The Department may issue a permit for signs in accordance with the following provisions.
(A) Agricultural, flood plain, conservation district signs.
(1) Wall, residential. One wall sign is permitted on a dwelling structure. The sign may be up to six square feet in size and be placed anywhere on the wall of the structure.
(2) Wall, non-residential. A wall sign is permitted on the principal structure of a non-residential use. The sign may be up to 32 square feet in size and be placed anywhere on the wall of the structure. Non-residential uses with greater than 400 lineal feet of frontage on one road or located on a corner lot may have two wall signs, each no greater than 32 square feet in size.
(3) Integral sign, non-residential. One integral sign may be incorporated into the structure of the non-dwelling on the parcel.
(4) Freestanding/monument non-residential use. One freestanding or monument sign is permitted for each parcel. The freestanding or monument sign may not exceed a height of eight feet above the uniform finished grade or 50 square feet in size.
(a) Corner lots. Non-residential uses on a corner lot may be permitted two signs of up to 50 square feet each and eight feet in height if they are located a minimum of 100 feet from the intersection and any other sign.
(b) Entrance signs. In addition to the above-mentioned regulations, if the non-residential use is located on a parcel of at least five acres in size, a monument or ground mounted sign is permitted at no more than two entrances. Each sign must comply with the following regulations.
1. Each monument or ground mounted sign may be up to 24 square feet in area and five feet in height for each entrance from a public road.
2. These ground mounted or monument signs are only allowed if the other signs on the parcel are farther than 100 feet from the entrance.
(c) Electronic message boards prohibited. No portion of these signs is permitted to be an electronic message board.
(5) Neighborhood. A single-family residential neighborhood, mobile home park or multiple-family residential development is permitted to have two monument signs identifying the residential neighborhood for each street entrance. The signs shall not extend into any public right-of-way or proposed right-of-way. The face of each sign shall not exceed 24 square feet. Both signs must be the same size. The height of the signs may not exceed five feet above the uniform finished grade.
(6) Portable. One portable sign is permitted per improved parcel. The sign shall not exceed 50 square feet in area and shall not exceed a total of 60 days in any calendar year. Exception: Where multiple tenants occupy a tenant space on a single parcel, no more than two portable signs, not exceeding 50 square feet, may be placed at any one time, placed no closer than 100 feet apart.
(7) Electronic message boards. A sign or portion thereof that is an electronic message board shall not be greater than 36 square feet in area and shall comply with the following regulations.
(a) If signs are determined to be a nuisance or traffic hazard, the maximum brightness for the sign shall be reduced so not to exceed an illumination of 5,000 NITS (candelas per square meter) during day light hours or 1,000 NITS (candelas per square meter) during the period from sunset to sunrise, as measured from a sign face at maximum brightness.
(b) Each electronic message board shall have a dimmer control to produce a distinct illumination change from a higher illumination level to a lower one for the period of time from sunset to sunrise. Each sign must appropriately adjust brightness to conform with applicable brightness specifications as ambient light levels change at each sign location due to sunrise, sunset, prevailing weather conditions or otherwise.
(c) No additional electronic message board is permitted on the building if it is visible from a public road.
(B) R-l, R-2, R-3 residential zoning districts.
(1) Wall, residential. One wall sign is permitted on a dwelling structure. The sign may be up to six square feet in size and be placed anywhere on the wall of the structure.
(2) Wall, non-residential. A wall sign is permitted on a non-residential use. The sign may be up to 32 square feet in size and be placed anywhere on the wall of the structure. Non-residential uses with greater than 400 lineal feet of frontage on one road or located on a corner lot may have two wall signs, each no greater than 32 square feet in size.
(3) Wall/marquee, residential multiple-family. One wall sign is permitted on a non-dwelling. The sign may be up to 32 square feet in size and be placed anywhere on the wall of the structure. Non-dwelling uses with greater than 400 lineal feet of frontage on one road or located on a corner lot may have two wall signs, each no greater than 32 square feet in size.
(4) Neighborhood. A residential neighborhood is permitted to have two monument residential neighborhood identification signs for each street entrance. The signs shall not extend into any public right-of-way or proposed right-of-way. The face of each sign shall not exceed 24 square feet. Both signs must be the same size. The height of the signs may not exceed five feet above the uniform finished grade.
(5) Freestanding/monument residential multiple-family use. A residential multiple-family use is permitted to have one freestanding/monument sign not to exceed 32 square feet in area and five feet above the uniform finished grade.
(6) Portable. One portable sign is permitted per improved parcel, not to exceed 50 square feet and shall not exceed a total of 60 days in any calendar year.
(7) Electronic message boards. A sign or portion thereof that is an electronic message board shall not be greater than 36 square feet in area and shall comply with the following regulations.
(a) If signs are determined to be a nuisance or traffic hazard, the maximum brightness for the sign shall be reduced so not to exceed an illumination of 5,000 NITS (candelas per square meter) during day light hours or 1,000 NITS (candelas per square meter) during the period from sunset to sunrise, as measured from a sign face at maximum brightness.
(b) Each electronics message board shall have a dimmer control to produce a distinct illumination change from a higher illumination level to a lower one for the period of time from sunset to sunrise. Each sign must appropriately adjust display brightness to conform with applicable brightness specifications as ambient light levels change at each sign location due to sunrise, sunset, prevailing weather conditions or otherwise.
(c) No additional electronic message board is permitted on the building if it is visible from a public road.
(C) B-l Office Business.
(1) Freestanding/monument.
(a) One freestanding or monument sign is permitted for each B-l, office or business developed parcel with up to 400 lineal feet in frontage on the public right-of-way. The signs shall not exceed 50 square feet in size, limited to two faces back to back and a height of eight feet above the uniform finished grade. All freestanding/monument signs shall be landscaped with two square feet of landscaping for each square foot of sign face.
(b) For parcels with greater than 400 lineal feet or frontage and less than 20 acres in size, one 50 square foot sign is permitted for each 400 lineal feet and fraction thereof. Each sign must be located at least 100 feet from any other sign on the same parcel and 25 feet from and any side lot line and must not block and existing property owner's previously erected sign.
(c) If the lot is a through lot, this 400-foot regulation applies to each road frontage as calculated independently of one another. If the lot is a corner lot, each road frontage shall be calculated independently on their own true road frontage measured along the road right-of-way intersection.
(2) Wall/marquee sign. A wall sign may not project more than 12 inches from the surface of the building to which it is mounted or into any right-of-way.
(3) Projecting sign. A projecting sign may not project from the wall of the structure more than 36 inches or any higher than the height of the wall, nor less than nine feet above the average grade of a walking surface, limited to a maximum of 20 square feet and to one projecting sign per business.
(4) Awning or canopy signs. Awning or canopy signs shall not project more than seven feet from the surface to which it is attached nor less than nine feet above the average grade of a walking surface. Awning or canopy signs shall not extend more than 24 inches above the roof line.
(5) Portable. One portable signs is permitted per improved parcel, not exceed 50 square feet in area and shall not exceed a total of 60 days in any calendar year.
(6) Street banners. Street banners may extend across a public right-of-way subject to approval of township administration and the County Road Commission or State Department of Transportation, but in no case may be displayed more than 14 days before an event and seven days after an event.
(7) Electronic message boards. A sign or portion thereof that is an electronic message board shall not be greater than 36 square feet in area and shall comply with the following regulations.
(a) If signs are determined to be a nuisance or traffic hazard, the maximum brightness for the sign shall be reduced so not to exceed an illumination of 5,000 NITS (candelas per square meter) during day light hours or 1,000 NITS (candelas per square meter) during the period from sunset to sunrise, as measured from a sign face at maximum brightness.
(b) Each electronics message board shall have a dimmer control to produce a distinct illumination change from a higher illumination level to a lower one for the period of time from sunset to sunrise. Each sign must appropriately adjust display brightness to conform with applicable brightness specifications as ambient light levels change at each sign location due to sunrise, sunset, prevailing weather conditions or otherwise.
(c) No additional electronic message board is permitted on the building if it is visible from a public road.
(8) Billboards. Billboards are regulated through Pub. Act 89 of 2009, being M.C.L.A. Chapter 252.
(9) Directional signs. A sign on private property for the purpose of directing traffic onto or off of the premises. Directional signs do not require a permit. However:
(a) Only one set of entrance/exit directional signs is allowed per legal driveway;
(b) A directional sign may not exceed one and one-half square feet or more than four feet in height; and
(c) Directional signs must not be within the road right-of-way and must not use blinking lights.
(10) Menu board.
(a) A freestanding sign orientated to the drive-through lane for a restaurant that advertise the menu items available from the drive-through window, and which has no more than 20% of the total area for a sign utilized for business identification. A menu sign may be no larger than 90 square feet.
(b) Not more than two menu boards are allowed per site.
(D) B-2 Neighborhood Business, B-3 Commercial Zoning Districts.
(1) Freestanding/monument.
(a) One freestanding or monument sign is permitted for each B-2 and B-3, community commercial development parcel with up to 400 lineal feet in frontage on the public right-of-way. The signs shall not exceed 64 square feet in size, limited to two faces back to back and a height of 12 feet above the uniform finished grade. All freestanding/monument signs shall be landscaped with two square feet of landscaping for each square foot of sign face.
(b) For parcels with greater than 400 lineal feet of frontage, one 64 square foot sign is permitted for each 400 lineal feet and fraction thereof. Each sign must be located at least 100 feet from any other sign on the same parcel, and 25 feet from any side lot line and must not block an existing property owner's previously erected sign.
(c) If the lot is a through lot, this 400-foot regulation applies to each road frontage as calculated independently of one another. If the lot is a corner lot, each road frontage shall be calculated independently on their own true road frontage measured along the road right-of-way from the intersection.
(2) (a) Regional Commercial Centers. A Regional Commercial Center sign, not to exceed 150 square feet and 12 feet in height, is permitted for each public road frontage or at no more than two entrances, subject to the following.
(b) Signs must incorporate brick, stone, or decorative block as part of the sign structure and have two square feet of landscaping for each square foot of sign face, consisting of shrubs, flowers, or grasses, or a combination of such, as approved by the Zoning Administrator, and separated by protective edging from the surrounding grass area. This area must also have ground cover consisting of decorative stone or mulch over a weed barrier.
(3) Wall/marquee sign. A wall sign may not project more than 12 inches from the surface of the building to which it is mounted or into any right-of-way.
(4) Projecting sign. A projecting sign may not project from the wall of the structure more than 36 inches or any higher than the height of the wall nor less than nine feet above the average grade of a walking surface, limited to a maximum of 20 square feet and to one projecting sign per business.
(5) Awning or canopy signs. Awning or canopy signs shall not project more than seven feet from the surface to which it is attached not less than nine feet above the average grade of a walking surface. Awning or canopy signs shall not extend more than 24 inches above the roof line. In no event may awning or canopy signs project into the right-of-way.
(6) Portable. One portable sign is permitted per improved parcel, and shall not exceed 50 square feet in area and shall not exceed a total of 60 days in any calendar year. Where multiple tenants occupy a tenant space on a single parcel, no more than two portable signs, not exceeding 50 square feet, may be placed at any one time, placed no closer than 100 feet apart.
(7) Street banners. Street banners may extend across a public right-of-way subject to approval of Saginaw Charter/Kochville Township administration and the County Road Commission or State Department of Transportation, but in no case may be displayed more than 14 days before an event and seven days after an event.
(8) Electronic message boards. A sign or portion thereof that is an electronic message board shall not be greater than 36 square feet in area and shall comply with the following regulations.
(a) If signs are determined to be a nuisance or traffic hazard, the maximum brightness for the sign shall be reduced so not to exceed an illumination of 5,000 NITS (candelas per square meter) during day light hours or 1,000 NITS (candelas per square meter) during the period from sunset to sunrise, as measured from a sign face at maximum brightness.
(b) Each electronics message board shall have a dimmer control to produce a distinct illumination change from a higher illumination level to a lower one for the period of time from sunset to sunrise. Each sign must appropriately adjust display brightness to conform with applicable brightness specifications as ambient light levels change at each sign location due to sunrise, sunset, prevailing weather conditions or otherwise.
(c) No additional electronic message board is permitted on the building if it is visible from a public road.
(9) Directional signs.
(a) A sign on private property for the purpose of directing traffic onto or off of the premises. Directional signs do not require a permit;
(b) However:
1. Only one set of entrance/exit directional signs is allowed per legal driveway;
2. A directional sign may not exceed one and one-half square feet or more than four feet in height; and
3. Directional signs must not be within the road right-of-way and must not use blinking lights.
(10) Menu board.
(a) A freestanding sign orientated to the drive-through lane for a restaurant that advertise the menu items available from the drive-through window, and which has no more than 20% of the total area for a sign utilized for business identification. A menu sign may be no larger than 90 square feet.
(b) Not more than two menu boards are allowed per site.
(E) Industrial/manufacturing signs - Ml and M2 Districts.
(1) Freestanding/monument.
(a) One freestanding or monument sign is permitted for each industrially developed parcel with up to 400 lineal feet in frontage on the public right-of-way. The signs shall not exceed 64 square feet in size, limited to two faces back to back and a height of ten feet above the uniforms finished grade.
(b) For parcels with a greater than 400 lineal feet of frontage, one 64 square foot sign is permitted for each 400 feet and fraction thereof. Each sign must be located at least 100 feet from any other sign on the same parcel, and 25 feet from any side lot line and must not block an existing property owners previously erected sign.
(c) If the lot is a through lot, this 400-foot regulation applies to each road frontage as calculated independent of one another. If the lot is a corner lot, each road frontage shall be calculated independently on their own true road frontage measured along the road right-of-way intersection.
(2) Industrial centers.
(a) Two signs, not to exceed 74 square feet each and 12 feet in height, are permitted for each public road frontage.
(b) One monument or ground mounted sign is permitted at no more than two entrances. The monument or ground mounted signs may be up to 24 square feet and five feet in height, for each entrance from a public road. These ground mounted or monument signs are only allowed if the other signs on the parcel are farther than 100 feet from the entrance.
(3) Wall/marquee sign. A wall sign may not project more than 12 inches from the surface of the building to which it is mounted or into any right-of-way.
(4) Portable. One portable sign is permitted per improved parcel, and shall not exceed 50 square feet in area and shall not exceed a total of 60 days in any calendar year.
(5) Electronic message boards. A sign or portion thereof that is an electronic message board shall not be greater than 36 square feet in area and shall comply with the following regulations.
(a) If signs are determined to be a nuisance or traffic hazard, the maximum brightness for the sign shall be reduced so not to exceed an illumination of 5,000 NITS (candelas per square meter) during day light hours or 1,000 NITS (candelas per square meter) during the period from sunset to sunrise, as measured from a sign face at maximum brightness.
(b) Each electronic message board shall have a dimmer control to produce a distinct illumination change from a higher illumination level to a lower one for the period of time from sunset to sunrise. Each sign must appropriately adjust display brightness to conform with applicable brightness specifications as ambient light levels change at each sign location due to sunrise, sunset, prevailing weather conditions or otherwise.
(c) No additional electronic message board is permitted on the building if it is visible from a public road.
(6) Billboards. Billboards are regulated through Pub. Act 89 of 2009, being M.C.L.A. Chapter 252.
Regulations for Signs That Require a Permit - Also See Regulations in the Text by Zoning District | |||
Zoning Districts | Sign Type | Maximum Sign Size per Parcel | Height |
Agricultural/Conserva tion Greenbelt | Wall, residential | 6 sq. ft. | Wall height |
Wall, non-residential | 32 sq. ft | Wall height | |
Integral, non-residential | no limit | No limit | |
Freestanding/monume nt | 50 sq. ft. | 8 ft. | |
Neighborhood | 24 sq. ft. | 5 ft. | |
Portable | 50 sq. ft. | 8 ft. | |
Electronic message board | 36 sq. ft. | 8 ft. | |
Residential R-l, R-2, R-3 | Wall, residential | 6 sq. ft. | wall height |
Wall, non-residential | 32 sq. ft. | wall height | |
Wall/marquee multiple-family | 32 sq. ft. | wall height | |
Neighborhood | 24 sq. ft. | 5 ft. | |
Freestanding/monume nt, multiple-family | 32 sq. ft. | 5 ft. | |
Freestanding/monume nt, non-residential | 50 sq. ft. | 8 ft. | |
Portable | 50 sq. ft. | 8 ft. | |
Electronic message board non-residential | 36 sq. ft. | 8 ft. | |
Regulations for Signs That Require a Permit - Also See Regulations in the Text by Zoning District | |||
Zoning Districts | Sign Type | Maximum Sign Size per Parcel | Height |
Commercial B-l | Freestanding/monume nt | 50 sq. ft. | 8 ft. |
Wall/marquee | no limit | wall height | |
Awning/canopy | see text | see text | |
Projecting sign | see text | see text | |
Portable | 50 sq. ft. | 8 ft. | |
Street banner | see text | see text | |
Electronic message board | 36 sq. ft. | 8 ft. | |
Commercial B-2, B-3 | Freestanding/monume nt | 64 sq. ft. | 12 ft. |
Regional commercial center | 150 sq. ft. | 12ft. | |
Wall/marquee | no limit | wall height | |
Awning/canopy | see text | see text | |
Projecting sign | see text | see text | |
Portable | 50 sq. ft. | 8 ft. | |
Street banner | see text | see text | |
Electronic message board | 36 sq. ft. | 12 ft. | |
Special event sign | see text | see text | |
Industrial M-l, M-2 | Freestanding/monume nt | 64 sq. ft. | 10 ft. |
Regional industrial center | 74 sq. ft. | 12 ft. | |
Electronic message boards | 36 sq. ft. | 10 ft. | |
Portable | 50 sq. ft. | 8 ft. | |
NOTES TO TABLE: | |||
-The future right-of-way line is determined by referencing the official right-of-way map kept by the State Department of Transportation and the County Road Commission. | |||
-Billboards are regulated through Pub. Act 89 of 2009, refer to M.C.L.A. Chapter 252. | |||
(Ord. 03-05, passed 6-17-2003; Ord. 06-02, passed 4-18-2006; Ord. 10-01, passed 7-27-2010; Ord. 10-003, passed 10-26-2010; Ord. 14-08, passed 8-26-2014; Ord. 16-06, passed 12-19-2016)