(a) The following requirements apply to permitted signs in all districts.
Type of Sign | Districts Permitted | Max. Height (ft.) | Max. Size (square feet) | Max. Number | Permit Required | Additional Requirements |
Awnings and Canopies | All | Bottom of awning or canopy must be at least 8 feet above ground level or sidewalk | See size allowed for wall signs in division (b) below | 1 per parcel | Yes | Area of awning sign counts towards permitted wall sign area; lettering may cover maximum of 1/3 of canopy or awning |
Banner | All | - | 32 sq. ft. | 2 per calendar year | Yes | Banners spanning a public right-of-way must be approved by City Council; such signs shall not be erected or displayed more than a cumulative total of 60 days in any calendar year, nor more than 30 consecutive days |
Directional Signs | All | 4 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | - | No | A directional sign may contain a logo of an on-premises establishment, but no advertising copy. |
Portable Signs | OS-1, B-l, B-2, B-3, R-P, I-1, I-2, P-1 | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | 1 | Yes | Limited to total display period of 90 days, in any calendar year |
Temporary Signs | R-l, R-2, R- 3, R-T, LDMF, HDMF, MHP | 6 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | No | The sign is permitted up to 60 days, in any calendar year | |
Temporary Signs | OS-1, B-l, B-2, B-3, R-P, I-1, I-2, P-1 | 10 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | No | The sign is permitted up to 60 days, in any calendar year |
(b) Each lot or parcel is permitted one of the following sign options:
Type of Sign | Districts Permitted | Max. Height (ft) | Max. Size (square feet) | Permit Required | Additional Requirements |
Ground/Monument Signs | R-l, R-2, R-3, R-T, LDMF, HDMF, MHP | 5 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | Yes | The sign to be located at minimum setback required for main buildings, a minimum of 20 ft. setback from an adjacent residential lot, and located along a public right-of-way |
Ground/Monument Signs | OS-1, B-l, B-2, B-3, R-P, I-1, I-2, P-1 | 6 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | Yes | The sign is to be a minimum of 15 ft. from side or rear lot line |
Wall Signs | R-l, R-2, R-3, R-T, LDMF, HDMF, MHP | - | Shall not exceed 10% of wall surface or 36 sq. ft., whichever is smaller | Yes | Wall signs shall not extend beyond the wall in any direction. |
Wall Signs | OS-1, B-l, B-2, B-3, R-P, I-1, I-2, P-1 | - | Shall not exceed 10% of wall surface or 80 sq. ft., whichever is smaller | Yes | Wall signs shall not extend beyond the wall in any direction |
(c) The following table summarizes regulations for permanent non-residential signs in downtown Grand Blanc, on property zoned central business district overlay.
Type of Sign | Maximum Area | Height | Illumination | Number Permitted | Permit Required |
Poster Panel Signs (Sandwich signs, A-frames) | 7 sq. ft. per side; 14 sq. ft. total | 3.5 ft. maximum | Not permitted | 1 per tenant | No |
Projecting Signs | 10 sq. ft. per side; 20 sq. ft. total | Minimum 8 feet above ground level or sidewalk | Permitted | 1 per tenant; a second sign is permitted for a tenant on a corner lot; area of sign counts towards permitted wall sign area | Yes |
Rear Entry Signs | 10 sq. ft. | - | Permitted | 1 per tenant | Yes |
Marquee Signs | 70% of the marquee structure, up to maximum of 100 sq. ft. | i) must not exceed height of marquee structure ii) at least 8 feet above ground level or sidewalk | Permitted | 1 per parcel | Yes |
(d) Specific sign regulations.
(1) Wall signs.
A. One wall sign shall be permitted per street frontage on each parcel.
B. If a lot or parcel has more than one tenant, one wall sign shall be permitted for each tenant having an individual means of public access that shall not exceed 10% of the tenant portion of the building facade or 80 square feet, whichever is smaller. Tenants occupying a corner space in a multi-tenant structure on a site with multiple street frontages shall be permitted to have one sign on each side of the building fronting a public right-of-way with a maximum size of the two signs combined being 10% of the tenant portion of either street facing facade, not both, or 80 square feet, whichever is smaller.
C. Where several tenants share a common entrance in a multi-tenant structure, only one wall sign shall be permitted, with the total permitted sign area being allocated among the tenants.
(2) Ground/ monument signs.
A. If a lot or parcel has more than one tenant, one ground sign shall be permitted in addition to one wall sign per each tenant having an individual means of public access.
B. A 10% increase in the maximum permitted monument sign area is permitted if extensive landscaping and a decorative brick base consistent with the materials of the principal building are provided.
(3) Awnings and canopies.
A. Awnings or canopies may project a maximum of six feet into the public right-of-way. In no case shall the awning or canopy be less than three feet from any street curb line.
B. Any lettering or logos on the awning or canopy shall be included within the calculation of total permitted wall sign area.
C. Awnings and canopies shall not be illuminated or backlit. However, building mounted lighting may illuminate the area above or below the awning or canopy.
(4) Poster panel signs (i.e., sandwich signs, A-frame signs). Poster panel signs, including sandwich signs and “A” frame signs, shall be permitted subject to the following.
A. The sign shall be located so that at least a five-foot wide sidewalk is maintained between the sign and the building wall for pedestrian traffic flow, safety and to maintain ADA compliance.
B. The sign is permitted only during operating business hours and must be stored inside when the business is not open.
C. The sign shall be kept neatly painted, printed, stained, sealed, protected or preserved including all metal parts and supports.
D. All portable signs shall be constructed and maintained by the owner in such a manner and of such materials so that they withstand typical environmental conditions.
(5) Projecting signs. Projecting signs are permitted subject to the following.
A. Signs shall be illuminated only by steady, stationary, shielded light sources directed solely at the sign. Use of glaring undiffused lights or bulbs shall be prohibited.
B. Projecting signs may project a maximum of four feet into the public right-of-way. In no case, shall the projecting sign be less than three feet from any street curb line.
(6) Menu board signs.
A. Restaurants with drive-through service may have up to two menu board signs for each drive-through lane.
B. The maximum height for such signs shall be eight feet and the total area allowed for each drive-through lane shall not exceed 40 square feet.
C. Where such signs are not visible from a public street, they may include electronic changeable messages; however, such messages shall not blink, flash or contain videos or movements. Furthermore, the illumination of such signs shall be shaded, shielded, directed or screened such that the light intensity or brightness will not be objectionable to adjacent properties.
D. A sign permit shall be required.
(Ord. 1707-01, passed 7-12-2017; Ord. 1906-01, passed 7-24-2019; Ord. 2211-01, passed 12-14-2022)