Yankee Springs Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XVII
SIGNS1
Editor's note— Ord. No. 04-01-2015, § I, adopted April, 9, 2015, amended article XVII in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former article XVII, §§ 17.1—17.13, pertained to similar subject matter, and derived from the original code.
Sec. 17.1.- Purpose.
The purpose of this Sign Ordinance shall be to provide the minimum control of signs necessary to promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of Yankee Springs Township,
• by lessening hazards to pedestrians and vehicular traffic;
• by preserving property values;
• by preventing unsightly and detrimental signs that would detract from the aesthetic appeal of the township and lead to economic decline and blight;
• by preventing signs from reaching such excessive size or numbers that they obscure one another to the detriment of the township;
• by ensuring good and attractive design that will strengthen the township's appearance and economic base;
• by preserving the right of free speech and expression in the display of signs; and
• by encouraging signage which is similar to that used by the State of Michigan in its parks program.
(Ord. No. 04-01-2015, § I, 4-9-2015)
Sec. 17.2. - Exempt Signs.
Except as specified in Section 17.12, the following signs shall be exempt from Site Plan Review; however, they shall comply with all other requirements of this Article:
1.
All on-premise signs located in the Rural/Agriculture Residential zoning district and all signs of less than ten (10) square feet located in the Rural/Agriculture Residential zoning district.
2.
Auction signs, not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet. Such signs shall be removed at the end of the sale.
3.
Building permit signs, as required by state law, however such signs shall not be posted on trees or utility poles.
4.
Garage, yard, moving or similar sale signs, not exceeding four (4) square feet Such signs must be removed twenty-four (24) hours after the sale ends.
5.
Government signs.
6.
Political signs. All signs must be removed following the election.
7.
Temporary commercial signs:
a.
Maximum Size: Thirty-two (32) square feet.
b.
Maximum Height: Ten (10) feet.
c.
Maximum Duration: Thirty (30) days.
d.
Maximum Number of times per year: Four (4).
8.
Time and Temperature Signs.
9.
Residential Name and/or Address Signs.
10.
Construction signs of less than thirty-two (32) square feet (Commercial/Industrial zones).
11.
Banner signs.
(Ord. No. 04-01-2015, § I, 4-9-2015)
Sec. 17.4. - Sign Height.
The maximum height for any free standing sign shall be measured from the finished grade of the abutting roadway unless otherwise prescribed within this article.
(Ord. No. 04-01-2015, § I, 4-9-2015)
Sec. 17.5. - Sign Illumination.
All signs may be illuminated internally or externally. If a sign is illuminated externally the light source shall neither be visible from the street nor shine on adjacent properties. Artificial light shall be maintained stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times when in use.
(Ord. No. 04-01-2015, § I, 4-9-2015)
Sec. 17.6. - Size Regulations by Sign Type and Zoning District.
Signs with single or double faces shall be allowed in the Rural/Agriculture, Rural Residential (R/AG, RR), all Residential (RSF, RLF, RMF, Gun Lake Residential, SR, and MHC but excluding RR), Resort and Recreation (R&R), all Commercial (C-1, 2,3, and M-179 Overlay), and all Industrial zoning (LI-1 and I-1) districts, subject to the following requirements:
A.
On-Premises Signs:
1.
Rural/Agriculture and Rural Residential.
a.
Setback: not within the Road Right-of-Way.
b.
Maximum Height: Fifteen (15) feet.
c.
Maximum Square Footage of Sign Face: Thirty-two (32) square feet.
d.
Maximum Number of Signs Permitted: Two (2) per parcel.
e.
Specified Location: none.
f.
Changeable Copy Sign Allowed: yes.
2.
Resort and Recreation (R&R).
a.
Setback: Not within the Road Right-of-Way.
b.
Maximum Height: Fifteen (15) feet.
c.
Maximum Square Footage of Sign Face: Thirty-two (32) square feet.
d.
Maximum Number of Signs Permitted: One (1) at each entrance/exit driveway.
e.
Changeable Copy Sign Allowed: Yes.
3.
Residential—Home Occupation Signs.
a.
Setback: Not within the Road Right-of-Way.
b.
Maximum Height: Eight (8) feet.
c.
Maximum Square Footage of Sign Face: Four (4) square feet.
d.
Maximum Number of Signs Permitted: One (1).
e.
Specified Location: Any.
f.
Changeable Copy Sign Allowed: No.
4.
Residential—Individual Home—Temporary Real Estate.
a.
Setback: Not within the Road Right-of-Way.
b.
Maximum Height: Eight (8) feet.
c.
Maximum Square Footage of Sign Face: Ten (10) square feet.
d.
Maximum Number of Signs Permitted: One (1) per street frontage.
e.
Specified Location: any Changeable Copy Sign Allowed: No.
5.
Residential—Subdivision, Condominium, MHC—Temporary Real Estate.
a.
Setback: Not within the Road Right-of-Way.
b.
Maximum Height: Fifteen (15) feet.
c.
Maximum Square Footage of Sign Face: Thirty-two (32) square feet.
d.
Maximum Number of Signs Permitted: One (1) per street frontage.
e.
Specified Location: any.
f.
Changeable Copy Sign Allowed: no.
6.
Residential—Individual Home—Temporary Construction.
a.
Setback: Not within the Road Right-of-Way.
b.
Height: Eight (8) feet.
c.
Maximum Square Footage of Sign Face: Thirty-two (32) square feet.
d.
Maximum Number of Signs Permitted: One (1) per con- tractor on-site on each street frontage.
e.
Specified Location: Any.
f.
Changeable Copy Sign Allowed: No.
7.
Residential—Subdivision, Condo, MHC Temporary Construction.
a.
Setback: not within the Road Right-of-Way.
b.
Maximum Height: Fifteen (15) feet.
c.
Maximum Square Footage of Sign Face: Thirty-two (32) square feet.
d.
Maximum Number of Signs Permitted: One (1) per contractor on-site at each separate entrance/exit.
e.
Changeable Copy Sign Allowed: No.
8.
Residential—Permanent—Mobile Home Community, Subdivision, Condominium.
a.
Setback: Not within the Road Right-of-Way.
b.
Maximum Height: Fifteen (15) feet.
c.
Maximum Square Footage of Sign Face: Thirty-two (32) square feet.
d.
Maximum Number of Signs Permitted: One (1) at each entrance/exit driveway.
9.
Commercial/Industrial—Temporary Real Estate—Single or Multiple Businesses.
a.
Setback: Not within the Road Right-of-Way.
b.
Maximum Height: Fifteen (15) feet.
c.
Maximum Square Footage of Sign Face: Thirty-two (32) square feet.
d.
Maximum Number of Signs Permitted: One (1).
e.
Specified Location: On each adjacent street side.
f.
Changeable Copy Sign Allowed: No.
10.
Commercial/Industrial—Temporary Construction.
a.
Setback: Not within the Road Right-of-Way.
b.
Maximum Height: Fifteen (15) feet.
c.
Maximum Square Footage of Sign Face: Thirty-two (32) square feet.
d.
Maximum Number of Signs Permitted: One (1) per adjacent street side.
e.
Specified Location: Any.
f.
Changeable Copy Sign Allowed: No.
11.
Commercial/Industrial—Single Business—Permanent.
a.
Setback: Not within the Road Right-of-Way.
b.
Maximum Height: Fifteen (15) feet.
c.
Maximum Square Footage of Sign Face: One hundred (100) square feet.
d.
Maximum Number of Signs Permitted: One (1) per street frontage.
e.
Specified Location: Any.
f.
Changeable Copy Sign Allowed: Yes.
12.
Commercial/Industrial—Multi-Businesses—Permanent Sign.
a.
Setback: Not within the Road Right-of-Way.
b.
Maximum Height: Fifteen (15) feet.
c.
Maximum Square Footage of Sign Face: Two hundred fifty (250) square feet—Fifty (50) square feet per business.
d.
Maximum Number of Signs Permitted: One (1).
e.
Specified Location: Any.
f.
Changeable Copy Sign Allowed: Yes.
13.
Commercial/Industrial—Projecting and Wall Signs.
a.
Setback: Not within the Road Right-of-Way.
b.
Maximum Sign Height: —on building.
c.
Maximum Square Footage of Sign Face: Thirty-two (32) square feet in addition to free-standing sign footage.
d.
Maximum Number of Signs Permitted: One (1) per tenant.
e.
Specified Location: Any.
f.
Changeable Copy Sign Allowed: Yes.
14.
Commercial/Industrial—Directional Signs (External Entrance and Exit Signs).
a.
Setback: not within the Road Right-of-Way.
b.
Maximum Height: Four (4) feet.
c.
Maximum Square Footage of Sign Face: Ten (10) square feet.
d.
Location: At each driveway.
e.
Changeable Copy Sign Allowed: No.
B.
Off-Premise Signs (Billboards)—Approved by special Exception use Only.
1.
Rural/Agriculture, Rural Residential, Resort and Recreation, All Commercial Parcels Less Parcels of less than two hundred (200) feet of Frontage.
a.
Setback: Not within the road Right-of-Way.
b.
Maximum Sign Height: Fifteen (15) feet.
c.
Maximum Square Footage of Sign Face: Thirty-two (32) square feet.
d.
Maximum Number of Structures Permitted: One (1).
e.
Specified Location: Fifty (50) feet from the Right-of-Way of any intersection.
f.
Changeable Copy Sign Allowed: Yes.
2.
Rural/Agriculture, Rural Residential, Resort and Recreation, All Commercial-parcels of more than two hundred (200) feet of frontage.
a.
Setback: Not within the Right-of-Way.
b.
Maximum Sign Height: Fifteen (15) feet.
c.
Square Footage of Sign Face: Thirty-two (32) square feet.
d.
Maximum Number of Signs: two (2) per parcel.
e.
Specified location: Two hundred (200) feet apart and fifty (50) feet from the side lot lines.
f.
Changeable Copy Sign Allowed: Yes.
3.
All Industrial Zones (LI-1 and I-1).
a.
Setback: Not within the Right-of-Way.
b.
Maximum Sign Height: Fifteen (15) feet.
c.
Maximum Square Footage of Sign Face: One hundred (100) square feet.
d.
Maximum Number of Signs Permitted: two (2) per parcel.
e.
Specified Location: Two hundred (200) feet apart and one hundred (100) feet from the side lot lines.
f.
Changeable Copy Sign Allowed: Yes.
(Ord. No. 04-01-2015, § I, 4-9-2015)
Sec. 17.7 - Changeable Copy Signs (CC).
Changeable Copy Signs (CC) shall be permitted subject to the following:
1.
Requirements: CC signs shall comply with all of the dimensional, spacing, and setback requirements that apply to non-CC signs in each zoning district.
2.
Brightness:
a.
All CC signs will be no more than ten thousand (10,000) nits during the day and one thousand (1,000) nits during the night.
b.
All CC signs shall be equipped with and utilize a dawn/dusk auto-dimming feature that will automatically adjust the sign display brightness based on ambient lighting levels. Malfunctioning units must be shut down until properly repaired.
3.
Display Requirements:
a.
CC signs with changing text or images must not change more frequently than every five (5) seconds.
b.
Images must be static. No live action (video type) images are allowed.
c.
Displays that flash the same text or image repeatedly or frequently change brightness are not allowed.
d.
The CC portion of the sign may occupy up to eighty (80%) percent of the sign face.
(Ord. No. 04-01-2015, § I, 4-9-2015)
Sec. 17.8 - Special Exception Off-Premise Directional Signs.
An off-premise sign shall be subject to the on-premise signs standards of the underlying zoning district.
(Ord. No. 04-01-2015, § I, 4-9-2015)
Sec. 17.9. - Nonconforming Signs.
Refer to Article XVI.
(Ord. No. 04-01-2015, § I, 4-9-2015)
Sec. 17.10. - Prohibited Signs.
The following types of signs shall be prohibited within all zoning districts of Yankee Springs Township:
1.
All signs which create any electrical noise or interference, or contain any type of audio amplification.
2.
Any sign which is an imitation of, or is likely to be confused with, any sign customarily displayed by a public authority.
3.
Any sign obstructing the ingress or egress from a building.
4.
Any sign that obstructs the reasonable visibility of, or otherwise detracts from, any sign located within a public right-of-way.
5.
Any sign attached to a public or private utility pole, tree, natural object, signs or other appurtenances.
6.
Any sign which obstructs the visibility of another sign having the required permits and is in compliance with this ordinance.
(Ord. No. 04-01-2015, § I, 4-9-2015)
Sec. 17.11. - Permit Fees.
Zoning and Building Permit fees shall be obtained in accordance with the schedule approved by the Yankee Springs Township Board of Trustees. No sign or sign structure shall be erected until all permits have been approved and the proper fees paid.
(Ord. No. 04-01-2015, § I, 4-9-2015)
Sec. 17.12. - Site Plan Review.
All signs, except for exempt signs, shall be subject to Site Plan Review conducted by the Zoning Administrator and approved prior to installation. Requirements for Site Plan Review are set forth in Article V.
(Ord. No. 04-01-2015, § I, 4-9-2015)
Sec. 17.13. - Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
1.
Animated sign: Any sign which uses movement or change of lighting to depict action or to create a special effect or scene. For the purpose of this Article, this term does not refer to flashing lights or changeable copy.
2.
Banner sign: A sign made of fabric or any non-rigid material with no enclosing framework.
3.
Billboard: (See Off-premises sign.)
4.
Changeable copy sign:
a.
Automatic: An electrically controlled sign on which the copy changes automatically on a lamp bank or through mechanical means, e.g., electrical or electronic time and temperature units.
b.
Manual: A sign on which copy is changed manually, e.g., reader boards with changeable letters or pictorials.
5.
Construction sign: A temporary sign identifying an architect, engineer, financier, contractor, subcontractor, and/or material supplier participating in a construction project on the property on which the sign is located.
6.
Copy: The wording on a sign face.
7.
Directional/informational sign: A sign giving directions, instructions, or facility information and which may contain the name or logo of an establishment but no advertising copy, e.g., street names, parking, or exit and entrance signs.
8.
Double-faced sign: A sign with two (2) faces.
9.
Electrical sign: A sign or sign structure in which electrical wiring, connections, and/or fixtures are used.
10.
Electronic message center: (See Changeable copy sign, automatic.)
11.
Flashing sign: A sign which contains an intermittent, sequential flashing or moving light source used primarily to attract attention. Including animated signs and signs which through reflection or other means, create an illusion of flashing of intermittent light. Does not include changeable copy signs.
[11.1.]
Free standing signs: A sign supported on the ground or by poles or braces from the ground and not attached to a building.
12.
Government sign: Any temporary or permanent sign erected and maintained by the township, village, city, county, state or federal government for traffic direction or for designation of or direction to any school, hospital, historical site, or public service, property, or facility.
13.
Height (of a sign): The vertical distance measured from the highest point of the sign, including any decorative embellishments, to the finished grade of the abutting roadway.
14.
Identification sign: A sign whose copy is limited to the name and address of a building, institution, or person and/or to the activity or occupation being identified.
15.
Illegal sign: A sign, installed after the effective date of this ordinance, which does not meet the requirements of this ordinance.
16.
Illuminated sign: A sign with an artificial light source incorporated internally or externally for the purpose of illuminating the sign.
17.
Name and/or Address Sign—Residential: A nonelectric, on-premises, identification sign.
18.
Nit: A unit of luminance equivalent to one candela per square metre (1 cd /m2)
19.
Non-commercial sign: Signs containing non-commercial speech are permitted anywhere that advertising or business signs are permitted, subject to the same regulations applicable to such signs.
20.
Nonconforming sign:
a.
A sign which was erected legally but which does not comply with subsequently enacted sign restrictions and regulations, or
b.
A sign that does not conform to the Zoning Ordinance but for which a Special Exception Use permit has been granted.
21.
Off-premises sign: A sign advertising an establishment, located away from the property on which the sign is located, e.g. "billboards" or "outdoor advertising" signs.
22.
On-premises sign: A sign pertaining to the business on the premises on which the sign is located.
23.
Political sign: For the purposes of this ordinance, a temporary sign used in connection with a local, state, or national election or referendum.
24.
Portable sign: Any sign and sign structure designed to be moved easily and not permanently affixed to the ground or to a structure or building.
25.
Projecting sign: A sign, other than a wall or marquee sign, which is attached to and projects from a building wall or other structure not specifically designed to support the sign.
26.
Real estate sign: A temporary sign advertising the structure or real estate upon which the sign is located as being for rent, lease, or sale.
27.
Roof sign: A sign erected directly over or on the roof of a building.
28.
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 the method of changing copy.
29.
Sign: Any illuminated or non-illuminated device, structure, letter, word, banner, balloon, pennant, insignia, emblem, logo, painting, poster, trade flag, fixture, representation, or placard. The content of the message on the sign shall not be reviewed or considered in determining whether the sign permit shall be approved or denied.
30.
Sign face: The area of a sign on which the copy is placed.
31.
Subdivision identification sign: A free-standing or wall sign.
[13.1.]
Substantially altered: Any sign and/or sign structure which has been relocated, raised or lowered, had the area of the sign face or structure increased or decreased, or had new materials placed on it shall be considered as having been substantially altered. Maintenance or repair of the existing sign or its structure shall not be considered as a substantial alteration.
32.
Temporary sign: A sign bearing a message which is displayed before, during and after an event to which the sign relates and which is scheduled to take place at a specific time and place.
33.
Wall sign: A sign attached parallel to and extending not more than eighteen (18) inches from the wall of a building. This definition includes painted, individual letter, and cabinet signs, and signs on a mansard.
(Ord. No. 04-01-2015, § I, 4-9-2015)