# Sign Regulations in Hartland, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Hartland, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/hartland
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-14
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.hartlandtwp.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/planning/page/4746/2025_12_01_hartland_clearzoning_secured-upload_to_website_-_mar_21_2025.pdf#page=266)

## At a glance

Hartland, Michigan regulates 84 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Exempt Home Occupation Freestanding Sign (CA Zone Only)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 5 ft (including width from average grade) tall, 6 sq ft sign face, and 5 ft wide, with a At least 10 ft from front lot line and 15 ft from side lot line setback (Sec. 5.26.3.I.iii). Most commercial signs in Hartland require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 56 | 35 ft pole height | 200 sq ft, limited to 1 face | — |
| All Single and Multiple Family Residential Developments and Mobile Home Park Districts | 1 | 7 ft | 64 sq ft (general table cap), but Footnote iv also allows 32 sq ft per entrance; more restrictive may apply by design choice | — |
| All Commercial Districts (GC, LC, NSC) | 9 | 7 ft | 80 sq ft per sign, subject to formula and additional options | — |
| All Office Districts (OS, RDP) | 3 | 7 ft | 64 sq ft (80 sq ft possible for shared entrance monument per 5.26.8.M.ii.c) | — |
| All Industrial Districts (LI, I) | 3 | 7 ft | 80 sq ft | — |
| Planned Development Districts (PD) | 3 | 7 ft | 80 sq ft (can be modified by PD approval) | — |
| STR Settlement Residential (Commercial Uses within STR) | 2 | 4 ft | 7 sq ft | — |
| RUR Rural Residential and CA Conservation Agriculture | 2 | 7 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| OS Office Service, LC Limited Commercial, NSC Neighborhood Service Commercial, GC General Commercial, RDP Research and Development Park (All Commercial Districts) | 3 | 7 ft | 80 sq ft per sign, unless increased aggregate via 5.26.8.M.i.c | — |
| PD Planned Development | 2 | 7 ft | 80 sq ft unless modified by PD | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Exempt Construction Sign (Residential Project) | 7 ft | 16 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from any property line or public street ROW | 1 per development | On development site for residential projects | — | 5.26.3.B |
| Exempt Construction Sign (Non‑Residential Project) | 7 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from any property line or public street ROW | 1 per development | On development site for non‑residential projects | — | 5.26.3.B |
| Exempt Home Occupation Freestanding Sign (CA Zone Only) | 5 ft (including width from average grade) | 6 sq ft sign face | 5 ft | At least 10 ft from front lot line and 15 ft from side lot line | 1 per dwelling in CA (Option 3) | Front yard of properties zoned CA; minimum 10 ft from front lot line and 15 ft from side lot line | — | 5.26.3.I.iii |
| Exempt Real Estate Sign - Residential Districts (Standard Lots) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from public ROW or private road easement for any sign 6 sq ft or larger | 1 per frontage + 1 temporary open house sign | Per lot, on each public or private road frontage | — | 5.26.3.S, 5.26.3.S.i |
| Exempt Real Estate Sign - Residential, 10+ Acre Lots along M‑59/Old US‑23/adjacent to US‑23 | 7 ft | 32 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from ROW/easement for signs ≥6 sq ft | 1 per frontage + 1 temporary open house sign | Residential districts on lots ≥10 acres with frontage along M‑59 or Old US‑23, or adjacent to US‑23 | — | 5.26.3.S.ii |
| Exempt Real Estate Sign - Non‑Residential Districts | 7 ft | 32 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from ROW/easement for signs ≥6 sq ft | 1 per frontage + 1 temporary open house sign | Non‑residential zoning districts | — | 5.26.3.S.iii |
| Exempt Rental Office Directional Sign (Multiple Family) | 4 ft | 3 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from any property line or public ROW | Up to 2 per development | On premises of multiple family development, directing to rental/management office | — | 5.26.3.U |
| Portable Business Sign (A‑Frame/Pedestal) - LC & STR | 4 ft | 7 sq ft (per face, double‑sided allowed) | 2 ft | ≤10 ft in front of business; ≥1 ft from side line; 3‑ft pedestrian clear zone if in ROW | 1 per commercial establishment in LC or STR | In front of business in LC Limited Commercial or STR Settlement Residential districts, no more than 10 ft in front of business and minimum 1 ft from side property line projection; may be placed in public ROW with indemnification and 3‑ft clear ADA zone maintained. | — | 5.26.8.J |

### All Commercial Districts (GC, LC, NSC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall or Canopy Sign - Commercial Use | Not above first story; not over district max building height or height of building facing street | 80 sq ft per sign, subject to formula and additional options | — | — | 1 per business by default; up to 2 for certain lot conditions per footnote (option variants described in additional_requirements) | On primary building frontage, generally parallel to road ROW, at primary entrance; may also be on canopy as alternative. | — | Regulations table row: All Commercial Districts; 5.26.8.M.i, 5.26.8.H |
| Monument Sign - Commercial Use | 7 ft | 64 sq ft (80 sq ft possible for shared entrance sign per 5.26.8.M.ii.c) | — | Minimum 10 ft from ROW/property lines | 1 per property; 2 if qualifying second frontage and no wall sign on that frontage | On frontage along public streets as allowed | — | Regulations table row: All Commercial Districts; 5.26.8.E, 5.26.8.M.ii |
| Projecting Sign - Commercial (Not Generally Allowed) | — | 0 (for generic commercial districts other than LC) | — | — | 0 | Projecting signs not allowed in generic commercial districts per table (except LC, handled separately). | — | Regulations table row: All Commercial Districts (Projecting Sign columns show 0) |
| Wall or Canopy Sign - LC | Not above first story or district max building height/building height facing street | 80 sq ft | — | — | 1 by right, options for more per M.i | On building façades along street; may include canopy signs. | — | Regulations table row: Limited Commercial District; 5.26.8.M.i, 5.26.8.H |
| Monument Sign - LC | 7 ft | 64 sq ft (80 sq ft for shared entrance) | — | ≥10 ft from ROW/property lines | 1 per property; 2 if second frontage and no wall sign on that frontage | On frontage of LC parcel | — | Regulations table row: Limited Commercial District; 5.26.8.E, 5.26.8.M.ii |
| Projecting Sign - LC | — | 20 sq ft per sign face | — | Exempt from 5.26.7.D setback; must maintain 8‑ft height clearance from grade | 1 projecting sign per use with individual public access | On building walls within LC | — | Regulations table row: Limited Commercial District; 5.26.8.G |
| Portable Business Sign (A‑Frame/Pedestal) - LC | 4 ft | 7 sq ft | 2 ft | ≤10 ft from façade; ≥1 ft from side line; clear 3‑ft pedestrian zone | 1 per commercial establishment | In front of LC businesses, within 10 ft of business and at least 1 ft from projected side lot line; may be placed in public ROW with conditions. | — | 5.26.8.J |
| Under Hanging Sign - LC | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | Under canopy/awning serving LC businesses | — | 5.26.8.F |

### All Office Districts (OS, RDP)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall or Canopy Sign - Office Use (Non‑Illuminated) | Not above first story and not over district max building height or building height facing street | 20 sq ft per sign (table cap) | — | — | 1 per business, with potential 2 sign configurations where applicable but limited by small size cap | On primary building frontage at primary entrance. | — | Regulations table row: All Office Districts; 5.26.8.M.i, 5.26.8.M.i.d, 5.26.8.H |
| Monument Sign - Office Use | 7 ft | 64 sq ft (80 sq ft possible for shared entrance monument per 5.26.8.M.ii.c) | — | ≥10 ft from ROW/property line | 1 per property; 2 for qualifying second frontage if no wall sign on that frontage | On property frontage | — | Regulations table row: All Office Districts; 5.26.8.M.ii, v |
| Projecting Sign - Office | — | 0 | — | — | 0 | Projecting signs not permitted in Office Districts per table. | — | Regulations table row: All Office Districts (Projecting columns 0) |

## Prohibited signs in Hartland

- It is unlawful to erect, alter, relocate, or structurally change any sign or other advertising structure within the Township without first obtaining a sign permit, unless the sign is specifically exempted in Section 5.26.3.
- Any sign that is tattered, broken, faded, torn, has burned-out light bulbs, or is otherwise no longer working is not permitted and is declared a public nuisance per se.
- Signs erected, constructed, maintained, moved, or converted in violation of any provisions of the Ordinance are declared a public nuisance per se.
- Illegal nonconforming signs are not permitted and shall be immediately removed.
- No legal nonconforming sign shall be structurally altered so as to prolong the life of the sign or to change its shape, size, type, or design.
- No legal nonconforming sign that is destroyed by more than 50% of its pre-catastrophe fair market value (exclusive of foundation) may be reconstructed except in compliance with current sign regulations.
- No legal nonconforming sign shall be replaced with another nonconforming sign.
- All signs, unless otherwise specifically provided, shall be set back a minimum of ten (10) feet from any public street right-of-way, private road easement, or property line, and shall not be located where they obstruct required clear vision areas or motorist vision of regulatory signs, traffic control devices, or street signs.
- Signs shall not be constructed from materials that are remnants or manufactured for a different purpose.
- Reflective sign materials are prohibited.
- Use of glaring, unshielded, or undiffused lights or bulbs on signs is prohibited.
- Use of bare-bulb illuminated signs is prohibited.
- Any sign illumination or placement that could cause distraction to motorists is prohibited.
- Signs that are not expressly permitted by the Ordinance are prohibited.
- Animated signs are prohibited.
- Electronic signs are prohibited, except as specifically allowed for drive-through restaurant menu boards.
- Commercial vehicle signs used principally for advertising purposes, rather than associated with and regularly used in the course of conducting the on‑premises principal use, are prohibited.
- Signs that imitate, stipulate, or could be confused with the lighting of emergency vehicles or traffic signals are prohibited.
- Flashing signs are prohibited.
- Inflatable signs are prohibited.
- Moving signs are prohibited.
- Outline tubing/neon signs are prohibited unless otherwise expressly allowed in Section 5.26 (e.g., certain indoor “Open” signs).
- Any signs containing obscenity are prohibited.
- Signs that obstruct vision or impair the vision of motorists or non‑motorized travelers at any intersection, driveway, parking lot, or loading area are prohibited.
- Signage, including logos, is not permitted on a public or private radio, television, cellular phone, or water tower, except for the name of the municipality.
- Pole signs are prohibited, except where specifically allowed as a home occupation sign, construction sign, donor recognition sign, or agriculture sign under this Section.
- Portable signs are prohibited, except where specifically allowed in the LC and STR zoning districts under this Section.
- Non‑regulatory signs placed in the public right‑of‑way, attached to a utility pole, or affixed to a tree are prohibited, except signs of a government utility.
- Exterior string lights used in connection with a commercial enterprise are prohibited, except holiday decorations strung no more than 60 days before the holiday and removed within 10 days after, and in no case used more than 70 days per calendar year.
- Painted wall signs (signs painted directly onto any building surface) are prohibited.
- Searchlights used as signs or sign devices are prohibited.
- No sign may be painted directly onto any building surface; all wall signs must comply with wall‑sign construction standards.
- Wall signs shall not cover architectural details such as arches, transom windows, moldings, columns, sills, cornices, or similar details.
- Signs shall not be permitted where they obstruct motorist vision of regulatory signs, traffic control devices, or street signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Hartland

- The following signs are exempt from obtaining a sign permit and payment of fees, but must comply with all other Ordinance requirements: Business Affiliation Signs up to two (2) square feet per business.
- Construction Signs: one per development, meeting specified size, height, setback, and timing limits; although exempt from sign permit, they may only be erected after a land use permit is granted and fees paid.
- Community Special Event Signs that meet the specified size, height, setback, and duration limits.
- Flags: up to two flags of any combination of national, state, community organization, educational institution, or non‑commercial organization, and one commercial or corporate flag, meeting specified mounting, height, size, and display standards; flags that are part of a Township‑approved streetscape plan are exempt from the flag‑specific standards.
- Fuel Station Pump Island Signs indicating “self‑serve” or “full‑serve” (no business identification/advertising, maximum two per pump island, max four square feet each).
- Garage Sale and Estate Sale Signs meeting size, attachment, and time‑of‑display limits.
- Help Wanted Signs with maximum area of four (4) square feet.
- Historical Markers up to sixteen (16) square feet that meet State Historic Preservation/Michigan Historical Marker Program requirements.
- Home Occupation Signs meeting the specified size, location, illumination, and design standards for such uses.
- Integral Signs not exceeding two and one‑half (2.5) square feet in area.
- Miscellaneous Signs on vending machines, gas pumps, and ice containers indicating contents or announcing on‑premises sales, up to two (2) square feet per device.
- Model Signs (one) for model homes/units meeting the specified size, height, and location limits.
- Non‑commercial Signs not exceeding two (2) square feet in area.
- Outline tubing signs used indoors for “Open” signs in windows, not exceeding four (4) square feet and illuminated only during business hours.
- Owner/Tenant Signs (address or occupant name and similar) up to two (2) square feet in area on office buildings.
- Parking Lot Signs up to six (6) feet in height and two (2) square feet in area.
- Political Signs, provided they are not placed within the public street right‑of‑way in a manner that obstructs visibility and, if related to an election, are removed within ten (10) days after the election.
- Private Road Name Signs up to one (1) square foot in area.
- Real Estate Signs meeting the Ordinance’s size, height, setback, district‑specific standards, and removal timing requirements.
- Regulatory, Directional, and Street Signs erected by a public agency in compliance with the Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Rental Office Directional Signs (up to two per multiple‑family development) meeting size, height, setback, and location standards.
- Roadside Stand Signs (one per parcel) up to thirty‑two (32) square feet and seven (7) feet in height, on the same premises as the roadside stand.
- Street Address Signs/Numbers not exceeding six (6) inches in height for residences and eighteen (18) inches for businesses.
- Temporary Signs: one per business or tenant per site, for up to thirty (30) days, meeting size and height limits; wind‑blown devices such as pennants, spinners, and streamers are permitted as temporary signs for a 30‑day grand‑opening period.
- Warning Signs (e.g., no trespassing, warning of electrical currents or animals) not exceeding two (2) square feet.
- Permanent window signs that occupy no more than 25% of each individual street‑level window, up to a maximum of 20 square feet, are allowed without being counted as wall‑sign area; no sign permit is required so long as they do not exceed those thresholds.
- Temporary window signs that occupy no more than 10% of each individual street‑level window are exempt from permit requirements.
- Repairs, repainting with the same colors, cleaning, servicing, and changing the message on an approved existing changeable‑copy sign (where designed for such use) do not require a new sign permit if there is no structural change.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- For new sign installation, the sign permit review should coincide with the site plan application review, where applicable.
- The Planning Commission may require additional directional signs when necessary for traffic flow, vehicular and pedestrian movements, and wayfinding; these are reviewed as part of sign approvals rather than a separate master sign plan.
- Monument signs designed and approved with changeable panels may be reviewed and approved by the Zoning Administrator; at his/her discretion, the Zoning Administrator may require Planning Commission review and approval of such monument sign configurations.
- If the proposed signs are part of a Planned Development (PD), sign approval may be granted during the PD approval process by the Planning Commission, effectively integrating sign review into the PD plan approval.
- Residential communities or non‑residential developments are permitted monument entrance signs, and in some cases the Planning Commission may allow two coordinated monument entrance signs when determined necessary for public safety; such determinations occur through Planning Commission review of the development’s sign configuration.
- Portable business signs in the LC and STR districts require a permit and, if placed in the public right‑of‑way, require evidence that the Township is indemnified and held harmless; these are reviewed sign‑by‑sign rather than by a master sign plan.
- Off‑premise signs (billboards) require special use approval before a sign permit can be granted, with detailed review of location, size, spacing, illumination, landscaping, and maintenance as part of that process.
- Whenever the principal building on a site with a legal nonconforming sign is modified to a degree requiring site plan review and approval, the nonconforming sign must be removed, and any new signage will be reviewed as part of that site plan/sign permit process.

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/hartland