# Sign Regulations in Imlay, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Imlay, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/imlay
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-12
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.imlaycity.org/download/12597/zoning-land-use-pamphlet-6-1-zoning-ordinance-2023-with-2023-2025-amendments.pdf#page=210)

## At a glance

Imlay, Michigan regulates 25 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Ground Sign (Freestanding/Monument) (Non-residential)s in the Non-residential districts; Commercial Districts (B-1, B-2, B-3, OS-1); Industrial Districts (I-1, I-2) zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall, 64 sq ft, and 8 ft wide, with a Side lot line setback per district side yard setback; all nonresidential signs ≥100 ft from any residential district setback (Sec. Section 4.45(c)(1)-(4)). Most commercial signs in Imlay require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | ≤ 1/3 of permitted monument or pole sign face area | — |
| Non-residential districts; Commercial Districts (B-1, B-2, B-3, OS-1); Industrial Districts (I-1, I-2) | 13 | ≤ 35 ft and not more than 5 ft taller than roofline of primary building; if pole sign > 5 ft in height, ≥ 7 ft clearance between ground and display area | 64 sq ft | — |
| R-1 Single Family Residential District; R-2 Single Family Residential District; RT Two Family Residential District; RM-1 Multiple Family Housing District; Manufactured Housing Community District (RMH, MHC) | 9 | ≤ 6 ft (top of sign above ground level) | ≤ 50% of allowed ground sign area (i.e., ≤ 12 sq ft per side if ground sign side is 24 sq ft) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) Component (General Standards) | — | ≤ 1/3 of permitted monument or pole sign face area | — | — | — | Permitted on monument and pole signs in non-residential and appropriately zoned districts | — | Section 4.42(d)(1)-(7) |
| Illumination Standards (All Permanent Signs) | — | — | — | — | — | All zoning districts | — | Section 4.42(c)(1)-(5) |
| General Design, Construction, and Location Standards (All Signs) | — | — | — | All permanent signs: minimum 10 feet from any public or private street right-of-way line or access drive; side yard setbacks same as main building; all nonresidential signs at least 100 feet from any residential district | — | All zoning districts | — | Section 4.42(a)-(f); 4.42(f)(1)-(8) |

### Non-residential districts; Commercial Districts (B-1, B-2, B-3, OS-1); Industrial Districts (I-1, I-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Projecting Name Plate Sign (Commercial Districts) | Sign face height between 7 ft (minimum) and 10 ft (maximum) | 3 sq ft (sign face area) | — | — | One per ground-floor use | Ground-floor use that fronts a public right-of-way or alley | — | Section 4.45(a)(1)-(4) |
| Projecting Sign (Non-residential) | Mounted below finished floor of second level OR ≤ 11 ft above final grade (whichever is lower); sign height ≤ 3 linear ft | 3.75 sq ft | Sign length ≤ 15 in; projection from building ≤ 30 in; thickness ≤ 4 in | — | One per street-level business or street-level parking lot entry | One per street-level business or street-level parking lot entry with street frontage; business must have a public entrance directly onto the street | — | Section 4.45(b)(1)(a)-(h); 4.45(b)(2)-(7) |
| Ground Sign (Freestanding/Monument) (Non-residential) | 8 ft | 64 sq ft | 8 ft | Side lot line setback per district side yard setback; all nonresidential signs ≥100 ft from any residential district | One per use; with additional signs per frontage schedule; max two per site | On-site; not closer than 15 ft to any intersection of a right-of-way with another right-of-way or with the pavement of any driveway or alley | — | Section 4.45(c)(1)-(4) |
| Directional Sign (Non-residential) | 4 ft | 4 sq ft per sign | — | — | ≤ 1 per approved driveway | At approved driveways | — | Section 4.45(d) |
| Wall Sign (Non-residential) | — | Primary façade: ≤15% of façade area; Secondary façade: ≤10% of façade area; General maximum: ≤10% of front façade; Increases: 18% (201–400 linear ft building frontage with primary entrance) or 20% (>400 linear ft), subject to Planning Commission approval | — | — | One per business; corner lots up to two (one per façade) | On façades facing a public street; corner lots may have one wall sign per façade (primary entrance façade and secondary façade) | — | Section 4.45(e)(1)-(5) |
| Canopy Sign (Face of Canopy) | Face sign height ≤ 3 ft | Subject to wall sign area limits | — | — | — | On canopy face parallel to flow of traffic; ≥ 10 ft above sidewalk; ≥ 2 ft horizontally from curb | — | Section 4.45(f)(1)-(2) |
| Under-Canopy Sign (Suspended) | — | ≤ 6 sq ft | — | — | ≤ 1 per business/office | Suspended under canopy | — | Section 4.45(f)(4) |
| Pole Sign (Non-residential) | ≤ 35 ft and not more than 5 ft taller than roofline of primary building; if pole sign > 5 ft in height, ≥ 7 ft clearance between ground and display area | ≤ 64 sq ft | — | Not closer than 15 ft of any intersection or within pavement of any driveway or alley; side lot line per district side yard setbacks | One per parcel (and one per use), in lieu of ground signs | Permitted only on parcels abutting a roadway with posted speed ≥ 45 mph | — | Section 4.45(k)(1)-(10) |

### R-1 Single Family Residential District; R-2 Single Family Residential District; RT Two Family Residential District; RM-1 Multiple Family Housing District; Manufactured Housing Community District (RMH, MHC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Yard Sign (Residential) | — | 6 sq ft per sign face; 18 sq ft total per lot | — | — | Maximum total area as above (number not explicitly limited) | On residential property | — | Section 4.46(a); Table in Section 4.46 (Signs Permitted in R-1, R-2, RT, RM-1, and MHC) |
| Wall Sign (Residential Districts – Non-SFH/Duplex/Attached Condo Uses) | — | ≤ 10% of front façade area | — | — | One per business | On front façade (faces public street with primary entrance) | — | Section 4.46(b)(1)-(3); Table in Section 4.46 |
| Awning Sign (Residential Districts – Non-SFH/Duplex/Attached Condo Uses) | — | Counted toward wall sign maximum (≤ 10% of front façade) | — | — | One per business | On awning of qualifying non-residential use within residential district | — | Section 4.46(c)(1)-(5); Table in Section 4.46 |
| Ground Sign (Residential Districts – Non-SFH/Duplex/Attached Condo Uses) | ≤ 6 ft (top of sign above ground level) | ≤ 24 sq ft per side | — | Not closer than 5 ft to any part of the public right-of-way; general setback of 10 ft per Section 4.42(e)(1) also applies unless otherwise specified | One per parcel | On-parcel | — | Section 4.46(f)(1)-(6); Table in Section 4.46 |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) Sign (Institutional Uses Only) | — | ≤ 50% of allowed ground sign area (i.e., ≤ 12 sq ft per side if ground sign side is 24 sq ft) | — | Same as associated ground sign | One EMC permitted per institutional use | Institutional uses located on a major or minor arterial or collector road within residential districts | — | Section 4.46(g); Section 4.42(d) |
| Residential Entranceway Sign (Subdivision/Development Entrance) | ≤ 6 ft (top of sign above ground level) | ≤ 24 sq ft per side | — | Not closer than 5 ft to adjacent public right-of-way; must meet adequate sight distance requirements | One per vehicular entrance | On same parcel or at vehicular entrance to the development | — | Section 4.46(h)(1)-(5); Table in Section 4.46 |
| Business Placard (Bed & Breakfast) | — | 2 ft x 3 ft (6 sq ft) | — | — | 1 per residence | One per residence | — | Section 4.46 Table (Business Placard) and 4.46(e) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 ft x 3 ft (6 sq ft) | — | — | 1 per approved home occupation | On residence with approved home occupation (Section 3.15) | — | Section 4.46(d) |

## Prohibited signs in Imlay

- Any sign not expressly permitted is prohibited.
- Obsolete signs are prohibited, except for historical signs or markers.
- Animated, revolving, or rotating signs and signs with moving features are prohibited (except changeable-copy signs explicitly permitted).
- Signs with flashing, animation, scrolling, blinking, intermittent lights, or lights with changing intensity are prohibited.
- Signs that simulate or could be confused with emergency vehicle lighting or traffic signals are prohibited; no flashing/oscillating/intermittent red, yellow, or green illumination in the same line of vision as a traffic control device; no interference with vision clearance.
- Festoons are prohibited, except when approved with a Temporary Land Use Permit.
- Air-activated and balloon signs are prohibited, except when approved with a Temporary Land Use Permit.
- Any sign deemed structurally or electrically unsafe by the Building Official is prohibited.
- Signs that hide from view any traffic sign, street sign, or traffic signal are prohibited.
- Signs attached to support poles (light poles, utility poles, street signposts) and trees are prohibited, 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 erected or 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.
- Projector-image signs are prohibited.
- Pylon or pole signs not otherwise authorized by the ordinance are prohibited.
- Rotating search lights or similar devices are prohibited.
- Temporary electronic message center (EMC) signs are prohibited.
- Signs on private towers are prohibited.
- Signs displayed on an unlicensed vehicle, trailer, wagon, or other conveyance are prohibited (except temporary 'for sale' signs in vehicle windows).
- Costume signs are prohibited.
- Banners, wire stake signs, flag signs, and feather signs are prohibited.
- Any sign located 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.
- Billboards are prohibited.
- Signs intended to mimic traffic control or emergency services signage are prohibited.
- Portable or moveable signs are prohibited except for construction signs or sidewalk/sandwich signs.
- Temporary signs shall not be illuminated.
- Use of glaring, undiffused lights or bulbs is prohibited; light sources must be fully shielded and cause no hazardous glare to pedestrians, motorists, or adjacent properties/districts.
- Bare bulb illumination is prohibited, except on EMC signs and theatre marquees.
- Sign illumination color and/or brightness that creates a traffic hazard is prohibited.
- No sign may be located in, project into, or overhang a public right-of-way or dedicated public easement (except signs by public agencies).
- No sign shall be located within the clear vision triangle area at street intersections.
- No sign shall project beyond or overhang a wall or permanent architectural feature by more than 18 inches, nor project above or beyond the highest point of the roof or parapet.
- No sign is permitted at a location that creates a safety hazard or visual impediment to pedestrian or vehicular traffic, as determined by the Building Official.

## Signs exempt from permit in Imlay

- Address numbers: numeral height up to 6 inches for each dwelling unit and up to 18 inches for other uses (including multifamily buildings).
- Any sign on the premises required by law.
- Traffic control signs conforming to the FHWA Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, installed to direct or instruct traffic.
- Nameplates up to 2 square feet.
- Historical markers and plaques up to 12 square feet.
- Memorial signs or tablets up to 4 square feet, with name/date cut, cast, or engraved into masonry or metal and integral to the building.
- Temporary signage in accordance with the ordinance.
- Official and legal notice signs issued by a court, public body, person, or officer in performance of a public duty or giving legal notice (removal per applicable requirements).
- Signs erected on City, County, State, or Federal buildings or land by an authorized public agency.
- Interior signs not visible to the outside.
- Lawful signs in a public or private right-of-way installed by an authorized public agency (e.g., street signs, address signs).
- Private traffic control signs that conform to the Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
- Flags up to 30 feet in height; maximum three per zoning lot; size no larger than 4 by 6 feet.
- Window signs up to 25% of the total window area of the façade facing a road; must be placed to maintain visibility into the building for public safety.
- Vehicle signs where the vehicle does not regularly go unoperated for more than seven consecutive days.
- Publicly authorized warning signs (e.g., no trespassing, electrical current, animals) up to 2 square feet.
- Signs displaying noncommercial messages protected by the First Amendment; must comply with number and size regulations in the applicable zoning district.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Illuminated signs: a photometric plan identifying proposed illumination levels (in foot candles) must be provided; automatic dimmer required; illumination levels not to exceed 15 foot candles at the property line (measured 4 feet above ground).
- EMC signs: a color rendering of the display must be provided for consideration by the Planning Commission during Site Plan Review, and by the Planner and Building Official during administrative review.
- EMC signs: must have ambient light monitors and automatic dimming equipment; programming interface must be made available to City staff upon request to verify compliance.
- Murals require submission of a plan/drawing/picture and pre-approval by the City.
- Projecting sign materials may be referred to the Planning Commission for review and approval if the Zoning Administrator determines they are not architecturally compatible.
- Temporary signs in the public right-of-way or public easement for community or special events may be administratively approved by the Zoning Administrator if criteria are met; the Zoning Administrator may refer requests to the City Commission for approval.
- Pole signs require designs sealed by a professional engineer or architect and appropriate building permits.
- Residential entranceway signs: entranceway design must be reviewed by the Planning Commission and approved in conjunction with the residential development.
- No explicit Master Sign Plan requirement is identified in the provided sections.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Imlay, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Imlay+MI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-imlay

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