R-1-R Rural residential.
R-1-S Suburban residential.
R-1 Single-family residential.
R-2 Multiple-family residential.
R-3 Mobile home park.
RO-1 Restricted office.
C-1 Local business.
C-2 Planned shopping center.
REC Recreation.
E Proving ground.
M-1 Light industrial.
M-2 General industrial.
M-3 Extractive industrial.

(Ord. No. 101, § 3.01, 3-23-71)
Sec. 19-32. Map.
The boundaries of the zoning districts are shown upon the map attached hereto and made a part of this chapter, which map is designated as the "Official Zoning Map of the Township of Milford." The zoning map shall be maintained and kept on file with the township clerk, and all notations, references, and other information shown thereon are a part of this chapter and have the same force and effect as if the zoning map and all such notations, references and other information shown thereon were fully set forth or described herein.
(Ord. No. 101, § 3.02, 3-23-71)
Sec. 19-33. Interpretation of district boundaries.
(a) Except where reference on the official zoning map to a street or other designated line by the dimensions shown on such map, the district boundary lines follow lot lines or the centerlines of the streets, alleys, railroads or such lines extended and the corporate limits of the township as they existed at the time of the adoption of this chapter.
(b) Where a district boundary line, as established in this section or as shown on the map, divides a lot which was in a single ownership and of record at the time of enactment of this chapter, the use authorized thereon and the other district requirements applying to the least restricted portion of such lot, under this chapter, shall be considered as extending to the entire lot, provided that the more restricted portion of such lot is entirely within 25 feet of such dividing district boundary line. The use so extended shall be deemed to be conforming.
(c) Questions concerning the exact location of district boundary lines shall be determined by the board of appeals after recommendation from the planning commission, according to rules and regulations which may be adopted by it.
(Ord. No. 101, § 3.03, 3-23-71)
Secs. 19-34--19-55. Reserved.
ARTICLE III. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 19-56. Conflicting regulations.
Whenever any provision of this chapter imposes more stringent requirements, regulations, restrictions or limitations than are imposed or required by the provisions of any other law or chapter, the provisions of this chapter shall govern.
(Ord. No. 101, § 4.01, 3-23-71)
Sec. 19-57. Scope.
No building or structure, or part thereof, shall hereinafter be erected, constructed, reconstructed or altered and maintained, and no new use or change shall be made or maintained of any building, structure or land, or part thereof, except in conformity with the provisions of the chapter.
(Ord. No. 101, § 4.02, 3-23-71)
Sec. 19-58. Street, alley, railroad rights-of-way.
All street, alley and railroad rights-of-way, shall be deemed to be in the same zone as the property immediately abutting upon such street, alley or railroad rights-of-way. Where the centerline of a street or alley serves as a district boundary, the zoning of such street or alley, unless otherwise specifically designated, shall be deemed to be the same as that of the abutting property up to such centerline.
(Ord. No. 101, § 4.03, 3-23-71)
Sec. 19-59. Permitted area and placement.
(a) All such dwellings must be permanently attached to a perimeter foundation approved by the township building official. Such foundations shall extend a minimum of 42 inches below the adjacent ground level for frost protection.
(b) In no instance shall any dwelling transported to the building site on its own wheels, flatbed or other trailer be installed with the wheels on. Before any such dwelling is so transported to any site within the township, pictures, renderings and/or drawings shall be furnished by the owner of the structure to the building official for the township for review as set forth in this chapter. Should such pictures, renderings and/or drawings be unavailable, actual costs shall be paid by the owner of such structure for the travel expenses of the township building official to view the structure prior to its arrival within the township.
In addition, no dwelling shall be moved into the township without conformance to section 19-72 and no dwelling so moved into the township shall be permanently located with any exposed towing mechanism, undercarriage or chassis.
(c) All dwellings shall be permanently connected to a source of potable water, either public or private, which is approved by the local health department.
(d) All dwellings shall be permanently connected to a sanitary waste disposal system, either public or private, which is approved by the local health department.
(e) All dwellings shall have a minimum horizontal dimension across all front, side and rear building facades of 20 feet with the exception of minor architectural features, including but not limited to vestibules, enclosed porches and attached garages which may be less than 20 feet.
(f) All dwellings shall comply with the state construction code, as promulgated by the state construction code commission under the provisions of Act No. 230 of the Public Acts of Michigan of 1972 (MCL 125.1501 et seq., MSA 5.2949(1) et seq.), as amended.
Where a dwelling is required by law to comply with any federal or state standards or regulations for basic construction that are in conflict with the Michigan State Construction Code as outlined above, such federal or state standards or regulations shall apply.
(g) All dwellings shall contain a storage capability of ten percent of the square footage of the dwelling or 100 square feet, whichever is less.
Such storage area shall be located in a basement under the dwelling, in an attic area, in closet areas or in a separate structure of construction similar to and of equal or better quality than the principal dwelling.
(h) In order to facilitate the drainage of stormwater, all dwellings shall have either a roof overhang of not less than six inches on all sides or alternatively have window sills and roof drainage systems concentrating roof drainage at collection points along the sides of the dwelling.
(i) No dwelling shall contain an addition or rooms or other area which is not constructed with compatible quality workmanship and materials as the original structure including but not limited to permanent attachment to the principal structure and a perimeter foundation, as required in this chapter.
(j) All dwellings shall comply with all pertinent building energy and fire codes. In the case of a mobile home, all construction and all plumbing, electrical apparatus and insulation within and connected to such mobile home shall conform to the "Mobile Home Construction and Safety Standards," as promulgated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, being 24 CFR 3280, and as the same may be from time to time amended.
(k) Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, no mobile home may be used or occupied as a dwelling in an R-2, multiple family residential district, except as permitted in this chapter for use as a single-family dwelling.
(l) The dwelling shall be aesthetically compatible in design and appearance with other residences in the vicinity. There shall be no less than two exterior doors with the second one being in either the rear or side of the dwelling with steps connected to such exterior door areas or to porches connected to such door areas where a difference in elevation requires the same.
The compatibility of design and appearance shall be determined in the first instance by the township building official upon review of the plans submitted for a particular dwelling subject to appeal by an aggrieved party to the zoning board of appeals within a period of 30 days from the receipt of notice of the building official's decision. Any determination of compatibility shall be based upon the standards set forth in the within definition of "dwelling unit," as well as the character, design and appearance of one or more residential dwelling located outside of mobile home parks within 2,000 feet of the subject dwelling where such area is situated within such area; or, where such area is not so developed, by the character, design and appearance of one or more residential dwellings located outside of mobile home parks throughout the township. The foregoing shall not be construed to prohibit innovative design concepts involving such matters as solar energy, view, unique land contour or relief from the common or standard designed home.
(m) The foregoing standards shall apply to any mobile home located within a licensed mobile home park except to the extent required by state or federal law or otherwise specifically required in the township ordinances pertaining to such parks.
(n) For all dwelling units as set forth in the provisions of this section, in order to facilitate the inspection of basements or crawl spaces during inclement weather, or in case of a fire, undistinguishable odor, mechanical or electrical problems, a readily-accessible access opening not less than 22 inches by 30 inches shall be provided from the interior of such dwelling.
(Ord. No. A22, § 1(b), 5-26-82; Ord. No. A48, § 1(4.04), 6-15-88)
Sec. 19-60. Permitted height.
(a) No building shall be erected, converted, enlarged, reconstructed or structurally altered to exceed the height limit hereinafter established for the district, in which the building is located, except penthouses or roof structures for housing of elevators, stairways, tanks, ventilating fans or similar equipment required to operate and maintain the building and fire or parapet walls, skylights, towers, steeples, stage lofts, and screens, flagpoles, chimneys, smokestacks and domestic television aerials and wireless mass (other than amateur radio/citizen radio antennas), roof attached wireless communication facilities, water tanks or similar structures may be erected to exceed by more than 15 feet than height limits of the district in which it is located; nor shall such structures have a total area greater than ten percent of the roof area of the building; nor shall such structures be used for any residential purpose or any commercial or industrial purpose other than a use incidental to the main use of the building, unless that structure is a roof attached wireless communication facility.
(b) Amateur radio/citizen radio antennas shall not exceed 65 feet above grade in an R-1-R, R-1-S, R-1, R-2 and R-3 district, or more than 30 feet above the height limits of a nonresidential district in which it is located. A building permit shall be required for any antenna support structure excluding the height of any building to which the antenna support structure is attached, which exceeds 12 feet. No antenna shall protrude in any manner upon adjoining property or upon public right-of-way. Ground-mounted antenna support structures may be erected only in a rear or side yard.
(Ord. No. A51, § 2(4.05), 8-16-89; Ord. No. 156-A97b, § 1, 10-17-01)
Sec. 19-61. Lot limitations.
In single-family zoning districts, only one principal building shall be placed on a lot of record with the exception of parcels of record described and designated as "outlots" which may be so arranged or subdivided as to provide for one or more principal buildings where the land area allocated to each building is equal to or greater than the lot area required for the district and the building and land complies with all the other requirements on land subdivided according to the Plat Act, MCL 560.101 et seq., MSA 26.430(101) et seq.
(Ord. No. 101, § 4.06, 3-23-71)
Sec. 19-62. Lots, yards and open spaces.
No space which for the purpose of a building has been counted or calculated as part of a side yard, rear yard, front yard, or other open space, including required lot area per dwelling unit, required by this chapter, may by reason of change in ownership or otherwise be counted or calculated to satisfy or comply with a yard or other open space or lot area requirements for any other building.
(Ord. No. 101, § 4.07, 3-23-71)
Sec. 19-63. Porches, patios and terraces.
An open, unenclosed porch, paved patio or terrace may project into the minimum front or rear yard for a distance not to exceed ten feet.
(Ord. No. 101, § 4.08, 3-23-71)
Sec. 19-64. Projections into yards.
Architectural features, not including vertical projections, may extend or project into a required side yard not more than two inches for each one foot of width of such side yard and may extend or project into a required front yard or rear yard not more than three feet.
(Ord. No. 101, § 4.09, 3-23-71)
Sec. 19-65. Required street frontage.
Any parcel of land which is occupied by a use or building shall front its full width on, and provide direct access to a public street or private easement.
(Ord. No. 101, § 4.10, 3-23-71; Ord. No. 101A, § 1, 12-19-01)
Sec. 19-66. Appearance.
Any case where a building or accessory building in a nonresidential district is erected or placed on any parcel of land fronting upon any public street, all sides of such building or accessory building visible from a public right-of-way or private road easement serving two or more parcels shall be constructed of decorative materials such as, but not limited to, stone, face brick, aggregate panels or other types of panels when applied on a masonry wall as decoration only and having a guaranteed finish life of ten years or more. Painted masonry or masonry units shall not be deemed as complying with this section. No building shall be constructed of tarred paper, tin, corrugated iron or any form of pressed board or felt or similar material within the limits herein specified.
(Ord. No. 101, § 4.11, 3-23-71; Ord. No. 156-A94, § 1, 1-24-01)
Sec. 19-67. Dwellings in nonresidential districts.
No dwelling shall be erected in the RO-1, C-1, C-2, E, REC, M-1, M-2 or M-3 zoning districts. However, the sleeping quarters of a watchman or a caretaker may be permitted in such districts in conformance with the specific requirements of the particular district.
(Ord. No. 101, § 4.12, 3-23-71)
Sec. 19-68. Dwellings in other than main structure.
No residential structure shall be erected upon any required rear yard of a lot or upon a lot with another dwelling.
(Ord. No. 101, § 4.13, 3-23-71)
Sec. 19-69. Accessory buildings, structures, and swimming pools in residential districts.
In residentially zoned districts, accessory buildings, structures and swimming pools, except as otherwise permitted in this chapter, shall be subject to the following regulations:
(1) Where the accessory building or structure is structurally attached to a main building, it shall be subject to and must conform to all regulations of this chapter applicable to main buildings. Detached accessory buildings and structures shall not be erected in any required front yard.
(2) Detached accessory buildings, structures and swimming pools shall not be erected in any front yard, except that in an R-1-R district a detached accessory building, structure or swimming pool may be erected in a front yard subject to the following standards:
a. A main farm barn building shall be set back not less than 150 feet from front property line. (Refer also to section 19-526, footnote f).
b. For other than a main farm barn building, the setback shall be at least half the front yard setback of the main house building but not less than the minimum required front yard setback for the district wherein located.
c. Landscaping of accessory building environs is required.
(3) An accessory building, structure or swimming pool may occupy not more than 25 percent of a required rear yard, plus 40 percent of any nonrequired rear yard; provided, that in no instance shall the accessory building exceed the ground floor area of the main building. Notwithstanding the above, an accessory building in an R-1-R or R-1-S district may exceed the ground floor area of the main building on the lot if:
a. Such accessory building is customarily incidental to an existing permitted principal use in the R-1-R or R-1-S district in which located.
b. Does not exceed 2,500 square feet in ground floor area.
c. Is not located closer than 25 feet to any property line.
d. Is located behind the rear building line of the principal building on the lot.
e. Is located no closer than 100 feet from any dwelling.
(4) When an accessory building, structure or swimming pool is located on a corner lot, the side lot line which is adjacent to the side street and which is a continuation of the front lot line of the lot to its rear, said building, structure or swimming pool shall not project beyond the front yard line required on the lot in rear of such corner lot.
(5) No detached accessory building, structure or swimming pool shall be located closer than ten feet to any principal building nor shall it be located closer than three feet to any side or rear lot line, except that all accessory buildings for the keeping and raising of horses, fowl, rabbits or other small animals shall be located no closer than 100 feet to any principal building nor closer than 25 feet to any property line. For accessory buildings 121 square feet or more in floor area, minimum spacing from any side or rear lot line shall be 25 feet.
(6) No detached accessory building in a residential zoning district shall exceed permitted height allowed for residential zoning districts in 19-526, Table A.
(7) With respect to existing legal nonconforming accessory buildings in an R-1-R district as of May 17, 2000, such may be restored or structurally altered, without approval of the zoning board of appeals, provided there is no increase in existing building height or setbacks, and there is compliance with the township building code.
(Ord. No. 101, § 4.14, 3-23-71; Ord. No. A43, § 4, 11-18-87; Ord. No. A45, § 2, 12-16-87; Ord. No. 156-A65, §§ 1, 2, 12-15-93; Ord. No. 156-A68, §§ 1, 2, 8-10-94; Ord. No. 156-A80, § 1, 10-21-98; Ord. No. 156-A82, § 1, 5-17-00)
Sec. 19-70. Occupancy; temporary garages, accessory building, basement apartments prohibited.
Buildings erected after the effective date of this chapter as garages or accessory buildings shall not be occupied for dwelling purposes. No basement or cellar apartment shall be used or occupied for dwelling purposes at any time.
(Ord. No. 101, § 4.15, 3-23-71)
Sec. 19-71. Building grades.
(a) Any building requiring yard space shall be located at such an elevation that a sloping grade shall be maintained to cause the flow of surface water to run away from the walls of the building. A sloping grade beginning at the sidewalk level, shall be maintained and established from the center of the front lot line to the finished grade line at the front of the building, and also from the rear lot line to the front, both grades sloping to the front property line. However, this shall not prevent the grading of a yard space to provide sunken or terraced areas, provided proper means are constructed and maintained to prevent run-off of surface water from flowing onto the adjacent properties. Grade elevations shall be determined by using the elevation at the centerline of the road in front of the lot as the established grade or such grade determined by the township engineer or zoning administrator.
(b) When a new building is constructed on a vacant lot between two existing buildings or adjacent to an existing building, the existing established grade shall be used in determining the grade around the new building and the yard around the new building shall be graded in such a manner as to meet existing grades and not to permit run-off surface water to flow onto the adjacent property.
(c) Final grades shall be approved by the zoning administrator who may require a "Certificate of Grading and Location of Building within the Township of Milford," which has been duly completed and certified by a registered engineer or land surveyor.
(Ord. No. 101, § 4.16, 3-23-71)
Sec. 19-72. Buildings to be moved.
No permit shall be granted for the moving of buildings or structures from without or within the limits of the township to be placed on property within such limits unless the zoning administrator shall have made an inspection of the building to be moved and has found that it is structurally safe, will not adversely affect the character of existing buildings in the neighborhood of the new location and will fully comply with the building code and other codes regulating the health, safety and general welfare of the township. In addition to securing a permit, a performance bond shall be provided by the applicant desiring to move a building or structure in an amount as established by the township board. Such performance bond shall be of such amount as to permit the completion of a new foundation and other improvements to such moved building or structure in order to make it suitable for occupancy within a period of not less than six months from date of such permit.
(Ord. No. 101, § 4.17, 3-23-71)
Sec. 19-73. Excavations or holes.
The construction, maintenance or existence within the township of any unprotected, unbarricaded, open or dangerous excavations, holes, pits or wells, which constitute or are reasonably likely to constitute a danger or menace to the public health, safety or welfare, are hereby prohibited; provided, however, this section shall not prevent any excavation under a permit issued, pursuant to this chapter, where such excavations are properly protected and warning signs posted in such a manner as may be approved by the zoning administrator and provided further, that this section shall not apply to streams, natural bodies of water or to ditches, streams, reservoirs or other major bodies of water created or existing by authority of the state, the county, the township or other governmental agency.
(Ord. No. 101, § 4.18, 3-23-71)
Sec. 19-74. Restoring unsafe buildings.
Nothing in this chapter shall prevent the strengthening or restoration to a safe condition of any part of any building or structure declared unsafe by the zoning administrator, or required to comply with his lawful order.
(Ord. No. 101, § 4.19, 3-23-71)
Sec. 19-75. Construction begun prior to adoption.
Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to require any change in the plans, construction or design use of any building upon which actual construction was lawfully begun prior to March 23, 1971 and upon which building actual construction has been diligently carried on, and provided further, that such building shall be completed within two years from March 23, 1971.
(Ord. No. 101, § 4.20, 3-23-71)
Sec. 19-76. Voting place.
The provisions of this chapter shall not be so construed as to interfere with the temporary use of any property as a voting place in connection with a township or other public election.
(Ord. No. 101, § 4.21, 3-23-71)
Sec. 19-77. Approval of plats.
No proposed plat of a new or redesigned subdivision shall be approved by either the township board or planning commission unless the lots within such plat equal or exceed the minimum size and width requirements set forth in the various districts of this chapter, and unless such a plat fully conforms with the statutes of the state and chapter 16 as may be adopted.
(Ord. No. 101, § 4.22, 3-23-71)
Sec. 19-78. Essential services.
Essential services shall be permitted as authorized under any franchise or that which may be regulated by any law of the state or any ordinance of the township, it being the intention hereof to exempt such essential services from the application of this chapter.
(Ord. No. 101, § 4.23, 3-23-71)
Sec. 19-79. Signs.
(a) Intent. The township finds that signs and other visual outdoor advertising tends to promote commerce and are related to the health, safety, and/or general welfare of the residents of the community, and that the preservation of the existing character of the community requires regulation of signs and of other visual outdoor advertising. The township finds that failure to regulate the size, location, and construction of signs and other outdoor advertising may have an adverse effect upon the promotion of business and commerce in the township, may lead to poor identification of businesses, may have an adverse effect upon the existing aesthetic character of the township and may cause deterioration of business and residential areas of the community. Therefore, the purpose of this section and the subsections thereunder is to:
(1) Permit such signs and visual outdoor advertising as will not, by reason of their size, location, or manner of display endanger public health and/or safety, confuse or mislead traffic, or obstruct vision necessary for traffic and pedestrian safety;
(2) Regulate signs and other visual outdoor advertising in such a way as to prevent the placement of signs, and other visual outdoor advertising in a manner that will conceal or obscure other signs and other visual outdoor advertising on adjacent businesses;
(3) Keep the number of signs and sign messages at a minimum level reasonably necessary to identify a business and its products;
(4) Keep signs within a reasonable scale with respect to the buildings to which they relate;
(5) Prevent off-premise signs from conflicting with business, residential and public land uses; and
(6) Prohibit signs and other visual outdoor advertising which will have an adverse effect upon the existing aesthetic character of not only the zoning district in which they are located, but also upon the overall existing aesthetic character of the township.
(b) Definitions.The following definitions shall apply to the specific type signs. (See also Sign Types diagram.)
Accessory shall mean a sign which is accessory to the principal use of the premises such as, but not limited to, a wall sign.
Banner shall mean a sign usually consisting of a larger square or rectangular piece of cloth, netting, etc., duly inscribed and suspended in public view, as across a street, in front of a building, or from a light fixture or pole.
Canopy (awning) sign shall mean a sign that is painted on, attached to, and made an integral component of an awning or canopy that is otherwise permitted by ordinance.
Changeable copy sign shall mean a sign or portion thereof with characters, letters, or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged without altering the face or the surface of the sign. A sign on which the message changes more than eight times per day shall be considered an animated sign and not a changeable copy sign for purposes of this section. A sign on which the only copy that changes is an electronic or mechanical indication of time, or temperature or stock market messages shall be considered a "time/weather/stock market" portion of a sign and not a changeable copy sign for purposes of this section.
Construction sign shall mean temporary signs identifying active or pending development projects constructed or installed in accordance with the requirements in subsection 19-79(j).
Decorative display shall mean a temporary display designated for the entertainment or cultural enrichment of the public and having no direct or indirect sales or advertising.
Directory sign shall mean an off-premises ground sign listing only the name(s) of tenants or occupants of a building, group of buildings, and/or business district, their professions or business activities, and their direction or location.
Freestanding sign shall mean a sign attached to a permanent foundation, supported above the ground not less than five feet, as measured from grade to the bottom of the sign by one or more poles, posts, or similar uprights with or without braces, upon which announcements, declarations, displays, etc., may be placed.
Inflatable sign shall mean a sign consisting of a balloon or other gas filled figure.
Monument sign shall mean a sign extending upward from grade which is attached to a permanent foundation for a distance not less than 50 percent of its length, and which may be attached or dependent for support from any pole, posts, or similar uprights provided such supports are concealed within the sign structure.
Marquee sign shall mean a sign attached to or hung from a marquee, canopy, or other structure projecting from and supported by the building and extending beyond the building wall.
Nonaccessory shall mean any sign which contains a message unrelated to or not advertising a business transacted or goods sold or produced on the premises on which the sign is located; also called a remote sign, billboard, or off-premise sign.
Political sign shall mean a sign, typically temporary in nature, which promotes political parties, candidates, or proposals.
Portable sign shall mean any sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure, or a sign designed to be transported, including, but not limited to, signs designed to be transported by means of wheels; sign converted to a- or t-frames; menu and sandwich board signs; balloons used as signs; umbrellas used for advertising; and signs attached to or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public right-of-way, unless said vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day operations of the business.
Projecting sign shall mean a sign which is affixed to any building or structure other than a marquee, and any part of which extends beyond the building wall and the horizontal sign surface is not parallel to the building wall.
Residential development sign shall mean a sign identifying the name of a subdivision, condominium complex, or other residential development.
Roof sign shall mean a sign which is erected, constructed, and maintained above any portion of the roof or exterior wall of a building or structure.
Sign shall mean any announcement, declaration, display, billboard, illustration, or insignia when designed and placed so as to attract general public attention and convey a message and may include the use of any words, numerals, figures, devices, designs, or trademarks by which anything is made known and visible to the general public such as are used to show an individual firm, profession, business, or business location, and also any banner, bulbs, or other lighting devices, streamer, pennant, balloon, propeller, flag (other than the official flag of any nation or state) and any similar device of any type or kind whether bearing lettering or not.
Temporary construction sign shall mean a sign identifying the names of the project developers, contractors, engineers, architects, and financial institutions, along with the project name and its features, which is located on a site being developed or improved.
Temporary sign shall mean a sign, or other advertising device constructed of cloth, canvas, fabric, plastic, or other light temporary material, with or without a structural frame, or any other sign, intended for a limited period of display such as, but not limited to, banners or portable signs.
Wall sign shall mean a sign which is attached directly to a building wall with the horizontal sign surface parallel to the building wall, including signs painted on any building wall.
Window sign shall mean a sign painted on or affixed to glass surfaces of windows or doors and pertaining to and identifying only the lawful business conducted therein, or the products or services offered on site.
(c) Scope of application. All signs erected or located in any zoning district shall comply with the following regulations; however, the following signs shall not be included in the application of the regulations contained herein:
(1) Signs not exceeding one square foot in area and bearing only property numbers, post box numbers, names of occupants of premises, or other identification of premises not having commercial connotations. Numbering of buildings shall conform to the requirements of section 4-84 of this Code.
(2) Flags and insignia of any government except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.
(3) Legal notices or identification, informational or directional signs erected or required by governmental bodies.
(4) Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings, including ornamental banners used at a private residence, except letters, trademarks, moving parts or moving lights.
(5) Signs directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property, but bearing no advertising matter.
(6) Yard sale signs; provided that no person shall attach in any way posters, notices or advertisements to utility poles, meter posts, or trees in or along any street right-of-way within the township; and that no person shall put up any notice upon any building, wall or fence or other property of another person without having first obtained the consent of the owner of such property. The maximum time limit for all yard sale signs is three consecutive days within six calendar months.
(7) Gasoline price signs; provided the total sign area is less than 12 square feet.
(8) At gasoline stations, corporate identification signs of less than ten square feet for each side of the canopy, attached directly to a canopy providing coverage to pump islands.
(9) Signs painted on, or affixed to, glass surfaces of windows or doors and pertaining to and identifying only the lawful business conducted therein, not exceeding two square feet in area.
(10) Wall murals and similar graphics containing no direct advertisement, subject to the review and approval of the planning commission.
(11) All incandescent light sources shall be shielded from view of a residential property.
(d) Prohibited signs.
(1) Marquee, projecting or roof signs.
(2) Permanent exterior banners, pennants, spinners, and streamers.
(3) Exterior string lights used in the connection with commercial premise, other than holiday decorations.
(4) Any sign which is structurally or electrically unsafe.
(5) Signs painted directly on structures or signs painted on, attached, or affixed to any tree, rock, or similar organic or inorganic natural matter.
(6) Freestanding signs, except as may be provided by subsection (i)(4)a. below.
(7) Nonaccessory signs, except as provided under temporary signs in subsection (j) below.
(8) There shall be no flashing, oscillating, intermittent or running circulatory lights on any sign in the township, except that time/weather/stock market signs may be permitted provided the frequency of the message change shall be not less than every ten seconds, the illumination of the sign shall be no brighter than one footcandle measured four feet from the sign, and the area displaying time/weather/stock market messages is included within the maximum sign area permitted on site. (See also definition of changeable copy sign.)
(9) There shall be no red, blue or green illumination on any sign located in the same line of vision as a traffic control system, no interference with vision clearance along any highway, street or road or at any intersection of two or more streets. No sign shall be so located, directed, [or] constructed as to be a hazard to pedestrians or vehicular traffic safety as determined by the county sheriff or township building official.
(e) General conditions. Except as otherwise provided, the following conditions shall apply in all districts:
(1) A building permit shall be required for the erection, construction or alteration of any sign, except as herein provided, and each such sign shall be approved by the township building official as to its conforming to the requirements of the zoning district wherein such sign is to be located and the requirements of this section.
(2) No sign, except those placed and maintained by the township, county or state shall be located in, overhang or encroach upon any public right-of-way.
(3) Historical marker signs of a recognized township, state, county or federal historical preservation agency are permitted in any zoning district provided they do not exceed ten square feet in area on each side, seven feet in height, and provide a minimum ten-foot setback from any property line. Signs may be freestanding signs or placed on a wall face.
(4) Illumination of signs shall be in accordance with the following standards:
a. In no case shall any sign exceed a lighting level of eight hundredths (0.08) footcandles and a luminous brightness of 2,400 foot lamberts, when measured at the property line. For purposes of this section, foot lambert shall be defined as the average "brightness" of any surface emitting or reflecting one lumen per square foot.
b. No glare or direct view of the light source (lamp) shall be observed from any adjacent property or roadway.
c. Signs in residential districts shall not be internally illuminated; instead, such lighting may only be provided by a projecting light source which is shielded to reduce glare and so arranged to reflect lights away from neighboring residences. In addition, all illuminated signs shall be located not less than 100 feet from an abutting residentially zoned property.
(5) All site plans submitted in accordance with section 19-84 shall identify the location(s), height, type, and size of all existing and proposed signs.
(6) Signs shall contain no wording, symbol, figure, or similar form expressing obscene, immoral, pornographic, or otherwise offensive and objectionable reference.
(7) Any sign, which is placed in a manner to attract the attention of the general public outside of the building, whether the sign is located inside of the building or installed on the exterior of the building is to be considered a wall sign/window sign and shall comply to all applicable sections of the zoning ordinance.
(f) Methodology for calculating sign area and height.
(1) Sign area. The area of sign shall be computed as including the entire area within a regular geometric form or combination of such forms suitable as the display area of the sign and including all of the elements of the matter displayed. An area so created shall include all solid surfaces including cladding, as well as all openings. Where a sign has two or more faces, the area of all faces shall be included in determining the area of the sign, except that where two such faces are placed back-to-back, parallel to one another, and less than 24 inches apart, the area of the sign shall be the area of one face. Where a sign has two or more faces, that portion of the sign structure connecting the sign faces shall not be used for display purposes. (Refer also to sign types area calculations diagram below.) For purposes of this section, sign surface area and signage shall have the same meaning.
(2) Sign height. The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at normal grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign. Normal grade shall be construed to be the existing grade prior to construction; or, the newly established grade after construction, both exclusive of or not credited toward any filling, berming, mounding, or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign. In cases in which the normal grade cannot reasonably be determined, sign height shall be computed on the assumption that the elevation of the normal grade at the base of the sign is equal to the elevation of the nearest point of the crown of a public street or the grade of the land at the principal entrance to the principal structure on the zoning lot, whichever is lower.
(g) Maximum total allowable sign surface area, sign height and sign placement restrictions. Unless otherwise provided in this section, the total surface area devoted to all signs on any lot shall not exceed the limitations set forth in this section, and all signs except temporary signs, shall be included in this calculation.
(1) The maximum total allowable signage permitted on any single-family residential lot or parcel shall be two square feet.
(2) The maximum total allowable signage allowed, and sign height above grade, shall not exceed the amounts specified in the table below.
GRAPHIC LINK: Max. Total Allowable Sign Area
(3) If a lot has frontage on more than one major thoroughfare, then the maximum total allowable signage permitted on that lot shall be the sum of the sign surface area allotments related to each street on which the lot has frontage. However, the maximum allowable total signage that is oriented toward a particular street may not exceed the portion of the lot's maximum total allowable sign surface area allocation that is derived from frontage on the street.
(4) Whenever a lot is situated such that it has no street frontage on any lot boundary and an applicant desires to install on such a lot a sign that is oriented toward a street, then the maximum total allowable signage permitted on that lot shall be the sign surface area that would be allowed if the lot boundary closest to the street toward which such sign is to be oriented fronted on such street. The applicant shall be restricted to using only one street and the closest lot boundary to this street for determining the maximum total allowable signage permitted. However, the applicant shall be given the opportunity to determine the one street used in the calculations.
(5) The sign surface area of any sign located on a wall of a structure may not exceed 20 percent of the total surface area of the wall on which the sign is located.
(6) Except as may otherwise be provided herein, freestanding and monument signs shall be setback a minimum of ten feet back of the property line, except that such signs shall not be located closer than a distance equal to its height to an abutting residential district.
(7) No sign may extend above any parapet or be placed upon any roof surface, except that for purposes of this section, roof surfaces constructed at an angle of 75 degrees or more from horizontal shall be regarded as wall space.
(8) No sign attached to a building may project more than 14 inches from the building wall.
(9) Monument signs shall not exceed a height of ten feet and shall be subject to height and setback limitations imposed by the following diagram.
GRAPHIC LINK: Monument Sign Height Limitations
(h) Permitted signs in residential districts and the REC district. Signs are allowed in the R-1, R-1-R, R-1-S, R-2, R-3 and REC districts subject to the following:
(1) One unlighted sign announcing a home occupation, or professional service, not-to-exceed two square feet in area shall be permitted. The sign shall be attached flat against the front wall of the building, or placed immediately adjacent to the main driveway serving the site.
(2) Residential development signs indicating only the name of the development and the management/developer thereof, shall be permitted, subject to the following:
a. The residential development signs shall be monument signs.
b. There shall not be more than one residential development signs for each major point of vehicular access to a development.
c. Residential development signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in gross surface area.
d. Residential development signs may be located in any required yard but shall not extend over any lot line or within 15 feet of any point of vehicular access from a zoning lot to a public roadway or private easement. The location and arrangement of all residential development signs shall be subject to the review and approval of the building official.
e. Residential development signs shall not project higher than eight feet.
f. Residential development signs may be located within a public right-of-way of a local or collector residential street provided it is sited within a landscaped entryway island and located no closer than five (5) feet to the right-of-way of the intersecting street.
(3) Two signs consisting of a combination of wall, and/or monument signs (or freestanding sign if approval under subsection (i)(4)a. below) identifying a park, school, farms, church, public building, and any other authorized use shall be permitted subject to the following:
a. Each sign shall not exceed 24 square feet in area, except that on sites of 40 acres or more, signs up to 50 square feet shall be allowed.
b. Freestanding or monument signs shall not exceed five feet in height, and placed no closer to the street right-of-way line than one-third the minimum authorized front yard depth.
(4) One unlighted sign announcing a bed and breakfast establishment or similar use not-to-exceed two square feet in area shall be permitted. The sign shall be attached flat against the front wall of the building.
(5) Scoreboard(s) or nonaccessory signs made an integral part of a recreational building or athletic field shall be allowed, provided that such signs do not exceed a maximum area of 100 square feet.
(6) In the R-2 district, one monument sign indicating the name of the multiple-family development shall be allowed. It shall not exceed eight feet in height, a sign area of 32 square feet, and placed no closer than one-third the minimum authorized front yard depth.
(7) Signs in the REC district shall be allowed subject to the following:
a. One monument sign shall be permitted for each primary point of vehicular access from a public right-of-way and/or parkway street. Monument sign(s) shall not exceed a height of eight feet and 50 square feet in area per sign face. Monument signs may be located anywhere back of the property line, provided, however, that such signs shall not be placed closer than 50 feet to any residential district or another freestanding sign, or a distance equal to its height to an adjacent public right-of-way and/or parkway street, or adjacent nonresidential property.
b. One wall sign shall be permitted for each building on the building side having the primary entrance. Wall signs shall be attached to, and parallel to, the wall of the building. The maximum size of any such sign shall not exceed ten percent of the building face to which it is attached, however, in no instance shall such sign exceed 100 square feet.
c. Scoreboards or nonaccessory signs shall be permitted by right provided they are made an integral part of a recreational stadium or similar use area and do not exceed a maximum area of 100 square feet.
d. The following additional types of signs are permitted without limitation as specified in this subsection.
1. Monument signs erected to designate hours of activity or conditions of use for parks, parking lots, recreational areas, and other similar use areas provided they do not exceed 24 square feet in area per sign face.
2. Directional signs used in conjunction with trails, drives or off-street parking areas, provided any such sign does not exceed four square feet in area per sign face, is limited to traffic control functions, does not obstruct traffic vision, and does not contain any advertising copy or logo.
3. Menu boards, not exceeding 20 square feet in total area, when used in conjunction with a food service area or concession stand.
4. Signs used for public convenience identifying public restrooms, first aid stations, telephones, and similar use areas, provided they do not exceed four square feet in area per sign face.
5. Informational kiosks intended for public or semi-public use not exceeding a height of ten feet or 20 square feet in area, per sign face.
(i) Permitted signs in the nonresidential districts. Signs are allowed in the RO-1, C-1, C-2, M-1, M-2 and M-3 districts subject to the following conditions:
(1) Number of signs permitted. Except as may be otherwise specified herein, there shall not be more than two signs allowed for any one business establishment or composite of businesses under single ownership or control with frontage on a single public street or dedicated easement or three signs allowed for any one business or composite of businesses under single ownership or control with frontage on more than one public street or dedicated easement.
(2) Wall signs.
a. Flat wall signs shall be attached to, and be parallel to, the wall of the building to which they are attached and may not be painted or otherwise imprinted directly upon any building wall.
b. Wall signs shall be limited in number to one wall sign for each business having an individual means of customer access. The maximum size of any such sign shall not exceed 20 percent of the applicable building face area to which it is attached provided, however, that no such individual sign shall exceed 100 square feet in area.
c. In the instance of several tenants utilizing a common public entranceway, such as in the case of a shopping mall or multi-story office building, a common wall sign not exceeding 20 percent of the building face to which it is attached shall be permitted. Only one such sign per side of building having an individual means of customer access shall be permitted.
(3) Canopy signs.
a. Canopy signs may be installed in lieu of wall signs provided the canopy structure, to which they are a part, do not extend into a public right-of-way or encroach over abutting property lines.
b. The maximum size of any canopy sign shall not exceed 20 percent of the building facade to which they are pertinent, however, no such sign shall exceed 100 square feet in area.
c. Any such canopy structure shall not be less than two feet from any vehicular parking space or maneuvering lane.
d. A minimum underclearance of seven feet shall be maintained above the sidewalk by all canopy structures.
e. Canopies hereafter erected shall, whenever practicable, match the established underclearance height and projection of canopies which exist on abutting parcels and/or businesses.
f. Only the copy area of the canopy should be identified as sign area used for calculation purposes.
(4) Monument signs.
a. Except as authorized by this subsection, no development may have more than one monument sign; however, a freestanding sign may be approved in its place by the planning commission only when consistent with the intended use of the property and upon an affirmative finding of facts that monument sign(s) will not provide adequate identification of the premises owing to restricted sight visibility caused by area topographic conditions, the desire to preserve plant materials on site, the juxtaposition of existing signs and/or buildings in the vicinity, or roadway geometrics.
b. If a development is located on a corner lot that has at least 100 feet of frontage on each of the two intersecting public streets and/or dedicated easements, then the development may have not more than one monument sign or freestanding sign if approved under subsection (4)a. above, along each side of the development bordered by such streets or easements.
c. If a development is located on a lot that is bordered by two public streets and/or dedicated easements that do not intersect at the lot's boundaries (double frontage lot), then the development may have not more than one monument sign or freestanding sign if approved under subsection (4)a. above, on each side of the development bordered by such streets or easements.
d. The maximum sign area allowed for freestanding sign(s) if approved under subsection (4)a. above, shall be 50 square feet, except that a maximum sign area of up to 100 square feet shall be permitted for planned shopping centers containing a gross floor area of not less than 50,000 square feet. In addition, the area of a monument sign may be increased in size by 20 percent over that allowed for freestanding signs as an incentive to reduce overhead visual clutter and to improve site aesthetics on township business properties.
e. Notwithstanding the above limitations, the planning commission may permit additional monument signs or freestanding signs when approved under subsection (4)a. above, which shall be found to meet the following conditions:
1. That the sign shall be related and reasonably necessary or convenient for the satisfactory and efficient operation of a complete and integrated planned shopping center;
2. That the sign shall be of such character, size and location as not to adversely affect vehicular or pedestrian traffic; and
3. That the sign shall be of such character and design as to uphold and enhance the character of the planned shopping center district and its peculiar suitability for particular uses and to conserve property values.
(5) Window signs and changeable copy signs.
a. Additional window signs shall be permitted in the C-1 or C-2 districts provided they do not, in combination with any wall signs which may also be used, exceed 20 percent of the building face area to which they are a part, and do not exceed 50 percent of the window surface area to which they are attached. In addition, windows providing interior views to passersby shall maintain such views equal to not less than 50 percent of horizontal straight line measurement of the total window width.
b. A changeable copy sign shall be allowed in the C-1 and C-2 districts in addition to the conditions of this subsection provided the ownership identification or advertising copy does not exceed ten percent of the total sign area and further provided that the total sign area does not exceed 32 square feet.
(j) Temporary signs.
(1) Special decorative displays or signs used for holidays, public demonstrations or promotion of civic welfare or charitable purposes when authorized by the township building official. In evaluating such a petition, the township building official shall consider the following standards:
a. The size, character, and nature of the display or sign shall consider the proposed site of display for proper scale and relationship with the site and adjoining properties.
b. The duration of the time period during which the display or sign will be utilized shall coincide with the purposes for which it was approved.
c. The arrangements made for the removal of the sign or display after the termination of the event.
d. The effect of the proposed sign or display on light and air circulation for lots which are both adjoining and in the surrounding neighborhood of the proposed sign or display.
e. Whether or not the sign or display will constitute a traffic hazard.
(2) Temporary signs for up to four special events per year such as grand openings, fairs and festivals, and announcements of new products, service, or management shall be permitted subject to the following:
a. Nonilluminated portable signs shall be permitted subject to the following:
1. They do not exceed 40 square feet in area on any side.
2. They are not located closer than ten feet to a public right-of-way.
3. No portable sign shall exceed ten feet in height.
4. No portable sign shall be located in such a manner as to interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic flow or visibility.
5. Only one portable sign per lot shall be permitted.
b. Search lights, twirling signs, sandwich board signs, sidewalk or curb signs, or inflatable signs are permitted, provided they are located only in an office, business or industrial district, or a residential development site containing more than 20 acres.
c. Banners, pennants, spinners, or streamers are permitted provided they are located only in an office, business, or industrial district.
d. Special event signage shall be limited to not more than 14 days per event.
(3) Temporary construction signs identifying construction projects to occur or occurring, subject to the following:
a. There shall not be more than one temporary on-site construction sign for each project or development, except that where a project or development abuts two or more streets, additional such signs, one oriented to each abutting street, shall be permitted.
b. Not more than two temporary off-site construction signs for each project or development are permitted.
c. On-site temporary construction signs shall not exceed 64 square feet. Off-site temporary construction signs shall not exceed 24 square feet.
d. Temporary construction signs may be located in any required yard but shall not extend over any lot line or within 15 feet of any point of vehicular access or public roadway.
e. Temporary construction signs shall not project higher than 15 feet.
f. Temporary construction signs shall be permitted only as accessory to an approved project or development. Temporary construction signs may be erected and maintained for not more than a six-month period and shall be removed within 14 days of the termination of construction of the project or development, except that the planning commission may at its discretion, upon application by the owner and for cause shown, provide extensions, each no longer than six months in duration.
g. The site where off-site construction signs are installed shall not contain such signs which exceed a ratio of one off-site construction sign per acre of land. In addition, such signs shall be located not less than 100 feet apart from each other or from any other sign on the same premises or adjoining property.
(4) Political signs promoting political parties, candidates, or proposals shall be permitted within any zoning district for a maximum posting period of 120 days within any one calendar year. Signs in residentially zoned areas shall not exceed 32 square feet in total for all signs so provided on each zoning lot.
(5) Real estate signs shall be permitted subject to the following:
a. In areas principally zoned for single-family residential use, there shall be not more than one sign not more than six square feet in area per parcel or lot (developed or undeveloped) and such sign shall not require a permit.
b. In areas principally zoned for other than single-family residential use, there shall be not more than one sign not more than 32 square feet in area. The sign must be located on the property which is offered for sale, rent, or lease. The sign may be a wall or ground sign.
c. Real estate signs shall be removed immediately after the property is sold, rented, or leased. Modifications of the sign by placing a "sold," "rented," or "leased" sticker or similar exhibit indicating the property is no longer for sale, rent, or lease is prohibited. For purposes of this section, a property shall be considered sold, rented, or leased when a purchase agreement or similar document which limits the availability of the property has been executed by all parties in interest.
(k) Nonconforming signs. Any sign which was of record on the effective date of the ordinance from which this section derives (September 19, 2001) that could not be established under the terms of this section may be continued so long as it remains otherwise lawful. Nonconforming signs, however, shall not:
(1) Be re-established after the activity, business, or use to which it relates has been discontinued for 90 days or longer.
(2) Be structurally altered so as to prolong the life of the sign or so as to change the shape, size, type, or design of the sign. This shall not preclude the general maintenance and repair of nonconforming signs to keep them in a safe condition and in good repair.
(3) Be re-established after damage or destruction, if the estimated expense of reconstruction exceeds 50 percent of the replacement cost as determined by the township building official. If a nonconforming sign advertises a business, service, commodity, accommodation, attraction, or other enterprise or activity that is no longer operating or being offered or conducted at that site for a period of 14 days, that sign shall be considered abandoned and shall be removed within 30 days after such abandonment by the sign owner, owner of the property where the sign is located, or other party having control over such sign. In case of a violation of this section, the sign owner, owner of the property, and any other party having control over such sign may be prosecuted.
(Ord. No. 101, § 4.24, 3-23-71; Ord. No. A27, § 2(4.24(b)), 5-16-84; Ord. No. 156-A73, §§ 4--11, 3-20-96; Ord. No. 156-A96, § 1, 9-19-01)
Sec. 19-80. Fences, walls and other protective barriers.
All fences of any type or description shall conform to the following regulations:
(1) The erection, construction or alteration of any fence, wall or other type of protective barrier shall be approved by the zoning administrator as to their conforming to the requirements of the zoning districts wherein they are required because of land use development, and the requirements of this section.
(2) Fences which are not specifically required under the regulations for the individual zoning districts shall conform to the following requirements:
a. No fence shall hereafter be erected along the line dividing lots or parcels of land or located within any required side or rear yard in excess of six feet or less than three feet in height above the grade of the surrounding land.
b. No fence shall hereafter be located in front yard, that being the area between the building front facade and the abutting road right-of-way or easement, except as noted below.
All fences shall be of an ornamental nature with the finished side facing the nearest boundary of adjacent property, street or road. Barbed wire, spikes, nails or any other sharp point or instrument of any kind on top or on the sides of any fence, or electric current or charge in such fences is prohibited, except in an R-1-R district. Barbed wire cradles may be placed on top of fences enclosing public utility buildings and such fences may exceed six feet in height and be located in a front yard wherever deemed necessary in the interests of public safety, provided that shrubs or evergreens are planted which will eventually screen such barbed wire cradles.
Where security fencing is desired around property in M-1, M-2 and M-3 districts other than in the front yard, same shall [be] located on the inside of any required berm at a maximum height of eight feet.
(3) No fence, wall, structure, tree or planting shall be erected, established or maintained on any corner lot which will obstruct the view of a driver of a vehicle approaching the intersection. Such unobstructed corner shall mean a triangular area formed by the street property lines and a line connecting them at points 25 feet from the intersection of the street lines or in the case of a rounded property corner from the intersection of the street property lines extended. This shall not prohibit the establishment of shrubbery of not more than 18 inches at mature height. (See diagram A-A [at the end of this article])
(Ord. No. 101, § 4.25, 3-23-71; Ord. No. A18, § 2, 8-20-80; Ord. No. 156-A71, § 2, 4-19-95; Ord. No. 156-A79, § 1, 9-16-98)
Sec. 19-81. Filling operations.
It shall be unlawful for any person to use land for filling with materials of any kind without approval of the township board and subject to requirements as may be appropriate.
(Ord. No. 101, § 4.26, 3-23-71)
Sec. 19-82. Outdoor storage in residential and nonresidential districts.
The outdoor storage or parking of recreational vehicles, such as an airplane, antique or racing automobile, boat, float, raft, trailer, camping or travel trailer, motorized home, demountable travel equipment of the type adaptable to light duty trucks or other equipment or vehicles of similar nature, and certain types of motorized vehicles as specified below or commercial vehicles, such as trucks and/or tractor trailers, shall be regulated as follows:
(1) For a period greater than 48 hours in any two-week period in all residential districts, except where expressly permitted by other provisions of this chapter or other ordinances, the above outside storage shall be prohibited, unless the following minimum conditions are met:
a. All such vehicles or equipment shall be placed within a completely enclosed building or located behind the front face of the principal building, but not closer than three feet to any side or rear lot line.
b. Nonenclosed storage or parking shall be limited to a lot or parcel of land upon which is located an inhabited dwelling unit and the vehicle or equipment is owned by the occupant.
c. Travel trailers and other vehicles or equipment intended or adaptable for sleeping purposes shall remain unoccupied and shall not be connected to sanitary