# Sign Regulations in Comstock Township, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Comstock Township, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/comstock-township
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://comstockmi.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-10-15-Comstock-CZ-final_secured.pdf#page=298)

## At a glance

Comstock Township, Michigan regulates 64 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Subdivision or Development Real Estate Sign - Freestandings in the Agriculture-Residential (AGR), Agriculture-Horticulture (A-H), Single-Family Residential (R1-A), Single-Family Residential (R1-B), Cluster Housing (R1-C), Multiple-Family Residential (RM), Senior Citizens Multiple Story Residential (RSM), Mobile Home Park (RMH), Open Wetlands (OW) zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 32 sq ft, with a General freestanding sign setback applies if >12 sq ft (§5.18(B)(4)) setback (Sec. Table 5.18(D)(1) Note 1; §5.18(B)(5)). Most commercial signs in Comstock Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 14 | ≤100 ft in commercial/industrial districts; residential/agricultural limited to principal building height requirements | ≤48 sq ft total sign area | — |
| Agriculture-Residential (AGR), Agriculture-Horticulture (A-H), Single-Family Residential (R1-A), Single-Family Residential (R1-B), Cluster Housing (R1-C), Multiple-Family Residential (RM), Senior Citizens Multiple Story Residential (RSM), Mobile Home Park (RMH), Open Wetlands (OW) | 9 | 30 ft | 60 sq ft combined | — |
| Office (O-1), Neighborhood Business (B-1), Community Business (B-2), General Business (B-3), Light Manufacturing (LM), Restricted Industrial (LD), Manufacturing (M) | 17 | 30 ft (unless high-rise sign) | ≤500 sq ft per side | — |
| Comstock Center (CC) | 14 | ≤20 ft | ≤48 sq ft per sign | — |
| Comstock Center (CC-Core Zone) | 4 | ≤20 ft | ≤48 sq ft per sign | — |
| Comstock Center (CC-South Zone) | 2 | ≤20 ft | ≤32 sq ft | — |
| Comstock Center (CC-East Zone) | 2 | ≤20 ft | ≤32 sq ft | — |
| Comstock Center (CC-North Zone) | 2 | ≤20 ft | ≤32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### Agriculture-Residential (AGR), Agriculture-Horticulture (A-H), Single-Family Residential (R1-A), Single-Family Residential (R1-B), Cluster Housing (R1-C), Multiple-Family Residential (RM), Senior Citizens Multiple Story Residential (RSM), Mobile Home Park (RMH), Open Wetlands (OW)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation - Wall Sign | N/A | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On wall of residence where home occupation is permitted | — | Table 5.18(D)(1) |
| Subdivision or Development Real Estate Sign - Freestanding | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | General freestanding sign setback applies if >12 sq ft (§5.18(B)(4)) | 1 | At subdivision or development | — | Table 5.18(D)(1) Note 1; §5.18(B)(5) |
| Residential Development Sign - Freestanding | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | General freestanding sign setback applies if >12 sq ft (§5.18(B)(4)) | 1 per entrance | At entrance of residential subdivision or development, including mobile home park or apartment complex | — | Table 5.18(D)(1) Note 2 |
| Non-residential Use (Other than Home Occupation or Institutional) - Wall or Freestanding | 30 ft | 36 sq ft | — | Freestanding >12 sq ft must meet general setback (§5.18(B)(4)) | 1 | On site of non-residential use within these districts | — | Table 5.18(D)(1) |
| Institutional - Wall | 20 ft | 60 sq ft combined | — | — | Up to 3 wall signs | On institution’s building wall (e.g., schools, churches) within these districts | — | Table 5.18(D)(1); §5.18(B)(3)(e) |
| Institutional - Freestanding | 20 ft | 48 sq ft | — | Freestanding >12 sq ft must meet general setback (§5.18(B)(4)) | 1 | On institution’s premises | — | Table 5.18(D)(1); §5.18(B)(3)(e) |
| Sign for Seasonal Sale of Agricultural Produce (AGR, A-H only) - Wall or Freestanding | 8 ft | 36 sq ft | — | Freestanding >12 sq ft must meet general setback (§5.18(B)(4)) | 1 | On premises in AGR or A-H for seasonal sale of agricultural produce | — | Table 5.18(D)(1) Note 3 |
| Group Day Care Home - Wall Sign | N/A | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On wall of group day care home | — | Table 5.18(D)(1) |

### Office (O-1), Neighborhood Business (B-1), Community Business (B-2), General Business (B-3), Light Manufacturing (LM), Restricted Industrial (LD), Manufacturing (M)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Individual Business (not in Multi-Business Structure) - Wall Sign (O-1, B-1, B-2, B-3) | N/A | 96 sq ft combined | — | — | Up to 3 wall signs | On exterior wall of individual business | — | Table 5.18(D)(2) and continued; Note 1 |
| Individual Business (not in Multi-Business Structure) - Wall Sign (LM, LD, M) | N/A | 160 sq ft combined | — | — | Up to 3 wall signs | On exterior wall of individual business | — | Table 5.18(D)(2) and continued; Note 1 |
| Individual Business (not in Multi-Business Structure) - Freestanding Sign | 30 ft (unless high-rise sign) | Up to 185 sq ft (unless high-rise sign) | — | Freestanding >12 sq ft must meet general setback (§5.18(B)(4)) | 1 (or 2 if abutting I-94) | On premises of individual business | — | Table 5.18(D)(2); Notes 2, 3 |
| Individual Businesses Located in Multi-Business Structure (Direct exterior entrance) - Freestanding Sign | 30 ft (unless high-rise sign) | Up to 185 sq ft | — | Freestanding >12 sq ft must meet general setback (§5.18(B)(4)) | Collectively 1 (or 2 if on property abutting I-94 or if frontage >500 ft with two entrances per Note 9) | On multi-business site | — | Table 5.18(D)(2) (continued); Notes 4, 5, 9 |
| Business Development Entry Sign - Freestanding | 8 ft | 100 sq ft | — | Freestanding >12 sq ft must meet general setback (§5.18(B)(4)) | 1 per entrance (max 2) | At each entrance to business, plat, or condominium development | — | Table 5.18(D)(2) (continued) |
| Institutional - Freestanding (Non-Residential Districts) | 20 ft | 48 sq ft | — | Freestanding >12 sq ft must meet general setback (§5.18(B)(4)) | 1 | Institutional uses in non-residential districts | — | Table 5.18(D)(2) (continued); §5.18(B)(3)(e) |
| Subdivision or Development Real Estate Sign - Freestanding (Non-Residential Districts) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Freestanding >12 sq ft must meet general setback (§5.18(B)(4)) | 1 | At subdivision or development within non-residential districts | — | Table 5.18(D)(2) (continued); Note 10; §5.18(B)(5) |
| Billboard (B-3, LM, M only) | ≤30 ft above grade of ground where billboard sits or grade of abutting roadway (whichever is higher) | ≤500 sq ft per side | — | At least required building setback from front, rear, and side yards | No more than 3 per linear mile | Only in B-3, LM, M districts; not within 500 ft of a residential zone | — | §5.18(E) |

### Comstock Center (CC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (CC) | — | ≤48 sq ft per sign | — | — | As above | Storefront level | — | Table 5.18(D)(3)(d)-1; Table 5.18(D)(3)(d)-2 (Wall Sign) |
| Marquee Sign (CC) | — | As limited by wall sign allowance | — | — | One per building (and one per street frontage per regulations) | Only with theater, cinema or performing arts facility; one per street frontage | — | Table 5.18(D)(3)(d)-1; Table 5.18(D)(3)(d)-2 (Marquee); §5.18(H) |
| Blade Sign (CC) | — | ≤12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | Projecting from facade | — | Table 5.18(D)(3)(d)-1; Table 5.18(D)(3)(d)-2 (Blade/Hanging) |
| Hanging Sign (CC) | — | ≤6 sq ft (excluding supporting rods/chains/hangers) | — | — | 1 per business | Hanging from facade or under canopy | — | Table 5.18(D)(3)(d)-1; Table 5.18(D)(3)(d)-2 (Blade/Hanging) |
| Tenant Directory Sign (CC) | Wall-mounted directory ≤8 ft height; Freestanding directory ≤6 ft height | ≤12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building entrance | Mounted flat against solid wall near common entrance serving listed tenants, or on freestanding sign on the property | — | Table 5.18(D)(3)(d)-1; Table 5.18(D)(3)(d)-2 (Tenant Directory) |
| Ground Mounted Sign (CC) | ≤5 ft | ≤40 sq ft | — | ≥5 ft from street right-of-way and property lines (20 ft if adjacent to ground floor residence); plus general freestanding setback if applicable | 1 per property | On parcel; not allowed on same site as pole sign or projecting sign | — | Table 5.18(D)(3)(d)-1; Table 5.18(D)(3)(d)-2 (Ground Mounted Sign) |
| Pole Sign (CC) | ≤20 ft | ≤32 sq ft | — | ≥5 ft from street right-of-way and property lines; plus general freestanding setback if applicable | 1 per lot | On lots per subzone restrictions; not permitted on same site as ground mounted sign | — | Table 5.18(D)(3)(d)-1; Table 5.18(D)(3)(d)-2 (Pole Sign) |
| Sandwich Board Sign (CC) | ≤3 ft | ≤6 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per business | On sidewalk/near business entrance | — | Table 5.18(D)(3)(d)-1; Table 5.18(D)(3)(d)-2 (Sandwich Board) |

## Prohibited signs in Comstock Township

- Signs with any visible movable part (except a Mechanical Changeable Message Sign that complies with the ordinance’s changeable message standards)
- Balloon or inflatable signs, except as expressly permitted by the ordinance
- Pennants, except in conjunction with a Grand Opening sign
- Any sign placed where it causes a hazard to vehicular or pedestrian traffic by depriving a clear and unobstructed view of approaching, intersecting, or merging traffic
- Any sign not expressly permitted by the ordinance
- Obsolete signs (except as allowed under the removal provisions that permit leaving a maintained, reusable structure/frame)
- No sign shall be located within a street right-of-way
- No sign may be erected or placed so as to create a traffic hazard or adversely affect the safety of vehicular or pedestrian traffic
- No sign may have flashing or intermittent lights, or lights that rotate or oscillate (exception for time and temperature signs)
- Signs may not be illuminated in a manner that obscures or interferes with official traffic signs, devices, or signals, or in a way that could confuse motorists (including due to color or other characteristics)
- Profane, obscene, threatening, discriminatory, or otherwise unprotected content is not allowed

## Signs exempt from permit in Comstock Township

- No permit is required for Noncommercial Message signs, Directional signs, and Real Estate (for sale or lease) signs
- Temporary signs on properties with a principal single-family or two-family residential use up to 6 square feet per sign; no permit required
- Temporary noncommercial signs on all properties with no more than 48 square feet of total sign area; no permit required
- Real estate temporary signs: one up to 6 square feet for single- or two-family residential properties and one up to 48 square feet for properties with a principal use other than single- or two-family; must be removed within 15 days after a sale or lease contract is executed; no permit required
- One pedestrian-oriented temporary sign up to 6 square feet per non-residential use, placed within 5 feet of the main customer entrance, displayed only when open, and not creating circulation hazards; no permit required
- Flags are not considered signs and are exempt from sign regulation; flagpole height limits apply by district
- Time and temperature signs are exempt from the general prohibition on flashing/intermittent lighting
- For area measurement, pole covers and embellishments are excluded if they do not bear advertising copy or recognizable logos/identifications
- For signs consisting solely of individual letters painted or mounted on a wall, blank area exceeding 10% of the otherwise computed area is disregarded in measuring sign area
- Neon-type lighting consisting of an uninterrupted strand (or double strand) along and parallel to the uninterrupted eave line of the roof on not more than three sides of a building is allowed and is not regulated as a sign

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan or general sign plan requirement is specified in the provided text
- A sign permit is required for any sign with a surface display area exceeding 3 square feet unless specifically exempted; application must be on the prescribed form with applicable fee
- High-rise signs may be allowed only as a special land use in the B-1, B-2, B-3, LM, LD, and M districts, subject to strict location, separation, setback, and safety conditions; Planning Commission may approve increased display area up to 260 square feet based on Section 6.2 Special land uses
- Replacement of a lawful nonconforming sign with another nonconforming sign requires approval by the Zoning Board of Appeals and must be less nonconforming; the replacement sign must be removed within 7 years
- Interior signs designed or placed to show through windows or doors are subject to the same sign provisions (illumination and other standards), but no separate sign plan process is referenced

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

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