(1) “Air-activated signs.” A sign that is inflated by air or uses air flow to induce movement. Inflatable objects used for signs are often made of flexible fabric and are equipped with a motor to blow air into the object. Air-activated signs are typically temporary and are restrained, attached, or held in place by a cord, rope, cable, or similar method, but can be permanent.
(2) “Animated sign.” A sign that has any visible moving part either constantly or at intervals; flashing, scintillating, intermittent, or oscillating lights; visible mechanical movement of any description; or other apparent visible movement achieved by any means that move, change, flash, oscillate or visibly alters in appearance to depict action, create an image of a living creature or person, or create a special effect or scene. This definition does not include changeable-copy signs and electronic message center (EMC) signs that comply with this chapter.
(3) “Banner sign.” A temporary sign on paper, cloth, fabric or other flexible or combustible material of any kind that is attached flat against a permanent sign face or strung between two poles or structures. National flags, state or municipal flags, or the official flag of any institution or business are not considered banner signs.
(4) “Billboard” (also known as an off-premises sign). Any sign which contains a message or advertises an establishment, product, service, space, or activity not available on the lot on which the sign is located.
(5) “Building marker.” Any sign indicating the name of a building, date of construction and any incidental information about its construction and history, which sign is cut into a masonry surface or made of bronze or other permanent material.
(6) “Canopy (or awning).” A retractable or fixed shelter constructed of materials on a supporting framework that projects from the exterior wall of a building. A canopy or awning is placed over a door, window, entrance, outdoor service area or entire building. The canopy or awning sign is an integral and permanent part of that awning, canopy or other fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover. A marquee sign is not a canopy sign.
(7) “Changeable-copy sign.” A permanent sign or portion thereof on which the copy or symbols change either automatically through electrical or electronic means or manually through placement of copy and symbols on a panel mounted in or on a track system.
(8) “Commercial message.” Any sign wording, logo, or other representation that directly or indirectly names, advertises, or calls attention to a business, product, service, or other commercial activity.
(9) “Construction sign.” Any sign which identifies the owners, financiers, contractors, architects, engineers, or tenants of a project under construction.
(10) “Directional sign.” A sign, commonly informational, that directs movement, provides instructions or is secondary to the use of the lot. Generally, signs of this type indicate the entrance/exit, drive-through location, “no parking” areas, etc.
(11) “Electronic message center (EMC) sign.” An electrically activated changeable-copy sign whose variable message and/or graphic presentation capability can be electronically programmed. EMCs typically use light emitting diodes (LEDs) as lighting sources.
(12) “Entranceway sign.” A sign that identifies the name of a residential subdivision or development and is located at the major entranceways to the subdivision or development.
(13) “Festoons.” A string of ribbons, pennants, spinners, streamers, tinsel, small flags, pinwheels, or lights, typically strung overhead and/or in loops.
(14) “Flag.” Any fabric, banner, or bunting containing distinctive colors, patterns, or symbols used to distinguish a government, political subdivision, or other political entity. Flags are typically supported on one side of the sign. Flags are not considered air-activated signs for the purposes of this Zoning Code.
(15) “Freestanding sign.” Any sign supported by structures or supports that are placed on or anchored in the ground and that are independent from any building or other structure. Freestanding signs include pole and monument signs, but do not include billboards.
(16) “Government sign.” Any sign posted by a unit of government for the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
(17) “Incidental sign.” A small sign, usually two square feet or less, designed and located to be viewed by persons on a property and are generally not visible or legible from the right-of-way or adjacent properties. Examples of incidental signs include, but are not limited to, credit card signs, signs indicating hours of business, no smoking signs, signs used to designate bathrooms, handicapped signs, traffic control signs that conform to the requirements of the Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and other signs providing information to be read at close proximity.
(18) “Interior sign.” A sign placed within a building, but not including a window sign as defined in this chapter, that is not visible from any public street, sidewalk, alley, park, or public property.
(19) “Marquee sign.” Any permanent roof-like structure constructed of permanent materials projecting beyond a building or extending along and projecting beyond the wall of the building. Generally, a marquee is designed and constructed to provide protection from the weather. The marquee sign is affixed to, in any manner, or made part of the marquee and often includes a changeable copy component in addition to the display of a permanent message.
(20) “Monument sign.” A base-mounted, freestanding sign placed on the ground and not attached to any building or other structure. A monument sign includes a solid supporting base of at least twenty-four-inches in height and a width equal to or greater than the width of the sign face.
(21) “Mural.” A design or representation painted on or drawn on a wall which does not contain any promotional or commercial advertising.
(22) “Non-conforming sign.” A sign that was lawfully permitted at the time it was erected but is not permitted under current law.
(23) “Permanent sign.” Any sign which has a permanent location on the ground or which is attached to a structure having a permanent location and which meets the structural requirements for signs as established in this chapter and in the current Michigan Building Code.
(24) “Placard.” A sign that provides notices of a public nature, such as “No Trespassing” or “No Hunting” signs.
(25) “Pole sign.” A freestanding sign which is supported by one or more poles that are attached to the ground in a permanent location and is separated from the ground by air.
(26) “Portable sign.” Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure, as a sign designed to be transported, including but not limited to signs transported by means of wheels; A- or T-frames; menu and sandwich boards; balloons, banners or umbrellas used for advertising; and signs attached to or painted on stationary or abandoned vehicles parked and visible from the public road that are not used in the day-to-day operation of a business.
(27) “Projecting sign.” Any sign, generally doubled-faced, affixed to a building or wall in such a manner that it extends more than twelve-inches from the wall.
(28) “Sign.” Any display or object which is primarily used to identify or display information or direct or attract attention by any means which is visible from any public street, sidewalk, alley, park, or public property and is otherwise located or set upon or in a building, structure, or piece of land. The definition does not include goods displayed in a window.
(29) “Roof sign.” Any sign erected or constructed wholly on and over the roof of a building, supported by the roof structure.
(30) “Temporary sign.” A display sign, banner or other device constructed of cloth, canvas, fabric, plastic, or other light temporary materials, with or without a structural frame, or any other sign intended for a limited period of display that is not permanently anchored to the ground or a building.
(31) “Vehicle business sign.” A sign, painted or otherwise, attached to an operable vehicle that is regularly used and moved, including signs on a truck trailer.
(32) “Wall sign.” Any single-faced sign that is attached directly parallel to a wall, painted on the wall surface of, or erected and confined within the limits of an outside wall of any building or structure, which is supported by such wall or structure; this includes permanent window signs.
(33) “Window sign.” Any sign, picture, symbol, or combination thereof, designed to communicate information about an activity, business, commodity, event, sale, or service, that is placed inside a window located on a wall or door or upon the windowpanes or glass and is visible from the exterior of the structure.
(34) “Yard sign.” A small, temporary sign typically used for non-commercial purposes. Yard signs are characterized by a wire frame, non-durable message surface such as cardboard or paper, and are often inserted into a lawn with wire posts. Although variations exist to the materials of the frame and message board, a consistent physical characteristic is its temporary and disposable nature.
(Ord. 2023-01. Passed 2-7-23.)