This article shall be known and cited as the "Human-Held Commercial Sign Ordinance of New Buffalo Township."
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Board of the Township of New Buffalo as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 5-23-2025 by Ord. No. 20250523B]
The purpose of this article is to promote traffic and pedestrian safety, protect visual aesthetics, and preserve the public peace and welfare. This article is content-neutral and regulates the time, place, and manner of human-held commercial advertising to address legitimate public concerns.
A sign or advertisement displayed, worn, carried, or otherwise held by a person for the purpose of promoting a business, product, service, or commercial event.
Any road, street, sidewalk, median, or similar public area maintained by a governmental entity for transportation or public access.
No person, entity, or business shall:
A.
Stand, sit, or walk within any public right-of-way while displaying or spinning a human-held commercial sign.
B.
Display a human-held commercial sign on any property in a commercial zoning district.
C.
Use animation, spinning, flipping, waving, or reflective surfaces in connection with a human-held commercial sign in any location visible to the public from the public right-of-way.
A violation of this article is a municipal civil infraction punishable by a fine of not more than $1,500 for the first offense and $3,000 for each subsequent offense. Each day a violation occurs shall constitute a separate offense.
If any section or part of this article is declared invalid by a court, the remaining sections shall remain in effect.
This article shall take effect 30 days after publication as required by law.