# Sign Regulations in Independence Charter Township, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Independence Charter Township, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/independence-charter-township
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-12
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://cms2.revize.com/revize/independencemi/Final%20ZO%2011-25-25.pdf?t=202512011017200&t=202512011017200#page=313)

## At a glance

Independence Charter Township, Michigan regulates 19 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Ground Sign (Permanent)s in the SD-1 North Dixie Highway; SD-5 North M-15; SD-7 North Sashabaw Road zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 50 sq ft per side / 100 sq ft total, with a Front yard setback ≥15 ft; Minimum spacing between ground signs ≥50 ft (on same or adjacent properties). setback (Sec. Sec. 12.04 A.1-8; Table 12.04 B-1 (SD-1/SD-5/SD-7); Sec. 12.02 C.2-4; Sec. 12.08; Sec. 12.09 B). Most commercial signs in Independence Charter Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (11 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 6 ft | Total ≤72 sq ft per restaurant; no single sign >48 sq ft. For dual ordering stations: ≤72 sq ft per station; no single sign >48 sq ft. | — |
| SD-1 North Dixie Highway; SD-5 North M-15; SD-7 North Sashabaw Road | 9 | 6 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| SD-2 South Dixie Highway | 9 | 6 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| SD-3 White Lake Road | 10 | ≤20 ft above the level of the street or road faced | ≤200 sq ft (single face) | — |
| SD-4 South and Central M-15 | 9 | 6 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| SD-6 Central Sashabaw Road | 9 | 8 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| SD-8 Small Commercial Nodes | 9 | 6 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| SD-9 Residential Areas (a) | 3 | 4 ft | ≤32 sq ft per side at primary entrance; secondary entrance sign ≤50% of permissible area | — |
| SD-9 Residential Areas (b) | 6 | 6 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| General Industrial (GI) | 2 | ≤20 ft above the level of the street/road faced | ≤200 sq ft (single face only) | — |
| Planned Unit Development (PUD) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 11 zones)

### SD-1 North Dixie Highway; SD-5 North M-15; SD-7 North Sashabaw Road

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Permanent) | 6 ft | 50 sq ft per side / 100 sq ft total | — | Front yard setback ≥15 ft; Minimum spacing between ground signs ≥50 ft (on same or adjacent properties). | 1 along principal frontage per non-residential premise; +1 additional along frontage at secondary entrance (≤50% of permissible area). | Along principal frontage; outside clear vision areas; may be on landscaped berm if berm ≤3 ft above average finished grade within 15-ft radius and landscaped per Article 6.0. | — | Sec. 12.04 A.1-8; Table 12.04 B-1 (SD-1/SD-5/SD-7); Sec. 12.02 C.2-4; Sec. 12.08; Sec. 12.09 B |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per single-tenant premises; 1 per tenant (multi-tenant); up to 3 total per premises/tenant with Planning Commission approval. | Attached to building wall (including vertical portion of mansard roof) | — | Sec. 12.05 A.1-3; Table 12.05 B-1 (SD-1/SD-5/SD-7); Sec. 12.08; Sec. 12.09 B |
| Interior Window Sign | — | ≤10% of ground-floor window area | — | — | — | Interior window, ground floor | — | Sec. 12.06 A; Sec. 12.02 E.5; Sec. 12.08; Sec. 12.09 B |
| Projecting Sign | — | 4 sq ft per side (counts toward wall sign area) | — | — | — | Mounted perpendicular to building/wall | — | Sec. 12.06 B.1-3; Sec. 12.05 B; Sec. 12.09 B |
| Manual Changeable Copy (incorporated in Ground or Wall Sign) | — | Area devoted to changeable copy ≤25% of permissible sign area | — | — | — | Only as component of a permitted ground or wall sign | — | Sec. 12.06 D.1-2; Table 12.04 B-1; Sec. 12.09 B |
| Electronic Message Sign (EMS) - Ground Sign Only | Ground sign height limits apply | ≤25% of permissible ground sign area (of Ground Sign limits) | — | Same as Ground Sign | Limited by the number of permitted ground signs per premises | Integrated within a ground sign; not permitted on wall/window | — | Sec. 12.06 E.1-3; Sec. 12.08 A-B; Sec. 12.06 E.3.a(1)-(4); Sec. 12.06 E.3.b; Sec. 12.09 B |
| Temporary Ground Sign | 6 ft | Total per premises: 32 sq ft; Maximum area of individual sign: 16 sq ft | — | Front yard setback ≥15 ft | — | Front yard (per table footnote) | — | Table 12.07 B-1 (SD-1/SD-5/SD-7); Sec. 12.07 A, D.1-5 |
| Subdivision/Condominium/MF/MHP Entrance Ground Sign | 4 ft | ≤32 sq ft per side at primary entrance; secondary entrance sign ≤50% of permissible area | — | — | 1 at primary entrance; +1 at secondary entrance (≤50% area) if not on same street as primary entrance | At primary entrance of subdivision site, condominium, multiple-family development, or mobile home park; secondary entrance sign must be on a different street than the primary entrance. | — | Sec. 12.04 A.3 |

### SD-2 South Dixie Highway

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Permanent) | 6 ft | 50 sq ft per side / 100 sq ft total | — | Front yard setback ≥5 ft; Minimum spacing between ground signs ≥25 ft (on same or adjacent properties). | 1 along principal frontage per non-residential premise; +1 additional along frontage at secondary entrance (≤50% of permissible area). | Along principal frontage; outside clear vision areas; may be on landscaped berm ≤3 ft with landscaping per Article 6.0. | — | Sec. 12.04 A.1-8; Table 12.04 B-1 (SD-2); Sec. 12.02 C.2-4; Sec. 12.08; Sec. 12.09 B |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | As stated | Attached to building wall | — | Sec. 12.05 A.1-3; Table 12.05 B-1 (SD-2); Sec. 12.08; Sec. 12.09 B |
| Interior Window Sign | — | ≤10% of ground-floor window area | — | — | — | Interior ground-floor windows | — | Sec. 12.06 A; Sec. 12.02 E.5 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 4 sq ft per side (counts toward wall area) | — | — | — | Mounted perpendicular to building | — | Sec. 12.06 B.1-3; Sec. 12.05 B; Sec. 12.09 B |
| Manual Changeable Copy (incorporated in Ground or Wall Sign) | — | ≤25% of permissible sign area | — | — | — | Only as component of a permitted ground or wall sign | — | Sec. 12.06 D.1-2; Table 12.04 B-1; Sec. 12.09 B |
| Electronic Message Sign (EMS) - Ground Sign Only | Ground sign height limits apply | ≤25% of permissible ground sign area | — | Same as Ground Sign | Limited by permitted ground signs | Integrated within a ground sign | — | Sec. 12.06 E.1-3; Sec. 12.08; Sec. 12.09 B |
| Temporary Ground Sign | 6 ft | Total per premises: 32 sq ft; Individual sign: ≤16 sq ft | — | Front yard setback ≥5 ft | — | Front yard | — | Table 12.07 B-1 (SD-2); Sec. 12.07 A, D.2-D.5 |
| Subdivision/Condominium/MF/MHP Entrance Ground Sign | 4 ft | ≤32 sq ft per side at primary entrance; secondary entrance sign ≤50% of permissible area | — | — | 1 primary entrance; +1 secondary entrance (≤50% area) if not on same street | Primary/secondary entrances; secondary sign must be on a different street than primary entrance. | — | Sec. 12.04 A.3 |

### SD-3 White Lake Road

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Permanent) | 6 ft | 50 sq ft per side / 100 sq ft total | — | Front yard setback ≥15 ft; Minimum spacing between ground signs ≥50 ft. | 1 along principal frontage; +1 at secondary entrance frontage (≤50% area) | Along principal frontage; may be on landscaped berm ≤3 ft with landscaping | — | Sec. 12.04 A.1-8; Table 12.04 B-1 (SD-3); Sec. 12.02 C; Sec. 12.08; Sec. 12.09 B |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | As stated | Building wall | — | Sec. 12.05 A.1-3; Table 12.05 B-1 (SD-3); Sec. 12.08; Sec. 12.09 B |
| Interior Window Sign | — | ≤10% of ground-floor window area | — | — | — | Interior ground-floor windows | — | Sec. 12.06 A; Sec. 12.02 E.5 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 4 sq ft per side (counts toward wall sign area) | — | — | — | Mounted perpendicular to building | — | Sec. 12.06 B.1-3; Sec. 12.05 B; Sec. 12.09 B |
| Electronic Message Sign (EMS) - Ground Sign Only | Ground sign height limits apply | ≤25% of permissible ground sign area | — | Same as Ground Sign | Limited by permitted ground signs | Integrated within a ground sign | — | Sec. 12.06 E.1-3; Sec. 12.08; Sec. 12.09 B |
| Temporary Ground Sign | 6 ft | Total per premises: 32 sq ft; Individual sign: ≤16 sq ft | — | Front yard setback ≥15 ft | — | Front yard | — | Table 12.07 B-1 (SD-3); Sec. 12.07 A, D.2-D.5 |
| Subdivision/Condominium/MF/MHP Entrance Ground Sign | 4 ft | ≤32 sq ft per side at primary entrance; secondary entrance sign ≤50% of permissible area | — | — | 1 primary entrance; +1 secondary entrance (≤50% area) if not on same street | Primary/secondary entrances; secondary sign must be on a different street than primary entrance. | — | Sec. 12.04 A.3 |
| Billboard (GI areas within SD-3 only) | ≤20 ft above the level of the street or road faced | ≤200 sq ft (single face) | — | ≥50 ft from public way; ≥250 ft from any residential zoning district | — | Only within SD-3 in areas zoned GI – General Industrial | — | Sec. 12.06 G.1-6; Sec. 12.09 B |

## Prohibited signs in Independence Charter Township

- Any sign not expressly permitted by this Ordinance/Article is prohibited.
- Signs containing flashing, intermittent, or moving lights or with moving or revolving parts, except as otherwise permitted by this Ordinance.
- Signs affixed to trees, rocks, or similar natural features, except historic site markers installed by a public body.
- Signs that imitate traffic signals, traffic direction signs, or other traffic control devices.
- Unlawful motor vehicle signs: attaching signage to a vehicle or trailer is unlawful if the vehicle/trailer is unregistered or inoperable; the sign is larger than or extends beyond any surface of the vehicle/trailer; the vehicle/trailer is parked in a public right-of-way or in an area not designed or commonly used for parking; the vehicle/trailer is regularly parked in a front or side yard abutting a street when other non-visible or non-abutting areas are available; or the vehicle/trailer is regularly parked within 50 feet of a street when more distant or non-visible areas are available. Exception: temporary parking is allowed during active loading/unloading or off-site service/business activities requiring the vehicle’s presence and not primarily for advertising.
- Signs located within or overhanging the public right-of-way or on public property unless erected by a public agency.
- Signs that use words or symbols such as “Stop,” “Look,” or “Danger,” in a manner that interferes with, misleads, or confuses traffic.
- Any sign containing obscene, indecent, or immoral matter.
- Any sign unlawfully installed, erected, or maintained.
- Signs placed so as to interfere with the visibility or effectiveness of official traffic signs/signals; with driver vision at access points or intersections; or with pedestrian movement on sidewalks or safety paths. Corner and driveway clear-vision triangles must be maintained.
- No sign shall be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to obstruct firefighting or prevent free access to any door, window, or fire escape.
- No sign shall be illuminated by other than electrical means.
- The source of illumination for a sign shall not be exposed (except where integral to electronic message signs as regulated).
- External lighting fixtures used to illuminate a sign must be shielded to direct light towards the sign (unshielded external illumination is prohibited).
- No sign, whether externally or internally illuminated, may display brightness or brilliance that impairs vision or endangers the safety and welfare of pedestrians, cyclists, or motorists, or negatively impacts adjacent property.

## Signs exempt from permit in Independence Charter Township

- Temporary signs less than 12 square feet do not require a permit; during periods when additional temporary sign area is allowed under Section 12.07, no temporary sign requires a permit.
- Signs mounted to a wall, mailbox, or lamppost not exceeding 2 square feet in size located solely on single-family residential structures are permitted without a permit.
- Directional signs solely for directing traffic flow on private property are permitted without a permit, up to 4 square feet in area and 4 feet in height; may be illuminated subject to Section 12.08.
- Signs erected in public rights-of-way by public road agencies are permitted without a permit.
- Non-illuminated interior window signs are permitted without a permit, subject to the provisions of Section 12.06A.
- Substitution: Noncommercial messages are permitted on any sign constructed or erected in compliance with this Article.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A final site plan must include a comprehensive sign plan (ground, wall, and directional sign locations and details). Any sign (other than temporary and directional signs) not included at the time of final site plan approval requires Planning Commission approval.
- Additional wall signs (up to a maximum of three per premises or tenant) may be permitted only upon Planning Commission approval; such approval may be sought at site plan approval or when submitting a sign application.
- For PUDs, all signs must be consistent with the approved PUD Agreement; a pre-construction site investigation is required before erecting a sign in a PUD, and the Township may inspect at any stage.
- If a property has two or more sign ordinance violations within 12 months, the sign owner/permittee must appear before the Planning Commission within 45 days to request approval of the sign permit; the Planning Commission may re-approve, deny, or impose reasonable conditions.

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

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