# Sign Regulations in Charter Township Royal Oak, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Charter Township Royal Oak, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/charter-township-royal-oak
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28

## At a glance

Charter Township Royal Oak, Michigan regulates 23 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Construction Sign (Temporary)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 15 ft. tall and 64 sq. ft., with a Comply with district setback requirements. setback (Sec. §32-830(c) Temporary Signs Table).

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 15 ft. | 64 sq. ft. | — |
| Residential Zoning District (R-1A, R-1B, R-M) | 9 | 10 ft. | 48 sq. ft. | — |
| Nonresidential Zoning District (O-1, C-1, C-2, C-3, M-1, M-2, PD, PP) | 11 | 10 ft. | 150 sq. ft. | — |
| M-1 | 4 | 25 ft. | 300 sq. ft. per sign face | — |
| M-2 | 4 | 25 ft. | 300 sq. ft. per sign face | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign (Temporary) | 15 ft. | 64 sq. ft. | — | Comply with district setback requirements. | 1 | Ground or wall, subject to district setback. | — | §32-830(c) Temporary Signs Table |
| Real Estate Sign (Unplatted Land, Temporary) | 10 ft. | 64 sq. ft. | — | Comply with district setback requirements. | 1 (corner parcels: two, one facing each street) | Portable ground. | — | §32-830(c) Temporary Signs Table |
| Real Estate Development Sign (Temporary) | 10 ft. | 64 sq. ft. | — | Comply with district setback requirements. | 1 per frontage | Portable ground. | — | §32-830(c) Temporary Signs Table |
| Community Special Event Sign (Temporary) | As approved by planning commission | As approved by planning commission | — | Comply with district setback requirements. | As approved by planning commission | Ground, wall, banners, pennants, or similar displays. | — | §32-830(c) Temporary Signs Table |
| Political Sign (Temporary) | 10 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | May be in setback but not within right-of-way (note d). | 2 | Ground or wall. | — | §32-830(c) Temporary Signs Table |

### Residential Zoning District (R-1A, R-1B, R-M)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | On building. | — | §32-832(1); §32-830(a)(2); Generalized Schedule of Sign Standards for Residential Land Uses |
| Street Address | 6 in. | — | — | — | 1 | On building. | — | §32-832(1); §32-830(a)(1); Generalized Schedule of Sign Standards for Residential Land Uses |
| Real Estate Sign (Individual Home or Lot, Temporary) | 6 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | Comply with district setback requirements. | 1 (corner parcels: two, one facing each street) | Portable ground. | — | §32-832(2); §32-830(c) Temporary Signs Table |
| Garage Sale Sign | 5 ft. | 2 sq. ft. | — | May be in setback, not in right-of-way. | 2 | Ground or wall. | — | §32-832(3); §32-830(c) Temporary Signs Table |
| Church Sign | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | Comply with district setback requirements. | 1 per site (corner parcels: two, one per street; 1 additional per school, parsonage, related facility) | Subject to district setback. | — | §32-832(4); §32-830(e)(2) |
| Residential Entryway Sign | — | 48 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per entrance | At subdivision or residential development entrance. | — | §32-832(5) |
| Community Special Event Sign (Temporary) | As approved by planning commission | As approved by planning commission | — | Comply with district setback requirements. | As approved by planning commission | Ground, wall, banners, pennants, or similar displays. | — | §32-830(c) Temporary Signs Table |
| Political Sign (Temporary) | 10 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | May be in setback, not within right-of-way. | 2 | Ground or wall. | — | §32-830(c) Temporary Signs Table |

### Nonresidential Zoning District (O-1, C-1, C-2, C-3, M-1, M-2, PD, PP)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 1/3 building height; not higher than the height limits specified in the district, top of window sills at first level above first story, or height of building facing street (whichever is lowest) | 150 sq. ft. | 3/4 width of building | — | 1 per street/frontage, per tenant as specified | On wall facing street or highway; one per street or highway frontage per parcel | — | §32-833(3) |
| Freestanding Sign | 5 ft.; up to 15 ft. by commission approval | 100 sq. ft. | — | Min 15 ft from right-of-way or 3 ft from edge of private road/service drive; min 25 ft from I-696; min 50 ft from R-1A, R-1B, or R-M districts. | 1 per street/highway frontage | Required front yard; must face street/highway frontage. Not facing I-696. | — | §32-833(4) |
| Awning or Canopy Sign | — | 25% of visible awning/canopy area | — | Comply with district setback for structures. | 1 per awning/canopy | On awning/canopy, visible from street | — | §32-833(6) |
| Gasoline Price Sign | — | 20 sq. ft. | — | Freestanding sign setbacks apply. | 1 | On site of gas station. | — | §32-833(7) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Business/Vacant Lot) | 10 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | Comply with district setback requirements. | 1 (corner parcels: two, one facing each street) | Portable ground or wall. | — | §32-830(c) Temporary Signs Table |
| Grand Opening Sign (Temporary) | 10 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | Comply with district setback requirements. | 1 | Ground or wall. | — | §32-830(c) Temporary Signs Table |
| Community Special Event Sign (Temporary) | As approved by planning commission | As approved by planning commission | — | Comply with district setback requirements. | As approved by planning commission | Ground, wall, banners, pennants, or similar displays. | — | §32-830(c) Temporary Signs Table |
| Political Sign (Temporary) | 10 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | May be in setback, not within right-of-way. | 2 | Ground or wall. | — | §32-830(c) Temporary Signs Table |

## Prohibited signs in Charter Township Royal Oak

- A sign not expressly permitted by this chapter.
- A sign that incorporates flashing or moving lights; however, time and temperature or stock market quote signs shall be permitted following site plan review.
- Banners, pennants, festoons, spinners, and streamers, unless specifically permitted elsewhere in this chapter.
- String lights used for commercial purposes, other than use as temporary holiday decorations.
- Any sign erected on a tree or utility pole, except signs of a unit of government or utility.
- Obsolete signs, as specified in section 32-827(d).
- A sign that has any visible moving parts, visible revolving parts, visible mechanical movement, or other visible movement achieved by electrical, electronic, or mechanical means, including intermittent electric pulsations or movement caused by normal wind current.
- Any sign or sign structure that is structurally unsafe; constitutes a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, or abandonment; is capable of causing electric shock to persons; or is not in good repair, such that it has broken parts, missing letters, or nonoperational lights.
- Portable signs, unless expressly permitted in this chapter.
- A sign that is affixed to a parked vehicle or trailer that causes the vehicle or trailer to be used principally for advertising purposes, rather than for transportation purposes.
- A sign that obstructs free access to or egress from a required door, window, fire escape, or other required exit.
- A sign that makes use of the words "Stop," "Look" or "Danger," or any other similar words, phrases, symbols, or characters, in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.
- A sign containing obscene, indecent, illegal, or immoral matter.
- A sign installed, erected, or maintained in a manner not consistent with this chapter.
- A roof sign.
- A projecting sign.
- A sandwich sign.
- Any sign on street furniture, such as benches and trash receptacles.
- Real estate signs that are no longer valid due to the sale, rental, lease, or abandonment of the property.
- Signs shall not endanger life or limb, confuse or mislead traffic, obstruct vision necessary for traffic safety, or otherwise endanger the public health or safety.
- Signs shall not detract from neighborhood character nor diminish the value of surrounding properties.
- Use of glaring undiffused lights or bulbs shall be prohibited.
- Sign illumination that could distract motorists or otherwise create a traffic hazard shall be prohibited.
- Illumination by bare bulbs or flames is prohibited, except that bare bulbs are permitted on changeable copy signs and theater marquees.
- No sign shall be located within, project into, or overhang a public right-of-way, except as otherwise permitted.
- All signs shall comply with minimum setback requirements for buildings or structures in the zoning district in which they are located, except as otherwise permitted.

## Signs exempt from permit in Charter Township Royal Oak

- Address numbers with a numeral height no greater than six inches for residences and 18 inches for businesses.
- Nameplates identifying the occupants of the building, not to exceed a total of two square feet per building.
- Memorial signs or tablets not to exceed two square feet.
- Signs on a bus, truck, trailer, or other vehicle while operated and used for transport in the normal course of a business, provided that the primary use of the vehicle displaying the sign shall not be for the purpose of advertising a business on the premises where the vehicle is parked.
- Public signs, including the authorized signs of a government body or public utility, including community bulletin boards, traffic signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, warnings of a hazard, and similar signs.
- Flags bearing the official design or insignia of a nation, state, county, municipality, educational institution, or noncommercial organization.
- Incidental signs, provided that total of all such signs shall not exceed two square feet.
- Private traffic control signs that conform to the requirements of the Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
- One private parking lot or driveway identification sign, not to exceed three square feet per sign and six feet in height.
- Permanent signs on vending machines, gas pumps, or ice dispensers limited to information on the contents of such devices, provided that the sign area of each device shall not exceed six square feet.
- Portable real estate "open house" signs with an area no greater than four square feet.
- "Help wanted" signs soliciting employees for the place of business where posted, provided that the maximum area for all such signs shall not exceed six square feet.
- A sign that is located completely within an enclosed building and is not visible from outside the building.
- Plaques or signs designating a building as a historic structure approved by a local or state body authorized to place such signs by law, not to exceed a total of six square feet.
- "No Trespassing," "No Soliciting," and "No Dumping" signs not to exceed a total of three square feet per site.
- A sign used to direct vehicular or pedestrian traffic to parking areas, loading areas, or to certain buildings or locations on the site, subject to specific conditions (e.g., no logos/advertising, no larger than 4 sq ft in area or 4 ft in height, set back at least 3 ft from right-of-way).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Sign permit applications submitted in conjunction with the proposed construction of a new building or addition to an existing building shall be reviewed by the planning commission as a part of the required site plan review. All proposed signs must be shown on the site plan.
- Site plan review is required for time and temperature or stock market quote signs with flashing or moving lights.
- Freestanding signs up to 15 feet in height may be permitted following site plan review by the township planning commission.
- Marquee sign numbers, areas, and heights for community special event signs are subject to planning commission approval.
- A permit is required for most new, altered, relocated, or structurally changed signs unless specifically exempted.

## 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 Charter Township Royal Oak — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Charter+Township+Royal+Oak+MI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-charter-township-royal-oak

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