B.
These sign standards are adopted to:
(1)
Maintain and enhance the aesthetics of our community.
(2)
Minimize the adverse effects of signs on nearby public and private
property.
(3)
Minimize driver distraction.
(4)
Avoid excessive signage.
(5)
Avoid obstacles, distractions or traffic hazards which impair a traveler's
ability to see pedestrians, traffic signs or vehicles.
(6)
Enhance the effectiveness of necessary directional and warning signs.
(7)
Preserve property values.
(8)
Provide for the effectiveness of permitted signs.
C.
The standards in this chapter are determined to be the minimum necessary
to achieve the above stated purposes.
B.
Prior to construction or establishment of any sign, a permit shall
be obtained from the Building Inspector and/or Zoning Administrator.
C.
A sign permit shall become null and void if the work for which the
permit was issued has not been completed within a period of six months
after the date of the permit. The following operations shall not be
considered as creating a sign, therefore shall not require a sign
permit:
(1)
Replacing copy. The changing of the advertising copy or message on
an approved painted or printed sign or billboard or on a theater marquee
and similar approved signs which are specifically designed for the
use of replaceable copy. This does not include changing the face of
a sign or replacing a face of a sign.
(2)
Maintenance. Painting, repainting, cleaning and other normal maintenance
and repair of a sign or sign structure unless a structural change
is made. This does not include changing the face of a sign or replacing
a face of a sign.
A.
The following signs are prohibited unless a variance shall be applied
for and granted by the Township Board of Zoning Appeals:
(1)
Contain statements, words or pictures of an obscene, indecent or
immoral character, such as will offend morals or decency.
(2)
Contain or are in imitation of an official traffic sign or signal
or contain the words: "stop," "go slow," "caution," "danger," "warning"
or similar words.
(3)
Are of a size, location, movement, content, coloring or manner of
illumination which may be confused with or construed as a traffic
control device or which hide from view any traffic or street sign
or signal.
(4)
Advertise any activity, business, product or service no longer conducted
on the premises upon which the sign is located.
(5)
Move in any manner or have a major moving part or contain or consist
of banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, strings of light
bulbs, spinners or other similarly moving devices. These devices,
when not part of any sign, are similarly prohibited, unless they are
permitted specifically by other legislation.
(6)
Any sign or other advertising structure or display which conveys,
suggests, indicates or otherwise implies by pictures, drawings, words,
emblems, logos, or other communication methods, including, but not
limited to, the following:
(7)
Any sign, except traffic or other municipal-approved signs, as permitted
in this chapter that is located in or projects into or over a public
right-of-way or dedicated easement. No portion of a privately owned
sign, or its supporting structures, such as poles or cables, shall
be placed on or within the air space above publicly owned property,
a public right-of-way (such as a street or sidewalk), or a proposed
public right-of-way.
(8)
Placards, posters, circulars, show bills, handbills, political signs,
cards, leaflets or other advertising matter, except as otherwise provided
herein, shall not be posted, pasted, nailed, placed, printed, stamped
or in any way attached to any fence, wall, post, tree, sidewalk, pavement,
platform, pole, tower, curbstone or surface in or upon any public
easement, right-of-way or any public or private property whatsoever;
provided, however, nothing herein shall prevent official notices of
the Township, school districts, county, state, or federal government
from being posted on any public property deemed necessary. All placards,
posters, circulars, show bills, handbills, political signs, cards,
leaflets or other advertising matter posted, pasted, nailed, placed,
printed, stamped on any right-of-way or public property may be removed
and disposed of by the Midland Charter Township Building Inspector
and/or Zoning Administrator, Township Code Enforcement Officers, and/or
other staff so designated by the Township Board or Township Manager
without regard to other provisions of this chapter.
(9)
Display or parking a motor vehicle or trailer, boat or other similar
vehicle on a lot or premises in a location visible from a public right-of-way,
for the primary purpose of displaying a sign attached to, painted
on or placed on the vehicle or object, with the exception of vehicles
used regularly in the course of conducting the principal use located
on the premises.
B.
District regulations.
(1)
Residential districts.
(b)
Size. For multiple dwellings, one sign totaling 16 square feet
in area shall be permitted. Monument signs shall not exceed four feet
in height. For nonresidential uses, one sign totaling 24 square feet
in area shall be permitted. Monument signs for nonresidential uses
shall not exceed six feet in height.
(c)
Type. Wall or monument sign.
(d)
Electronic message boards. Electronic message boards are not
permitted in any residential district other than those allowed as
a temporary sign.
(e)
Location. Permitted signs may be anywhere on the premises, except as specified within yard area (refer to § 300-9).
(f)
Illumination. Illumination, if used, shall be white light, backlit
and shall not be blinking, fluctuating or moving. Light rays shall
shine only upon the sign or upon the property within the premises
and shall not spill over the property lines in any direction except
by indirect reflection.
(2)
Business districts.
(a)
General. This section of this chapter shall apply to all areas
designated by this chapter as "B" Business Districts.
(b)
Size. A total sign area of 1 1/2 square feet for each lineal
foot of building frontage or 1/2 square foot for each lineal foot
of lot frontage, whichever results in the larger sign area, except
that within B-1 and B-2 Districts, the permitted sign shall not exceed
1/4 square foot for each lineal foot of lot frontage and the total
sign shall not exceed 35 square feet per face.
(c)
Electronic message boards. Electronic message boards, digital
signs and other such similar devices are permitted in business districts
no greater than 24 square feet. The total sign size, inclusive of
any electronic message board, is subject to the size and height limitations
for each district. Only one electronic message board is permitted
per parcel, regardless of its location on the parcel.
(d)
Type. Wall, monument, pole mounted, marquee, canopy sign.
(e)
Location. Signs may be flat-wall signs and located anywhere
on the surface of the building.
[1]
All projecting or pole-mounted signs shall have a minimum clearance
of eight feet above a sidewalk.
[2]
Permitted pole-mounted or monument signs that are braced by their own supports or props may be located anywhere on the premises except as specified within required yard areas (refer to § 300-9). Pole-mounted signs may be extended up to 12 feet above the average ground level at the base of the sign, except monument signs shall not be over four feet above the average ground level at the base of the sign.
[3]
Signs may be on the vertical faces of marquees (canopy or covering
structure projecting from and attached to a building) and may project
below the lower edge of the marquee not more than 12 inches. The bottom
of the marquee signs shall be not less than eight feet above the sidewalk
or grade at any point. No part of the sign shall project above the
vertical marquee face.
[4]
Signs shall be attached to the business structure and not project
above the roofline.
(f)
Illumination. Illumination of signs is permitted in accordance with the restrictions of § 300-30.
(g)
Off-premises signs. Off-premises signs may be permitted in business
districts subject to the conditions for other permitted signs in the
business districts:
[1]
Off-premises signs may be either nonilluminated or illuminated
but nonflashing, provided the direct source of light is shielded in
such a manner so as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed
into adjoining residential structures or at any part of the roads,
streets, or highways, and are of such intensity or brilliance to cause
glare or impair the vision of the driver of any motor vehicle or which
otherwise interfere with any driver's operation of a motor vehicle.
[2]
On all other streets and highways within the jurisdiction of
this chapter, no off-premises sign may be established within 2,000
feet of any other off-premises sign on the same side of the street.
(3)
Industrial districts.
(a)
General. This section of this chapter shall apply to all areas
designated by this chapter as "M-1" Industrial Districts.
(b)
Size. There is permitted in this zone, for each individual establishment,
one sign for each street frontage, each with a maximum area of one
square foot for each lineal foot of building street frontage or 1/2
square foot for each lineal foot of property street frontage, whichever
is greater, but the maximum total of all permitted signs for any establishment
shall not exceed 64 square feet per face, limited to two faces back-to-back.
(c)
Electronic message boards. Electronic message boards, digital
signs and other such similar devices are permitted in industrial districts
no greater than 24 square feet. The total sign size, inclusive of
any electronic message board, is subject to the size and height limitations
for each district. Only one electronic message board is permitted
per parcel, regardless of its location on the parcel.
(d)
Type. Wall, monument, pole-mounted, marquee or canopy sign.
(e)
Location. Requirements shall be the same as for business districts.
(g)
Off-premises signs. Off-premises signs may be permitted in commercial
and industrial districts subject to the conditions hereinafter cited
in this chapter:
[1]
Off-site signs may be either nonilluminated or illuminated but
nonflashing, provided the direct source of light is shielded in such
a manner so as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed
into adjoining residential structures or at any portion of the roads
and streets and are of such intensity or brilliance to cause glare
or impair the vision of the driver of any motor vehicle or which otherwise
interfere with any operation of a motor vehicle.
[2]
On all other streets and highways within the jurisdiction of
this chapter, no off-premises sign may be established within 2,000
feet of any other off-premises sign on the same side of the street.
The following signs shall be permitted anywhere within the Township.
They shall conform with all yard requirements. All monument signs
shall not exceed a height of four feet above ground level, and all
pole-mounted signs shall not exceed a height of six feet above ground
level. Permitted signs shall conform to the following cited requirements
and shall not be illuminated.
A.
Construction signs which identify the architects, engineers, contractors
and other individuals or firms involved with the construction, but
not including any advertisement of any product, and signs announcing
the character of the building enterprise or the purpose for which
the building is intended, during the construction period, shall be
limited to a maximum area of 20 square feet for each firm. The signs
shall be confined to the site of the construction and shall be removed
within 14 days of the completion of the project. There is a limit
of one such sign per construction project. Such signs shall be removed
when the project is substantially complete and/or a certificate of
occupancy is issued.
B.
Real estate signs advertising the sale, rental or lease of the premises
or part of the premises on which the signs are displayed, up to a
total area of 12 square feet. Such signs shall be removed within 14
days of the sale, rental or lease. There is a limit of one such sign
per parcel, excepting that if the parcel is located on a corner, one
additional sign may be permitted as long as they are spaced a minimum
of 400 feet apart.
C.
Political campaign signs announcing the candidates seeking public
political office and other dates pertinent thereto, up to an area
of 32 square feet for each premises. These signs shall not exceed
six feet in height and shall be limited to one sign per lot. These
signs shall be confined within private property and removed within
14 days after the election.
D.
Street banners advertising a public entertainment or event, if specially
approved by the local legislative board and only for locations designated
by the legislative body during and for 14 days before and seven days
after the event, if advertising an event, or no more than 21 days
in total.
E.
Window signs in a window display of merchandise when incorporated
with such a display.
F.
Portable signs intended to convey a message for a short period of
time, not to exceed 45 days per calendar year from date of erection.
These signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area nor shall they
be greater than six feet in height. There is a limit of one such sign
per lot per parcel. A temporary sign permit is required for each such
sign.
G.
Home occupation or agriculture sales. A resident shall have no more
than one sign at any given time, and all signs shall be permitted
for not more that a total of 90 cumulative days in a given calendar
year. There is an application fee, established by resolution of the
Township Board from time to time, required by the Township for such
signs. These signs shall not exceed four square feet in area.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
The following types of signs are exempted from all the provisions
of this chapter, except for the following requirements:
A.
Public signs. Signs of a noncommercial nature and in the public interest,
erected by, or on the order of, a public officer in the performance
of his public duty, such as safety signs, danger signs, trespassing
signs, traffic signs, memorial plaques, signs of historical interest
and the like.
B.
Integral. Name of buildings, families, date of erection, monumental
citations, commemorative tables and the like when carved into stone,
concrete or similar material or made of bronze, aluminum, part of
the roof materials or other permanent type construction and made an
integral part of the structure.
C.
Private traffic direction. Signs directing traffic movement onto a premises or within a premises, not exceeding three square feet in area for each sign or three feet in height. Illumination of these signs shall be permitted in accordance with § 300-30.
D.
Temporary land development project signs pertaining to the sale,
lease, rent or development of a subdivision, planned shopping center,
industrial park or similar land parcel are allowed for a period of
one year upon issuance of a permit by the Building Inspector and/or
Zoning Administrator, and further, said permit may be extended for
one additional year by the Building Inspector and/or Zoning Administrator
after a duly advertised public hearing.
(1)
Total number of signs allowed, together with maximum size, shall
be controlled according to the following schedule:
|
Land Size
|
Total Number Signs
|
Maximum Area Per Sign
(square feet)
|
|---|---|---|
|
Over 1 acre but less than 4 acres
|
1
|
100
|
|
Over 4 acres but less than 20 acres
|
2
|
100
|
|
Over 20 acres
|
3
|
100
|
(2)
Signs are not allowed on parcels of less than one acre and shall
not exceed a maximum height of six feet.
E.
Permanent joint sign(s) for an industrial or commercial complex pertaining
to the identification of the complex or its occupants are permitted.
Up to 24 square feet of such sign shall be permitted to be an electronic
message board sign, subject to all other requirements of this district.
(1)
Commercial centers. Maximum size and number of signs shall be controlled
according to the following:
(a)
Neighborhood centers: 100 square feet per face for complexes
comprising less than five acres. Maximum of one sign permitted.
(b)
Community centers: 100 square feet per face for complexes of
over five acres except as provided following. Maximum of two signs
permitted.
(c)
Regional centers: 100 square feet per face for complexes of
50 acres or more. Maximum of three signs permitted.
(2)
Industrial complexes. Maximum size and number of signs shall be controlled
according to the following:
(a)
One hundred square feet per face for industrial plants or complexes,
maximum of two signs permitted.
(3)
Locational requirements shall be the same as for B Business Districts, § 300-26B(2)(c), except as specified in the following:
(4)
Wall signs for an individual business are further allowed pursuant
to the requirements of B Business Districts.
A.
The light from any illuminated sign shall be so shaded, shielded
or directed that the light intensity or brightness will not spill
onto surrounding areas.
B.
No sign shall have blinking, flashing or fluttering lights or other
illuminating devices such as changing light intensity, brightness
or color. Beacon lights are not permitted. All illumination shall
be backlit.
C.
Electronic message boards shall be exempt from this requirement by
their nature; however, any sign if deemed to be a traffic hazard shall
be altered or removed so as to improve the safety of vehicles traveling
the roadway.
D.
No colored lights shall be used at any location or in any manner
so as to be confused with or construed as traffic control devices.
E.
Neither the direct nor reflected light from primary light sources
shall create a traffic hazard to operators of motor vehicles on public
thoroughfares.
F.
No exposed, reflective-type bulbs and no strobe light or incandescent
lamp which exceeds 15 watts shall be used on the exterior surface
of any sign so as to expose the face of the bulb, light or lamp to
any public street or adjacent property.
All signs shall comply with the pertinent requirements of the
Building Code and all other applicable ordinances.
A.
Inspection. Signs for which a permit is required may be inspected
periodically by the Building Inspector and/or Zoning Administrator
for compliance with this and other codes of the municipality.
B.
Tagging. All signs requiring permits shall display, in a place conspicuous
to inspectors, the name of the owner or erector as the inspector may
designate.
C.
Maintenance. All signs and components thereof shall be kept in good
repair and in safe, neat, clean and attractive condition.
D.
Removal of sign. The Building Inspector and/or Zoning Administrator
may order the removal of any sign erected or maintained in violation
of this chapter. He shall give 30 days' notice, in writing, to
the owner of such sign, or of the building, structure or premises
on which such sign is located, to remove a sign immediately and without
notice if, in his opinion, the condition of the sign is such as to
present an immediate threat to the safety of the public.
E.
Abandoned signs.
(1)
A sign shall be removed by the owner or lessee of the premises upon
which the sign is located when the business which it advertises is
no longer conducted on the premises. If the owner or lessee fails
to remove it, the Building Inspector and/or Zoning Administrator shall
give the owner 15 days' notice to remove it. Upon failure to
comply with this notice, the Building Inspector and/or Zoning Administrator
or his duly authorized representative may remove the sign at cost
to the owner.
(2)
When a successor to a defunct business agrees to maintain the signs
as provided in this chapter, this removal requirement shall not apply.
