# Sign Regulations in Cheboygan, Michigan

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

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

## At a glance

Cheboygan, Michigan regulates 26 sign types across 13 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Identifying Multi-family Residential Complex or Home Occupation)s in the R-1A, R-MH, R-2 zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 9 sq ft (Sec. § 152.26(B)). Most commercial signs in Cheboygan require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (13 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | — | 50 sq ft per side (unless increased by Zoning Board of Appeals) | — |
| R-1A, R-MH, R-2 | 4 | 6 ft | 10 sq ft | — |
| R-M | 2 | — | 18 sq ft | — |
| W-M, L-1 | 1 | — | 50 sq ft | — |
| B-1, O-1 | 1 | 12 ft | See formula | — |
| B-2, T-1 | 1 | 18 ft | See formula | — |
| B-3 | 1 | 18 ft | See formula | — |
| B-4 | 1 | 20 ft (if wall is taller, max sign height stays at 20 ft) | See formula | — |
| "R" Districts | 3 | — | 10 sq ft | — |
| "R-M" Districts | 2 | — | 18 sq ft | — |
| T-1, B-1, B-3, B-4, W-M, P-1 | 1 | — | 50 sq ft | — |
| O-1 Districts | 3 | — | — | — |
| L-1 Districts | 3 | — | 300 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 13 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | No wall sign shall extend more than 24 inches beyond the building and shall be attached at a height of not less than 7 feet above grade (15 ft. 6 in. above an alley), and shall not extend more than 3 feet above the parapet wall or roof level. | — | § 152.03, § 152.15, § 152.19 |
| Ground Sign / Billboard | — | — | — | At least 3 ft from sidewalk, 6 ft from buildings/side lot line, 2 ft from other ground signs. | — | Shall be set no less than 1.5 ft above ground at lowest point, not closer than 6 ft to any building or side lot line, not closer than 2 ft to another ground sign. Setback from sidewalk at least 3 ft. | — | § 152.03, § 152.15, § 152.17 |
| Roof Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Secured to or bearing on masonry walls/columns/girders/roof joists. | — | § 152.03, § 152.18 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 50 sq ft per side (unless increased by Zoning Board of Appeals) | — | — | — | No extension over sidewalk/street/alley within 18 inches of curb line. At least 10 ft above sidewalk, 15 ft 6 in above alley. Signs projecting more than 36 in must be fastened to building with proper hinges. | — | § 152.03, § 152.15, § 152.20 |
| Temporary Sign | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | — | Must be attached to the wall of a building, may not extend more than 24 in from wall, may not block ingress/egress or attach to stand pipe/fire escape. | — | § 152.03, § 152.15, § 152.22 |
| Combination Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 152.23 |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Attached to sides or front of marquee, or hung from marquee (not below 9 ft above sidewalk). No projection beyond marquee line. | — | § 152.24 |
| Pylon / Pole / Banjo Sign | — | — | — | — | — | May not project within 18 inches of curb line. Supports on private property, set in concrete footings. | — | § 152.25 |

### R-1A, R-MH, R-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Identifying Multi-family Residential Complex or Home Occupation) | 6 ft | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Front yard area; placement and setback subject to Zoning Board of Appeals. | — | § 152.26(B) |
| Identification Sign (For each dwelling unit) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling | — | — | § 152.30 |
| Identification Sign (For structures other than dwelling units) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per structure | — | — | § 152.30 |
| Identification Sign (Rental or Management Office in Multiple Housing Development) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per office | — | — | § 152.30 |

### "R" Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name Plate (Dwelling Unit) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling | — | — | § 152.30 |
| Identification Sign (Other Than Dwelling Unit) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per structure | — | — | § 152.30 |
| Identification Sign (Rental/Management Office in Multiple Housing) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per office | — | — | § 152.30 |

## Prohibited signs in Cheboygan

- No sign shall be erected, installed, replaced or reconstructed without a permit issued by the city.
- No sign shall overhang a dedicated public right-of-way without approval from the governmental unit having jurisdiction over that right-of-way.
- All signs must be maintained in a clearly legible condition and kept in good repair.
- Signs determined structurally or electrically unsafe must be removed or repaired by the owner upon notification.
- Abandoned signs or sign structures that no longer advertise a bona fide business must be removed within 90 days after cessation of business.
- No sign shall be located or placed to obstruct or impair driver vision, or obstruct the view/effectiveness of any official traffic sign or signal.
- Signs that, due to location, shape, size or color, may be confused with official traffic signs or signals are not permitted.
- Illumination of signs is limited to the face of the sign; exterior lighting must be shielded and directed to prevent glare or hazards to traffic.
- Pre-existing (nonconforming) signs cannot be rebuilt or relocated without fully conforming to ordinance requirements.
- No sign shall obstruct any fire escape, window, door or other opening, nor interfere with ventilation or fire escape access.
- No signs except those established and maintained by government entities shall be located in, project into, or overhang a public right-of-way/dedicated public easement (unless otherwise expressly permitted).
- No sign shall project above or beyond the maximum height limitation of the zoning use district, except under circumstances approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals for planned developments.
- No sign, if illuminated, may be of flashing or intermittent type in any use district.
- No sign shall be located within, project into, or overhang the triangular area formed at the intersection of street rights-of-way lines at a distance of 25 feet from their intersection.
- Nonconforming signs shall not be extended, enlarged, structurally altered, or re-established after 90 days of disuse.
- Destroyed nonconforming signs must be reconstructed only in conformity with the ordinance.
- Unsafe signs or advertising devices may be abated or removed by order of the City Manager if found immediately dangerous.
- Obstruction of free ingress or egress due to temporary or permanent signs is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Cheboygan

- Residential signs displaying the resident's name or residence and address, with display area less than two square feet per side, do not require a permit.
- Real estate signs placed upon a property advertising that particular property for sale, rent, or lease do not require a permit.
- Political signs and temporary non-illuminated signs advertising sales, bazaars, etc., for a period not to exceed 30 days do not require a permit.
- Directional signs required for orientation when established by city, county, state, or federal government are permitted.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No explicit master sign plan or comprehensive sign plan requirement is stated in the ordinance.
- Signs that do not comply with strict application of the ordinance may seek a variance or waiver reviewed by the Zoning Board of Appeals, with notice and meeting requirements.
- The Zoning Board of Appeals may review and approve certain types and placements of freestanding signs (including waivers of size, height, location), and joint identification signs, typically requiring a public meeting and procedures in § 152.41.
- A sketch (showing sign size, height, support, zoning district, location, setbacks, and other required info) must be submitted with each sign permit application.

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

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