COUNTY SIGN ORDINANCES S.B. 351: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
Senate Bill 351 (as introduced 3-15-07)
Sponsor: Senator Jud Gilbert, II
Committee: Transportation
Date Completed: 5-25-07
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Highway Advertising Act to permit a county to enact an ordinance to regulate signs and sign structures or enact zoning codes to establish commercial or industrial areas, if a township within the county had not enacted such an ordinance or zoning code.
The Act permits a city, village, township, or charter township to enact ordinances to regulate and control the size, lighting, and spacing of signs and sign structures. Those entities may not permit a sign or sign structure that otherwise is prohibited by the Act or require or cause the removal of lawfully erected signs or sign structures subject to the Act without the payment of just compensation.
In addition, the Act provides that a city, village, charter township, or township vested with authority to enact zoning codes has full authority under its own zoning codes or ordinances to establish commercial or industrial areas, and those actions taken by a city, village, township or charter township are accepted for the purposes of the Act. (Under the Act, various provisions apply to signs in unzoned commercial or industrial areas.) Zoning that is not part of a comprehensive plan and is taken primarily to permit outdoor advertising structures is not accepted for purposes of the Act.
Under the bill, if a township had not enacted an ordinance or zoning code under those provisions, a county could enact an ordinance or zoning code as described above.
The county ordinance or code would become void if a township within the county subsequently enacted an ordinance or zoning code under the provisions described above.
MCL 252.304 Legislative Analyst: Curtis Walker
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: David Zin
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb351/0708