# Sign Regulations in Oak Park, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Oak Park, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/oak-park
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/Oak_Park/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_APXAZO_ARTIVSIDEST_DIV4SI)

## At a glance

Oak Park, Michigan regulates 13 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Sandwich Board Signs in the B-1, B-2, LI, O, PTRED, PCD, PUD, MX-1, MX-2, IF zoning district are capped at 42 in tall, 7 sq ft (24x42 in), and 24 in wide, with a 2 ft from edge of curb setback (Sec. Sec. 473.f). Most commercial signs in Oak Park require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1, R-2 | 5 | 6 ft | 120 sq ft (all uses except single family, duplex, attached condo) | — |
| RM-1, RM-2, PMF | 5 | 6 ft | 120 sq ft per sign | — |
| B-1, B-2, LI, O, PTRED, PCD, PUD, MX-1, MX-2, IF | 10 | 42 in | Up to 120 sq ft (higher for larger/setback buildings: up to 180/240/300 sq ft—see Additional Requirements) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 2 sq ft per sign, up to two per business | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### R-1, R-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 120 sq ft (all uses except single family, duplex, attached condo) | — | — | 1 | On the front façade of the building | — | Sec. 472, Sign Dimensional Standards and Regulations Table; Sec. 471; Sec. 467-468 |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 ft | 30 sq ft (all uses except single family, duplex, attached condo) | — | Minimum 5 ft; 100 ft from residential district | 1 | On site, minimum of 5 ft setback from street ROW, access drive, or sidewalk | — | Sec. 472, Sign Dimensional Standards and Regulations Table; Sec. 471.a |
| Temporary Sign | 6 ft for freestanding | 30 sq ft | — | — | — | On site—see additional requirements for placement restrictions | — | Sec. 472.b (Temporary signs); Table; Sec. 473.f (Sandwich boards—inapplicable here, since only allowed in B-1, B-2, PCD, MX-1) |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per driveway | At driveway or parking entrance, one per approved driveway | — | Sec. 473.a |
| Entranceway Sign | — | — | — | 15 ft from any property line/public ROW | 1 per vehicular entrance | At vehicular entrance to subdivisions, apartment complexes, condominiums, etc. | — | Sec. 473.d |

### RM-1, RM-2, PMF

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 120 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 | On the front façade | — | Sec. 472, Sign Dimensional Standards Table |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 ft | 30 sq ft | — | Minimum 5 ft from ROW, access drive, or sidewalk | 1 | On site, see additional requirements | — | Sec. 472, Table |
| Temporary Sign | 6 ft for freestanding | 30 sq ft | — | — | — | On site; not in ROW, utility pole, or tree | — | Sec. 472.b |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per driveway | At driveway/parking entrance, one per approved driveway | — | Sec. 473.a |
| Entranceway Sign | — | — | — | 15 ft from any property line/public ROW | 1 per vehicular entrance | At vehicular entrance to complex | — | Sec. 473.d |

### B-1, B-2, LI, O, PTRED, PCD, PUD, MX-1, MX-2, IF

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (General) | — | Up to 120 sq ft (higher for larger/setback buildings: up to 180/240/300 sq ft—see Additional Requirements) | — | — | 1 per business (see additional for corner, MX-1, substitution, multiple buildings) | On the front façade | — | Sec. 472 and footnotes (1,3); Table of Maximum Allowable Wall Sign Area |
| Wall Sign (Office, Awning Option) | — | 20% of awning face or valance area | — | — | 1 additional awning sign if meets criteria | Only above ground floor dedicated exterior entrance | — | Sec. 472 footnote (6); Sec. 473.b |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 ft (max height for single business); Business Center: 15/22/24 ft per sign, depending on size—see Additional Requirements | 30 sq ft (≤35 mph); 40 sq ft (>35 mph); or per Business Center Table: 40/150/200 sq ft | — | Minimum 5 ft from ROW/access drive/sidewalk; 100 ft from any residential district for non-residential sign | 1 sign per street frontage for business centers; otherwise 1 | On site, set back minimum 5 ft from ROW, access drive, or sidewalk | — | Sec. 472, Table; Footnotes (2), (4), (5); Table of Maximum Allowable Freestanding Sign Area |
| Temporary Sign | 6 ft for freestanding | 30 sq ft | — | — | — | On site | — | Sec. 472.b; Sec. 473.f (for sandwich board in eligible districts) |
| Blade Sign | — | 4 sq ft | 4 ft max projection | — | 1 per business | Perpendicular to building frontage; no higher than roofline or below 2nd floor | — | Sec. 473.c |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per driveway | At approved driveway or parking entrance | — | Sec. 473.a |
| Electronic Messaging Sign (Freestanding only) | See freestanding sign requirements | 20 sq ft (portion of freestanding sign) | — | Per freestanding sign requirement | n/a—part of allowed freestanding sign | As part of a permitted freestanding sign only; not allowed within 100 feet of a residential zone or may only operate 6am-10pm if visible from one | — | Sec. 473.e |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 42 in | 7 sq ft (24x42 in) | 24 in | 2 ft from edge of curb | 1 per customer entrance | Within 10 ft of customer entrance, minimum 2 ft from curb, maintain at least 5 ft clear sidewalk width, adjacent to building | — | Sec. 473.f |

## Prohibited signs in Oak Park

- It is unlawful to erect, alter, relocate, construct, display, install, change, or cause to be constructed, displayed, installed, or changed, any sign without first obtaining a sign permit from the city, except as expressly exempted.
- All signs not expressly permitted are prohibited.
- Signs which obstruct free access or egress from any building, including those that obstruct any fire escape, required exit way, window, or door opening or that prevent free access to the roof by firefighters are prohibited.
- Any sign within the clear vision area as specified in section 315 is prohibited.
- Moving signs are prohibited.
- Animated signs are prohibited.
- Pennants, strings of flags, feather banners, spinners, streamers, balloons, and inflatable signs are prohibited.
- Human signs are prohibited.
- Signs which simulate or could be confused with emergency vehicle or traffic signal lighting are prohibited; no flashing, oscillating, or intermittent, or red, yellow, or green illumination is allowed in the same line of vision as a traffic control system.
- Signs obstructing or impairing vision of motorists or non-motorized travelers on any roadway, intersection, driveway, parking lot, or loading area are prohibited.
- Snipe signs, including non-regulatory signs placed in any public right-of-way or attached to utility poles, trees, street furniture, fences, or waste receptacles are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Portable signs are prohibited.
- Obsolete signs and any sign or sign structure which is structurally or electrically unsafe are prohibited.
- Signs constituting a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, or abandonment are prohibited.
- Signs not kept in good repair (e.g., with broken parts, missing letters, or non-operational lights) are prohibited.
- Flashing signs or signs illuminated by flashing or moving lights are prohibited.
- Signs using the words 'stop', 'look', or 'danger' or any similar language or imagery in a way that could interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic are prohibited.
- Exterior string lights used in connection with a commercial premise, other than holiday decorations associated with a nationally recognized holiday, are prohibited.
- Signs placed on city owned property, unless placed by the city itself, are prohibited.
- Electronic messaging signs as wall, window, or temporary signs are prohibited; electronic messaging signs cannot include blinking, flashing, rotating, scrolling, or changing illumination intensity, and cannot have audio speakers.
- No awning or canopy sign shall extend above the roof or parapet of the structure to which it is attached.
- Lighting for signs must not utilize glaring undiffused lights, bare bulbs, neon, flames, or project onto adjoining properties or thoroughfares.
- Temporary signs cannot be attached to utility poles, trees, fences, or located in public right-of-way or city-owned property.
- Temporary signs cannot obstruct, confuse, mislead traffic, create hazards, or be located in the clear vision triangle.

## Signs exempt from permit in Oak Park

- Address signs not exceeding two square feet in single-family zones or six square feet in other zones.
- Signs erected, maintained, or posted by the federal government, state, or city.
- Construction signs meeting the size requirements for temporary signs.
- Directory signs for buildings with upper floor or interior business occupants, not exceeding ten square feet at street entryway.
- Essential service signs denoting utility lines, hazards, or similar information.
- Flags (up to three per business premise, not exceeding four feet by six feet).
- Historic markers.
- Incidental and device signs not exceeding a total of two square feet per sign, limited to two signs per business indicating credit card acceptance, location of public telephones, restrooms, smoking restrictions, building restrictions, or business affiliations, and attached to a permitted sign, exterior wall, entrance, or window.
- Interior signs located completely within an enclosed building and not visible from outside or primarily directed at persons within the premises.
- Memorial signs or tablets not exceeding four square feet, cut, cast or engraved into a masonry or metal surface and made an integral part of the structure.
- Nameplates.
- Real estate signs and real estate open house signs meeting section 472 requirements.
- Real estate development signs meeting section 472 requirements and removed when the building or development is completed.
- Regulatory signs including traffic control and street identification signs.
- Vehicle signs.
- Warning signs that are publicly authorized (e.g., no trespassing, electrical hazard), not exceeding two square feet in area.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for all signs unless specifically exempted in section 470. Permit requires application and may require drawings, specifications, and other details. (Sec. 467-468)
- Major developments or business centers with multiple establishments may need to calculate signage collectively and in accordance with the sign dimensional standards (e.g., business center signs).
- Site plan submittals for new developments must include proposed sign locations and details relevant to planning commission or administrative review.
- Appeals and variances from sign standards can be requested from the zoning board of appeals. The board may require a variance meeting and study of the proposed sign in relation to ordinance standards (Sec. [479]).
- A master sign plan is not explicitly required by name, but coordinated signage in multi-tenant or multi-building properties (business centers) is required to comply collectively with dimensional and numeric standard tables.
- Replacement of nonconforming signs is subject to city review; all replacement signs must conform with current requirements unless only the sign face or panel is being updated under certain conditions (Sec. 471.h, Sec. 475).

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

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