For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONED SIGN. A sign that advertises a product that is no longer made, a business that is closed, or a past event.
AGRIBUSINESS. A sign that identifies a permitted agribusiness such as, but not limited to, a greenhouse, dog kennel, orchard, nursery, or other specialized use or recreational use such as, but not limited to, a golf course, ski club, riding stable.
AWNING/CANOPY SIGN. A non-rigid or rigid fabric marquee or awning-type structure that is attached to the building by supporting framework, which includes a business identification message, symbol and/or logo attached directly to, or painted or otherwise inscribed upon an awning or canopy.
BANNER SIGN. A fabric, plastic, or other sign made of non-rigid material without an enclosed structural framework.
BILLBOARD. See also OFF-PREMISE SIGN. A structure for the permanent display of off-premises advertising. Off-premise advertising is any commercial message referring or relating to an enterprise or business that is not conducted on the premises where the sign is located.
BUSINESS CENTER. A grouping of 2 or more business establishments on 1 or more parcels of land that may share parking and access and be linked architecturally or otherwise present the appearance of a unified grouping of businesses. A BUSINESS CENTER shall be considered on use for the purposes
of determination of the maximum number of freestanding signs. A vehicle dealership shall be considered a business center regardless of the number or type of models or different manufacturer’s vehicles available. However, used vehicle sale lots shall be considered a separate use in determining the maximum number of freestanding signs, provide that the used sales section of the lot includes at least 25% of the available sales area.
CANOPY SIGN. See AWNING SIGN.
BUSINESS FRONTAGE. See FRONT OF BUILDING.
CHANGEABLE MESSAGE/READER BOARD/MESSAGE BOARD SIGN. That portion of a sign on which copy is changed manually or electronically. Electronic reader boards (ERB) are defined as a changeable message sign and further include dynamic message signs (DMS), electronic billboards (EBB) light emitting diode (LED) displays, and other similar signs.
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SIGN. A commercial vehicle that displays a sign and is parked on a non-residential lot in a manner and duration intended to have it serve as a sign.
COMMUNITY IDENTIFICATION SIGN. A sign placed at or near the entrance to a unified residential development consisting of at least 5 dwellings and displaying the name of the residential community or other unified development such as an apartment complex, condominium community, senior housing complex, mobile home park or similar residential use.
COMMUNITY SPECIAL EVENT SIGN. Signs and banners, including decorations and displays celebrating a traditionally-accepted patriotic or religious holiday, or special municipal or school activities.
CONSTRUCTION SIGN. A sign identifying the name(s) of project owners, contractors, developers, architects, designers, engineers, landscape architects and financiers of a project being constructed or improved but not including advertising of any product or announcement of space availability.
CURB LINE. The back line of a curb.
DAY. A calendar day rather than a business day.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN. A sign that assists motorists in determining or confirming a correct route; specifically, “enter” or “exit” and parking signs.
DIRECTLY ILLUMINATED SIGN. A sign illuminated with a light source that is not shielded.
FLASHING SIGN. Any illuminated sign on which the artificial light is not maintained stationary or constant in intensity and color at all times when such is in use. Any moving, illuminated sign shall be considered a FLASHING SIGN.
FREESTANDING/POLE/PYLON SIGN. A sign which is erected upon or supported by the ground on 1 or more poles, uprights or braces which do not have the appearance of a solid base.
FRONT OF BUILDING/BUSINESS FRONTAGE. The wall of the building fronting on the road which is the address of the premises.
GROUND/MONUMENT SIGN. A 3-dimensional, self-supporting, base-mounted freestanding sign, consisting of 2 or more sides extending up from the base, and upon which a message, business, group of businesses or center name is affixed.
INCIDENTAL/NON-COMMERCIAL SIGN. A small sign, emblem, or decal informing the public of goods, facilities, or services available on the premises. Examples of incidental signs include credit card signs, signs indicating the hours of business, no smoking signs, signs used to designate bathrooms, and signs providing information on business affiliations, political or religious philosophy or opinion.
INDIRECTLY ILLUMINATED SIGN. A sign illuminated with a light source so shielded as to illuminate only the surface of the sign.
INSTITUTIONAL SIGN. A sign, which by symbol or name identifies an institutional use permitted within a residential zoning district.
MARQUEE SIGN. A permanent structure constructed of rigid materials that project from the exterior wall of a building upon which a sign is attached directly or is painted or otherwise inscribed upon a marquee.
MESSAGE BOARD. See CHANGEABLE MESSAGE SIGN.
MURAL. A design or representation painted or drawn on a wall, which does not advertise an establishment, product, service, or activity.
NAMEPLATE. A non-electronic on-premises identification sign giving only the name, address, and/or occupation of an occupant or group of occupants.
NON-COMMERCIAL SIGN. See INCIDENTAL SIGN.
OBSOLETE SIGN. See ABANDONED SIGN.
OFF-PREMISE SIGN. A sign which identifies a use or advertises products and services not available on the site or parcel on which the sign is located (such as, billboards, garage sale signs, residential open house signs, business or institutional signs that are not located on the premises of the identified function). Also, signs that direct travelers or provides a message unrelated to the site where the sign is located.
ON-PREMISE SIGN. A sign advertising a business, service, or product sold or produced on the same site or parcel.
POLE SIGN. See FREESTANDING SIGN.
POLITICAL SIGN. A temporary sign used in connection with an expression of a political opinion or message or an official township, school district, county, state, or federal election or referendum sign.
PORTABLE SIGN. A sign designed to be moved easily and not permanently attached to the ground, structure, or a building, including signs with wheels, A-frame signs, signs mounted on vehicles for advertising purposes, hot-air and gas filled balloons, pennants, streamers, ribbons, pinwheels, non-governmental flags and searchlights.
POSTER PANEL SIGNS. A portable advertising or business ground sign constructed in such a manner as to form an “A” or tent-like shape, hinged or not hinged at the top; each angular face held at an appropriate distance by a supporting member.
PREMISES. A unit of contiguous property under common ownership.
PROJECTED SIGN. A sign, other than a wall sign, that is affixed to any building wall surface and the leading edge of the sign extends more than 12 inches beyond the building wall surface.
PYLON SIGN. See FREESTANDING SIGN.
READER BOARD. See CHANGEABLE MESSAGE SIGN.
REAL ESTATE SIGN. An on-premise temporary sign advertising the availability of property or structures for sale, lease or rent.
REGULATORY SIGN. A sign installed by a public agency to direct traffic flow, regulate traffic operations and provide information that conforms with the Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT SIGN. See COMMUNITY IDENTIFICATION SIGN.
RESIDENTIAL IDENTIFICATION SIGN. A sign identifying the name of the occupant, excluding the street address.
ROOF SIGN. A sign mounted on the roof of a building, lying either flat against the roof or upright at an angle to the roof pitch.
SIGN. Any object, structure, fixture, figure, banner, pennant, flag, balloon or placard that consists of written copy, symbols, logos and/or graphics; used to identify, advertise, display, direct or attract attention to an object, establishment, institution organization, product, goods, services or other message to the general public by means which may include words, letters, figures, symbols, colors, illuminated or projected images.
SPECIAL EVENT SIGN. Temporary and portable signs containing public messages concerning special events sponsored by governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, or by businesses for events such as, but not limited to, grand openings, sidewalk sales, seasonal displays and/or special programs.
SUBDIVISION ENTRANCE/RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT SIGN. See COMMUNITY IDENTIFICATION SIGN.
TEMPORARY SIGN. A sign, banner or other advertising device with or without a structural frame, or any other sign intended for a limited period of display, but not including decorative display for holidays, or public demonstration.
WALL SIGN. A sign placed or painted flat on the wall surface of a building. This definition does not include roof signs as separately defined herein.
WINDOW SIGN. A sign installed on or inside a window and intended to be viewed from the outside.
(Ord. 434, passed 7-10-2008)