# Sign Regulations in Crystal Falls, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Crystal Falls, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/crystal-falls
- **Data last verified:** 2025-07-18
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://crystalfallstownship.org/PDF/Zoning-Ordinance-2015.pdf#page=101)

## At a glance

Crystal Falls, Michigan regulates 10 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Monument/Pole)s in the Commercial District (C) zoning district are capped at Depends on frontage: up to 30 ft (see table) tall and See Section 18.09 Table (varies by frontage, e.g., 50 ft: 25 sq ft; 251-260 ft: 114 sq ft; Over 470 ft: 200 sq ft), with a Leading edge minimum 10 feet from road right-of-way and side property line. setback (Sec. Section 18.07.C, Section 18.09). Most commercial signs in Crystal Falls require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | — | — |
| Agriculture Residential District (AR), Waterfront Residential District (WR), Rural Residential District (R-1), Medium Density Residential District (R-2) | 4 | 8 ft from grade | 32 sq ft | — |
| Commercial District (C) | 3 | Depends on frontage: up to 30 ft (see table) | See Section 18.09 Table (varies by frontage, e.g., 50 ft: 25 sq ft; 251-260 ft: 114 sq ft; Over 470 ft: 200 sq ft) | — |
| Industrial Distric (L-I) | 4 | Depends on frontage: up to 30 ft (see table) | Not more than 300 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Agriculture Residential District (AR), Waterfront Residential District (WR), Rural Residential District (R-1), Medium Density Residential District (R-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Entranceway Monument Sign | 8 ft from grade | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per major public road frontage | For residential developments at each major public road frontage. | — | Section 18.06.A |
| Internally Illuminated Monument Sign (Institutional Use) | 8 ft from grade | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | Lawful institutional use such as churches and schools | — | Section 18.06.B |
| Wall Sign (Home Occupation) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | One per home occupation | — | — | Section 18.06.C |
| Changeable Copy or Message Board Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Must be part of a fixed, permanent sign | — | Section 18.06.D |

### Commercial District (C)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument/Pole) | Depends on frontage: up to 30 ft (see table) | See Section 18.09 Table (varies by frontage, e.g., 50 ft: 25 sq ft; 251-260 ft: 114 sq ft; Over 470 ft: 200 sq ft) | — | Leading edge minimum 10 feet from road right-of-way and side property line. | One per property; potential for a second per frontage criteria | On property, one per property; one additional per road frontage with parallel frontage on more than one major street or corner frontages on major streets totaling over 600 linear feet. | — | Section 18.07.C, Section 18.09 |
| Wall Sign (0-100 ft road setback) | — | — | — | — | — | May be placed on any wall; must be against principal building or on a canopy. | — | Section 18.07.D; Section 18.07.E |
| Wall Sign (over 100 ft road setback) | — | — | — | — | — | As above. | — | Section 18.07.D; Section 18.07.E |

### Industrial Distric (L-I)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument/Pole) | Depends on frontage: up to 30 ft (see table) | See Section 18.09 Table (varies by frontage, e.g., 50 ft: 25 sq ft; 251-260 ft: 114 sq ft; Over 470 ft: 200 sq ft) | — | Leading edge minimum 10 feet from road right-of-way and side property line. | One per property; potential for second per frontage criteria | On property, one per property; one additional per road frontage with parallel frontage on more than one major street or corner frontages on major streets totaling over 600 linear feet. | — | Section 18.08.C, Section 18.09 |
| Wall Sign (0-100 ft road setback) | — | Not more than 300 sq ft | — | — | — | May be placed on any wall; must be against principal building or on a canopy. | — | Section 18.08.D, Section 18.08.E |
| Wall Sign (over 100 ft road setback) | — | Not more than 300 sq ft | — | — | — | As above. | — | Section 18.08.D, Section 18.08.E |
| Billboard | Top not to exceed 20 ft above average grade on vacant lot, 35 ft above average grade on lot with principal structure. | — | — | 75 feet from any residential use/zone; 300 feet from another billboard (not across a street); must comply with district setback requirements. | — | At least 75 feet from any residential use/zone. Cannot be within 300 feet of another billboard. | — | Section 18.08.F |

## Prohibited signs in Crystal Falls

- Signs not strictly permitted are prohibited.
- Signs must not obstruct the clear view of traffic.
- Signs erected in the Township shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular movement or circulation.
- Signs erected shall comply with the appropriate electrical code.
- All pole signs must meet wind loading limits as designated in the Building Code.
- Any light used for sign illumination must not shine directly on adjacent properties or create a traffic hazard or distraction to vehicle operators.
- Off-premise signs are prohibited except billboards regulated herein or tourist oriented directional signs placed in cooperation with the Township.
- A sign displaying intermittent lights or lights resembling those customarily used in traffic signals, or emergency vehicles, or imitating official traffic signs are prohibited.
- Signs using the words 'Stop', 'Danger', or similar words or symbols to mislead or confuse drivers are prohibited.
- Signs affixed to trees, shrubs, or similar natural features are prohibited.
- Signs affixed to fences, utility poles, or structural elements not capable of supporting signs are prohibited.
- Any sign which obstructs ingress or egress from a required door, window, or exit is prohibited.
- Signs on parked vehicles or trailers where the sign is the primary use of the vehicle are prohibited.
- Temporary signs and devices including inflatable devices, pennants, pinwheels, searchlights, or similar devices are prohibited except when used temporarily for periods not exceeding fifteen (15) days.
- Signs which overhang or extend into a dedicated public right-of-way without the written consent of the Township are prohibited.
- Any signs encroaching upon the public right-of-way are considered illegal and must be removed.
- Signs with concrete foundations or anchoring devices projecting more than 18 inches above ground are prohibited.
- Signs painted, placed, or constructed directly on or projecting from a roof are prohibited.
- Any sign constructed, erected, or maintained in violation of ordinance provisions is subject to removal.
- Any sign placed or erected in a public street, alley, right-of-way, or other public place not specifically permitted is deemed unlawful and may be removed by the Township without notice.

## Signs exempt from permit in Crystal Falls

- Up to two real estate sale and 'For Rent' or 'Lease' or construction signs per property not exceeding eight (8) square feet in display area when in a residential district; for all other districts, one such sign per major bordering.
- On-site political campaign signs not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet in display area.
- 'No Hunting', 'No Trespassing', and on-premise 'Garage Sale' signs not exceeding four (4) square feet in display area.
- One banner per business advertising a special event or sale for no more than thirty (30) days; additional sign permitted for additional street frontage.
- On-premise directional signs approved as part of the site plan process, not exceeding two signs per road frontage, twelve (12) square feet in area or six (6) feet in height.
- Signs identifying a building's address and/or names of the occupants not exceeding four (4) square feet in display area.
- Historic markers and signs identifying the name or date of erection of a building.
- Official notices of any court or public agency not exceeding twelve (12) square feet in display area.
- Window signs covering up to twenty-five percent (25%) of the total window area.
- Traffic control, directional, warning, or informational signs authorized by a public agency.
- Signs required by federal or state agencies in connection with federal or state grant projects and programs.
- Flags of government or noncommercial institutions.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit shall be obtained for the erection, construction, alteration and/or replacement of any sign, except as specifically exempted.
- All regulated signs must be approved by the Zoning Administrator for conformance, requiring submission of sign area, setback, type, height, clearance, building and site information, lighting, landscaping (as appropriate), and site photos.
- On-premise directional signs approved as part of the site plan process are exempt from needing a sign permit if they meet specifications.
- No explicit mention of a master sign plan or required variance meetings is made in this ordinance text.

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

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