(A) Generally. For the following regulations, in the event of a conflict between regulations of signs, resolution shall be based on the principle of the greater restriction shall apply. The signs are listed in this manner:
(1) Freestanding (pole/ground/highway);
(2) Wall;
(3) Unified development signs;
(4) Portable;
(5) Temporary signs;
(6) Directional signs;
(7) Political signs and posters; and
(8) Real estate signs.
(B) Freestanding signs. Each property is limited to one unless it is a corner parcel with 300 feet or more of frontage on both streets. The sign may be a pole sign or a ground sign. Although there may be multiple businesses or establishments on the property, the limit does not change.
(1) Pole signs.
(a) In a permit application, each sign will require drawings of sign structure, electrical circuits, foundation and materials.
(b) Maximum height: 16 feet above the grade of the frontage street. Base of sign shall be a minimum of eight feet from that grade to the bottom of the sign.
(c) Maximum area per side: 50 square feet
(d) Minimum setback: no portion of the sign shall be nearer than ten feet to any street easement or dedicated public right-of-way.
(e) Identification: sign cabinet must display address number of property on the leading edge to the road.
(f) Illuminated sign: if internal lighting is part of a sign, the lighting equipment that is part of the sign shall have UL listings and shall be labeled for easy reading.
(2) Ground signs.
(a) In a permit application, each sign will require drawings of sign structure, any electrical circuits, foundation and materials.
(b) Maximum height: six feet above normal ground level.
(c) Maximum area per side: 50 square feet.
(d) Minimum setback: no portion of the sign shall be nearer than eight feet to any street easement or dedicated public right-of-way.
(e) Identification: sign cabinet must display address number of property on the leading edge to the road.
(f) Illuminated sign: if internal lighting is part of a sign, the lighting equipment that is part of the sign shall have UL listings and shall be labeled for easy reading.
(3) High-rise or highway billboard signs.
(a) Permit application requires engineered and approved drawings of pole structure, any electrical circuits and structures used for illumination, base and all sign cabinet structures.
(b) These signs are allowed if property is within 735 feet from the state right-of-way for the westbound exit ramp from U.S. 10 to Garfield Road. Other than that specific area, no billboard shall be erected or maintained in any district within 100 feet of any sidewalk or public highway, nor within 300 feet of any residential or business building, nor within any distance from adjoining property of less than twice the height of the billboard. The provisions of this code are not intended to conflict with any provisions controlling signs regulated under the authority of Public Act 106 of 1972, the Highway Advertising Act, being M.C.L.A. §§ 252.301 through 252.325, as amended.
(c) Maximum square feet allowed is 275 square feet.
1. Maximum height not to exceed 90 feet from average grade of property.
2. Wind load: because signs must resist a minimum of 135 mph wind load, the base hole must be inspected before installation is to begin. Failure to have a base hole inspected shall be cause for removal of the sign structure at the expense of the sign owner.
(C) Wall signs.
(1) Permit required. In a permit application, details of structure and dimensions are required of the sign and wall that it is attached to. Outside window signs, if permanent, are covered by this section. Interior window signs are not regulated.
(2) Maximum sign area. Total number of wall sign(s) shall not exceed an area equal to 15% of the area of the wall to which it is affixed. No wall sign shall have an area greater than 100 square feet; except that, if the sign has a setback greater than 50 feet from its frontage street, its area may be increased by one square foot for each additional foot of setback up to a maximum of 150 square feet.
(D) Unified development signs.
(1) Permit required. In a permit application, each sign will require drawings of sign structure, any electrical circuits, foundation and materials.
(2) Maximum height. Sixteen feet above the grade of the frontage street.
(3) Maximum area. Eighty square feet.
(4) Increase of area. For every foot of street frontage in excess of 200 feet, maximum sign area may be increased by one square foot for each 12 inches over 200 feet of property frontage.
(E) Portable signs.
(1) Permit required. In a permit application, each sign will require drawings or a description of the sign structure, electrical circuits and power supply if illuminated, and materials.
(2) Portable signs. These can be displayed for 14 consecutive days; however, if a display is taken down for any reason prior to that period ending, there is another 14 consecutive days required before a display will be allowed to be displayed again.
(a) The intended dates to put such temporary advertisements and banners in place shall be detailed in requests that shall be put on file at City Hall prior to putting the display out.
(b) Permits can cover the sign(s) and the time period(s) they shall be permitted to be displayed. Multiple signs can be described in one permit.
(c) The intended schedule for using the sign(s) over the year can be detailed in one permit.
(3) Size. The size of portable signs shall not exceed 32 square feet or seven feet in height.
(F) Temporary signs.
(1) Permit required. In a permit application, each sign will require drawings or a description of the sign structure, period of use, electrical circuits and power supply if illuminated, and materials.
(2) Attached to a permanent structure. To qualify as a temporary sign, the signage must be attached to a permanent structure. The point of attachment must be detailed in the permit.
(a) Buildings: if a building wall is to be used for temporary signage, there must be a specific framed area of the wall where the sign will be attached. Whether there is a natural architectural frame on the wall or one that is designated, the cumulative size of the sign(s) placed within that designated area shall be consistent with the size regulations for a permanent wall sign; however, these temporary signs can be changed as often as the business desires. The city can require that out-of-date signs be removed. A history of “out-of-date” signs can be considered in denying a permit for these signs. City Hall has the authority to determine what constitutes a “framed” area.
(b) Between permanent structures or attached to a permanent structure that is not a building. These signs are regulated in the following manner.
1. A fence shall be considered a wall and the total temporary signage attached to the fence shall not exceed an area equal to 15% of the area of the fence to which it is affixed. Fence signage shall be confined to single area defined in the permit. Space used for signage shall not have an area greater than 100 square feet; except that, if the signage area has a setback greater than 50 feet from its frontage street, its area may be increased by one square foot for each additional foot of setback up to a maximum of 150 square feet.
2. Temporary signs attached to a permanent structure other than a building or fence shall be prohibited unless the structure is more than 90 feet from the street. The total signage allowed for a property is 32 square feet per 100 feet of frontage.
(G) Directional signs.
(1) Permit required: permit application requires drawings, any electrical circuits if illuminated, and base.
(2) Maximum square feet: four and one-half square feet.
(3) Maximum height: three feet from average grade of property.
(4) Setback: at least five feet from easement and right-of-way.
(5) Two directional signs shall be allowed for a single access drive. One sign for each entrance and another for each exit shall be allowed if there are two or more access drives.
(H) Political signs and posters.
(1) No permit required but signs shall conform to this section.
(2) The size of the sign or poster shall not exceed two feet by three feet.
(3) The owner of the property where the sign or poster is to be placed must be notified and must give approval for its placement.
(I) Real estate signs.
(1) No permit required but signs shall conform to this section.
(2) The size of the real estate sign or poster shall not exceed two feet by three feet, provided that a “sold” sign not to exceed five inches by 16 inches may be affixed to the sign to indicate a sale.
(Ord. passed 11-2-2005: Ord. 187, passed - -2007)