§ 26-19. General standards for permitted signs.
Signs which are permitted as accessory uses serving a commercial or informational purpose may be permitted subject to the requirements of this chapter; provided, that no such sign shall be erected or altered until approved by the building official/zoning administrator and until a sign permit has been issued pursuant to chapter 26 of the City of Owosso Code of Ordinances.
(1)
Sign setbacks.
a.
All signs, unless otherwise provided for, shall be set back a minimum of five (5) feet from any public or private street right-of-way line or access drive in all districts. This distance shall be measured from the nearest edge of the sign, measured at a vertical line perpendicular to the ground to the right-of-way.
b.
Side yard setbacks for signs shall be the same as that required for the main structure or building, provided that all nonresidential signs shall be set back at least one hundred (100) feet from any residential district.
(2)
Location. Sign location to assure adequate sight distance. In order to ensure adequate sight distance for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, a minimum clear vision area shall be maintained between a height of twenty-four (24) inches and six (6) feet within a triangular area measured twenty-five (25) feet back from intersection of public right-of-way lines. Furthermore, signs shall not be permitted where they obstruct motorist vision of regulatory signs, traffic-control devices or street signs.
(3)
Design and construction. Signs, as permitted in the various zoning districts, shall be designed to be compatible with the character of building materials and landscaping to promote an overall unified and aesthetic effect in accordance with the standards set forth herein. Signs shall not be constructed from materials that are remnants or manufactured for a different purpose. New box sign panels with a white or tan background must be blackened internally so only the letters show when illuminated.
(4)
Illumination.
a.
Signs may be illuminated, but only by steady, stationary, shielded light sources directed solely at the sign or internal to it.
b.
Use of glaring undiffused lights, bare bulbs, or flames is prohibited.
c.
Lighting shall be shielded and/or pointed downward so as not to project onto adjoining properties or thoroughfares.
d.
Underground wiring shall be required for all illuminated signs not attached to a building.
(5)
Maintenance and construction.
a.
Every sign shall be constructed and maintained in a manner consistent with the Michigan Building Code provisions and maintained in good structural condition at all times. All signs shall be kept neatly painted, stained, sealed or preserved including all metal, wood or other materials used for parts and supports.
b.
All signs erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered or moved shall be constructed in such a manner and of such materials so that they shall be able to withstand wind pressure of at least twenty (20) pounds per square foot or seventy-five (75) miles per hour.
c.
All signs, including any cables, guy wires, or supports shall have a minimum clearance of four (4) feet from any electric fixture, street light, or other public utility pole or standard.
(6)
Measurement. Measurement of allowable sign area (see Figure 26.1 Guidelines for Measuring Sign Face Square Footage below).
a.
The allowable area for signs shall be measured by calculating the square footage of the sign face and any frame or base of other material or color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate it from the background against which it is placed as measured by enclosing the most protruding points or edges of a sign within a parallelogram or rectangle.
b.
When a sign has two (2) or more faces, the area of all faces shall be included in calculating the area of the sign except that where two (2) such faces are placed back to back, only larger face shall be considered, provided that both faces are part of the same structure, contain the same message and are separated by no more than two (2) feet.
c.
For purposes of calculating sign area allowed as a wall sign, the wall sign square footage shall be determined by measuring a parallelogram (box) which includes the portion of the canopy which contains a message, symbol and/or logo (examples are shown on the attached figures).
d.
When a sign consists solely of lettering or other sign elements printed, painted or mounted on a wall of a building without any distinguishing border, panel or background, the calculation for sign area shall be measured by enclosing the most protruding edges of the sign elements within a parallelogram or rectangle.
Guidelines for Measuring Sign Face Square Footage
Figure 26.1
(Ord. No. 783, § 2, 6-19-17; Ord. No. 792, § 1, 5-7-18)