(a)

This Article is intended to regulate the size, number, location and manner of display of signs in the Pere Marquette Charter Township consistent with the following purposes:

(1)

To protect and further the health, safety and welfare of 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.

(4)

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

(5)

To promote the economic viability of commercial areas by minimizing visual clutter and allowing for 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 communication rights of businesses and other non-business uses.

(7)

To recognize that special circumstances or events may create a need for temporary signage for a limited and reasonable period of time.

(8)

The purpose of this Article does not include the regulation of the content or any information included on the sign.

(b)

Substitution Clause. Signs which contain non-commercial speech are permitted anywhere that advertising or business signs are permitted subject to the same regulations applicable to such signs. The owner of any sign which is otherwise allowed by this Article may substitute non-commercial language in lieu of any other commercial or non-commercial language. This substitution may be made without any additional approval or permitting. The purpose of this provision is to prevent an inadvertent favoring of commercial speech over non-commercial speech or favoring of any particular non-commercial message over any other non-commercial message.

(Ord. No. 144, 8-13-2019)

Abandoned Sign: A sign which no longer identifies or advertises a currently operating business, lessee, service, owner, product, or activity, and/or for which no legal owner can be found.

Balloon Sign: See Inflatable Sign.

Banner Sign: A portable sign of fabric, nylon, plastic, or other non-rigid material without an enclosing structural framework attached to or hung from a pole or rope or to a building or structure. Banner signs also mean flag signs, feather flags and flutter flag signs.

Commercial Establishment: A business operating independent of any other business located in a freestanding building; in a strip mall, a business completely separated from other businesses by walls from the ground up and with a door which may regularly be used by the public for exclusive ingress and egress to that business; in an enclosed structure with a shared climate controlled area, a business completely separated from other businesses by walls from the ground up and with a door or entrance which may regularly be used by the public for exclusive ingress and egress to that business and which may be closed to the public even while the common area is open to the public; and in an office building, a business holding itself out to the public as a single entity, independent of other businesses or persons.

Directional Sign: A sign used primarily to give information about locations or possible destinations to a driver of a motorized vehicle, a pedestrian, bicyclist or others. Although this is a content-based distinction, these signs are important to prevent public confusion and facilitate collision-free flow of traffic.

Electronic Reader Board/Digital Display Sign: A sign or portion thereof that displays electronic, digital, pictorial, or text information in which alphanumeric characters, graphics, or symbols are defined by a small number of matrix elements using different combinations of light emitting diodes (LED's), fiber optics, light bulbs, or other illumination devices within the display area. Such signs can include computer programmable, microprocessor controlled electronic displays, and video display signs.

Festoons: A string of ribbons, tinsel, flags, pennants or pinwheels.

Freestanding Sign: A sign not attached to a building or wall which is supported by one or more poles or braces or which rests on the ground or on a foundation resting on the ground.

Government Sign: A sign erected, permitted by, or required to be erected by a government agency.

Ground Sign: A freestanding sign supported by a base resting directly on the ground. The width of the base shall be at least 50 percent of the width of the sign in order to be a ground sign. Also called a monument sign.

Identification Sign: A sign intended to communicate information about services and facilities. Although this is a content-based distinction, these signs are important to prevent public confusion and facilitate collision-free flow of traffic.

Illuminated Sign: A sign that provides artificial light directly (or through any transparent or translucent material) from a source of light connected with the sign, or a sign illuminated by a light shielded so that no direct rays from it are visible from any public right-of-way or from the abutting property.

Inflatable Sign: Any three-dimensional object, including a tethered balloon, capable of being filled with air or gas depicting a container, figure, product, or product trademark, whether or not such object contains a message or lettering.

Mansard: A sloped roof or roof-like façade architecturally comparable to a building wall.

Mansard Sign: A sign that is mounted, painted on, or attached to a mansard.

Manual Sign: A sign on which the letters or pictorials are changed by hand.

Multi-Vision Sign: Any sign composed in whole or in part of a series of vertical or horizontal slats or cylinders that are capable of being rotated at intervals so that partial rotation of the group of slats or cylinders produces a different image or images.

Mural: A design or representation painted or drawn on a wall which does not advertise an establishment, product, service, or activity.

Nonconforming Sign: (also called a "legal nonconforming sign") A sign that does not comply with the size, placement, construction or other standards or regulations of this chapter or article but was lawfully established prior to its adoption. Signs for which the Zoning Board of Appeals has granted a variance are exempt and shall not be defined as nonconforming.

Painted Wall Sign: A sign which is applied with paint or similar substance on the face of a wall or the roof of a building.

Pennant: A flag or cloth that tapers to a point.

Permanent Sign: A sign installed on a support structure, not intended to be moved or removed, but to remain for an indefinite period of time.

Pole Sign: A freestanding sign which is supported by a structure, or poles, or braces. The width of the supporting structures must be less than 50 percent of the width of the sign.

Projecting Sign: A display sign which is attached directly to the building wall, extends more than 15 inches from the face of the wall and projects in such a way that the message is not parallel to the wall to which it is attached.

Right-of-Way Signs: Signs erected by the Township, county, state, federal and other public/quasi-public agencies and located within the public right-of-way.

Roof Line: The top of a roof or parapet wall, whichever is higher, but excluding any cupolas, chimneys, or other minor projections.

Roof Sign: A sign erected above the roof line of a building.

Rotating Sign: A sign in which the sign itself or any portion of the sign moves in a revolving or similar manner. Such motion does not refer to methods of changeable copy.

Sidewalk Sign: An A-frame sign which is portable and designed to be placed on the sidewalk in front of the use it advertises. This may also be called a "Sandwich Board Sign."

Sign: A device, structure, fixture, figure or placard which may or may not use graphics, symbols, emblems, numbers, lights and/or written copy designed specifically for the purpose of advertising, identifying, or directing attention to an establishment, product, service, person, place, organization, institution, activity, or idea.

Streamers: A long, narrow strip of material used as a decoration or symbol.

Temporary Event: A single event, occurrence or celebration that occurs for a limited period of time or a short duration.

Temporary Event Sign Permit: A permit authorizing, for a limited period of time, the display of temporary signage beyond what would otherwise be permitted by this Chapter.

Temporary Sign: A sign installed for a limited period of time, intended to be removed within a time period as specified herein.

Traffic Warning Sign: A sign that indicates a hazard ahead on a road that may not be readily apparent to a driver.

Video Sign: A sign which displays moving images as on a television.

Wall Sign: A sign painted or attached directly to and parallel to the exterior wall of a building extending no greater than 12 inches from the exterior face of a wall to which it is attached.

Window Sign: A sign installed inside a window and intended to be viewed from the outside.

(Ord. No. 144, 8-13-2019; Ord. No. 154, §§ 1—3, 6-14-2022)

The signs and devices listed in this section are exempted from the restrictions and requirements of this section except the requirements of Section 109-28.06, and may be used without permit or approval when not in violation of any law or safety standard or any other portion of this Ordinance:

(a)

Government signs.

(b)

Signs not visible from any public way or from any point off the lot on which they are located.

(c)

Official flags of governments when displayed in a manner approved by the government represented.

(d)

Holiday decorations and greetings in season.

(e)

Signs required by law to be displayed.

(f)

In residential zoning districts signs, which are three square feet or less in size.

(g)

In non-residential zoning districts signs which are five square feet or less in area. Such signs shall be a minimum of ten feet apart and setback from all lot lines a minimum of ten feet.

(h)

Window signs.

(i)

Signs erected for ordering or viewing drive-through window services or products when adjacent to a drive-through window vehicle driving lane.

(Ord. No. 144, 8-13-2019)

A sign not expressly permitted by this Article is prohibited. Specifically, the following types of signs are expressly prohibited:

(a)

Any sign or sign structure which is structurally unsafe; or constitutes a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation or abandonment, or is not kept in good repair; or is capable of causing electrical shocks to persons likely to come in contact with it.

(b)

Any sign, banner, pennant, or similar device which, by reason of its size, location, content, motion, coloring or manner of illumination, constitutes a traffic hazard or a detriment to traffic safety by obstructing the vision of drivers or by obstructing or detracting from the visibility of any traffic sign or control device on public streets or roads.

(c)

Any sign which obstructs free ingress or egress from a required door, window, fire escape or other exit way.

(d)

A sign using the words "stop," "danger," or other words, phrases, symbols, or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse a vehicle driver. Although this is a content-based distinction, these signs must be prohibited to prevent public confusion, risks to safety, and traffic collisions.

(e)

Any sign unlawfully installed, erected or maintained.

(f)

Abandoned signs.

(g)

Roof signs.

(h)

Searchlights, laser lights, strobe lights, and lights of a similar nature.

(Ord. No. 144, 8-13-2019)

(a)

A sign permit shall be required for the erection and construction of all permanent signs except those exempted by Section 109-28.03.

(b)

A sign permit is not required for ordinary maintenance of signs such as painting, cleaning and light replacement and alteration of sign message.

(c)

Application Information. An application for a sign permit shall be made to the Zoning Administrator or their agent along with a fee as required by Township Board resolution. The application, at a minimum, shall include the following:

(1)

Name, address and telephone number of applicant and the person, firm or corporation erecting the sign.

(2)

Address or permanent parcel number of the property where the sign will be located.

(3)

A sketch showing the location of the building, structure, or lot upon which the sign is to be attached or erected and showing the proposed sign in relation to buildings and structures along with setback from lot lines.

(4)

An accurate drawing to scale of the plans and specifications, method of construction and attachment to structures or ground. If required by the Zoning Administrator, the applicant shall provide engineered stress sheets (sealed plans) and calculations showing that the structure is designed according to the requirements of the Township Building Code for wind load restrictions.

(5)

Any required electrical permit shall be attached to the application.

(6)

The zoning district in which the sign is to be located.

(7)

Any other information which the Zoning Administrator may require in order to demonstrate compliance with this Article.

(8)

Signature of applicant or person, firm, or corporation erecting the sign.

(9)

The Zoning Administrator shall issue a sign permit if all provisions of this Article and other applicable Township regulations are met. A sign authorized by a permit shall be installed within six months of the date of issuance of the sign permit or else the permit shall expire. In the case of an expired permit, a new permit may be issued upon filing of a new application and fee.

(Ord. No. 144, 8-13-2019; Ord. No. 148, § 2, 3-9-2021; Ord. No. 154, § 4, 6-14-2022)

All signs, including signs which do not require a permit, are subject to the requirements of Sections 109-28.06, 109-28.07 and 109-28.08 and all other applicable requirements of this Ordinance.

(a)

Signs may be internally illuminated or, if externally illuminated, the source of the light shall be enclosed and directed to prevent the source of light from shining directly onto traffic or any residential district or property. For externally lit signs, the lighting fixture shall be mounted on the top only and the light fixture shielded so that light is directed downward so that no direct rays interfere with the vision of persons on adjacent streets or properties.

(b)

Signs shall not be placed in, upon or over any public right-of-way, or alley, except as may be otherwise permitted by the Mason County Road Commission or Michigan Department of Transportation.

(c)

No light pole, utility pole, publicly-owned landscaping, fire hydrant, or other supporting member shall be used for the placement of any sign unless specifically designed and approved for such use.

(d)

A sign shall not, in the opinion of the Zoning Administrator, interfere with or obstruct the view of drivers or those on foot or bicycle, or create any type of safety hazard or distraction to vehicle drivers.

(e)

No commercial vehicles or trailers, which in the opinion of the Zoning Administrator have the intended function of acting as a sign, shall be parked in any area abutting the street, unless no other parking area is available.

(f)

Except for electronic reader boards no sign shall contain any moving or animated parts nor have the appearance of having any moving or animated parts.

(g)

No wall sign shall extend beyond the edge of the wall to which it is affixed, and no wall sign shall extend above the roof line of a building.

(h)

All ground, wall, and freestanding signs may include reader boards as permitted by Section 109-28.08 herein.

(i)

Signs shall not obstruct sidewalk passage of pedestrians.

(j)

A window sign may consist of illuminated letters including neon lights.

(k)

Unless otherwise specifically stated in Article 21 regulating PUDs, and/or included in an approved PUD Development Plan, signs for uses or buildings located in the PUD District shall be subject to the sign limitations allowed for buildings or uses of a similar type built in the respective zoning districts.

(l)

To assist emergency personnel in case of an emergency, all on site signs identifying a building or specific use shall have displayed thereon the address number of the property on which the building or use is located. The address number shall be displayed in a block text having a minimum height of four inches and a color that contrasts with the color of the background on which the address number is displayed.

(m)

Signs used by or for services, businesses, attractions, activities, lessors, owners that are no longer in operation and the owner has demonstrated an intent to abandon the use or building, then the use shall be considered abandoned and the sign shall be removed or replaced within 90 days after written notification from the Zoning Administrator to the sign owner, the property owner where the sign is located, or any other party having control over the sign.

The determination of abandonment shall be made by the Zoning Administrator. Evidence of such intent may include, but is not limited to the following:

(1)

Discontinuance of utility service:

(2)

Removal of building fixtures needed for the use;

(3)

Property falling into disrepair;

(4)

Elimination of postal service;

(5)

Non-payment of property taxes.

(Ord. No. 144, 8-13-2019; Ord. No. 148, § 2, 3-9-2021)

(a)

The area of a sign is the entire area within a circle, triangle, or parallelogram enclosing the extreme limits of writing, representation, emblem, or any figure of similar character, together with any frame or other material or color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate such sign from the background against which it is placed; excluding the necessary supports or uprights on which the sign is placed.

(b)

Where a sign has two or more faces, the combined area of all faces shall be included in determining the area of the sign, except that where two faces are placed back-to-back and are at no point more than two feet from one another, the area of the sign shall be taken as the area of one face. In the case of a sphere, the total area of the sphere is divided by two for purposes of determining the maximum permitted sign area.

(c)

The height of a sign shall be measured as the vertical distance from the highest point of the sign to the grade of the adjacent street or the average grade of the ground immediately beneath the sign, whichever is less.

(Ord. No. 144, 8-13-2019)

Electronic reader boards/digital signs shall comply with the following regulations:

(a)

Brightness.

(1)

Digital signs must have installed an ambient light monitor which shall monitor and adjust the brightness level of the display based on ambient light conditions consistent with the terms of this Article.

(2)

An electronic reader board sign shall not exceed a maximum illumination of 6,500 nits (candelas per square meter) during daylight hours and a maximum illumination of 325 nits (candelas per square meter) between dusk to dawn as measured at the sign's face at maximum brightness.

(b)

Timing intervals. The dwell time, defined as the interval of change between each individual message, shall be at least six seconds and a change of message must be accomplished within one second or less. The dwell time shall not include the one second or less to change the message.

(c)

An electronic reader board sign shall not have a white background in order to reduce glare.

(d)

An electronic reader board is allowed as a window sign and shall comply with the requirements for electronic reader boards as set forth in this Article.

(e)

Electronic reader boards legally in existence upon the effective date of this Article shall be required to comply with the illumination requirements of this Article.

(Ord. No. 144, 8-13-2019)

(a)

Except as otherwise provided herein, temporary signs may be displayed for no more than 60 days in a calendar year.

(b)

No permit shall be required for temporary signs on a parcel if the total square footage of a single sign, or all temporary signs displayed on the parcel, does not exceed 20 square feet.

(c)

The Zoning Administrator shall have the discretion to determine when a temporary sign is a permanent sign and subject to the rules for permanent signs.

(d)

The size and number of temporary signs allowed shall be as specified within each zoning district provided in Sections 109-28.10 through 109-28.12.

(e)

Signs shall be anchored in a safe and secure manner. The anchoring of signs by tying or attaching weighted objects (such as cinder blocks or tires) is prohibited.

(f)

The sign shall be located a minimum of five feet from the edge of any street right-of-way or public or private sidewalk except for sandwich board signs as regulated herein.

(g)

A sign shall not be displayed if it is torn, bent, faded, not upright, unreadable, or otherwise unsightly.

(h)

Temporary signs held by a person shall not be displayed in the road right-of-way and shall not hamper the visibility of a driver on or off the site.

(i)

Temporary signs shall only be internally illuminated.

(j)

An electronic reader board/ digital display sign may serve as a temporary sign and shall comply with the requirements of Section 109-28.08.

(k)

Temporary Event Signs in the PS, C-1, C-2, AP, and Industrial Districts. Temporary signs in excess of the maximum square footage and height limitations set forth in Section 109-28.11(b)(1) and Section 109-28.12(e) may be permitted in the PS, C-1, C-2, AP, and Industrial districts for a Temporary Event if a Temporary Event Sign Permit is issued, consistent with the following:

(1)

Application: An application for a Temporary Event Sign Permit shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator and shall contain all of the following:

i.

Applicant contact information and identification of the property at which the Temporary Event will take place, including the nature and extent of the applicant's ownership or lease interest in the property, building or structure upon with the temporary signs are proposed for placement.

ii.

A nonrefundable application fee, as established by resolution of the Township Board.

iii.

A written description of the requested signs, the duration for which the signs will be displayed (if the signs will only be displayed on specific days, the application should so indicate), and the Temporary Event at which the signs will be displayed. A Temporary Event Sign Permit shall be valid for no more than 60 consecutive calendar days. To ensure that Temporary Event Sign Permits remain temporary in nature, no Temporary Event Sign Permit shall be issued for the same parcel, or in the case of a parcel with multiple occupants, to the same occupant, until at least 15 days have passed since the expiration of the previous Temporary Event Sign Permit issued for that parcel or occupant.

iv.

A sketch showing: 1) the site and its relationship to the roadway and adjacent land uses, 2) the requested signage including dimensions, and 3) any structural supports for signage. The sketch shall be drawn at a readable scale with a scale bar.

(2)

Procedure: Applications for a Temporary Event Sign Permit shall be processed consistent with the following procedure.

i.

An application for a Temporary Event Sign Permit shall be reviewed for completeness by the Zoning Administrator, who will inform the applicant if any required information is missing. Once the Zoning Administrator determines an application is complete he or she will approve or reject the application based on the approval standards in Subsection (3) below.

ii.

The Zoning Administrator, in his or her discretion, may defer review of an application for a Temporary Event Sign Permit to the Planning Commission. An applicant for a Temporary Event Sign Permit may also request review of an application by the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission may review an application for a Temporary Event Sign Permit at any regular or special meeting. Upon concluding its review, the Planning Commission may approve the application, deny the application, or approve the application subject to conditions which shall directly relate to the standards of approval set forth in Subsection (3) below.

iii.

In reviewing an application for a Temporary Event Sign Permit, the Zoning Administrator and/or the Planning Commission may require the applicant to submit additional information or conduct a site visit.

iv.

Any denial of an application for a Temporary Event Sign Permit is appealable to the ZBA.

(3)

Approval Standards: In order to approve or to approve with conditions an application for a Temporary Event Sign Permit, the Zoning Administrator or the Planning Commission shall find that the requested temporary signage:

i.

Comports with purpose and intent of this Article as set forth in Section 109-28.01;

ii.

Satisfies the general requirements for signs set forth in Section 109-28.06 of this Article;

iii.

Satisfies the specific requirements for temporary signs set forth in Subsections 109-28.09(d)—(i) of this Article;

iv.

Will not contribute to visual or physical clutter;

v.

Will not be located within the roadway or right of way;

vi.

Will not interfere with pedestrian movement or in a manner that presents a safety hazard to pedestrians or vehicles;

vii.

Is truly temporary in nature and is not intended to bypass this Chapter's restrictions on permanent signage.

(4)

Termination: A Temporary Event Sign Permit shall be terminated and all temporary signs subject to the permit shall be removed upon the first to occur of the following:

i.

The expiration of the event identified in the application for a Temporary Event Sign Permit.

ii.

The passage of 60 days from the date the Temporary Event Sign Permit is issued.

iii.

The applicant's failure to correct any deviation from the approved application or any conditions of approval within twenty-four hours written notice of the same.

iv.

The applicant's failure to maintain all signs in good repair or to ensure all signs are fastened securely to a supported structure, if the same is not corrected within twenty-four hours written notice.

(Ord. No. 144, 8-13-2019; Ord. No. 154, § 5, 6-14-2022)

(a)

The following signs are permitted per parcel as part of an application for and approval of a Conditional Use Permit according to the following requirements:

(1)

One permanent ground sign as follows:

i.

One per parcel not to exceed 32 square feet in area.

ii.

The height of the sign shall not exceed six feet.

iii.

The sign shall be setback a minimum of five feet from the front lot line and 20 feet from all other lot lines.

iv.

The sign may be illuminated.

(2)

One wall sign per public or private street frontage as follows:

i.

The sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in area.

ii.

The wall sign shall be placed on that side of the building which directly faces the street.

iii.

All signs shall be placed flat against the building and shall not project out from a wall or architectural feature by more than one foot, except that a mansard sign may be offset up to 6 inches from the mansard to the sign's back and bottom to allow snow and water to drain. The depth of a mansard sign shall not exceed one foot. No wall or mansard sign shall project above or beyond the roof or parapet to which it is attached.

iv.

A wall sign may be internally illuminated.

(b)

Temporary signs are permitted as follows:

(1)

Temporary signs are permitted, provided that the square footage of a single sign or the total square footage of all temporary signs shall not exceed 16 square feet.

(2)

Temporary signs shall comply with the requirements of Section 109-28.09.

(c)

Non-digital ground/monument and freestanding signs shall be permitted at main (public) street entrances to residential subdivisions and other housing developments for the purpose of identifying the subdivision or development. Said signs shall be limited to one per entrance not to exceed 24 square feet in area and subject to the height, setback and illumination provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 144, 8-13-2019; Ord. No. 148, § 2, 3-9-2021)

(a)

The following signs are permitted per parcel according to the following requirements:

(1)

One permanent ground sign as follows:

i.

One per parcel not to exceed 32 square feet in area.

ii.

The height of the sign shall not exceed five feet.

iii.

The sign shall be setback a minimum of five feet from the front lot line and 20 feet from all other lot lines.

iv.

The sign may be illuminated.

(2)

One wall sign per public or private street frontage as follows:

i.

The sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in area.

ii.

The wall sign shall be placed on that side of the building which directly faces the street.

iii.

All signs shall be placed flat against the building and shall not project out from a wall or architectural feature by more than one foot, except that a mansard sign may be offset up to 6 inches from the mansard to the sign's back and bottom to allow snow and water to drain. The depth of a mansard sign shall not exceed one foot. No wall or mansard sign shall project above or beyond the roof or parapet to which it is attached.

iv.

A wall sign may be internally illuminated.

(b)

Temporary Signs are permitted as follows:

(1)

Temporary signs are permitted, provided that the square footage of a single sign or the total square footage of all temporary signs shall not exceed 16 square feet, unless a Temporary Event Sign Permit is issued pursuant to Section 109-28.09(k).

(2)

Temporary signs shall not exceed 8 feet in height and shall comply with the requirements of Section 109-28.09.

(Ord. No. 144, 8-13-2019; Ord. No. 148, § 2, 3-9-2021; Ord. No. 154, § 6, 6-14-2022)

The following signs are permitted per parcel according to the following requirements:

(a)

One permanent ground or one pole sign per parcel is permitted except that for a corner lot one permanent ground sign or one pole sign is permitted to be established along each street frontage. All such signs are subject to the following requirements:

(1)

The size of the pole sign shall not exceed 64 square feet in area per sign face and the height of a pole sign shall not exceed 20 feet.

(2)

The size of the ground sign shall not exceed 40 sq. ft. and the height of a ground sign shall not exceed six feet.

(3)

The sign shall be setback a minimum of five feet from the front lot line and 20 feet from all other lot lines.

(4)

The sign may be illuminated.

(5)

Where two or more commercial establishments are located in the same building or on the same lot, signage for each business shall be combined on one sign. The maximum sign area shall be 100 sq. ft.

(b)

Wall Signs.

(1)

For wall signs in the C-1 and C-2 zones, more than one sign may be attached to each wall, which directly fronts a public street or public or private off-street parking area provided the total sign area does not exceed 20 percent of the area of the wall to which it is attached but not to exceed 100 sq. ft. per sign per wall.

(2)

For wall signs in the Industrial zone more than one sign may be attached to each wall, which directly fronts a public street or public or private off-street parking area provided the total sign area does not exceed 25 percent of the area of the wall to which it is attached but not to exceed 300 sq. ft. per sign per wall.

(3)

All signs shall be placed flat against the building and shall not project out from a wall or architectural feature by more than one foot, except that a mansard sign may be offset up to 6 inches from the mansard to the sign's back and bottom to allow snow and water to drain. The depth of a mansard sign shall not exceed one foot. No wall or mansard sign shall project above or beyond the roof or parapet to which it is attached.

(4)

A wall sign may be internally illuminated.

(c)

Sandwich Board Signs.

(1)

The sign shall be located outside of the business it serves but shall be located no more than ten feet from the customer entrance to the business, be a minimum of two feet from the edge of the curb and be located so that at least a five-foot-wide unobstructed walkway is maintained. The sign shall not be placed in an off-street parking lot or on-street parking space.

(2)

One sign per customer entrance shall be permitted regardless of the number of tenants on the premises.

(3)

The sign may be displayed only during operating business hours.

(4)

Each sign shall not exceed eight square feet in area and four feet in height.

(5)

No sign shall be located in such a manner as to interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic flow or visibility.

(6)

All signs must be constructed of weatherproof, durable material and kept in good repair.

(7)

The sandwich board sign shall not be illuminated in any manner.

(8)

All sandwich board signs must be marked in such a way as to identify the owner of the sign or the party responsible for placement of the sign. Such information must be readily identifiable upon reasonable inspection.

(9)

A permit is not required for a sandwich board sign.

(d)

Window Signs. Window signs are permitted but shall not exceed 30 percent of the window area and shall be placed so as to maintain clear vision into the building for public safety reasons.

(e)

Temporary Signs.

(1)

Temporary signs are permitted, provided that the total square footage of all temporary signs shall not exceed 20 square feet and that no temporary sign shall exceed 8 feet in height, unless a Temporary Event Sign Permit is issued pursuant Section 109-28.09(k).

(2)

Temporary signs shall comply with the requirements of Section 109-28.09.

(Ord. No. 144, 8-13-2019; Ord. No. 148, § 2, 3-9-2021; Ord. No. 154, § 7, 6-14-2022)

(a)

All signs shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with the current Michigan Construction Code.

(b)

Signs shall be maintained free of peeling paint or paper, fading, staining, rust, or other conditions which impair legibility.

(c)

All signs, sign supports, frames, braces, wiring, guys and anchors shall be maintained in such a manner that they do not create a hazard for pedestrians and vehicles.

(d)

All signs shall be designed to ensure a dead load and wind pressure in any direction of not less than 30 pounds per square foot of area. All signs shall be securely anchored or otherwise made immobile.

(Ord. No. 144, 8-13-2019)

(a)

Every legal permanent sign which does not conform to the height, size, area or location requirements of this Article as of the date of the adoption of this Ordinance, is hereby deemed to be non-conforming.

(b)

Non-conforming signs may be maintained and repaired so as to continue the useful life of the sign but shall not be expanded, enlarged or extended.

(c)

A non-conforming sign may be diminished in size or dimension or the copy of the sign amended or changed without jeopardizing the privilege of non-conforming use.

(d)

A sign accessory to a non-conforming use may be erected in the Township in accordance with the sign regulations for the District in which the property is located.

(e)

Non-conforming signs shall not:

(1)

Be replaced or changed to another non-conforming sign;

(2)

Be repaired if such repair involves any of the following:

i.

Necessitates the replacement of both the sign frame and sign panels. However, the panel of a non-conforming sign may be replaced to fit within the existing frame;

ii.

Replacement of the signs primary support pole(s) or other support structure;

(3)

Be enhanced with any new feature including the addition of illumination;

(4)

Be re-established after damage or destruction, if the replacement cost thereof exceeds 60 percent of the fair market value of the nonconforming sign prior to its damage or destruction. The fair market value shall be as determined by the Zoning Administrator or their agent.

(Ord. No. 144, 8-13-2019)

The Zoning Board of Appeals shall have the authority to grant variances from the requirements of this article according to the criteria in Article 32. In making a decision on whether a practical difficulty exists, the Board may also consider the following for sign variance requests:

(a)

In determining whether a variance is appropriate, the Zoning Board of Appeals shall study the sign proposal, giving consideration to any extraordinary circumstances, such as those listed below, that would cause practical difficulty in complying with the sign standards.

(b)

In granting a variance, the Zoning Board of Appeals may attach such conditions regarding the location, character, and other features of the proposed sign as it may deem reasonable.

(c)

In granting or denying a variance, the Zoning Board of Appeals shall state the grounds and findings upon which it justifies granting or denying the variance based on the following criteria:

(1)

Permitted signage could not be easily seen by passing motorists due to the configuration of existing buildings, trees, or other obstructions.

(2)

Permitted signage could not be seen by passing motorists in sufficient time to permit safe deceleration and exit. In determining whether such circumstances exist, the Zoning Board of Appeals shall consider the width of the road, the number of moving lanes, the volume of traffic, and speed limits.

(3)

Existing signs on nearby parcels would substantially reduce the visibility or identification impact of a conforming sign on the subject parcel.

(4)

Construction of a conforming sign would require removal or severe alteration to natural features on the parcel, such as, but not limited to: removal of trees, alteration of the natural topography, filling of wetlands, or obstruction of a natural drainage course.

(5)

Construction of a conforming sign would obstruct the vision of motorists or otherwise endanger the health or safety of passers-by.

(6)

A sign which exceeds the permitted height or area standards of this article would be more appropriate in scale because of the large size or frontage of the parcel or building.

(Ord. No. 144, 8-13-2019)