The following signs shall not count toward the maximum permitted number and area of signs, and shall be permitted in all districts without obtaining a sign permit prior to installation. This exemption shall not relieve the owner of the sign from responsibility for its proper location, erection, maintenance and removal.
(A) For purposes of identification by emergency personnel (fire, police, EMS) for essential for public safety and emergency response, all businesses, offices, industrial buildings, apartment complexes, and multiple and single-family residences shall prominently display their street address on the front side (facing the street) of their building, upon ground signs or at the building entranceways. All street addresses shall be large enough to be easily read from the street and in all buildings with more than one unit, each individual unit's address shall be clearly marked. All numerals shall contrast with the surface to which they are applied, shall be mounted high enough to be seen from the street, and shall not be obstructed from view by trees, shrubs or any other material.
(1) Non-residential street address signs exceeding three square feet in area, unless the sign area exceeding three square feet is counted in the maximum sign area calculation.
(2) Address signs for single family dwellings, duplexes and individual dwelling units in a multiple family building shall not exceed one per dwelling unit, and shall not exceed two square feet in area.
(B) Incidental signs not exceeding two square feet in area. The total area of all such signs on a premises shall not exceed eight square feet.
(C) Signs on a building wall that are cut into a masonry surface or constructed of bronze or other incombustible material, not exceeding two square feet in area.
(D) Historical markers issued by the State of Michigan Historical Commission and other state/Federal Historical Commission shall be permitted on any premises that is a designated historic site. Historical markers are not calculated as part of the maximum total sign area and the following shall not require a permit:
(1) Building-mounted historical marker.
(a) All buildings and zoning districts. A building mounted historical marker up to two square feet in area shall be permitted on any building in any zoning district.
(b) Non-residential buildings. A building mounted historical marker up to six square feet in area shall be permitted on any non-residential building in any zoning district.
(2) Freestanding historical marker.
(a) All sites and zoning districts. A freestanding historical marker up to six square feet in area shall be permitted in any zoning district.
(b) Non-residential sites. A freestanding historical marker up to 16 square feet in area shall be permitted on any non-residential site in any zoning district.
(E) Temporary, non-illuminated signs attached to vehicles, trailers, watercraft and recreational vehicles, not exceeding two square feet in area.
(F) Signs on vehicles legally parked on a residential lot in the RL or RV district, owned and/or occupied by the operator of the vehicle and driven in the course of his or her business.
(G) Flags bearing the official design of a nation, state, municipality, educational institution or non-profit organization when not displayed in connection with a commercial promotion or as an advertising device. So as to not overwhelm the streetscape and to remain in character with the small town context of the village, the flagpole shall be no taller than the height limit of the district, and the flag no longer than one quarter the height of the flag pole.
(H) Any lawful sign in a public or private right-of-way installed by an authorized public agency, including but not limited to traffic safety and control signs, legal notices, railroad crossing, public safety signs, danger and other emergency notices.
(I) Private traffic control signs which conform to the requirements of the Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
(J) Directional and informational signs required for the purpose of orientation when established by the village, county, state or Federal government.
(K) Signs erected on a governmentally-owned or controlled building or land by the authorized public agency, including but not limited to community identification signs and streetscape banners erected by the municipality.
(L) Persons wearing costume(s), with or without another sign, who call attention to a site, provided the person is not standing within the public right-of-way, but on private property. Compliance with the village's solicitation and other applicable Ordinances is required.
(N) Temporary, seasonal decorations that are displayed in a manner that does not promote commercial activity, and that are commonly associated with any national, local or religious holiday.
(O) Signs not visible beyond the boundaries of the premises upon which they are located, or from any road or public right-of-way.
(P) Any sign located completely inside an enclosed building and not visible from outside the building.
(Ord. 14.21, passed 5-23-18)