Signs perform an important function in identifying and promoting businesses, services, neighborhoods, events, economic development, and other matters of interest to the public.

This article is intended to establish regulations for all signs in all zoning districts within the city in a manner consistent with the following purposes:

1.

To protect and further the health, safety and welfare of city residents, property owners and visitors.

2.

To prevent traffic hazards and pedestrian accidents caused by signs which obstruct vision, distract or confuse drivers, or are improperly secured or constructed.

3.

To conserve and enhance community character and the city's aesthetic environment.

4.

To promote uniformity in the size, number and/or placement of signs within zoning districts.

5.

To promote the economic viability of commercial areas by minimizing visual clutter and allowing for proper placement of signs to safely direct motorists to their destination.

6.

To balance the public's right to be informed and its desire to avoid visual pollution and hazardous conditions with the desire of business and nonbusiness uses to communicate by means of signs.

(Ord. No. 227, Art. I, 7-15-24)

As used in this chapter:

Abandoned sign means a sign serving a premises vacant, unoccupied or inactive for more than 180 consecutive days.

Animated sign means any sign that uses movement to depict action or create a special effect or scene. This definition includes rotating signs.

Area identification sign means a sign to identify a common area containing a group of structures, or a single structure on a minimum site of two acres, such as a residential subdivision, apartment complex, industrial park, or shopping area, located at the entrance of the area, and consisting of a fence or wall or archway with letters or symbols affixed thereto.

Awning/canopy sign means any sign painted, applied or attached to the surface of an awning or canopy.

Balloon sign means a temporary sign consisting of an envelope inflated with pressurized or heated air, or a lighter-than-air gas, and displayed for the purpose of advertising or attracting attention. Unlike inflatables, balloon signs can be suspended in midair, independent of any structure other than that which keeps the device from floating away.

Banner means a temporary sign intended to be hung with or without a frame, possessing characters, letters, illustrations or ornamentations applied to paper, plastic or fabric of any kind.

A feather banner (a flexible fabric panel, usually in a teardrop or rectangular shape, attached to a pole) is a type of banner sign.

Flags, as defined herein, shall not be considered banner signs for purposes of this article.

Beacon means any light with one or more beams directed into the atmosphere or directed at one or more points not on the same premises as the light source; also, any light with one or more beams that rotate or move.

Billboard means a sign which advertises an establishment, service, merchandise, use, entertainment, activity, product or message which is not conducted, sold, produced, manufactured, or furnished upon the site on which the sign is located.

Building marker means any sign indicating the name of a building, and date and/or incidental information about its construction, which sign is cut into a masonry surface or made of bronze or other permanent material.

Directional sign means a sign which is located and sized in a manner to safely and efficiently direct the flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic to, from, and within a development site.

Electronic display sign means a sign or portion thereof that uses changing lights to form a sign message in text or graphic or video display form wherein the sequence of the messages and the rate of change is electronically programmed. Electronic display signs include the following:

(1)

Electronic changeable copy sign means a sign on which the message is changed automatically through the use of electronic display technology.

(2)

Electronic graphic display sign means a sign that displays static electronic images, including static graphics or pictures, in which the message change sequence is immediate or by means of fade or dissolve modes.

(3)

Video display sign means a sign that displays a message characterized by motion, movement or pictorial imagery to depict action or a special effect that imitates movement.

(4)

Multi-vision or tri-vision sign means a sign composed of a series of vertical or horizontal slats that are designed to rotate at intervals so that each rotation of the slats produces a different image.

Flag means any fabric, banner, or bunting containing distinctive colors, patterns, or symbols, used as a symbol of government, political subdivisions, or other entity.

Flashing sign means an illuminated sign on which artificial or reflected light is not maintained stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times when in use. Electronic display signs shall not constitute a flashing sign for purposes of this article.

Freestanding sign means a sign not attached to a building or wall and which is supported by one or more poles or braces which rest on the ground or on a foundation resting on the ground.

Incidental sign means a sign, generally informational, that has a purpose secondary to the use of the lot on which it is located, such as "no parking," "entrance," "loading only," "telephone," and other similar directives.

Inflatable sign means a temporary sign consisting of flexible material that takes on a three-dimensional shape when filled with air/gas and is commonly used to draw attention to a site.

Manual changeable copy sign means a sign or portion thereof on which characters, numbers, or letters, are changed or rearranged manually and without altering the face or the surface of the sign.

Marquee sign means a display sign attached to or hung from a marquee, canopy or other structure projecting from and supported by the building and extending beyond the building wall, building line or street lot line.

Marquee means any permanent roof-like structure projecting beyond a building or extending along and projecting beyond the wall of the building, generally designed and constructed to provide protection from the weather.

Monument sign/ground sign means a three-dimensional, self-supporting, base-mounted freestanding sign, consisting of two or more sides extending up from the base, and upon which a message is painted or posted.

Mural means a design or representation painted or drawn on a wall that does not advertise, promote or identify an establishment, product, or service.

Nameplate means a non-electric sign which identifies the name of the resident of the property, with or without the address.

Nonconforming sign means any sign that does not conform to the requirements of this article.

Oscillating sign means a sign that moves repeatedly to and fro or from one position to another.

Painted wall sign means a sign that is painted on the wall of a building.

Pennant/streamer means any lightweight plastic, fabric, or other material, suspended from a rope, wire, or string, usually in series, designed to move in the wind.

Portable sign means any sign not permanently attached to the ground or structure, and by its nature may be or is intended to be moved from one location to another, including, but not limited to, signs designed to be transported by means of wheels; and signs attached to or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public right-of-way, unless said vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day operations of the business.

Projecting sign means a sign which is affixed to any building or structure other than a marquee or awning/canopy, any part of which sign extends beyond the building wall and the horizontal surface of which sign is not parallel to the building wall.

Public sign means a noncommercial message sign erected in the public interest by or upon orders from a local, state, county or federal public entity. Examples of public signs include, but are not limited to, legal notices, safety signs, traffic signs, memorial signs, signs of historical interest, and similar signs.

Roof sign means a sign which is erected, constructed and maintained upon or above a portion of the roof or exterior wall of a building or structure or which is attached to an exterior wall at a height in excess of three feet above the horizontal plane of the roof abutting such wall.

Sign means any name, announcement, identification, insignia, description, display or illustration which is affixed to, painted or represented, directly or indirectly, upon a building, structure, parcel or lot and which directs attention to, advertises or promotes an object, product, place, activity, person, institution, organization, or business. Any of the above which is not placed out of doors, when placed near inside the surface of a window in such a way as to be in view of the general public and used or intended to be used to attract attention or convey information to motorists and pedestrians, shall also be considered as a sign.

Sign area shall be measured as the area within a single, continuous perimeter composed of any straight-line geometric figure which encloses the extreme limits of writing, representation, emblem, logo, or any other figure of similar character, together with any frame of other material or color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the background against which it is placed, excluding only the pedestal, pole, or other structure necessary to support the sign.

Signs with two or more faces: The area of a sign that has two or more faces shall be measured by including the area of all sign faces. Except, if two such sign faces are placed back-to-back and are no more than two feet apart at any point, the area of the two back-to-back faces shall be computed as one face. If the two back-to-back faces are of unequal size, the larger of the two sign faces shall be counted as the face.

Sign height shall be measured as the vertical distance from the highest point of the sign to the finished grade of the abutting street.

Suspended sign means a sign that is suspended from the underside of a horizontal plane surface and is supported by such surface.

Swinging sign means a sign which is designed or constructed to move or pivot as a result of wind pressure for the purpose of attracting attention.

Temporary sign means a sign intended for a limited period of display and which is not permanently mounted.

Wall sign means a sign that is attached directly to a building wall, the horizontal surface of which sign is parallel to the building wall.

Window sign means a sign painted on, or affixed to the inside or outside glass surfaces of windows or doors and is intended to be viewed from outside the building.

(Ord. No. 227, Art. I, 7-15-24)

The following signs are exempt from the provisions of this article:

a.

Nameplates, not exceeding one square foot in area and located at a property entrance or wall of a principal residence.

b.

Signs identifying buildings or sites recognized as historic landmarks by a governmental body or agency.

c.

Public signs.

d.

Building markers, memorial tablets, or similar signs.

e.

Window signs that do not occupy more than 50 percent of the glass surface area of a window or door.

f.

Decorative signs or displays used temporarily for holidays, patriotic occasions or public, governmental or charitable purposes or events.

(Ord. No. 227, Art. I, 7-15-24)

The following signs are prohibited in all zoning districts:

a.

Swinging signs.

b.

Animated signs.

c.

Abandoned signs.

d.

Roof signs.

e.

Signs placed on any utility pole, light pole, telephone pole, stop sign, traffic sign, etc., except for utility identification or similar purpose.

f.

Portable signs, except as allowed by section 15.6.e.

g.

Balloon and/or inflatable signs, except as allowed by section 15.6.e.

h.

Banner/pennant signs, except as allowed by section 15.6.e.

i.

Temporary signs, except as allowed by section 15.6.e.

j.

Billboards.

k.

Video display signs.

l.

Multi-vision or tri-vision signs.

(Ord. No. 227, Art. I, 7-15-24)

a.

Signs shall be allowed only in accordance with the provisions of this article and any other applicable provisions of this Ordinance.

b.

Sign construction. Signs shall be placed, constructed and erected in accordance with good construction practices and shall be maintained in good condition and repair.

1.

Wind pressure, dead load, and construction requirements. Wind pressure and dead load and construction requirements shall be as specified in the State Construction Code being M.C.L.A. § 125.1501 et seq. All signs shall otherwise be constructed in conformance with the requirements and specifications of the BOCA Code as adopted by the City of Parchment, where not in conflict with this Ordinance.

2.

Electrical service. Signs requiring electrical service shall be constructed and operated in compliance with the electrical code in effect within the city.

3.

Number, date, and voltage to be on sign. Every sign hereafter erected shall have placed in a conspicuous place thereon, in letters not less than one-half inch in height, the date of erection, the permit number and the voltage of any electrical apparatus used in connection therewith.

c.

Sign materials. Except as otherwise allowed by this article, all signs shall be constructed of permanent materials and shall be permanently attached to the ground or a building/structure by direct attachment to a right wall, frame or structure.

d.

Sign illumination. Except as otherwise allowed by this article, signs may be illuminated as follows:

1.

External illumination for signs shall be shielded in such a manner as to focus the light directly on the sign surface with not greater than one footcandle of illumination measurable at the property line.

2.

In no case shall any sign illumination exceed a level of 0.08 foot-candles, and a luminary brightness of 2,400 foot-lamberts (glare measurement), when measured from the nearest or adjacent residentially-used property.

3.

The illumination of any sign, or any part of such illumination, shall not be anything other than a steady, continuously burning bulb or light. The flashing or turning on and off of sign illumination of any bulb or component part thereof is prohibited.

4.

The use of string electric light bulbs which illuminate products which are stored outdoors for sale is prohibited, except as allowed by section 15.3.f.

e.

The use of beacons, strobe light(s), or similar blinking or flashing lights, except for displays used temporarily for/during holidays, is prohibited.

f.

Obstruction to doors, windows and fire escapes. No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape. No sign of any kind shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.

g.

Signs not to constitute a traffic hazard. No sign or sign structure shall be illuminated, placed, constructed or erected in any location or manner where it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device. No sign, signal, marking, device or blinking, oscillating or rotating light shall be erected adjacent to any public right-of-way so as to create a traffic hazard.

h.

Obscene matter prohibited. No person shall display upon any sign or other advertising structure any obscene or immoral matter nor hate speech nor speech advocating violence.

i.

Signs in public right-of-way. No sign shall be erected or placed in, upon, or over a public right-of-way or alley. The owner of a sign which has been removed from a right-of-way because of a violation of this subsection shall pay a sum as established by resolution of the city commission, plus removal costs. If a sign is not claimed within 30 days, it shall be destroyed.

(Ord. No. 227, Art. I, 7-15-24)

a.

Signs shall be allowed only in accordance with this section and other applicable provisions of this Ordinance.

Expand

R-C District; R-A District; R-M District
Sign Type	Maximum Number	Sign Area	Sign Height	Sign Placement	Diagram
Ground/monument signs (for nonresidential uses)	May be substituted for equal number of freestanding signs	20% greater than allowed for freestanding sign	6 feet	See section 15.5.l.
Freestanding signs (for nonresidential uses)	One per parcel	32 square feet	8 feet	See section 15.5 l.
Wall signs (for nonresidential uses)		Front wall: one square foot per lineal foot of building frontage Other walls: 50 square feet Thickness: 18 inches from wall to outer sign surface	Shall not project above the wall to which it is attached or interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic	See section 15.5.g.
Changeable copy signs	See section 15.6.f.
Temporary signs	See section 15.6.e.
Murals	See section 15.6.g.

 

Expand

R-T District; C-1 District; C-2 District
Sign Type	Maximum Number	Maximum Area	Maximum Height	Placement	Diagram
Ground/monument signs (for nonresidential uses)	May be substituted for equal number of freestanding signs	20% greater than allowed for freestanding sign	Six feet	See section 15.5.l.
Freestanding signs (for nonresidential uses)	One per parcel	32 square feet	12 feet	See section 15.5.l.
Wall signs (for nonresidential uses)		Front wall: one square foot per lineal foot of building frontage Other walls: 50 square feet Thickness: 18 inches from wall to outer sign surface	Shall not extend beyond the wall nor above the roof line and shall not interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic	See section 15.5.g.
Projecting signs (for nonresidential uses)	One per storefront	15 square feet	Shall not project more than 18 inches from the wall nor extend above the roof line and shall maintain eight-foot clearance from public sidewalk	See section 15.5.l.
Awning/canopy/marquee signs	One per face of the awning/canopy/marquee	One square foot per lineal foot of building frontage	Shall not project more than 48 inches from the wall nor extend above the roof line and shall maintain eight-foot clearance from public sidewalk
Changeable copy signs	See section 15.6.f.
Temporary signs	See section 15.6.e.
Murals	See section 15.6.g.

 

Expand

C-3 District; I-M District
Sign Type	Maximum Number	Maximum Area	Maximum Height	Placement	Diagram
Ground/monument signs	May be substituted for equal number of freestanding signs	20% greater than allowed for freestanding sign	6 feet	See section 15.5.l.
Freestanding signs	One per parcel per street frontage	50 square feet	20 feet	See section 15.5.l.
Wall signs		Front wall: three square feet per lineal foot of building frontage Other walls: 100 square feet Thickness: 18 inches from wall to outer sign surface	Shall not extend beyond the wall nor above the roof line and shall not interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic	See section 15.5.g.
Projecting signs	One per storefront	15 square feet	Shall not project more than 18 inches from the wall nor extend above the roof line and shall maintain eight-foot clearance from public sidewalk	See section 15.5.l.
Awning/canopy/marquee signs	One per face of the awning/canopy/marquee	One square foot per lineal foot of building frontage	Shall not project more than 48 inches from the wall nor extend above the roof line and shall maintain eight-foot clearance from public sidewalk
Changeable copy signs	See section 15.6.f.
Temporary signs	See section 15.6.e.
Murals	See section 15.6.g.

 

b.

Residential development signs. One sign shall be allowed at each entrance to a residential subdivision, site condominium or other residential development, not to exceed two signs per development. Each sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in area or six feet in height, and shall be located a minimum of ten feet from the abutting street right-of-way.

c.

Commercial/industrial development signs. One sign shall be allowed at each entrance to a(n) commercial/industrial park, subdivision, site condominium or other commercial/industrial development, not to exceed two signs per development. Each sign shall not exceed 50 square feet in area or six feet in height, and shall be located a minimum of ten feet from the abutting street right-of-way.

d.

Directional signs. One directional sign shall be allowed at each driveway within a commercial or industrial district. Each directional sign shall not exceed two square feet in area or three feet in height, and shall be located within five feet of a driveway or sidewalk.

e.

Temporary signs.

1.

Temporary signs may be displayed within any residential district subject to the following standards: two temporary signs shall be allowed for the first 66 feet of lot frontage plus an additional temporary sign for each additional 30 feet of lot frontage. Temporary signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in total area or four feet in height per sign, and may not be placed in a prohibited sign area.

2.

Temporary signs may be displayed within any commercial or industrial district subject to the following standards: two temporary signs shall be allowed for the first 66 feet of lot frontage plus an additional temporary sign for each additional 30 feet of lot frontage. Temporary signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in total area or six feet in height per sign, and may not be placed in a prohibited sign area.

f.

Changeable copy signs. Any allowed sign may include a manual or electronic changeable copy sign or electronic graphic display sign, subject to compliance with the following requirements:

1.

The area of a changeable copy sign or electronic graphic display sign shall be included in the maximum sign area limitation. The area of a changeable copy sign or electronic graphic display sign shall not exceed 50 percent of the maximum allowed sign area. Only one changeable copy sign or electronic graphic display sign shall be allowed per parcel.

2.

A changeable copy sign or electronic graphic display sign shall not change its message more frequently than once every six seconds.

3.

The message of a changeable copy sign or electronic graphic display sign shall, when changing, appear only in its entirety. The message shall not appear to flash, move from the center of the sign outward, move from the corners of the sign inward or demonstrate any other unusual movement, oscillation or method of appearance.

4.

A changeable copy sign or electronic graphic display sign shall not display full white copy between sunset and sunrise and otherwise shall not feature a brightness level deemed to be a distraction or injurious to the vision of motorists, as determined by the city. The changeable copy sign or electronic graphic display sign shall be equipped with an ambient light sensor to regulate sign brightness.

g.

Murals. Type 1 mural - a design or representation that does not contain promotional or commercial advertising painted or drawn on a wall. Type 2 mural - an original, one-of-a kind, unique design or representation that contains limited reference to the establishment, product, or service provided on the site, which is painted or drawn on a wall on that site.

1.

Type 1 and type 2 murals shall not be considered signs, and shall not be required to obtain permits.

2.

If the proposed design is determined to be a sign, it shall be subject to compliance with all requirements of this article.

3.

If the proposed design is determined to be a type 1 mural, no further review or action is necessary.

4.

If the proposed design is determined to be a type 2 mural, it shall be subject to review by the planning commission for a determination of compliance with the requirements set forth in this subsection.

a.

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.

b.

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 percent 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.

c.

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.

(Ord. No. 227, Art. I, 7-15-24)

a.

All signs, and all components thereof, including, without limitation, supports, braces, guys and anchors, shall be maintained in conformance with this article and in such a state as to not cause a hazard to the public.

b.

All signs shall be maintained free of any conditions which impair the legibility of such sign.

c.

If the message portion of a sign is wholly or partially removed or damaged, leaving only the supporting "shell" of a sign or leaving the sign in disrepair, the owner of the property where the sign is located, or other person having control over such sign shall, within three months of the removal of or damage to the message portion of the sign, either replace the entire message portion of the sign or remove the remaining components of the sign. This subsection shall not be construed to alter the effect of which prohibits the replacement of a nonconforming sign. Nor shall this subsection be construed to prevent the changing of the message of a sign.

(Ord. No. 227, Art. I, 7-15-24)

a.

Lawful existing signs. A permanent sign existing on the date of enactment of this chapter and not conforming to its provisions, but which was erected and constructed in compliance with previous ordinance provisions, shall be deemed a lawful nonconforming sign and may be allowed to remain if the sign is properly maintained and if it has no serious adverse effects on the public health, safety and general welfare. Temporary signs regulated by subsection 15.6.e. and in existence on the date of enactment of this chapter shall be removed within three months from the date of enactment of this article.

b.

Continuance of lawful nonconforming signs.

1.

A nonconforming sign shall not be enlarged or expanded in area, increased in height, or altered in such manner as to increase the nonconforming condition, nor may illumination be added to any nonconforming sign.

2.

A nonconforming sign shall not be structurally rebuilt or reconstructed so as to change the shape, size, type, placement or design of the structural elements of the sign.

3.

A nonconforming sign shall not be moved or replaced except to bring the sign into complete conformity with this article.

4.

If a nonconforming sign is destroyed, it may not thereafter be repaired, reconstructed, or replaced except in conformity with all the provisions of this chapter, and the remnants of the former sign structure shall be cleared from the land. For purposes of this section, a nonconforming sign is "destroyed" if damaged to an extent that the cost of repairing the sign to its former stature or replacing it with an equivalent sign equals or exceeds the value of the sign so damaged.

5.

A nonconforming sign may be altered as follows: normal and usual maintenance; the replacement of landscaping below the base of the sign; the changing of the sign's background, letters, figures, graphics or other characters; or, the repair or replacement of electrical wiring or electrical devices. A nonconforming sign may be repaired and renovated so long as the cost of such work does not exceed within any 12-month period 50 percent of the value of such sign.

(Ord. No. 227, Art. I, 7-15-24)

a.

Sign permit required. No sign shall be erected, constructed, repaired, altered, or relocated unless specifically exempted by this Ordinance, without first obtaining a sign permit from the city.

b.

Application. Application for a sign permit to the city and shall be reviewed in accordance with the following procedures:

1.

Required information. A sign permit application shall be completed and accompanied by the following information:

a)

Detailed drawings that demonstrate the design, construction, dimensions, materials and location of each sign.

b)

The location of the building, structure or lot to which or upon which the sign or other advertising structure is to be attached or erected;

c)

The position of the sign or other advertising structure in relation to nearby buildings or structures;

d)

The method of construction and attachment to the building or in the ground.

e)

Such other information required by the city to show full compliance with this chapter and all other provisions of this Ordinance.

f)

A single sign permit application and permit may include multiple signs on the same lot.

2.

Issuance or rejection. A completed sign permit application shall be reviewed by the city for compliance with the requirements of this Ordinance. a sign permit application that complies with this Ordinance will be issued a sign permit. A sign permit application that fails to comply with this Ordinance will be rejected and the applicant so notified.

3.

Fees. A sign permit shall require payment of fee as established by the city commission. If any sign is erected prior to receiving a permit for the same, the fee for such sign shall be double that indicated in the schedule.

(Ord. No. 227, Art. I, 7-15-24)

a.

It is a violation of this Ordinance to install, create, erect or maintain any sign that does not fully comply with the requirements of this Ordinance.

b.

Each sign installed, created, erected or maintained in violation of this Article is considered a separate violation when applying the penalty portions of this Ordinance.

c.

Unsafe signs. If the city 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.

d.

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.

(Ord. No. 227, Art. I, 7-15-24)