[Ord. No. Z.02,
eff. 2-7-1974; Ord. No. Z-14.02, eff. 4-19-1982; Ord. No. Z-20.02, eff. 8-7-1988; Ord. No. Z-22.02, eff. 2-20-1989; Ord.
No. Z-39.02, eff. 1-1-1999]
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:
A fabric or plastic sign hung on a wall or from poles, on
which lettered, figured, promotional phrases, or pictorial matter
is displayed for advertising a business, service, or entertainment.
Any structure, including the wall of any building, on which
lettered, figured, promotional phrases, or pictorial matter is displayed
for advertising a business, service, or entertainment which is not
conducted on the land upon which the structure is located or products
not primarily sold, manufactured, processed or fabricated on such
land.
Any structure, including the wall of any building, on which
lettered, figured, promotional phrases, or pictorial matter is displayed
for advertising or identifying a profession, business, service, or
entertainment conducted on the land where the structure is located,
or products primarily sold, manufactured, processed, or fabricated
on such land.
Any structure on the same premises it identifies which serves
only to tell the name or use of any public or semipublic building
or recreation space, apartment building or apartment complex, subdivision,
club, lodge, church, or institution or parking lot.
A sign used to advertise a candidate for public office or
a position on an issue to be voted on at a general or special election.
A temporary sign which is not permanently affixed to the
ground, a building or structure, including, without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, all banners, pennants, balloons, A-frame signs,
light chains, and signs on wheels or portable stands, but excluding
real estate signs and political signs.
A sign used only to advertise, with pertinent information,
the sale, rental, or leasing of the premises upon which it is located.
[Ord. No. Z.01,
eff. 2-7-1974; Ord. No. Z-14.01, eff. 4-19-1982; Ord. No. Z-20.01, eff. 8-7-1988; Ord. No. Z-22.01, eff. 2-20-1989; Ord.
No. Z-39.01, eff. 1-1-1999]
(a)Â
This section is intended to protect and further the health, safety
and welfare of the people of the Township by regulating the construction,
erection, reconstruction, alteration, repair, maintenance, size, location
and number of all signs, to ensure that such signs do not create a
hazard to the public, to ensure that they do not interfere with the
safe and efficient movement of pedestrians or traffic within the Township
and to ensure that their size, location and number compliment harmoniously
the nature of development within the various zoning districts of the
Township.
(b)Â
When more restrictive with respect to location, use, size, height
or other requirements relating to structural safety, the provisions
of the state construction code and/or any other applicable state construction
code shall take precedence over this section.
[Ord. No. Z.03,
eff. 2-7-1974; Ord. No. Z-14.03, eff. 4-19-1982; Ord. No. Z-20.03, eff. 8-7-1988; Ord. No. Z-22.03, eff. 2-20-1989; Ord.
No. Z-39.03, eff. 1-1-1999; Ord. No. Z-56.03, eff. 8-22-2006]
(a)Â
No sign shall be erected, constructed or reconstructed in any location
where it may interfere with, or obscure the view of, or be confused
with, an authorized traffic sign.
(b)Â
No sign shall have any visible moving components, or a moving or changing message, either constantly or at intervals, regardless of whether the motion or change is caused by artificial or physical means, except as permitted by Section 38-569 and Section 38-575(g)(4).
(c)Â
A sign which is an integral part of a building may not extend higher
than the sidewall of the building on which it is mounted.
(d)Â
No freestanding sign shall exceed eight feet in height. The Zoning
Administrator may authorize freestanding signs of a greater height.
The Zoning Administrator may, in his discretion, decline to decide
such matter and refer decision thereon to the Zoning Board of Appeals
as a matter for Zoning Board of Appeals decision pursuant to Section
603 of the Zoning Act (MCL § 125.3603). In granting such
authorization, either by the Zoning Administrator, or the Zoning Board
of Appeals as a matter for Zoning Board of Appeals decision pursuant
to Section 603 of the Zoning Act (MCL § 125.3603), the following
standards shall be considered:
(1)Â
The number of businesses using the building and/or sign;
(2)Â
The sign height related to the height of the principal buildings
on the lot and neighboring lots;
(3)Â
The effect of the sign on the surrounding neighborhood; and
(4)Â
How the sign affects light, visibility and the circulation of
air.
(e)Â
No sign, temporary or permanent, shall be erected, constructed, installed
or located on private property without the written consent of the
owner of such property; provided, however, the requirement that the
consent be written shall not apply to political and real estate signs.
Real estate signs may only be placed on the property that is for sale,
rental or lease.
(f)Â
No sign, including, without limitation, political signs, shall be
located in the public right-of-way or attached to any tree, utility
pole, street sign, traffic control device or other similar object
or installed, attached or affixed to any public building or structure.
(g)Â
No sign, or any part thereof, attached to a wall shall extend more
than 12 inches therefrom.
(h)Â
No item or article of tangible personal property, including, but
without limitation, a vehicle, trailer, snowmobile, or watercraft,
including personal watercraft, shall be used as a sign by displaying
or placing thereon or attaching thereto letters or words, figures,
or pictures or any type or kind of promotional material which provides
information about or advertises a business, service, entertainment
or any other activity or enterprise and locating or parking this item
or article of tangible personal property at a location or place where
such item or article of tangible personal property can be viewed by
members of the general public. As examples of the application of this
subsection, but without limitation, the following described circumstances
constitute violations of this subsection:
(1)Â
Watercraft with temporary vinyl lettering used as signs and
parked in a commercial lot.
(2)Â
Vehicles with temporary vinyl lettering used as signs and parked
in a commercial lot.
(3)Â
Signs mounted on trailers.
(4)Â
Banners hung on watercraft.
(5)Â
A personal watercraft with a vinyl or fabric "For Rent" sign
on it.
[Ord. No. Z.04,
eff. 2-7-1974; Ord. No. Z-14.04, eff. 4-19-1982; Ord. No. Z-20.04, eff. 8-7-1988; Ord. No. Z-22.04, eff. 2-20-1989; Ord.
No. Z-39.04, eff. 1-1-1999]
All signs shall be maintained in good condition and repair,
including, without limiting the foregoing, maintenance of supports
and fastenings to prevent the sign from falling.
[Ord. No. Z.05,
eff. 2-7-1974; Ord. No. Z-14.05, eff. 4-19-1982; Ord. No. Z-20, eff. 8-7-1988; Ord. No. Z-22.05, eff. 2-20-1989; Ord. No. Z-39.05, eff. 1-1-1999]
No sign shall be constructed, erected, reconstructed or located
in such a manner as to cause a hazard to vehicle or pedestrian traffic,
including, without limiting the foregoing, a visual hazard caused
by flashing lights or glare where the visual hazard impairs vision
or is unreasonably distracting.
[Ord. No. Z.06,
eff. 2-7-1974; Ord. No. Z-14.06, eff. 4-19-1982; Ord. No. Z-20.06, eff. 8-7-1988; Ord. No. Z-22.06, eff. 2-20-1989; Ord.
No. Z-39.06, eff. 1-1-1999]
No sign, temporary or permanent, shall be constructed, erected
or reconstructed upon or over any sidewalk, street, alley or other
public right-of-way.
[Ord. No. Z.07,
eff. 2-7-1974; Ord. No. Z-14.07, eff. 4-19-1982; Ord. No. Z-20.07, eff. 8-7-1988; Ord. No. Z-22.07, eff. 2-20-1989; Ord.
No. Z-39.07, eff. 1-1-1999; Ord. No. Z-56.07, eff. 8-22-2006]
All signs that are to be illuminated shall be illuminated by
electrical power. All electrical wiring and electrical installation
shall be in conformance with the electrical code currently in force
in the Township. Time and/or temperature signs and changeable letter
signs are only permitted as is provided by Section 38-575(g)(4). No
other type of sign shall be illuminated with flashing, blinking, intermittent
or on and off lighting. Open neon lights are prohibited. All sign
illumination shall be employed in such a manner so as to prevent intense
or brilliant glares or rays of light from being directed at any street,
private road, or at any adjoining property.
[Ord. No. Z.08,
eff. 2-7-1974; Ord. No. Z-14.08, eff. 4-19-1982; Ord. No. Z-20.08, eff. 8-7-1988; Ord. No. Z-22.08, eff. 2-20-1989; Ord.
No. Z-39.08, eff. 1-1-1999]
The area of a sign includes the entire area within a circle,
triangle or multisided figure 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 such sign is placed, but including any sign tower. Where
a sign has two or more faces, the area of all faces shall be included
in determining the area of the sign, except that where two such 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 if the two faces are of equal area, or as the area of the larger
face if the two faces are of unequal area. In the case of a sphere
or other three-dimensional object used as a sign, the total area of
the sphere or other three-dimensional object is divided by two for
purposes of determining the sign area.
[Ord. No. Z.09,
eff. 2-7-1974; Ord. No. Z-14.09, eff. 4-19-1982; Ord. No. Z-20.09, eff. 8-7-1988; Ord. No. Z-22.09, eff. 2-20-1989; Ord.
No. Z-39.09, eff. 1-1-1999]
Except for signs, pennants, and banners permitted pursuant to Section 38-576(b)(16), portable signs are prohibited in all zoning districts unless located inside the window of a building. Only one portable sign is permitted per window, with the total area of each sign not to exceed 25% of the total area of the window in which it is placed.
[Ord. No. Z.10,
eff. 2-7-1974; Ord. No. Z-14.10, eff. 4-19-1982; Ord. No. Z-20.10, eff. 8-7-1988; Ord. No. Z-22.10, eff. 2-20-1989; Ord.
No. Z-39.10, eff. 1-1-1999]
Political signs shall be permitted in all zoning districts provided they are temporary, not illuminated, do not exceed six square feet in area in the AG, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, and R-5 Zoning Districts and do not exceed 32 square feet in the C-1 and C-2 Zoning Districts. There shall be no more than one political sign per 25 feet of property road frontage or fraction thereof. All political signs shall be removed within 10 days after the holding of the election with which the political sign is concerned. All political signs shall comply at all times with the requirements of Sections 38-565 through 38-568.
[Ord. No. Z.11,
eff. 2-7-1974; Ord. No. Z-14.11, eff. 4-19-1982; Ord. No. Z-20.11, eff. 8-7-1988; Ord. No. Z-22.11, eff. 2-20-1989; Ord.
No. Z-39.11, eff. 1-1-1999]
Billboards are prohibited in the Township.
[Ord. No. Z.12,
eff. 2-7-1974; Ord. No. Z-14.12, eff. 4-19-1982; Ord. No. Z-20.12, eff. 8-7-1988; Ord. No. Z-22.12, eff. 2-20-1989; Ord.
No. Z-39.12, eff. 1-1-1999; (Ord. No. Z-56.12, eff. 8-22-2006]
Subject to the provisions of this section, a sign which is existing
and lawful on the effective date of the ordinance from which this
chapter is derived, or in the case of an amendment to this article,
then on the effective date of such amendment, may be maintained and
continued although such sign does not conform with the provisions
of this article or any amendment thereto, as the case may be.
(1)Â
No nonconforming sign:
a.Â
Shall be changed to another non-conforming sign;
b.Â
Shall be structurally altered so as to prolong the life of the sign
or so as to change the shape, size or type;
c.Â
Shall be reestablished or continued after the activity, business,
or use to which it was attached has been discontinued for 90 days
or longer.
(2)Â
No owner shall be required to remove a sign that was erected in compliance
with this article if such sign becomes nonconforming due to a change
in the location of buildings, streets, private roads, or other signs
if the change was beyond the control of the owner of the sign and
the premises on which it is located.
(3)Â
If the owner of a sign, or the premises on which a sign is located,
changes the location of a building, property line, or sign, or changes
the use of a building so that any sign on the premises is rendered
nonconforming, such sign shall be removed or made to conform to this
chapter.
[Ord. No. Z.13,
eff. 2-7-1974; Ord. No. Z-14.13, eff. 4-19-1982; Ord. No. Z-20.13, eff. 8-7-1988; Ord. No. Z-22.13, eff. 2-20-1989; Ord.
No. Z-39.13, eff. 1-1-1999; Ord. No. Z-56.13, eff. 8-22-2006; Ord.
No. Z-58.13, eff. 12-13-2007;
amended by Ord. No. ZA-63, eff. 7-1-2013]
(a)Â
AG Agricultural and Permanent Open Space District. Signs shall be
permitted in this zoning district only as follows:
(1)Â
One real estate sign for each 450 feet or fraction thereof of
property road frontage, not in excess of six square feet each in area,
provided the real estate signs are not illuminated and are placed
entirely within the boundaries of the parcel of land or lot to which
the signs refer.
(2)Â
One permanent identifying sign, provided such sign shall:
(3)Â
One construction sign per construction project, denoting architects,
engineers, banking institutions, subcontractors, or contractors connected
with the work under construction. For one- and two-family dwelling
projects, the area shall not exceed 12 square feet. For all other
construction projects, the maximum area is 32 square feet. This sign
may be displayed only during the time the improvements are under construction.
(4)Â
One freestanding business sign for each farm or property, not
in excess of 32 square feet in area, and located not less than 40
feet from the edge of the street right-of-way or private road easement.
(5)Â
One or more temporary seasonal signs advertising business operations
such as being "open" or the sale of products on the lot where the
sign is located. The collective total square footage of such signs
shall not exceed an area of 64 square feet per lot; provided, however,
that the lot shall meet the minimum lot area for the district, and
no individual sign shall exceed an area of 32 square feet. All such
signs shall be separated by no less than 50 feet. Where temporary
seasonal signs are located on one or more legal nonconforming lots
advertising business operations, the collective total square footage
of temporary seasonal signs throughout all of the lots shall not exceed
an area of 64 square feet, and no individual sign shall exceed an
area of 32 square feet. All such signs shall be separated by no less
than 50 feet.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2020-001, eff. 1-27-2020
(b)Â
"R" designated residential zoning districts.
(1)Â
In all "R" designated residential zoning districts, signs shall
be permitted only as follows:
a.Â
One real estate sign not in excess of six square feet in area, if
the real estate sign is not illuminated and is placed entirely within
the boundaries of the parcel of land or lot to which the sign refers.
b.Â
One permanent identifying sign, provided such sign shall:
1.Â
Not exceed an area of 32 square feet;
2.Â
Not extend more than 12 inches from the surface of the building if
mounted on a wall;
3.Â
Have all lighting shielded from adjoining residences in such a manner
that direct light does not leave the property on which the sign is
located;
4.Â
Be placed at least five feet from the edge of the road right-of-way;
and
c.Â
One and/or two permanent identifying signs at each entrance to a
residential development (i.e., subdivision, condominium, or apartment
complex), provided that the total square footage of the sign at each
entrance does not exceed an area of 32 square feet, and all requirements
of Subsection (b)(2) of this section are met.
d.Â
One construction sign per construction project, denoting architects,
engineers, banking institutions, subcontractors, or contractors connected
with the work under construction. For one- and two-family dwelling
projects, the area shall not exceed 12 square feet. For all other
construction projects, the maximum area is 32 square feet. This sign
may be displayed only during the time the improvements are under construction.
e.Â
Plat or site condominium advertising signs provided there shall be
only one such sign per plat or site condominium, and that no such
sign shall exceed 32 square feet in area. Plat or site condominium
advertising signs shall be removed when 75% of the building sites
of the last approved phase have buildings located thereon or are under
construction.
(2)Â
In the R-1 Rural Estates Residence District, one or more temporary
seasonal signs advertising business operations such as being "open"
or the sale of products on the lot where the sign is located. The
collective total square footage of such signs shall not exceed an
area of 64 square feet per lot; provided, however, that the lot shall
meet the minimum lot area for the district, and no individual sign
shall exceed an area of 32 square feet. All such signs shall be separated
by no less than 50 feet. Where temporary seasonal signs are located
on one or more legal nonconforming lots advertising business operations,
the collective total square footage of temporary seasonal signs throughout
all of the lots shall not exceed an area of 64 square feet, and no
individual sign shall exceed an area of 32 square feet. All such signs
shall be separated by no less than 50 feet.
[Added by Ord. No. 2020-001, eff. 1-27-2020
(c)Â
In all "C" designated commercial zoning districts, signs shall be
permitted only as follows:
(1)Â
All signs permitted in the R-1 Rural Estate Residence District, subject to the same conditions, restrictions, and requirements as provided in the R-1 Rural Estate Residence District, except that political signs and real estate signs may be larger than permitted in the R-1 Rural Estate Residence District, but shall not be greater than 32 square feet in area, signs permitted by § 38-575(b)(2) shall not exceed 50% of the dimensional provisions therein but may be permitted per business on a lot, and home occupation signs are prohibited.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2020-001, eff. 1-27-2020
(2)Â
Business signs if the signs:
a.Â
Are placed flat against the building on which they are located;
b.Â
Are limited to one sign per tenant space per side or sides of
the building which fronts on principal streets, private roads or waterways
providing access to the building;
c.Â
Are not in excess of 10% of the wall area of the tenant space
to which they are attached, but not to exceed 32 square feet in area
in any event;
d.Â
Have no dimension greater than 30 feet.
(3)Â
One freestanding business sign if it is located in the front
yard and does not exceed 32 square feet in area.
(4)Â
One changeable letter sign, per building, not to exceed 32 square
feet in area, is allowed on the side of a building or on the same
support as the freestanding business sign permitted under Subsection
(c)(3) of this section. Message changes may be accomplished through
either electronic and/or mechanical means, or through the use of illumination,
provided that the following criteria are met:
a.Â
There shall be no animation, cartoons or moving pictures or
similar depictions of motion.
b.Â
Movement of any kind shall be prohibited except the simultaneous
and instantaneous change of letters, numbers or symbols necessary
to convey the changing message.
c.Â
The rate of change between messages shall be no more frequent
than 10 seconds.
(5)Â
Where two or more businesses are located in the same building,
the freestanding business signs for each business shall be combined
on the same pole or ground sign. In this instance, the total area
of all freestanding business signs mounted on the same pole or ground
sign shall not exceed 64 square feet.
(d)Â
Planned unit development. Such signs as are approved by the Township
Board in authorizing the planned unit development.
[Ord. No. Z.14,
eff. 2-7-1974; Ord. No. Z-14.14, eff. 4-19-1982; Ord. No. Z-20.14, eff. 8-7-1988; Ord. No. Z-22.14, eff. 2-20-1989; Ord.
No. Z-39.14, eff. 1-1-1999]
(a)Â
Except as specifically excused in Subsection (b) of this section, no sign shall be constructed, erected, located, placed, attached to a building, installed, structurally altered, or relocated prior to the issuance of a permit by the Zoning Administrator. For all signs, the application for the sign permit shall include the name of the applicant, the size of the sign, plans and specifications for the sign, the proposed location of the sign, the proposed method of construction, erection, structural alteration, or relocation, and a description of the equipment to be used for such work.
(b)Â
No permit shall be required for any of the following:
(1)Â
Normal sign maintenance and repair;
(2)Â
Change of lettering or display panels on a sign;
(3)Â
Real estate signs (may only be placed on the actual property
for sale);
(4)Â
Highway signs erected by the United States of America, State
of Michigan, Counties of Allegan or Ottawa, or the Township;
(5)Â
Governmental use signs erected by governmental agencies to designate
hours of activity or conditions for use for parks, parking lots, recreational
area, other public areas or for governmental buildings;
(6)Â
Directional signs erected in conjunction with private, off-street
parking areas, provided the sign does not exceed four square feet
in area and is limited to traffic control functions only;
(7)Â
Historic signs designating sites recognized by the state historical
commission as centennial farms and historic landmarks;
(8)Â
Signs posted to control or prohibit hunting within the Township;
(9)Â
Essential public service signs denoting utility lines, railroad
lines, hazards and precautions;
(10)Â
Memorial signs or tablets which are either cut into the face
of a masonry surface or constructed of bronze or other incombustible
material when located flat on the face of a building;
(12)Â
One model home sign per project not exceeding 12 square feet
in area to be displayed only during the actual time the home is being
used as a model;
(13)Â
Political signs;
(14)Â
One sign per street address not exceeding two square feet in
area and bearing only property address and/or names of occupants of
residential premises. No other words or letters are permitted;
(15)Â
Flags and insignia of the governments of the United States,
the State of Michigan and the Township;
(16)Â
Signs, pennants and banners announcing civic occasions, festivals,
celebrations, sports events or arts and humanities events only when
for an agency of government or a private nonprofit organization and
when authorized in advance in writing by the Zoning Administrator.
The Zoning Administrator may, at his discretion, decline to decide
such matter and refer decision thereon to the Zoning Board of Appeals
as a matter for Zoning Board of Appeals decision pursuant to Section
603 of the Zoning Act (MCL § 125.3603). Advertising symbols,
logos or titles identifying contributors to such event or occasion
shall be permitted, provided that such identification shall be limited
to 15% of the area of the sign, pennant or banner. In considering
such authorization, the Zoning Administrator or Zoning Board of Appeals
shall consider the following standards:
a.Â
The proximity of the sign, pennant or banner to traffic signals
and other signs, pennants and banners;
b.Â
The size of the sign, pennant or banner;
c.Â
The time period during which the sign, pennant or banner is
to be displayed;
d.Â
The effect of the sign, pennant or banner on traffic safety
and the general neighborhood; and
e.Â
No sign, pennant, or banner permitted under this Subsection (16) shall be erected more than 30 days prior to the date on which the civic occasion, festival, celebration, or event announced therein begins. All signs, pennants, and banners shall be removed within 10 days after the date on which the civil occasion, festival, celebration, or event announced therein has ended.
(17)Â
Legal notices;
(18)Â
Open house signs on the day of the open house only; and
(19)Â
Auction signs on the day of the auction only.
