Sign Guidelines
for
Sandwich Board or “A” Frame Type Sidewalk Signs
Downtown Development Authority

The Sandwich Board/A Frame Sidewalk Sign Guidelines have been compiled and adopted by the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). This program is to assist the downtown businesses with better visibility. Business owners must assume the liability of the signs. The Davison City Council, Planning Commission, and Zoning Board of Appeals have approved this program with a one (1) year date for review, which will be June 1, 2005. At that date, the program will be reviewed for compliance and negative/positive results. The burden now falls to the business owners to help this program succeed.

Sandwich Board or “A” Frame Type Sidewalk Signs

 1. Type –
1.1. Signs shall be a sandwich board type with multiple (minimum of 2) or one continuous hinge across top.
1.2. Signs must be portable.
1.3. This guideline does not address portable interchangeable copy signs, typically placed on highways.

 2. Size –
2.1. Signs shall consist of an overall size of 24”w x 42”h. Signs cannot be larger and no less than 20% smaller.

 3. Shape –
3.1. Overall sign will be 24”w x 42”h, however, sign may be silhouette cut into a shape. Protruding sections which could cause a hazard to pedestrian traffic will not be allowed.

 4. Colors – All signs shall conform to the following color palette.
4.1. Suggested colors: Sign Background – Black, Brown, Dk. Green, and Med to DK Blue & Burgundy. Lettering:  Black, Brown, Med Blue, Med-DK Green, Burgundy & Goldenrod.

 5. Design –
5.1. Business owners will be free to design high quality creations with minimum restrictions, encouraging hand painted, carved and unique signage on a flat surface.
5.2. Removable signage panels on thin sign board material such as; aluminum, Centrex, or other quality sign grade material, shall be attached to sign frame with screws or through the use of slide rails – no Velcro, staples, or double sided tape. These are for interchangeable sign panels to increase versatility of sign.
5.3. No interchangeable letters or letter copy on rails.
5.4. Sidewalk signs shall not be illuminated, animated, have moving parts, or electrically powered in any way.

 6. Features –
6.1. Smooth edges with no protruding features from basic shape of sign.       
6.2. Signs may contain 3-D type lettering and/or objects contained within overall size of sign.
6.3. Sign shall contain a device (such as; chain, rope, cable, etc.) to prevent sign panels from spreading.
6.4. Sidewalk signs shall not have more that two (2) sign faces.

 7. Materials –
            7.1. Signs shall be constructed using quality exterior sign board materials.
 7.2. Suggested Materials – MDO board, Centrex, Alumiply, high density foam board, plastic (with
            weights)
            7.3. Not Recommended Materials – (due to temporary exterior quality) cardboard, OSB, plywood,
            Coraply, or Masonite.
            7.4. Signs cannot be constructed from materials that may cause a hazard to pedestrian traffic.
            7.5. Signs constructed with light materials such as plastic. Such signs shall be weighted, to remain
             stationary on windy days.
            7.6. No loose or lightly attached sign panels
            7.7. No loose or lightly attached items on the sign panels.

8. Installation-         
8.1. Each business shall be allowed to display only one sandwich board type sign at a time.
            8.2. Placement on landscaped areas in front of business, between frontage of building and sidewalk
            shall be allowed. However signs are not allowed in landscaped areas between sidewalk and curb.
            8.3. If a business has private property between the building and the sidewalk, sign must be located in
            this area.
            8.4. Business enterprises with more than one tenant without individual exterior frontage (such as the
            Halabicky Main Street Centre) will be allowed one sidewalk sign displayed at a time for all non-frontage
            businesses. Other business entities with same business address would also apply to this guideline.                8.5. Temporary – placed outside of business only during business hours. Must be removed and stored
            indoors after hours.
            8.6. Location of sign must be located within 15 foot of business entry on sidewalk as far from curb as
            possible and within business frontage of building. Under no circumstances shall sign restrict sidewalk
            below the City of Davison’s minimum commercial sidewalk requirements.
            8.7. Signs cannot be placed in front or adjacent to another business, commercial enterprise, or vacant
            land. In addition, placement of such signs is prohibited on all City property, including but not limited to;
            parking lots, streets, or alleys.

9. General Look and Appearance –
9.1. All signs shall be maintained in a high quality state, with no peeling, broken, cracked or faded paint/vinyl.
9.2. Lettering shall have crisp & sharp edges with a professional quality, either painted or vinyl.
9.3. All signs shall contain the name of the business on both sides.
9.4. Temporary hand lettering will be allowed only on a chalk or white board section of sign comprising of an area not greater than 60% of any one side of sign, such as; “Daily Specials” or “Sale Today” applications. This chalk or white board section may be on one or both sides of sign.

10. Examples – Attached are suggested examples of approved signage.

11. Violations to This Guideline - The City will provide a verbal warning to the first offense; a written warning will be issued after a second offense. At the third violation, the City will confiscate the sidewalk sign and put in storage. To be held for up to 60 days before disposal. Request to retrieve the confiscated sign can be made at the next regular DDA meeting.

12. Approval Process – All Sandwich Boards or “A” Frame Type Sidewalk Signs must be approved before purchase and/or installation by a majority vote of the DDA Board at a regular monthly meeting. Applicant should arrive prepared to present a graphic illustration of sign, complete with location sketch, color scheme, and basic design of sign, including lettering and graphics. There is no charge for this process.  A written notification of acceptance will be directed to the City of Davison Building Code Enforcement Official.

13. Exceptions – Any and all exceptions to this sign specification in the DDA district must be brought before the DDA board during a regular meeting and be approved by majority vote of the DDA board. Applicants will not be charged for this request, however, should be prepared to present request with graphic illustration (preferred) or actual sample of proposed signage.

14. Area in Which this Guideline Would Affect – This guideline/ordinance shall be applicable to only the following very limited areas within the DDA’s Central Business District: An area contained within a boundary bordered on the south by the railroad tracks, west by M-15 (State Road), north by Third Street, and east by a line beginning on the south at railroad tracks aligning with the fence along the eastern edge of merchants parking lot directly north to Third Street.  Please refer to the attached map and list of parcel numbers.

Eligible A-Frame Sign Locations - Parcel Numbers

A-Frame Sign Location Map