# Sign Regulations in Flint Township, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Flint Township, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/flint-township
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-21
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/mi/flint_charter_township,_(genesee_co.)/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH13SI)

## At a glance

Flint Township, Michigan regulates 22 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Directional Signs in the Local business district (C-1), General business district (C-2), Highway service district (C-3), Office service district (O-1), Airport district (AD) zoning district are capped at 3.5 feet tall and 4 square feet, with a Measured from crown of adjacent roadway or alley setback (Sec. Sec. 13.1-5(d)(1)c). Most commercial signs in Flint Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single-family residential district (R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-1D) | 3 | 5 feet | 24 square feet per face | — |
| Multiple-family residential district (RM-1), Elderly housing residential district (EH), Manufactured home/mobile home park district (RMH) | 3 | 5 feet | 24 square feet | — |
| Local business district (C-1), General business district (C-2), Highway service district (C-3), Office service district (O-1), Airport district (AD) | 14 | 40 feet | 672 square feet per face | — |
| Industrial district (IND) | 4 | 40 feet | 672 square feet per face | — |

_1 additional zoning district is covered in PermitPal (free account)._

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

### Single-family residential district (R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-1D)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| On-Premises Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | Sec. 13.1-5(a)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign - Subdivision Identification | 5 feet | 24 square feet per face | — | — | 1 | At subdivision entrance | — | Sec. 13.1-5(a)(2) |
| Wall Sign or Freestanding Sign - Agricultural/Institutional Use | 5 feet | 24 square feet | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | Sec. 13.1-5(c) |

### Local business district (C-1), General business district (C-2), Highway service district (C-3), Office service district (O-1), Airport district (AD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (<100 ft major street frontage) | 15 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per major street frontage | On premises | — | Sec. 13.1-5(d)(1)b.1 |
| Freestanding Sign (>100 ft major street frontage) | 15 feet | 80 square feet | — | — | 1 per major street frontage | On premises | — | Sec. 13.1-5(d)(1)b.2 |
| Reader Board Sign | 15 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | Sec. 13.1-5(d)(1)b.3 |
| Directional Sign | 3.5 feet | 4 square feet | — | Measured from crown of adjacent roadway or alley | 1 per exit or entrance | Immediately adjacent to driveway at each exit or entrance | — | Sec. 13.1-5(d)(1)c |
| Freestanding Sign - Office | 10 feet | 48 square feet per face | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | Sec. 13.1-5(d)(2) |
| Identification Sign - Office Development | 5 feet | 24 square feet | — | — | 1 per building | Within office development | — | Sec. 13.1-5(d)(2) |
| Freestanding Sign - Business Center | 25 feet | 144 square feet per face | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | Sec. 13.1-5(d)(3)a |
| Off-Premises Billboard | 40 feet | 672 square feet per face | — | 50 feet from road right-of-way (20 feet from interstate); not past front face of building if within 100 ft | Varies by spacing | On premises zoned O-1, C-3, AD adjacent to U.S. or interstate highway; facing the highway | — | Sec. 13.1-5(f)(1-2,4-8) |

### Industrial district (IND)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 30 feet | 144 square feet per face | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | Sec. 13.1-5(e)(1) |
| Wall Sign (Up to 100 ft frontage) | — | 50 square feet | — | — | 1 or more | Attached to building wall | — | Sec. 13.1-5(e)(2)a |
| Wall Sign (100 to 200 ft frontage) | — | 100 square feet per 100 lineal feet | — | — | 1 or more | Attached to building wall | — | Sec. 13.1-5(e)(2)b |
| Off-Premises Billboard | 40 feet | 672 square feet per face | — | 50 feet from road right-of-way (20 feet from interstate); not past front face of building if within 100 ft | Varies by spacing | On premises adjacent to U.S. or interstate highway; facing the highway | — | Sec. 13.1-5(f)(1-2,4-8) |

## Prohibited signs in Flint Township

- Any sign not expressly permitted by this chapter is prohibited.
- A sign which purports to be, or is an imitation of, or resembles an official traffic sign or signal, or which bears the words "Stop," "Go Slow," "Caution," "Danger," "Warning," or similar words used in traffic control.
- A sign which, by reason of its size, location, context, coloring or manner of illumination may be confused with, or construed as a traffic control sign; or which either hides from view any approved traffic or street sign or signal, confuses or misleads traffic, obstructs vision necessary for traffic safety or distracts from visibility of traffic signs.
- A sign which consists of any of the following: banners, pennants, ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, spinners and elements creating sound.
- A sign which has any visible moving part, visible revolving parts or visible mechanical movement of any description or other apparent visible movement achieved by electrical, electronic or mechanical means, including intermittent electrical pulsations, or by action of normal wind currents, except as permitted for certain reader boards.
- A sign which incorporates in any manner any flashing or moving lights, except as permitted for certain reader boards.
- A sign which is structurally unsafe, or constitutes a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation or abandonment, or is not kept in good repair or is capable of causing electrical shocks.
- A sign which obstructs the ingress to or egress from a door, window, fire escape or other exit way.
- A sign which is unlawfully installed, erected or maintained.
- A sign which consists or is part of an outdoor merchandise display not screened from public streets or adjacent residential property, with the exception of tent sale signs as approved by the township board.
- A sign which is a projecting sign.
- A sign which is a roof sign.
- A sign which is a portable sign.
- A sign which is mounted, painted or displayed on a vehicle parked on private property or within a public right-of-way, when such vehicle is solely parked for the purpose of display.
- Snipe signs are prohibited, except as permitted herein.
- Sandwich board signs and/or hand held signs.
- In all zoning districts, no sign shall project over the roof area of any building on the same site as the sign nor shall any sign be in an area that was previously approved for or is currently being used for parking.

## Signs exempt from permit in Flint Township

- One wall sign or one ground sign not to exceed two square feet in surface area to designate an assigned house number and/or occupying name. Such sign shall not be counted in the total sign area permitted on the premises.
- Any sign, traffic signal or warning device erected or displayed by any public agency. Such signs shall not be counted against the number of signs or included in the total sign area permitted on the premises on which they are located.
- Freestanding signs or wall signs indicating "No Parking," "Fire Lane," "Entrance," and similar wording when such signs are required to be erected by a public agency. Such signs shall not be counted against the number or included in the total sign area permitted on such premises, provided they do not exceed four square feet per sign.
- Memorial signs, or tablets denoting the name or date of erection of a building when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other noncombustible material.
- Flags bearing the official design of a unit of government, educational institution or civic league or organization, fraternal benefit societies, orders or associations, or any organization operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary or educational purpose.
- Signs which contain only noncommercial messages including, by way of illustration and not limitation, designation of restrooms, telephone location or direction of door openings.
- Seasonal decorations and township community event signs which advertise public entertainment or events of public interest, providing the placing of the signs shall be approved, and the locations designated by the building administrator, by written authorization.
- Parking information signs containing only directional information or pedestrian or vehicular warning and control material. Such signs shall have a surface area not more than four square feet and shall not exceed five feet in height.
- Reserved parking signs not exceeding one square foot in surface area and not exceeding six feet in height.
- One double-faced freestanding or wall construction sign, with a maximum limit of two signs per premises, subject to the height and clearance limitation applicable to said premises for a permanent sign, and subject to restrictions on size, setback, and duration (not more than ten days after issuance of the occupancy permit).
- Political signs shall be erected in such a manner as not to create a traffic vision hazard and shall be removed within seven days after the election for which they were erected.
- One wall or freestanding real estate sign provided that such signs are removed ten days after the sale, lease, or rental of the property upon which erected, subject to size and height restrictions varying by district.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Variances may be granted by the board of appeals for height, surface area, setback, or signs permitted, but no variances will be allowed for a reader board; applications require submission to the building administrator with fees, a site plan (scale 1 inch = 20 feet), and an affidavit explaining unique conditions, non-detriment to neighbors, and minimum necessary relief.
- Variance procedures include notification to the applicant and owners within 300 feet at least 15 days before the board of appeals meeting, consideration within 35 days of application receipt, and written decision within two weeks of the meeting; approval requires finding of practical difficulties depriving the owner of rights enjoyed by others in the district.
- A sign permit is required for erecting or structurally altering any sign, including plans, specifications, insurance (if cost > $5,000), and fees; all electrical equipment must be UL listed, and signs must be maintained in safe condition with possible inspections and removal orders for non-compliance.

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/flint-township