It is the intent of this article to regulate signs in Three
Oaks Township so as to protect public health and safety and to promote
the public welfare. This is accomplished by regulating the size, placements,
relationship, construction, illumination, and other aspects of signs
in Three Oaks Township.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
The purpose of these regulations is to:
A. Protect the public health, safety and welfare of residents and visitors
and to protect the natural beauty and distinctive character of Three
Oaks Township.
B. Protect all zoning districts from visual clutter.
C. Eliminate distractions hazardous to vehicular traffic.
D. Provide ability for the public to identify premises and establishments.
E. Encourage creativity of sign design.
F. Enhance the aesthetics of the community.
G. Prevent
signs which are potentially dangerous to the public due to structural
deficiencies or disrepair.
The following signs are allowed in all zoning districts without
a sign permit, provided all other applicable requirements are met:
A. Dwellings. One nameplate not exceeding two square feet in area. Such
sign may be ground-mounted.
B. Building numbers, including residential buildings, not to exceed
two square feet in area.
C. Minor home occupations and home-based business. One wall sign not
exceeding two square feet, provided that the sign complies with the
other requirements of this chapter as appropriate.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
D. In the AG-RR District, one sign not more than eight square feet in
area. Such sign may be a wall sign or a ground-mounted sign.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
E. Signs located on private property that is currently being offered
for sale or lease. Such signs shall further be exempt from district
setback requirements and shall not be limited as to duration, provided
they meet the following standards for sign area and height:
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
(1)
Residence or residential lot. One sign not exceeding eight square
feet in area or six feet in height.
(2)
Property other than residential. One sign per frontage not exceeding
32 square feet in area.
F. Signs, not exceeding nine square feet, placed by an individual on
his or her residence or place of business, the display of which coincides
with a political candidate, issue, or ballot measure.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
G. Signs placed by a governmental agency, including, but not limited
to:
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
(1)
Emergency and warning signs necessary for public safety and
welfare.
(2)
Traffic signs erected and maintained by an authorized public
agency.
(3)
Legal notices, licenses, permits and other signs required to
be displayed by law.
H. Miscellaneous.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
(1)
Public signs erected by an authorized public agency.
(2)
Plaques erected or maintained by nonprofit organizations, memorials,
building cornerstones, and erection-date stones erected by an authorized
public agency.
(3) Signage for MEAP-verified farms.
I. Signs located such that they are for viewing exclusively within the
premises of the user and not visible otherwise.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
Prohibited signs include, but are not limited to, the following:
A. A sign located on public land, in a public right-of-way, or in a
private road easement, unless it is part of the traffic control information
for that road, except that signs located on property being offered
for sale or lease displayed in front of the property and temporary
signs coinciding with a political candidate, issue, or ballot measure
are allowed if not obstructing pedestrian or vehicular traffic, are
not less than 15 feet from the driving surface of the street or road
and are at least 150 feet from the intersection of another street
or road.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
B. Abandoned signs.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
C. Signs imitating or resembling official traffic or governmental signs
or signals.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
D. Flashing or intermittently illuminated signs.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
E. Moving signs, including, but not limited to, forced-air actuated
or air-supported signs, wind-actuated sign elements, motorized sign
elements, and similar devices.
F. Trailers, vehicles, or other mobile objects that are clearly used
for advertising purposes.
G. Portable signs, including, but not limited to, trailer-mounted signs,
whether illuminated or not, sandwich boards and similar devices.
H. Billboards and off-premises signs, except as regulated by the Highway
Advertising Act.
I. Pole signs, other than directional signs.