No sign shall be erected at any location, where by reason of the position, size, shape, color, movement or illumination, may interfere with, obstruct the view of, be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device so as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic. Consideration of traffic visibility and injurious effects on adjacent properties is essential. All signs shall be designed, constructed, and maintained so as not to change the essential character of such area.

In the AA—Agricultural and OSC—Open Space and Waterbody Conservation Districts, only one sign of each of the following types shall be permitted on each lot or parcel unless otherwise specified herein. The following signs are permitted:

(1)

One non-illuminated sign advertising the sale or rental of the building or premises not exceeding 16 square feet in area and placed no nearer to the road right-of-way than five feet.

(2)

Non-illuminated no trespassing, safety, directional, caution or announcement signs each not exceeding two square feet in area.

(3)

One non-illuminated sign announcing a home occupation, service or produce offered on the premises, provided that such a sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in area, and shall be attached flat against a building wall.

(4)

One sign or bulletin board identifying a church, school, park or other authorized use not to exceed 72 square feet in area with a maximum text area of 40 square feet, placed no nearer than five feet to any property line. Such sign may be illuminated by a non-flashing reflective light and the source of illumination shall not be visible.

(5)

One sign identifying a residential development, not having commercial connotations, not to exceed 72 square feet in area with a maximum text area of 40 square feet, placed no nearer than five feet to any property line. Such sign may be illuminated by a non-flashing reflective light and the source of illumination shall not be visible

In any residential district only one sign of each of the following types shall be permitted on each lot or parcel unless otherwise specified herein. The following signs are permitted:

(1)

A non-illuminated sign advertising the sale or rental of the building or property not exceeding six square feet in area and placed no nearer to the street line than one-half of the required front yard depth.

(2)

A non-illuminated sign announcing a home occupation or service that is offered on the premises provided that such sign shall not exceed two square feet in area and shall be attached flat against a building wall.

(3)

One sign advertising a recorded subdivision or development not to exceed 18 square feet in area and placed no closer to any street right-of-way than one-third the minimum authorized front yard depth; such sign shall be removed within one year after the sale of 90 percent of all lots or units within said subdivision or development.

(4)

One sign identifying a multiple-family building, subdivision or development, not having commercial connotations, not to exceed 18 square feet in area and placed no closer to any street right-of-way line than one-third the minimum authorized front yard depth.

(5)

A sign or bulletin board identifying a church, school or other authorized use not to exceed 12 square feet in area and placed no nearer than 15 feet to any property line. Such sign may be illuminated by a non-flashing reflected light and the source of illumination shall not be visible.

A sign in any commercial or industrial district is permitted only where it advertises a business occupying the same lot of land upon which the sign is erected. Signs shall conform to the building set-back and height requirements, except for, and in addition to, the requirements provided below:

(1)

In any commercial or industrial district a sign may be affixed flat against the wall of the building, or may project therefrom not more than 48 inches, provided that such signs do not project over a sidewalk or public right-of-way. Projecting signs shall be at least 12 feet above finished grade. The total sign area shall not exceed one square foot for each foot in length or height of the wall, whichever is greater, to which it is affixed. No such sign shall extend more than four feet in height above the building to which it is affixed.

(2)

One free-standing identification sign may be erected for a shopping center or other integrated group of stores or commercial buildings. The area for said sign shall be based on one square foot for each foot of building frontage, however, it shall not exceed 200 square feet in area, nor be closer to the front, side or rear property line that one-third the distance of the required building setback.

(3)

One free-standing identification sign may be erected for each separate enterprise situated on an individual lot not located within a shopping center. Such sign shall not exceed 80 square feet in area, except in NC—Neighborhood Commercial District. Such sign shall not exceed 36 square feet in area, nor be closer to the front, side or rear property line, than one-third the distance of the required building setback.

(4)

All signs may be illuminated internally or by reflected light, provided the source of light is not directly visible and is so arranged to reflect away from the adjoining premises and provided that such illumination shall not be so placed as to cause confusion or hazard to traffic or conflict with traffic control signs or lights. No illumination involving movement by reason of the lighting arrangement or other devices shall be permitted.

Outdoor advertising signs (billboards) shall be permitted under the following conditions:

(1)

Outdoor advertising signs (billboards) are permitted only in the agricultural, commercial and industrial districts.

(2)

Outdoor advertising signs are required to have the same setback as other principal structures or buildings in the zone in which they are situated.

(3)

Where two or more outdoor advertising signs are along the frontage of a single street or highway, they shall not be less than 1,000 feet apart. A double face (back to back) or a V-type structure shall be considered a single sign.

(4)

The total surface area, facing in the same direction of any outdoor advertising sign shall not exceed 200 square feet.

(5)

No outdoor advertising sign shall be erected on the roof of any building, nor have one sign above another sign.

(6)

Outdoor advertising signs may be illuminated by reflected light only, provided the source of light is not directly visible and is so arranged to reflect away from the adjoining premises and provided that such illumination shall not be so placed as to cause confusion or a hazard to traffic or conflict with traffic control signs or lights. No illumination involving movement by reason of the lighting arrangement or other devices shall be permitted.

(7)

Outdoor advertising signs shall be designed, constructed, operated, maintained, and managed so as to be harmonious and appropriate in appearance with the existing or intended character of the general vicinity and that a use will not change the essential character of the same area.

(8)

Outdoor name or identification signs are exempt from the provisions of this section provided that all such signs shall be flush with the building wall or roof.

State Law reference— Highway advertising act, MCL 252.301 et seq.

Notwithstanding other provisions of this article, one permanently installed sign shall be permitted on each street frontage, installed so that a clear view of street traffic by motorists or pedestrians may not be obstructed in any way to a height of 16 feet other than necessary supports, and not exceeding 25 square feet in area. A sign or legend may also be placed flat on the main building or fuel pump canopies.

All signs designed to be read by the traveling public on M-66 shall be deemed to be within the M-66 Viewshed and are subject to a conditional use permit as provided under article XVI of this chapter, except for traffic control signs placed by authority of the state department of transportation. The siting/location, grading, size, height, design color/LRV (light reflectivity value) and landscaping of the proposed project shall be consistent with and in harmony with its surroundings.

(Ord. of 2-2008)

All signs and billboards erected after the effective date of the ordinance from which this article is derived shall conform to the regulations as set forth in this article and its amendments. Any existing sign or billboard not conforming shall be deemed a nonconforming use, and shall either be made to conform or shall be removed by the owner within three years from the effective date of the ordinance from which this article is derived. If the owner of said sign fails to remove such nonconforming sign or billboard it shall be deemed a violation and the property owner shall be charged with a violation and subject to the provisions of this chapter.