# Sign Regulations in Imlay Township, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Imlay Township, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/imlay-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-02-17
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.imlaytownship.org/images/2017-Agendas-Minutes/Imlay-Twp-Zoning-Ordinance-05-10-2017.pdf#page=132)

## At a glance

Imlay Township, Michigan regulates 20 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the I-1, I-2 zoning district are capped at 12 feet tall and 100 square feet for individual buildings, 200 square feet for planned developments, with a No closer than 20 feet to the future right-of-way line. setback (Sec. Section 5.8.5.A, 5.8.5.B). Most commercial signs in Imlay Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | — | 32 square feet | Yes |
| I-1, I-2 | 5 | 15 feet | 250 square feet | Yes |
| AG Districts | 3 | 6 feet | 32 square feet | Yes |
| R-1, RE Districts | 3 | 6 feet | 32 square feet for the largest sign, 16 square feet for other signs | Yes |
| RM-1, MH Districts | 2 | 6 feet | 32 square feet | Yes |
| NB-O, B-1, B-2 | 4 | 12 feet | 200 square feet | Yes |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Portable Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | No | Section 5.8.1.C |
| Temporary Message Board Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | — | — | — | Yes | Section 5.8.9 |
| Political Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | — | May be placed 100 to 200 feet from any entrance to a polling place on election day. | No | Section 5.8.10 |
| Temporary Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Visible from the front lot line. | No | Section 5.8.11.A |
| Nameplate | — | 4 square feet | — | — | One per dwelling | On a dwelling for a permitted home occupation or stating the occupant's profession. | No | Section 5.8.11.B |
| Bulletin Board | — | 16 square feet | — | — | — | At least 20 feet from all property lines. | No | Section 5.8.11.D |
| Construction Sign | — | 16 square feet in residential districts, 48 square feet in all other districts | — | — | — | At least 20 feet from all property lines. | No | Section 5.8.11.E |
| Gasoline Price Sign | — | 12 square feet | — | — | One per establishment, two if on more than one street | One per establishment selling gasoline, a second sign allowed if the business has frontage on more than one street. | No | Section 5.8.11.F |

### I-1, I-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Non-Accessory and Off-Site Sign | 15 feet | 250 square feet | — | — | — | Must be located on property abutting an interstate highway, limited access state highway, or similar thoroughfare. | Yes | Section 5.8.5.E |
| Freestanding Sign | 12 feet | 100 square feet for individual buildings, 200 square feet for planned developments | — | No closer than 20 feet to the future right-of-way line. | — | No closer than 20 feet to the future right-of-way line. | Yes | Section 5.8.5.A, 5.8.5.B |
| Wall Sign | — | 200 square feet | — | — | One per tenant | Displayed flat against or parallel to the wall of the building. | Yes | Section 5.8.1.I, 5.8.5.A |
| Message Board Sign | — | 32 square feet for individual businesses, 50 square feet for complexes | — | — | One per individual freestanding business building or complex | Permanently anchored to the ground or incorporated into the business's permanent freestanding sign. | Yes | Section 5.8.8 |
| Permanent Electronic Display and Electronic Message Board Sign | 6 feet | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | Section 5.8.13 |

### NB-O, B-1, B-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 12 feet | 100 square feet for individual buildings, 200 square feet for planned developments | — | No closer than 20 feet to the future right-of-way line. | — | No closer than 20 feet to the future right-of-way line. | Yes | Section 5.8.5.A, 5.8.5.B |
| Wall Sign | — | 200 square feet | — | — | One per tenant | Displayed flat against or parallel to the wall of the building. | Yes | Section 5.8.1.I, 5.8.5.A |
| Message Board Sign | — | 32 square feet for individual businesses, 50 square feet for complexes | — | — | One per individual freestanding business building or complex | Permanently anchored to the ground or incorporated into the business's permanent freestanding sign. | Yes | Section 5.8.8 |
| Permanent Electronic Display and Electronic Message Board Sign | 6 feet | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | Section 5.8.13 |

## Prohibited signs in Imlay Township

- No flashing, oscillating, or intermittent illuminated signs or displays.
- No streamers, windblown devices, spinners, temporary or portable signs, pennants, or flags, except as permitted by specific action of the Township Board.
- Portable and vehicle advertising signs are prohibited, except as provided in Section 5.8.9.
- No sign, except those established by government entities, shall be located in, project into, or overhang a public right-of-way or dedicated public easement.
- No sign shall project above 20 feet in height or exceed 100 square feet in area.
- No sign above 3 feet in height shall be located within, project into, or overhang the triangular area formed at the intersection of street right-of-way lines, within 25 feet from the point of intersection.
- Signs must be lighted by internal illumination only, unless the lighting is an integral part of the display.
- Signs must not project above or beyond the highest point of the roof or parapet.
- Freestanding signs must not impair the vision of pedestrians or vehicles.
- It is unlawful to maintain any sign that has become obsolete for more than 30 days.
- No portable message board signs are allowed.
- No flashing lights, arrows, or similar attention-attracting devices are allowed.
- Signs must not use colors, messages, or features that mimic or may be confused with traffic control devices.
- Streaming video, full-motion video, moving, scrolling, rotating, fading, or flashing text/graphics are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Imlay Township

- Directional traffic signs established by Imlay Township, Lapeer County Road Commission, Michigan Department of Transportation, or the Federal government are permitted in all use districts.
- Parking lot directional signs that are not illuminated and do not exceed 2 square feet in area are exempt from total allowable sign area calculations.
- Temporary window signs in business and industrial districts displayed for no longer than 14 days must not occupy more than 30% of the total window area.
- One nameplate on a dwelling for a permitted home occupation or stating the occupant's profession is allowed.
- Memorial signs, historical markers, or building names and dates of erection are allowed if cut into masonry or constructed of bronze or similar materials.
- Permanent bulletin boards not exceeding 16 square feet are allowed for public, charitable, educational, or religious institutions.
- Temporary construction signs denoting the name of the building, architect, engineer, contractor, and anticipated completion date are allowed.
- One gasoline price sign not exceeding 12 square feet is allowed per establishment selling gasoline.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All new signs require approval by the Building Inspector.
- Sign applications must meet the minimum submittal requirements specified in Section 6.1.

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

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