(a) Every sign shall be constructed and maintained in a manner consistent with the Michigan Building Code and International Property Maintenance Code and maintained in good and safe structural condition at all times. All signs shall be kept neatly painted, stained, sealed, or preserved including all metal parts and supports.
(b) Signs shall be constructed to withstand all wind and vibration forces that normally can be expected to occur in the vicinity.
(c) Signs may be internally or externally illuminated where permitted. The following provisions apply for illuminated signage in the City.
(1) Illuminated signs shall not create glare or create unacceptable over-illumination of the surrounding area. Any sign illumination that may cause or otherwise create traffic hazards is strictly prohibited. Only soft amber lighting is permitted for lamping and read-outs no brighter than three foot-candles above ambient light conditions. Voids or burn-out lamping must be replaced promptly.
(2) For externally illuminated signs, the lighting fixture shall be mounted above the sign only and the light fixture shielded such that light is directed downward and directly at the sign face only (below the horizontal). Externally illuminated signs shall not be directly aimed at adjacent streets, roads, or other properties.
(3) All electrical wiring shall be located underground and any associated electrical conduit or piping shall not be exposed to view aboveground, unless a portable generator is used for a temporary illuminated sign.
(4) Back-lit or internally illuminated signs shall not cause excessive glare or allow light to encroach onto neighboring properties.
(5) Where any illuminated sign is located in a residential district or next to a residential district these illuminated signs shall be equipped with an illumination timer control unit.
(6) The sign shall be timed as such that the sign is not illuminated after 11:00 p.m. or no more than 30 minutes after the close of business, whichever is later. No sign shall be illuminated prior to 6:00 a.m. or 30 minutes before the opening of business, whichever is earlier.
(7) Details of all timer control units shall be submitted with a sign permit application.
(d) Signs shall not be placed in, upon or over any public right-of-way, private road easement, alley, or other place, except as may be otherwise permitted by the City of Ionia or Michigan Department of Transportation.
(e) A light pole or other similar supporting member shall not be used for the placement of any sign unless specifically designed and approved for such use.
(f) A sign shall not be erected in any place where it may, by reason of its position, shape, color, or other characteristics, interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device, or constitute a nuisance per se.
(g) A sign and its supporting mechanism shall not extend beyond any lot lines of the property on which it is located except that in the B-2 Zone projecting signs may project over the public sidewalk.
(h) Roof Signs.
(1) A roof sign shall not project or extend beyond or above the highest point of the roof line.
(2) Only one roof sign shall be permitted per building.
(3) The size of a roof sign shall not exceed ten percent of the area of that portion of the roof to which it is attached, as measured from eave to roof peak.
(4) Lighting for roof signs shall comply with Section 1284.07(c).
(5) A roof sign may consist of painting on the surface of a roof or a sign that is composed of roofing materials or other materials affixed parallel to the roof surface.
(i) Reader Boards. Wall and freestanding signs may include reader boards subject to the following regulations:
(1) For signs that are 50 square feet or less in area the reader board shall not consist of more than 75% of the total sign area.
(2) For signs that are more than 50 square feet in area the reader board shall not consist of more than 50% of the total sign area.
(3) Any electronic reader board sign containing animated, scrolling, blinking or flashing text shall be regulated by the following illumination requirements per Section 1284.07(c).
A. Illuminated signs shall not create glare or create unacceptable over- illumination of the surrounding area. Any sign illumination that may cause or otherwise create traffic hazards is strictly prohibited. Only soft amber lighting is permitted for lamping and read-outs no brighter than three footcandles above ambient light conditions. Voids or burn-out lamping must be replaced promptly.
B. All electrical wiring shall be located underground and any associated electrical conduit or piping shall not be exposed to view aboveground, unless a portable generator is used for a temporary illuminated sign.
C. Where any illuminated sign is located in a residential district or next to a residential district these illuminated signs shall be equipped with an illumination timer control unit.
D. The sign shall be timed as such that the sign is not illuminated after 11:00 p.m. or no more than 30 minutes after the close of business, whichever is later. No sign shall be illuminated prior to 6:00 a.m. or 30 minutes before the opening of business, whichever is earlier.
(4) The copy on an electronic reader board shall not change faster than every ten seconds.
(5) An electronic reader board may serve as a window sign subject to the size limitations for window signs contained herein and the requirements of Section 1284.07(c).
(j) Wall Signs.
(1) Wall signs shall not obscure architectural features of the building including, but not limited to windows, arches, sills, moldings, cornices, and transoms.
(2) Wall signs shall not extend above the lowest point of the roof, nor beyond the ends of the wall to which it is attached.
(3) Wall signs shall be six feet less than the width of the building facade, be at least three feet from the edge of the building facade, and meet the area requirements of wall signage of this chapter.
(4) A wall sign shall not be placed above nor shall any part of the sign extend above the bottom of the second story window of a multi-story building.
(5) Permanent banner signs may be utilized as a wall sign per Section 1284.03(e)2.
(k) Projecting Signs.
(1) Projecting signs shall not extend vertically beyond the window sill of the second story.
(2) The sign shall maintain a minimum clearance from the ground of eight feet.
(3) The sign shall be mounted to the building by a single mounting bracket (support chains shall be prohibited) and no support material shall project below the sign.
(4) Projecting signs shall not be internally lighted. External lighting is permitted but the source of illumination shall not cause a glare subject to Section 1284.07(c).
(l) Awning and Marquee Signs.
(1) Such signs shall not project more than six feet into the public right-of-way, nor be closer than three feet to any street curb line.
(2) The awning or marquee to which the sign is attached shall maintain a minimum clearance from the ground of eight feet.
(m) Sidewalk Signs.
(1) The sign shall be placed in front of the establishment using the sign.
(2) A minimum of five feet of unobstructed sidewalk clearance must remain on the sidewalk at all times.
(3) A display area adjacent to and not extending further than 36 inches from the front wall of the building may contain a sidewalk sign. However, five feet of unobstructed sidewalk clearance must be maintained between the sign and the edge of the street or roadway.
(4) The sign shall not be placed in a way that obstructs pedestrian circulation, interferes with the opening of doors of parked vehicles or snow removal operations.
(5) Such signs shall be properly maintained and not allowed to become unsightly.
(6) Such signs shall only be in place during hours of operation of the establishment.
(n) Pole Signs.
(1) Pole signs are only permitted along and with lots that have frontage on, M-66, M-21, Steele Street, or Adams Street.
(2) For lots with more than one establishment, the size of the pole sign may be increased, for each additional establishment, by 50 percent of the size allowed by Section 1284.14 up to a maximum size of 96 square feet.
(3) The support structure or structures for a pole sign shall not be more than three feet wide or three feet in diameter per support structure.
(Ord. 558. Passed 1-4-22.)