# Sign Regulations in Muskegon Township, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Muskegon Township, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/muskegon-township
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-23
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/mi/muskegon_chrtr_township%2C_(muskegon_co.)/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH58ZO_ARTVSI)

## At a glance

Muskegon Township, Michigan regulates 51 sign types across 13 zoning districts. Non‑Permanent Sign (Including Sandwich Boards and Flags used as Non‑Permanent)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 14 ft max above ground level tall and Aggregate max 32 sq ft per business; no single sign exceeding 20 sq ft, with a Min 10 ft front setback; must be outside line of vision area; include fall‑zone within setback (Sec. 58-373(m)(a)(5)) setback (Sec. Sec. 58-373(m),(n)). Most commercial signs in Muskegon Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (13 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 21 | 30 ft max height for freestanding signs; 8 ft max height for ground signs; signs not integral to a building may not extend more than 4 ft above the roof line | 300 sq ft per sign face max (excluding uprights/supports) | — |
| RR rural residential (including default RR zoning for unmapped land) | 2 | — | 300 sq ft per sign face max | — |
| R-1 single-family residential district; R-1S single-family residential district (sewered); R-2 duplex residential district; R-2S duplex residential district (sewered) | 4 | — | 32 sq ft max per sign | — |
| R-3 fourplex residential and townhouse residential district; R-4 high-rise residential district | 3 | — | 32 sq ft max | — |
| C-1 neighborhood commercial district; M/S municipal/school district; M commercial/industrial district | 6 | 30 ft max (general freestanding sign limit) | 300 sq ft max | — |
| C-2 shopping center district | 2 | — | 300 sq ft per sign face max | — |
| I light industrial district; IP industrial park district | 6 | 4 ft max | 300 sq ft per sign face max | — |
| RMH mobile home park district; RMH zoning district | 1 | — | 32 sq ft max per sign | — |
| F flood hazard district; P park or conservancy district | 2 | — | 32 sq ft (4 ft × 8 ft) for seasonal activities; smaller sizes possible with board approval | — |
| RR zoning district (duplicate label) | 1 | — | — | — |
| R-1, R-1S, R-2 and R-2S zoning districts (combined reference) | 1 | — | — | — |
| R-3 and R-4 zoning district (combined reference) | 1 | — | — | — |
| C-1 zoning district (reference); C-2 zoning district (reference); I and IP zoning districts (reference); M/S zoning district (reference); M zoning district (reference); RMH zoning district (reference) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 13 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Any Sign (General Construction and Safety) | 30 ft max height for freestanding signs; 8 ft max height for ground signs; signs not integral to a building may not extend more than 4 ft above the roof line | — | — | Freestanding signs may be placed at property line but no part may be in or project over road right‑of‑way or any easement (Sec. 58-373(d)). Ground signs must be permanently attached and comply with general setback (no projection into right-of-way) (Sec. 58-373(i)). | — | Must not interfere with or be confused with traffic signs; not in or over public right-of-way unless special use approved; not on private property without owner’s written consent; may not project into road right-of-way or any easement (Sec. 58-371, 58-373(d), (f)) | — | Sec. 58-367(a); Sec. 58-369; Sec. 58-370; Sec. 58-371; Sec. 58-372; Sec. 58-373(a)-(h),(i) |
| Construction Sign (Exempt) | — | 32 sq ft max | — | — | 1 per project | On property where construction project is located | — | Sec. 58-367(b)(12) |
| Political Sign (All Districts) | — | 32 sq ft per sign face max | — | Must be outside public right‑of‑way (Sec. 58-373(g)) | — | Permitted in all zoning districts but not in any public right‑of‑way or on township‑owned property and not attached to trees, utility poles, street/traffic signs/devices (Sec. 58-373(g)) | — | Sec. 58-367(b)(13),(c); Sec. 58-373(g) |
| Residential Yard and Garage Sale Sign (General) | — | 6 sq ft max | — | — | 1 per lot/parcel | On the lot or parcel on which the sale is being conducted (Sec. 58-373(k)(1)) | — | Sec. 58-367(b)(16); Sec. 58-373(k) |
| Community Special Event Sign | 6 ft max height above ground level | 32 sq ft max area | — | 15 ft min side and rear; front setback per zoning district; must be outside road right‑of‑way | — | Must be outside the road right‑of‑way; front setback same as district’s sign front setback; min 15 ft setback from any side or rear property line (Sec. 58-373(j)(2),(5)) | — | Sec. 58-373(j) |
| Changeable Message Sign (Manual or Electronic; General) | — | Changeable copy portion ≤50% of total area of ground, pylon or wall sign | — | Same as underlying ground/freestanding/wall sign in district | Max 1 electronic sign per parcel or abutting parcels under common ownership | Same location limitations as base sign type in applicable district; electronic signs in residential zones or within 150 ft of residential zone must shut off display 11:00 p.m.–6:00 a.m. | — | Sec. 58-373(l) |
| Non‑Permanent Sign (Including Sandwich Boards and Flags used as Non‑Permanent) | 14 ft max above ground level | Aggregate max 32 sq ft per business; no single sign exceeding 20 sq ft | — | Min 10 ft front setback; must be outside line of vision area; include fall‑zone within setback (Sec. 58-373(m)(a)(5)) | 2 per business; on parcels with multiple businesses, 1 per 80 ft frontage, max 5 | Must be set back at least 10 ft from front property line; must be kept out of “line of vision area”; setback area must include fall‑zone footage (Sec. 58-373(m)(a)(5)) | — | Sec. 58-373(m),(n) |
| Billboard (General Standards) | — | 300 sq ft per sign face max (excluding uprights/supports) | — | At least 1,000 ft from any other billboard on same side of street; at least 500 ft from billboard on other side of street; more than 500 ft from major arterial/primary collector intersections or expressway ramps; at least 35 ft from street right‑of‑way; at least 300 ft from property line of lot with a residence (Sec. 58-374(a)) | Max 1 billboard per location (double‑faced or V allowed as one) | Only in RR, C‑2, I, IP where specifically allowed; must meet separation and distance requirements from other billboards, right‑of‑way, intersections/ramps, and residences (see setbacks) | — | Sec. 58-374(a)-(g) |

### C-1 neighborhood commercial district; M/S municipal/school district; M commercial/industrial district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All R-1 District Signs (Cross‑Reference) | — | For real estate signs in C‑1, M/S, M: 32 sq ft max (increased from 6 sq ft); other R‑1 sign sizes same as in R‑1 | — | Subject to general setbacks and right‑of‑way rules | — | Same on‑premises placement conditions as R‑1; within parcel boundaries | — | Sec. 58-375(4)(a); Sec. 58-375(7); Sec. 58-375(8) |
| Wall Business Sign (Single‑Tenant Building) | — | 100 sq ft per sign max; cumulative area of multiple signs must not exceed 100 sq ft per allowed sign (accumulative across permitted signs) | 20 ft max dimension for any sign | Wall‑mounted; cannot extend more than 4 ft above roof line; must not project into right‑of‑way | 1–3 per building face depending on face area | On side(s) of building fronting principal street(s) providing access; flat against building | — | Sec. 58-375(4)(b); Sec. 58-375(7); Sec. 58-375(8) |
| Wall Business Sign (Building with Multiple Tenants) | — | 100 sq ft max per tenant sign | 20 ft max dimension | Wall‑mounted; roof/overhang limits apply | 1 per tenant per street frontage | Flat against building; on side that fronts street providing access; corner parcels may have one sign on each street‑fronting side | — | Sec. 58-375(4)(e); Sec. 58-375(7); Sec. 58-375(8) |
| Freestanding Business Sign (Pole Sign) | 30 ft max (general freestanding sign limit) | 300 sq ft max | — | May be at property line but no part may be in or over road right‑of‑way or easement; height 4–30 ft above grade; subject to visibility/traffic‑safety standards | 1 freestanding sign per street frontage (one ground sign allowed per street side in lieu) | In front yard of business premises on which sign is located; at or behind property line (no encroachment into right‑of‑way) | — | Sec. 58-375(4)(c); Sec. 58-373(d),(e) |
| Ground Business Sign (In Lieu of Freestanding) | 8 ft max (ground sign limit) | 60 sq ft max per ground sign (Sec. 58‑373(i)); but C‑1 provision references freestanding area formula – practical max is 60 sq ft unless interpreted otherwise | — | Must be outside road right‑of‑way and easements; subject to visibility standards | 1 ground sign allowed for each street side providing access to the building | Front yard; one ground sign for each street side providing access to building | — | Sec. 58-375(4)(c); Sec. 58-373(i) |
| Temporary Sign for New Business | — | — | — | Subject to general setbacks and no‑right‑of‑way rule | — | On premises of the new business | — | Sec. 58-375(4)(d) |

### I light industrial district; IP industrial park district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All R-1 District Signs (Cross‑Reference, Expanded Real Estate) | — | Real estate signs in I/IP: up to 32 sq ft; other R‑1 sign types use their original limits | — | General sign setbacks apply | — | On premises; within parcel boundaries | — | Sec. 58-375(6)(a) |
| Wall Business Sign (Single‑Tenant Industrial Building) | — | 100 sq ft max | — | Wall‑mounted; must not extend more than 4 ft above roof line; avoid right‑of‑way | 1 sign per street‑fronting wall | Attached to wall of building; parcels with more than one street frontage allowed one sign on each side which fronts a street | — | Sec. 58-375(6)(b) |
| Freestanding or Ground Business Sign (Industrial Front Yard) | 4 ft max | No explicit upper cap beyond formula; minimum 48 sq ft | — | Within front yard setback but outside right‑of‑way; must not project into right‑of‑way or easements | Ordinance does not state explicit quantity limit; typically 1 per parcel frontage implied | In front yard setback of industrial parcel | — | Sec. 58-375(6)(c) |
| Industrial Park Entrance Identifying Sign | — | — | — | Subject to general setbacks and visibility standards | 1 per industrial park entrance | At each entrance to an industrial park | — | Sec. 58-375(6)(d) |
| Billboard (I/IP Districts) | — | 300 sq ft per sign face max | — | 1,000 ft spacing same side; 500 ft opposite side; >500 ft from major intersections/ramps; ≥35 ft from right‑of‑way; ≥300 ft from residential lot property line | Max 1 billboard per location (double‑face/V allowed) | Within I or IP district at locations authorized by Planning Commission | — | Sec. 58-375(6)(e); Sec. 58-374 |
| Wall Business Sign (Multiple‑Tenant Industrial Building) | — | 100 sq ft max per sign | 20 ft max dimension | Wall‑mounted; general structural/roofline rules apply | 1 per tenant per street frontage; overall building wall sign area cap 15% of each face | Flat against building; on side that fronts street providing access; one sign per street‑fronting side per tenant | — | Sec. 58-375(6)(f) |

## Prohibited signs in Muskegon Township

- No sign may be constructed, erected, attached to a building, installed, structurally altered, or relocated without a sign permit, except where expressly exempted in the ordinance.
- No sign may be constructed, erected or reconstructed in such a manner as to cause a hazard to vehicle or pedestrian traffic, including visual hazards caused by flashing lights or glare where the visual hazard impairs vision or is unreasonably distracting.
- No sign, temporary or permanent, may be constructed, erected or reconstructed upon or over any sidewalk, street, alley or other public right-of-way, except where specifically authorized by the planning commission as a special use.
- No sign illumination may be flashing, blinking, intermittent, or of an on-and-off type, and may not be directional.
- Open neon lights are prohibited on signs.
- Sign illumination may not shine onto any street or adjacent or nearby properties.
- No sign may be erected, constructed or reconstructed where it may interfere with, obscure the view of, or be confused with an authorized traffic sign.
- All signs must be secured so that the unit remains stationary on the property; signs may not be suspended by chains or devices that allow swinging due to wind action.
- Banners are prohibited as permanent signs.
- No freestanding sign may exceed 30 feet in height, measured from the highest point of the sign to the grade of the nearest street, nor be less than four feet from grade of the nearest street to the bottom of the sign.
- No part of a freestanding sign may be in or project over the road right-of-way or any easement.
- No sign may be erected, constructed, installed or located on private property without the written consent of the property owner.
- No sign, including political signs, may be located in the public right-of-way.
- No sign may be attached to any tree, utility pole, street sign, traffic control device or any similar object.
- Political signs are prohibited on any township-owned property.
- Signs that are not an integral part of a building may not extend more than four feet above the roof line.
- No ground sign may exceed eight feet in height or 60 square feet in area, and it must be permanently attached to the ground or a concrete foundation.
- No sign may be suspended by chains or other devices that allow the sign to swing due to wind action; all signs must be anchored to prevent lateral movement that would cause wear on supports or connections.
- Portable signs are prohibited except where allowed as community special event signs or non-permanent signs under section 58-373(j) and (m).
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited, except for noncommercial off-premises signs.
- Signs using high intensity, flashing, or oscillating lights are prohibited except for changeable message signs that comply with the specific changeable message sign regulations.
- Any sign not expressly allowed by the chapter or exempted from regulation under the chapter is prohibited in the township.

## Signs exempt from permit in Muskegon Township

- Normal maintenance and repair of a sign do not require a sign permit.
- Change of lettering or display panels on an existing sign does not require a sign permit.
- Real estate signs (as defined and regulated elsewhere in the ordinance) do not require a sign permit.
- Highway signs erected by the United States, the state, the county, or the township do not require a sign permit.
- Governmental-use signs erected by governmental agencies to designate hours of activity or conditions of use for parks, parking lots, recreational areas, other public areas, or governmental buildings do not require a sign permit.
- Certain on-premises signs with messages limited to warnings of danger, directional signs used to prohibit or regulate use of property, traffic or parking thereon, signs advertising the premises for sale or rent, or for help wanted, are exempt from permits provided they do not exceed six square feet each in area.
- Signs identifying a building’s address and/or the name(s) of the building’s occupant(s), not exceeding four square feet in area, do not require a sign permit.
- Historic signs designating sites recognized by the state historical commission as Centennial Farms and Historic Landmarks do not require a sign permit.
- Signs posted to control or prohibit hunting or trespassing within the township, not exceeding three square feet, do not require a sign permit.
- Essential public service signs denoting utility lines, railroad lines, hazards and precautions do not require a sign permit.
- Memorial signs or tablets cut into a masonry surface or constructed of bronze or other incombustible material located flat on the face of a building do not require a sign permit.
- One construction sign per project, not more than 32 square feet in area, denoting architects, engineers, or contractors connected with the work under construction, does not require a sign permit.
- Signs for political advertising do not require a sign permit (though they must meet separate size, illumination, and time limits).
- Menu and order boards for drive-through facilities located on the interior of the lot and not legible from adjacent properties do not require a sign permit, provided they meet all placement, size, illumination, and sound-level conditions.
- Permanent signs on vending machines, gas pumps, or ice containers do not require a sign permit.
- Residential yard and garage sale signs do not require a sign permit (subject to specific size, number, and duration limits).
- Flags of civic organizations, municipalities, states, or nations, and one flag bearing the official design insignia, name or logo of the on-premises business, displayed in compliance with the stated conditions, do not require a sign permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Any sign that is not specifically listed as exempt in section 58-367(b) requires a sign permit prior to construction, erection, attachment, installation, structural alteration, or relocation.
- Community special event signs require prior approval by the township before display, via a Community Special Event sign application submitted before installation.
- Any menu and order board signage for drive-through facilities that does not meet the prescribed interior placement, legibility, size, illumination, and sound requirements must be submitted to the planning commission for a decision.
- Non-permanent signs require submission of a Non-permanent Sign Application before installation or display, including annual application and fee aligned with business license renewal.
- Signs located upon or over any sidewalk, street, alley or other public right-of-way require special use authorization from the planning commission before construction, erection, or reconstruction.
- Grand opening event signage is subject to approval by the fire inspector, building inspector, and zoning administrator after review of the site plan.
- Electronic sign permit applications must include manufacturer specifications for luminosity and certification that maximum light intensity is preset not to exceed township limits and is protected from user manipulation.
- Electronic sign permit applications must provide for township staff inspection of the programming interface; if the interface is not made available upon request, the electronic sign must cease operation until the information is provided.
- Billboard permits are required and are granted for five-year terms; they must be renewed by application to the building official at least 90 days before expiration, and renewal is contingent on continued compliance and maintenance in good condition.
- Billboards also require signed written consent from the property owner to be filed with the building official before a permit is issued.
- Billboards in the C-2 and I/IP zoning districts may only be authorized by the planning commission, which must consider sign type, size, character, location, and effect on adjoining properties and the surrounding neighborhood.
- Community special event signs for nonprofit/charitable events require an application specifying exact dates for recurring events and must comply with referenced setback and location rules.
- Park sponsorship signs (PSS) require individual approval or disapproval by the Muskegon Township Board upon recommendation from the parks and recreation committee; smaller sign sizes for permitted events must also be approved through this process.
- Signs advertising a mobile home park in the RMH zoning district "shall be reviewed by the planning commission" before approval.
- Freestanding or ground business signs in I and IP districts must be appropriately landscaped, implying review through site or sign approval consistent with zoning administration (though not explicitly stating a separate sign plan document).

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

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