The purpose and intent of these rules and regulations governing signs is to apply reasonable controls over the size, placement and general appearance of signs and their use in each district to insure, promote and safeguard standards for protecting the public health, safety and welfare.
(Ord. 2003-7. Passed 1-12-04; Ord. 2011-2. Passed 4-11-11.)
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
(a) “A-frame sign,” also known as a “sandwich board sign,” means a sign exclusively allowed in the Town Center (Business District) during regular business hours in front of the business it advertises and subject to the conditions described herein.
(b) “Abandoned sign” means a sign which no longer identifies or advertises a bona fide business.
(c) “Awning sign” means a sign which appears on a roof-like cover extended over or in front of a building for the purpose of shelter or protection.
(d) “Banner sign” means a temporary sign made of fabric or any nonrigid material with no enclosing framework, including pennants and streamers. These signs are only permitted for grand openings and special events or promotions.
(e) “Billboard” means an off-premise sign applied to panels with three-hundred square feet or more of display area and used for outdoor advertising of a business, product, service, event, person or subject including those signs as regulated by the Michigan Department of Transportation pursuant to Public Act 106 of 1972, as amended.
(f) “Changeable copy sign (automatic)” means a sign on which the copy changes automatically on a lampbank or through mechanical means with a minimum interval between copy changes of not less than thirty seconds.
(g) “Changeable copy sign (manual)” means a sign on which copy is changed manually in the field.
(h) “Construction sign” means a temporary sign identifying an architect, contractor, subcontractor, and/or material supplier participating in construction on the property on which the sign is located.
(i) “Directional/Information sign” means a sign giving directions, instructions, or facility information and which may contain the name and logo of an establishment but no advertising copy, e.g. parking or exit and entrance signs.
(j) “Flashing sign” means a sign which contains an intermittent or sequential flashing light source used primarily to attract attention, not including changeable copy signs.
(k) “Free-standing sign” means a sign, the principle support of which is independent of any building. This includes signs supported upon the ground by poles and braces and signs supported by monuments placed in the ground surface.
(l) “Government sign” means any temporary or permanent sign erected and maintained by the village, township, county, state or federal government.
(m) “Grand opening sign” means a temporary sign advertising the opening of a new business or facility.
(n) “Height of a sign” means the vertical distance measured from the highest point of the sign, excluding decorative embellishments, to the surface grade beneath the sign.
(o) “Identification sign” means a sign whose copy is limited to the name and address of a building, institution or person and/or to the activity or occupation being identified.
(p) “Illegal sign” means a sign which does not meet the requirements of this code.
(q) “Illuminated sign” means a sign that provides artificial light directly or through any transparent or translucent material from a source of light connected with such sign, or a sign illuminated by a light source so shielded that no direct rays from it are visible from any public right-of-way or from the abutting property. (Illuminated signs are prohibited in certain zoning districts.)
(r) “Maintenance” means the cleaning, painting, repair or replacement of defective parts of a sign in a manner that does not alter the basic copy, design or structure of the sign.
(s) “Marquee sign” means any sign attached to or supported by a permanent roof-like structure or canopy of rigid materials supported by and extending from the facade of a building.
(t) “Nameplate” means a non-electric on-premise identification sign giving only the name and/or address of the occupant.
(u) “Off premise sign” means a sign which directs attention to a use, business, commodity, service or activity not conducted, sold or offered upon the premises where the sign is located.
(v) “On-premise sign” means a sign which pertains to the use of the premises on which it is located.
(w) “Political sign” means a temporary sign used in connection with a local, state or national election or referendum.
(x) “Projecting sign” means a double-sided sign with an identical message on both sides that is affixed to a building or a single pole in such a way that the sign is placed perpendicular to the road.
(y) “Real estate sign” means a temporary sign advertising the real estate upon which the sign is located as being for rent, lease or sale, or a temporary off-premise directional sign advertising an open house for another piece of real estate in the immediate area.
(z) “Roof sign” means any sign erected over or on the roof of a building.
(aa) “Sign” means any device, structure, fixture or placard using graphics, symbols and/or written copy designed specifically for the purpose of advertising or identifying any establishment, product, services, goods or event.
(bb) “Sign, area of” shall be calculated as follows:
(1) The area of a free-standing or projecting sign shall have only one face (the largest one) of any double or multi-faced sign counted in calculating its area. The area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of lettering, representations, emblems and figures of each sign together with all material or color forming an integral part of the display shall be summed and then totaled to determine total area. The perimeter of measurable area shall not include embellishments such as pole covers, framing, decorative roofing, and the like, provided there is not written advertising copy on such embellishments. If the sign is composed of more than two sign cabinets or modules, the area enclosing the entire perimeter or all cabinets and/or modules within a single, continuous geometric figure shall be the area of the sign.
(2) The area of a wall, marquee or awning sign shall be measured within a single, continuous perimeter composed of any straight line geometric figure which encloses the extreme limits of the advertising message.
(cc) “Special event or promotion” means an extraordinary activity such as an anniversary or unusual campaign or sale.
(dd) “Special event or promotion sign” means a temporary sign advertising an extraordinary occurrence or a particular sale, product or cause. These signs are only allowed with the approval of the Zoning Administrator.
(ee) “Subdivision identification sign” means a free-standing or wall sign identifying a recognized subdivision, condominium complex or residential development.
(ff) “Temporary sign” means a display sign, banner or advertising device with or without a structural frame intended for a limited period of display, including displays for holidays or public events.
(gg) “Wall sign” means a sign attached parallel to and extending not more than four inches from the wall of a building. This includes painted, individual letter and cabinet signs.
(hh) “Window sign” means a sign installed inside a window and intended to be viewed from the outside.
(Ord. 2003-7. Passed 1-12-04; Ord. 2011-2. Passed 4-11-11; Ord. 2017-1. Passed 2-13-17.)
The following types and uses of signs are specifically prohibited:
(a) Roof signs as defined herein.
(b) Any sign which, by reason of its size, location, content, coloring or manner of illumination, constitutes a traffic hazard or a detriment to traffic safety by obstructing the vision of drivers or by obstructing or detracting from the visibility of any traffic control device on public streets and roads.
(c) Signs which make use of words such as "STOP", "LOOK", "DANGER" or any other words, phrases, symbols or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
(d) Signs and sign structures that are no longer in use as originally intended or have been abandoned for a period of ninety days or longer.
(e) Signs which are structurally unsafe; constitute a hazard to safety and health; or those not kept in good repair or maintenance.
(f) Any sign which obstructs free ingress to or egress from a required door, window, fire escape or other required exit way.
(g) Any sign or other advertising structure containing any obscene, indecent or immoral matter.
(h) Any sign unlawfully installed or erected after the effective date of this chapter.
(i) Flashing signs and any signs with continuous blinking or running type lights not including signs presenting changing copy.
(j) Billboards as defined herein.
(k) Any sign placed in or over the public right-of-way without the permission of the Street Administrator.
(l) Any sign which is mounted on a vehicle when such vehicle is parked for the purpose of display.
(m) Any sign which is attached to a fence or accessory structure except parking or directional signs when necessary and except when business is transacted at the accessory structure such as automated teller machines and vending machines where allowed, unless otherwise provided for herein.
(n) Off-premise signs except for directional real estate open house signs for the purpose of advertising an open house in the immediate area.
(o) Any sign not expressly permitted in this chapter.
(Ord. 2003-7. Passed 1-12-04; Ord. 2011-2. Passed 4-11-11.)
The following types and uses of signs are permitted in all zoning districts and do not require a building transmittal. Such signs shall not be counted against the number of signs or against the total sign area permitted on the premises in which they are located:
(a) No hunting or no trespassing signs not exceeding three square feet in area.
(b) Signs located in the interior of buildings except not including window signs.
(c) Any nameplate or address sign affixed to a wall, mailbox, post, or pillar which is not larger than four square feet in display surface and not for the purpose of advertising a home occupation.
(d) Traffic control or other governmental signs such as, but not limited to, directional signs placed in right-of-ways, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, park rules and hours, danger and other temporary emergency signs.
(e) Memorial or historical signs or tablets not exceeding nine square feet in display area.
(f) Flags bearing the official design of a nation, state, municipality, educational or religious institution, civic league or charitable organization or small flags/banners intended for decoration. A maximum of four (4) flags are allowed per lot.
(g) Signs not exceeding three square feet which contain only noncommercial messages including the designation of restrooms or telephones, parking directional information or pedestrian or vehicular warning material.
(h) Seasonal decorations and special event signs which advertise public entertainment or events of general public interest, provided the placement and duration must be approved by the Zoning Administrator.
(i) Garage sale signs may be displayed only during the conduct of such sale. Placement of garage sale signs on street trees, utility poles, traffic signs and within the right-of-way is prohibited.
(Ord. 2003-7. Passed 1-12-04; Ord. 2011-2. Passed 4-11-11.)
(a) Gas station with convenience store. Signs are permitted on canopy poles subject to the following conditions:
(1) No more than four (4) single-sided signs are allowed.
(2) All signs must be placed within enclosures created for this purpose.
(3) Individual signs may not exceed twelve (12) square feet in surface area.
(4) The surface area (square footage) of canopy pole signs will be considered coverage for purposes of calculating the total coverage allowance for the building wall facing the road which the canopy pole signs face.
(5) All other district sign regulations remain in effect.
(b) Town Center District, except Residential Overlay. A-frame signs are permitted subject to the following conditions:
(1) Only one sign per business is allowed.
(2) Signs shall be placed on the ground or sidewalk in front of the business only during the hours the business is open and shall be removed when the business is not open to the public.
(3) No sign shall exceed a height of four feet above the ground or ten square feet per sign face. Signs placed on the sidewalk at street level shall not exceed 24 inches in width.
(4) Signs must be durable, sturdy and stable. The frame shall be wood and the sign face shall be black chalkboard. Signs must be double-sided.
(5) Signs shall be positioned to allow adequate sidewalk clearance for pedestrians and wheelchairs and may not be placed in a way that interferes with the opening of doors of parked vehicles. Signs may only be placed on the sidewalk at the street level where the walkway is at least seven feet wide. Signs may be placed in the greenspace between the building and the sidewalk or upon a raised sidewalk or step if one exists.
(6) Signs may not be illuminated by any means and may not have any moving parts.
(Ord. 2011-2. Passed 4-11-11; Ord. 2017-1. Passed 2-13-17.)
(a) Refer to Schedule A for A-1, R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-1D and R-M1.
(b) Refer to Schedule B for B-1.
(c) Refer to Schedule C for TC and TC Overlay.
(d) Refer to Schedule D for Temporary Signs.
(e) Refer to Schedule E for Sign Uses by District.
(Ord. 2003-7. Passed 1-12-04; Ord. 2011-2. Passed 4-11-11; Ord. 2017-1. Passed 2-13-17.)
(a) The Zoning Administrator shall issue a building transmittal prior to the erection, construction or alteration, not to include maintenance as defined herein, of any permanent sign with the exception of those signs described in Section 846.04 and in Schedule D.
(b) The construction of any sign shall be subject to the requirements of the Eaton County Building Code. Sign building permits, if necessary, shall be issued on the basis of plans and applications approved by the Eaton County Building Department and shall authorize only the design and construction set forth in such approved plans and applications and no other design. A building transmittal issued by the Zoning Administrator is required for the issuance of a building permit by Eaton County.
(Ord. 2003-7. Passed 1-12-04; Ord. 2011-2. Passed 4-11-11.)
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