# Sign Regulations in Frenchtown Township, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Frenchtown Township, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/frenchtown-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-12
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://frenchtownmi.gov/DocumentCenter/View/666/Frenchtown-Zoning-Ordinance-September-2025-PDF?bidId=#page=146)

## At a glance

Frenchtown Township, Michigan regulates 29 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Agriculture)s in the AG District zoning district are capped at 8 feet tall and 32 square feet, with a 4 feet from all lot lines and street setback lines setback (Sec. 5.08(G)(3)(b)(c)). Most commercial signs in Frenchtown Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | 4 feet | 36 square feet total per lot | — |
| AG District | 12 | 10 feet | 100 square feet | — |
| PS District, C-1, C-2, C-3 Districts, OS District, R-1-O District, I-1 District, Non-residential PUDs | 14 | 10 feet | 200 square feet | — |
| R-1-A, R-1-B, R-1-C, R-1-D, R-1-E, R-1-R Districts | 10 | 10 feet | 100 square feet | — |
| R-3-A, R-3-B, R-M-H Districts | 11 | 10 feet | 100 square feet | — |

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

### AG District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Home-Based Business) | — | 4 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot | On the principal structure or accessory structure where the business is operated | — | 5.08(G)(2)(b) |
| Wall Sign (Farm Buildings) | — | 8 square feet per side | — | — | — | On farm buildings as defined in Section 8.02 | — | 5.08(G)(2)(c) |
| Freestanding Sign (Agriculture) | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | 4 feet from all lot lines and street setback lines | 1 per lot | — | — | 5.08(G)(3)(b)(c) |
| Temporary Commercial Sign | — | 16 square feet total | — | — | 1 per business (2 per business for feather flag signs) | Within 10 feet of a public entrance to a building | — | 5.08(E) |
| Wall Sign (Non-Residential Use) | — | 100 square feet | 90% of the width of the building frontage | — | No limit | On building frontage (public entrance or visible from public road/parking) | — | 5.08(G)(1); 5.08(J)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Non-Residential Use) | 8 feet | 72 square feet | — | 4 feet from lot lines and street setbacks | 1 per lot | — | — | 5.08(G)(1); 5.08(J)(3) |
| Directional Sign (Non-Residential Use) | 3 feet | 4 square feet | — | — | 1 per driveway | At approved driveway from public road | — | 5.08(G)(1); 5.08(J)(4) |
| Directional Sign (Drive-Thru, Non-Residential Use) | 10 feet | 48 square feet | — | — | Up to 6 per drive-thru | Adjacent to drive aisles for drive-thru | — | 5.08(G)(1); 5.08(J)(4) |

### PS District, C-1, C-2, C-3 Districts, OS District, R-1-O District, I-1 District, Non-residential PUDs

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Setback Less Than 200 Feet) | — | 100 square feet | 90% of the width of the building frontage | — | No limit | Attached to building frontage (public entrance or visible from public road or parking lot) | — | 5.08(J)(1) |
| Wall Sign (Setback 200-299 Feet) | — | 125 square feet | 90% of the width of the building frontage | — | No limit | Attached to building frontage facing roadway | — | 5.08(J)(1)(d) |
| Wall Sign (Setback 300-399 Feet) | — | 150 square feet | 90% of the width of the building frontage | — | No limit | Attached to building frontage facing roadway | — | 5.08(J)(1)(d) |
| Wall Sign (Setback 400-499 Feet) | — | 175 square feet | 90% of the width of the building frontage | — | No limit | Attached to building frontage facing roadway | — | 5.08(J)(1)(d) |
| Wall Sign (Setback 500 Feet or Greater) | — | 200 square feet | 90% of the width of the building frontage | — | No limit | Attached to building frontage facing roadway | — | 5.08(J)(1)(d) |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 feet | 72 square feet | — | 4 feet from all lot lines and street setback lines | 1 per lot | — | — | 5.08(J)(3) |
| Freestanding Sign (I-75 Ramp Abutting) | Up to height of largest existing sign in Township | Up to area of largest existing sign in Township | — | 4 feet from all lot lines and street setback lines | 2 per lot | On lots immediately abutting I-75 ramp right-of-way to/from Nadeau Rd or Dixie Hwy | — | 5.08(J)(3)(f) |
| Directional Sign | 3 feet | 4 square feet | — | — | 1 per driveway | On site to direct traffic | — | 5.08(J)(4)(a)-(c)(e) |

### R-3-A, R-3-B, R-M-H Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Home-Based Business) | — | 4 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot | On principal or accessory structure | — | 5.08(I)(2)(b) |
| Wall Sign (Multi-Unit Building) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per building frontage facing public road | On exterior of buildings fronting public road with >2 residential units | — | 5.08(I)(2)(c) |
| Freestanding Sign (Subdivision/Mobile Home Park Entrance) | 6 feet | 16 square feet | — | 4 feet from lot lines and street setbacks | 1 per vehicle entrance | At vehicle entrance of subdivisions, neighborhoods, mobile home parks, or condo/apartment complexes | — | 5.08(I)(3)(a)(b) |
| Wall Sign (Non-Residential Use) | — | 100 square feet | 90% of building frontage | — | No limit | Building frontage | — | 5.08(I)(1); 5.08(J)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Non-Residential Use) | 8 feet | 72 square feet | — | 4 feet | 1 per lot | — | — | 5.08(I)(1); 5.08(J)(3) |
| Directional Sign (Non-Residential Use) | 3 feet | 4 square feet | — | — | 1 per driveway | Driveways | — | 5.08(I)(1); 5.08(J)(4) |
| Directional Sign (Drive-Thru, Non-Residential Use) | 10 feet | 48 square feet | — | — | Up to 6 | Drive-thru | — | 5.08(I)(1); 5.08(J)(4) |
| Projecting Sign (Non-Residential Use) | — | 16 square feet | — | — | — | Building | — | 5.08(I)(1); 5.08(J)(5) |

## Prohibited signs in Frenchtown Township

- Signs which incorporate in any manner or are illuminated by any flashing or moving lights, or where any illumination can shine directly into the eyes of any occupant of any vehicle traveling upon any highway, driveway, or parking area, or into any window of any residence within 100 feet, or where the illumination interferes with the visibility or readability of any traffic sign or device.
- Exterior pennant strings, spinners, and streamers.
- Any sign or object which has any visible motion, moving or animated parts or image, whether movement is caused by machinery, wind, or otherwise, except for electronic message signs, feather flag signs and flags.
- Any sign which is structurally or electrically unsafe, in the opinion of the Building Official, or which obstructs any fire escape.
- Any sign erected on a tree or utility pole.
- Any sign structure or frame that no longer contains a sign.
- Roof signs or any sign which projects above the roof line or top of a canopy.
- Any sign projecting into the public right-of-way.
- Any sign erected on any property, public or private, without the consent of the property owner.
- Any sign which simulates or imitates in size, color, lettering, or design, any traffic sign or signal or other word, phrase, symbol, or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse the drivers or motorized vehicles.
- Any sign which incorporates any open spark or flame.
- Pylon or pole-mounted signs.
- Signs and murals that depict the “Specified Anatomical Areas” as defined in Article 8 nor the “Specified Sexual Activities” defined in Article 8.
- Off-premises commercial signage, except where the regulations of another jurisdiction (for example MDOT) take precedence over this Ordinance.
- Tube lights, whether LED, neon, or any other type of light.
- Temporary Commercial Signs in Residential Zoning Districts other than AG (R-1-A, R-1-B, R-1-C, R-1-D, R-1-E, R-1-R, R-3-A, R-3-B, and R-M-H).
- Any sign which, in the opinion of the Building Official, has deteriorated to the point where it has become a blight on surrounding properties.

## Signs exempt from permit in Frenchtown Township

- Government Signs.
- Flags, as defined in this ordinance.
- All signs under one square foot in area.
- All signs required to be erected by law.
- Architectural Features/Artwork: Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings or works of art, including murals, so long as such features or works do not contain an explicit message, words in any language, moving parts, or illumination. Murals must be painted with the permission of the property owner.
- Temporary Non-Commercial Signs: Freestanding or window signs, total area not exceeding 36 square feet per lot (individual sign not exceeding 16 square feet), maximum height 4 feet, located on private property outside right-of-way or corner clearance, and any in place more than 6 months considered permanent.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Design of freestanding signs on lots abutting I-75 ramps to/from Nadeau Road or Dixie Highway shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission prior to issuance of a sign permit.
- Additional directional signs may be approved by the Planning Commission during the Site Plan Approval Process if necessary for traffic and pedestrian flow.
- Architectural gateway elements are not considered signage but must receive approval from the Township in the same manner as any other structure.

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

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