The construction and alteration of outdoor signs shall be regulated so that such signs by reason of their size, location, or manner of display will not endanger public health and safety, hinder the safe flow of traffic, obstruct vision, or disrupt the rural atmosphere of the Township.

(Zoning Ord. 2020, § 18.1, 1-5-2021)

The intent of this section is to:

(1)

Ensure that signs are located, designed, constructed, installed, and maintained in a manner that protects life, health, property, and the public welfare;

(2)

Reduce visual distractions and obstructions to motorists and thereby maintain or improve traffic safety;

(3)

Enhance the appearance and economic value of the community by regulating the size, type, location, design and maintenance of signs;

(4)

Preserve the existing and desired character of the Township, as identified in the Township's adopted master plan;

(5)

Prevent visual blight and protect the desired aesthetic qualities of the Township by preventing visual clutter, and protecting views;

(6)

Regulate the light emitted by signs to protect the Township's natural, existing, and desired dark skies;

(7)

Keep in harmony the sign location, scale, color, lettering, materials, texture and depth to be consistent with the architecture of the building and relate to the features of the building they are located on and the area they are located within; and

(8)

Protect and preserve the constitutional rights to free speech under the first amendment.

(Zoning Ord. 2020, § 18.2, 1-5-2021)

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:

Animated sign means a sign with visible moving parts achieved by mechanical or electronic means.

Awning sign means a sign included as part of an awning or canopy covering the entrance of a building.

Awning Face Sign

Awning Side Sign

Box sign means a sign within a framed box.

Box Sign

Building frontage means the length of the building as measured on the side facing the front of the property. In case of a corner lot, this shall mean the side facing the street that contains the main access point of the building.

Channel letter sign means a sign comprising individual letters that are independently mounted to a wall or other surface and internally illuminated with a covered face. The air space between the letters is not part of the sign structure but rather of the building facade. A logo may also be considered a channel letter provided it is clearly distinguishable from other sign elements.

Channel Letter

Damaged sign means a sign that has fallen into disrepair, is no longer affixed to a wall or a pole or is no longer able to stand upright on the ground, has been vandalized and not been cleaned up within a reasonable timeframe, or has otherwise not been properly maintained.

Decorative display means a temporary display designated for the entertainment or cultural enrichment of the public and having no direct or indirect sales or advertising content.

Electronic display sign means a sign with an electronic background or electronic numbering and letters.

Electronic Display Signs

Freestanding sign means a sign permanently anchored in the ground that stands on its own, having one, and not more than two faces or surfaces upon which announcements, declarations, displays, etc., may be placed. In the case of a two-faced or surfaced sign, the faces or surfaces shall be constructed back-to-back. Freestanding signs include monument signs and pole signs.

Monument sign. A freestanding sign that is mounted on a base.

Pole sign. A freestanding sign that is mounted on one or more poles, posts, or brackets.

Monument Sign and Pole Sign

Monument Sign and Pole Sign

Ground floor building frontage means an exterior primary wall of a building that faces or abuts a street (not including a freeway) or, if no exterior wall faces or abuts a street, then the exterior primary wall of a building that faces a mall, plaza, or parking lot that faces or abuts a street (not including a freeway). If no exterior wall of a building faces or abuts a street, then the exterior wall of the building containing the main entry is the building frontage.

Hanging sign means a sign that is affixed on its top side and is allowed to hang freely, and is designed to hang under an awning, marquee, or recessed entrance to a building.

Hanging Signs

Illuminated sign means a sign with a light shining upon its surface from the interior or exterior, but without an electronic background or electronic numbering and letters.

Marquee means a sign projecting out from a building over a yard or sidewalk that is designed to provide some coverage for the entrance of a building, similar to an awning or canopy.

Marquee Signs

Multiple-faced sign means a sign with more than one surface used for signage.

Nonresidential individual development means a development with a single commercial, industrial, church, school or hospital use located on a single lot or group of lots developed as one lot.

Nonresidential multi-tenant development means a development with multiple uses or tenants, such as a shopping center or office complex located on a lot or group of lots developed as one lot.

One-day signs means a portable temporary sign that is erected and removed on the same calendar day. The definition of the term "one-day signs" includes signs displayed on consecutive calendar days, provided the sign is erected and removed each day.

Permanent sign means a sign that is intended and structured to be used for an unlimited period of time.

Portable sign means a sign that is easily erected and moved by hand or with the use of a shovel or other simple tools and is capable of standing on its own frame without being affixed to a structure.

Portable Sign

Projecting sign means a sign projecting out from a building and is not designed to provide coverage for the entrance of the building. A projecting sign's leading edge shall extend more than 12 inches beyond the building or wall it is affixed to.

Projecting Sign

Grand Projecting Sign

Sign means any exterior announcement, declaration, display, illustration and insignia when designed and placed so as to attract general public attention and shall include the use of any words, numerals, figures, devices, designs or trademarks by which anything is made known and visible to the general public such as are used to show an individual firm, profession, or business and also any banner, bulbs or other lighting devices, streamer, pennant, balloon, propeller, flag and any similar device of any type or kind whether bearing lettering or not.

Sign program means a plan that clearly defines and describes the location, scale, color, lettering, materials, texture, and depth of all signs within a project.

Sign structural trim means the molding battens, cappings, nailing strips, latticing, and platforms which are attached to the sign structure.

Sign surface means that part of the sign upon, against, or through which the message is displayed or illustrated.

Temporary sign means a sign that is intended and constructed to be used for a limited period of time.

Wall sign means a sign which drawn, painted or attached directly to a building wall with the horizontal sign surface parallel to the building wall.

Wall Sign

Building ID Wall Sign

Window sign means any sign which is applied, affixed, and attached to the interior or exterior of any building window. Also any sign within two feet of the interior of a window that is visible through the window.

Window Sign

Building ID Window Sign

(Zoning Ord. 2020, § 18.3, 1-5-2021)

(a)

Any building or use that requires site plan review under article III of this chapter shall include sign designs as a part of the site plan review. The signs shall be reviewed under section 36-479.

(b)

No signs shall be constructed, altered, maintained or relocated except in conformity with this chapter.

(c)

Signs may be located on vacant sites and sites that do not have any existing uses only when allowed in this article.

(d)

Signs may be located within required front yards. However, signs may not be located within the required side yards and may not obstruct the views of motorists.

(e)

Signs may be placed in a public right-of-way with approval of the governing agency (county road commission and Michigan Department of Transportation) that controls the right-of-way in question. Where there are private rights-of-way or public easements signs must be ten feet from the edge of the improved roadway and must have approval of the adjacent property owner.

(f)

Permanent signs shall not be located within ten feet from the front property line or a property line with street frontage.

(g)

Objects specifically used to draw attention from off-site view other than a sign are not permitted (examples: statues, balloons, blow up objects, pennants, and other items).

(h)

All signs shall be designed and located on the site to prevent obstruction of visibility at an intersection or drive.

(i)

No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape or prevent ventilation.

(j)

All signs shall be installed in a safe and nonhazardous manner and in conformance with state building codes and regulations.

(k)

Noncommercial messages are permitted on any sign including signs with commercial messages, subject to the relevant regulations applicable to that sign.

(l)

No sign that is attached to a structure shall be designed to project above the top of the wall it is affixed to.

(m)

All signs which project out, including awning, hanging, projecting, and marquee signs, from a building must have a minimum vertical clearance of nine feet.

(n)

Awning and marquee signs may be used as an alternative to wall signs on commercial or industrial zoned properties. Any sign area on the awning or marquee shall be included in calculations of maximum wall sign square footage.

(o)

Marquee signs are allowed only in commercial and industrial districts on theaters, cinemas, schools, performing arts facilities, parking structures, and religious institutions. The sign copy shall be limited to include only the facility's name and changeable copy related to present and future events. The facility portion shall be no larger than 40 percent of the sign area and the changeable copy portion no larger than 80 percent.

(p)

Awning, marquee and projecting signs shall project a maximum of six feet from the edge of the building, measured horizontally parallel to the ground.

(q)

Freestanding signs:

(1)

Monument signs shall have a maximum height of six feet, including a two foot base as measured from existing grade.

(2)

Pole signs shall have a maximum height of 15 feet, as measured from existing grade.

(3)

Freestanding signs shall not have more than two faces.

(r)

Wall signs:

(1)

Shall not project further than 12 inches off the wall it is affixed to.

(2)

Shall not project above the wall it is affixed to.

(3)

Shall be securely affixed to the wall.

(4)

If the wall sign utilizes channel letters, it can be ten percent larger in size.

(s)

Temporary signs:

(1)

Shall be made of water-resistant materials;

(2)

Shall not be illuminated;

(3)

Temporary freestanding signs shall not exceed five feet in height.

(t)

Sign illumination. In this article where signs are allowed to be illuminated the following is required:

(1)

Timer controls. Illuminated signs shall be equipped with a functional timer control. Signs shall not be illuminated after 10:00 p.m. or one-half hour after the use of the site ends for the day, whichever is later, nor before 6:00 a.m. or one-half hour before the beginning of the use of the site for the day, whichever is earlier.

(2)

Backlighting. Signs with internal illumination shall have the lettering and graphics in a lighter color than the background to the maximum extent practical.

(3)

Frequency. On signs with messages that change, they may change no faster than once every ten seconds.

(4)

Flashing and animation. Flashing or animated affects are not allowed, including, but not limited to, scrolling, fading in, video clips, moving characters or lettering.

(5)

Illumination used to attract business is only permitted as allowed above. All other illumination to attract business is not allowed except through section 36-479. (Examples: spot or search lights, lights strips around windows and doors, etc.)

(Zoning Ord. 2020, § 18.4, 1-5-2021)

(a)

A sign is exempt from the provisions of this article if it is not visible from a street, other public place, or an adjacent property. Exempt signs include, but are not limited to, signs placed inside a structure or building that are not visible or legible through windows or building openings.

(b)

Flags on a permanent flagpole, no more than two flags per pole.

(c)

Any sign erected and maintained by any government agency on public property or within the public right-of-way for the purpose of directing, managing or regulating traffic is exempt from the provisions of this article. Such signs include, but are not limited to, street signs, traffic signals, traffic safety signs, speed limit signs, city entry/welcome signs, neighborhood identification signs, and directional signs.

(Zoning Ord. 2020, § 18.5, 1-5-2021)

The following non-illuminated signs do not count toward the maximum allowed signage within any zoning district and do not require a land use permit, provided each sign is constructed and displayed according to the regulations of this article. These signs may be located on vacant sites.

(1)

Any sign required to be displayed by law or by a public agency. These signs shall not exceed the minimum size necessary to be legible.

(2)

Parking lot signs. Signs located within a parking lot and intended to only be visible when within the parking lot and not from the adjacent streets. Each sign shall have a maximum area of 1.5 square feet.

(3)

One freestanding or wall sign on a lot with official state historical registry. The sign shall have a maximum area of four-square feet and a maximum height of six feet.

(4)

Hand-held signs up to four square feet in area, provided the person carrying the sign does not interfere with, block, or impede traffic or pedestrian movement and has the property owner's permission to be on the site.

(Zoning Ord. 2020, § 18.6, 1-5-2021)

The following signs and sign elements are prohibited in all zoning districts:

(1)

Obscene material. Contain statements, words, or pictures of an obscene, indecent, or immoral character such as will offend public morals or decency.

(2)

Hazard generating signs. The placement, size, content, coloring or manner of illumination of signs shall not create traffic or pedestrian hazards. No sign shall make use of the words "stop," "look," "danger" or other word, phrase or symbol in a manner that is confusing or misleading. No sign or flashing light shall be erected or maintained in any manner which, by reason of its size, location, context, coloring or manner of illumination, shall constitute a traffic hazard or which shall interfere with the visibility of any traffic control device.

(3)

Traffic sign mimicry. Signs are prohibited that are of a size, location, movement, content, coloring, or manner of illumination which may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device or emergency vehicle, and which interfere with the safe flow of traffic.

(4)

Obstruction or attached. Signs that obstruct a motorist's view of any traffic sign, street sign, or traffic signal. Signs attached to any power or telephone pole, bench or bus shelter, fire hydrant, or traffic or street sign.

(5)

Animated signs. Signs which have visible moving mechanical parts or other apparent visible movement achieved by electrical or mechanical means.

(6)

Roof signs. Signs may not be placed on a building roof in any zoning district.

(7)

Other sign types. Sign types not expressly permitted by this article are prohibited.

(Zoning Ord. 2020, § 18.7, 1-5-2021)

(a)

Signs allowed with a sign permit.

(1)

Permanent signs.

a.

Residential development sign. One freestanding monument or wall sign to be located within 50 feet of entrance to a subdivision, condominium project, multiple-family complex or mobile home park not to exceed 32 square feet in area. These signs may be located within the road right-of-way of the development as long as the proposed signs are approved as a part of the development improvements when the original project is approved.

b.

Nonresidential sign. One freestanding monument and one wall-sign are allowed on lots with nonresidential uses other than home occupations. The freestanding sign shall not exceed 20 square feet in area. The wall sign shall not exceed one square foot for every two linear feet of building frontage, or 100 square feet, whichever is less.

c.

Home occupation sign. One freestanding, projecting, or wall sign not to exceed six square feet in area on lots with an approved home occupation. Freestanding home occupation signs shall not exceed four feet in height.

d.

A sign or similar notice is allowed for every 150 feet along the property line of a lot, provided that each sign is no more than two square feet in area, is posted no higher than four feet above grade and is located entirely upon private property. These signs shall not be within 150 feet of another sign and are allowed on vacant sites.

e.

Permanent signs in the residential zoning districts may be illuminated if they are located along one of the following roads: Bishop Lake Road, Chilson Road, Hamburg Road, M-36, McGregor Road, Pettysville Road, Strawberry Lake Road, Whitewood Road, and Winans Lake Road.

f.

Permanent signs in residential zoning districts may be electronic display signs with approval of a special use permit under section 36-36, along one of the following roads: Bishop Lake Road, Chilson Road, Hamburg Road, M-36, McGregor Road, Pettysville Road, Strawberry Lake Road, Whitewood Road, and Winans Lake Road.

(2)

Temporary signs. Residential development sale and lease sign. One freestanding or wall sign shall be permitted for an approved subdivision, condominium project, multiple-family complex or mobile home park. Such a sign is permitted for a period not to exceed two years from the date of the approval of the project. Thereafter, if properties are still actively marketed for sale or lease in the development, extensions may be permitted on an annual basis with approval of a land use permit. The sign shall not exceed 20 square feet in area.

(b)

Signs allowed without a sign permit. Temporary signs.

(1)

Sale or lease signs. One freestanding sign per roadway frontage shall be permitted on a site that is actively marketed for sale or lease. The sign shall not exceed six square feet in size. These signs are allowed on vacant properties.

(2)

Portable wall or freestanding signs with the following restrictions:

a.

The total area for all portable signs must not exceed 20 square feet at one time.

b.

No more than five portable signs can be erected at one time.

c.

Signs of this type must be located solely on private property outside of any street right-of-way or corner clearance area.

d.

Signs of this type shall not be in place for longer than 45 days.

(Zoning Ord. 2020, § 18.8, 1-5-2021)

(a)

Signs allowed with a sign permit.

(1)

Permanent signs.

a.

Nonresidential individual development sign. One freestanding, one wall sign, and one projecting or hanging sign per lot with a nonresidential individual development. The freestanding monument signs shall not exceed 32 square feet and freestanding pole signs shall not exceed 25 square feet. The wall sign shall not exceed one square foot for every two linear feet of building frontage, or 100 square feet, whichever is less. The wall signs may be up to 20 square feet regardless of building frontage. The projecting or hanging sign shall not exceed ten square feet.

b.

Nonresidential multi-tenant development signs. One freestanding sign per development. Where the total parcel frontage is 500 feet or greater, two freestanding signs may be permitted, provided that the freestanding signs must be separated by a minimum of 500 feet. The maximum size of the freestanding monument sign shall be 32 square feet and freestanding pole sign shall be 25 square feet. In addition to the freestanding signs, one wall and one hanging or projecting sign per each individual user within the multi-tenant development may be permitted. The wall sign shall not exceed one square feet per two lineal foot of building frontage. The wall signs may be up to 20 square feet regardless of building frontage. The hanging or projecting sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.

c.

For the purposes of enforcing these provisions, parcel frontage shall be along the front lot line as designated on the plat, site plan review application, or request for a building permit.

d.

Permanent signs in the commercial or industrial zoning districts may be externally or internally illuminated and may have electronic displays.

(2)

Temporary signs.

a.

One freestanding, wall, hanging or projecting sign is allowed within 90 days of a new business opening. If this sign is a freestanding sign, it cannot exceed 32 square feet or a height of six feet, if it is a wall or projecting sign it cannot exceed one square foot for two feet of linear building frontage.

b.

Temporary sign. One freestanding, wall, hanging or projecting sign is allowed per business to be erected four times per calendar year for a period not to exceed seven consecutive days. Said signs shall not exceed a surface area of 20 square feet for a single face and 40 square feet for a double face sign and shall not exceed the sign height requirements of the district in which the temporary sign is located.

(b)

Signs allowed without a sign permit.

(1)

One freestanding sign per roadway frontage shall be permitted on a site that is actively marketed for sale or lease. The sign shall not exceed 20 square feet in size. These signs are allowed on vacant properties.

(2)

One-day portable sign. One freestanding one-day portable sign is allowed per business. This sign must be located within five feet of the main entrance to the business. The sign shall be no larger than six square feet per side. This sign must be stored inside when business is closed. Five feet of clear sidewalk and all ADA regulations must be maintained at all times.

(3)

Window signs. Temporary and permanent, window signs shall not exceed one-third of the total window area of each window, the rest of the window shall remain transparent.

(Zoning Ord. 2020, § 18.9, 1-5-2021)

(a)

Nonresidential multi-tenant developments must create a sign program, so the signs are consistent with one another. Sign programs must be reviewed and approved by the planning commission and must meet the standards under section 36-479(1).

(b)

All permanent signage without an approved sign program within the VC Village Center and MD Mixed Use District requires planning commission approval. Permanent signage proposed in buildings with an approved sign program can be issued by the zoning administrator with a sign (land use) permit if the signs are consistent with the sign program.

(c)

The following information is required to be submitted for approval of a sign program (all plans, accurately drawn to scale):

(1)

Site plan with the following:

a.

Property lines with dimensions;

b.

Outline and dimensions of all structures related to the use or activity to which the signage relates;

c.

Location of all existing and proposed signage (i.e., directional, descriptive, identification, etc.).

(2)

Written inventory describing all existing and proposed signage:

a.

Type (wall-mounted, freestanding, canopy, window, directional, etc.);

b.

Dimensions of all signs, total area of sign faces (for two-sided signs area of one side only), and percentage of wall or window coverage (where applicable). Sign areas are determined by calculating the smallest rectangle enclosing the entire sign face.

(3)

Sign design plan indicating design, dimensions, exterior materials, lettering, graphics, colors, framing, attachments, and any other visual exterior details. Please also include a side section showing the sign thickness and projection from the building wall.

(4)

Conceptual building elevation dimensioning the placement of the proposed sign and indicating the building wall dimension.

(d)

All signage in sections 36-476 and 36-477 is allowed in the VC and MD District with the following additional requirements:

(1)

Wall signs. Wall signs shall be placed generally within a sign band located above the store front and not to exceed 80 percent of the linear frontage. Maximum size per facade is 0.75 square feet per linear foot up to 24 square feet. Letters shall not exceed 18 inches and shall be mounted flush against the wall.

(2)

Awning sign. Sign lettering and/or logo shall not comprise more than 20 percent or ten square feet of the exterior surface of the canopy.

(3)

Projecting signs. signs shall not project more than 48 inches from the building face and shall have a maximum size of five square feet per side. These signs shall have wrought iron mounting hardware.

(4)

Window signs. Window signs shall not exceed ten percent of the window so that visibility into and out of the window is not obscured. Window signs shall be directly applied to the window or hung inside the window, concealing all mounting hardware and equipment.

(5)

Freestanding signs. Freestanding signs must be ground mounted and architecturally harmonious with the character of the building. They must meet the size requirements of this chapter and be located in a landscaped area.

(6)

One-day portable signs. must be made of wood or decorative metal with cast iron brackets and shall be architecturally compatible with the style, composition, materials, colors, and details of the building.

(Zoning Ord. 2020, § 18.10, 1-5-2021)

The planning commission shall have the ability to waive or modify any of the regulations in article XIII of this chapter, provided that the following criteria are met. A waiver granted under this section shall apply for the lifespan of the sign in question but shall not be transferable to any other sign or premises.

(1)

The applicant provides all requested information and pays all applicable application and review fees, to be determined by the Township Board fee schedule.

(2)

If more than one sign is proposed as a part of the project or the sign is part of a nonresidential multi-tenant development, the signs shall be submitted as a part of a sign program for the entire site.

(3)

The proposed sign does not endanger the public health, safety, and welfare by virtue of being distracting to drivers, obscuring vision, being unnecessarily bright, being designed or constructed poorly, or in any other way.

(4)

A sign meeting the regulations of this article would not meet the needs of the use on the subject site.

(5)

The proposed sign utilizes high quality materials and design.

(6)

Signs shall be in harmony and consistent with the architecture of the building and relate to the features of the building in terms of location, scale, size, color, lettering, materials, and texture.

(7)

The design of the sign shall be consistent with the character of the surrounding area.

(8)

The sign does not block the view of other nearby signs to the extent that it would harm the ability of neighboring businesses to operate.

(9)

The sign will not be a nuisance to any residential uses.

(Zoning Ord. 2020, § 18.11, 1-5-2021)

(a)

Sign area includes the area within the sign surface enclosing the limits of lettering, writing, representation, emblem, figure, character and lighting surface (the collective "message") but excluding the sign structural trim.

(b)

Double sided signs with back-to-back surfaces, the sign area shall be the measured area of one side. For all other multiple-faced signs, the area shall be the total of the message area of all faces.

(c)

If the sign consists of more than one section or module, the area of all sections and modules shall be included in the calculating the total sign area.

(d)

The following illustrations are examples of how sign area should be measured:

(1)

Individual channel letter signs.

(2)

Box sign.

(3)

Freestanding signs.

(4)

Projecting signs and hanging signs.

(5)

Signs etched on walls.

(Zoning Ord. 2020, § 18.12, 1-5-2021)

(a)

No sign shall be erected, repaired, altered or maintained within the Township without first obtaining a permit from the zoning administrator unless otherwise allowed in this article. Said erection, repair, alteration or relocation shall be completed within one year from the date of permit issuance.

(b)

When any sign becomes insecure, in danger of falling or otherwise unsafe, or if any sign shall be unlawfully installed, erected or maintained in violation of any of the provisions of this article, the owners thereof or the person or firm maintaining same, shall upon written notice of the zoning administrator in the case of immediate danger and in any case within not more than ten days, make such sign conform to the provisions of this article or shall remove it. If within ten days the order is not complied with, the zoning administrator may remove such sign at the expense of the owner or lessee thereof.

(c)

This section shall not prevent repair or restoration to a safe condition of any part of an existing sign when said sign is less than 50 percent destroyed or damaged and when said destruction or damage occurs by storm or other accidental emergency.

(d)

If any part, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, phrase, clause, term, or word in this section is declared invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining portions of this article.

(Zoning Ord. 2020, § 18.13, 1-5-2021)

(a)

Signs on private property. Signs in violation of the regulations will be enforced by the zoning administrator or designee utilizing Ordinance No. 71-A the civil infraction ordinance.

(b)

Signs within the public or private right-of-way or on public land. Signs in violation of the regulations will be removed by the zoning administrator or designee.

(1)

First violation: Will be removed and held for ten days at the Township offices, after which the signs will be discarded.

(2)

Second violation: The signs will be removed and will be discarded without a holding period.

(3)

Signs in continual violation of the regulations may be enforced by the code enforcement officer, zoning administrator, or designee, utilizing chapter 1, article II, section 1-45 - Sanctions for violations, in the Hamburg Township Code of Ordinances.

(4)

Signs will be considered in the public right-of-way if they are within ten feet of a public street or if they are in violation of section 36-228.

(5)

For purposes of assessing fines and penalties only, a violation under this section shall be classified a Class E municipal civil infraction.

(6)

Signs for park/trail related events must be approved through the park use application process.

(Zoning Ord. 2020, § 18.14, 1-5-2021; Ord. No. 2025.Z.001, 2-4-2025)

Except as otherwise provided herein, signs shall be permitted in zoning districts according to this table:

(Zoning Ord. 2020, § 18.15, 1-5-2021)