It is determined that regulation of the location, size, placement, and certain features of signs is necessary to enable the public to locate goods, services, and facilities without difficulty and confusion, to prevent wasteful use of natural resources in competition among business for attention, to prevent hazards of life and property, and to assure the continued attractiveness of the community and protect property values. It is further determined that signs which may lawfully be erected and maintained under the provisions of this article are consistent with customary usage, and that signs which may not lawfully be erected or maintained under the provisions hereof are not consistent with customary usage, are an abuse thereof, and are unwarranted invasions of the rights of legitimate business interests and of the public.

(Ord. No. 299 of 2011, § 601, 2-14-2011)

Within all districts allowing residential uses as a permitted principal use, signs shall be permitted as follows:

(1)

One residential nameplate not to exceed two square feet, indicating the name of the occupant.

(2)

One sign to announce the sale or rent of property whose area shall not exceed six square feet.

(3)

Churches shall be permitted a total sign area of 20 square feet. The total sign area may be divided into two signs: one identification sign and one bulletin board.

(4)

One sign per vehicle entrance which identifies a platted subdivision development or mobile home park not exceeding 36 square feet and eight feet in height.

(5)

Multiple dwellings shall be permitted one identification sign not to exceed six square feet.

(6)

One sign shall be permitted to advertise a home occupation not to exceed six square feet and shall not be illuminated or have working parts. It shall be attached flush to the building and shall not detract from the visual appearance of the neighborhood.

(7)

Signs permitted by this section are exempt from the setback requirements of section 50-93. However, no part of any sign shall be located within the right-of-way. Signs shall not interfere with traffic visibility as determined and approved by the city public safety department.

(Ord. No. 299 of 2011, § 602, 2-14-2011)

(a)

Within the B-1, B-2, M-1, OS-2, and I districts, attached and/or freestanding (ground) signs shall be permitted on premises for non-residential land use as follows:

(1)

Freestanding (ground) signs advertising an on-site business are permitted as shown below. The maximum total sign area may be located on one sign structure, or may be divided between no more than two sign structures.

(2)

Signs permitted by this section are exempt from the setback requirements of section 50-93. However, no part of any sign shall be located within the right-of-way. Signs shall not interfere with traffic visibility as determined and approved by the city public safety department.

(3)

There shall be at least ten feet between the surface of the ground or sidewalk and the lowest point on the sign face. Exception: A ground sign may be approved as long as all elements of the sign are a minimum of ten feet from the front of the property line.

(4)

Directional or instructional signs which indicate ingress/egress, location of drive-thru windows, self/full service, etc. shall be permitted in the B-1, B-2 and M-1 districts, provided that such signs do not exceed six square feet per face, and provided that such signs are limited to two per ingress/egress point, one per island of gas pumps, and/or the minimum necessary to provide for orientation. The height requirement in subsection (a)(3) of this section does not apply to directional or instructional signs.

(5)

Permanent marquees and canopies shall be permitted provided that such marquees and canopies shall be established no less than ten feet above the established sidewalk grade.

(6)

If attached to a building, signs shall be mounted in one of the following ways:

a.

Flat against the wall of the building.

b.

Parallel to the wall of the building at a distance of 12 inches or less from the wall.

c.

Perpendicular to the wall of the building, extending no more than five feet from the wall or to no less than 12 inches back from the sidewalk edge (where sidewalks exist), whichever is less.

(b)

Signs may also be painted directly on the wall of a building. For signs which are mounted flat against or parallel to the wall of the building, or painted on the wall, the following maximum sizes shall apply:

(Ord. No. 299 of 2011, § 603, 2-14-2011)

(a)

Off-premises signs, other than billboards, are permitted along U.S. 2 in areas zoned B-2 and I.

(b)

The maximum sign area for any one face of an off-premises sign shall not exceed 64 square feet, excluding the base or apron, trim supports, and other structural elements. Temporary embellishments shall not exceed 20 percent of the maximum sign area allowed.

(c)

Signs may be back-to-back, V-type, or multiple-faced with not more than two faces to each facing, and such structure shall be considered as one off-premises sign.

(d)

An off-premises sign shall have a maximum height not to exceed 40 feet above road grade level. An off-premises sign shall maintain a minimum clearance of ten feet measured from the ground level at the base of the sign to the bottom of the sign face.

(e)

Off-premises signs shall be located a minimum of 300 feet from the intersection of public roads.

(f)

Setback requirements for off-premises signs are:

Signs shall not interfere with traffic visibility as determined and approved by the city public safety department.

(g)

No off-premises sign shall be constructed which resembles any official marker erected by a governmental entity, or which by reason of position, shape, or color would conflict with the proper functioning of any official traffic control device.

(Ord. No. 299 of 2011, § 604, 2-14-2011)

(a)

The city may permit tourist-oriented directional signs as defined by MCL 247.401 within its jurisdictional boundaries as provided by and pursuant to MCL 247.403(7).

(b)

An operator of a tourist-oriented activity who wishes to participate in a directional 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 MCL 247.402 shall submit the application for review by the city council or its designee.

(c)

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

(d)

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

(e)

Any person violating any of the provisions of this section, 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 brought for any violation of this section shall follow the procedures set forth in Public Act No. 12 of 1994 (MCL 600.113 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.

A sign that lists and identifies a number or group of institutions, residences, organizations, churches and/or businesses and which contain the names, locations, hours, products sold, services offered, announcement of events or similar messages is permitted in all zoning districts. A cluster sign at one location shall have a maximum sign area of 64 square feet per face. The cluster sign must be maintained either by the city or by a recognized civic organization, church, or individual.

(Ord. No. 299 of 2011, § 605, 2-14-2011)

In granting a conditional use permit, the planning commission shall stipulate the maximum sign area, setback requirements, location, sign height and other requirements of a sign on the parcel.

(Ord. No. 299 of 2011, § 606, 2-14-2011)

Signs which are intended to identify or advertise a nonprofit annual or one-time event or occurrence, such as a fair or other event of general public interest, shall be permitted for a period not to exceed 30 calendar days provided that the sign is not contrary to the spirit and purpose of this article and shall conform to all size limitations set forth by this article. The applicant is responsible for both the erection and removal of all signs. All signs must be removed no later than ten days after the end of the event.

(Ord. No. 299 of 2011, § 607, 2-14-2011)

One construction sign is permitted per project not exceeding 16 square feet in sign area for residential buildings and 32 square feet for non-residential buildings. Signs shall be erected no more than five days prior to the beginning of construction for which a valid building permit has been issued, shall be confined to the site of construction, and shall be removed no later than 30 days following occupancy or completion of the project.

(Ord. No. 299 of 2011, § 608, 2-14-2011)

The following signs shall not exceed nine square feet and are otherwise exempt from this article:

(1)

Public signs. Signs of a noncommercial nature and in the public interest, erected by, or on the order of a public officer in the performance of official duty.

(2)

Directional signs. Signs required for purposes of orientation when established by a governmental agency.

(3)

Political signs. Those signs which are intended to advertise a public election, an individual actively participating in such an election, or other public ballot issue, are permitted on private property with the owner's permission. All political signs must be removed within ten calendar days after the election date.

(4)

Signs which indicate a garage sale or directions to a garage sale. All such signs shall be removed within 48 hours and shall not be located on the public right-of-way or on utility poles, traffic control posts, or other structures owned or maintained by utility companies or any public agency.

(5)

Signs used for advertising of buildings for rent, lease and/or sale, when located on the building or land intended to be rented, leased or sold. Said signs shall not exceed six square feet in the R-1 and R-2 districts or 32 square feet in the B-1, B-2, M-1, OS-2 and I districts.

(Ord. No. 299 of 2011, § 609, 2-14-2011)

(a)

No strobe, blinking, or other pulsating lights shall be permitted in any district. So-called "reader-board" signs which contain flashing lights are specifically prohibited. No sign shall be lighted in any way so as to create a traffic hazard or to adversely affect neighboring land uses. Permanent signs with time, temperature, or other messages which change from time to time shall be permitted in accordance with this section.

(b)

Illumination of signs in the R-1 and R-2 districts is prohibited.

(c)

Illumination of signs shall be directed, shaded or designed so as not to interfere with the vision of drivers or pedestrians. The use of full-cutoff fixtures shall be encouraged.

(d)

Illumination of signs shall be directed, shaded or designed in such a way that no light shall shine onto adjacent properties. The use of full-cutoff fixtures shall be encouraged.

(e)

No sign may be lighted to such intensity or in such a manner that it creates a public nuisance or adversely affects the public health, safety, or general welfare.

(Ord. No. 299 of 2011, § 610, 2-14-2011)

Dilapidated sign structures which are likely to cause injury or degrade the surrounding area, and signs which advertise a closed business, past event or political election, are no longer legible, or are otherwise untimely or unsafe, are a nuisance or danger to the public. The zoning administrator is authorized to remove, or to have removed, all dangerous or nuisance signs, the cost of which is to be borne by the sign owner and/or property owner.

(Ord. No. 299 of 2011, § 611, 2-14-2011)

(a)

It is the intent and purpose of this section to eliminate nonconforming signs except as otherwise specifically set forth in this section as rapidly as the police power of the city permits. Signs may be designated as Class A nonconforming in accordance with article VIII of this chapter.

(b)

No nonconforming sign:

(1)

Shall be structurally altered so as to prolong the life of the signs, nor shall the shape, size, type, or design of the sign structure be altered;

(2)

Shall be continued after the activity, business, or usage to which it relates has been discontinued for 30 days or longer; or

(3)

Shall be reestablished after damage or destruction if the estimated expense of reconstruction exceeds 50 percent of the sign value.

(c)

A conforming sign shall not be changed to a nonconforming sign.

(d)

Nonconforming signs may have their face or message updated but may not be structurally altered.

(Ord. No. 299 of 2011, § 612, 2-14-2011)

(a)

Billboards shall be allowed in the city in accordance with the following provisions:

(1)

Billboards may be located in the B-1, B-2 and I districts along U.S. 2 and M-94 only.

(2)

Billboards shall not exceed 500 square feet in area per face, including border and trim but excluding ornamental base or apron, supports, or other structural members. Billboards may be placed back to back or in V-type or T-type construction, but shall not contain more than one face on each side.

(3)

Lighting of billboards shall be in accordance with section 50-166.

(4)

No mechanical billboards (containing moving parts or changing displays) shall be allowed in the city.

(5)

Billboard structures shall not be located closer than 500 feet from another billboard structure on the same side of the highway.

(6)

Billboard structures shall have a maximum height not to exceed 40 feet above road grade level. A billboard shall maintain a minimum clearance of ten feet measured from the ground level at the base of the sign to the bottom of the sign face.

(7)

Billboards shall be located a minimum of 300 feet from the intersection of public roads.

(8)

Setback requirements for billboards are:

(b)

Billboards shall not interfere with traffic visibility as determined and approved by the city public safety department.

(c)

Except as indicated above, billboards shall comply with the provisions of the highway advertising act of 1972, Public Act 106 of 1972, as amended.

(Ord. No. 299 of 2011, § 613, 2-14-2011)