(A) Purpose.
(1) The sign regulations in this section are intended:
(a) To maintain and improve the appearance of the village;
(b) To conserve community character;
(c) To protect property values;
(d) To support and compliment land use objectives as set forth in the master plan and this chapter;
(e) To prevent traffic hazards;
(f) To provide safer conditions for pedestrians;
(g) To promote economic development, by regulating the construction, alteration, repair, maintenance, size, location, and number of signs; and
(h) To ensure that the constitutionally guaranteed right of free speech is protected.
(2) It is further determined that to allow signs of excessive number and size in the village would:
(a) Unduly distract pedestrians and motorists;
(b) Create traffic hazards; and
(c) Reduce the effectiveness of signs needed to direct traffic.
(d) The regulations of this section are intended to provide reasonable identification for businesses and other uses within the community, but not intended to serve for the sole purpose of advertising.
(B) Applicability.
(1) The regulations set forth in this section shall apply to and govern signs in all zoning districts in the Village of Kingsley.
(2) No sign shall be erected, repaired, altered, relocated, or maintained except in conformance with the regulations for the district in which it is located, unless the sign is otherwise specifically regulated by special use provision or provisions relating to variances.
(C) Sign permits.
(1) No person shall erect, alter, or replace any sign without first obtaining a sign permit, unless the sign is specifically exempt as provided in this chapter.
(2) Application for a permit to erect, alter, or replace a sign shall be made to the Zoning Administrator by submission of the required forms, fees (as may be established by resolution by the Kingsley Village Council) exhibits, and information by the owner of the property on which the sign is to be located, or by the owner’s agent or lessee.
(3) Sign permits may be issued on the basis of a plan and application submitted to the Zoning Administrator providing the construction design is in compliance with this section.
(4) Departures from the approved plan shall result in the applicant being cited for violation and may be punished by fine.
(5) The Zoning Administrator shall not approve plans or issue sign permits for any sign that does not conform to the provisions of this chapter.
(6) (a) Businesses in the C-2 and Industrial Districts shall be permitted 1 permanent sign, not to exceed 50 square feet to be affixed to, or painted on the building, or 1 permanent monument sign will permitted where lot size and location provide the required setbacks. Signs fronting on M-113 may be 60 square feet. Signs fronting on the M-113 shall be permitted within the building setback line.
(b) Monument signs shall not exceed 50 square feet and shall not exceed 8 feet in height.
(D) Sign overlay map. The following map depicts the sign overlay district referenced in this subchapter. Any signs located within the sign overlay district are subject to alternate standards as identified within this subchapter. All other sign regulations in this chapter relate to the underlying zoning designation for the lot unless otherwise indicated. Where not district specific, the general sign regulations within this subchapter shall apply to all signs.
(E) Table of sign regulations - permanent signs requiring a permit. The following table and related notes regulate all permanent signs requiring a permit issued by the Zoning Administrator.
Sign Type | Regulations | Zoning District | ||||||
C-1 | Overlay | C-2 | R-1/R- 2/ R-3 | Village Residenti al | MH | Industrial | ||
Sign Type | Regulations | Zoning District | ||||||
C-1 | Overlay | C-2 | R-1/R- 2/ R-3 | Village Residenti al | MH | Industrial | ||
Free-Standing Sign | Sign area (square feet) | 40 | Not permitted | 40 | Not permitt ed | Not permitted | Not permitt ed | 40 |
Height | 6' | 6' | 6' | |||||
Maximum # | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||
Additional requirements see notes below | b, c, e, h, j | c, f, i, j | c, f, i, j | |||||
Wall Sign | Sign area | 40 | 1 sf/linear foot building width max. 36 sf | 1.5 sf /linear foot building width max.60 sf | 8 | 8 | Not permitt ed | 1.5 sf /linear foot building width max. 60 sf |
Maximum # | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
Additional requirements see notes below | a, d, e, h | a | a, d, i | h | h | a, i | ||
Entrance Sign | Sign area | 40 | Not permitted | 60 | 20 | Not permitted | 40 | 60 |
Height | 6' | 10' | 5' | 10' | 10' | |||
Maximum # | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
Additional requirements see notes below | b, c, j | c, f, g, j | g | f | c, f, g, j | |||
Projecting Signs | Sign area (square feet) | 12 | 8 | 12 | Not permitt ed | Not permitted | Not permitt ed | Not permitted |
Maximum # | 1 | 1 | ||||||
Notes to Table of Sign Regulations:
a. On a corner lot, a second wall sign is permitted. The second sign shall not exceed 60% of the sign area permit for the first sign.
b. Free-standing or entrance signs in this district shall be monument style, not pole-mounted.
c. For multi-tenant buildings or business centers, a monument style entrance sign shall be permitted in place of a free-standing sign.
d. In addition to a monument style entrance sign, for multi-tenant buildings or business centers, each tenant space shall be allowed a separate wall sign not to exceed the greater of 12 square feet in area, or 0.5 square feet for each linear foot of building width.
e. In this district, either one free-standing sign or one wall sign shall be permitted on a premises unless otherwise permitted in this section.
f. Free-standing signs in this district directly fronting on M-113 may be pole-style. All other free-standing signs in this district shall be monument style. Along M-113, maximum ground sign size (either free-standing or monument style) may be up to 60 square feet in sign area and 8 feet in height. (Note that entrance signs in this district may be up to 60 square feet in sign area and up to 10 feet in height.)
g. A secondary entrance sign of the same maximum height and sign area shall be permitted at any development entrance from a village road.
h. All permitted institutional uses including schools, places of worship, parks, government buildings, libraries, post offices and similar uses shall comply with the sign regulations for the C-1 zoning district, regardless of the underlying zoning district.
i. In this district, one free-standing sign in addition to one wall sign shall be permitted on a premises. Where permitted under this section, additional signs for corner lots and multi-tenant buildings may be permitted in this district.
(F) Signs not requiring a permit.
Zoning District | Portable Signs | Minor Signs | |||||
Sign Area (square feet) | # | Notes | Sign Area (square feet) | # | Height | Notes | |
(G) Prohibited signs. The following types of signs are expressly prohibited:
(1) Any sign which has flashing, moving, or oscillating lights; and
(2) Roof signs.
(H) General requirements. The following applies to all signs in the village.
(1) No sign shall be placed in, upon, or over a public right-of-way, alley or other public place, except for permitted highway and government signs and projected signs permitted under this chapter. Permitted projected signs shall provide a minimum of 8 feet of clearance from sidewalk grade.
(2) No light pole, utility pole, or other supporting member shall be used for placement of any sign approved for such.
(3) No sign shall be erected in any place where it may, by reason of its position, shape, color, or other characteristic, interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device, or constitute a nuisance.
(4) No sign shall contain any moving or animated parts, nor have the appearance of having any moving or animated parts.
(5) No wall sign shall extend above the roofline of a building.
(6) Free-standing signs shall permit an unobstructed view for motorists and pedestrians.
(7) Permitted wall signs may be replaced with a canopy sign. Canopy signs shall provide a minimum of 8 feet of clearance from sidewalk grade.
(8) No commercial vehicle, which at the discretion of the Zoning Administrator has the intended function of acting as a sign, shall be parked in any area abutting the street, unless no other parking area is available.
(9) Maintenance. Signs, supports, braces, guys, and anchors shall be maintained in such a manner as not to cause a hazard.
(10) Illumination.
(a) Unless otherwise provided, signs may be illuminated. The source of light shall be enclosed or shaded and directed to prevent light from shining directly onto traffic or neighboring property.
(b) Illumination shall meet requirements as set forth in § 152.222.
(c) Internally illuminated sign panels shall be of an opaque and saturated color. Alternatively, only the portions of such internally lit sign panel making up the lettering or logos shall be clear or white in order to limit glare to the extent possible.
(I) Nonconforming signs.
(1) Every permanent signs which was erected legally and which lawfully exists at the time of the enactment of this section which does not conform to the height, size, area, or location requirements of this section as of the date of the adoption of these regulations, is herby deemed to be nonconforming.
(2) Nonconforming signs may not be altered, expanded, enlarged, or extended. However, nonconforming signs may be maintained and repaired so as to continue the useful life of the sign.
(3) For the purposes of this section, a nonconforming sign may be diminished in size or dimension without jeopardizing the privilege of nonconforming use, so long as the costs of change does not exceed 50% of the cost of the sign and the change moves the sign toward or into compliance with this section.
(4) Any nonconforming sign destroyed by fire or other casualty loss shall not be restored or rebuilt if reconstruction will constitute more than 50% of the value of the sign on the date of loss.
(5) A sign that for a period of one or more years no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted, or product sold, shall be removed by the owner of the building, structure, or property upon which the sign is located, within 30 days of receipt of written notice by the Zoning Administrator.
(Ord. passed 10-23-1978, § 15.08; Am. Ord. 2002-7, passed - -; Am. Ord. 2005-01, passed 3-7-2005; Am. Ord. 2005-2, passed 3-7-2005; Am. Ord. 2005-5, passed 3-7-2005; Am. Ord. 2006-3, passed 7-10-2006; Am. Ord. passed 7-11-2016; Am. Ord. passed 7-9-2018)
Penalty, see §
152.999