The purpose of this article is to provide minimum standards to safeguard life, health, prosperity and public welfare by regulating and controlling the design, quality of material, construction, location, electrification and maintenance of all signs, sign structures and outdoor display structures of all types. The regulations of this article are not intended to permit any violation the provision of any other lawful ordinance.

(Ord. No. 90, § 20.01, 12-24-2016)

No person shall place, or maintain, on premises owned or occupied, or on the premises of another, any sign without first making application for and receiving a zoning compliance permit.

(Ord. No. 90, § 20.02, 12-24-2016)

Before any zoning compliance permit is granted for the erection of a sign or alternation of an existing sign, structure or outdoor display structure, plans and specifications shall be filed with the township zoning administrator showing all dimensions, including heights, materials, lighting, proposed location and required details of construction. The application shall also be accompanied by the written consent of the owner or lessee of the premises upon the property the sign is to be located.

(Ord. No. 90, § 20.03, 12-24-2016)

Any sign erected or displayed, unless otherwise exempted, shall bear a plainly visible identification plate containing the name of the person or business responsible for such sign, a telephone contact number and the original zoning compliance permit number.

(Ord. No. 90, § 20.04, 12-24-2016)

The following signs are exempted from the terms of this article however, this exemption shall not be construed to relieve the owner of the sign or property owner from the responsibility for its erection, maintenance and removal in a safe manner:

(1)

Home occupations. Signs erected for minor home occupations as provided in section 40-585 and major home occupations as provided in section 40-586.

(2)

Real estate rental and sales signs. Signs used for advertising the rental or sale of the property on which the sign, provided that such sign does not exceed the size requirements and location standards of this article for the zoning district in which the property is located. Such signs shall be removed with ten days after the sale or lease is consummated.

(3)

Construction signs. Construction signs, engineers and architects signs and other similar signs used in connection with construction operations, may be erected, providing such signs are removed within ten days after completion of construction.

(4)

Government building signs. Any government signs that announce the name, nature and the occupancy and information as to use of or admission to the premises.

(5)

Traffic and street identification signs. A sign pertaining to and authorized by a public agency for traffic control and street identification.

(6)

Property identification and street address signs. Signs not exceeding two square feet in area and bearing only property numbers, post box numbers, name of occupants of premises, or other identification of premises or other identification of premises not having commercial connotations.

(7)

Government flags and insignias. Flags and insignia of any government, except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.

(8)

Legal notices by governmental bodies. Legal notices, identification, informational, or directional signs erected or required by governmental bodies.

(9)

Architectural features of buildings. Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings, except letters, trademarks, moving parts, or moving lights.

(10)

Political campaign signs. Signs used for political campaign purposes sponsored and installed by an organized political campaign or township resident or property owner for local, school, county, state or national offices and other election ballot issues.

(Ord. No. 90, § 20.05, 12-24-2016)

No sign shall be enlarged, altered or relocated except in conformity to the provisions of this article for new signs nor until a proper building permit has been issued. The changing of movable parts of an approved sign that is designed for such changes, or the repainting or reposting shall not be deemed an alteration, providing the conditions of the original approval or the requirements of the article are not violated.

(Ord. No. 90, § 20.06, 12-24-2016)

All signs together with all their supports, braces, guys and anchors shall be kept in good repair and not permitted to rust, corrode, peel or deteriorate. The display surface of all signs shall be kept painted or posted at all times.

(Ord. No. 90, § 20.07, 12-24-2016)

When a sign becomes unsafe as determined by the township zoning administrator, specifically insecure, in danger of falling, or as otherwise determined by the township zoning administrator, or if any sign is unlawfully installed, erected or maintained in violation of any provision of this article, the owner thereof or the person or firm maintaining same shall, upon written notice of the township zoning administrator remove the sign in case of immediate danger and in other cases make such sign conform to the provisions of this article or shall remove the sign within seven days from receipt of the notice issued by the township zoning administrator.

(Ord. No. 90, § 20.08, 12-24-2016)

No sign shall obstruct the light or ventilation of any window, fire escape, or other required exit way, or obstruct the view from a driveway, or street intersection. Any such sign shall be deemed unlawful and shall be removed or reconstructed to comply with the provision of this article.

(Ord. No. 90, § 20.09, 12-24-2016)

Any sign projection from a building or structure which extends over the property line shall be deemed unlawful and must be removed. In the event there is no possible way to advertise a business without projecting over public property, the zoning board of appeals may grant a variance to the terms of this section.

(Ord. No. 90, § 20.10, 12-24-2016)

The following signs are prohibited:

(1)

Signs which are determined to be unsafe pursuant to section 40-551.

(2)

Signs which are illegal under state law and regulation.

(3)

Signs not clean and in good repair as determined by the zoning administrator.

(4)

Signs not securely affixed to a substantial structure as determined by the zoning administrator.

(5)

Any sign affixed to a utility pole or tree.

(6)

Any sign placed in the public right-of-way unless permitted as elsewhere provided.

(7)

Display or parking a motor vehicle or trailer upon a lot or premises in a location visible from a public right-of-way, for the primary purpose of displaying a sign attached to, painted on or placed on the vehicle or trailer, with the exception of vehicles used regularly in the course of conducting the principal use located on the premises.

(8)

Any off-premises signs other than directional and billboards.

(9)

Signs which incorporate in any manner flashing, blinking, fluttering or moving lights.

(10)

Signs which advertise an activity, business, product or service no longer conducted on the premises upon which the sign is located.

(Ord. No. 90, § 20.11, 12-24-2016)

Periodically, the zoning administrator shall cause to be completed an inventory and inspection of all signs in the township for compliance with the terms of this article and the township building code. A report shall be provided to the planning commission and township board identifying which signs do not comply with the terms of this article and building code and name and date of any removal or repair notices issued by the zoning administrator.

(Ord. No. 90, § 20.12, 12-24-2016)

(a)

Compliance with township building code. Any sign, including supporting structure, shall comply with wind, structure, anchorage and other applicable requirements of township building code, current edition. All materials shall conform with the applicable requirements of the township building code, current edition.

(b)

Illumination. If any sign is illuminated, such illumination must be displayed so as to prevent lights, light rays, or beams of light from impeding the vision of the operator of any motor vehicle. The light must be constant in intensity and color at all times when in use. The light may not illuminate adjacent properties.

(c)

Confusion with traffic control devices prohibited. No sign shall be erected in such manner or contain lighting as to confuse or obstruct the vision or interpretation of any official traffic sign, signal or devise, or resemble in color, shape or design of any official traffic sign, signal or device.

(d)

Setback from public utility facilities. No sign shall be erected so that any part of the sign or structure is within four feet of any electric pole, light pole, streetlamp, traffic signal support structure or any other public utility of or public service pole or standard.

(Ord. No. 90, § 20.13, 12-24-2016)

The size, overall height, distance from ground to sign, the number of signs on each structure, the number of signs per parcel of land, or the district from one sign to another sign along a public road or highway, the setback from property line, and the location of the sign are hereinafter provided for each type of sign:

(1)

Parking lot signs. No advertising signs shall be erected on required parking spaces except that not more than one directional sign at each point on ingress and egress may be erected which may also bear the name of the operator of the lot and enterprise it is intended to serve. Such signs shall not exceed 20 square feet in areas nor have an overall height above ground of 15 feet and shall not project beyond the property line of the premises.

(2)

Billboards. All billboards and similar type signs and structures adjacent to interstate and other state highways or roads within the township, and when allowed by this article, shall comply with the following standards:

a.

All billboards shall not exceed a maximum size of 672 square feet of sign area excluding border area, trim and uprights.

b.

No billboard shall be located within 1,000 feet of another sign on the same side of the interstate or highway.

c.

All billboards shall be setback no less than ten feet from any interstate or primary highway right-of-way line.

d.

No billboard shall have more than two sign display areas; one each facing opposite directions.

e.

All billboards shall provide a minimum of six feet open and unobstructed clearance between the ground level and the lowest portion of the sign surface.

(3)

Ground signs. All ground signs and similar type signs and structures located within any zoning district in the township, and when allowed by this article, shall comply with the following standards:

a.

No sign shall exceed the maximum building height required in the district in which the property is located.

b.

Ground signs may be placed at the property line, provided that they do not extend over into the county road right-of-way.

(4)

Marquee signs. All marquee and similar type signs and structures located within any zoning district in the township, and when allowed by this article, shall comply with the following standards:

a.

Marquee signs may be attached to the sides or front of a marquee but shall not extend above the fascia of the marquee.

b.

Signs may hang from a marquee providing no sign shall project over the building line or hang less than eight feet above the sidewalk or ground level whichever is higher.

c.

No sign shall exceed the maximum building height required in the district in which the property is located.

(5)

Projecting and roof signs. All projecting, roof and similar type signs and structures located within any zoning district in the township, and when allowed by this article, shall comply with the following standards:

a.

All signs erected shall provide for a minimum clear space of not less than five feet between the lowest part of the sign and the roof level, except for necessary structural supports and braces.

b.

No roof sign shall be placed within three feet of the outer wall of the building.

c.

No sign shall be erected which exceeds 20 feet above any parapet, wall or eave line of the building on which is attached.

d.

The sign area shall not exceed one square foot for each lineal foot of road frontage of the parcel on which the sign is to be erected.

(6)

Wall signs. All wall and similar type signs and structures located within any zoning district in the township, and when allowed by this article, shall comply with the following standards:

a.

No wall sign shall exceed 12 inches in thickness.

b.

The maximum length of the sign shall not exceed 50 percent the length of the wall upon which it is erected.

c.

No sign shall exceed the maximum building height required in the district in which the property is located.

(7)

Directional signs. All directional signs and similar type structures located within any zoning district in the township, and when allowed by the article, shall comply with the following standards:

a.

No directional sign shall be located in the road right-of-way.

b.

The sign area shall not exceed four square feet in area.

c.

The sign shall be limited in content to the name of the business or event, distance in miles and a directional arrow.

d.

Sign shall be placed within a two-mile radius from the business or event.

e.

If signs are clustered, the total square footage of signage shall not exceed 12 square feet.

f.

Directional signs must be 2,000 feet from any other directional sign unless the direction of travel changes.

(Ord. No. 90, § 20.14, 12-24-2016)

All temporary and similar type signs and structures located within any zoning district in the township, and when allowed by this article, shall comply with the following standards:

(1)

Temporary signs shall be permitted by the zoning administrator for a period not to exceed 60 days.

(2)

Temporary signs shall not exceed six square feet in sign area.

(3)

Temporary signs shall be constructed of such material and erected in such fashion as not to be or become unsafe during the 60-day permitted time period.

(4)

An application for a temporary sign permit shall identify the location of the sign and the zoning administrator shall certify that the location of the proposed temporary sign is in conformance with all other terms of this article.

(5)

The applicant shall provide written evidence of permission to erect such sign if the applicant does not own the property on which the sign is to be erected.

(6)

The applicant shall, upon expiration of the 60-day temporary permit, remove the sign. Failure to remove a temporary sign shall be a violation of this article and may serve as the basis for denial of request for future temporary permits made by the applicant.

(Ord. No. 90, § 20.15, 12-24-2016)

A special land use permit is required for the erection of a property identification sign that is greater than ten square feet for the purpose of identifying existing condominium developments, apartment complexes, subdivisions or similar residential developments. One sign is permitted per entry/exit of the development. New developments that include a property identification sign shall not need a special land use permit if the sign is included and approved with the preliminary plat, final plat and site plan. No permitted sign may placed in the county road right-of-way.

(Ord. No. 90, § 20.16, 12-24-2016)

All mobile and similar type signs located within any zoning district in the township, and when allowed by this article, shall comply with the following standards:

(1)

Mobile signs shall be permitted by the township board for a period not to exceed 60 days.

(2)

Mobile signs shall not exceed six feet tall by eight feet wide in sign area.

(3)

Mobile signs shall be constructed of such material and erected in such fashion as not to be or become unsafe during the 60-day permitted time period.

(4)

An application for a mobile sign permit shall identify the location of the sign and the zoning administrator shall certify that the location of the proposed temporary sign is in conformance with all other terms of this article.

(5)

The applicant shall provide written evidence of permission to erect such sign if the applicant does not own the property on which the sign is to be erected.

(6)

The applicant shall, upon expiration of the 60-day temporary permit, remove the sign. Failure to remove a mobile sign shall be a violation of this article and may serve as the basis for denial of request for future mobile sign permits made by the applicant.

(Ord. No. 90, § 20.17, 12-24-2016)