Coloma Village City Zoning Code
§ 480-13
Signs.
Permit required. No sign shall hereafter be located, erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, converted or structurally altered without a sign permit and without being in conformity with the provisions of this chapter with the exception of those signs specified in Subsection E below.
Application for permit. Applications for sign permit shall be made upon forms provided by the Zoning Administrator and shall contain or have attached thereto the following information:
Name, postal address and telephone number of the applicant.
Name and address of the owner and address of the premises on which the sign is to be erected.
Plot plan showing the location of building, structure or lot to which or upon which the sign or other advertising structure is to be attached or erected and the sign location.
The location and type of any other signs located or proposed to be located on the property.
Drawing of the sign to a scale not less than 1/2 inch equals one foot.
Issuance of permits.
It shall be the duty of the Zoning Administrator, upon the filing of an application for a sign erection permit, to examine such plans and specifications and other data. He shall determine whether the proposed structure is in compliance with the requirements of this chapter and all other regulations of the Village of Coloma. If so determined, the Administrator shall authorize the Village Clerk/Treasurer to issue a permit.
When unsure whether the application meets the intent of the chapter, the Zoning Administrator may refer the application to the Plan Commission. In considering said application, the Plan Commission shall consider the purpose of said advertising; the appearance, location, lighting, height and size of said structures; safety of operators of vehicles upon the adjoining streets and highways; the effect of such structure with respect to the scenic beauty of the vicinity in which said structure is proposed to be located; the effect of said structure and advertising with respect to the enforcement of state laws and county and Village ordinances; the effect of said structure with respect to human life because of falling or combustibility; the effect of said structure and advertising with respect to the prevention of crime; and the effect of such structure and advertising with respect to the general public welfare, morals and the conserving of the taxable value of lands and buildings located within the Village of Coloma and in the immediate area adjacent to the proposed location of said structure.
The Plan Commission will approve, approve with modifications or deny the sign permit application within 90 days from the date such application is presented to the Plan Commission. Any approval given by the Plan Commission shall be valid for 180 days. If a permit is not obtained within the 180 days, such approval shall become null and void and a new application shall be required.
Upon his determination that the proposed structure conforms with the chapter of the Village of Coloma and upon notice of Plan Commission approval, if the application is referred to it, the Village Clerk/Treasurer shall issue the permit. If the work authorized under a sign permit has not been completed within one year after date of issuance, said permit shall become null and void.
Prohibited signs in all districts.
Flashing signs, signs containing moving parts and signs containing reflective elements which sparkle or twinkle in the sunlight, except when approved by conditional use permit.
Signs which imitate or resemble traffic or regulatory signs.
No sign that constitutes a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic because of intensity or direction of illumination is permitted.
Signs excepted. All signs are prohibited in all residential and rural districts except the following:
Agricultural signs pertaining to the products at the agricultural premises not to exceed 32 square feet in area for any one farm.
Signs over show windows or doors of a nonconforming business establishment announcing without display or elaboration only the name and occupation of the proprietor and not to exceed two feet in height and 10 feet in length.
Real estate signs not to exceed eight square feet in area which advertises the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which said signs are temporarily located.
Name, occupational and warning sings not to exceed two square feet located on the premises.
Bulletin boards for public, charitable or religious institutions not to exceed 16 square feet in area located on the premises.
Memorial signs, tablets, names of buildings, and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of metal and affixed flat against a structure.
Construction sign, on premises, identifying contractor, architect and/or engineer, not to exceed two square feet in area.
Residential yard sale, garage sale and signs for other similar events, not to exceed two square feet, for a period not to exceed three consecutive days.
Combinations of any of the above signs shall meet all requirements for the individual sign.
Signs permitted. Signs are permitted in all commercial and industrial districts. These districts are divided into two specific categories and each has its own separate and distinct rules. These districts are:
Downtown District. This is a geographic area described as all that property abutting Front Street from Gould Street to North Street. State Road 21 from First Street to Church Lane and Main Street from Front Street to First Street.
General District. All other property not in the Downtown District that is located in a commercial or industrial district.
Regulations for Downtown Districts. Signs located in the Downtown District are subject to the following restrictions:
Wall signs placed against the exterior walls of buildings shall not exceed more than six inches outside of a building's wall surface; said signs shall not exceed 120 square feet in area for only one premises, and shall not exceed 20 feet in height above the mean center-line street grade.
There shall be no projecting signs allowed in the state highway right-of-way.
There shall be no projecting ground signs allowed in this district.
Roof signs shall not exceed five feet in height above the roof, shall meet all the yard and height requirements for the district in which they are located, and shall not exceed 96 square feet on all sides for any one premises.
Window signs shall be placed only on the inside of commercial buildings and shall not exceed 75% of the glass area of the pane upon which the sign is displayed.
Combinations of any of the above signs shall meet all requirements for the individual sign.
Off premises. No sign or other advertising media not directly related to the use of the premises on which it is located, except directional or temporary signs as herein permitted.
Temporary signs. A sign for the purpose of designating a new building or development, for the promotion of a subdivision, for announcement of a special event or for similar special informational purposes may be permitted for a limited period of time subjects to the following:
Drawings showing the specific design, appearance and location of the sign shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator for approval. Such drawings shall be drawn to a scale of not less than 1/2 inch equals one foot.
The permitted size and location of any such sign may be at the discretion of the Plan Commission based upon the character of the area, the type and purpose of the sign, and the length of the time permitted.
Where the sign is to be located on the premises involved, such sign may be permitted for a period of up to one year and extension may be permitted for a period not to exceed a total of two years.
Where the sign is not to be located on the premises involved, such sign may be permitted for a period not to exceed nine months.
Directional signs. A directional sign, not to exceed six square feet in area for the purpose of directing patrons or attendants to a commercial establishment off of the main-traveled highway or to service clubs, churches, schools or other nonprofit organizations may be permitted. A directional sign, not to exceed six square feet in area, indicating direction to a church, hospital, school or other public service building may be permitted in any district. Not more than one directional sign may be erected within the Village of Coloma for any single business or organization.
Conditional use. Off-premises signs may be allowed by conditional use permit in C-3 District.
Any sign in C-3 District must be approved by Department of Transportation permit.
No sign shall be closer than 10 feet to the right-of-way.
A maximum of 300 square feet per sign face will be allowed.
On back-to-back signs, the front and back are considered separate faces.
No double-decker or stacked signs will be allowed.
A minimum of 1,000 feet between signs is required.
Awnings or canopies may be erected in this district and must meet the following requirements:
No side distance from adjacent property is required.
Bottom of the awning shall be no less than 10 feet from the sidewalk and/or roadway.
The awning may not protrude more than 75% of the width of the sidewalk from the face of the property.
The awnings must be kept in a sightly manner and in good state of repair.
Signage on awnings shall be limited to 25% of the exterior surface.
Regulations for General District. Signs located in the General District are subject to the following restrictions:
Wall signs placed against the exterior walls of buildings shall not extend more than six inches outside of a building's wall surface, shall not exceed 120 square feet in area for only one premises, and shall not exceed 20 feet in height above the mean center-line street grade.
Projecting signs fastened to, suspended from or supported by structures shall not exceed 120 square feet in area for any one premises; shall not extend more than six feet into any required yard; shall not exceed more than three feet into any public right-of-way; shall not be less than five feet from all side lot lines; shall not exceed a height of 23 feet above the mean center-line street grade; and shall not be less than 10 feet above the sidewalk nor 18 feet above a driveway or an alley.
Ground signs shall not exceed 20 feet in height above the mean center-line street grade and shall not exceed 120 square feet in area and shall meet all yard requirements for the district in which they are located. Only one sign for each street frontage shall be permitted.
Roof signs shall not exceed 10 feet in height above the roof, shall meet all the yard and height requirements for the district in which they are located, and shall not exceed 120 square feet on all sides for any one premises.
Window signs shall be placed only on the inside of commercial buildings and shall not exceed 75% of the glass area of the pane upon which the sign is displayed.
Combinations of any of the above signs shall meet all requirements for the individual sign.
Off-premises signs. No sign or other advertising media not directly related to the use of the premises on which it is located, except directional or temporary signs as herein provided and those approved by conditional use permit as herein provided, shall be permitted.
Temporary signs. A sign for the purpose of designating a new building or development, for the promotion of a subdivision, for announcement of a special event or for similar special informational purposes may be permitted for a limited period of time subject to the following:
Drawings showing the specific design, appearance and location of the sign shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator for approval. Such drawings shall be drawn to a scale of not less than 1/2 inch equals one foot.
The permitted size and location of any such sign may be at the discretion of the Plan Commission based upon the character of the area, the type and purpose of the sign, and the length of the time permitted.
Where the sign is to be located on the premises involved, such sign may be permitted for a period up to one year and extension may be permitted for a period not to exceed a total of two years.
Where the sign is not to be located on the premises involved, such sign may be permitted for a period not to exceed 90 days.
Directional signs. A directional sign, not to exceed six square feet in area for the purpose of directing patrons or attendants to a commercial establishment off of the main-traveled highway or to service clubs, churches, schools or other nonprofit organizations may be permitted. A directional sign not to exceed six square feet in area indicating direction to a church, hospital, school or other public service building may be permitted in any district. Not more than one directional sign may be erected within the Village of Coloma for any single business or organization.
Conditional use. Off-premises signs may be allowed by conditional use permit in C-3 District.
Any sign in C-3 District must be approved by Department of Transportation permit.
No sign shall be closer than 10 feet to the right-of-way.
A maximum of 300 square feet per sign face will be allowed.
On back-to-back signs, the front and back are considered separate face.
No double-decker or stacked signs will be allowed.
A minimum of 1,000 feet between signs is required.
Traffic. Signs shall not resemble, imitate or approximate the shape, size, signals or devices, form or color of railroad or traffic signs. Signs shall not obstruct or interfere with the effectiveness of railroad or traffic signs, signals or devices. No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape. No sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape. No sign shall be placed so as to obstruct or interfere with traffic visibility nor be lighted in such a way as to cause glare or impair visibility, upon public ways.