# Sign Regulations in Marine, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Marine, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/marine
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-20

## At a glance

Marine, Michigan regulates 30 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the B-1, B-2, W-M, P-1 zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and Max 50 sq ft (single face), 100 sq ft (total), with a 3 to 15 ft (depending on height); minimum 3 ft from other lot lines; if abutting residential lot, at least height of sign. setback (Sec. § 160.220 (B)(4)(b)1). Most commercial signs in Marine require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | 6 ft | 15 sq ft | — |
| R-IA, R-1B, R-M, MHP | 5 | 6 ft | 20 sq ft | — |
| B-1, B-2, W-M, P-1 | 11 | 13 ft to 27 ft | 100 sq ft (per frontage, per user/use) | — |
| I-1, I-2 | 2 | 30 ft | 350 sq ft per face | — |
| NM-Nautical Mile District | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Political Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Must be placed outside the highway or road right-of-way; must not create a traffic hazard; permission is required from property owner. | — | § 113.03 POLITICAL SIGNS; POSTING AND REMOVAL |
| Exempt Sign - Driveway Access | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per driveway access | Along the edge of driveway, outside public right-of-way. | — | § 160.220 (B)(3)(a) |
| Exempt Sign - Internal Access | 6 ft | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Edge of and visible from internal access driveway, pedestrian walkway, or off-street parking space. | — | § 160.220 (B)(3)(b) |
| Exempt Sign - Wall Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | — | — | § 160.220 (B)(3)(c) |
| Memorial Sign or Tablet | — | — | — | — | — | Flat on the face of a building | — | § 160.220 (B)(3)(d) |
| Window Sign (Non-illuminated) | — | 6 sq ft (per sign) | — | — | — | Window | — | § 160.220 (B)(3)(i) |
| Window Sign (Illuminated) | — | 2 sq ft (per sign) | — | — | Max 2 per frontage | Window | — | § 160.220 (B)(3)(i) |
| Flag | District height restriction applies for pole. | 15 sq ft | — | — | 3 per property | Ground-mounted flag poles or affixed to building. | — | § 160.220 (B)(3)(j) |

### R-IA, R-1B, R-M, MHP

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Non-Residential Use) | 6 ft | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 wall and 1 ground sign, or a combination, per use | Flat on building | — | § 160.220 (B)(4)(a)1 |
| Ground Sign (Non-Residential Use) | 6 ft | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 wall and 1 ground sign, or a combination, per use | Ground mounted | — | § 160.220 (B)(4)(a)1 |
| Wall Sign (Apartment Complex) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Flat on building | — | § 160.220 (B)(4)(a)2 |
| Permanent Ground Sign (Subdivisions/Condos/Multi-family) | 6 ft | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage or entrance | At each entry from a public road | — | § 160.220 (B)(4)(a)3 |
| Temporary Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage, plus 1 during election/construction/sale | — | — | § 160.220 (B)(6)(a) |

### B-1, B-2, W-M, P-1

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft | Max 50 sq ft (single face), 100 sq ft (total) | — | 3 to 15 ft (depending on height); minimum 3 ft from other lot lines; if abutting residential lot, at least height of sign. | 1 per frontage; more if multiple collector/arterial frontages (150' min apart). | Ground mounted | — | § 160.220 (B)(4)(b)1 |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On canopy/awning over a door, window, or service area. | — | § 160.220 (B)(4)(b)2 |
| Pole Sign (13 ft - 27 ft Height Variants) | 13 ft to 27 ft | Varies: 50 sq ft (13 ft) to 134 sq ft (27 ft) | — | 13-44 ft, depending on height. | 1 per development | On post(s) embedded at least 42" underground, in concrete. | — | § 160.220 (B)(4)(b)3 |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq ft (per frontage, per user/use) | — | — | All sides allowed if front, street, or parking lot side; total sign area limits apply. Multiple tenants allowed signs per proportion. | On building, may be on front, street or parking lot sides. | — | § 160.220 (B)(4)(b)4 |
| Mural Sign (Commercial) | — | 25% of wall area | — | — | 1 per structure | Side or rear wall only | — | § 160.220 (B)(4)(b)5 |
| Temporary Sign (Ground Affixed) | 10 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage, plus 1 during eligible periods | Affixed to ground. | — | § 160.220 (B)(6)(b) |
| Temporary Sign (Building Affixed) | 10 ft (single largest dimension) | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage, plus 1 during eligible periods | On building. | — | § 160.220 (B)(6)(b) |
| Portable Sign | 4 ft | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On site, not affixed. | — | § 160.220 (B)(6)(c) |

## Prohibited signs in Marine

- No sign, except those established and maintained by city, county, state, or federal governments, shall be erected, located or placed in, project into or overhang a public right-of-way or dedicated public easement.
- No sign shall project above or beyond the maximum height limitation of the use district in which located.
- No sign above a height of 2 feet shall be located within, project into or overhang the triangular area formed at street intersections, as defined.
- Flashing or intermittent type signs shall not be permitted.
- All signs and their energy connections must meet city codes and shall not expose sources in a way that creates a public safety hazard.
- A minimum of five feet of unobstructed pedestrian access along the sidewalk must be maintained at all times.
- String lights used in connection with business premises, other than holiday decorations, are prohibited.
- Any unlawfully installed, erected, or maintained sign is prohibited.
- Signs erected on any post tree, utility pole, public right-of-way, or public easement or other object within any area, whether public or private, are prohibited.
- Any sign or banner erected upon or across any public right-of-way or dedicated public easement except by permission of the City Commission is prohibited.
- Signs which incorporate flashing lights are prohibited.
- Any sign or advertising structure displaying obscene, indecent, or immoral matter is prohibited.
- Rotating signs are prohibited.
- Signs on park-type benches are prohibited.
- Any sign on the roof of any building is prohibited.
- Vehicles used as signs—any sign on a motor vehicle or trailer parked in a manner that the sign is visible from a public street or residential zoning district—is prohibited.
- Sign types not defined within this chapter are subject to review and approval by the city.
- Unauthorized inscribing, spraying, or making symbols on public or private places, structures, or surfaces is not allowed.
- No sign shall advertise or reference a business, product or activity not currently offered or conducted on the premises for more than 30 days after written notice.
- No permits for new signs shall be issued while a nonconforming or unlawful sign remains in use upon the premises.

## Signs exempt from permit in Marine

- Signs not exceeding four square feet in area and four feet in height, located along the edge of a driveway and intended to be visible from a public road (one per driveway; not within right-of-way).
- Signs not exceeding two square feet in area and six feet in height, located along the edge of or visible from internal access driveways, pedestrian walkways, or off-street parking (permitted location details apply).
- Non-illuminated wall signs not exceeding two square feet in display surface area and not exceeding one per street frontage.
- Memorial signs or tablets cut into masonry or constructed of bronze or other noncombustible material when located flat on the face of a building.
- Traffic or other municipal signs, including private traffic control signs conforming to the Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
- Signs on properties registered as a National or State Historic Site, when in compliance with State Historic Preservation Office standards for plaques.
- Signs on properties owned or controlled by essential service providers and required by federal or state laws or for public safety purposes.
- Signs required by federal or state law, when in compliance with sign design and placement specifications of such law.
- Non-illuminated window signs, each not exceeding six square feet in display area; illuminated window signs not exceeding two square feet and not more than two per frontage, provided total window signage does not cover more than 25 percent of a window.
- Flags, with no more than three allowed per property; no single flag exceeding fifteen square feet; flagpole height and grouping requirements apply.
- Decorative holiday displays.
- Public artwork or murals with no commercial message.
- Temporary signs as regulated, unless otherwise specified.
- Signs described above do not require a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All wall signs plans for erection must be submitted to the Building Inspector for review and approval and subject to all city codes and ordinances.
- Application for a sign permit must include two blueprints or drawings of plans and specifications and methods of construction and attachment.
- Sign permit applications may require other information as the Building Inspector deems necessary for full compliance.
- Certain mural signs (with commercial message) require review and approval by the Planning Commission.
- Sign types not defined within the chapter are subject to review and approval by the city (could involve a special plan or review 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 5 zoning districts in Marine — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Marine+MI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-marine

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