Holland City Zoning Code
ARTICLE 39
8 Signage
Sec. 39-8.01 Intent.
[7-21-2021 by Ord. No. 1796]
Signs perform an important function in identifying and promoting businesses, services, neighborhoods, events, economic development, and other matters of interest to the public. The intent of this article is to regulate all signs within the City of Holland to ensure that they are appropriate for their respective uses, they keep with the neighborhood characteristics as recognized and promoted by the City of Holland's Master Plan, they prevent traffic hazards, they provide safe conditions for pedestrians, and they protect public health, safety, and general welfare by:
A.
Setting standards and providing uniform regulations that permit reasonable use of signs;
B.
Preserving the various characteristics found within the zone districts and neighborhoods throughout the City of Holland, regardless of sign content. In preserving the character of the various neighborhoods, signage shall be scaled appropriately whereby properties with frontage on wide streets with higher speed limits are permitted larger signs than narrow streets with lower speed limits;
C.
Prohibiting the erection of signs that may create a hazard to pedestrians and motorists in terms of number, size, illumination, and location;
D.
Avoiding excessive amounts of signs so that the existing signs provide adequate identification and direction while minimizing clutter, unsightliness, and confusion; and
E.
Establishing a clear process for requiring permits for signs, allowing some signs without permits, and allowing legally nonconforming signs to continue without jeopardizing the useful life of the sign.
Sec. 39-8.02 Permits required.
[7-21-2021 by Ord. No. 1796]
A.
A permit is required to erect, alter, place, or replace any sign or sign structure as regulated and required by this article or by the City's Code of Ordinances. A permit is also required for substantial maintenance or repair to an existing nonconforming sign.
B.
To obtain a sign permit, an application shall be filed with Community and Neighborhood Services. Exception: Sign permits in the CDT, NDT, EDT, WDT and CENT Subdistricts of the F Zone District shall be reviewed and issued by the Downtown Development Authority (DDA).
Sec. 39-8.03 Signs exempt from permits.
[7-21-2021 by Ord. No. 1796]
The following signs may be installed or erected without a permit:
A.
Government signs.
B.
Public K-12 school signs where the State Superintendent has exclusive jurisdiction.
C.
Placards.
D.
Historic markers placed under the authority of the local, state, or federal government.
E.
Address numbers.
F.
Hours of operation and other similar business information.
G.
Window signs applied to the interior of the window/door glass.
H.
Window signs applied to the exterior of the window/door glass where the sign does not exceed 15% of the glass area. Windows that are immediately adjacent, on the same wall face of the same building, may be averaged together.
I.
Noncommercial flags.
J.
Advertising flags at nonresidential properties with a maximum size of 15 square feet, with one per business per street frontage. Other types of flags, or multiple flags shall be allowed as a temporary sign with a permit.
K.
Noncommercial signs in all zone districts subject to the following:
Street Frontage | Total Size (square feet) | Height (feet) | Number |
|---|---|---|---|
Up to 60 linear feet | 12 | 6 | No limit on the number of signs, but the total area of all signs added together shall not exceed the total size. |
61 to 200 linear feet | 24 | 6 | |
201 to 400 linear feet | 32 | 6 | |
Over 400 linear feet | 64 | 6 |
L.
One temporary sign per special event at nonresidentially used properties in the LDR, CNR, MDR, or TNR Zone Districts, provided that the sign is not displayed for more than two weeks per event.
M.
Handicap signage with the international symbol of accessibility or van accessible recognized logo for Americans with Disability Act (ADA) compliance and accessibility.
N.
Signs in conjunction with a construction project or site plan approval, subject to the size chart in the tables in Section 39-8.04. Signs shall be removed upon approval of the permit work or upon issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
[Amended 2-2-2022 by Ord. No. 1812]
O.
Traffic direction signs at commercial properties less than six square feet in area and six feet in height.
P.
Temporary signs for advancing the public interest, for a prescribed amount of time, when authorized by City Council.
Q.
Downtown Development Authority (DDA) signs.
R.
Writing or logos that are an integral part of a fabric umbrella, used primarily to provide shade or cover to customers.
S.
Murals. There are two type of murals, referred to as Type 1 and Type 2.
1.
Definitions.
a.
Type 1: a design or representation that does not contain promotional or commercial advertising painted or drawn on a wall.
b.
Type 2: an original, one-of-a-kind, unique design or representation that contains limited references to the establishment, product, or service provided on the site, which is painted or drawn on a wall on that site.
2.
Type 1 and Type 2 murals in all zone districts shall not be considered a sign, and shall not be required to obtain permits, but shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in this subsection.
3.
Prior to installation of a mural, the property owner shall request a determination from the Zoning Administrator of whether the proposed design is a sign, or a Type 1 mural, or a Type 2 mural.
4.
The Design Review Board (DRB) shall review the design if the proposed location is within the CDT, NDT, EDT, WDT, and CENT Subdistricts of the F Zone District.
5.
Based on the review of the design:
a.
If the proposed design is determined to be a sign, the applicant shall comply with all requirements of this article.
b.
If the proposed design is determined to be a Type 1 mural, no further review or action is necessary.
c.
If the proposed design is determined to be a Type 2 mural, the mural shall comply with the following requirements:
1)
The graphics, words, and/or symbols referencing the establishment, product, or service are limited in scope and dominance, and not readily construed as commercial advertising. References shall be subtle and integrated into the overall mural.
2)
For purposes of this subsection, "limited in scope and dominance" shall mean that the graphics, words, or symbols that reference the establishment, product, or service do not exceed 20% of the mural area, and shall be integrated throughout the mural and not placed in a concentrated area or a manner where it becomes a prominent advertisement.
3)
The references to an establishment, product, or service are not in the form of traditional building signage. Traditional signs on the same wall shall be reviewed separately under applicable sign requirements.
Type 2 Mural  |
T.
Banners as allowed and installed in accordance with the “City of Holland Banner Policy for Community Improvement Neighborhood Organizations and Business Districts."
[Added 10-4-2023 by Ord. No. 1839]
Sec. 39-8.04 Signs allowed with permit.
[7-21-2021 by Ord. No. 1796]
The following signs are permitted in the NMU, CMU, RMU, GMU, I, A, and F Zone Districts, in addition to those described in Section 39-8.04. These signs shall also be permitted in the PUD Zone District, unless specifically prohibited by the PUD agreement.
A.
Temporary signs. Temporary displays containing pennants, streamers, banners, balloons, balloon signs, feather signs and other similar temporary signs are allowed, subject to a sign permit, provided that:
C.
Neighborhood commercial district identifier sign. A sign used for the purpose of identifying an established neighborhood commercial area shall be permitted with the following standards:
1.
The neighborhood commercial area shall be comprised of two or more storefront businesses on two or more separate properties.
2.
The size, type, and location of the sign(s) is compatible with the neighborhood commercial district in which the signs will be located.
3.
The signs will enhance the identification of the established neighborhood commercial area and benefit all businesses.
4.
Maximum of two signs of similar design, located in or near the established neighborhood commercial area.
5.
Signs shall be located on private property.
6.
Freestanding signs shall not exceed a maximum of six feet in height and 25 square feet in area and shall not create a visibility hazard for motorists or pedestrians.
7.
Wall signs shall not exceed a maximum of 25 square feet in area and shall be placed on the front facade or side of a building.
D.
Directional signage at commercial or industrial complexes. Additional signage may be installed for the purpose of directing traffic, in addition to other allowed signs, with the following standards:
E.
Community improvement neighborhood organization and business district banners as allowed in § 39-8.03.
[Added 10-4-2023 by Ord. No. 1839]
Sec. 39-8.05 Additional signs permitted in commercial and industrial districts.
[7-21-2021 by Ord. No. 1796]
A.
All signs may be internally or externally illuminated, except for movable freestanding signs. If externally illuminated, the source of light shall be enclosed and directed to prevent light from shining directly onto traffic or residential properties.
B.
Signs shall not scroll, flash, blink, oscillate, or have any other appearance of movement.
C.
Electronic reader board signs.
1.
Electronic reader board signs, otherwise known as "electronic message centers" (EMCs), shall have an instantaneous change between messages, with a minimum seven-second delay between displays.
2.
Electronic reader board signs are not permitted within the CDT, NDT, EDT, WDT, and CENT Subdistricts of the F Zone District.
3.
Electronic reader board signs are permitted on a wall or freestanding sign, but not on both signs at one property.
4.
Glare shall be reduced and/or minimized in such a manner as to maintain an appropriate level of contrast during the day and at night.
Sec. 39-8.06 Illuminated and electronic signs.
[7-21-2021 by Ord. No. 1796]
A.
Standards.
1.
Attachment. The sign shall not be attached to a building, secured to the ground, nor permanently attached to any element, including, but not limited to, trees, signs, light poles, planters, etc.
2.
Location. A movable freestanding sign shall be placed within one foot of the building that contains the business using the sign. The sign may be placed on private property or within the public right-of-way.
3.
Clear public sidewalk. There shall be provided at all times, an unobstructed, straight public sidewalk aisle of six feet in width. A movable freestanding sign shall not be placed in a manner that obstructs or impedes pedestrian traffic or sidewalk plowing/cleaning or creates a visibility hazard for vehicular, bicycle, and/or pedestrian traffic.
4.
Construction. All movable freestanding signs shall be constructed of wood, metal, or other similarly durable material approved by the Community and Neighborhood Services Department (CNS). Movable freestanding signs shall have adequate support to prevent tipping or movement of the sign and shall not present a tripping hazard to pedestrians.
5.
Illumination. Movable freestanding signs shall not be illuminated.
B.
Limitations on display.
1.
Movable freestanding signs shall be displayed only during the hours in which the business it promotes is open. The entire sign structure, including sign panel and supporting structure, shall be removed and placed indoors during those hours not on display.
2.
In the CDT, NDT, EDT, WDT, and CENT Subdistricts of the F Zone District, movable freestanding signs shall not be displayed one hour before a Tulip Time Festival parade, during such parade, and one hour after such parade.
Sec. 39-8.07 Temporary movable freestanding signs.
[7-21-2021 by Ord. No. 1796]
A.
All signs in the CDT, NDT, EDT, WDT, and CENT Subdistricts of the F Zone District, except movable freestanding signs, shall be approved by the Design Review Board (DRB).
B.
Standards for DRB sign approval. Prior to the issuance of a permit, the DRB shall find that all of the following standards are met, and shall document the findings. Findings of the DRB are advisory and may be appealed to the Board of Appeals. For purposes of interpretation, the DRB shall use local design guidelines, as may be amended, and the context of surrounding buildings and signage in determining whether a proposed sign meets the following standards.
C.
Additional authority. The DRB shall also have the power to do the following within the CDT, NDT, EDT, WDT, and CENT Subdistricts of the F Zone District:
1.
Waivers. Waive certain requirements for the following types of signs:
a.
Wall signs. This type of sign may be larger than 32 square feet or located above the second floor windowsill if the DRB determines that based on the size, scale and/or architectural features of the building, the proposed size and/or location is compatible with the architecture of the building and surrounding area.
[Amended 10-20-2021 by Ord. No. 1804]
b.
Awning, canopy, marquee signs. These signs may be located above the second floor windowsill, or may project more than four feet beyond the face of a building, if the DRB determines that the proposed location is compatible with the architecture of the building and surrounding area.
c.
Projecting signs. These signs may be located above the second floor windowsill if the DRB determines that the proposed location is compatible with the architecture of the building and surrounding area.
2.
Sign calculations. The DRB shall limit the total area of all signs added together, so that the total signage on a wall face does not exceed two square feet per linear foot of building wall width. Freestanding signs, movable freestanding signs, temporary signs, and flags shall not be included in this calculation.
3.
Approved signs not specifically listed. Sign types that are not specifically listed in Section 39-8.04 may be permitted by the DRB, provided that they meet the following criteria:
a.
Determination of similar sign type. The DRB shall determine which type of sign listed in Section 39-8.04 is most similar to the sign being proposed.
b.
Size. The maximum area of the proposed sign shall not exceed the maximum for the most similar sign type determined in Section 39-8.08C.3.
c.
Number of signs. The maximum number of signs shall not exceed the maximum for the most similar sign type determined in Section 39-8.08C.3.a.
Sec. 39-8.08 Design Review Board (DRB).
[7-21-2021 by Ord. No. 1796]
A.
Pennants, streamers, banners, balloons, or feather signs as permanent signs. These signs shall be permitted in some cases as temporary signs (Section 39-8.05A).
B.
Signs that employ any flashing, moving, oscillating, blinking, or variable intensity light, such as rolling, fading, moving, or animated parts that are designed to give the appearance of movement.
C.
Roof signs.
D.
Billboards and off-premises advertising signs.
[Amended 11-2-2022 by Ord. No. 1830]
1.
Exceptions. The following types of signs shall not be considered billboards or off-premises advertising:
a.
Multi-tenant signs located on a shared access drive.
b.
Conforming signs that have subsequently been separated from their original parcel may continue to be used as originally intended.
c.
Joint signage. Adjacent property owners may enter into a written agreement to have joint signage. No additional sign area for any individual property shall be granted due to a joint signage agreement.
E.
A business that has been closed for 60 consecutive days shall ensure that all of their signs are removed from the property.
F.
Any vehicle (including trailers) with the primary function of acting as a sign, unless a temporary sign permit has been issued.
G.
Any sign not specifically permitted by this article, except as permitted by the DRB in the CDT, NDT, EDT, WDT, and CENT Subdistricts of the F Zone District.
Sec. 39-8.09 Prohibited signs.
[7-21-2021 by Ord. No. 1796]
A.
Sign erector's license. A sign installer shall obtain an annual sign erector's license from the City Clerk prior to installing any permanent sign that has a vertical height greater than the horizontal setback from any property line.
1.
Applications shall include public liability and property damage insurance documentation in the amounts specified in Chapter 2 of the City Code of Ordinances. Every policy of insurance required by this section shall bear an endorsement to the effect that the insurer shall notify the licensee and the City Clerk in writing at least 10 days prior to the expiration of such policy.
2.
The City may proceed with legal action to suspend or revoke the license if the licensee shall at any time fail to comply with the provisions of this article or shall fail to comply with any written directions of the Building Official and Zoning Administrator, based upon the provisions of this article.
B.
Revocable license agreement required for signs projecting over right-of-way. Projecting signs, awnings, canopies, and marquees which extend over the City right-of-way shall have a clear space of eight feet from the bottom of the structure to the ground. A revocable license agreement from City Council is required prior to obtaining a permit. The following are exceptions to this requirement:
1.
Flags projecting over the right-of-way shall be attached to the wall of the building at least six feet above the adjacent grade, shall not project more than three feet from the face of the wall, and shall maintain a clear space of eight feet from the bottom of the flag to the ground.
2.
Temporary movable freestanding signs.
C.
Light poles, utility poles, or another supporting member of a building or property shall not be used for the placement of any sign unless the owner of the pole or supporting member has given permission for such use and the sign conforms to all requirements of this article.
D.
Signs shall not be placed in, upon, or over any public right-of-way, alley or other public place unless authorized by the approving authority.
[Added 11-2-2022 by Ord. No. 1830[1]]
E.
A sign shall not be erected in any place where it may, by reason of its position, shape, color, or other characteristic, interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic signs, signal, or device, or constitute a nuisance.
F.
Adverse impact of article. Any person adversely affected by the provisions of this article, with the exception of those provisions relating to licensing and permits, may apply for a variance from the Board of Appeals as described in Section 39-12.12C.
G.
Savings clause. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this article is for any reason held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining portions of this article. The City Council hereby declares that it would have adopted this article in each section, subsection, sentence or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, or phrases be declared invalid.
Sec. 39-8.10 General sign provisions.
[7-21-2021 by Ord. No. 1796]
Signs shall be measured as follows:
A.
A single-faced sign shall be measured within a single, continuous perimeter composed of either the smallest square, rectangle, or circle which encloses the extreme limits of writing, representation, emblem, logo, frame (if part of the sign), or any other figure of similar character.
 |
B.
Framing around a sign shall be included in the overall sign calculation if it is an integral material or color to the sign. An "integral material" shall be one that is part of the specific sign, rather than an architectural detail or a sign frame that could remain in place even if the sign was replaced by another sign.
C.
The support structure of a sign shall not be included in the overall area.
D.
A multifaced sign shall be calculated by measuring each sign face and adding them together.
E.
If two sign faces are placed back-to-back, this shall be measured and counted as one sign. If one of the sign faces is larger, the sign area shall be calculated using the larger of the two faces.
F.
If two sign faces are placed back-to-back and separated by more than a forty-five-degree angle, each face shall be calculated independently, and they shall be counted as a multi-faced sign.
G.
The height of a sign shall be measured as the vertical distance from the highest point of the sign to the grade of the ground immediately beneath the sign.
H.
The setback of a sign shall be measured from the leading edge of the sign to the property line.
Sec. 39-8.11 Units of measurement.
[7-21-2021 by Ord. No. 1796]
A.
All signs shall be maintained free of peeling paint or paper, sun fading, staining, rust, or other conditions which impair the legibility of such sign. Routine maintenance shall not require a permit. Exact replacement of faded or worn letters, and similar repairs, shall be considered routine maintenance.
B.
Any signs permitted by the provisions of this article, including all supports, braces, guys, and anchors, shall be maintained in conformance with this article and in such a manner so as not to cause a hazard to the public.
Sec. 39-8.12 Maintenance of signs.
[7-21-2021 by Ord. No. 1796]
A.
Nonconforming signs may not be expanded, enlarged, or extended; however, they may be maintained and repaired to continue the useful life of the sign.
B.
A nonconforming sign may be diminished in size, and may have the message or design changed.
C.
Any nonconforming sign, sign structure, or frame substantially destroyed by neglect, deterioration, fire, accident, or other casualty loss (50% or more) shall not be restored or rebuilt unless it conforms to this article.
D.
A nonconforming sign removed for maintenance or repair, with a permit, shall be reinstalled within 90 days.
Sec. 39-8.13 Nonconforming signs.
[7-21-2021 by Ord. No. 1796]
A.
Unsafe signs. If the Zoning Administrator determines any sign is unsafe or constitutes a hazard to the public, such as obstructing vision of vehicle drivers or pedestrians, they may have the sign removed or require its immediate removal.
B.
Signs in violation of UDO. If the Zoning Administrator determines any sign has been constructed, erected, or maintained in violation of the provisions of this article, they may have the sign removed or require its immediate removal.
C.
Unauthorized signs on public property. Any sign placed or erected in a public right-of-way or other public land, without being specifically approved, shall be deemed an unlawful sign. The City shall remove such sign or require its immediate removal, and shall not be required to notify any party of the removal of the sign in advance.
D.
Civil infraction. A person who violates or fails to comply with a notice to remove the sign under this article is responsible for a Class II civil infraction and is subject to the civil fines set forth in the schedule of fees and charges adopted in Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances or any other fee that may be imposed by the court. Each act of violation and each day upon which such violation occurs shall constitute a separate violation.