At its February 3, 2009 meeting, the Ionia City Council accepted the recommendations of the City's Planing Commisssion, Downtown Development Authority and Ad-Hoc Sign Ordinance Review which establishes new standards, regarding advertising signs. The recommendation to rewrite the City's sign regulations was contained in both the
Ionia Downtown Blueprint 2005 downtown study and in the
City's 2007 Master Plan-Addendum. The Ordinanace was effective February 8, 2009.
Prior to making any changes to existing advertising signs or erecting new signs, property owners are highly encouraged to consult with City staff first to make sure that what they desire to do, complies with the new standards.
Click on the links below for additional information:
- Ordinance No. 464 - view the entire sign ordinance along with illustrations.
- Synopsis of Ordinance No. 464 - view a synopsis of Ordinance No. 464 which includes a listing of prohibited signs, a listing of signs exempt from local regulation, and a listing of signs regulated but not requiring a permit.
- Synopsis of Portable Signs - the sign ordinance #464 permits Portable Signs but is subject to conditions. Click on the Portable Signs Synopsis link to review the regulations. Click on Portable Signs Application Form to download the fillable form application and submit on line.
- Permanent Sign Permit Application - Click on the link to download the Permanent Sign Permit Applilcation form. The City has developed a helpful Zoning District/Permitted Sign Type matrix which identifies which signs are permitted by zoning district along standards for placement. Click on the matrix link to review.
- Sign Board of Appeals - The Sign ordinance provides a party who feels that he or she has been aggrieved by the standards contained in the sign ordinance to file an appeal with the City's Sign Board of Appeals. Click on the link above to view the Sign Board of Appeals process. Click on the link Application to Sign board of Appeals to download a printable form.
- Sign Ordinance Fee Schedule - The current fee schedule to apply for a sign permit or to make an appeal to the Sign Board of Appeals is a follows (as adopted by the City Council on February 3, 2009):
Type of Sign Application fee
Portable Sign No-Charge
Awning/Marque Sign $35
Wall Sign $35
Ground Sign $45
Pole Sign (Free-Standing) $45
Sign Board of Appeals $250
In some cases a building or electrical permit is required for the installation of the sign. Any fees associated with these type of permits is in addition to the sign permit application fee.