(a)

The purpose of this article is to regulate on-site signs and outdoor advertising so as to protect the health, safety and general welfare, to protect property values, and to protect the character of the various neighborhoods and the city generally.

(b)

The principal features are the restriction of advertising to the use of the premises on which the sign is located and the restrictions of the total sign area permissible per site. Any sign placed on land or on a building for the purpose of identification or for advertising a use conducted on the premises shall be deemed an accessory 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. Outdoor advertising signs (billboards), which advertise products or businesses not connected with the site or building on which they are located, are deemed to constitute a principal use of a lot.

(Code 2009, § 48-805; Ord. No. 142, § 21.01, 2-6-1990)

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Abandoned sign means a sign which no longer advertises or identifies a business, lessor, owner, or activity conducted upon or product available on the premises where such sign is displayed.

Billboard. See Outdoor advertising sign.

Business district or shopping center means a group of two or more stores, offices, research or manufacturing facilities which collectively have a name different than the name of any of the individual establishments and which have common off-street parking and entrance facilities.

Canopy or marquee sign means any sign attached to or constructed within or on a canopy or marquee.

District means zoning district as established by this chapter.

Freestanding sign means a sign supported by a structure independent of any other structure.

Height of sign means the vertical distance to the top edge of the copy area or structure, whichever is higher, as measured from the adjacent street grade.

Identification sign means a sign which carries only the name of the firm, the major enterprise, of the principal product or service offered for sale on the premises or a combination of these things only to identify location of said premises and not to advertise. Such signs shall be located only on the premises on which the firm or major enterprise is situated, or on which the principal product is offered for sale.

Off-site sign (off-premises sign) means a sign other than an on-site sign.

On-site sign (on-premises sign) means a sign on which advertiser identifies only goods, services, facilities, events, or attractions on the premises where located.

Outdoor advertising sign. See section 46-8.

Portable sign means any sign not permanently attached to the ground or a building.

Sign. See section 46-8.

Temporary sign means a sign that is intended to be displayed for a limited period of time.

Wall sign means a sign attached to or erected against the wall of a building with the face in a plane parallel to the plane of the building wall.

Wayfinding sign means any sign that gives direction to those reading it, a system of public signs identifying directions to major public and private facilities or destinations of interest to the general public.

Window sign means a sign installed on or in a window for purposes of viewing from outside the premises. This term does not include merchandise located in a window.

(Code 2009, § 48-806; Ord. No. 142, § 21.02, 2-6-1990; Ord. No. 145-J, 9-17-2024)

The following regulations shall apply to all signs in the city:

(1)

Illuminated signs.

a.

In CR, RA, R-1, R-2, R-2A, R-3, R-4, PO and WF Zoning Districts, only indirectly illuminated signs shall be allowed, provided such sign is so shielded as to prevent direct light rays from the source of light being visible from the public right-of-way or any adjacent residential property.

b.

In C-1, C-2 and I Districts indirectly or internally illuminated signs are permitted providing such signs are so shielded as to prevent direct light rays from the source of light from being visible from the public right-of-way or any adjacent residential property.

(2)

Measurement of sign area. The area of a sign shall be computed as including the entire area within a regular geometric form or combination of such forms comprising all 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 materials shall not be included in computation of sign area. Where a sign has two or more faces, the area of all faces shall be included in determining the area of the sign.

(3)

Height of signs. No freestanding sign shall exceed the height of the principal structure or not more than 15 feet, whichever is greater.

(4)

Setback requirements for signs. Except where specified otherwise in this chapter, all signs shall be set back a minimum of one-half the front yard requirements as measured from the street right-of-way line.

(5)

Wayfinding signs shall be in accordance with general sign regulation requirements for C-1 Zoning Districts with a total square footage (two-sided) of 180 square feet in size.

(Code 2009, § 48-807; Ord. No. 142, § 21.03, 2-6-1990; Ord. No. 142L, 6-15-1999; Ord. No. 145-J, 9-17-2024; Ord. No. 145-L, 11-5-2024)

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

(1)

Off-premises signs which bear names, information and emblems of service clubs, places of worship, civic organizations, and quasi-public uses shall be permitted on private property with permission of the planning commission. Each sign shall be no more than nine square feet in area, shall not exceed a height of eight feet, and shall be set back a minimum of ten feet from the street right-of-way line.

(2)

Signs which direct traffic movement onto or within a property and which do not contain any advertising copy or logo, and which do not exceed nine square feet in area for each sign. Horizontal directional signs, on and flush with paved areas may exceed nine square feet. A directional sign shall be located on the lot or parcel behind the street right-of-way line.

(3)

One church announcement board shall be permitted on any site which contains a church regardless of the district in which located, provided said bulletin does not exceed 25 square feet in area and a height of six, and is set back a minimum of ten feet from the street right-of-way line.

(4)

The city may permit tourist-oriented directional signs as defined by section 1 of Public Act No. 299 of 1996 (MCL 247.401) within its jurisdictional boundaries as provided by and pursuant to section 3(7) of Public Act No. 299 of 1996 (MCL 247.403(7)).

a.

An operator of a tourist-oriented activity who wishes to participate in a direction sign program under Public Act No. 299 of 1996 (MCL 247.401 et seq.), and is applying for a sign that would reside within the boundaries of the city in accordance with the provisions of section 2 of Public Act 299 of 1996 (MCL 247.402) shall submit the application for review by the city commission or its designee.

b.

The city commission or its designee may approve or reject the placement of any tourist-oriented directional sign within its jurisdictional boundaries under the provisions of this chapter.

c.

The city commission may appoint a designee by resolution to approve or reject the placement of any tourist-oriented direction sign within its jurisdictional boundaries under the provisions of this chapter.

d.

Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter, or who installs or causes to be installed a tourist-oriented directional sign without the approval of both the state department of transportation and the city commission, shall be guilty of a municipal civil infraction, punishable by a civil fine of not more than $100.00, plus costs, and if applicable, damages and expenses as provided by law. A municipal civil infraction action brough for any violation of this chapter shall follow the procedures set forth in Public Act No. 12 of 1994 (MCL 600.8701 et seq.), and a defendant charged with a municipal civil infraction violation shall have all of the rights, duties, responsibilities and obligations set forth therein.

(Code 2009, § 48-808; Ord. No. 142, § 21.04, 2-6-1990; Ord. No. 197, 7-5-2005; Ord. No. 145-J, 9-17-2024)

(a)

Miscellaneous signs and posters. Tacking, pasting, or otherwise affixing of signs or posters visible from a public way except "no trespassing," "no hunting," "beware of animal" warning or danger signs, and other legal postings as required by law, located on the walls of buildings, barns, sheds, on trees, poles, posts, or fences is prohibited and shall be removed.

(b)

Banners. Pennants, banners, searchlights, twirling signs, sandwich board signs, sidewalk or curb signs, balloons, or other gas-filled figures are prohibited except as provided in section 46-880.

(c)

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

(d)

Moving signs. Except as otherwise provided in this article, no sign or any portion thereof which moves or assumes any motion constituting a nonstationary or nonfixed condition shall be permitted.

(e)

Abandoned signs. Signs that advertise an activity, business, product or service no longer conducted or available on the premises on which the sign is located shall be prohibited and removed.

(f)

Unclassified signs. The following signs are prohibited:

(1)

Signs which imitate an official traffic sign or signal which contains the words "stop," "slow," "caution," "danger," "warning," or similar words, except as otherwise provided in this article.

(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 obstructs the view in any direction at a street intersection.

(3)

Signs which contain statements, words or pictures of an obscene, pornographic or immoral character.

(g)

Protruding or suspended signs. Signs shall not be permitted which extend at any angle by a suspension from any building wall, except in the CBD district, according to the requirements of section 46-879.

(h)

Outdoor advertising or billboard signs. Outdoor advertising or billboard signs shall not be permitted.

(Code 2009, § 48-809; Ord. No. 142, § 21.05, 2-6-1990; Ord. No. 142L, 6-15-1999)

(a)

This section applies to the CR, RA, R-1, R-2, R-2A, R-3, R-4, PO and WF districts. One identification sign shall be permitted for each public street frontage, for a subdivision, multiple-family building development, mobile home park and each PO business. Each sign shall not exceed 25 square feet in area. One additional sign advertising "For Rent" or "Vacancy" may be placed on each public street frontage of a rental residential development provided that such sign shall not exceed nine square feet in area and is incorporated into the identification sign. Each sign shall be located behind the right-of-way line of any public street.

(b)

One identification sign shall be permitted for each public street frontage for a vehicle entrance for a school, church, public building, or other authorized use or lawful nonconforming use, except home occupations. Each sign shall not exceed 25 square feet in area eight feet in height.

(Code 2009, § 48-810; Ord. No. 142, § 21.06, 2-6-1990)

This section applies to the C-1, C-2 and I districts. On-site canopy or marquee signs, wall signs, and freestanding signs are allowed, subject to the following:

(1)

Signs permitted for single buildings on developed lots or group of lots developed as one lot, not in a shopping center, not subject to subsection (2) of this section, are subject to the following:

a.

Each developed lot or parcel shall be permitted at least 80 square feet of sign area for all exterior on-site signs. The area of exterior on-site signs permitted for each lot or parcel shall be determined as two square feet of sign area for each one linear foot of building length which faces on a public street. The maximum area for all exterior on-site signs for each developed lot or parcel shall be 200 square feet. No freestanding identification sign shall exceed 100 square feet in area. No exterior wall sign for businesses without ground floor frontage shall exceed 24 square feet in area.

b.

Each developed lot or parcel shall be permitted two exterior on-site signs. For every developed lot or parcel which is located at the intersection of two collector or arterial streets or highways as classified in the master plan three exterior on-site signs shall be permitted. Only one freestanding identification sign shall be permitted on any single fronting street. All businesses without ground floor frontage shall be permitted one combined exterior wall sign, in addition to the number of signs allocated to the developed lot or parcel. The total area of all exterior signs shall not exceed the total sign area permitted in subsection (1)a of this section.

c.

Each sign shall pertain exclusively to the name and type of business carried on within the building.

d.

All signs shall not exceed 20 percent of the wall space upon which the sign is located.

(2)

Signs permitted for a shopping center or other integrated group of stores; commercial buildings, office buildings or industrial buildings not subject to subsection (1) of this section are subject to the following:

a.

Each shopping center or commercial district shall be permitted one freestanding identification sign for each collector or arterial street or highway, as classified in the "master plan" that it faces. Each sign shall state only the name of the shopping center and major tenants located therein. The sign area shall be determined as one square foot for each one linear foot of building which faces one public street. The maximum area for each freestanding sign shall be 200 square feet. Tenants of shopping center shall not permit individual freestanding identification signs.

b.

Each business in a shopping or commercial district with ground floor frontage shall be permitted one exterior wall sign. The area for such an exterior wall sign shall be computed as one square foot for each one linear foot of building frontage occupied by the business. All businesses without ground floor frontage shall be permitted one combined exterior wall sign not more than 25 square feet in area. Each sign shall pertain exclusively to the name and type of business carried on within the building.

(3)

Window signs shall be permitted and shall not be included in total sign area computation if said signs do not occupy more than 25 percent of the total window area of the floor level on which displayed or exceeds a total of 200 square feet for any one building. If window signs occupy more than 25 percent of said window area or exceed a total of 200 square feet for any one building, they shall be treated as exterior signs and shall conform to subsections (1)a and (2)b of this section.

(4)

A time and temperature sign shall be permitted in addition to the above conditions, provided that ownership identification or advertising copy does not exceed ten percent of the total sign area and further provided that the total area of the sign does not exceed 30 square feet.

(5)

In addition to the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section, an automobile service station may have one additional sign for each public street or highway frontage for a vehicle entrance, for the purpose of advertising gasoline prices and other services provided on the premises. Said sign shall be mounted on a freestanding structure or on the structure of another permitted sign, provided that clear views of street traffic by motorists or pedestrians are not obstructed in any way. Said sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in area and shall not advertise the brand name of gasoline or other materials sold on the premises.

(6)

Business related wayfinding signs allowed only in the C-1 Zoning District with the same set back and dimension requirements. Homebased business signs will be permitted in the C-1 Zoning District.

(Code 2009, § 48-811; Ord. No. 142, § 21.07, 2-6-1990; Ord. No. 145-J, 9-17-2024)

Signs within the CBD district shall be subject to the following:

(1)

Each developed lot or parcel shall be permitted 64 square feet of freestanding sign area, not to exceed 32 square feet per side.

(2)

Each developed lot or parcel shall be permitted up to 100 square feet of wall sign area. The area of wall signs permitted for each lot or parcel shall be determined as two square feet of sign area for each one linear foot of building length which faces on a public street.

(3)

Window signs shall be permitted and shall not be included in the total sign area computation if said signs do not occupy more than 25 percent of the total window area on each floor level.

(4)

Each developed lot or parcel shall be permitted one protruding or suspended sign. The surface area of a protruding or suspended sign shall not exceed 20 square feet on each side or a total of 40 square feet. The total square feet of signage (both sides) shall be subtracted from the total allowable wall signage. The bottom of the protruding or suspended sign shall be a minimum of ten feet above the surface of the sidewalk or ground areas, or otherwise be located so as not to interfere with pedestrian traffic.

(5)

Only those businesses with direct pedestrian access from the public right-of-way shall be permitted to have a portable sign. A sign may be located on the sidewalk in the public right-of-way either in front of or adjacent to the business it is intended to advertise. A portable sign shall not exceed nine square feet per side or a total of 18 square feet. The height shall not exceed 4½ feet. If the portable sign is located on the public sidewalk, a minimum of five feet of unobstructed pedestrian access shall be maintained. Sufficient room shall also be provided to allow car doors to open. Flashing portable signs are prohibited.

(Code 2009, § 48-812; Ord. No. 142, § 21.07.01, 2-6-1990; Ord. No. 142L, 6-15-1999)

On-site temporary exterior signs may be erected in accordance with the regulations of this article.

(1)

In all districts, one sign for each public street frontage advertising a recorded subdivision or development shall be permitted. Each sign not to exceed 25 square feet in area. Each sign shall be removed within one year after the sale of 70 percent of all lots or units within said subdivision or development.

(2)

In MFR districts, one sign on each public street frontage of a new multiple-family development advertising the new dwelling units for rent or sale, not to exceed 25 square feet in area shall be permitted. Each sign shall be removed within 60 days of the initial rental or sale of 70 percent of the dwelling units within the development.

(3)

One identification 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 nine square feet in area, with not more than a total of three such signs permitted on one site. If all building contractors, professional design firms and lending institutions combine together in one identification sign, such sign shall not exceed 25 square feet in area with not more than one sign permitted on one site. Signs shall have a maximum height of ten feet and shall be confined to the site of the construction, construction shed or construction trailer and shall be removed within 14 days after final inspection of the development by the zoning administrator.

(4)

Temporary real estate direction signs, not exceeding three square feet in area and four in number, showing a directional arrow and placed back of the street right-of-way line, shall be permitted on approach routes to an open house. Signs shall not exceed three feet in height.

(5)

Temporary signs announcing any annual or semiannual public, charitable, educational or religious event or function, located entirely within the premises on which the event or function is to occur, shall be permitted. Maximum sign area shall not exceed 25 square feet. Signs shall be allowed no more than 21 days prior to the event or function. If building mounted, signs shall be flat wall signs and shall not exceed six feet in height. Signs shall be set back in accordance with section 46-874.

(6)

In CBD, CR, RA, R-1, R-2A, R-3, R-4, PO and WF districts, one temporary real estate "For Sale," "For Rent" or "For Lease" sign, located on the property and not exceeding nine square feet in area shall be permitted. In the C-1 and I districts, one sign of this type shall be permitted, provided it does not exceed 25 square feet in area and is set back in accordance with section 46-874. If the lot or parcel has multiple street frontage, one additional sign not exceeding nine square feet in area in the CR, RA, R-1, R-2A, R-3, R-4, PO and WF district and 25 square feet in area in the C-1, C-2 and I districts is permitted. Under no circumstances shall more than two such signs be permitted on a lot or parcel. Such signs shall be removed within seven days following the sale, rent or lease. In no case, shall a sign list the sale, rent or lease of a building which is not located on the property on which the sign is located.

(7)

Banners, pennants, searchlights, balloons, or other gas-filled figures are permitted in C-1, C-2 and I districts for a period not to exceed 30 consecutive days. Such signs and objects shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular view.

(Code 2009, § 48-813; Ord. No. 142, § 21.08, 2-6-1990; Ord. No. 142L, 6-15-1999)

The following types of signs are exempted from all 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 a public duty, such as directional signs, regulatory signs, warning signs, and informational signs.

(2)

Political campaign signs announcing candidates seeking public political office and other data pertinent thereto, except as prohibited in section 46-876, providing that these signs shall be removed within seven days after the date of the election for which they were posted, and shall not exceed nine square feet in area.

(3)

Names of brands, manufacturer's labels and logos, date of erection, monument citations, commemorative tablets, and the like, when carved into stone, concrete, metal or similar material or made of other permanent type construction and made an integral part of the structure.

(Code 2009, § 48-814; Ord. No. 142, § 21.09, 2-6-1990)

Nonconforming signs shall not be reestablished after the activity, business, or usage to which it relates has been discontinued for 90 days or longer as determined by the zoning administrator.

(Code 2009, § 48-815; Ord. No. 142, § 21.10, 2-6-1990)

(a)

Application for a permit to erect or replace a sign shall be made by the owner of the property, or his authorized agent, to the zoning administrator, by submitting the required forms, fees, exhibits and information. Fees for sign permits for all signs erected pursuant to sections 46-877, 46-878 and 46-881 shall be established by resolution of the city commission.

(b)

An application for a sign permit shall contain the following information:

(1)

The owner's and applicant's name and address in full.

(2)

If the applicant is other than the property owner, the signature of the property owner concurring in a submittal of said application is required.

(3)

The address of the property.

(4)

An accurate scale drawing at one inch equals 50 feet of the property showing location of all buildings and structures and their uses, and location of the proposed sign.

(5)

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

(c)

All proposed sign locations or relocations shall be inspected on the site by the zoning administrator for conformance to this chapter prior to placement on the site foundations and shall be inspected by the zoning administrator on the site prior to pouring of the concrete for the sign support structure.

(d)

A zoning permit for a sign 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. Said permit may be extended for a period of 30 days upon request by the applicant and approval of the planning commission.

(e)

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

(Code 2009, § 48-816; Ord. No. 142, § 21.11, 2-6-1990; Ord. No. 142G, § 8, 10-15-1996)

Signs erected or maintained in violation of this chapter shall be removed within 15 days of notification of violation by the zoning administrator.

(Code 2009, § 48-817; Ord. No. 142, § 21.12, 2-6-1990)