# Sign Regulations in Cass City, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Cass City, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/cass-city
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/Cass_City/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CD_ORD_CH46ZO_ARTIVSURE_S46-479SI)

## At a glance

Cass City, Michigan regulates 34 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Ground Sign (Subdivision or Multi-Family Identification)s in the RA-1 one-family residential district, RA-1B one-family residential district, RA-2 one-family residential district, RB two-family residential district, RC multiple-family residential district, MH mobile home district zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 32 sq ft, with a 10 feet from any right-of-way setback (Sec. Sec. 46-479(f)(1)). Most commercial signs in Cass City require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| RA-1 one-family residential district, RA-1B one-family residential district, RA-2 one-family residential district, RB two-family residential district, RC multiple-family residential district, MH mobile home district | 10 | 42 inches | 32 sq ft | — |
| OS-1 office service district | 3 | 6 ft | 18 sq ft | — |
| B-1 community business district | 5 | 20 ft | 100 sq ft (each street-facing facade, limited to 10% of facade area) | — |
| B-2 general business district | 5 | 30 ft | 100 sq ft per sign face (calculated formula) | — |
| I-1 light industrial district, I-2 general industrial district | 4 | 10 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| P-1 vehicular parking district | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | 42 inches | 15 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### RA-1 one-family residential district, RA-1B one-family residential district, RA-2 one-family residential district, RB two-family residential district, RC multiple-family residential district, MH mobile home district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Subdivision or Multi-Family Identification) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 10 feet from any right-of-way | 1 per subdivision or multiple-family development | Minimum setback 10 feet from the future road right-of-way (as shown in the village master plan) of any existing road and a setback of ten feet from the right-of-way of any existing or approved road. | — | Sec. 46-479(f)(1) |
| Temporary Sign (New Development Sale/Lease) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 20 feet from future ROW, 10 feet from ROW | 1 per development | Minimum setback 20 feet from future right-of-way (as shown in the village master plan); 10 feet from current right-of-way | — | Sec. 46-479(f)(2) |
| Ground or Wall Sign (Nonresidential Uses in Residential Districts) | 6 ft (ground sign); 10 ft (wall sign) | 18 sq ft (ground sign); 50 sq ft (wall sign) | — | 20 feet from ROW | 1 ground sign and 1 wall sign per principal building | Minimum setback of 20 feet from any future road right-of-way for ground signs. | — | Sec. 46-479(f)(3) |
| Ground or Wall Sign (Accessory Offices in RC and MH Districts) | 4 ft (ground sign); 10 ft (wall sign) | 6 sq ft | — | 20 feet from ROW | 1 per office | Minimum setback of 20 feet from future road right-of-way. | — | Sec. 46-479(f)(4) |
| Nameplate Sign | — | 2 sq ft (as per home occupation/bed and breakfast); 1 sq ft (general accessory) | — | — | 1 per home occupation/household | May be attached to building (home occupation); general accessory as permitted | — | Sec. 46-153(11)(c); Sec. 46-479(d)(6) |
| Bed and Breakfast Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per bed and breakfast | May be located in setback area | — | Sec. 46-153(12)(c) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Residential District) | 42 inches | 6 sq ft per sign face | — | 15 feet from ROW/property line | — | At least 15 feet from any road right-of-way or property line, must be on property advertised | — | Sec. 46-479(d)(1) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Nonresidential District) | 10 ft | 15 sq ft per sign face | — | 25 feet for freestanding | — | If freestanding: set back at least 25 feet from nearest edge of pavement. | — | Sec. 46-479(d)(2) |

### B-2 general business district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 30 ft | 32 sq ft per sign face | — | 10 ft from ROW; 100 ft from residential | Based on frontage/corner; see additional requirements | Minimum 10 ft from future right-of-way; minimum 100 ft from adjacent residential district. Additional ground signs allowed for corner lots (max 2, one facing each thoroughfare with 200 ft frontage), and additional signs with 300 ft+ frontage (must be 200 ft apart). | — | Sec. 46-479(i)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Business Center) | 30 ft | 100 sq ft per sign face (calculated formula) | — | 10 ft from ROW; 100 ft from residential; rear/side per sign height | 1 per business center | Minimum 10 ft from ROW; 100 ft from residential; minimum from rear/side lot lines equals sign height. | — | Sec. 46-479(i)(2) |
| Wall Sign (Facade with Road Frontage) | — | 10% of wall area | — | — | 1 per road-fronting facade | Each building facade with road frontage | — | Sec. 46-479(i)(3) |
| Menu Board Ground Sign (Drive-Through Restaurants) | 6 ft | 36 sq ft | — | — | 1 per drive-through restaurant | Rear or interior side yard | — | Sec. 46-479(i)(5) |
| Special Signs (Gasoline Service Stations) | — | — | — | — | — | Directional signs on building over doorways; signs on gasoline pumps | — | Sec. 46-479(i)(4) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Residential) | 42 inches | 6 sq ft | — | 15 ft from ROW/PL | — | At least 15 feet from road right-of-way/property line; on property being sold/leased. | — | Sec. 46-479(d)(1) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Nonresidential) | 10 ft | 15 sq ft | — | 25 ft for freestanding | — | If freestanding: 25 ft min from edge of pavement. | — | Sec. 46-479(d)(2) |
| Temporary Off-Premises Real Estate Directional Sign | 42 inches | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Off premises, owner permission required | — | Sec. 46-479(d)(3) |
| Nameplate Sign (Residential/All Districts) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per household | — | — | Sec. 46-479(d)(6) |
| Garage/Estate Sale Sign | 30 inches | 4 sq ft | — | — | Up to 3 per sale (2 on premises, 1 off premises) | — | — | Sec. 46-479(d)(7) |
| On-site Directional Sign | 3 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On-site | — | Sec. 46-479(d)(8) |
| Political Sign | 42 inches | 6 sq ft per face | — | 25 ft from pavement | — | Minimum 25 ft from pavement of adjacent streets | — | Sec. 46-479(d)(9) |
| Exterior Banners and Pennants (Business Advertising) | — | 10% of building facade | — | 10 ft from future right-of-way | — | At least 10 ft from future right-of-way | — | Sec. 46-479(d)(13) |

## Prohibited signs in Cass City

- No sign shall be located in, project into, or overhang a public right-of-way or dedicated public easement, except for signs erected by the village, township, county, public schools, or state or federal governments.
- Signs mounted on a building shall not project beyond or overhang the wall by more than 12 inches (canopies and awnings on front/rear facades excluded).
- Signs shall not project above the cornice, wall facade, parapet, or eave of the building to which affixed. Roof signs are not permitted.
- No sign shall be erected which simulates or imitates in size, color, lettering, or design any traffic sign or signal or other word, phrase, symbol or character in such a manner that may interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.
- No illumination for signs will be intermittent, oscillating or flashing, except for signs displaying stock market index information, time, or temperature.
- Nonaccessory signs are permitted only in the I-1 and I-2 industrial districts.
- No sign shall be erected, reerected, altered or relocated without a permit from the zoning administrator, except as otherwise provided.
- Signs must be constructed to not constitute a hazard to public or adjacent property.
- Signs using glass must be constructed and located so as to pose no safety hazard if broken.
- Signs and all supports must be constructed to withstand 30 pounds per square foot horizontal force on the display area, with documentation required prior to permit issuance.
- Temporary portable business advertising signs shall not interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic flow or visibility.
- All sign illumination must not be of a flashing, moving, or intermittent type.
- Nonaccessory signs shall be spaced no closer than 1,000 feet between signs on the same side of the right-of-way in I-1 and I-2 districts.
- No political signs shall be displayed on public land.

## Signs exempt from permit in Cass City

- Temporary, accessory, real estate signs in residential districts meeting stated area and height limits and removed within 7 days of sale/lease do not require a permit.
- Temporary, accessory, real estate signs in nonresidential districts meeting stated area, height, and setback limits, and removed within 7 days of sale/lease do not require a permit.
- Temporary, off-premises real estate directional signs (max six sq ft, specific use/duration/height limitations, with property owner consent and limited hours) do not require a permit.
- Temporary seasonal decorations do not require a permit.
- Signs erected by the village, Elkland Township, the county, village public schools, or state or federal governments for street identification, traffic control, legal notices, identification, information, historic or public building/site identification, or community events do not require a permit.
- One nonilluminated accessory nameplate sign not exceeding one square foot is permitted in any district without a permit.
- Garage sale, estate sale, or similar sale signs in residential districts, two on-premises and one off-premises, meeting area/height/duration limits, do not require a permit.
- On-site accessory directional signs not exceeding four square feet in area and three feet in height do not require a permit.
- Political signs not exceeding six square feet per face and 42 inches in height, meeting removal and placement rules, do not require a permit.
- Flags, not more than three per zoning lot and not exceeding four by six feet each, do not require a permit.
- Signs for essential services denoting utility lines, hazards, and precautions do not require a permit.
- Memorial signs cut into masonry or constructed of bronze/noncombustible material, located flat on building, do not require a permit.
- Exterior banners and pennants for business promotion (special events, products, service changes), that fit stated criteria (size, location/setback, zones, maintenance), do not require a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit from the zoning administrator is required for any sign erection, re-erection, alteration, or relocation, except those signs specifically exempted.
- The zoning administrator may require planning commission review/approval for any sign.
- Applicants may appeal decisions of the zoning administrator or planning commission on signs to the zoning board of appeals.
- Site plan review by the planning commission is required for any use requiring off-street parking, except one-family residential dwellings (section 46-485). Site plan must show detailed signage plans.
- Sign area, height, location, and illumination details must be provided in site plan review where required.
- Site plan reviews generally apply to new developments or changes of use, and always require detailed signage and lighting plans.
- Temporary portable business advertising signs require a permit from the zoning administrator (maximum four times per year, max 80 days total per year).

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

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