(a)   The purpose of this chapter is to promote the public health, safety and welfare by establishing standards and criteria for the construction, installation, maintenance and operation of signs in the City of Reed City, which are subject to this chapter.

   (b)   More specifically, this chapter is intended to:

      (1)   Enhance and protect the physical appearance of the City; and

      (2)   Promote and maintain visually attractive high value residential, retail, commercial and industrial districts; and

      (3)   Promote the economic wellbeing of the community by creating a favorable physical image; and

      (4)   Protect public safety by reducing confusion and creating a safe environment for motorists and pedestrians; and

      (5)   Ensure that signs are located and designed to:

         A.   Provide an effective means of way-finding in the community;

         B.   Afford the community an equal and fair way to advertise and promote itself and its products and services;

         C.   Afford businesses, individuals and institutions a reasonable opportunity to use signs as an effective means of communication.

(Ord. 52. Passed 6-16-97; Ord. 07-05. Passed 7-16-08.)

   The signs and devices listed in this section are exempted from the restrictions and requirements of this Zoning Code and may be used without permit or approval when not in violation of any law or safety standard or any other portion of this Zoning Code.

   (a)   Signs erected by an official governmental body or agency and deemed necessary for the protection of the public health, safety, welfare, and morals.

   (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)   Signs not exceeding one square foot in area and having thereon no letter or symbol exceeding two inches in any dimension.

(Ord. 52. Passed 6-16-97.)

   The signs and devices listed in this section shall not be permitted, erected or maintained in any district.

   (a)   Signs which incorporate in any manner any flashing or moving lights, including portable electronic message centers, digital L.E.D. signs, and fiber optic display units. This subsection does not apply to electronic message centers in conformity with Section 1282.07.

   (b)   String lights used in connection with commercial premises for commercial purposes.

   (c)   Any sign which has any intermittent electrical pulsations.

   (d)   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.

   (e)   Any sign which, by reason of its size, location, content, 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.

   (f)   Any sign which obstructs free ingress to or egress from a required door, window, fire escape, or other required exitway.

   (g)   Signs which make use of words such as "STOP," "LOOK," "DANGER," or any other words, phrases, symbols, colors, or characters, in such manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.

   (h)   Any sign or other advertising structure containing any obscene, indecent, or immoral words or images; and

   (i)   Any sign unlawfully installed, erected, or maintained; or

   (j)   Any sign now or hereafter existing which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted or product sold.

(Ord. 52. Passed 6-16-97; Ord. 07-05. Passed 7-16-08; Ord. Unno. Passed 6-16-14.)

   The signs and devices listed in this section shall be permitted on a temporary basis and shall not require a permit.

   (a)   Construction signs which identify the name of the building, the owner, architect, engineer, contractor, and other individuals involved with the construction, but not including any advertisement of any product or service during the period of construction. Signs shall have a maximum surface area of twenty-four square feet, shall be confined to the site of construction, and shall be removed within fourteen days following occupancy for the intended use of the project.

   (b)   Real estate signs advertising the sale, rental, or lease of the premises or part of the premises on which the signs are displayed up to a total area of twenty-four square feet. Such signs shall be removed within fourteen days after the sale, rental, or lease.

   (c)   Election campaign signs announcing a candidate or issue to be voted upon, up to a total area of four square feet in a residential district, forty square feet in any other district. These signs shall be removed within fourteen days following the election which they announce and shall be consistent with whatever state campaign laws allow.

   (d)   Signs over ten feet in area advertising a community or special event or public entertainment if specially approved by the City Zoning Administrator and only for locations designated by the City Zoning Administrator, during and for fourteen days before and seven days after the event.

(Ord. 52. Passed 6-16-97; Ord. 07-05. Passed 7-16-08.)

   Signs and devices shall be permitted in designated zoning districts subject to the following regulations and requirements.

   (a)   Single-Family Residential Districts. Signs except those at churches or schools shall have a maximum total surface area of four square feet per premises. Signs at churches or schools within a single-family district may have a maximum area of twelve square feet per premises.

      (1)   Signs shall be mounted flat on the principal structure or on a permanent wall or fence;

      (2)   Signs shall indicate only the name and title of the occupant and may include the address; and

      (3)   Signs, if illuminated, shall be lighted by a "white light" only. The source of light shall not be visible from any street or any adjoining property.

   (b)   Multiple-Family Residential Districts. Signs, including those at churches or schools, shall have a maximum total surface area of forty square feet per premises.

      (1)   Signs shall be permitted anywhere on the premises except in or extending over required side yards and shall have a maximum height of eight feet.

      (2)   Signs may include the name and title of the occupant and, in the case of rental units, may indicate status of occupancy.

      (3)   Signs with illumination shall be permitted providing the source of light is not visible from any street or any adjoining property.

   (c)   Commercial C-1 Districts.

      (1)   Wall-mounted signs shall have a maximum total surface area not to exceed five percent of the area of the face of the wall upon which the sign or signs are attached but not to exceed sixty square feet of sign area per wall. Wall-mounted signs shall be flat signs attached and parallel to the face of the building wall and shall be attached only to walls which face a public street.

      (2)   Projecting signs shall be flat signs attached only to walls, which face a public street, projecting a maximum of sixty inches from the wall, not to exceed a total area of more than sixty square feet. Projecting signs shall not hang lower than eight feet from sidewalk grade, nor higher than twenty feet above the average grade level at the base of the sign.

      (3)   Where a principal use structure has a marquee or canopy which is an integral part of said structure, for the purposes of administering this section the front line of said marquee or canopy shall be at least eight feet above the walk surface in front of the structure. No sign shall extend above the maximum height of the structure or more than twenty feet above the average grade level at the base of the sign.

      (4)   Signs may be directly painted onto the side and rear faces of a building up to the maximum area of the building wall and relate only to the name of the use, product or occupant of the property within said building.

      (5)   One freestanding sign shall be permitted anywhere on the property on which the principal use is located, providing the sign is within 100 feet from said principal use structure. Freestanding signs shall not exceed a total of fifty square feet of sign area on one side or one hundred square feet of sign area on a double-sided sign. Signs shall be located at least five feet from front street right-of-way line and at least five feet from any side or rear lot line. Signs shall comply with applicable clear vision requirements for intersections and entranceways.

      (6)   All signs shall indicate only the name of the use, product and/ or occupant of the property upon which the sign is located and may include the address of said property.

      (7)   Signs with illumination shall be permitted providing the source of light is not visible from any street or any adjoining property.

      (8)   Neon signs shall be allowed.

   (d)   Commercial C-2, C-3 and C-4 Districts.

      (1)   Wall mounted signs shall have a maximum total surface area not to exceed ten percent of the area of the face of the wall upon which the sign or signs are attached but not to exceed 100 square feet of sign area per wall. Wall-mounted signs shall be flat signs attached and parallel to the face of the building wall and shall be attached only to walls, which face a public street.

      (2)   Projecting signs shall be flat signs attached only to walls, which face a public street, projecting a maximum of sixty inches from the wall, comprising an area of not to exceed more than sixty square feet. Projecting signs shall not hang lower than eight feet from sidewalk grade, nor higher than twenty feet from the sidewalk grade.

      (3)   Where a principal use structure has marquee or canopy, which is an integral part of said structure, for the purposes of administering this section, the front line of said marquee, or canopy shall be at least eight feet above the walk surface in front of the structure. No sign shall extend above the maximum height of the structure nor more than twenty feet above the average grade level at the base of the sign.

      (4)   Signs may be directly painted onto the side and rear faces of a building up to the maximum area of the building wall and relate only to the name of the use, product or occupant of the property within said building.

      (5)   One freestanding sign shall be permitted anywhere on the property on which the principal use is located, providing the sign is within 100 feet from said principal use structure. Freestanding signs shall not exceed a total of 175 square feet of sign area for a single lot with continuous street frontage in excess of 500 feet. Signs shall be located at least five feet from front street right-of-way line and at least five feet from any side or rear lot line. Signs shall comply with applicable clear vision requirements for intersections and entranceways.

      (6)   Pylon signs shall be limited to a maximum sign area of 175 square feet for a single lot with continuous street frontage in excess of 500 feet. A pylon sign may stand a maximum of 20 feet, provided that one additional foot of height shall be allowed for each additional two feet of setback from the front street right-of-way, to a maximum height of 28 feet. Pylon signs shall be located at least five feet from the front street right-of-way line and at least five feet from any side or rear lot line. Signs shall comply with applicable clear vision requirements for intersections and entranceways.

      (7)   All sign shall indicate only the name of the use, product and/or occupant of the property upon which the sign is located and may include the address of said property.

      (8)   Signs with illumination shall be permitted, providing the source of light is not visible from any street or any adjoining property.

      (9)   Neon signs and animated signs shall be allowed.

   (e)   Industrial District. Signs shall have a maximum total surface area of 500 square feet per premises.

      (1)   Signs may be located anywhere on the premises but no closer than twenty feet from any property line and shall comply with applicable clear vision requirements for intersections and entranceways.

      (2)   Signs shall indicate only the name of the product and/or occupant of the property upon which the sign is located and may include the address of said property.

      (3)   Signs may be illuminated in accordance with the provisions of this Zoning Code.

(Ord. 52. Passed 6-16-97; Ord. 07-05. Passed 7-16-08.)

   (a)   Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, billboards shall be permitted as an accessory use in any commercial or industrial district fronting U.S. 131 and U.S. 10 as delineated in the 2005 Community Comprehensive Plan, Drawing C Existing Land Use, with the exception of the length of Business U.S. 131 north of the State Police Post extending north to the City Limits.

   (b)   Definitions.

      (1)   "Billboard" shall mean a sign structure designed, intended or used for advertising an establishment, merchandise, event, service or entertainment which is not sold, produced, manufactured, performed or furnished upon the property where the sign is physically located. Such a billboard may also be known as off-premise sign; however, it is not intended to be for directional signs giving simple vehicular or pedestrian directions to a location. Any billboard is also subject to compliance with the 1972 Billboard Act and the limitation on expressway signs expressed therein, as well as any amendments thereto.

      (2)   "On Premise" signs shall mean a sign or structure that is designed, intended or used for advertising an establishment, merchandise, event, service or entertainment which is sold on the property where the sign is actually or physically located.

   (c)   Location Standards.

      (1)   No billboard shall be closed than:

         A.   1,000 feet from any other billboard.

         B.   300 feet from any other free standing, on-premise sign oriented to the roadway traffic;

         C.   200 feet if not illuminated or 300 feet if illuminated from the property line of any single family residence not on the same property or under the same ownership and control as the owner of the property where the billboard is physically constructed.

      (2)   Along U.S. 131 and U.S. 10, a billboard shall have a minimum setback of at least 60 feet from the center of the roadway.

      (3)   Billboards may only be placed on these properties with the express, written consent of the lawful owner of the property, as evidenced by a lease between the property owner and billboard vendor.

      (4)   All right-of-way measurements shall be made from the nearest upright support/pole of the billboard structure.

   (d)   Sizing Standards.

      (1)    Billboards may be constructed to a maximum size of 300 square feet per face on for US 10 or US 131. For that portion of Business US 131 South of the State Police Post extending south to the city limits the maximum size shall be 200 square feet per face.

      (2)   All billboards shall be constructed no lower than 15 feet from the ground. No billboard shall have an overall maximum height of more than 35 feet.

      (3)   Appendages or irregularly shaped sign extensions, not exceeding ten percent of the overall sign area or 30 square feet in length may extend beyond the perimeter of the sign panel.

   (e)   Billboard Lighting.

      (1)   Billboards that include tri-vision and LED displays, or are T-type, double-faced or V-tape structures that have only one face visible to traffic proceeding from a given direction on a street or highway shall be considered as one billboard.

      (2)   Message changes on any tri-vision or LED billboard shall not occur less than seven seconds apart. Said messages and lighting patterns shall not be programmed as to in any way mimic traffic control or public safety devices or lighting.

      (3)   Lighting or illumination of a sign shall be directly on the sign structure, mounted in a downward-shining direction and such lights shall not be visible to motorists on any roadway or residence and shall not create any glare onto adjacent properties or the roadway. Billboards that are lit and within 1,000 feet of residence of any type, shall have a lighting timer enabled to remain unlit from 12 a.m. until 6:00 a.m.

      (4)   Except for multiple-vision, tri-vision or LED signs, no signs shall use flashing, oscillating, rotating, or intermittent lights, mimic traffic control, public safety devices, or lighting.

      (5)   Billboards containing LED signs or a changeable nature shall make themselves available for any public emergency (such as an Amber Alert or road closures) at the request of a City or Emergency Management Official requesting said service for not more than a 12-hour period. Should the emergency require a longer exposure time and the municipality and billboard owner agree to same, it may be extended upon their agreement.

   (f)   Code Compliance, Maintenance, Permitting.

      (1)   Billboards shall be constructed and maintained to conform to all local and national building and electric codes and remain in compliance throughout their existence. Billboards shall be constructed to withstand all wind and vibration forces, which can normally and reasonably be expected to occur in the vicinity. A billboard must be maintained to assure proper alignment of structure, continued structural soundness and continued readability of message. No billboard shall extend over the roof of any adjacent structure or a public sidewalk, walkway or trail system.

      (2)   A billboard shall be maintained with the scope of all applicable coding authorities and the Michigan Highway Advertising Act (MCL 252.301, et. seq.). A billboard shall also comply with all applicable provisions of the Act and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, as amended.

      (3)   Billboards shall require the obtaining of a building permit and payment of the applicable billboard fee as established by City Council. All billboards shall be routinely inspected by the Zoning Administrator and/or the Department of Public Works, Superintendent to insure compliance with this chapter. A mandatory re-permit inspection shall occur every five years, at which time the continuance of the permit shall be acted upon as allowed or denied.

      (4)   At all times, the name and emergency (24-hour) contact telephone number of the billboard owner shall be permanently and conspicuously affixed, in a weatherproof manner, in a readily readable location on the billboard structure itself to allow emergency personnel to contact said owner if necessary without undue delay in the event of damage to or malfunction or the sign or damage to the surrounding structures. Failure to conform to this notification requirement will result in revocation of the sign permit.

(Ord. 07-05. Passed 7-16-08.)

   (a)   An electronic message center (EMC) may be permitted on a sign in commercial or industrial district, if it complies with the following requirements:

      (1)   The EMC shall comply with the location requirements that generally apply to signs within the district in which it will be located, as specified in Section 1282.05.

      (2)   It is the only EMC located on the lot. The Zoning Administrator may waive this requirement.

      (3)   The EMC's character area shall have a single color background that displays a single color at any one time.

      (4)   The EMC shall be incorporated into a permanent sign.

      (5)   The EMC's character area shall consist of no more than 50% of the allowable sign area specified in this Code for the zoning district in which the sign is located. EMCs on signs that are 32 square feet or less in area are exempt from this limit.

      (6)   The EMC's character area shall not appear to flash; undulate; pulse; portray explosions, fireworks, flashes of light, or blinking or chasing lights; move toward or away from the viewer; expand or contract; bounce; rotate; spin; twist; or engage in other similar movements.

      (7)   The EMC's dwell time, defined as the interval of change between each individual message on character area, shall be at least five seconds and a change of message must be accomplished within one second. The dwell time shall not include the one second or less to change the message.

      (8)   In the EMC's character area, the message shall remain lit and unchanged a minimum of ten seconds hold time.

      (9)   The EMC's message may scroll or travel off of the character area, subject to the following limitations:

         A.   A travelling or scrolling message may only come from one direction.

         B.   No message shall take more than five seconds to be displayed in its entirety.

         C.   Once a message has scrolled, the character area may not change for five seconds.

      (10)   The EMC shall not have audio output.

      (11)   The EMC shall have automatic dimming capability that automatically adjusts the brightness level of the EMC to ambient light at all times of the day and night.

      (12)   The EMC shall not exceed a maximum illumination of 5,000 nits when measured at the sign's face during daylight hours and a maximum illumination of 200 nits when measured from the sign's face between dusk to dawn.

      (13)   If it is located in a residential zone, or within 150 feet of a residential zone, the EMC shall discontinue the display between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

   (b)   An EMC is permitted in a residential district only if it is displayed at a school, churches or government building, and otherwise complies with Section 1282.07(a).

   (c)   An EMC is exempt from the requirements of Section 1282.07(a) if it is less than eight inches of height, meets the illumination requirements set forth in Section 1282.07(a)(12), and satisfies one of the following requirements:

      (1)   The EMC does not face a public street or land zoned or used for residential purposes; or

      (2)   The EMC is used for drive through restaurants, gas stations and similar establishments serving motorists.

   (d)   Before receiving a sign permit for an EMC under Section 1282.07(a) - (c), the applicant shall give the Zoning Administrator a certification from the manufacturer of the sign that the illumination settings for the sign comply with the maximum illumination requirements of Section 1282.07(a). The Zoning Administrator, in his or her discretion, may require a dimmer display for an EMC that would otherwise comply with Section 1282.07(a), if in the Administrator's opinion:

      (1)   It is brighter than is necessary for clear and adequate visibility;

      (2)   It is of such intensity or brilliance as to impair the vision of a motor vehicle driver with average eyesight;

      (3)   It would otherwise interfere with the driver's operation of a motor vehicle; or

      (4)   It would be of such intensity or brilliance that it interferes with the effectiveness of an official traffic sign, device, or signal.

   (e)   The owner of any EMC programmed from the site or from a remote location shall make the computer interface that programs the EMC available to the City staff for inspection upon request. If the EMC's computer interface is not immediately available, its owner shall cease operation until such access is provided.

   (f)   EMC sign permit applications shall include a certification from the owner or operator of the sign stating that the sign shall be operated in accordance with City Code, and that the owner or operator shall provide proof of such conformance upon request of the City.

(Ord. Unno. Passed 6-16-14.)