# Sign Regulations in Burtchville Township, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Burtchville Township, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/burtchville-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-19

## At a glance

Burtchville Township, Michigan regulates 19 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the O Office District, GB General Business District zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 72 sq ft (single face), 144 sq ft (total all faces), with a 20' (see schedule) setback (Sec. § 154.025 (C)(2)(a)). Most commercial signs in Burtchville Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A/R-Agricultural/Residential, R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-2-Single and Two-Family Residential, MHR-Manufactured Home District, RM Multiple-Family Residential Districts | 5 | — | 18 sq ft; 32 sq ft if on major thoroughfare or road ≥45 mph | — |
| O Office District, GB General Business District | 11 | 18 ft | 100 sq ft maximum | — |
| RCC Recreation, Conservation and Cemetery Districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| I Industrial Districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | Appropriate size for purpose | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### A/R-Agricultural/Residential, R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-2-Single and Two-Family Residential, MHR-Manufactured Home District, RM Multiple-Family Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate (Dwelling Unit) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit | Affixed to dwelling unit | — | § 154.025 (C)(1)(a) |
| Identification Sign (Non-dwelling uses) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per structure/use | On property of use | — | § 154.025 (C)(1)(b) |
| Accessory Sign (Churches) | — | 18 sq ft; 32 sq ft if on major thoroughfare or road ≥45 mph | — | — | 1 per church | On church property | — | § 154.025 (C)(1)(c) |
| Identification Sign (Rental/Management Office in Multiple Housing) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per office | On rental/management office property in multiple housing development | — | § 154.025 (C)(1)(d) |
| Nameplate (Home Occupation) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per home occupation | On premises of lawful home occupation | — | § 154.025 (C)(1)(e) |

### O Office District, GB General Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft | 72 sq ft (single face), 144 sq ft (total all faces) | — | 2 ft from existing R.O.W. (State Hwy. M-25); Otherwise: 2 ft high: 6', 2.5 ft: 8', 3 ft: 10', 4 ft: 14', 5 ft: 16', 6 ft: 20' (see schedule) | 1 per development per frontage | Setback from proposed R.O.W. as per schedule | — | § 154.025 (C)(2)(a) |
| Pole Sign (14 ft height) | 14 ft | 60 sq ft (single face), 120 sq ft (all faces) | — | 12 ft from edge of proposed R.O.W. | 1 per development | Setback: 12 ft from R.O.W. (14 ft height) | — | § 154.025 (C)(2)(b) and associated table |
| Pole Sign (15 ft height) | 15 ft | 60 sq ft (single face), 120 sq ft (all faces) | — | 14 ft from edge of proposed R.O.W. | 1 per development | Setback: 14 ft from R.O.W. | — | § 154.025 (C)(2)(b) and table |
| Pole Sign (16 ft height) | 16 ft | 60 sq ft (single face), 120 sq ft (all faces) | — | 16 ft from edge of proposed R.O.W. | 1 per development | Setback: 16 ft from R.O.W. | — | § 154.025 (C)(2)(b) and table |
| Pole Sign (17 ft height) | 17 ft | 60 sq ft (single face), 120 sq ft (all faces) | — | 17 ft from edge of proposed R.O.W. | 1 per development | Setback: 17 ft from R.O.W. | — | § 154.025 (C)(2)(b) and table |
| Pole Sign (18 ft height) | 18 ft | 60 sq ft (single face), 120 sq ft (all faces) | — | 19 ft from edge of proposed R.O.W. | 1 per development | Setback: 19 ft from R.O.W. | — | § 154.025 (C)(2)(b) and table |
| Temporary Portable Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per zoning lot | On zoning lot; not to obstruct parking, travel lanes | — | § 154.025 (C)(2)(c)1 |
| Temporary Sign (For Sale or Rental, Individual Unit) | — | 6 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per unit, 2 for corner lot | On property of unit for sale/rent | — | § 154.025 (C)(2)(c)2 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign | — | Appropriate size for purpose | — | — | — | Where needed for wayfinding within property; not in right-of-way or easement | — | § 154.025 (B)(3) |
| Accessory Sign (Churches, Schools, Nonprofits) | — | As per use district | — | — | — | On premises of institution | — | § 154.025 (C)(5) |

## Prohibited signs in Burtchville Township

- No sign, except those established and maintained by the township, county, state or federal governments, shall be erected, located or placed in, project into or overhang a public right-of-way or dedicated public easement.
- No sign otherwise permitted shall project above or beyond the maximum height limitation of the use district in which located and provided further that no freestanding sign, where permitted, shall exceed three feet in height.
- No sign above a height of two feet shall be located within, project into or overhang the triangular area formed at the intersection of street right-of-way lines by a straight line drawn between the right-of-way lines at a distance along each line of 25 feet from their point of intersection.
- Illumination of signs shall be only by means of white light at constant intensity. All illumination shall be shielded, directed or shaded downward so as not to interfere with driver visibility, become hazardous to traffic or the vision of persons on adjacent streets or property. Flashing, animated or intermittent type signs shall not be permitted.
- No sign shall include language or graphics referring to either specified anatomical areas or specified sexual activities.
- Any sign, including framing, now or hereafter existing, which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted or a product or entertainment, service or commodity offered or sold on the lot, shall be taken down and removed by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building or structure upon which the sign shall be found within 30 days after written notice from the Zoning Administrator.
- Connections to an energy source for lighting shall not be exposed in any way that may constitute a safety hazard to the public.
- String lights used in connection with business premises for commercial purposes, other than holiday decorations, are prohibited.
- Any sign unlawfully installed, erected or maintained is prohibited.
- Signs on any fencepost, tree, utility pole or similar object are prohibited.
- Any sign or banner erected upon or across any public right-of-way or dedicated public easement is prohibited except as otherwise provided within this section.
- Signs that incorporate flashing lights in any manner are prohibited.
- Any sign or other advertising structure upon which is displayed any obscene, indecent or immoral matter, or which includes language or graphics referring to either specified anatomical areas or specified sexual activities, is prohibited.
- Signs which move, rotate or have any moving or animated parts or image, including swinging signs, are prohibited.
- Strings of flags, streamers or pennants are prohibited.
- Inflated or deflated membrane devices are prohibited.
- Signs on park-type benches are prohibited.
- Any sign on the roof of any building is prohibited.
- Marquee signs are prohibited.
- Projecting signs are prohibited.
- Vehicles used as signs (signs on a motor vehicle or trailer which is parked in front of or at a business, or in a manner so that it is visible from a public street or from a residential zoning district, and is used primarily for the purpose of advertising a business, product or service) are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Burtchville Township

- Wall signs used as nameplates, not exceeding two square feet in area, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Occupational signs denoting only the name and profession of the occupant in a commercial, public or other institutional building and not exceeding two square feet in area are exempt from permit requirements.
- Message boards not over 20 square feet in area for governmental, educational and religious institutions, when located on the premises of the institutions, are exempt from permit requirements; provided, however, if electrically illuminated, an electrical permit must be obtained.
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or aluminum are exempt from permit requirements.
- Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices, danger and temporary emergency or non-advertising signs are exempt from permit requirements.
- Signs advertising the rental, sale, lease or open house of the property upon which they are located are exempt from permit requirements.
- Flags of recognized federal, state, county or township governments, but not including corporate or business flags, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Decorative displays, except for those that occupy a public right-of-way as regulated by this section, are exempt from permit requirements.
- No hunting signs, no fishing signs, or no trespassing signs are exempt from permit requirements.
- Political signs relating to the election of a person to public office, relating to a political party or a matter to be voted upon at an election called by a public body, are exempt from permit requirements, provided: they are placed outside the highway or road right-of-way and do not create a traffic hazard; permission is obtained from the property owner or occupant; and the signs are erected no earlier than 60 days prior to the election and removed no later than ten days after the election.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All plans for the erection of signs shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator for review and approval and shall be further subject to all codes and ordinances of the township.
- Applications for sign permits must include blueprints or drawings showing specifications and methods of construction and attachment to the building or in the ground.
- Where required to conform with the building code, approval by the Building Inspector and the issuance of a building permit is necessary.
- Directional signs are subject to Planning Commission approval in cases requiring site plan review and subject to Zoning Administrator approval in all other instances.
- It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide the required information when applying for a sign permit.
- Applications for permits shall be made upon forms provided by the Zoning Administrator or other designated official and include required information.

## 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 5 zoning districts in Burtchville Township — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Burtchville+Township+MI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-burtchville-township

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/burtchville-township