# Sign Regulations in Franklin, Michigan

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

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

## At a glance

Franklin, Michigan regulates 20 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the Nonresidential Districts, Non-Residential Zoned Districts, Commercial zoning district are capped at 6 ft. tall, Total area 48 sq. ft. (includes both sides); Single side: 24 sq. ft., and 6 ft. wide, with a Minimum 5 ft. from right-of-way setback (Sec. 1474.18; Appendix Permanent Sign Regulations). Most commercial signs in Franklin require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts, Residential Zoned Districts | 6 | 6 ft. | 20 sq. ft. | — |
| Nonresidential Districts, Non-Residential Zoned Districts, Commercial | 9 | 6 ft. | Total area 48 sq. ft. (includes both sides); Single side: 24 sq. ft. | — |
| Non-Residential Use in Residential Zoned District | 1 | 4 ft. | 12 sq. ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | Flagpoles: 30 ft. | Residential: 24 sq. ft.; Nonresidential: 35 sq. ft. | — |

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

### Residential Districts, Residential Zoned Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| On-Premise Commercial Advertising Sign | 6 ft. | 20 sq. ft. | — | Minimum 10 ft. from right-of-way. | 1 per establishment | May be located in the front yard, not closer than 10 ft. to existing or planned right-of-way. | — | 1474.17, Appendix Permanent Sign Regulations |
| Portable Ground Sign (Temporary) | 6 ft. for main sign; 3 ft. for 2 additional | 4 sq. ft. per side for one main sign; up to 2 additional at 3 sq. ft. per side | — | — | 1 portable ground sign per frontage + 2 additional (see details) | — | — | Appendix Temporary Sign Regulations; 1474.12 |
| Portable Ground Sign: Off Premise (Temporary) | 3 ft. | 3 sq. ft. per side | — | — | 1 | — | — | Appendix Temporary Sign Regulations |
| Banner (Temporary) | 4 ft. | 12 sq. ft. | — | — | Up to 2 per establishment | — | — | Appendix Temporary Sign Regulations; 1474.12 |
| Special Display (Temporary) | — | — | — | — | Not specified | — | — | 1474.12; Appendix Temporary Sign Regulations |
| Garage Sale Sign (Temporary) | — | 4 sq. ft. | — | At least 10 ft. inside the property line. | 1 | On the property where the sale is being held. | — | 830.04 |

### Nonresidential Districts, Non-Residential Zoned Districts, Commercial

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 36 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per establishment per wall with street frontage | On each side of the building with street frontage | — | 1474.18; Appendix Permanent Sign Regulations |
| Awning / Canopy Sign | — | Lettering not more than 9 inches in height and not more than 25% of the awning/canopy face area | — | — | 1 per establishment | On awning/canopy face; vertical face of valance only | — | 1474.18; Appendix Permanent Sign Regulations |
| Projecting Sign | — | 9 sq. ft. per side | — | — | 1 per establishment | — | — | 1474.18; Appendix Permanent Sign Regulations |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft. | Total area 48 sq. ft. (includes both sides); Single side: 24 sq. ft. | 6 ft. | Minimum 5 ft. from right-of-way | 1 per parcel; +1 for rear nonresidential use with conditions | Front yard, but not closer than 5 ft. to existing or planned right-of-way; not in right-of-way. | — | 1474.18; Appendix Permanent Sign Regulations |
| Window Sign | — | 20% of window area | — | — | Not specified | Inside window | — | 1474.18; Appendix Permanent Sign Regulations |
| Portable Ground Sign: On Premise (Temporary) | 4 ft. | 12 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | — | — | Appendix Temporary Sign Regulations |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Temporary) | 3 ft. | 6 sq. ft. per side | — | — | 1 | — | — | Appendix Temporary Sign Regulations |
| Banner (Temporary) | 4 ft. | 12 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 | — | — | Appendix Temporary Sign Regulations; 1474.12 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Portable Ground Sign (Temporary) | 6 ft. main, 3 ft. additionals | 4 sq. ft. per side for main sign, 3 sq. ft. per side for up to 2 additional | — | — | 1 per road frontage + 2 additional | — | — | Appendix Temporary Sign Regulations; 1474.12 |
| Portable Ground Sign: Off Premise (Temporary) | 3 ft. | 3 sq. ft. per side | — | — | 1 | — | — | Appendix Temporary Sign Regulations |
| Directional Sign (Exempt) | 4 ft. | 4 sq. ft. | — | At least 10 ft. from right-of-way | Not specified | Front setback area, at least 10 ft. from right-of-way. | — | 1474.10(k) |
| Nameplate Sign (Exempt) | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | Not specified | — | — | 1474.10(b) |
| Address Number (Exempt) | 12 inches numeral height (max) | — | — | — | Not specified | — | — | 1474.10(a) |
| No Trespassing Sign (Exempt) | — | 1 sq. ft. | — | — | Multiple, see spacing | — | — | 1474.10(g) |
| Incidental Sign (Exempt) | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | Not specified | Directed at persons on premises, not visible from ROW | — | 1474.10(h) |
| Flag (Exempt unless commercial or too large) | Flagpoles: 30 ft. | Residential: 24 sq. ft.; Nonresidential: 35 sq. ft. | — | Not in ROW | Residential: 2 per lot; Nonresidential: 3 per lot | Outside ROW. | — | 1474.10(f) |

## Prohibited signs in Franklin

- Any sign not expressly permitted.
- Any sign which by reason of its position, shape, wording, location or color, obstructs the vision of drivers or pedestrian traffic.
- Signs which incorporate flashing, blinking, or moving lights.
- Moving signs, including any 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 electric pulsations or movement caused by normal wind current.
- Any sign or structure which is structurally unsafe, constitutes a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, or abandonment, is capable of causing electrical shock, or is not kept in good repair such that it has broken parts, missing letters, or non-operational lights.
- Any sign erected on a tree, fence, or utility pole, except regulatory signs or signs specifically permitted by the Village of Franklin or other relevant authority.
- Obsolete signs.
- Signs affixed to a parked vehicle or truck trailer, which is being used principally for advertising purposes, rather than for transportation purposes.
- Any sign unlawfully installed, erected or maintained.
- Roof signs.
- Signs affixed to street furniture, such as benches and trash receptacles, except signs of not greater than one (1) square foot indicating the servicing company.
- Off-premise advertising signs, unless specifically permitted elsewhere.
- Internally illuminated signs.
- Exposed neon tubing and other types of outline tubing signs including LED or similar lighting.
- Signs painted directly onto a building surface.
- Box type signs.
- Cylindrical signs.
- Banners, pennants, spinners, and streamers, unless specifically permitted elsewhere.
- Any sign that is erected, constructed, or maintained so as to obstruct a fire escape, required exit, or window or door opening used as a means of access to or egress from a structure.
- Any sign that covers significant architectural features.
- Alley signs (signs that project beyond public alley lines).
- Any sign that is attached in a manner that interferes with an opening required for ventilation, except that signs may be erected in front of transom windows when not otherwise prohibited.
- General outdoor display of merchandise is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Franklin

- Address numbers with a numeral height of no greater than twelve (12) inches for residences and businesses.
- Nameplate signs identifying the occupants of the building, not to exceed two (2) square feet.
- Regulatory signs.
- Signs for the public health, safety and welfare as deemed necessary by the Village Council.
- Vehicle signs, provided the primary use of the vehicle is for transport and not for stationary advertising.
- Flags, subject to specified conditions regarding location, number, size, and type of message.
- No trespassing signs not exceeding one (1) square foot each, spaced a minimum of 330 feet apart if multiple.
- Incidental signs of a commercial nature not exceeding a total of two (2) square feet and directed only at persons on the premises.
- Interior signs.
- Historic markers, with a maximum of one (1) per property and subject to Historic District Commission approval.
- Directional signs not exceeding four (4) square feet and four (4) feet in height, and meeting setback and Historic District requirements, if applicable.
- Ordinary servicing or repainting of an existing sign, cleaning of a sign, or changing the message on a changeable copy sign does not require a new permit.
- Certain portable ground temporary signs (up to 4 sq. ft. in area and 6 ft. high): no permit required.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit and submission of plans, specifications, and a site plan are required for the erection, alteration, relocation, or structural change of any sign unless specifically exempted.
- A site plan containing a schematic illustration of the sign to scale, showing proposed location in relation to the building, is required with the application.
- Approval by the Historic District Commission is required for all signs within the Historic District (excluding some public health/safety and certain temporary signs).
- Temporary signs still require a permit, except where specifically exempted (see permit requirement notes in sign regulation tables).
- A variance may be requested and requires a hearing before the Sign Board of Appeals, which may attach conditions and limit the approval to the site plan or layout considered.
- No additional signs are allowed on a lot or building while a nonconforming sign exists.
- If the principal building on a site with a nonconforming sign undergoes modifications requiring site plan review and approval, the nonconforming sign must be removed.
- Garage sale signs must comply with permit requirements and location/removal standards.

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

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