed along each street frontage, provided that clear views of street traffic by motorists or pedestrians are not obstructed in any way. Such signs shall not exceed six square feet in area. All temporary signs for such purposes and all banners, streamers, flags (other than state or national flags) and similar advertising objects shall be prohibited.

(Comp. Ords. 1990, § 130.1308)

The following types of signs are exempted from all the provisions of this chapter except for construction and safety regulations and the following standards:

(1)

Signs of a noncommercial nature and in the public interest, erected by, or on the order of, a public officer in the performance of his public duty, such as directional signs, regulatory signs, and informational signs.

(2)

Temporary signs announcing any public, charitable, educational, or religious event or function, located entirely within the premises of that institution and set back not less than ten feet from the property line. Maximum sign area shall be 24 square feet. Such signs shall be allowed no more than 14 days prior to the event or function and must be removed within seven days after the event or function. If building mounted, these signs shall be flat wall signs and shall not project above the roof line. If ground mounted, the top shall be no more than six feet above ground level.

(3)

Names of buildings, dates of erection, monument citations, commemorative tablets and the like, when carved into stone, concrete, or similar material or made of other permanent type construction and made an integral part of the structure.

(4)

Signs directing traffic movement onto a property or within a property, not exceeding eight square feet in area for each sign. Horizontal directional signs on and flush with paved areas are exempt from these standards.

(5)

Temporary real estate directional signs, not exceeding three square feet in area and four in number, showing a directional arrow and placed back of the property line, shall be permitted on approach routes to an open house and shall be displayed only during daylight hours. The tops of such signs shall not exceed three feet in height.

(6)

Political campaign signs announcing candidates seeking public political office and other data pertinent thereto.

(7)

National, state, municipal, and university flags.

(8)

"No trespassing," "no hunting," and similar signs prohibiting invasion of private property, provided the area of such sign shall not exceed two square feet.

(Comp. Ords. 1990, § 130.1309)

The following signs are prohibited anywhere within the Township:

(1)

Signs which imitate an official traffic sign or signal, which contain the words "stop," "go," "slow," "caution," "danger," "warning," or similar words except as provided in section 74-839(4).

(2)

Signs which are of a size, location, content, coloring, or manner of illumination which may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device or which hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal or which obstruct the view in any direction at a street or road intersection.

(3)

Signs which contain or consist of pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, strings of light bulbs, or other similar devices.

(4)

Signs which are placed on a street or other public right-of-way.

(5)

Signs which are pasted or attached to utility poles, trees, or other signs, except as provided in section 74-839(8).

(6)

Signs which move in any manner or have a major moving part or give an illusion of motion.

(7)

Signs which swing or otherwise noticeably move as a result of wind pressure because of the manner of suspension or attachment.

(Comp. Ords. 1990, § 130.1310)

(a)

Application for a permit to erect or replace a sign, or to change copy thereon, shall be made by the owner of the property on which the sign is to be located, or his authorized agent, to the Township Building Inspector, by submitting the required forms, fees, exhibits, and information. Fees for sign permits shall be determined by resolution of the Township Board and no part of such fee shall be returnable to the applicant. No fee shall be required of any governmental body or agency.

(b)

The application shall contain the following information:

(1)

The applicant's name and address in full, and a complete description of relationship to the property owner.

(2)

The signature of the property owner concurring in submittal of such application.

(3)

An accurate survey drawing of the property showing location of all buildings and structures and their uses, and location of the proposed sign.

(4)

A complete description and scale drawings of the sign, including all dimensions and the area in square feet.

(c)

All signs shall be inspected by the Township Building Inspector for conformance to this chapter prior to placement on the site. Foundations shall be inspected by the Building Inspector on the site prior to pouring of the concrete for the sign support structure.

(d)

Any sign involving electrical components shall be wired by a licensed electrician in accordance with the Township electrical code and the electrical components used shall bear an Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. seal of inspection.

(e)

A sign permit shall become null and void if the work for which the permit was issued has not been completed within a period of six months after the date of the permit. A permit may be renewed and no additional fee shall be collected for the renewal.

(f)

Painting, repainting, cleaning, and other normal maintenance and repair of a sign or a sign structure, unless a structural or copy change is made, shall not require a sign permit.

(g)

All signs shall comply with the requirements of the state construction code.

(Comp. Ords. 1990, § 130.1311)

(a)

The light from or onto any illuminated sign shall be so shaded, shielded, or directed that the light intensity or brightness shall not adversely affect surrounding or facing premises nor adversely affect safe vision of operators of vehicles moving on public or private roads, highways, or parking areas. Light shall not shine onto or into residential structures.

(b)

No sign shall have blinding, flashing, or fluttering lights or other illuminating devices which have a changing light intensity, brightness, or color, or which are so constructed and operated as to create an appearance or illusion of writing or printing, except that movement showing the date, the time, and the temperature exclusively may be permitted. Nothing contained in this chapter shall, however, be construed as preventing the temporary use of lights or decorations related to religious and patriotic festivities. Beacon lights or search lights shall not be permitted as a sign for advertising purposes.

(c)

No exposed reflective type bulbs and no strobe lights or incandescent lamps shall be used on the exterior surface of any sign so as to expose the face of the bulb, light, or lamp to any public street or adjacent property.

(d)

Illumination of the following types of signs shall be limited as follows:

(1)

Wall and marquee signs: Wall and marquee signs may be illuminated if the light source is designed to prevent spillage of excess light beyond the edge of the sign face as determined by the Zoning Official. Further, wall or marquee signs may be internally illuminated if the background of the sign is opaque with translucent lettering and logos that allow illumination of the lettering and logos only.

(2)

Ground signs: Ground signs may be illuminated if the light source is designed to prevent spillage of excess light beyond the edge of the sign face as determined by the Zoning Official. Further, ground signs may be internally illuminated, if the background of the sign is opaque with translucent lettering and logos that allow illumination of the lettering and logos only.

(3)

Outdoor advertising signs: Outdoor advertising signs shall be illuminated from above using light fixtures that are tightly focused to prevent spillage of excess light beyond the edge of the sign face and directed downward to prevent off-site glare and minimize light pollution.

(4)

Applicant information. The Township Zoning Official may request and the applicant shall provide at the applicant's expenses sufficient information for the Township Zoning Official to make the foregoing determinations.

(Comp. Ords. 1990, § 130.1312; Ord. No. 8-2010, Ord. No. 8-2010, 11-15-2010)

The surface area of a sign shall be computed as including the entire area within a regular geometric form or combination of such forms comprising all of the display area of the sign and including all of the elements of the matter displayed. Frames and structural members not bearing copy or display material shall not be included in computation of surface area. Where a sign has two or more faces, the area of all faces shall be included in determining the area of the sign, except that where two such faces are placed back to back, parallel to one another, and no more than 24 inches apart, the area of the sign shall be the area of one face.

(Comp. Ords. 1990, § 130.1313)

(a)

The Building Inspector shall order the removal of any sign erected or maintained in violation of this chapter. Thirty days' notice in writing shall be given to the owner of such sign or of the building, structure, or premises on which such sign is located, to remove the sign or to bring it into compliance with this chapter. Upon failure to remove the sign or to comply with this notice, the Township shall remove the sign. The Township shall also remove the sign immediately and without notice if it reasonably appears that the condition of the sign is such as to present an immediate threat to the safety of the public. Any cost of removal incurred by the Township shall be assessed to the owner of the property on which such sign is located and may be collected in the manner of ordinary debt or in the manner of taxes and such charge shall be a lien on the property.

(b)

A sign shall be removed by the owner or lessees of the premises upon which the sign is located when the business which it advertises is no longer conducted on the premises. If the owner or lessee fails to remove the sign, the Township shall remove it in accordance with subsection (a) of this section. These removal provisions shall not apply where a subsequent owner or lessee conducts the same type of business and agrees to maintain the signs as provided in this chapter or changes the copy on the signs to advertise the type of business being conducted on the premises, and provided the signs comply with the other provisions of this chapter.

(Comp. Ords. 1990, § 130.1314)

Copy may be changed on nonconforming signs, provided that the sign area is not increased, and provided that no structural changes are made in the sign.

(Comp. Ords. 1990, § 130.1315)

The following regulations apply to all signs, except those signs permitted in sections 74-833, 74-834, and 74-835(1), (2) and (4):

(1)

The advertiser is hereby made responsible for copy, structure, lighting, and all other parts of a sign.

(2)

Signs shall be constructed and erected only by individuals or companies licensed in the state for such purpose.

(3)

All signs requiring permits shall display, in a conspicuous place, evidence of the permit and containing such data as might be required by the Building Inspector, including the name of the individual or company erecting the sign.

(4)

Each individual or company erecting signs within the Township shall annually provide the Building Inspector with a certificate of public liability insurance. A permit for erecting a sign shall not be issued unless such certificate is on file with the Building Inspector.

(5)

All signs and components thereof shall be kept in good repair and in a safe, clean, neat, and attractive appearance.

(Comp. Ords. 1990, § 130.1316)

The Building Inspector shall maintain an up-to-date registry of each sign erected in the Township after December 13, 1976. The registry shall contain the following information: location of the sign, name and address of the property owner, advertiser, and individual or company erecting a sign and height, dimensions, and face area, and date of placement on the site.

(Comp. Ords. 1990, § 130.1317)