# Sign Regulations in Garden, Michigan

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

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

## At a glance

Garden, Michigan regulates 39 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Ground/Monument Signs in the Central Business District (CBD) zoning district are capped at 6 ft. tall and 48 sq. ft. per sign face, max 2 faces, with a Outside any street setback or corner clearance; 10 ft. from internal access drive setback (Sec. § 154.606(I), § 154.612 Table). Most commercial signs in Garden require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 16 | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Central Business District (CBD) | 16 | 48 in. | 150 sq. ft. | — |
| Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C-3) | 15 | 48 in. | 150 sq. ft. | — |
| Village Plaza District (VP) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Industrial District (M-1) | 13 | 48 in. | 150 sq. ft. | — |
| Public Recreation District (PRD) | 2 | 6 ft. | 36 sq. ft. | — |
| Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, PD) | 8 | 8 ft. | 36 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address Number | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | One per building | On building, visible from road right-of-way | — | § 154.605(B), § 154.612 Table |
| Nameplate | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | One per building | Flat against building wall | — | § 154.605(B), § 154.612 Table |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft. | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Used to direct traffic to parking/loading | — | § 154.605(E), § 154.612 Table |
| Real Estate Sign | 6 ft. | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | One per parcel/building | On property advertised | — | § 154.605(F), § 154.612 Table |
| Community Event Sign | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On sponsor property | — | § 154.605(G), § 154.612 Table |
| Garage Sale Sign (On-premises) | — | 4 sq. ft. | — | — | One per sale location | On the premises of the sale | — | § 154.605(P), § 112.64(A, B), § 154.612 Table |
| Garage Sale Sign (Off-premises) | — | 4 sq. ft. | — | — | Maximum two off-premises signs per sale | Within 1/2 mile of sale location, within right-of-way but not on traveled part | — | § 154.605(P), § 112.64(A, B) |
| "No" Signs (No Trespassing, No Dumping, etc.) | — | 3 sq. ft. | — | — | One per side of parcel | Private property, one sign per side of parcel | — | § 154.605(N), § 154.612 Table |

### Central Business District (CBD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 150 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Street level facade(s) of building; not projecting more than 18" from wall | — | § 154.606(H), § 154.612 Table |
| Ground/Monument Sign | 6 ft. | 48 sq. ft. per sign face, max 2 faces | — | Outside any street setback or corner clearance; 10 ft. from internal access drive | One per parcel | On parcel, outside street and corner setbacks, min. 10 ft. from internal driveways | — | § 154.606(I), § 154.612 Table |
| Pole Sign | 20 ft. | 48 sq. ft. per sign face, max 2 faces | — | — | One per parcel | On parcel, does not overhang right-of-way or sidewalk | — | § 154.606(J), § 154.612 Table |
| Monument Entry/Entrance Sign | 6 ft. | 36 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. from any street/setback/right-of-way or curb; 5 ft. from sidewalk | One per side of entry | Each side of entrance from major street | — | § 154.606(A), § 154.612 Table |
| Temporary Sign | 6 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | — | — | One per postal address | Outside required setback area and not obstructing visibility | — | § 154.606(G), § 154.612 Table |
| Event Sign (Grand Opening, etc.) | 4 ft. | 12 sq. ft. | — | — | One per road frontage | On structure or outside required setback | — | § 154.606(G)(6), § 154.612 Table |
| Portable Sign (Sandwich Board/A-Frame etc.) | 48 in. | — | 24 in. | — | One per public entrance | CBD: On public sidewalk adjacent to entrance, within 4 ft. of business, ADA compliant; elsewhere: at public entrance to business (on private property) | — | § 154.606(G)(7), § 154.612 Table |
| Flags | — | — | — | Structure setbacks apply | Max two per parcel | Must not project into street right-of-way or over adjacent property at full extension; not on roof | — | § 154.606(C), § 154.612 Table |

### Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 150 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On street level building facade, projecting no more than 18 inches | — | § 154.606(H), § 154.612 Table |
| Ground/Monument Sign | 6 ft. | 48 sq. ft. per face (max 2 faces) | — | Outside street setback/corner clearance, 10 ft. from internal drives | One per parcel | On premises, outside street setback/corner clearance, 10 ft. from internal driveways | — | § 154.606(I), § 154.612 Table |
| Pole Sign | 20 ft. | 48 sq. ft. per face (max 2 faces) | — | — | One per parcel | On premises, not overhanging right-of-way/sidewalk | — | § 154.606(J), § 154.612 Table |
| Monument Entry/Entrance Sign | 6 ft. | 36 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. from street/corner/curb; 5 ft. from sidewalk | One per side of entrance | Each side of entrance from a major street | — | § 154.606(A), § 154.612 Table |
| Temporary Sign | 6 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | — | — | One per postal address | Outside required setback, not obstructing driver visibility | — | § 154.606(G), § 154.612 Table |
| Event Sign (Grand Opening, Going Out-of-Business) | 4 ft. | 12 sq. ft. | — | — | One per street frontage | On structure or outside setback area; not obstructing driver visibility | — | § 154.606(G)(6), § 154.612 Table |
| Portable Sign (A-Frame, Sandwich Board) | 48 in. | — | 24 in. | — | One per entrance | At public entrance, on private property (not sidewalk) | — | § 154.606(G)(7), § 154.612 Table |
| Flags | — | — | — | Structure setbacks apply | Max two per parcel | May not project into right-of-way or over adjacent property | — | § 154.606(C), § 154.612 Table |

## Prohibited signs in Garden

- Any sign not expressly permitted by this subchapter.
- Signs that resemble and could be confused with an official highway, traffic or government sign, signal or traffic control device; or that obscure a sign, signal or traffic control device displayed by public authority.
- Signs painted on or attached to trees, utility poles, fences or streetlights.
- Signs placed upon or across any public right-of-way or upon any city property, except as otherwise provided for in this subchapter.
- Signs that incorporate string lights; flashing, moving or intermittent lights of changing degrees or intensity; exposed incandescent bulbs; animation; or unshielded luminous tube lighting unless explicitly approved by this subchapter.
- Exterior string lights accessory to a non-residential use unless explicitly permitted, other than holiday decoration or as an embellishment to landscape plant materials.
- Signs that have any visible moving parts, mechanical movement, rotation or other apparent visible movement by electrical, mechanical, or wind action; signs that discharge any audible sound, odor or visible matter.
- Roof signs and inflatable signs.
- Building-mounted signs or wall signs that obstruct window or door openings, inhibit ingress or egress, or interfere with building ventilation.
- Signs displayed without required permits or outside of permitted size, location or time period limitations.
- Abandoned or unlawful signs.
- Displays of obscene material.
- No sign of any kind shall be attached to a standpipe, fire escape or other means of ingress or egress.
- Signs shall not be designed or maintained in a manner that would confuse or mislead motorists or pedestrians, create traffic or pedestrian hazards.
- Signs shall not impair the use of adjacent properties.
- All signs shall be accessory to the principal use of the parcel where the sign is located, unless specifically permitted as a non-accessory sign.
- No sign may extend above any parapet or be placed upon any roof surface (except mansard roofs classified as wall space).
- No sign attached to a building, other than a permitted awning sign, marquee sign, or projecting sign, may project more than 18 inches from the building wall.
- Signs shall not be located within nor extend over any road right-of-way or corner clearance area, except where specifically authorized.
- All signs shall be located at least ten feet from any utility pole, overhead wire, transformer, or streetlight, except where specifically authorized.
- All signs shall comply with setback requirements for the district, unless otherwise permitted.

## Signs exempt from permit in Garden

- Historic designation signs by State Historical Commission or local government agency.
- Address numbers and nameplate (up to two square feet) attached flat against the building wall.
- Traffic safety and control signs conforming to Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
- Building markers, memorial signs/tablets/markers, historical plaques cut into masonry or made of bronze/incombustible material (not exceeding one square foot).
- Directional signs to direct vehicular or pedestrian traffic (not containing logos or advertising, not exceeding two square feet in area or four feet in height).
- One temporary real estate sign advertising rent, sale, or lease (max eight square feet, six feet in height, not in right-of-way, removed within 30 days of transaction).
- Decorations or displays for traditional holidays or events, school or community events on sponsor property, not exceeding 32 square feet and eight feet in height; permit required if displayed over 14 days in a calendar year.
- Non-illuminated temporary political signs promoting political parties, candidates, or proposals (max eight feet in height, must follow local campaign guidelines).
- Signs of governmental bodies; signs required by law, governmental order, rule or regulation; or signs identifying public access, municipal facilities, official markers, and incidental signs for direction, safety or public convenience.
- Changes to sign copy within an approved changeable copy area.
- Temporary or permanent window signs (max 25% of total window area of façade).
- Painting, servicing, cleaning, or minor repairs to an existing sign which restores it to original design in compliance with codes and standards.
- Pennants installed with City Council or agent's permission for aesthetic/promotional purposes on or over public roads (if not used specifically for advertising).
- One 'no trespassing', 'no dumping', 'no skateboarding', or similar sign per side of a parcel on private property (max three square feet per sign).
- Incidental signs on vehicles, trailers, trucks, or similar vehicles used for normal business transport (not primarily for advertising on the premises where parked).
- Garage sale signs (one on premises, two additional within ½ mile, not exceeding four square feet per sign, free-standing, not attached to poles/trees/fences, must be removed within 24 hours after sale).
- Time/temperature/message signs in commercial districts and institutional uses, subject to frequency, size, and number, per standards, and illumination standards.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A plot plan is required with any permit application for sign erection, alteration, or relocation, and must include a parcel survey, easements, dimensions, locations of all structures, and all proposed and existing signs; elevation drawings of all buildings on the site must show the location of all existing and proposed building-mounted signs.
- The Planning Commission must review and approve the location and design of each site entry feature with signage.
- Site plan or final preliminary plat approval is required prior to erection of residential construction signs.
- A removal agreement or security bond may be required by the Building Inspector or Zoning Administrator to guarantee removal of temporary signs.
- Application for a variance (e.g., to Zoning Board of Appeals) is required when a sign permit is denied and relief from ordinance standards is sought.
- Permit applications must include construction drawings, materials, dimensions, structural supports, and, if required, engineer/architect approval.
- Permit is required for most permanent and temporary signs except those explicitly exempted.
- Sign permits are required prior to painting a wall sign.

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

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