The following signs are permitted in all districts:
(A) Highway signs erected by the United States government, State of Michigan, Genesee County, or Charter Township of Montrose.
(B) Governmental use signs erected by governmental agencies to designate hours of activity or conditions of use for parks, parking lots, recreational areas, other public space, or for governmental buildings.
(C)
Directional signs in conjunction with drives or off-street parking areas, provided any such sign does not exceed 4 square feet in area, is limited to traffic control functions, and does not obstruct traffic vision.
(D) Historic markers or signs designating sites recognized by federal, state, or local historical commissions and/or organizations, as centennial farms, historic sites, or historical landmarks.
(E) Placards posted to control or prohibit hunting and/or trespassing within the township.
(F) Essential service signs denoting utility lines, railroad lines, hazards, and precautions.
(G) Memorial signs or tablets that are either:
(1) Cut into the face of a masonry surface; or
(2) Constructed of bronze or other incombustible material, when located flat on the face of a building.
(H) Temporary signs, not exceeding 4 square feet, may be placed for no more than 2 weeks, advertising noncommercial rummage sales, garage sales, or other similar used merchandise sales, as long as the sign is placed on private property with the owner's permission. No such sign shall be placed within the road right-of-way areas and within a clear vision zone as described in § 153.299(E)(9) above.
(I) Political signs promoting political parties, candidates or millage issues, not exceeding 32 square feet, may be placed on private property with the owners permission for no more than 45 days prior to an election, with such signs being removed within 3 days after the completion of the election. No such sign shall be placed within the road right-of-way areas and within a clear vision zone as described in § 153.299(E)(9) above.
(J)
Special decorative displays or signs used for holidays, public demonstrations or promotion of civic welfare or charitable purposes, when authorized by the Planning Commission. In considering the authorization, the Planning Commission shall consider the following standards:
(1) The size, character, and nature of the display or sign;
(2) The duration or time period during which the display or sign will be utilized;
(3) The purpose(s) for which the sign display is to be erected;
(4) The arrangements made for the removal of the sign or display after the termination of its usefulness;
(5)
The effect of the proposed sign or display on light and air circulation for lots that are both adjoining and in the surrounding neighborhood of the proposed sign or display; and
(6) Whether or not the sign or display will constitute a traffic hazard.
(K)
Construction signs showing names of building contractors, professional firms, and lending institutions on sites under construction, not to exceed 24 square feet in area. The sign shall be confined to the site of the construction, construction shed or trailer, and shall be removed prior to the project receiving final approval or an occupancy permit by the Building Official.
(L)
Portable signs, pennants, spinners and streamers, for a period of not more than 30 days for a total of 3 special events per year, provided the following conditions are met:
(1) They do not exceed 15 square feet in area on any side;
(2) They are not located closer than 10 feet to a street right-of-way;
(3)
They may be illuminated, provided the lights are not flashing or intermittent, are not placed or designed so that they can be confused with, or appear similar to, a highway sign or traffic safety device, and are connected to an electrical outlet approved by state code;
(4) No portable sign shall exceed 10 feet in height; and
(5) No portable sign shall be located in a manner so as to interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic flow, visibility, or safety.
(M) Temporary signs (up no more than 30 days) announcing a community event.
(N) Flags and banners, up to a maximum of 10 on a zoning lot. Requests for more than 10 require Planning Commission approval.
(O) Building markers.
(P) Incidental signs.
(Ord. 99, passed 11-18-1996, § 20.06; Am. Ord. 173, passed 11-10-2008; Am. Ord. 09-177, passed 3-18-2009)