These sign regulations are instituted to provide for the establishment of such signs as will not, by reason of their size, location, construction, or manner of display, endanger life and limb, confuse or mislead traffic, obstruct vision necessary for traffic safety, or otherwise endanger the public morals, health or safety, and, further, to regulate such permitted signs in such a way as to create land use patterns compatible with other major land use objectives and to prevent such signs from causing annoyance or disturbance to the citizens and residents of the Village.

(Ord. 106. Passed 12-9-81.)

   The regulations herein set forth shall apply to and govern signs in all districts. No sign shall be erected or maintained unless it is in compliance with the regulations governing location and bulk of structures for the district in which it is located, except when specifically provided for by a variance.

   Any sign already established on the effective date of this Zoning Code, and which sign is rendered nonconforming by the provisions herein, and any sign which, as a result of subsequent amendments hereto, shall be rendered nonconforming, shall be subject to the regulations of Chapter 1282.

(Ord. 106. Passed 12-9-81.)

   (a)   Exceptions. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the following:

      (1)   Signs not visible beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel upon which they are situated, or from any public thoroughfare or right-of-way.

      (2)   Miscellaneous traffic and other official signs of any public or governmental agency such as railroad crossing signs, trespassing signs, signs indicating danger, or signs used as aids to service or safety.

      (3)   Any flag, emblem or insignia of the nation, a political unit, or school, when used for official purposes.

      (4)   Any official notice of a public office or court. Such notices shall include, but not be limited to, notices of public hearings, condemnation notices, eviction notices, and stop work orders.

      (5)   Any sign which is located completely within an enclosed building, and which sign is not visible from outside the building.

      (6)   Tables, grave markers, headstones, statuary, or remembrances of persons or events that are noncommercial in nature.

      (7)   Works of fine art when not displayed in conjunction with a commercial enterprise which may receive direct commercial gain from such display.

      (8)   Temporary decorations or displays celebrating the occasion of traditionally accepted patriotic or religious holidays.

      (9)   Signs on a truck, bus, trailer, or other vehicle while operated in the normal course of a business which is not primarily the display of such sign.

      (1)   Signs which incorporate in any manner flashing or moving lights. This does not include the change from one message to the next message on an electronic message sign.

      (2)   Banners, pennants, spinners, and streamers, except specifically permitted temporary signs.

      (3)   String lights used in connection with commercial premises for commercial purposes, other than Christmas decorations.

      (4)   Any sign which has any visible moving part, visible revolving parts or visible mechanical movement of any description or other apparent visible movement achieved by electrical, electronic, or mechanical means, including intermittent electrical pulsations, or by action of normal wind current. This does not include the change from one message to the next message on an electronic message sign.

      (5)   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.

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

      (7)   Any sign which makes use of words such as "Stop," "Look," "Danger," or any other words, phrases, symbols, or characters, in such a manner to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.

      (8)   Any sign or other advertising structure containing any obscene, indecent, or immoral matter.

      (9)   Any sign unlawfully installed, erected, or maintained.

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

      (11)   Portable signs, except as allowed in Section 1276.06 hereof.

      (12)   Any sign attached to a standpipe, gutter drain, or fire escape, or any sign erected so as to impair access to a roof.

      (13)   Any advertising signs within a Residential District or within seventy-five feet of any Residential District boundary lines, except as allowed in Section 1276.06(h) or unless said sign is completely screened from said Residential District by a building, solid fence, or evergreen planting, which planting shall be equal to or higher than the height of the sign at the time said evergreens are planted. Said evergreens shall be spaced not more than one-half the height of the tree for regular varieties and one-third the height of the tree for columnar varieties of trees. Said evergreen planting shall be continuously maintained.

      (14)   Any sign which would project above the parapet line of any roof.

      (15)   Any sign which would project into any public right-of-way or other accessway.

      (16)   Any single face wall sign located on the exterior of a building which would project more than eighteen inches therefrom, except as provided for in subsection (c) hereof.

      (17)   Any other sign not specifically authorized by this Zoning Code.

   (c)   Marquee Signs, Awnings, and Canopies. 

      (1)   Where limitations are imposed by this Zoning Code on the projection of signs from the face of the wall of any building or structure, such limitations shall not apply to identification canopy or marquee signs indicating only the name of the building or the name of the principal occupant of the building or the principal product available therein on any marquee or canopy, provided that any identification sign located on a marquee or canopy shall be affixed flat to the vertical face thereof, and provided, further, that all marquee signs and canopies shall maintain the following clearances.

         A.   Height. All marquee signs shall maintain a vertical clearance of not less than twelve feet above grade. All identification canopies shall maintain a vertical clearance of not less than seven feet and six inches above grade.

         B.   Projection. No marquee or canopy sign shall project into a public right-of-way.

      (2)   Signs on awnings shall be exempt from the limitations imposed by this Zoning Code on the projection of signs from the face of the wall of any building or structure, provided that any sign located on the awning shall be affixed flat to the surface thereof, shall be nonilluminated and shall indicate only the name and/or address of the establishment, and provided, further, that no such sign shall extend vertically or horizontally beyond the limits of said awning, and provided, further, that all awnings shall maintain the following clearances:

         A.   Height. All awnings shall maintain a vertical clearance of not less than seven feet and six inches above grade.

         B.   Projection. No awning shall project into a public right-of-way.

   (d)   Temporary Political Signs. Temporary political signs may be erected upon private property under the following conditions. The person or organization responsible for the erection or distribution of any such signs, or the owner, or his or her agent, of the property upon which such signs may be located, shall cause the removal thereof within fourteen days after the primary or special elections to which they are pertinent, unless such signs shall continue to be pertinent to a general election to be held within ninety days. The person or organization responsible for the erection or distribution of any such signs, or the owner, or his or her agent, of the property upon which such signs may be located, shall cause the removal thereof within fourteen days after the general election to which they are pertinent. No political sign shall exceed twenty square feet in area or five feet in length, except that in Residential Districts no political sign shall exceed ten square feet in area, three feet in height, and five feet in length. A maximum of seven such signs may be placed on a building or on a zoning lot.

   (e)   Obsolete and Nonconforming Signs. 

      (1)   Obsolete signs, as defined in this Zoning Code, shall be removed by the owner, agent, or person having the beneficial use of the building or structure upon which such copy or message may be found, within thirty days after written notification from the Building Inspector, and upon failure to comply with such notice within the time specified in such notice, the Building Inspector is hereby authorized to cause removal of such copy or message, and any expense incident thereto shall be paid by the owner of the building, sign, or structure upon which such copy or message is displayed. Upon vacating a commercial establishment, the proprietor shall be responsible for the removal of all signs used in conjunction with the business.

      (2)   No nonconforming business sign or advertising sign shall be altered or reconstructed, unless the alteration or reconstruction is in compliance with the provisions of this section. For the purpose of this section only, the term "altered or reconstructed" shall not include normal maintenance; changing of sign content, ornamental moulding, frames, trellises, or ornamental features or landscaping below the base line; or the addition, construction, installation, or charging of electrical wiring or electrical devices, backgrounds, letters, figures, or characters, or other embellishments.

   (f)   Construction and Maintenance. The construction, installation, erection, anchorage, and maintenance of all signs shall be subject to the regulations of the Building and Housing Code. All electrical wiring associated with free-standing signs shall be installed underground.

   (g)   Mounting of Signs. All signs shall be mounted in one of the following manners:

      (1)   Flat against a building or wall.

      (2)   Back to back in pairs, so that the backs of signs will be screened from public view.

      (3)   Clustered in an arrangement which will screen the backs of the signs from public view.

      (4)   Otherwise mounted so that the backs of all signs or sign structures showing to public view shall be painted and maintained a neutral color or a color that blends with surrounding environment.

   (h)   Limitation on Number of Signs. In those districts within which a reduction in total sign area is applied as the number of signs increases, the following exemption is offered. If more than four establishments occupy a single zoning lot, the twenty percent reduction in total sign area shall not apply if all signs are grouped in a single location or are part of a common sign for the entire zoning lot. In such instances, each establishment shall be permitted an additional wall-mounted sign of more than sixteen square feet in area and projecting not more than twelve inches from the face of the wall or structure of the building.

   (i)   Signs Accessory to Parking Areas. Signs accessory to parking areas shall be permitted in all districts subject to the following controls:

      (1)   Area and number. Signs designating parking area entrances or exits shall be limited to one sign for each such exit or entrance, and to a maximum size of two square feet each. One sign per parking area, designating the conditions of use or identity of such parking area and limited to a maximum size of six square feet, shall be permitted. On a corner lot, two such signs, one facing each street, shall be permitted. Directional signs, no parking signs, and signs identifying parking spaces for the handicapped shall be permitted as needed within parking areas.

      (2)   Height. No sign shall project higher than five feet above grade level where it is mounted.

(Ord. 106. Passed 12-9-81; Ord. 106-A45. Passed 10-10-07; Ord. 106- A92. Passed 12-10-14.)

   The following signs shall be permitted in all Residential Districts:

   (a)   Nameplate and Identification Sign. Nameplate and identification signs shall be permitted in Residential Districts subject to the following controls:

      (1)   Area, location, and content for one- and two-family residential uses. There shall be not more than one nameplate which shall be attached to the structure or free-standing, but not closer than three feet to the property line. Said nameplate shall not exceed one square foot in area for each dwelling unit, and shall indicate only the name and address of the occupant. If a home occupation as permitted by this Zoning Code is conducted on the premises, said occupation may be identified on the residential nameplate, but no additional signage shall be permitted. On a corner lot, two such nameplates shall be permitted for each dwelling unit, one facing each street. No such sign shall project higher than five feet above the level of the ground floor of the structure on which it is mounted.

      (2)   Area, location, and content for nonresidential uses. There shall be not more than one identification sign, which shall be attached to the structure, not to exceed twelve square feet in area and which shall indicate only the name and address of the building. On a corner lot, two such signs, one facing each street, shall be permitted. No such sign shall project higher than one story or fifteen feet above the grade line of the structure on which it is mounted, whichever is lower.

   (b)   "For Sale" and "For Rent" Signs. Signs offering the premises on which they are located "for sale," "for lease," or "for rent" shall be permitted in Residential Districts subject to the following controls:

      (1)   Area and number. There shall be not more than one such sign per zoning lot, except that on a corner zoning lot two signs, one facing each street, shall be permitted. No sign shall exceed twelve square feet.

      (2)   Height. No sign shall project higher than one story if wall mounted, or five feet above the elevation of the nearest point on a public right-of-way line if free-standing.

   (c)   Temporary Signs Accessory to Residential Developments or Other Permitted Improvements. Temporary signs accessory to or having to do with residential developments and other permitted improvements shall be permitted in Residential Districts subject to the following controls:

      (1)   Content. The signs shall be only for the purpose of identification of homes, condominiums, or apartments for sale or rent in the residential development under construction, or for the identification of other nonresidential uses under construction.

      (2)   Area, number, and setback. Such signs shall not exceed two in number for each development, or one for each entrance to a subdivision, nor thirty-two square feet each in area. They shall observe the front yard requirement of the principal use and shall be located at least fifty feet from all other boundaries of the site.

      (3)   Height. No sign shall project higher than seven feet above grade level where it is mounted.

      (4)   Time limitation. The sign or signs shall be removed by the applicant or property owner within two years of the date of the issuance of the building permit.

   (d)   Residential Development Permanent Identification Signs. Residential development permanent identification signs shall be permitted in Residential Districts subject to the following controls:

      (1)   Content. The signs shall bear only the name of the residential development, the address of the building if a multiple-family structure, and the name and address of the management if applicable.

      (2)   Area and number. There shall be not more than one sign located at each entrance to the subdivision or estate. No such sign shall exceed twelve square feet in area.

      (3)   Height. No sign shall project higher than seven feet above grade level where it is mounted.

   (e)   Church Bulletin Boards. Church bulletin boards shall be permitted in Residential Districts subject to the following controls:

      (1)   Area and number. There shall be not more than one sign per lot, except that on a lot exceeding 100 feet of frontage, one sign shall be permitted for each 100 feet of frontage or portion thereof, and on a corner lot, two signs, one facing each street, shall be permitted even if total frontage is less than 100 feet. No sign shall exceed twelve square feet in area.

      (2)   Location. No sign shall be located less than ten feet from any property line.

      (3)   Height. No sign shall project higher than seven feet above the elevation at the nearest point on a public right-of-way line.

   (f)   Signs for Nonconforming Uses. Each nonconforming nonresidential use in a Residential District shall be permitted one accessory sign which shall conform to the requirements of Section 1276.06(b).

(Ord. 106. Passed 12-9-81; Ord. 106A-56. Passed 7-11-12.)

   (a)   Signs for Residential District Uses in Office Districts. Signs for Residential District uses in Office Districts shall be governed by the sign regulations for Residential District uses set forth in Section 1276.04.

   (b)   Wall Mounted Identification Signs for Office and Other Nonresidential Permitted Uses. Identification signs shall be permitted in Office Districts subject to the following controls:

      (1)   Area and content. A single identification sign, not exceeding thirty-two square feet in area, and indicating only the name and address of the building, the name of the management, and the names of each of the tenants, may be displayed. On a corner zoning lot two such signs, one facing each street, shall be permitted.

      (2)   Location. No such sign shall project more than twelve inches from the face of the wall of the building. The top of such sign shall be no higher than the following heights, whichever is lowest:

         A.   Fifteen feet above grade.

         B.   The top of the sills of the first level of windows above the first story.

         C.   The height of the building at the eaves facing the street on which the sign is located.

         A.   The electronic display shall not be animated, flashing or scrolling.

         B.   The frequency of the message change shall be restricted to no more than eight times a day.

         C.   The maximum area of an electronic message board shall be considered a part of a wall sign and shall not exceed fifty percent of the total sign area as allowed per zoning district and sign regulations.

         D.   The maximum height of an electronic message board shall conform to the height regulations for signs allowed in the zoning district.

         F.   Prior to the issuance of a sign permit, the applicant shall provide written certification from the sign manufacturer that the light intensity has been factory-programmed not to exceed the above listed light levels, and that the intensity level is protected from end-user manipulation by password-protected software or other method satisfactory to the Village of Wolverine Lake.

(Ord. 106. Passed 12-9-81; Ord. 106-A93. Passed 12-10-14.)

   (a)   Signs for Residential District Uses in Commercial Districts. Signs for Residential District uses in Commercial Districts shall be governed by the sign regulations for Residential District uses set forth in Section 1276.04.

   (b)   Wall-Mounted Identification Signs. Wall-mounted identification signs shall be permitted in Commercial Districts subject to the following controls:

      (1)   Area and number, C-1 District. The gross area in square feet of all signs on a zoning lot shall not exceed one and one-half square feet for each linear foot of building frontage or one-half square foot for each linear foot of lot frontage, whichever results in the larger sign area; however, the maximum total area of all permitted signs for any establishment shall not exceed 150 square feet, and no individual sign shall be more than sixty-four square feet in area. Where more than four signs are located on any zoning lot, the fifth such sign and each succeeding sign, respectively, shall reduce the total allowable sign area by twenty percent.

      (2)   Area and number, C-2 and C-3 Districts. The gross area in square feet of all signs on a zoning lot shall not exceed one and one-half square feet for each linear foot of building frontage or one-half square foot for each linear foot of lot frontage, whichever results in the larger sign area; however, the maximum total area of all permitted signs for any establishment shall not exceed 200 square feet. Where more than four signs are located on any zoning lot, the fifth such sign and each succeeding sign, respectively, shall reduce the total allowable sign area by twenty percent.

      (3)   Location. No such sign shall project more than twelve inches from the face of the wall of the building. The top of such sign shall be no higher than the following heights, whichever is lowest:

         A.   Fifteen feet above grade.

         B.   The top of the sills of the first level of windows above the first story.

         C.   The height of the building at the eaves facing the street on which the sign is located.

   (c)   Free-Standing Signs. For shopping centers in single ownership or under unified control, or individual uses with a minimum frontage of 150 feet, one additional sign on each street frontage, other than those regulated in subsection (b) hereof, shall be permitted, subject to the following controls:

      (1)   Content. Such sign shall advertise only the name and location of such center or individual use and/or the name and type of business of each occupant of the center.

      (2)   Area, C-1 District. The gross area in square feet permitted for the additional sign on a zoning lot shall not exceed thirty-two square feet.

      (3)   Area, C-2 and C-3 Districts. The gross area in square feet permitted for the additional sign on a zoning lot shall not exceed thirty-six square feet.

      (4)   Setback. Such sign shall be set back a minimum of ten feet from the front lot of such center or individual use.

      (5)   Height, C-I District. No sign shall project higher than seven feet above the elevation of the nearest point on a public right-of-way line.

      (6)   Height, C-2 and C-3 Districts. No sign shall project higher than eight feet above the elevation of the nearest point on a public right-of-way line.

      (7)   Distance from other permitted signs. Such sign shall be located at least fifty feet from any other permitted sign on the zoning lot and fifty feet from any existing free-standing sign on an adjacent zoning lot.

   (e)   Temporary Window Signs Advertising Sales. Temporary signs pertaining to special sales or events lasting no more than fifteen days may be affixed to windows, provided that their total area does not exceed thirty percent of the window area. Such signs shall not be counted in determining the total area of signs on the zoning lot.

   (f)   Signs for Nonconforming Uses. Signs for nonconforming nonresidential uses in a Commercial District shall conform to all the provisions of this section.

   (g)   Free-Standing and Wall Mounted Advertising Signs. Free-standing and wall-mounted advertising signs shall be allowed in the C-2 and C-3 Districts, subject to the following controls:

      (1)   Advertising signs shall be counted in determining the total sign area permitted on the zoning lot.

      (2)   Free-standing advertising signs shall not be permitted on zoning lots with another free-standing sign.

      (3)   Free-standing and wall-mounted signs must be in accordance with requirements listed for C-2 and C-3 Districts per division (c)(3) of this section.

      (4)   Free-standing electronic message signs must be in accordance with requirements listed for C-2 and C-3 Districts per division (c)(3) of this section, and the additional requirements outlined in Section 1276.05(a)(3).

   (h)   Portable signs may be displayed subject to the following controls:

      (1)   In situations deemed by the Village Administration to be unique or unusual, upon payment of a special case fee, the amount of which will from time to time be set by resolution of Council, the Administrator may determine the sign's shape and number of portable signs allowed in a given case. All non-special case portable signs shall be governed by the following paragraphs.

      (2)   Signs may not exceed a total height above grade of six feet or exceed a total width of four feet or a gross sign area of twelve square feet.

      (3)   No more then two signs per street frontage, limited to the gross sign area or twelve square feet combined per street frontage.

      (4)   All portable signs must be removed at the end of the business day and are not allowed at any time that the business on the lot is closed.

      (5)   No signs shall be allowed which interfere with road or highway visibility or give off light which glares, blinds or has any other such adverse effect on traffic or adjacent properties or obstruct or otherwise interfere with any driveway public or private or interfere with the safe and orderly movement in traffic or could be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device or which otherwise pose a hazard to traffic due to structural deficiencies in the structure of such signs.

      (6)   No signs which emit or utilize in any manner any sound capable of being detected on any traveled road or highway by a person with normal hearing abilities.

(Ord. 106. Passed 12-9-81; Ord. 106-A42. Passed 10-13-04; Ord. 106- A45. Passed 10-10-07; Ord. 106-A94. Passed 12-10-14.)