# Sign Regulations in Grayling, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Grayling, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/grayling
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-07
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.cityofgrayling.org/downloads/city_of_grayling_zoning_ordinance_amended_12025_2.pdf#page=84)

## At a glance

Grayling, Michigan regulates 27 sign types across 17 zoning districts. Directory Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 24 sq ft, with a ≥10 ft from any property line; not a projecting sign. setback (Sec. §3.23.14). Most commercial signs in Grayling require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (17 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 13 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft total per non-residential zoning lot (sum of all temporary signs) | — |
| Central Business District (CBD) | 8 | Bottom of sign ≥10 ft above ground or sidewalk | 32 sq ft | — |
| Local Service District (C-1) | 4 | 20 ft (measured from ground to top of sign or support, whichever higher) | ≤96 sq ft and ≤2% of rooftop area | — |
| Medical Cottage Industry/Professional Office/Mixed Use District (C-2) | 3 | 6 ft (measured from ground to top of sign or support, whichever higher) | ≤25% of area of each building wall | — |
| General Commercial District (C-3A) | 3 | 20 ft (measured from ground to top of sign or support, whichever higher) | ≤96 sq ft and ≤2% of rooftop area | — |
| General Commercial – South Town District (C-3B) | 3 | 20 ft (measured from ground to top of sign or support, whichever higher) | 64 sq ft per side (second sign ≤50% of area requirement) | — |
| Industrial District (I) | 4 | ≤30 ft above level of street/road to which message is directed (if situated upon two roads of different levels, measured from higher road) | ≤300 sq ft per side (tandem/stacked combined ≤300 sq ft) | — |
| Government District (G) | 3 | 8 ft (measured from ground to top of sign or support, whichever higher) | 32 sq ft per side (second sign ≤50% of area requirement) | — |
| Recreation District (RC) | 4 | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| Recreation District (RC) - Non-Residential Uses | 3 | 20 ft (measured from ground to top of sign or support, whichever higher) | 64 sq ft per side (second sign ≤50% of area requirement) | — |
| Recreation District (RC) - Residential Uses | 3 | 6 ft (measured from ground to top of sign or support, whichever higher) | ≤20 sq ft (and ≤1 sq ft per lineal foot of building wall) | — |
| Single-Family Residential, Low Density District (R-1A) | 2 | Not allowed | ≤20 sq ft (and ≤1 sq ft per lineal foot of building wall) | — |
| Single-Family Residential, Medium Density District (R-1B) | 2 | Not allowed | ≤20 sq ft (and ≤1 sq ft per lineal foot of building wall) | — |
| Multiple-Family Residential District (R-2) | 2 | Not allowed | ≤20 sq ft (and ≤1 sq ft per lineal foot of building wall) | — |
| R-1A, R-1B, R-2 (Non-Residential Uses) | 3 | Not allowed | 20 sq ft per side (second sign ≤50% of area requirement) | — |
| R-1A, R-1B, R-2 (Residential Uses) | 3 | 6 ft (measured from ground to top of sign or support, whichever higher) | ≤20 sq ft (and ≤1 sq ft per lineal foot of building wall) | — |
| R-1A, R-1B, R-2 (Multi-Family, Subdivisions, Residential Developments) | 1 | 6 ft (height for residential uses rowspans to this category) | 32 sq ft per side | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 17 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Safety and Installation – General | — | — | — | Adhere to utility company setbacks. | — | All districts | — | §3.23.4; §3.23.17 |
| Projecting Sign (Non-Residential Uses) | — | 20 sq ft per side (40 sq ft total both sides) | — | — | 1 per non-residential use | All districts, non-residential uses; may extend above public right-of-way only in CBD. | — | §3.23.10 |
| Portable Changeable Copy Message Board | — | 32 sq ft | — | Not in public right-of-way (outside CBD); maintain 8-ft sidewalk clear area in CBD. | — | All districts; in CBD must not occupy an eight-foot sidewalk clear area; in all other districts, not placed in a public right-of-way. | — | §3.23.6.4; §3.23.6.3 |
| Message Board - Static | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per non-residential use (either static or electronic) | All districts, non-residential uses | — | §3.23.12 |
| Message Board - Electronic | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per non-residential use (either static or electronic) | All districts, non-residential uses | — | §3.23.12.1.a–e |
| Sandwich Board Sign | — | Max panel size 2 ft x 4 ft; Min panel size 2 ft x 2 ft | — | Maintain 6-ft clear walkway. | — | All districts; on sidewalk area adjacent to business | — | §3.23.13 |
| Directory Sign | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from any property line; not a projecting sign. | 1 per lot (more if lot has frontage on 2+ roads) | Offices, office parks, industrial parks, multi-tenant buildings; in addition to other permitted signs | — | §3.23.14 |
| Off-Premise Directional Sign (Small) | 3–6 ft (Planning Commission may grant variations to ensure visibility) | 2 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 per use | All districts (off-premise, on property with owner permission) | — | §3.23.16 |

### Central Business District (CBD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - One Public Road Frontage | 6 ft | 20 sq ft per side | — | ≥5 ft from public road right-of-way; setback from all other property boundaries equal to the height of the sign. | 1 per premise with 1 public road frontage | On-premise | — | §3.23.8 (CBD row; footnote 2; Other item 1) |
| Canopy Sign - Independent Standing Canopy (In lieu of Freestanding) | Bottom of sign ≥10 ft above ground or sidewalk | ≤30 sq ft total | — | No part of sign or support structure may extend over property line. | In lieu of a freestanding sign | On-premise; attached to independent standing canopy | — | §3.23.8 (CBD – Other item 2) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Attached to building wall; signs on vertical portion of a mansard roof are considered wall signs. | — | §3.23.9 (CBD – Other item 1, item 2) |
| Rooftop Sign | Not allowed | Not allowed | — | — | — | Not allowed | — | §3.23.9 (CBD – Roof: Not allowed) |
| Projecting Sign (CBD) | — | 20 sq ft per side (40 sq ft total both sides) | — | — | 1 per non-residential use | May extend above public right-of-way in CBD | — | §3.23.10.1–4 |
| Message Board - Static | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per non-residential use | On-premise, non-residential uses | — | §3.23.12 |
| Message Board - Electronic | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per non-residential use | On-premise, non-residential uses | — | §3.23.12.1 |
| Sandwich Board Sign | — | Panel size between 2x2 ft and 2x4 ft | — | Maintain 6-ft clear walkway. | — | Sidewalk near business; maintain clear walkway | — | §3.23.13 |

### Industrial District (I)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Two Public Road Frontages | 8 ft (measured from ground to top of sign or support, whichever higher) | 40 sq ft per side (second sign ≤50% of area requirement) | — | ≥5 ft from public road right-of-way; setback from other property boundaries equal to sign height. | Up to 2 per premise with 2 public road frontages (second sign ≤50% area; ≥100 ft separation along second street) | On-premise along each street frontage | — | §3.23.8 (I row; Number Allowed group; footnote 2; Other item 1) |
| Wall Sign | — | ≤25% of area of each building wall | — | — | Unlimited as long as maximum allowable sign area per building is not exceeded | Attached to building wall | — | §3.23.9 (Wall – rowspans including I; Other items 1–3) |
| Rooftop Sign | Not allowed | Not allowed | — | — | — | Not allowed | — | §3.23.9 (I – Roof: Not allowed) |
| Off-Premise Sign (Billboard) | ≤30 ft above level of street/road to which message is directed (if situated upon two roads of different levels, measured from higher road) | ≤300 sq ft per side (tandem/stacked combined ≤300 sq ft) | — | ≥75 ft from property line adjoining a public ROW; ≥10 ft from interior property lines; ≥200 ft from residential zone/residence (≥300 ft if illuminated) | Spacing limit: ≤3 per linear mile | Only permitted in I District; must comply with Highway Advertising Act 1972 PA 106, as amended | — | §3.23.15.1–7 |

## Prohibited signs in Grayling

- Signs may only be illuminated by electrical means; non-electrical illumination is prohibited.
- Flashing, intermittent, or moving-light signs; signs with moving or revolving parts; and signs with reflecting parts that may distract drivers are prohibited (electronic message centers are not excluded but must comply with applicable standards).
- Signs affixed to fences, utility poles, trees, rocks, shrubs, or similar natural features are prohibited, except for the specified fence exception for certain remote commercial properties.
- Signs mounted upon a stationary motor vehicle or similar object used as a non-mobile display are prohibited; permanently painted or otherwise permanent signage on licensed, operating vehicles identifying the owner's occupation is permitted.
- Signs that imitate traffic signals or other traffic control devices, or use words/phrases/symbols that interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic are prohibited.
- Signs located within or overhanging a public right-of-way or on public property (other than those erected by a public agency), unless otherwise specifically allowed, are prohibited.
- Any sign or sign structure that constitutes a hazard to public health and safety due to inadequate maintenance is prohibited.
- Any sign unlawfully installed, erected, or maintained is prohibited.
- Signs containing obscene material (appealing predominantly to prurient interest in sexual conduct, patently offensive depictions, or offensive/lewd content) are prohibited.
- Signs erected or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape are prohibited; no sign may be attached to a stand pipe or fire escape.
- Signs placed so as to interfere with the visibility or effectiveness of official traffic signs or signals; driver vision at any access point or intersection; or pedestrian movement on any public sidewalk are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Grayling

- Signs not exceeding 2 square feet in size are permitted without a permit in all districts.
- Commercial and industrial accessory signs in parking lots and on accessory structures and equipment are permitted without a permit in all districts.
- Temporary signs and attention-getting devices (e.g., Air Dancers, Swooper Banners/Flags) are permitted without a permit up to four times per year for a maximum of 30 days each.
- Portable changeable copy message boards up to 32 square feet are permitted without a permit for no more than 30 days at a time; in the CBD they must maintain an eight-foot sidewalk clear area; in other districts they may not be placed in a public right-of-way.
- Signs erected by an official governmental body, public utility, or historic agency are permitted without a permit.
- Awning signs and canopy signs are permitted without a permit.
- Flags are permitted without a permit.
- Public banners across public rights-of-way are permitted without a permit, subject to terms or conditions imposed by the City Council or its designee.
- Signs not readable by motorists or pedestrians on any road, alley, water body, public lands, or adjacent parcels are permitted without a permit.
- Legal postings are permitted without a permit.
- Sandwich board signs do not require a sign permit (must be registered, adhere to ordinance standards, maintain a six-foot clear walkway, have panels between 2x2 and 2x4 feet, and be removed when the business is closed).
- Any allowed sign may contain a non-commercial message (substitution clause).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required to display, erect, relocate, or alter any sign unless specifically exempt elsewhere in the ordinance.
- Sign permit applications must include a site plan and elevation drawings of the proposed sign, structural details (connections, supports, footings, materials), an electrical permit application if the sign will have electrical connection, and a statement of valuation.
- Roof signs in C-1, C-3A, and C-3B require additional documentation with the permit: approved roof bearing inspection form; proof of installation by a professional sign company; documentation of lighting intensity and direction (lighting must not directly impact surrounding properties); and documentation that the sign is designed to withstand high winds.
- Small off-premise directional signs are subject to review by the Zoning Administrator; variations in height may be granted by the Planning Commission to ensure visibility; permission from the property owner where the sign is to be located must be included with the permit application.
- Public banners across public rights-of-way are subject to any terms or conditions imposed by the City Council or its designee.
- Sandwich board signs must be registered even though a sign permit is not required.
- No master sign plan requirement was identified in the provided text.

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

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