# Sign Regulations in Alpena Charter Township, Michigan

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Alpena Charter Township, Michigan, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Alpena Charter Township, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/alpena-charter-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-23
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.alpenatownship.com/_files/ugd/4890bb_b25153fad2a749fe8fc6aad1e3c27eca.pdf#page=90)

## At a glance

Alpena Charter Township, Michigan regulates 53 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Cluster Sign (Multiple Sign) - Multiple Use Facilities in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 40 ft maximum. tall and 500 sq ft maximum for the multiple-use cluster sign; no single tenant sign within the cluster may exceed the single-use size requirements of Subsection B., with a Subject to general freestanding sign setback in §330.A.10. setback (Sec. §330.B.5, Table 6 (Cluster Sign)). Most commercial signs in Alpena Charter Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 31 | 40 ft maximum. | 500 sq ft maximum for the multiple-use cluster sign; no single tenant sign within the cluster may exceed the single-use size requirements of Subsection B. | — |
| R-1: One-Family Residential District (R-1), WR: Waterfront Residential District (WR), C: Conservation District (C) | 5 | 6 ft maximum height. | 32 sq ft maximum sign area. | — |
| OS: Office Service District (OS), B-1: Restricted Business District (B-1), B-2: General Business District (B-2), B-3: Community Business District (B-3), I-1: Light Manufacturing District (I-1), I-2: Mixed Manufacturing District (I-2) | 14 | 32 ft maximum sign height. | 140 sq ft maximum sign size. | — |
| R-3: Mixed Residential District (R-3) | 1 | — | Subject to Subsections A and B and MDOT regulation, if applicable. | — |
| A: Agricultural District (A), FR: Forest Recreation District (FR) | 1 | — | Subject to Subsections A and B and MDOT regulation. | — |
| R-2: Rural Residential District (R-2) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Signs - Intersection / Vision Clearance | — | — | — | As required by §324 (Intersection Visibility). | — | Street corners, driveways, parking lots, and ingress/egress routes in all districts. | — | §330.A.5 |
| Freestanding Signs - General Setback | — | — | — | Standard: 10 ft behind front property line. Possible waiver to 0 ft with Administrator approval and no traffic hazard. | — | Front yards in all districts where freestanding signs are allowed. | — | §330.A.10 |
| Message Centers (On-Premise) - All Districts (Non-Residential Property Only) | — | Counts toward total square footage of the primary sign to which it is attached. | — | — | Maximum one message center (static or electronic) per property. | On non-residential property in any district where primary signs are allowed. | — | §330.B.5, Table 6 (Message Centers) |
| Projecting Signs (Non-Residential Property Only) - Additional Standards | — | 20 sq ft per side; 40 sq ft total maximum area. | — | — | 1 projecting sign per property, in addition to primary freestanding/wall signs. | Non-residential properties; attached to buildings, projecting or suspended, typically over sidewalks or ground areas. | — | §330.B.5, Table 6 (Projecting Signs); §330.A.6 |
| Sail-Type Signs / Flag Banners / Feather Flags (Non-Residential Property Only) | — | — | — | Implied: must not interfere with sight distance at access points; also subject to §330.A.5 and §324. | 1 per 25 ft of road frontage. | Non-residential properties in all districts. | — | §330.B.5, Table 6 (Sail-Type Signs); §330.D.7 |
| Cluster Sign (Multiple Sign) - Multiple Use Facilities | 40 ft maximum. | 500 sq ft maximum for the multiple-use cluster sign; no single tenant sign within the cluster may exceed the single-use size requirements of Subsection B. | — | Subject to general freestanding sign setback in §330.A.10. | 1 cluster sign per multiple use facility. | On premises of multiple use facilities such as shopping centers, malls, industrial parks. | — | §330.B.5, Table 6 (Cluster Sign) |
| Off-Premise Signs (Static) - R-3, OS, B-1, B-2, B-3, I-1, I-2, A, FR | — | Subject to off-premise sign limits under Michigan Highway Advertising Act and Subsections A and B (not fully detailed in provided text). | — | Subject to general sign setbacks in §330.A.10 and intersection visibility in §330.A.5/§324. | Max 3 off-premise signs per business; max 1 per lot and 1 per 100 ft of frontage. | Off-premise locations within R-3, OS, B-1, B-2, B-3, I-1, I-2, A, and FR districts. | — | §330.C.1–3 |
| Digital Off-Premise Signs | — | Same as off-premise signs generally, subject to Subsections A and B; not specified separately in text excerpt. | — | Same as other off-premise signs. | Counts toward off-premise sign limits per business/lot/frontage. | Where off-premise signs are allowed (R-3, OS, B-1, B-2, B-3, I-1, I-2, A, FR). | — | §330.C.4 |

### R-1: One-Family Residential District (R-1), WR: Waterfront Residential District (WR), C: Conservation District (C)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Residential Uses) | 6 ft maximum height. | 10 sq ft maximum sign area. | — | 10 ft behind front property line unless waiver per §330.A.10. | 1 freestanding sign allowed per residential use. | On residential use properties in R-1, WR, and C districts. | — | §330.B.2, Table 1 (R-1, WR, C Districts – Residential Uses, Freestanding) |
| Freestanding Sign (Non-Residential Uses) | 6 ft maximum height. | 32 sq ft maximum sign area. | — | 10 ft behind front property line unless waiver per §330.A.10. | 1 per use; 1 per street frontage where use fronts on more than one street. | On non-residential use properties in R-1, WR, and C districts (e.g., institutional or similar non-residential uses permitted in these districts). | — | §330.B.2, Table 1 (R-1, WR, C Districts – Non-Residential Uses, Freestanding) |
| Wall Signs (Non-Residential Uses) | — | 10% of the face of each wall used for signage. | — | — | Not numerically limited per wall, but total area per wall limited to 10% of wall face. | On building walls of non-residential uses in R-1, WR, and C districts. | — | §330.B.2, Table 1 (R-1, WR, C Districts – Non-Residential Uses, Wall Signs) |
| Message Centers (Non-Residential Uses) - R-1/WR/C | — | Considered part of the primary sign; no separate area allowance. | — | — | 1 message center per property. | On non-residential properties in R-1, WR, C, as part of a primary sign. | — | §330.B.2, Table 1 (Message Centers – See Table 6); §330.B.5, Table 6 (Message Centers) |
| Off-Premise Signs | — | — | — | — | 0 (prohibited). | R-1, WR, and C districts. | — | §330.C.1 |

### OS: Office Service District (OS), B-1: Restricted Business District (B-1), B-2: General Business District (B-2), B-3: Community Business District (B-3), I-1: Light Manufacturing District (I-1), I-2: Mixed Manufacturing District (I-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Speed < 35 MPH) (Road Frontage 100 ft or less) | 24 ft maximum sign height. | 100 sq ft maximum sign size. | — | 10 ft behind front property line unless waiver per §330.A.10. | See freestanding sign number rules for these districts. | OS, B-1, B-2, B-3, I-1, I-2 districts on properties fronting roads with speed limits less than 35 mph and with 100 ft or less of road frontage. | — | §330.B.4, Table 3 (Speed Limits less than 35 MPH – Freestanding Signs) |
| Freestanding Sign (Speed < 35 MPH) (Road Frontage 101–200 ft) | 26 ft maximum sign height. | 100 sq ft maximum sign size. | — | 10 ft typical; possible waiver. | See freestanding sign number rules. | OS, B-1, B-2, B-3, I-1, I-2 properties on roads <35 mph with 101–200 ft frontage. | — | §330.B.4, Table 3 |
| Freestanding Sign (Speed < 35 MPH) (Road Frontage 201–300 ft) | 28 ft maximum sign height. | 120 sq ft maximum sign size. | — | 10 ft typical; possible waiver. | See freestanding sign number rules. | OS, B-1, B-2, B-3, I-1, I-2 on roads <35 mph with 201–300 ft frontage. | — | §330.B.4, Table 3 |
| Freestanding Sign (Speed < 35 MPH) (Road Frontage over 300 ft) | 28 ft maximum sign height. | 120 sq ft maximum sign size. | — | 10 ft typical; possible waiver. | See freestanding sign number rules. | OS, B-1, B-2, B-3, I-1, I-2 on roads <35 mph with over 300 ft frontage. | — | §330.B.4, Table 3 |
| Freestanding Sign (Speed 35–55 MPH) (Road Frontage 100 ft or less) | 28 ft maximum sign height. | 120 sq ft maximum sign size. | — | 10 ft typical; possible waiver. | See freestanding sign number rules. | OS, B-1, B-2, B-3, I-1, I-2 along roads with speed limits from 35 to 55 mph, frontage 100 ft or less. | — | §330.B.4, Table 4 (Speed Limits 35–55 MPH – Freestanding Signs) |
| Freestanding Sign (Speed 35–55 MPH) (Road Frontage 101–200 ft) | 32 ft maximum sign height. | 120 sq ft maximum sign size. | — | 10 ft typical; possible waiver. | See freestanding sign number rules. | OS, B-1, B-2, B-3, I-1, I-2 on 35–55 mph roads, 101–200 ft frontage. | — | §330.B.4, Table 4 |
| Freestanding Sign (Speed 35–55 MPH) (Road Frontage 201–300 ft) | 32 ft maximum sign height. | 130 sq ft maximum sign size. | — | 10 ft typical; possible waiver. | See freestanding sign number rules. | OS, B-1, B-2, B-3, I-1, I-2 on 35–55 mph roads, 201–300 ft frontage. | — | §330.B.4, Table 4 |
| Freestanding Sign (Speed 35–55 MPH) (Road Frontage over 300 ft) | 32 ft maximum sign height. | 140 sq ft maximum sign size. | — | 10 ft typical; possible waiver. | See freestanding sign number rules. | OS, B-1, B-2, B-3, I-1, I-2 on 35–55 mph roads, over 300 ft frontage. | — | §330.B.4, Table 4 |

## Prohibited signs in Alpena Charter Township

- No outdoor advertising structure shall be erected where the position, size, movement, shape, or color may interfere with the view of, or be confused with, any authorized official traffic sign or device.
- No signs or billboards shall be located on any street corner which would obscure the vision of drivers using said streets or conflict with traffic control signals at the intersection of any streets.
- No signs shall obstruct the vision of drivers at any driveway, parking lot, or other route providing ingress or egress to any premises.
- No sign shall project beyond or overhang the wall, roof, or any architectural feature by more than five (5) feet; overhanging in a public right‑of‑way additionally requires approval of the governmental agency having jurisdiction.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape.
- No sign of any kind shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- Illumination of signs shall be directed, shaded, or designed so as not to interfere with the vision of persons on adjacent highways, streets, or properties.
- Illuminated signs shall not be of the flashing, moving, or intermittent type unless approved by the Zoning Administrator under the stated non‑glare and traffic‑safety conditions.
- Freestanding signs must generally be set at least ten (10) feet behind the front property line unless a waiver without setback is granted by the Zoning Administrator and the sign is not a traffic hazard.
- No person shall increase the extent of nonconformity of a nonconforming sign, including enlarging or altering it to aggravate the nonconforming condition or adding illumination.
- A nonconforming sign may not be moved or replaced except to bring the sign into complete conformity with the sign regulations.
- If a nonconforming sign is destroyed by natural causes to the extent that repair or replacement cost equals or exceeds its value, it may not be repaired, reconstructed, or replaced except in conformity with all provisions of the Zoning Ordinance; unusable remnants must be removed within sixty (60) days.
- If the framework or the size or shape of a nonconforming sign is altered or removed, the sign must be changed to a conforming sign.
- Abandoned signs, as determined by the Zoning Administrator, must be removed by the property owner within the specified time frames or they may be removed by the Township at the owner’s expense.
- Any sign declared by the Zoning Administrator to be unsafe to the public health, safety, and welfare must be corrected or removed within the time required by the Zoning Administrator.
- Portable Changeable Copy Message Boards are prohibited in the Township.
- Electronic message centers (including instruments that project digital messages onto windows or walls) are not allowed to contain flashing elements and must not have brightness or motion that adversely affects surrounding premises or the safe vision of pedestrians or vehicle operators.
- Digital large off‑premise signs must not change static messages or images more frequently than once every six (6) seconds, with each change taking one (1) second or less, and must default to a static display in the event of mechanical failure.
- Roof signs, where allowed at the Zoning Administrator’s discretion, must not impair or obstruct the view of another structure or contribute to structural deficiency of the structure on which they are mounted.
- Unenclosed vehicle storage or loading space may occupy parts of a side or rear yard provided it remains unenclosed; otherwise, such use may be considered in lot coverage and setback compliance (affecting any sign supports integrated with such structures).

## Signs exempt from permit in Alpena Charter Township

- Non‑illuminated residential name plates are exempt from the requirement to obtain approval before erection or alteration.
- Signs listed in Section 330 Subsection D (Signs Allowed without a Permit) are exempt from the requirement to obtain approval before erection or alteration.
- All signs established by the Township, County, State, or Federal governments are permitted in all districts.
- Signs erected by an official governmental body, public utility, or historic agency are allowed without a sign permit, subject to the provisions of Section 330.
- Accessory wall signs not exceeding four (4) square feet in area on non‑residential property are allowed without a sign permit, subject to Section 330.
- Accessory freestanding signs on non‑residential property that do not exceed four (4) square feet each are allowed without a sign permit, subject to Section 330.
- Information cut into any masonry surface or plaques constructed of non‑ferrous metal and attached to a building are allowed without a sign permit, subject to Section 330.
- Flags are allowed without a sign permit, subject to Section 330.
- Projecting identification signs located on or below a canopy, awning, or marquee that do not extend below a minimum height of eight (8) feet from ground level are allowed without a sign permit, subject to Section 330.
- Permanent non‑residential accessory signs on non‑residential accessory structures such as gas pumps or storage sheds are allowed without a sign permit, subject to Section 330.
- Temporary signs (including sail‑type temporary signs) are allowed without a sign permit, subject to Section 330.
- Bulletin boards erected by public, charitable, or religious institutions when located on the premises of such institutions are allowed without a sign permit, subject to Section 330.
- Signs not readable by motorists or pedestrians on any road, alley, water body, public lands, or adjacent parcels are allowed without a sign permit, subject to Section 330.
- Legal postings are allowed without a sign permit, subject to Section 330.
- Window signs are allowed without a sign permit, subject to Section 330.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No explicit master sign plan or comprehensive sign plan requirement is stated in the provided text for Section 330; deviations from the total number of signs allowed on a parcel may be approved by the Planning Commission during site plan review or upon later request by the applicant.
- The Planning Commission may allow a deviation from the total number of freestanding and wall signs allowed on a parcel during site plan review, considering factors including building size, location, length of road frontage, and lot size.
- Entranceway structures, which may include signage, must be approved during the required Administrative or Planning Commission review when located in setbacks, but this is part of general site/administrative review rather than a separate master sign plan requirement.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 6 zoning districts in Alpena Charter Township — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Alpena+Charter+Township+MI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-alpena-charter-township

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