# Sign Regulations in Green Oak Township, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Green Oak Township, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/green-oak-township
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-16
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://cms2.revize.com/revize/greenoakct/FULL%20Zoning%20Ordinance%205-19-25%20compressed.pdf?t=202601121212580&t=202601121212580#page=221)

## At a glance

Green Oak Township, Michigan regulates 24 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Yard Sign (Temporary)s in the Residential/farming (RF), Residential rural estate (RE), Residential single-family (LA, R-1, R-2, R-2A, R-3), Residential multiple-family (RM), Residential mobile home park (RMH), Village Mixed Use 1 (VMU-1) (residential), Village Mixed Use 2 (VMU-2) (residential), Planned unit development (PUD) (residential only) zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall and Max 6 sq ft per sign; 24 sq ft total on lot, with a Minimum 5 ft from any lot line setback (Sec. Sec. 38-408(b) (Yard Signs); Sec. 38-404(o)). Most commercial signs in Green Oak Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | Per host sign height limits; billboards max 25 ft | ≤ 80% of a monument sign face (EMC portion); for billboards EMC may be 100% of face | — |
| Residential/farming (RF), Residential rural estate (RE), Residential single-family (LA, R-1, R-2, R-2A, R-3), Residential multiple-family (RM), Residential mobile home park (RMH), Village Mixed Use 1 (VMU-1) (residential), Village Mixed Use 2 (VMU-2) (residential), Planned unit development (PUD) (residential only) | 6 | 8 ft (sign structure) | 32 sq ft | — |
| Local business (LB), General business (GB), Highway commercial (HC), Research office (RO), Limited industrial (LI), General industrial (GI), Planned unit development (PUD) (non-residential) | 15 | 25 ft (from grade to top of sign) | 672 sq ft per face (max 2 faces in V-shape; internal angle ≤20°) | — |
| Village Mixed Use 1 (VMU-1) (non-residential), Village Mixed Use 2 (VMU-2) (non-residential) | 11 | 8 ft (structure) | Message area ≤64 sq ft | — |

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

### Residential/farming (RF), Residential rural estate (RE), Residential single-family (LA, R-1, R-2, R-2A, R-3), Residential multiple-family (RM), Residential mobile home park (RMH), Village Mixed Use 1 (VMU-1) (residential), Village Mixed Use 2 (VMU-2) (residential), Planned unit development (PUD) (residential only)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (Permitted Non-Residential Uses Only) | — | — | — | — | — | Only in conjunction with permitted non-residential uses within these residential districts. | — | Sec. 38-408(a) (Monument Signs: permitted only for permitted non-residential uses); Sec. 38-403 |
| Entranceway Sign (Residential Developments) | 8 ft (sign structure) | — | — | Standard location setback rules apply; boulevard island option: ≥10 ft from intersecting street ROW. | Max 1 per side of an entrance or exit drive | At entrances/exits to residential developments; not within ROW unless written consent from road agency and recordable removal agreement. | — | Sec. 38-408(a) (Entranceway Signs) bullets |
| Wall Sign (Permitted Non-Residential Uses, including approved home occupations) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On building wall of the permitted non-residential use | — | Sec. 38-408(a) (Wall Signs) |
| Banner Sign (Temporary - Model Home Only) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per model home; max duration 30 days per 6-month period | On a model home within a residential development | — | Sec. 38-408(b) (Banner Signs) |
| Portable Sign (Temporary - Residential Developments Common Amenity Areas) | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | Up to 1 per common amenity property | On common amenity property of a residential development with approval of the recognized association | — | Sec. 38-408(b) (Portable Signs) |
| Yard Sign (Temporary) | 4 ft | Max 6 sq ft per sign; 24 sq ft total on lot | — | Minimum 5 ft from any lot line | Unlimited within total area cap | On private property | — | Sec. 38-408(b) (Yard Signs); Sec. 38-404(o) |

### Local business (LB), General business (GB), Highway commercial (HC), Research office (RO), Limited industrial (LI), General industrial (GI), Planned unit development (PUD) (non-residential)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft | Up to 48 sq ft (64 sq ft with >450 ft frontage on the road where sign is placed) | — | ≥15 ft from existing ROW or access easement; ≥25 ft from interstate freeway ROW; ≥50 ft from boundary of a residential district; in boulevard island: ≥10 ft from ROW | 1 per road frontage | On private property; may be in landscaped island subject to reduced setback; not allowed to face US‑23 on parcels with US‑23 frontage. | — | Sec. 38-408(c) (Monument Signs) |
| Entranceway Sign (Multi-user developments) | 8 ft (sign structure) | Message area ≤64 sq ft (structure may exceed) | — | Standard setbacks; island option: ≥10 ft from intersecting street ROW | 1 per side of entrance/exit | At shared entrance to multi-tenant centers/parks; not in ROW without agency consent and removal agreement; island placement allowed with conditions. | — | Sec. 38-408(c) (Entranceway Signs) |
| Incidental Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | ≥15 ft from planned ROW | 1 per vehicular entrance or exit, plus 1 per 100 linear feet of driveway (measured from ROW) | Within 6 ft of a driveway or sidewalk; not closer than 15 ft from planned ROW. | — | Sec. 38-408(c) (Incidental Signs); Sec. 38-404(k) |
| Wall Sign (Single-tenant buildings) | Top of wall sign not higher than: district max height, or bottom of window at first level above first story, or height of the street-facing building wall (lowest of these) | Up to 60 sq ft; up to 200 sq ft if setback condition met | ≤ 1/2 of building width (horizontal dimension cap) | — | Single‑tenant: 1 per street/highway‑facing side; plus 1 additional facing US‑23 if parcel has US‑23 frontage | On each side of building that faces a street/highway (1 per such side). Parcels with US‑23 frontage: 1 additional wall sign may face US‑23. | — | Sec. 38-408(c) (Wall Signs) |
| Wall Sign (Multi-tenant/shopping center - Tenants with individual access) | Same wall sign height limitations as single‑tenant | Up to 60 sq ft (or up to 200 sq ft if >150 ft setback condition met) | ≤ 1/2 of building width (horizontal dimension cap) | — | 1 per tenant with individual access | 1 per tenant with individual access. | — | Sec. 38-408(c) (Wall Signs - multi-tenant) |
| Wall Sign (Multi-tenant/shopping center - Tenants with shared/common access) | Same wall sign height limitations | Allocated share of allowed building wall sign area | ≤ 1/2 of building width | — | 1 per entrance (shared/common access tenants share allocation) | Shared/common access tenants | — | Sec. 38-408(c) (Wall Signs - multi-tenant shared access) |
| Yard Sign (Temporary) | 4 ft | Max 6 sq ft per sign; 24 sq ft total | — | ≥10 ft from any lot line | As needed within total area cap | On private property | — | Sec. 38-408(d) (Yard Signs); Sec. 38-404(o) |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Temporary) - Subset of Districts | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | Maintain >5 ft pedestrian clearance; not in ROW | 1 per eligible business | Within 15 ft of the primary building entrance door; maintain >5 ft of clear pedestrian passage; not in ROW. | — | Sec. 38-408(d) (Sandwich Board Signs) |

### Village Mixed Use 1 (VMU-1) (non-residential), Village Mixed Use 2 (VMU-2) (non-residential)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft | Up to 48 sq ft (64 sq ft with >450 ft frontage on the road where sign is placed) | — | ≥15 ft from existing ROW or access easement; ≥25 ft from interstate freeway ROW; ≥50 ft from boundary of a residential district; in boulevard island: ≥10 ft from ROW | 1 per road frontage | On private property; may be in landscaped island subject to reduced setback; not allowed to face US‑23 on parcels with US‑23 frontage. | — | Sec. 38-408(c) (Monument Signs) |
| Entranceway Sign (Multi-user developments) | 8 ft (structure) | Message area ≤64 sq ft | — | Island: ≥10 ft from intersecting street ROW | 1 per side of entrance/exit | Not in ROW without agency consent; island option available. | — | Sec. 38-408(c) (Entranceway Signs) |
| Incidental Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | ≥15 ft from planned ROW | 1 per vehicular entrance or exit, plus 1 per 100 linear feet of driveway | Within 6 ft of a driveway or sidewalk; not closer than 15 ft from planned ROW. | — | Sec. 38-408(c) (Incidental Signs); Sec. 38-404(k) |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) Sign (Wall/Monument/Window) - District Allowance | Per host sign limits | ≤50% of allowed host sign area | — | — | Per wall/monument/window limits | Per Sec. 38-408(c): only at schools and places of worship; otherwise, EMCs not generally permitted in VMU districts by Sec. 38-407. | — | Sec. 38-407; Sec. 38-408(c) (Electronic Message Signs) |
| Wall Sign (Single-tenant buildings) | Top of wall sign not higher than: district max height, or bottom of window at first level above first story, or height of the street-facing building wall (lowest of these) | Up to 60 sq ft; up to 200 sq ft if setback condition met | ≤ 1/2 of building width | — | 1 per street/highway‑facing side (+1 facing US‑23 if applicable) | 1 on each side facing a street or highway; +1 facing US‑23 if parcel has US‑23 frontage. | — | Sec. 38-408(c) (Wall Signs) |
| Wall Sign (Multi-tenant/shopping center - Tenants with individual access) | Same wall sign limitations | Up to 60 sq ft (or up to 200 sq ft if >150 ft setback condition met) | ≤ 1/2 of building width | — | 1 per tenant with individual access | 1 per tenant with individual access. | — | Sec. 38-408(c) (Wall Signs - multi-tenant) |
| Wall Sign (Multi-tenant/shopping center - Tenants with shared/common access) | Same wall sign limitations | Allocated share of allowed building wall sign area | ≤ 1/2 of building width | — | 1 per entrance (allocation basis) | Shared/common access tenants | — | Sec. 38-408(c) (Wall Signs - shared access) |
| Marquee Sign | — | Included within total permitted wall signage | — | Must comply with district setbacks | — | Projection limits do not apply; must comply with district setbacks. | — | Sec. 38-408(c) (Marquee Signs); Sec. 38-403(b)(4) |

## Prohibited signs in Green Oak Township

- Any sign not expressly permitted is prohibited (applies township-wide)
- Obsolete signs are prohibited
- Animated signs (including revolving or rotating) and signs with moving features are prohibited, except changeable-copy signs explicitly permitted
- Signs that display flashing, animation, scrolling, blinking, intermittent lights, or changing light intensity are prohibited
- Festoons are prohibited
- Air-activated signs and balloon signs are prohibited
- Any sign deemed structurally or electrically unsafe by the Building Official is prohibited
- Signs that hide or obscure any traffic sign, street sign, or traffic signal are prohibited
- Support pole signs are prohibited, including signs attached to light poles, utility poles, street signposts, and trees, except those lawfully installed by an authorized public entity
- Transported signs are prohibited unless the vehicle is operating lawfully on a public or private road
- Roof signs are prohibited, except when constructed as an integral part of the normal roof structure
- Bench signs are prohibited, except permanently mounted plaques intended to be read at close proximity
- Signs on or attached to fences are prohibited
- Projector-image signs are prohibited
- Rotating search lights or similar devices are prohibited
- Temporary electronic message center (EMC) signs are prohibited
- Signs on public or private towers are prohibited
- Signs displayed on an unlicensed vehicle, trailer, wagon, or other conveyance are prohibited (temporary 'for sale' signs in vehicle windows are allowed)
- Costume signs are prohibited
- Banners, flag signs, and feather signs are prohibited
- Any sign in a public or private right-of-way is prohibited unless permitted by the road agency or explicitly permitted elsewhere in the ordinance
- Neon, LED, or other light types permanently outlining windows or doors are prohibited
- Signs intended to mimic traffic control or emergency services signage are prohibited
- Temporary signs may not be illuminated
- Illumination by bare bulbs or flames is prohibited, except bare bulbs on theatre marquees
- Sign illumination that causes glare, impairs driver vision, or creates a traffic hazard is prohibited; use of glaring undiffused lights or bulbs is expressly prohibited; illuminated sign designs may not have a white or near-white background
- No sign may be located in, project into, or overhang a public right-of-way or dedicated public easement, except government signs
- No sign may be located in the clear vision triangle at street intersections (15 feet from intersection along each right-of-way)
- Unless otherwise stated, no sign may project more than 18 inches from a wall or above the roof or parapet
- No sign is permitted at any location that creates a safety hazard or visual impediment to pedestrians or vehicular traffic, as determined by the Building Official
- No sign shall be attached or placed so as to obstruct any fire escape
- No pole, cable, or support shall be placed on publicly owned property, streets, or rights-of-way without written authorization from the owner of the right-of-way
- No sign or any part thereof (including cables and guys) shall be within 10 feet of any electrical conductor, streetlamp, traffic light, other public utility pole, or within 10 feet of a high-voltage wire
- No sign may simulate or imitate traffic signs or signals or use words, phrases, symbols, or characters in a manner that interferes with, misleads, or confuses traffic

## Signs exempt from permit in Green Oak Township

- Address numbers with numeral height up to 8 inches for each dwelling unit and up to 18 inches for any other use, including multifamily buildings
- Any sign on the premises required by law
- Signs conforming to the Federal Highway Administration’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices that direct or instruct traffic
- Nameplates up to 2 square feet
- Historical markers and plaques up to 12 square feet
- Temporary signage in accordance with the ordinance (permit not required, must follow applicable regulations)
- Official and legal notice signs issued by a court, public body, person, or officer in the performance of a public duty or for giving legal notice (must be removed per Township, court order, or state statute)
- Signs erected on township, county, state, or federal buildings or land by the authorized public agency
- Interior signs not visible from outside
- Lawful signs in a public or private right-of-way installed by an authorized public agency, including street and address signs
- Private traffic control signs that conform to the Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices
- Up to three flags mounted on a pole not higher than 30 feet
- Window signs not exceeding 25% of the total window area of the facade facing a road, placed to ensure visibility into the building for public safety
- Vehicle signs on operable vehicles that are regularly used/moved and do not remain unoperated for more than 7 consecutive days
- Signs displaying noncommercial messages (religious, political, economic, social, philosophical, or other protected speech), provided they comply with the number and size regulations in the applicable zoning district
- No Trespassing and/or No Hunting signs up to 1.5 square feet in size on posts up to 5 feet in height

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Sign permit applications submitted with a proposed new development, new building, or building addition must be reviewed by the Planning Commission as part of the required site plan review, and proposed signs must be shown on the site plan (Sec. 38-411(a)(3)(a))
- Standalone sign permits (where no new construction is proposed) are reviewed by the Building Official (Sec. 38-411(a)(3)(b))
- For Electronic Message Center (EMC) signs, a color rendering of the display must be provided for consideration by the Planning Commission during site plan review, and to the planner and Building Official during administrative review (Sec. 38-403(c)(4))
- A landscaping plan for the area surrounding the sign base must be included with the sign permit application when applicable (Sec. 38-411(a)(2)(l))
- Billboards require submission of a landscape plan with the sign permit application, including a 15-foot landscape buffer and irrigation, substantially similar to the ordinance example (Sec. 38-406(i))
- If a sign permit is refused, an appeal (variance) may be filed with the Zoning Board of Appeals, which considers specified practical difficulty criteria (Sec. 38-412)

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

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