[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.
(i) 
An additional three square feet of surface display area shall be permitted for any freestanding sign in any zoning district to accommodate the street number of the structure. The street number shall be placed on the sign in accordance with Chapter 14, Article V, of this Code of Ordinances.
(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:
a. 
Located at least 10 feet back from any property line.
b. 
No larger than 25 square feet in size.
c. 
No taller than six feet in height.
d. 
Either one wall sign or one freestanding sign is permitted for any use under this section.
e. 
Any sign under this section must be an on-premises sign.
(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:
a. 
A freestanding sign shall be permitted in the front yard, located at least 10 feet from the front and side property lines.
b. 
The surface display area of the freestanding sign shall not exceed 32 square feet per side.
c. 
The freestanding sign shall not exceed six feet in height.
[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.
c. 
Two signs may be permitted for each drive-through lane, as follows:
1. 
One sign in the stacking lane shall not exceed 16 square feet.
2. 
One sign at the speaker shall not exceed 32 square feet in area.
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:
1. 
Only one of the drive-in and drive-through accessory signs may be increased in area.
2. 
The drive-in and drive-through accessory sign is completely screened from the roadway.
3. 
Under no circumstances shall the drive-in and drive-through accessory sign exceed 48 square feet in area.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also amended the title of this § 86-687 from "NS, CS, CR, C-1, C-2 and C-3 Commercial Districts" to its current title.
[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:
a. 
Shall be placed flat against the building.
b. 
Such sign shall not exceed 40 square feet.
c. 
Each tenant in a multi-tenant building shall be permitted 40 square feet of signage, adjacent to their lease space.
(2) 
Freestanding signs. A permanent sign may be permitted on each lot in a research or industrial park, subject to the following regulations:
a. 
One freestanding sign shall be permitted per lot in the park.
b. 
Shall be set back 25 feet from the front property line.
c. 
The surface display area of the freestanding sign shall not exceed 32 square feet.
d. 
Maximum height of freestanding signs shall be six square feet.
(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:
1. 
The maximum size of a sign under this section may be 40 square feet.
2. 
A sign under this section may be installed once the certificate of occupancy is issued for the space and must be removed 45 days later.
3. 
The maximum height of a sign under this section is six feet.
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.
(3) 
Illumination is permitted in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 38, Article VII, of the Code of Ordinances, Outdoor Lighting.
(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.