[Code 1974, § 84-1; amended 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16]
(a)
The purpose of this article is to regulate signs within the Township
so as to protect public safety, health and welfare; minimize abundance
and size of signs to reduce visual clutter, motorist distraction,
and loss of sight distance; promote public convenience; preserve property
values; support and complement land use objectives as set forth in
the Master Plan and this chapter; and enhance the aesthetic appearance
and quality of life within the Township. The standards contained herein
are intended to be content neutral.
(b)
These objectives are accomplished by establishing the minimum amount
of regulations necessary concerning the size, placement, construction,
illumination, and other aspects of signs in the Township so as to:
(1)
Recognize that the proliferation of signs is unduly distracting
to motorists and nonmotorized travelers, reduces the effectiveness
of signs directing and warning the public, causes confusion, reduces
desired uniform traffic flow, and creates potential for accidents.
(2)
Prevent signs that are potentially dangerous to the public due
to structural deficiencies or disrepair.
(3)
Reduce visual pollution and physical obstructions caused by
a proliferation of signs which would diminish the Township's
image, property values and quality of life.
(4)
Enable the public to locate goods, services and facilities without
excessive difficulty and confusion by restricting the number and placement
of signs.
(5)
Prevent placement of signs which will conceal or obscure signs
of adjacent uses.
(6)
Protect the public right to receive messages and engage in expressive
conduct protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
(7)
The regulations and standards of this article are considered
the minimum necessary to achieve a substantial government interest
for public safety, aesthetics, and protection of property values,
and are intended to be content neutral.
(8)
Prevent signs from conflicting with other allowed land uses.
(9)
Maintain and improve the image of the Township by encouraging
signs of consistent size which are compatible with and complementary
to related buildings and uses, and harmonious with their surroundings.
This includes preventing light trespass onto adjacent properties.
(10)
Regulate portable signs as necessary to avoid negative impacts
on traffic safety and aesthetics.
[Code 1974, § 84-13; amended 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16]
(a)
Purpose. It is the intent of this article to permit the continuance
of a lawful use of any sign or outdoor advertising structure existing
at the effective date of this chapter, although such sign or outdoor
advertising structure may not conform with the provisions of this
chapter. It is the intent of this article that nonconforming signs
and outdoor advertising structures shall not be enlarged upon, expanded
or extended. Further, it is the intent of this article that nonconforming
signs and outdoor advertising structures shall be gradually eliminated
and terminated upon their natural deterioration or accidental destruction.
The continuance of all nonconforming signs and outdoor advertising
structures within the Township shall be subject to the conditions
and requirements set forth in this article.
(b)
Structural changes. The faces, supports, or other parts of any lawful
nonconforming sign or outdoor advertising structure shall not be structurally
changed, altered, substituted, or enlarged unless the resultant changed,
altered, substituted, or enlarged sign or outdoor advertising structure
conforms to the provisions of this chapter for the district in which
it is located, except as otherwise provided for in this article.
(c)
Repairs, alterations, and improvements. Nothing in this article shall
prohibit the repair, reinforcement, alteration, improvement, or modernizing
of a lawful nonconforming sign or outdoor advertising structure, provided
that such repair, reinforcement, alteration, improvement, and modernizing
do not exceed an aggregate cost of 30% of the appraised replacement
cost thereof, as determined by the Director of Community Planning
and Development, unless the subject sign or outdoor advertising structure
is changed by such repair, reinforcement, alteration, improvement,
or modernizing to a conforming structure.
(d)
Restoration of damage. Any lawful nonconforming sign or outdoor advertising
structure damaged by fire, explosion, an act of God, or by other accidental
causes may be restored, rebuilt, or repaired, provided that the estimated
expense of reconstruction does not exceed 50% of the appraised replacement
cost thereof, as determined by the Director of Community Planning
and Development.
(e)
Discontinuance or abandonment. Whenever the activity, business, or
usage of a primary premises to which a sign is attached or related
has been discontinued for a period of 90 days or longer, such discontinuance
shall be considered conclusive evidence of an intention to abandon
legally the nonconforming sign attached or related thereto. At the
end of this period of abandonment, the nonconforming sign shall either
be removed or altered to conform with the provisions of this chapter.
(f)
Elimination of nonconforming signs. The Township Board may acquire
any nonconforming sign or outdoor advertising structure with or without
acquiring the property on which such sign or structure is located
by condemnation or other means and may remove such sign or structure.
(g)
Change of message. Nothing in this section shall prohibit changing
of the message of any sign to reflect the change of a business name
being advertised by a sign, nor the periodic change of message on
any outdoor advertising structure, as long as structural changes are
not being made to the sign.
[Added 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16[1]]
(a)
Review and approval of signs. All new or replacement signs for any
structure, property, or use shall be reviewed and approved by the
Community Planning and Development Director or their designee, unless
otherwise specified.
(b)
Review standards. The Community Planning and Development Director
shall review the proposed sign based on the standards found herein.
(c)
Permitting.
(1)
It shall be unlawful to display, erect, relocate, alter, or
otherwise change any permanent signs without obtaining a permit.
(2)
After the issuance of a permit by the Township, it shall be
unlawful to change, alter, modify, or otherwise deviate from the approved
permit, without first amending the permit or applying for a new permit.
(3)
An application for a permit shall be made in writing on forms
furnished by the Township.
(4)
The application for a permit shall include the following information:
a.
The name, address, and telephone number of the person requesting
the sign permit.
b.
The name, address, and telephone number of the contractor installing
the sign.
c.
The location by street address where the sign is proposed to
be installed.
d.
Site plan and elevation drawings of the proposed sign, drawn
to scale, including the location of the proposed sign on the property
and/or building, the location of any existing signs on the property
and/or building, the dimensions of the proposed sign, the construction
materials proposed for the sign, and the method of lighting for the
sign.
e.
An application, and all necessary information, for an electrical
permit for all signs with electrical connections.
f.
The signature of the owner or the owner's authorized agent.
g.
The value of the sign being installed.
(5)
The replacement of only the sign face, with no other structural,
electrical, or other physical changes to the sign, shall not require
a permit.
(d)
Abandoned signs.
(1)
Any sign or part of a sign that is an abandoned sign shall be
removed within 30 days.
(2)
An abandoned sign shall be removed by the owner or lessee of
the premises.
(3)
If only one tenant or portion of the sign is abandoned, then
the portion of the sign which is inaccurate and abandoned shall be
removed. The sign structure and the remainder of the sign which is
accurate to the remaining tenant(s) and uses on the property may remain
notwithstanding the inaccurate portion.
(4)
If the owner or lessee fails to remove the sign, the Building
Official/Zoning Administrator may initiate civil infraction proceedings
under this Code.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance superseded former § 86-683,
Enforcement (Code 1974, § 84-14).
[Added 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16[1]]
(a)
Any sign not expressly permitted in a district is prohibited in such
district.
(b)
Commercial signs and advertising structures shall be located on the
premises to which the sign is accessory, unless otherwise specified
herein.
(c)
Whenever a maximum surface display area per side of any sign or advertising
structure is specified, such surface display area shall be computed
as follows:
(1)
If a sign has only one exterior face, the surface display area
of that face shall not exceed the specified maximum.
(2)
If a sign has two exterior faces, the surface display area of
each face shall not exceed the specified maximum.
(3)
If a sign has more than two exterior faces, the sum of the surface
area of all the faces shall not exceed twice the specified maximum.
(d)
No sign or outdoor advertising structure may have moving parts or
moving or flashing lights.
(e)
No banners, streamers, or similar devices shall be permitted, unless
otherwise specified herein.
(f)
No wall sign shall be erected to extend above the top of the wall
to which it is attached. No signs shall be mounted on a roof.
(g)
All signs shall be installed so as to comply with the sight triangle regulations found in § 86-474 of this chapter.
(h)
Traffic control signs. Signs purely for traffic regulation or control
within the project may be utilized as required and shall conform to
the Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MMUTCD). Traffic
control signs not listed in the MMUTCD shall be reviewed by the Department
of Public Works and Engineering for a determination that the sign
is warranted. All such traffic control signs shall not require a permit
or count against maximum permitted sign areas for a project but shall
be installed on private property.
(j)
Signs shall not revolve or move in any manner.
(k)
Any sign that creates a visual or safety hazard may be ordered to
be removed by the Director of Community Planning and Development.
(l)
Directional signs. On-premises directional signs that aid traffic
flow shall be permitted subject to the following:
(1)
Located a minimum of five feet from any property line.
(2)
Shall be located on private property. No such signs shall be
permitted in the public right-of-way.
(3)
No larger than three square feet.
(4)
No taller than six feet.
(5)
May be illuminated, subject to the standards of this article.
(6)
The number and location of directional signs shall be subject
to the approval of the Director of Community Planning and Development,
based on the number of entrances and exits to the site, circulation
patterns on-site, and the number and location of tenants and buildings
on-site.
(m)
Window signs. Window signs shall be permitted subject to the following:
(1)
A window sign shall be installed on the inside of a window or
on the exterior of a window, so as not to project from the window
pane on which the sign is painted or affixed.
(2)
No more than 40% of the surface area of the window may be used
for window signs.
(3)
The total amount of window signage shall not exceed 10% of the
building face of which the window is a part.
(n)
Flags. Flags shall be permitted on any property, without a sign permit,
subject to the following:
(1)
A maximum of two flags shall be permitted on any property in
an RR, RAAA, RAA, RA, RB, or RX district.
(2)
A maximum of one flag shall be permitted on any property in
any other type of district.
(3)
Any flag shall be no larger than 24 square feet.
(4)
No part of any flag shall be hung or erected in any manner so
as to visually obstruct or project into the public right-of-way, unless
written permission from the Michigan Department of Transportation
or the Ingham County Road Department has been granted.
(5)
Flagpoles shall be subject to the following:
a.
All flagpoles shall be set back from all property lines by a
distance equal to the height of the flagpole.
b.
No flagpole shall exceed 40 feet in height.
c.
Flagpoles may be illuminated, subject to the standards in this
chapter.
d.
No flagpole shall be installed without obtaining a building
permit.
(o)
A protected message of any type may be substituted, in whole or in
part, for the message displayed on any sign which is already legal
or legal nonconforming without consideration of message content. Such
substitution of message may be made without any additional approval
or permitting, provided that the message substitution makes no changes
to the physical structure of the sign. The purpose of this provision
is to prevent any inadvertent favoring of commercial speech over protected
noncommercial speech, or favoring of any particular protected noncommercial
speech over any other protected noncommercial speech. Message substitution
is a continuing right and may be exercised any number of times, in
whole or in part. Message substitution applies only to speech which
is within the protection of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
and corresponding provisions of the Michigan Constitution.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance superseded former § 86-684,
General restrictions (Code 1974, § 84-2).
[Code 1974, § 84-3; amended by Ord. No. 2010-08, 7-18-2010; 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16]
Signs proposed for the RR, RAAA, RAA, RA, RB, RX, RD, RDD, RC,
RCC, RN, PRD, and MP zoning districts shall be permitted in accordance
with the following regulations.
(1)
Development entry sign. A permanent sign may be permitted at each
entrance to a residential development, subject to the following regulations:
a.
Located at least 10 feet back from the front property line.
b.
Installed in a common area for a development or on private property.
No such signs shall be installed in the public right-of-way without
express written approval of the Ingham County Road Department.
c.
No larger than 32 square feet in size.
d.
No taller than six feet in height.
e.
One such sign is permitted at each public entry to a residential
development.
(2)
Signs for land uses other than single-family. Where the use of a
parcel in a zoning district subject to this section is primarily other
than a single-family dwelling, then wall signs and freestanding signs
shall be permitted, subject to the following regulations:
(3)
Wall sign. In addition to the foregoing, one nonilluminated sign
not to exceed two square feet in surface display area and attached
flat against a building wall is permitted.
[Code 1974, § 84-4; amended by Ord. No. 2010-08, 7-18-2010; Ord. No. 2011-15, 12-6-2011; 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16]
Signs proposed for the Professional and Office zoning district
shall be permitted in accordance with the following regulations.
(1)
Wall signs. A permanent sign may be permitted on a building, subject
to the following regulations:
a.
Shall be placed flat against the building.
b.
No individual sign shall be larger than 30 square feet in surface
display area.
c.
Each tenant in a multi-tenant building shall be permitted a maximum
of 30 square feet of signage, contiguous with their lease space and
no closer than 12 inches to the side of the building line or leased
space line.
d.
Wall signs shall be allowed up to a size equivalent to one square
foot for each one lineal foot of building frontage occupied.
(2)
Freestanding signs. A permanent sign, subject to the following regulations:
[Code 1974, § 84-5; amended by Ord. No. 2010-08, 7-18-2010; Ord. No. 2010-15, 12-26-2010; Ord. No. 2011-16, 12-6-2011; Ord. No. 2011-17, 12-13-2011; Ord. No. 2012-01, 4-1-2012; 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16[1]]
Signs proposed for the C-1, C-2, and C-3 Commercial and CR,
Commercial Recreation, zoning districts shall be permitted in accordance
with the following regulations.
(1)
Wall signs. A permanent sign may be permitted on a building, subject
to the following regulations:
a.
One wall sign shall be permitted on each building facade with frontage
on a public street.
b.
In no case shall any tenant have more than one wall sign on a facade.
c.
No wall sign shall be located on a rear facade.
d.
Wall signs shall be allowed up to a size equivalent to one square
foot for each one lineal foot of building frontage occupied.
e.
In the case of multi-tenant structures, one wall sign shall be permitted
for each tenant having an individual means of public access up to
a size equivalent to one square foot for each one lineal foot of building
frontage occupied. Tenants shall be permitted signs on each building
facade with frontage on a public street.
f.
Where several tenants use a common entrance in a multi-tenant structure,
wall signs shall be permitted for those tenants having an individual
means of public access up to a size equivalent to one square foot
for each one square foot of building frontage occupied.
(2)
Freestanding signs. A permanent sign, subject to the following regulations:
a.
One freestanding sign per parcel shall be permitted, except a site
with 500 feet or more of contiguous frontage on one street and more
than one point of access on that street may have one additional freestanding
sign. If two freestanding signs are located on a site based on this
provision, a minimum of 250 feet shall separate the two signs.
b.
Shall not exceed 16 feet in height.
c.
Shall not exceed 38 square feet in surface display area per side.
d.
Located in the front yard with the leading edge at least 10 feet
back from any property line.
e.
Only one freestanding sign shall be permitted for multi-tenant buildings
or shopping centers except as provided in Subsection (2)a of this
section.
(3)
Service station signs. Recognizing the changing nature of pricing
and products for service stations, the following additional regulations
apply to signs at any service station.
a.
No signs may be placed on-site other than the permitted maximum wall
and freestanding signs, per the provisions of this article.
b.
In addition to the freestanding signage allowed under the provisions
of this article, an additional six square feet of surface display
area, per side, may be permitted indicating the price and grade of
gasoline for sale, either as an additional wall sign or attached to
the freestanding sign.
(4)
Projecting signs. Buildings may elect to utilize projecting signs
in addition to wall signs. In addition to all wall sign regulations,
the following additional regulations shall apply to projecting signs:
a.
Projecting signs shall be no larger than 20 square feet in surface
display area per side.
b.
Any projecting sign shall count against the maximum wall sign size
permitted for a building facade.
c.
Projecting signs must clear sidewalks by at least eight feet and
project no more than four feet from the building.
d.
Projecting signs may extend to the bottom of the eaves of a building.
e.
Projecting signs may be installed vertically or horizontally.
f.
No projecting sign may be displayed unless the building to which
it is attached is 20 feet or more in width, and no projecting sign
may be closer than 50 feet to any other projecting sign.
(5)
Drive-through accessory signs. Recognizing the need to provide accessory
signage for drive-through uses, in addition to the freestanding and
directional signs allowed under the provisions of this article, drive-through
accessory signs are permitted at any drive-through business, subject
to the following:
a.
All signage for drive-through businesses shall be approved by the
Planning Commission.
b.
Each drive-through accessory sign shall not exceed seven feet in
height.
d.
The area of the drive-in and drive-through accessory sign is exclusive
of the structures framing.
e.
All drive-in and drive-through accessory signs shall be single sided.
f.
No drive-in and drive-through accessory sign may be located within
the front yard.
g.
The drive-in and drive-through accessory sign may include electronic
message signage.
h.
The Planning Commission may consider a modified sign area, subject
to the following:
[Code 1974, § 84-6; amended by Ord. No. 2011-16, 12-6-2011; 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16]
Signs proposed for the RP, Research and Office, and I, Industrial,
zoning districts shall be permitted in accordance with the following
regulations.
(1)
Wall signs. A permanent sign may be permitted on a building, subject
to the following regulations:
(2)
Freestanding signs. A permanent sign may be permitted on each lot
in a research or industrial park, subject to the following regulations:
(3)
Development entry sign. In addition to the freestanding sign allowance
for each lot, one permanent sign may be permitted at one entrance
to a research or industrial park development, subject to the following
regulations:
a.
Shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from the front property line.
b.
Installation shall be in a common area for the development or on
private property. No such signs shall be installed in the public right-of-way
without express written approval of the Ingham County Road Department.
c.
Such signs shall not exceed 50 square feet in surface display area
per side.
d.
Such signs shall not exceed six feet in height.
[Added 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16[1]]
(a)
Commercial uses permitted in the agriculture district may have one
wall sign placed flat against the main building, in addition to signs
permitted elsewhere in this chapter. The surface display area of such
sign shall not exceed 25 square feet, and the sign shall not project
above the cornice or roofline.
(b)
Temporary signage for farm stands shall be permitted up to six square
feet. Such signs shall not be located within 100 feet of an intersection
of any two public streets.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance superseded former § 86-689,
Nonresidential uses permitted by special use permit in residential
districts (Code 1974, § 84-7).
[Added 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16[1]]
The following temporary signs shall be permitted on all parcels
in the Township, in accordance with the regulations herein.
(1)
Off-Premises Temporary Signs. An off-premises temporary sign may
be permitted subject to the following regulations:
a.
All off-premises temporary signs shall be installed on private property.
No such signs shall be placed in the public right-of-way without express
written authorization of the Ingham County Road Department and the
Charter Township of Meridian.
b.
Such off-premises temporary signs shall individually be no larger
than eight square feet in size and not exceed 24 square feet in size
per side in total on the property.
c.
Such temporary signs shall be no taller than four feet in height.
d.
Temporary signs may not be specifically illuminated.
e.
All temporary signs shall be constructed of durable, all-weather
materials and shall be designed to remain in place and good repair
so long as they remain on display. All temporary signs shall be removed
if material shows signs of wear such as fraying, fading, chipping
or other physical damage.
f.
The maximum display time for a temporary sign is 60 days. After 60
days, there shall be a gap of at least 14 days before another temporary
sign is installed on the same property.
(2)
On-premises temporary signs. The following standards shall apply
to on-premises Temporary Signs:
a.
Construction projects. In an effort to keep the public informed,
the following standards shall apply when new construction projects
commence:
1.
One such sign shall be permitted on any construction site that
has received site plan approval or has applied for building permits.
2.
Such signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in size per side.
3.
Such signs shall not exceed eight feet in height.
4.
If freestanding, the sign shall be located no closer than 10
feet back of the street right-of-way line.
5.
Signs approved under this section shall be permitted for a period
of two years or until the final building on the site receives a certificate
of occupancy, whichever is shorter.
6.
On sites utilizing construction fencing, screening fabric on
the construction fence may be used in place of a freestanding sign.
The screening fabric shall be no larger than the construction fencing,
shall be maintained in good condition, and shall be removed when the
construction fencing is removed.
b.
Land for sale or lease. When all or a portion of a building or land
area is listed for lease or for sale, the following additional standards
apply:
1.
In single-family residential districts, the size of a sign shall
be limited to the size standards of a normal temporary sign.
2.
In multifamily residential and nonresidential districts, the
size of a sign shall be no larger than 16 square feet per side or
32 square feet total.
3.
Such signs shall be no taller than six feet in height.
4.
Such signs shall be set back a minimum of five feet from the
property line.
5.
Such signs shall be removed within seven days of the closing
of the sale or lease of a property or portion of property.
c.
Grand openings. To support new businesses when they open in the Township,
an additional temporary sign may be permitted, subject to the standards
in Subsection (1) above and the following standards:
d.
Other on-premises temporary signs.
1.
On-premises temporary signs not expressly permitted under this section may be allowed under the permitting provisions of § 86-683(c) of this article.
2.
Other on-premises temporary signs must be harmonious and appropriate
in appearance with the existing or intended character of the general
vicinity.
3.
Other on-premises signs under this subsection shall not exceed
24 square feet in total and shall be removed after 60 days, except
on good cause shown by the applicant.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance superseded former § 86-690,
Moving or illuminated signs (Code 1974, § 84-8).
[Added 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16[1]]
In order to provide businesses opportunities for pedestrian-scale
signage near the entrances to their businesses, while preventing sign
clutter along Township thoroughfares, portable signs shall be permitted,
subject to the following:
(1)
One portable sign shall be permitted per tenant in the PO, C-1, C-2,
C-3, and CR districts.
(2)
Portable signs shall not exceed nine square feet per side or a total
of 18 square feet.
(3)
The maximum height of portable signs shall be 4.5 feet.
(4)
All portable signs may only be displayed during regular business
hours and must be stored indoors.
(5)
Portable signs shall be located within five feet of the primary business
entrance.
(6)
Buildings located directly adjacent to the public right-of-way may
place a portable sign on the adjacent sidewalk, with approval of the
Ingham County Road Department, provided that a minimum of five feet
of unobstructed pedestrian access is maintained. Sufficient space
shall also be provided to allow car doors to open when adjacent to
on-street parking.
(7)
No portable sign shall occupy or obstruct the use of any fire lane,
required off-street parking space, driveway, doorway, or handicap
ramp.
(8)
A-frame signs shall not be attached to a building or any structure,
including, but not limited to, benches, trash receptacles, bicycle
racks and light poles.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance superseded former § 86-691,
Building permits (Code 1974, § 84-9).
[Added 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16[1]]
(a)
General standards.
(1)
All permanent signs may be illuminated, except as noted herein,
subject to the approval of the Community Planning and Development
Director.
(2)
The source of any illumination shall not be directly visible
beyond the property lines of the parcel on which the sign is installed.
(3)
Sign lighting may be internal or external.
(4)
All external lighting fixtures being used to illuminate a sign
shall face downward only and shall be shielded to direct light solely
to the sign being illuminated.
(5)
No flashing or moving illumination shall be permitted.
(b)
Illumination standards.
(1)
The illumination of all signs shall not exceed 0.3 footcandle
above ambient light levels based on a measurement taken based on the
following formula: Measurement distance = ✓Area of the Sign
in square feet X 100.
(2)
The illumination of a sign shall be measured with the sign off
and then on again, at a point as close to practical as possible that
is perpendicular to the sign face, at the distance determined under
the formula above.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance superseded former § 86-692,
Announcing signs (Code 1974, § 84-10).
[Added 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16[1]]
Electronic message signs are permitted in the C-1, C-2, C-3,
and PO zoning districts, subject to the following regulations:
(1)
Electronic message signs may be permitted by application for and
granting of a special use permit by the Planning Commission.
(2)
Sign area. An electronic message sign shall not exceed 25% of the
permissible ground sign area.
(3)
Dimming capabilities. All permitted EMCs shall be equipped with a
sensor or other device that automatically determines the ambient illumination
and programmed to automatically dim according to ambient light conditions,
or that can be adjusted to comply with the 0.3 footcandle measurements.
(4)
Message display requirements.
a.
The message on an electronic message sign shall not change more than
once per twenty-four-hour period.
b.
When changing messages, the transition shall appear instantaneous,
with no transition effects permitted.
c.
No electronic message sign shall have any flashing, scrolling, traveling,
or otherwise moving text or resemble or simulate any warning or danger
signal or traffic control device.
(5)
There shall be no audio message, audible sound, or video permitted
with any sign permitted under this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance superseded former § 86-693,
Temporary signs advertising philanthropic or Township sponsored events
(Code 1974, § 84-11).
[Code 1974, § 84-12; amended 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16]
Outdoor advertising structures shall be permitted in accordance
with the following limitations:
(1)
Location. Outdoor advertising structures shall be located only in the I, Industrial, zoning district. Further, such structures shall only be located on properties with direct frontage on a principal arterial street, as identified in § 86-367.
(2)
Setbacks. Such structures shall be located in accordance with the setback requirements set forth in § 86-367. No such structure shall be located closer than 660 feet to the right-of-way of a limited access highway.
(3)
Illumination. Outdoor advertising structures in may be illuminated in accordance with the standards found in § 86-692.
(4)
Maintenance. Outdoor advertising structures shall be adequately maintained.
Such maintenance shall include proper alignment of structure, continued
readability of message, and preservation of structure with paint or
other surface finishing material. If an outdoor advertising structure
is not maintained, written notice of any disrepair shall be issued
by the Chief Building Inspector to the owner of such structure. If
the disrepair is not corrected within 30 days, such structure shall
be removed at the owner's expense.
(5)
Size. No outdoor advertising structure shall exceed 300 square feet
in surface display area per side.
(6)
Required spacing. No outdoor advertising structure shall be located
within a distance of 300 feet of any other outdoor advertising structure,
such distance to be measured along a line parallel to the right-of-way
of the highway upon which the outdoor advertising structure fronts.
[Added 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16[1]]
Murals are permitted on any commercial property, subject to
the following regulations:
(1)
One exterior wall surface of a commercial building may be covered
up to 100% by a mural.
(2)
No other signage shall be permitted on the wall where a mural has
been painted.
(4)
A mural shall be kept in good condition and shall be well maintained.
In the case of a mural being in disrepair, the mural must either be
removed from the wall of the building or repaired within 60 days of
written notice from the Township.
(5)
A public safety hazard shall not be created with the installation
of a mural.
(6)
Murals are still subject to normal permitting requirements, as outlined
in this article.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance superseded former § 86-695,
Time limits on temporary signs.
[Code 1974, § 84-15; Ord. No. 2010-08, 7-18-2010; amended 7-26-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-11]
The provisions of this article shall not apply to any sign installed
by the Charter Township of Meridian on premises owned, occupied, or
under the control or management of the Charter Township of Meridian.
[Added 4-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-16]
In order to provide adequate visibility and signage to businesses
during major construction projects, the Meridian Township Board of
Trustees shall have the ability to waive the temporary sign provisions
during major construction projects, upon recommendation of the Director
of Community Planning and Development. Any waiver under this section
shall detail the time period, the maximum dimensions of temporary
signs, location(s) for temporary signs, and any other relevant ordinance
alteration permitted under the waiver.
