A. 
These sign standards are being ordained pursuant to MCLA § 252.304 of the Highway Advertising Act of 1972[1] to preserve the public health, safety and welfare of Midland Charter Township.
[1]
Editor's Note: See MCLA § 252.301 et seq.
B. 
These sign standards are adopted to:
(1) 
Maintain and enhance the aesthetics of our community.
(2) 
Minimize the adverse effects of signs on nearby public and private property.
(3) 
Minimize driver distraction.
(4) 
Avoid excessive signage.
(5) 
Avoid obstacles, distractions or traffic hazards which impair a traveler's ability to see pedestrians, traffic signs or vehicles.
(6) 
Enhance the effectiveness of necessary directional and warning signs.
(7) 
Preserve property values.
(8) 
Provide for the effectiveness of permitted signs.
C. 
The standards in this chapter are determined to be the minimum necessary to achieve the above stated purposes.
A. 
The following sign regulations by zone are intended to include every zone in the community. Only signs as described herein and as may be described under § 300-27, Temporary signs, and § 300-28, Exemptions, will be permitted in each particular zone.
B. 
Prior to construction or establishment of any sign, a permit shall be obtained from the Building Inspector and/or Zoning Administrator.
C. 
A sign permit shall become null and void if the work for which the permit was issued has not been completed within a period of six months after the date of the permit. The following operations shall not be considered as creating a sign, therefore shall not require a sign permit:
(1) 
Replacing copy. The changing of the advertising copy or message on an approved painted or printed sign or billboard or on a theater marquee and similar approved signs which are specifically designed for the use of replaceable copy. This does not include changing the face of a sign or replacing a face of a sign.
(2) 
Maintenance. Painting, repainting, cleaning and other normal maintenance and repair of a sign or sign structure unless a structural change is made. This does not include changing the face of a sign or replacing a face of a sign.
(3) 
Temporary signs, per § 300-27, and signs under § 300-28, Exemptions, including Subsections A through E, of this Code are also exempt from permit requirements.
A. 
The following signs are prohibited unless a variance shall be applied for and granted by the Township Board of Zoning Appeals:
(1) 
Contain statements, words or pictures of an obscene, indecent or immoral character, such as will offend morals or decency.
(2) 
Contain or are in imitation of an official traffic sign or signal or contain the words: "stop," "go slow," "caution," "danger," "warning" or similar words.
(3) 
Are of a size, location, movement, content, coloring or manner of illumination which may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device or which hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal.
(4) 
Advertise any activity, business, product or service no longer conducted on the premises upon which the sign is located.
(5) 
Move in any manner or have a major moving part or contain or consist of banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, spinners or other similarly moving devices. These devices, when not part of any sign, are similarly prohibited, unless they are permitted specifically by other legislation.
(6) 
Any sign or other advertising structure or display which conveys, suggests, indicates or otherwise implies by pictures, drawings, words, emblems, logos, or other communication methods, including, but not limited to, the following:
(a) 
Human genitalia.
(b) 
Sexual acts.
(c) 
Nude human bodies.
(d) 
Obscene words.
(e) 
Obscene gestures.
(7) 
Any sign, except traffic or other municipal-approved signs, as permitted in this chapter that is located in or projects into or over a public right-of-way or dedicated easement. No portion of a privately owned sign, or its supporting structures, such as poles or cables, shall be placed on or within the air space above publicly owned property, a public right-of-way (such as a street or sidewalk), or a proposed public right-of-way.
(8) 
Placards, posters, circulars, show bills, handbills, political signs, cards, leaflets or other advertising matter, except as otherwise provided herein, shall not be posted, pasted, nailed, placed, printed, stamped or in any way attached to any fence, wall, post, tree, sidewalk, pavement, platform, pole, tower, curbstone or surface in or upon any public easement, right-of-way or any public or private property whatsoever; provided, however, nothing herein shall prevent official notices of the Township, school districts, county, state, or federal government from being posted on any public property deemed necessary. All placards, posters, circulars, show bills, handbills, political signs, cards, leaflets or other advertising matter posted, pasted, nailed, placed, printed, stamped on any right-of-way or public property may be removed and disposed of by the Midland Charter Township Building Inspector and/or Zoning Administrator, Township Code Enforcement Officers, and/or other staff so designated by the Township Board or Township Manager without regard to other provisions of this chapter.
(9) 
Display or parking a motor vehicle or trailer, boat or other similar vehicle on a lot or premises in a location visible from a public right-of-way, for the primary purpose of displaying a sign attached to, painted on or placed on the vehicle or object, with the exception of vehicles used regularly in the course of conducting the principal use located on the premises.
B. 
District regulations.
(1) 
Residential districts.
(a) 
General.
[1] 
No permanent signs shall be allowed in residential R-1 Residential Districts on properties used for residential purposes. All other nonresidential uses shall meet the requirements specified for R-2 Residential Districts.
[2] 
Signs are permitted only in R-2 Residential Districts.
(b) 
Size. For multiple dwellings, one sign totaling 16 square feet in area shall be permitted. Monument signs shall not exceed four feet in height. For nonresidential uses, one sign totaling 24 square feet in area shall be permitted. Monument signs for nonresidential uses shall not exceed six feet in height.
(c) 
Type. Wall or monument sign.
(d) 
Electronic message boards. Electronic message boards are not permitted in any residential district other than those allowed as a temporary sign.
(e) 
Location. Permitted signs may be anywhere on the premises, except as specified within yard area (refer to § 300-9).
(f) 
Illumination. Illumination, if used, shall be white light, backlit and shall not be blinking, fluctuating or moving. Light rays shall shine only upon the sign or upon the property within the premises and shall not spill over the property lines in any direction except by indirect reflection.
(2) 
Business districts.
(a) 
General. This section of this chapter shall apply to all areas designated by this chapter as "B" Business Districts.
(b) 
Size. A total sign area of 1 1/2 square feet for each lineal foot of building frontage or 1/2 square foot for each lineal foot of lot frontage, whichever results in the larger sign area, except that within B-1 and B-2 Districts, the permitted sign shall not exceed 1/4 square foot for each lineal foot of lot frontage and the total sign shall not exceed 35 square feet per face.
(c) 
Electronic message boards. Electronic message boards, digital signs and other such similar devices are permitted in business districts no greater than 24 square feet. The total sign size, inclusive of any electronic message board, is subject to the size and height limitations for each district. Only one electronic message board is permitted per parcel, regardless of its location on the parcel.
(d) 
Type. Wall, monument, pole mounted, marquee, canopy sign.
(e) 
Location. Signs may be flat-wall signs and located anywhere on the surface of the building.
[1] 
All projecting or pole-mounted signs shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet above a sidewalk.
[2] 
Permitted pole-mounted or monument signs that are braced by their own supports or props may be located anywhere on the premises except as specified within required yard areas (refer to § 300-9). Pole-mounted signs may be extended up to 12 feet above the average ground level at the base of the sign, except monument signs shall not be over four feet above the average ground level at the base of the sign.
[3] 
Signs may be on the vertical faces of marquees (canopy or covering structure projecting from and attached to a building) and may project below the lower edge of the marquee not more than 12 inches. The bottom of the marquee signs shall be not less than eight feet above the sidewalk or grade at any point. No part of the sign shall project above the vertical marquee face.
[4] 
Signs shall be attached to the business structure and not project above the roofline.
(f) 
Illumination. Illumination of signs is permitted in accordance with the restrictions of § 300-30.
(g) 
Off-premises signs. Off-premises signs may be permitted in business districts subject to the conditions for other permitted signs in the business districts:
[1] 
Off-premises signs may be either nonilluminated or illuminated but nonflashing, provided the direct source of light is shielded in such a manner so as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed into adjoining residential structures or at any part of the roads, streets, or highways, and are of such intensity or brilliance to cause glare or impair the vision of the driver of any motor vehicle or which otherwise interfere with any driver's operation of a motor vehicle.
[2] 
On all other streets and highways within the jurisdiction of this chapter, no off-premises sign may be established within 2,000 feet of any other off-premises sign on the same side of the street.
(3) 
Industrial districts.
(a) 
General. This section of this chapter shall apply to all areas designated by this chapter as "M-1" Industrial Districts.
(b) 
Size. There is permitted in this zone, for each individual establishment, one sign for each street frontage, each with a maximum area of one square foot for each lineal foot of building street frontage or 1/2 square foot for each lineal foot of property street frontage, whichever is greater, but the maximum total of all permitted signs for any establishment shall not exceed 64 square feet per face, limited to two faces back-to-back.
(c) 
Electronic message boards. Electronic message boards, digital signs and other such similar devices are permitted in industrial districts no greater than 24 square feet. The total sign size, inclusive of any electronic message board, is subject to the size and height limitations for each district. Only one electronic message board is permitted per parcel, regardless of its location on the parcel.
(d) 
Type. Wall, monument, pole-mounted, marquee or canopy sign.
(e) 
Location. Requirements shall be the same as for business districts.
(f) 
Illumination. Illumination of signs may be permitted in accordance with § 300-30.
(g) 
Off-premises signs. Off-premises signs may be permitted in commercial and industrial districts subject to the conditions hereinafter cited in this chapter:
[1] 
Off-site signs may be either nonilluminated or illuminated but nonflashing, provided the direct source of light is shielded in such a manner so as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed into adjoining residential structures or at any portion of the roads and streets and are of such intensity or brilliance to cause glare or impair the vision of the driver of any motor vehicle or which otherwise interfere with any operation of a motor vehicle.
[2] 
On all other streets and highways within the jurisdiction of this chapter, no off-premises sign may be established within 2,000 feet of any other off-premises sign on the same side of the street.
The following signs shall be permitted anywhere within the Township. They shall conform with all yard requirements. All monument signs shall not exceed a height of four feet above ground level, and all pole-mounted signs shall not exceed a height of six feet above ground level. Permitted signs shall conform to the following cited requirements and shall not be illuminated.
A. 
Construction signs which identify the architects, engineers, contractors and other individuals or firms involved with the construction, but not including any advertisement of any product, and signs announcing the character of the building enterprise or the purpose for which the building is intended, during the construction period, shall be limited to a maximum area of 20 square feet for each firm. The signs shall be confined to the site of the construction and shall be removed within 14 days of the completion of the project. There is a limit of one such sign per construction project. Such signs shall be removed when the project is substantially complete and/or a certificate of occupancy is issued.
B. 
Real estate signs advertising the sale, rental or lease of the premises or part of the premises on which the signs are displayed, up to a total area of 12 square feet. Such signs shall be removed within 14 days of the sale, rental or lease. There is a limit of one such sign per parcel, excepting that if the parcel is located on a corner, one additional sign may be permitted as long as they are spaced a minimum of 400 feet apart.
C. 
Political campaign signs announcing the candidates seeking public political office and other dates pertinent thereto, up to an area of 32 square feet for each premises. These signs shall not exceed six feet in height and shall be limited to one sign per lot. These signs shall be confined within private property and removed within 14 days after the election.
D. 
Street banners advertising a public entertainment or event, if specially approved by the local legislative board and only for locations designated by the legislative body during and for 14 days before and seven days after the event, if advertising an event, or no more than 21 days in total.
E. 
Window signs in a window display of merchandise when incorporated with such a display.
F. 
Portable signs intended to convey a message for a short period of time, not to exceed 45 days per calendar year from date of erection. These signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area nor shall they be greater than six feet in height. There is a limit of one such sign per lot per parcel. A temporary sign permit is required for each such sign.
G. 
Home occupation or agriculture sales. A resident shall have no more than one sign at any given time, and all signs shall be permitted for not more that a total of 90 cumulative days in a given calendar year. There is an application fee, established by resolution of the Township Board from time to time, required by the Township for such signs. These signs shall not exceed four square feet in area.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
The following types of signs are exempted from all the provisions of this chapter, except for the following requirements:
A. 
Public signs. Signs of a noncommercial nature and in the public interest, erected by, or on the order of, a public officer in the performance of his public duty, such as safety signs, danger signs, trespassing signs, traffic signs, memorial plaques, signs of historical interest and the like.
B. 
Integral. Name of buildings, families, date of erection, monumental citations, commemorative tables and the like when carved into stone, concrete or similar material or made of bronze, aluminum, part of the roof materials or other permanent type construction and made an integral part of the structure.
C. 
Private traffic direction. Signs directing traffic movement onto a premises or within a premises, not exceeding three square feet in area for each sign or three feet in height. Illumination of these signs shall be permitted in accordance with § 300-30.
D. 
Temporary land development project signs pertaining to the sale, lease, rent or development of a subdivision, planned shopping center, industrial park or similar land parcel are allowed for a period of one year upon issuance of a permit by the Building Inspector and/or Zoning Administrator, and further, said permit may be extended for one additional year by the Building Inspector and/or Zoning Administrator after a duly advertised public hearing.
(1) 
Total number of signs allowed, together with maximum size, shall be controlled according to the following schedule:
Land Size
Total Number Signs
Maximum Area Per Sign
(square feet)
Over 1 acre but less than 4 acres
1
100
Over 4 acres but less than 20 acres
2
100
Over 20 acres
3
100
(2) 
Signs are not allowed on parcels of less than one acre and shall not exceed a maximum height of six feet.
E. 
Permanent joint sign(s) for an industrial or commercial complex pertaining to the identification of the complex or its occupants are permitted. Up to 24 square feet of such sign shall be permitted to be an electronic message board sign, subject to all other requirements of this district.
(1) 
Commercial centers. Maximum size and number of signs shall be controlled according to the following:
(a) 
Neighborhood centers: 100 square feet per face for complexes comprising less than five acres. Maximum of one sign permitted.
(b) 
Community centers: 100 square feet per face for complexes of over five acres except as provided following. Maximum of two signs permitted.
(c) 
Regional centers: 100 square feet per face for complexes of 50 acres or more. Maximum of three signs permitted.
(2) 
Industrial complexes. Maximum size and number of signs shall be controlled according to the following:
(a) 
One hundred square feet per face for industrial plants or complexes, maximum of two signs permitted.
(3) 
Locational requirements shall be the same as for B Business Districts, § 300-26B(2)(c), except as specified in the following:
(a) 
The maximum height for a sign is 35 feet where signs are authorized pursuant to § 300-28E.
(4) 
Wall signs for an individual business are further allowed pursuant to the requirements of B Business Districts.
A. 
Refer to Article III.
B. 
Nonconforming uses. Any building or land use not conforming to this chapter provisions for the zone in which it is located shall, nevertheless, comply with all the provisions of this article for the conforming zone.
A. 
The light from any illuminated sign shall be so shaded, shielded or directed that the light intensity or brightness will not spill onto surrounding areas.
B. 
No sign shall have blinking, flashing or fluttering lights or other illuminating devices such as changing light intensity, brightness or color. Beacon lights are not permitted. All illumination shall be backlit.
C. 
Electronic message boards shall be exempt from this requirement by their nature; however, any sign if deemed to be a traffic hazard shall be altered or removed so as to improve the safety of vehicles traveling the roadway.
D. 
No colored lights shall be used at any location or in any manner so as to be confused with or construed as traffic control devices.
E. 
Neither the direct nor reflected light from primary light sources shall create a traffic hazard to operators of motor vehicles on public thoroughfares.
F. 
No exposed, reflective-type bulbs and no strobe light or incandescent lamp which exceeds 15 watts shall be used on the exterior surface of any sign so as to expose the face of the bulb, light or lamp to any public street or adjacent property.
A. 
Inspection. Signs for which a permit is required may be inspected periodically by the Building Inspector and/or Zoning Administrator for compliance with this and other codes of the municipality.
B. 
Tagging. All signs requiring permits shall display, in a place conspicuous to inspectors, the name of the owner or erector as the inspector may designate.
C. 
Maintenance. All signs and components thereof shall be kept in good repair and in safe, neat, clean and attractive condition.
D. 
Removal of sign. The Building Inspector and/or Zoning Administrator may order the removal of any sign erected or maintained in violation of this chapter. He shall give 30 days' notice, in writing, to the owner of such sign, or of the building, structure or premises on which such sign is located, to remove a sign immediately and without notice if, in his opinion, the condition of the sign is such as to present an immediate threat to the safety of the public.
E. 
Abandoned signs.
(1) 
A sign shall be removed by the owner or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is located when the business which it advertises is no longer conducted on the premises. If the owner or lessee fails to remove it, the Building Inspector and/or Zoning Administrator shall give the owner 15 days' notice to remove it. Upon failure to comply with this notice, the Building Inspector and/or Zoning Administrator or his duly authorized representative may remove the sign at cost to the owner.
(2) 
When a successor to a defunct business agrees to maintain the signs as provided in this chapter, this removal requirement shall not apply.