The regulations contained herein are instituted
to provide for the establishment of signs, lighting, and displays
that will promote viable commercial and industrial activity but will
not, by reason of their size, location, spacing, construction, or
manner of display, endanger life or limb, confuse or mislead traffic,
obstruct vision necessary for traffic safety, or otherwise endanger
the public health or safety. Furthermore, it is the intent of these
regulations to preserve and improve the appearance of the Township
by preventing placement of oversized signs that are out of scale with
surrounding buildings and structures or an excessive accumulation
of signs that would cause visual clutter. These regulations are further
intended to regulate permitted signs in such a way as to create land
use patterns that are compatible with major land use objectives and
to prevent such signs from causing annoyance or disturbance to the
citizens and residents of the Township.
Any sign erected after the effective date of
this chapter shall be subject to the following limitations and provisions:
A. Nonconforming or obsolete signs. Obsolete signs, which
include all signs that advertise a product that is no longer made
or that advertise a business that has closed, shall be removed within
30 days by the owner, agent, or person having beneficial use of the
building or structure. Upon vacating a commercial or industrial establishment,
the proprietor shall be responsible for the removal of all signs used
in conjunction with the business. However, where a conforming sign
structure and frame are typically reused by the current occupant or
business in a leased or rented building, the building owner shall
not be required to remove said sign structure and frame in the interim
period when the building is not occupied, provided the sign structure
and frame are maintained in accordance with the standards of this
chapter and the Township's adopted Building Code.
B. Exempt signs. The sign regulations set forth herein
shall not apply to the following signs, provided such signs are in
compliance with all other applicable regulations and ordinances:
(1)
Signs not visible beyond the boundaries of the
lot or parcel upon which they are situated or from any public thoroughfare
or right-of-way;
(2)
Miscellaneous traffic and other official signs
of any public or governmental agency, such as traffic control or directional
signs, legal notices, historic site designations, trespassing signs,
signs indicating danger, signs indicating the location of USGS benchmarks,
airfield signs, or signs used as aids to service or safety;
(3)
Any flag, emblem, or insignia of our nation,
its governmental units, or its schools;
(4)
Any sign which is located completely within
an enclosed building and which is not visible from outside of the
building;
(5)
Tablets, grave markers, headstones, statuary,
or similar remembrances of persons or events;
(6)
Temporary decorations or displays celebrating
the occasion of traditionally accepted patriotic or religious holidays
and special municipal and school activities;
(7)
Public safety and routing signs used on construction
sites; and
(8)
Any sign on a bus, truck, trailer, or other
vehicle while operated and used for transport in the normal course
of a business which is not primarily the display of signs.
C. Prohibited signs. The following signs shall not be
permitted or erected in any district:
(1)
Any sign which is not expressly permitted by
the regulations set forth herein;
(2)
Signs which have flashing, blinking or moving
lights or exposed incandescent light bulbs;
(3)
Cloth and banner signs, pennants, spinners,
paper festoon signs, and similar devices, except as specifically permitted
herein;
(4)
String lights used for advertising purposes
other than Christmas or other decorations;
(5)
Any sign which has any visible moving parts,
visible revolving parts, visible mechanical movement of any description,
or other apparent visible movement achieved by electrical, electronic,
or mechanical means, including intermittent electrical pulsations,
or by action of normal wind current;
(6)
Any sign or sign structure which is structurally
unsafe, or constitutes a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate
maintenance, dilapidation or abandonment, or is not kept in good repair
or is capable of causing electrical shock to persons likely to come
in contact with it;
(7)
Any sign which obstructs a window, door or other
opening that could be used for fire escape;
(8)
Any sign which makes use of the words "Stop,"
"Look," or "Danger" or any other words, phrases, symbols, or characters
in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse drivers;
(9)
Any sign or other advertising structure containing
obscene, indecent, or immoral matter;
(10)
Any sign unlawfully installed, erected, or maintained;
(11)
Any sign now or hereafter existing which no
longer advertises a bona fide business conducted or product sold;
(12)
Any sign erected so as to impair access to a
roof;
(13)
Any sign that projects above the parapet line
or eaves of any roof, except as specifically permitted herein;
(14)
Any sign, other than an official notice of the
Township, school district, or other public entity, that is attached
to a utility pole, tree, or other object located or situated on public
property;
(15)
Portable or temporary signs except as specifically
permitted by this chapter;
(16)
Signs painted on or attached to a parked vehicle,
truck, trailer, or van which is being used principally for advertising
purposes rather than for transportation purposes;
(18)
Signs on street furniture, such as benches,
newspaper stands, and trash receptacles;
[Amended 4-13-2015 by Ord. No. 15-002]
(19)
Any sign which projects into the public right-of-way;
and
[Amended 4-13-2015 by Ord. No. 15-002]
(20)
Electronic changeable message signs, except where expressly
allowed in this article.
[Added 4-13-2015 by Ord.
No. 15-002]
D. Structural requirements. All signs shall be constructed
and erected in a safe and stable manner in accordance with provisions
of the Township's adopted Building Code, the National Electrical Code, and this section. All electrical
wiring associated with ground or freestanding signs shall be installed
underground. All signs must be mounted so that the backs of the signs
are screened from view.
E. Motorist visibility. No sign shall be located on or
near any street corner or near any right-of-way which would obscure
vision of drivers using said street, and no sign shall in any way
conflict with traffic control signals or signs at the intersection
of any streets. No signs shall be located so as to impair or impede
the visibility of a vehicle entering into or exiting from a parcel
of property.
F. Illumination. The following provisions shall apply
to the illumination of all signs:
(1)
Signs shall be illuminated only by steady, stationary,
shielded light sources directed solely at the sign, or internal to
it, without causing glare for motorists, pedestrians, or neighboring
premises.
(2)
All exterior illumination shall be shaded so
as not to project onto adjoining property or thoroughfares.
(3)
Direct exterior illumination and internally
illuminated signs shall avoid the use of glaring undiffused lights
or bulbs that could distract motorists.
(4)
No signs shall be illuminated by the use of
flashing, moving, or intermittent lighting.
G. Sign measurements.
(1)
Sign area. Except as noted, the area of all
signs shall be computed by measuring the area of the envelope required
to enclose the lettering or logo and the structures to which the letters
or logo is attached. In the case of a wall sign attached to a building,
the envelope shall be around the letters or logo. The sign support
shall not be considered when measuring the area of a ground or freestanding
sign.
(a)
The area of a double-faced freestanding sign
shall be computed using only one face of the sign, provided that:
[1]
The outline and dimensions of both faces are
identical; and
[2]
The faces are back-to-back so that only one
face is visible at any given time.
(b)
The area of a monolith sign shall be computed
by measuring the entire vertical surface of a face upon which the
letters or logo is attached. In the case of a double-face or multi-faced
monolith sign, the area of the sign shall be computed using only one
face of the sign. The area of a cylindrical monolith sign shall be
computed by multiplying the diameter of the cylinder by its height.
(2)
Setback and distance requirements. In determining
conformance with setback standards and distance requirements, the
following guidelines shall be used:
(a)
The distance between two signs shall be measured
along a straight horizontal line that represents the shortest distance
between the two signs.
(b)
The distance between a sign and a parking lot
or processing area shall be measured along a straight horizontal line
that represents the shortest distance between the sign and the outer
edge of the parking lot or processing area.
(c)
The distance between a sign and a property line
shall be measured along a straight line that represents the shortest
distance between the sign and the property line.
(d)
The horizontal distance between a freestanding
sign (such as a pole-mounted sign) and any other point shall be measured
from the edge of the sign face rather than from the edge of the pole
or other structural support.
The following signs shall be permitted in all
districts zoned for residential purposes, including districts zoned
R-1-A, R-1-B, R-1-C, R-1-D, R-2, R-3, and R-4:
A. Street number. For the purposes of public safety,
the street number of every residential building shall be prominently
displayed on a side of the building facing the street, using numbers
that are at least three inches in height.
B. Nameplate and identification signs. Nameplate and
identification signs for the purposes of indicating the name and address
of the occupant shall be permitted in residential districts subject
to the following regulations:
(1)
Number. There shall be not more than one nameplate
or identification sign, which may be either freestanding or attached
to the building.
(2)
Area. Such signs shall be no larger than one
square foot.
(3)
Height. Such signs shall project no higher than
four feet above curb level.
(4)
Location. Such signs shall be located at least
six feet inside all property lines if freestanding.
C. Nonresidential advertising or identification signs.
No signs shall be permitted in a residentially zoned district that
advertise or identify a nonresidential use, except as permitted herein.
D. Signs accessory to parking areas. Signs accessory
to parking areas shall be permitted in multiple-family residential
and mobile home park districts subject to the following controls:
(1)
Entrance-exit and directional signs. Signs designating
parking area entrances and exits, providing directions, designating
"no parking" areas, and identifying parking spaces for the handicapped
shall be permitted as needed within parking areas.
(2)
Identification signs. One sign per entrance
to a parking area shall be permitted for the purpose of designating
the conditions of use or identity of such parking area. Such signs
shall not exceed four square feet in area.
E. Garage sale signs. Garage sale signs shall be permitted
in residentially zoned districts subject to the following controls:
(1)
Number. A maximum of three signs shall be allowed
for each garage sale.
(2)
Area. Garage sale signs shall be no larger than
three square feet.
(3)
Location. Such signs shall be located on private
property.
F. Permanent residential identification signs.
(1)
Permanent identification signs for residential
subdivisions or developments shall be permitted subject to the following
controls:
(a)
Purpose. Permanent residential identification
signs shall bear only the name of the development or subdivision,
the address of the building if a multiple-family structure, and the
name and address of the management, if applicable.
(b)
Number. There shall not be more than one such
sign located at each entrance to the subdivision or development.
(c)
Area. No such sign shall exceed 24 square feet
in area.
(d)
Height. No such sign shall project higher than
eight feet above the existing grade.
(e)
Location. Such signs shall be located on private
property, at least 10 feet inside all property lines.
(2)
Permanent identification signs for individual
multiple-family buildings shall be permitted subject to the following
controls:
(a)
Purpose. Such signs shall be for the purpose
of identifying individual buildings within a residential subdivision
or development.
(b)
Number. There shall be no more than one such
sign per individual building.
(c)
Area. No such sign shall exceed six square feet
in area.
(d)
Height. No such sign shall project higher than
five feet above the existing average grade.
(e)
Location. Such signs shall be located on private
property, at least six feet inside all property lines if freestanding.
G. Temporary marketing signs in residential subdivisions.
(1)
Real estate signs. Temporary marketing signs
accessory to residential subdivisions which are under construction
shall be permitted for the purpose of identifying homes, condominiums,
apartments, or mobile home sites for sale or rent. Such signs shall
be subject to the following controls:
(a)
Number. One such sign shall be permitted for
each entrance, provided that no more than two such signs shall be
permitted per development or subdivision.
(b)
Area. Such signs shall not exceed 24 square
feet in area.
(c)
Height. No such sign shall project higher than
eight feet above the existing average grade.
(d)
Location. Such signs shall be located on private
property, at least 10 feet inside all property lines if freestanding.
(e)
Time limitation. A sign permit for any such
temporary accessory sign shall have a time limitation of two years.
After the two-year period, sign permits may be renewed yearly if at
least 5% of the lots remain vacant and available and new homes remain
under construction. Such signs shall be removed upon cessation of
new home marketing within the subdivision or development, when 95%
of all lots have been sold, or when the permit expires, whichever
comes first.
(2)
Open house signs. Open house signs shall be
permitted, provided such signs do not exceed six square feet in area
and five feet in height. If signs are freestanding, they shall not
extend beyond the property line and shall be permitted only on the
premises of the open house.
(3)
Model home signs. Model home signs shall be
permitted for the purposes of identifying the model style, provided
such signs do not exceed six square feet in area or five feet in height.
If signs are freestanding, they shall be located on private property,
at least six feet from any property line.
The following signs shall be permitted in all
districts zoned for commercial, industrial, or airport purposes (other
than the Airport Industrial Park), including districts zoned C-1,
MSD and A-1:
A. Signs for residential district uses in commercial districts. Signs for nonconforming residential district uses in commercial, industrial or airport districts shall be governed by the sign regulations for residential district uses as set forth in §
285-16.7.
B. Required street address. For the purposes of public
safety, the street number of every commercial and industrial building
shall be prominently displayed on a side of the building facing the
street, using numbers that are at least five inches in height.
C. General requirements.
(1)
Total sign area.
(a)
The total area of all signs shall not exceed
1 1/2 square feet for each linear foot of building frontage facing
a public street, provided that the total sign area shall not exceed
50 square feet, and except that signs in the Grosse Ile Industrial
Park shall conform to the sign area requirements set forth in the
Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions upon the use of land therein.
(b)
One wall, ground, or freestanding sign with
a maximum area of 32 square feet shall be permitted to identify a
shopping center, or similar use, or the businesses therein, provided
the shopping center or other such use has minimum street frontage
of 30 feet. If said sign is used as a tenant directory sign, the total
sign area shall be allocated on an equal basis to all tenants. The
placement of such a sign shall not result in any reduction in the
number or total area of signs otherwise permitted under the provisions
of this chapter.
(2)
Types of permitted signs. Total permitted sign
area may be allocated among one or more of the following types of
signs, subject to the provisions which follow: wall-mounted signs,
ground or freestanding signs, projecting signs, marquee signs, signs
on awnings and canopies, or window signs.
(3)
Signs in the Grosse Ile Industrial Park. Signs
located in the Grosse Ile Industrial Park shall conform to the requirements
for signs specified in the Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions
upon the use of land in the Grosse Ile Industrial Park.
D. Specific requirements.
(1)
Wall-mounted signs. Wall-mounted signs, including
signs located on the face of mansard-type roofs, shall be permitted
in commercial and industrial districts subject to the following controls:
(a)
Height. The top of a wall-mounted sign shall
not be higher than whichever is lowest:
[1]
Fifteen feet above grade.
[2]
The top of the sills at the first level of windows
above the first story.
[3]
The height of the building facing the street
on which the sign is located.
(b)
Location. Wall-mounted signs shall be located
on the fronts of buildings, except that buildings located on a corner
lot shall be permitted to install one wall-mounted sign on the side
of the building facing a street.
(c)
Dimensions. The maximum vertical dimension of
any wall-mounted sign shall not exceed 1/3 of the height of the building.
The maximum horizontal dimension of any wall-mounted sign shall not
exceed 3/4 of the width of the building.
(d)
Projection. Wall-mounted signs shall not project
farther than 12 inches from the face of the wall and shall not project
beyond the building line.
(2)
Ground or freestanding signs. Ground or freestanding
signs shall be permitted in commercial or industrial districts (excluding
Airport District) subject to the following controls:
(a)
Number. Individual businesses shall be permitted
to have one ground or freestanding sign, provided that building frontage
on a public street is at least 30 feet, and provided further that
all setback requirements can be complied with. In the event that individual
businesses cannot comply with the setback or frontage requirements,
two or more adjoining businesses may jointly apply for a permit for
one ground or freestanding sign that would serve all of the joined
businesses, provided that the joined businesses are capable of meeting
the frontage and setback requirements.
(b)
Area. Total area of a ground or freestanding
sign shall not exceed 32 square feet.
(c)
Height. The top of a ground or freestanding
sign shall be five feet above the average grade plus one foot for
each three feet of setback with a maximum height of 15 feet.
(d)
Location. Ground or freestanding signs shall
be located on private property, no closer than one foot to the property
line. No such sign shall project over public property or adjoining
private property.
(e)
Distance from other signs. Ground or freestanding
signs shall be located at least 35 feet from any other ground or freestanding
sign.
(3)
Projecting signs. Projecting signs shall be
permitted in commercial and industrial districts (excluding Airport
Industrial Park) subject to the following controls:
(a)
Area. Projecting signs shall not exceed eight
square feet in area.
(b)
Height. The top of a projecting sign shall not
be higher than 15 feet above the existing average grade.
(c)
Width. The width of a projecting sign, as measured
between the two faces, shall not exceed 12 inches.
(d)
Vertical clearance. A minimum vertical clearance
of nine feet shall be provided beneath any projecting sign.
(e)
Projection. Projecting signs shall not project
over public property or adjoining private property.
(4)
Marquee signs. Marquee signs shall be permitted
in commercial districts subject to the following controls:
(a)
Area. Marquee signs shall not exceed 1 1/2
square feet per linear foot of building frontage on a public street.
(b)
Height. The top of a marquee sign shall not
be higher than 15 feet above grade.
(c)
Vertical clearance. A minimum vertical clearance
of nine feet shall be provided beneath any marquee sign.
(d)
Projection. Marquee signs shall not project
over public property or adjoining private property.
(5)
Signs on awnings and canopies. Signs on awnings
and canopies shall be permitted in commercial or industrial districts
subject to the following controls:
(a)
Area. The total area of the lettering and logo
shall not exceed 25% of the total area of the awning or canopy that
is visible from the street.
(b)
Vertical clearance. A minimum vertical clearance
of nine feet shall be provided beneath any projecting awning or canopy
sign(s).
(c)
Projection. Awnings and canopies shall not project
over public property or adjoining private property.
(6)
Temporary cloth and banner signs, pennants and
other devices. Temporary cloth and banner signs, pennants, streamers,
balloons, and similar devices shall be permitted in commercial districts
subject to the following controls:
(a)
Duration. Temporary cloth and banner signs,
pennants, and other such devices shall be erected for no longer than
30 days. Damaged signs, pennants, and other such devices shall be
removed or repaired immediately.
(b)
Area. Temporary cloth and banner signs shall
not exceed 32 square feet in area. The placement of such signs or
devices shall not result in any reduction in the number or total area
of signs otherwise permitted under the provisions of this chapter.
(c)
Location. Temporary cloth and banner signs,
pennants, and other such devices shall be located no closer than six
feet to any property line and shall be located where they will not
obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
(d)
Illumination. Cloth or banner signs, pennants,
and other such devices shall not be purposely illuminated.
(7)
Gasoline price signs. Gasoline price signs shall
be permitted in commercial or industrial districts subject to the
following controls:
(a)
Number. One gasoline price sign shall be permitted
for each gas station.
(b)
Area. Such signs shall not exceed 20 square
feet in area. The placement of such signs or devices shall not result
in any reduction in the number or total area of signs otherwise permitted
under the provisions of this chapter.
(c)
Height. The top of a gasoline price sign shall
be no higher than 15 feet above average grade.
(d)
Location. Such signs shall be located on private
property, no closer than one foot to any property line. Such signs
shall not project over public property or adjoining private property.
(e)
Vertical clearance. A minimum vertical clearance
of nine feet shall be provided beneath any gasoline price sign.
(f)
Price signs. The price of gasoline only may consist of an electronic
changeable message, provided:
[Added 4-13-2015 by Ord.
No. 15-002]
[1] Such signage does not comprise more than 50% of
the sign area;
[2] The illumination standards of § 265-16.5F
are met; and
[3] Such signage shall remain static, except when pricing
changes (i.e., no flashing, blinking, moving of any sort is allowed).
(8)
Window signs. Temporary and permanent window
signs shall be permitted on the inside in commercial districts provided
that the total combined area of such signs does not exceed 1/3 of
the total window area. The area of permanent window signs shall be
counted in determining compliance with the standards for total area
of signs on the parcel. Temporary window signs that are faded, yellowed,
ripped, or otherwise damaged shall be removed immediately.
Signs shall be permitted in the O-1 Open Space District and PRD Public Recreation District subject to the controls for signs for churches, schools, and other institutional uses as set forth in §
285-16.6.