# Sign Regulations in Birch Run, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Birch Run, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/birch-run
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-19

## At a glance

Birch Run, Michigan regulates 19 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Ground Sign (Freestanding)s in the Non-residential (C-3), Non-residential (C-4) zoning district are capped at 14 ft tall and 84 sq ft, with a 5 ft setback (Sec. Table of Permanent Sign Regulations). Most commercial signs in Birch Run require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Agricultural open space (R-1A) | 3 | 6 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Residential (R-1) | 4 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Residential (R-2A), Residential (R-2B), Residential (R-2C) | 3 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Non-residential (C-1) | 6 | 14 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| Non-residential (C-2) | 6 | 6 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| Non-residential (C-3), Non-residential (C-4) | 7 | 21 ft | 195 sq ft | — |
| Outlet shopping center | 1 | — | — | — |
| Non-residential (M-1), Non-residential (M-2) | 7 | 18 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 6 ft | 45 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### Non-residential (C-3), Non-residential (C-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Freestanding) | 14 ft | 84 sq ft | — | Front: 5 ft; Side: 5 ft; Rear: 5 ft | 1 | Front, side, and rear setbacks: 5 ft | — | Table of Permanent Sign Regulations |
| Ground Sign - Joint Identity | 21 ft | 195 sq ft | — | Front: 5 ft; Side: 5 ft; Rear: 5 ft | 1 per business | Center; setbacks: Front: 5 ft; Side: 5 ft; Rear: 5 ft | — | Table of Permanent Sign Regulations, §155.018 |
| Wall Sign | — | # | — | — | No limit | On wall | — | Table of Permanent Sign Regulations, §155.018 note 6 |
| Canopy Sign | — | 150 sq ft | — | — | No limit | On wall/canopy | — | §155.018(D), Table of Permanent Sign Regulations |
| Projection Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On wall, must have 10 ft ground clearance, set back at least 6 ft from ROW, not over alley/private lane, max 2 ft projection | — | §155.018(D) |
| Integral Sign | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On wall | — | §155.018; Table of Permanent Sign Regulations; §155.015(B) |
| High Profile Sign | Existing pole height plus new sign face | 2 - 300 sq ft, 3 - 350 sq ft, 4 - 400 sq ft (varies with prior establishment) | — | — | Share existing sign | — | — | Table of Permanent Sign Regulations |

### Non-residential (M-1), Non-residential (M-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Freestanding) | 6 ft | 42 sq ft | — | Front: 5 ft; Side: 5 ft; Rear: 5 ft | 1 | Front, side, and rear setbacks: 5 ft | — | Table of Permanent Sign Regulations |
| Ground Sign - Joint Identity | 18 ft | 130 sq ft | — | Front: 5 ft; Side: 5 ft; Rear: 5 ft | 1 per business | Center; Front, side, and rear setbacks: 5 ft | — | Table of Permanent Sign Regulations; §155.018 |
| Wall Sign | — | # | — | — | No limit | On wall | — | Table of Permanent Sign Regulations, §155.018 note 6 |
| Canopy Sign | — | 150 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On wall/canopy | — | §155.018(D), Table of Permanent Sign Regulations |
| Projection Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On wall (projecting, must have 10 ft ground clearance, set back 6 ft from public ROW, not project over alley/private access lane, not extend more than 2 ft from building) | — | §155.018(D), Table of Permanent Sign Regulations |
| Integral Sign | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | On wall | — | §155.018; Table of Permanent Sign Regulations; §155.015(B) |
| High Profile Sign | Existing pole height plus new sign face | 2 - 300 sq ft, 3 - 350 sq ft, 4 - 400 sq ft (share existing sign) | — | — | Share existing sign | — | — | Table of Permanent Sign Regulations |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 2 per approved driveway | At driveways or internal drives | — | §155.018(A) |
| Special Purpose Sign (Temporary - Residential Commercial Uses) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 2 per year | — | — | Table of Special Purpose Sign Regulations; §155.018(F) |
| Special Purpose Sign (Temporary - Non-residential) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 2 per year | — | — | Table of Special Purpose Sign Regulations; §155.018(F) |
| Banner (Non-residential areas only) | — | 45 sq ft | — | — | Unlimited | — | — | Table of Special Purpose Sign Regulations; §155.002; §155.018(F) |
| Temporary Land Development Project Sign | — | See area table: <1 acre: 50 sq ft; 1-4 acres: 100 sq ft; 4-20 acres: 150 sq ft; >20 acres: 150 sq ft | — | Per zone | Per area | Setbacks and height per zoning district | — | §155.018(G) |
| Grand Opening Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — | Setback 5 ft from public ROW | 1 per event | Setback minimum 5 ft from public street right-of-way | — | §155.018(H) |
| Garage Sale Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On premises of sale | — | §114.36 |
| Exempt Signs | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §155.015 |

## Prohibited signs in Birch Run

- Signs which obstruct free access or egress from any building, including those that obstruct any fire escape, required exit way, window, door opening, or that prevent free access to the roof by firefighters.
- Signs having moving members or parts excluding barber poles and electronic message boards.
- Signs using high intensity or flashing lights, spinners or animated devices.
- Exterior string lights used in connection with a commercial enterprise other than holiday decorations, which are strung no more than 60 days before the holiday and removed within 30 days following the holiday for which they were erected.
- Signs which in any way simulate or could be confused with the lighting of emergency vehicles or traffic signals.
- Signs which obstruct or impair the vision of motorists or non-motorized travelers at any intersection, driveway, within a parking lot or loading area.
- Non regulatory signs placed in any public right-of-way, attached to a utility pole or affixed to a tree or other signs.
- Off-premise signs erected for the purpose of advertising a product, event, person, or subject, unless otherwise provided for in this ordinance or covered under the State Highway Act.
- Roof signs, any sign erected, constructed, and maintained upon and which projects beyond the roof of the building, unless specifically permitted elsewhere in this chapter.
- Portable signs, as defined, unless otherwise provided for in this chapter.
- Vehicles used as signs. No vehicle may be parked on any premises except for the intended purpose (as determined by the Code Enforcement Officer) of advertising a product or serving as a business sign.
- It is unlawful to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, use or maintain any sign contrary to or in violation of any of the standards and regulations of this chapter.

## Signs exempt from permit in Birch Run

- Nameplate: address, owner or occupant nameplate and other signs of up to two square feet in area attached to a mailbox, light fixture, or an exterior wall.
- Integral signs: names of buildings, dates of erection, monumental citations, commemorative tablets when carved into stone, concrete or similar material or made of bronze, aluminum or other non-combustible material and made an integral part of the structure and not exceeding 25 square feet in area.
- Home occupation identification signs, provided that it is a legal home occupation in a residential district, that there is only one sign per parcel, attached to an exterior building wall and does not exceed two square feet in area.
- Temporary signs of a religious institution, school, museum, library, community recreation facility/institutional bulletin boards, regardless of the location that are temporary signs which do not exceed 32 square feet in area, are a maximum of six feet in height, are set back a minimum of five feet from any property line or public street right-of-way, and meet the illumination standards of this chapter.
- Construction signs, one per development project with set height and size limits, set back a minimum of five feet from any property line or public street right-of-way, removed within 14 days of occupancy permit issuance.
- Garage sale and estate sale signs, one per premise and two off-premises (must be wholly on private property), up to six square feet, set back a minimum of five feet, erected/removed within set time, premises identification required.
- Historical marker: plaques or signs describing state or national designation as an historic site or structure and/or containing narrative, not exceeding 12 square feet in area.
- Signs not exceeding a total of two square feet per business indicating acceptance of credit cards or business affiliations, attached to a permitted sign, exterior walls, building entrance, or window.
- Signs on vending machines, gas pumps, and ice containers indicating the contents, provided that sign on each device does not exceed two square feet in area.
- Signs atop gasoline station pumps announcing on-premises sales, not exceeding two square feet in area.
- Signs on gas station pump islands or their structural supports identifying 'self serve' and 'full serve' operations (with conditions), not exceeding four square feet in area.
- Parking lot signs indicating restrictions on parking, placed within a permitted parking lot, max ten feet height, not exceeding six square feet in area.
- Non-commercial signs: signs containing non-commercial messages, e.g., public telephones, restrooms, no smoking, up to two square feet.
- Flags or insignia of any nation, state, city, community organization, educational institution, non-commercial enterprise, college or university.
- Identification of a residential community: one permanent sign per vehicular entrance identifying residential developments, set back 15 feet and not exceeding three square feet.
- Up to two signs identifying or directing motorists to a rental or management office in a multiple-family development, max height four feet, set back 15 feet, not exceeding three square feet.
- Model signs: temporary signs directing public to a model home/unit, set back five feet, not exceeding six square feet.
- Political signs per residential property, not within public right-of-way, max 32 square feet, removed within one business day following an election.
- Street banners for public entertainment or events, with a Village Council permit, at designated locations, time-limited per event (with more conditions in Ordinance # 97-5).
- Real estate signs: one per parcel per public street frontage, set back five feet, max height four feet six inches, not exceeding four square feet.
- Real estate open house signs (temporary), two off-premises per event, max six square feet, three feet height, not affixed to utility poles/trees/signs, allowed max eight hours per day, removed within one hour after closing.
- Regulatory, directional, and street signs erected by a public agency in compliance with Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
- Window signs within the building.
- Warning signs (e.g., no trespassing, danger), not exceeding two square feet.
- Flags identifying a business or organization (with flagpole max 20 feet, flag max 35 square feet, one per lot).
- Menu boards: up to 100 square feet total, max four boards, for drive-thru, located between drive-thru lane and building.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit is not required for exempt signs. A permit must first be obtained from the Building Department for all other signs.
- Applications must include two copies of plans and specifications; sign location/site plan; three copies of sign drawings.
- The Building Inspector may refer any sign application to the Sign Board of Appeals for review.
- Site plans must include accurate setbacks, existing buildings, roads, parking areas, signs, entrances, and exits.
- Applications for sign permits may require a seal or certificate of a registered structural or civil engineer if required by the Building Department.
- Outlet shopping centers must follow typical sign schematic (Exhibit A), which acts as an overlay sign plan, and may be modified by the Village Council.
- For special or temporary signs (e.g., temporary uses/seasonal events), a map illustrating locations for proposed off-premises signs must be provided.
- For any variance from sign requirements (placement, area, height, construction), the applicant must file the appropriate form and attend the Sign Board of Appeals meeting.
- Design of ground signs requires landscape plan approval by the Planning Commission or Building Department.
- For large outlets or certain uses, a 'typical sign schematic' or overlay sign plan may be required/approved at the discretion of the Village Council.

## 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 9 zoning districts in Birch Run — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Birch+Run+MI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-birch-run

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