# Sign Regulations in Lincoln Park, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lincoln Park, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/lincoln-park
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-28
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/lincolnpark/latest/lincolnpark_mi/0-0-0-33533)

## At a glance

Lincoln Park, Michigan regulates 37 sign types across 16 zoning districts. A-Frame (Sandwich Board) Sign (Temporary)s in the Neighborhood Business District (NBD) zoning district are capped at 3.5 ft tall, 6 sq ft per side, and 2 ft wide, with a As noted in location setback (Sec. 1476.05(c) A-Frame Signs table; 1476.15(c)). Most commercial signs in Lincoln Park require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (16 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | Entranceway structures must observe district height limits | Up to 40 sq ft | — |
| Single Family Residential District (SFRD), Manufactured Housing Residential District (MHRD) | 2 | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — |
| Multiple Family Residential District (MFRD) | 14 | 24 ft | 120 sq ft | — |
| Community Service District (CSD) | 14 | 24 ft | 120 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Business District (NBD) | 22 | 35 ft | 120 sq ft | — |
| Municipal Business District (MBD) | 21 | 35 ft | Up to 150 sq ft (district maximum) | — |
| Central Business District (CBD) | 14 | Max 15 ft above front sidewalk elevation; may not extend above the base of the second-floor windowsill, parapet, eave or building facade | Up to 120 sq ft | — |
| Regional Business District (RBD) | 21 | 35 ft | Up to 200 sq ft (district maximum) | — |
| Light Industrial District (LID), General Industrial District (GID) | 12 | 24 ft | Up to 200 sq ft (district maximum) | — |
| Central Business District (CBD) (theatres, cinemas, athletic arenas, or similar places of public assembly) | 1 | May not extend above base of second-floor windowsill, parapet, eave or building facade; min vertical clearance 10 ft | Up to 40 sq ft | — |
| Central Business District (CBD) (buildings built to the property line with no front setback) | 1 | Not above roofline or beyond second-story windowsill; min vertical clearance 10 ft | 7.5 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Business District (NBD) (buildings built to the property line with no front setback) | 1 | Not above roofline or beyond second-story windowsill; min vertical clearance 10 ft | 7.5 sq ft | — |
| Municipal Business District (MBD) (within 100' of an interstate limited access freeway) | 1 | Up to 20 ft above the highest elevation of the freeway, maximum 100 ft | 80 sq ft | — |
| Regional Business District (RBD) (within 100' of an interstate limited access freeway) | 1 | Up to 20 ft above the highest elevation of the freeway, maximum 100 ft | 80 sq ft | — |
| Light Industrial District (LID) (within 100' of an interstate limited access freeway) | 1 | Up to 20 ft above the highest elevation of the freeway, maximum 100 ft | 80 sq ft | — |
| General Industrial District (GID) (within 100' of an interstate limited access freeway) | 1 | Up to 20 ft above the highest elevation of the freeway, maximum 100 ft | 80 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 16 zones)

### Neighborhood Business District (NBD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pole Sign - Standard | 20 ft | 80 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way line; subject to visibility triangle limits in 1476.03(d) | 1 pole sign per parcel per street frontage, up to a maximum of 2 | Freestanding; on private property | — | 1476.05(a) Pole Signs table (NBD, MBD, RBD) |
| Pole Sign - Shopping Center (>4 establishments) | 24 ft | 120 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way line; subject to visibility triangles | 1 per street frontage, up to max 2 | Freestanding for shopping centers with >4 establishments | — | 1476.05(a) Pole Signs table (shopping centers >4 establishments) |
| Pole Sign - Secondary Frontage | Per pole sign standard for the parcel type | 75% of first pole sign area | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | Counts toward per-frontage maximums | Secondary street frontage of parcel | — | 1476.05(a) Pole Signs table (Secondary frontage) |
| Monument Sign - Standard | 8 ft (including top of signboard and any posts/brackets/supports) | 80 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 monument sign per parcel per street, up to a maximum of 2 | Freestanding; on private property | — | 1476.05(a) Monument Signs table |
| Monument Sign - Shopping Center (>4 establishments) | 24 ft | 120 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 per street frontage (max 2); +1 additional if drive criteria met | Freestanding for shopping centers with >4 establishments | — | 1476.05(a) Monument Signs table (shopping centers >4 establishments) |
| Monument Sign - Secondary Frontage | Per monument standard | 75% of first monument sign area | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | Counts toward per-street maximums | Secondary street frontage | — | 1476.05(a) Monument Signs table (Secondary frontage) |
| Wall Sign - Primary Frontage | Top of wall sign may not exceed the lowest of: (1) district max building height, (2) top of sills at first-level windows above first story, (3) building height facing the street | Up to 100 sq ft (district maximum) | — | N/A | 1 wall sign per parcel per street (max 2), subject to one per building face | Building facade | — | 1476.05(b) Wall Signs table (NBD district max); 1476.11 |
| A-Frame (Sandwich Board) Sign (Temporary) | 3.5 ft | 6 sq ft per side | 2 ft | As noted in location | 1 per parcel; Time limit: 60 days per permit | On sidewalk within 12 ft of main entrance only where sidewalk directly abuts a building with zero setback; otherwise not permitted in public right-of-way (including lawn boulevards) | — | 1476.05(c) A-Frame Signs table; 1476.15(c) |

### Municipal Business District (MBD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pole Sign - Standard | 20 ft | 80 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way; subject to 1476.03(d) visibility triangles | 1 per parcel per street frontage, max 2 | Freestanding; on private property | — | 1476.05(a) Pole Signs table (NBD, MBD, RBD) |
| Pole Sign - Shopping Center (>4 establishments) | 24 ft | 120 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 per street frontage, max 2 | Freestanding for shopping centers (>4 establishments) | — | 1476.05(a) Pole Signs table (shopping centers >4) |
| Pole Sign - Secondary Frontage | Per pole sign standard | 75% of first pole sign area | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | Counts toward per-frontage maximums | Secondary street frontage | — | 1476.05(a) Pole Signs (Secondary frontage) |
| Monument Sign - Standard | 8 ft (including posts/brackets/supports) | 80 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 per parcel per street, up to max 2 | Freestanding; on private property | — | 1476.05(a) Monument Signs table |
| Monument Sign - Shopping Center (>4 establishments) | 24 ft | 120 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 per street frontage (max 2) + possible 1 additional as noted | Freestanding; shopping centers (>4 establishments) | — | 1476.05(a) Monument Signs table |
| Monument Sign - Secondary Frontage | Per monument standard | 75% of first monument sign area | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | Counts toward per-street maximums | Secondary street frontage | — | 1476.05(a) Monument Signs (Secondary frontage) |
| Wall Sign - Primary Frontage | Top of wall sign may not exceed the lowest of: (1) district max building height, (2) top of sills at first-level windows above first story, (3) building height facing the street | Up to 150 sq ft (district maximum) | — | N/A | 1 per parcel per street (max 2); one per building face | Building facade | — | 1476.05(b) Wall Signs table (MBD district max 150 sq ft); 1476.11 |
| A-Frame (Sandwich Board) Sign (Temporary) | 3.5 ft | 6 sq ft per side | 2 ft | As noted in location | 1 per parcel; Time limit: 60 days per permit | On sidewalk within 12 ft of main entrance only where sidewalk directly abuts a building with zero setback; otherwise not permitted in ROW | — | 1476.05(c) A-Frame Signs table; 1476.15(c) |

### Regional Business District (RBD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pole Sign - Standard | 20 ft | 80 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way; subject to visibility triangles | 1 per parcel per street frontage, max 2 | Freestanding; on private property | — | 1476.05(a) Pole Signs table (NBD, MBD, RBD) |
| Pole Sign - Shopping Center (>4 establishments) | 24 ft | 120 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 per street frontage, max 2 | Freestanding for shopping centers (>4 establishments) | — | 1476.05(a) Pole Signs table (shopping centers >4) |
| Pole Sign - Secondary Frontage | Per pole standard | 75% of first pole sign area | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | Counts toward per-frontage maximums | Secondary street frontage | — | 1476.05(a) Pole Signs (Secondary frontage) |
| Monument Sign - Standard | 8 ft (including posts/brackets/supports) | 80 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 per parcel per street, max 2 | Freestanding; on private property | — | 1476.05(a) Monument Signs table |
| Monument Sign - Shopping Center (>4 establishments) | 24 ft | 120 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 per street frontage (max 2) + possible 1 additional as noted | Freestanding; shopping centers (>4 establishments) | — | 1476.05(a) Monument Signs table (shopping centers >4) |
| Monument Sign - Secondary Frontage | Per monument standard | 75% of first monument sign area | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | Counts toward per-street maximums | Secondary street frontage | — | 1476.05(a) Monument Signs (Secondary frontage) |
| Wall Sign - Primary Frontage | Top of wall sign may not exceed the lowest of: (1) district max building height, (2) top of sills at first-level windows above first story, (3) building height facing the street | Up to 200 sq ft (district maximum) | — | N/A | 1 per parcel per street (max 2); one per building face | Building facade | — | 1476.05(b) Wall Signs table (RBD/LID/GID district max 200 sq ft); 1476.11 |
| A-Frame (Sandwich Board) Sign (Temporary) | 3.5 ft | 6 sq ft per side | 2 ft | As noted | 1 per parcel; Time limit: 60 days per permit | On sidewalk within 12 ft of main entrance where sidewalk directly abuts a building with zero setback; otherwise not permitted in ROW | — | 1476.05(c) A-Frame Signs table; 1476.15(c) |

## Prohibited signs in Lincoln Park

- No sign may be located within, project into, or overhang a public right-of-way, except as otherwise permitted in the chapter.
- A sign may not obstruct any fire escape, means of egress, window or door opening used as an element of a means of egress, or prevent required roof access.
- A sign may not be placed or attached in a manner that interferes with any opening required for ventilation, except that transom windows may be covered when not otherwise in violation.
- Signs may not obstruct motorist visibility; no signs are allowed within the 25-foot visibility triangle at street intersections or the 10-foot by 5-foot triangle at driveways.
- Temporary signs may not be illuminated.
- Use of glaring, undiffused lights or bulbs is prohibited for sign illumination; illumination by bare bulbs or flames is prohibited except on electronic changeable copy and marquee signs where expressly allowed.
- Video display, animation, scrolling text, flashing, whirling or fading signs, dissolving transitions, or any other motion associated with an electronic sign are prohibited, except marquee signs in the Central Business District may incorporate video display technology.
- Any sign that, due to its size, location, coloring, or manner of illumination (including flashing or moving lights), constitutes a traffic hazard or detriment to traffic safety by obstructing or distracting drivers or the visibility of traffic signs or control devices is prohibited.
- Posting, painting, or attaching any sign or similar matter on private property without the written consent of the owner, or on public property, is prohibited (with limited exceptions for public duties or legal notices).
- Maintaining a sign structure or frame without a sign is prohibited; remaining components must be removed or the sign face replaced within 30 days after removal of the information portion.
- Prohibited sign types citywide: roof signs; inflatable signs; feather flag signs; people signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lincoln Park

- Flags or other insignia of any government, fraternal, or similar organization are not considered signs under the chapter.
- Interior signs primarily directed at persons within the premises and not visible from a public street, sidewalk, alley, park, or public property are not considered signs under the chapter.
- No sign permit is required for ordinary servicing, repainting, or cleaning of an existing sign, provided original approval conditions and chapter requirements are not violated.
- No sign permit is required for a change of message on a sign designed for periodic message change without a change of structure (e.g., bulletin boards or billboards), but this does not include attaching a new permanent face.
- The prohibition on unauthorized posting does not apply to a public officer or employee performing a public duty or to a private person giving a legal notice.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No explicit master sign plan requirement is stated in this chapter.
- A sign permit is required before erecting, relocating, or modifying any sign not otherwise exempt. Permit applications must include: site information; sign position relative to buildings, structures, and rights-of-way; side elevations of sign faces; detailed construction and attachment plans; (as required) signed/sealed architect or engineer calculations; liability insurance; written owner/lessee consent; and a sketch showing the type and location of all signs on the premises.
- Major alterations—such as replacement of a sign head, adding or converting to electronic changeable copy/graphic/video/tri-vision displays—require a sign permit and Building Official approval.
- Electronic display signs require a photometric/illumination plan and automatic dimming; maximum luminance is 0.3 footcandles over ambient measured at 100 feet; motion/animation/scrolling is prohibited (except CBD marquees).
- Design compatibility of permanent signs must be demonstrated; the Building Official (or at their discretion the Planning Commission) may determine compatibility. In the Central Business District, sign design and materials may be reviewed during site plan review or administratively by the Building Official.
- Performance guarantees (cash, letter of credit, or surety) may be required by the City Council, Sign Board of Appeals, or Planning Commission as conditions of site plan approval, special approval, variance, or amendment to ensure compliance.
- Sign variances (dimensional only: height, area, setback, spacing, frontage) are heard by the Sign Board of Appeals with public notice and specific required findings; prohibited sign types, nonconforming sign removal requirements, bonding/insurance, and building code provisions are not eligible for variance. Appeals of Board decisions go to Circuit Court.

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

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