# Sign Regulations in Grand Blanc, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Grand Blanc, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/grand-blanc
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-12
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/grandblancmi/latest/grandblanc_mi/0-0-0-14452)

## At a glance

Grand Blanc, Michigan regulates 23 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Awning or Canopy Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Bottom of awning or canopy must be at least 8 feet above ground level or sidewalk. tall and Counts toward wall sign area limit by zone (see Wall Sign limits). Lettering may cover a maximum of 1/3 of the canopy or awning., with a signs may not project into a public right-of-way except as expressly allowed (e.g., awnings/canopies and projecting signs in CBD); otherwise minimum 10 feet from public road right-of-way. setback (Sec. § 1480.06(a) Awnings and Canopies; § 1480.06(d)(3); § 1480.05(d)). Most commercial signs in Grand Blanc 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 | 6 | Bottom of awning or canopy must be at least 8 feet above ground level or sidewalk. | Up to 40 sq. ft. total allowed for each drive-through lane. | — |
| Single-Family Residential District (R-1, R-2); Single-Family Attached Residential District (R-3); Two-Family Residential District (RT); Low Density Multiple Family Residential District (LDMF); High Density Multiple Family Residential District (HDMF); Mobile Home Park District (MHP) | 6 | 6 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | — |
| Office Service District (OS-1); Neighborhood Business District (B-1); Community Business District (B-2); General Business District (B-3); Research Park District (R-P); Light Industrial District (I-1); General Industrial District (I-2); Vehicular Parking District (P-1) | 7 | 10 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | — |
| Central Business District Overlay Zone (CBD) | 4 | Minimum 8 feet above ground level or sidewalk; must not be less than 3 feet from any street curb line. | Up to 70% of the marquee structure, not to exceed 100 sq. ft. | — |
| Planned Unit Development District (PUD) | 3 | Bottom of awning or canopy must be at least 8 feet above ground level or sidewalk. | 32 sq. ft. | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning or Canopy Sign | Bottom of awning or canopy must be at least 8 feet above ground level or sidewalk. | Counts toward wall sign area limit by zone (see Wall Sign limits). Lettering may cover a maximum of 1/3 of the canopy or awning. | — | General: signs may not project into a public right-of-way except as expressly allowed (e.g., awnings/canopies and projecting signs in CBD); otherwise minimum 10 feet from public road right-of-way. | 1 per parcel | May project a maximum of 6 feet into the public right-of-way; must be at least 3 feet from any street curb line. | — | § 1480.06(a) Awnings and Canopies; § 1480.06(d)(3); § 1480.05(d) |
| Banner Sign | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | General setback rules apply when not spanning a right-of-way. | 2 per calendar year | Not located in the public right-of-way, except banners spanning a public right-of-way when approved by City Council. | — | § 1480.06(a) Banner |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | General setback rules apply. | — | On-premises; must not be located in or project into the public right-of-way. | — | § 1480.03(a); § 1480.06(a) Directional Signs |
| Menu Board Sign (Drive-through) | 8 ft. | Up to 40 sq. ft. total allowed for each drive-through lane. | — | General setback rules apply; must not obstruct traffic control devices or required sight distance. | Up to 2 per drive-through lane | Located at drive-through lanes; may include electronic changeable messages only when not visible from a public street. | — | § 1480.06(d)(6) |
| All Sign Types - General Standards (measurement, setbacks, construction, illumination) | For ground-supported signs, height measured from natural grade adjacent to sign to highest point; berms do not increase permitted height. | — | — | General: minimum 10 ft from public road right-of-way; side yard setbacks same as main building; safety triangle: no sign within the triangular area formed by connecting points 25 ft along each right-of-way line from the intersection. | — | Unless otherwise provided, no sign may be located in, project or overhang into any public right-of-way or dedicated easement. | — | § 1480.05(b)-(g) |
| Additional Sign (No Street Frontage Exception) | — | 12 sq. ft. if projecting; 40 sq. ft. if ground/monument or wall. | — | General setback and safety rules apply to the installed sign. | 1 additional sign allowed under this exception | On nearest major street, with written permission of the owner of the property on which the sign is to be erected. | — | § 1480.11 |

### Single-Family Residential District (R-1, R-2); Single-Family Attached Residential District (R-3); Two-Family Residential District (RT); Low Density Multiple Family Residential District (LDMF); High Density Multiple Family Residential District (HDMF); Mobile Home Park District (MHP)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground/Monument Sign - Option 1 (Residential) | 5 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | — | Minimum 10 ft from public road right-of-way; side yard setback same as main building; and minimum 20 ft from adjacent residential lot. | 1 per parcel (Option-based); Multi-tenant allowance: If more than one tenant, one ground sign permitted in addition to one wall sign per each tenant with individual public access. | Located along a public right-of-way. | — | § 1480.06(b) Ground/Monument Signs (Residential); § 1480.06(d)(2)(B); § 1480.05(e)(3) |
| Wall Sign - Option 2 (Residential - Per Street Frontage) | — | 10% of wall surface or 36 sq. ft., whichever is smaller. | — | General setback rules apply; may not project into public right-of-way. | 1 per street frontage per parcel | Mounted flat and parallel to the exterior wall. | — | § 1480.06(b) Wall Signs (Residential); § 1480.06(d)(1)(A); § 1480.05(e)(3) |
| Wall Sign - Multi-tenant (Residential - Individual Access) | — | 10% of the tenant portion of the building facade or 36 sq. ft., whichever is smaller. | — | General setback rules apply. | 1 per tenant with individual access | Mounted flat and parallel to the exterior wall; tenants must have an individual means of public access. | — | § 1480.06(d)(1)(B) (applied within residential area limits); § 1480.05(e)(3) |
| Wall Sign - Multi-tenant (Residential - Corner Tenant) | — | Combined area of two signs: 10% of tenant portion of one street-facing facade or 36 sq. ft., whichever is smaller. | — | General setback rules apply. | Up to 2 per corner tenant (combined area cap applies) | One sign on each side of the building fronting a public right-of-way. | — | § 1480.06(d)(1)(B) (applied within residential area limits); § 1480.05(e)(3) |
| Wall Sign - Multi-tenant (Residential - Shared Common Entrance) | — | Total permitted wall sign area for the shared entrance (subject to residential wall sign area cap). | — | General setback rules apply. | 1 per shared common entrance (area allocated among tenants) | Shared common entrance of multi-tenant structure. | — | § 1480.06(d)(1)(C); § 1480.05(e)(3) |
| Temporary Sign (Residential) | 6 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | General setback rules apply. | — | On private property; not in the public right-of-way. | — | § 1480.06(a) Temporary Signs (Residential Districts) |

### Office Service District (OS-1); Neighborhood Business District (B-1); Community Business District (B-2); General Business District (B-3); Research Park District (R-P); Light Industrial District (I-1); General Industrial District (I-2); Vehicular Parking District (P-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground/Monument Sign - Option 1 (Nonresidential) | 6 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | — | Minimum 10 ft from public road right-of-way; minimum 15 ft from side or rear lot line. | 1 per parcel (Option-based); Multi-tenant allowance: If more than one tenant, one ground sign permitted in addition to one wall sign per each tenant with individual public access. | On private property; typically along a public right-of-way. | — | § 1480.06(b) Ground/Monument Signs (Nonresidential); § 1480.06(d)(2)(B); § 1480.05(e) |
| Wall Sign - Option 2 (Nonresidential - Per Street Frontage) | — | 10% of wall surface or 80 sq. ft., whichever is smaller. | — | General setback rules apply; may not project into public right-of-way (except CBD-specific projecting sign allowances). | 1 per street frontage per parcel | Mounted flat and parallel to the exterior wall. | — | § 1480.06(b) Wall Signs (Nonresidential); § 1480.06(d)(1)(A) |
| Wall Sign - Multi-tenant (Nonresidential - Individual Access) | — | 10% of the tenant portion of the building facade or 80 sq. ft., whichever is smaller. | — | General setback rules apply. | 1 per tenant with individual access | Mounted flat and parallel to the exterior wall; tenants must have an individual means of public access. | — | § 1480.06(d)(1)(B) |
| Wall Sign - Multi-tenant (Nonresidential - Corner Tenant) | — | Combined area of two signs: 10% of tenant portion of one street-facing facade or 80 sq. ft., whichever is smaller. | — | General setback rules apply. | Up to 2 per corner tenant (combined area cap applies) | One sign on each side of the building fronting a public right-of-way. | — | § 1480.06(d)(1)(B) |
| Wall Sign - Multi-tenant (Nonresidential - Shared Common Entrance) | — | Total permitted wall sign area for the shared entrance (subject to the nonresidential wall sign area cap). | — | General setback rules apply. | 1 per shared common entrance (area allocated among tenants) | Shared common entrance of multi-tenant structure. | — | § 1480.06(d)(1)(C) |
| Portable Sign (Nonresidential districts only) | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | General setback rules apply. | 1 per parcel | On private property; not in public right-of-way. | — | § 1480.06(a) Portable Signs |
| Temporary Sign (Nonresidential) | 10 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | General setback rules apply. | — | On private property; not in the public right-of-way. | — | § 1480.06(a) Temporary Signs (OS-1, B-1, B-2, B-3, R-P, I-1, I-2, P-1) |

## Prohibited signs in Grand Blanc

- Any sign not expressly permitted is prohibited in all districts
- Spinners, balloons, strings of light bulbs, rope lights, flashing lights, pennants, or streamers used to draw attention to a business or its merchandise (except governmental/educational or non‑commercial uses)
- Billboards (off‑premises signs)
- Signs with moving or animated parts; flashing, moving, oscillating, blinking, or variable‑intensity lights; lights resembling traffic/emergency signals; or lights so bright as to be blinding or distracting (variable time/temperature signs allowed only if messages change no more than once every 3 seconds)
- Electronic changeable message signs, unless specifically allowed elsewhere in the chapter
- Signs located in the public right‑of‑way; attached to a utility pole or fence; or affixed to a tree, except as permitted
- Obsolete signs
- Handheld pedestrian signs intended to advertise a business or other commercial activity
- Pole or pylon signs
- Portable signs, except where expressly allowed in the chapter
- Any signage, including logos, on public or private radio, television, cellular phone, or water towers, except the name of the municipality
- Signs that would interfere with, mislead, or confuse vehicle drivers, including signs simulating emergency vehicle or traffic signals
- Any sign that obstructs ingress or egress from a required door, window, or other required exit
- Signs that obstruct approved traffic control devices or signals; interfere with sight distance; or distract from visibility of traffic signs or devices
- Any sign not attached to a building and erected within ten feet of a fire hydrant
- Commercial vehicles parked on business or industrial premises for more than 48 hours for the purpose of advertising or serving as a business sign
- Signs or sign structures that are structurally unsafe; hazardous due to inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, abandonment, or blocked views; capable of causing electric shock; unlawfully installed/maintained; located in public street or utility right‑of‑way (except where expressly permitted); not kept in good repair; or not meeting applicable building code requirements
- Any sign installed, erected, or maintained on city property, unless approved and erected by the city
- Roof signs
- Use of glaring undiffused lights or bulbs and beacon lights is prohibited
- No sign shall be located within, project into, or overhang the safety triangle at street intersections (25 feet along each right‑of‑way line)
- No sign (except government signs) may be located in, project into, or overhang any public right‑of‑way or dedicated easement

## Signs exempt from permit in Grand Blanc

- Directional signs not exceeding six square feet, with landowner permission, not in the public right‑of‑way and not within the safety triangle
- Enclosed signs located completely within a building and not visible from outside
- Flags adopted by the federal, state, or local government (maximum three per lot; maximum 50 square feet each; maximum 30 feet height)
- Legal nonconforming signs existing on the effective date of the chapter (removal eliminates nonconforming status)
- Permanent signs on vending machines, gas pumps, and ice containers indicating contents (maximum three square feet per device; limit one sign per device)
- Public signs of a non‑commercial nature erected by or on order of a public officer (e.g., safety, danger, trespassing, traffic, memorial, public awareness, public park, wayfinding, historical interest)
- Regulatory, directional, and street signs erected by a public agency in compliance with MMUTCD and accessibility standards
- Traffic control signs authorized by a public agency conforming to MMUTCD
- Permit‑exempt operations: changing the message on an approved changeable sign or theater marquee; painting, cleaning, or other normal maintenance or repair without structural change

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan requirement is stated in this chapter
- A sign permit is required before erecting, structurally altering, relocating, or re‑erecting any sign; electrical permits must be obtained at the same time when applicable
- Menu board signs require a sign permit
- Many permanent sign types require permits per the specific sign tables (e.g., awnings/canopies, banners, ground/monument signs, wall signs, projecting signs, rear entry signs, marquee signs); directional signs and some temporary/poster panel signs may be permit‑exempt as specified
- Banners spanning a public right‑of‑way must be approved by City Council
- Businesses without street frontage may request one additional sign on the nearest major street; Building Department may allow it with written permission from the off‑site property owner and subject to size limits
- Appeals/variances: aggrieved parties may appeal to the Sign Review Committee (Planning Commission) and then to City Council; variances may be granted based on stated criteria following public hearings
- Permanent sign permits considered building permits require final inspection and a certificate of 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 Grand Blanc — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Grand+Blanc+MI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-grand-blanc

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