# Sign Regulations in Pinckney, Michigan

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

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

## At a glance

Pinckney, Michigan regulates 21 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the Central Business District (CBD), Secondary Business District (SBD) zoning district are capped at 8 feet tall and 25 sq ft per side, 50 sq ft for multi-face, with a 5 ft from ROW, height of sign from other boundaries setback (Sec. §152.306(B), Table 1, §152.306(A)(2)). Most commercial signs in Pinckney require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Central Business District (CBD), Secondary Business District (SBD) | 5 | 8 feet | 100 sq ft | — |
| Residential Office Business District (ROB), Office District (O) | 3 | 5 feet | 40 sq ft | — |
| Residential Transition Office District (RTO), Public Lands District (PL) | 3 | 8 feet | 50 sq ft | — |
| R1, R2, R3, R4 | 3 | 4 feet | 20 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 15 | 7 feet | No more than 30% of window area | — |

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

### Central Business District (CBD), Secondary Business District (SBD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 8 feet | 25 sq ft per side, 50 sq ft for multi-face | — | 5 ft from ROW, height of sign from other boundaries | 2 per premise if double frontage; 1 otherwise | 5 ft setback from right-of-way; setback equal to height from all other property boundaries | — | §152.306(B), Table 1, §152.306(A)(2) |
| Wall Sign | 6 feet | 100 sq ft | — | — | See additional requirements | On building wall; not extending above or beyond wall; mansard roof counts as wall sign | — | §152.308(B), Table 2 |
| Projecting or Suspended Sign | — | 6 sq ft per side (12 sq ft total) | — | — | — | Minimum 8 feet above sidewalk/ground or not interfering with pedestrian traffic | — | §152.309 |
| Temporary Sign - Portable Sidewalk Sign | 4 feet | 6 sq ft per side, 12 sq ft total | — | — | 1 per ground floor commercial use | Directly in front of business, not in pedestrian travel path, on building side of sidewalk | — | §152.310(B), Table 3; §152.310(C) |
| Temporary Sign (Other) | 4 feet | 6 sq ft per side, 12 sq ft total | — | — | As per Table 3 | Private property, not in right-of-way | — | §152.310(B), Table 3 |

### Residential Office Business District (ROB), Office District (O)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 5 feet | 18 sq ft per side; 36 sq ft multi-face | — | 5 ft from ROW, height of sign from other boundaries | 2 if double frontage; 1 otherwise | 5 ft setback from right-of-way; setback equal to sign height from other boundaries | — | §152.306(C), Table 1 |
| Wall Sign | 4 feet | 40 sq ft | — | — | — | On building wall; same rules as CBD/SBD | — | §152.308, Table 2 |
| Temporary Sign | 4 feet | 6 sq ft per side, 12 sq ft total | — | — | 4 per parcel | On private property, not in right-of-way | — | §152.310(B), Table 3 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign (On-Premise) | 6 feet | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Private property; not in ROW | — | §152.302(B) |
| Ingress/Egress Sign | 2 feet | 2 sq ft | — | 5 ft from road right-of-way | 1 per ingress, 1 per egress | At each ingress/egress point; at least 5 ft from ROW | — | §152.302(C) |
| Name/Address Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On property | — | §152.302(A) |
| Off-Premise Directional Sign | 6 ft (not less than 3 ft) | 2 sq ft | — | — | 2 per use | Off-premise, where permitted | — | §152.305(D) |
| Menuboard Sign | 7 feet | 16 sq ft (stack lane), 32 sq ft (speaker); up to 48 sq ft by special approval | — | Not within front yard | 2 per business max | Not within required front yard, 20-40 ft from parcel perimeter | — | §152.305(C) |
| Electronic Message Sign (Freestanding, SBD only) | — | — | — | See additional requirements | — | Secondary Business District (SBD) only | — | §152.305(G) |
| Mural Sign | — | Counts toward wall sign area unless special approval for larger size | — | — | 1 per building | Wall/façade of building | — | §152.305(F) |
| Entranceway Sign (Residential Subdivision) | 6 feet (unless Planning Commission approval for more) | — | — | If in boulevard, set back 12 ft from extended right-of-way | — | At main entrance to residential subdivision; on boulevard or private easement | — | §152.305(H) |

## Prohibited signs in Pinckney

- Any sign constructed, maintained, or altered in a manner not in compliance with this subchapter.
- Billboards.
- Roof signs.
- Beacons, strings of lights, pennants, spinners, or streamers used for commercial purposes.
- Signs containing flashing, intermittent, or moving lights, or signs with moving or revolving parts, or reflecting parts which may distract drivers.
- Signs which imitate traffic signals, traffic direction signs, or similar traffic control devices, and signs which make use of words including but not limited to 'stop,' 'look,' 'danger,' or any other words, phrases, symbols, or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.
- Any sign that, by reason of the location, shape, color, or movement, may obstruct the view of or be confused with any official traffic sign, signal, or control device.
- Signs affixed to trees, rocks, shrubs, or similar natural features, except signs denoting a site of historic significance.
- Signs other than those erected by a public agency which are located within or overhang the public right-of-way or on public property, unless otherwise specified herein.
- Temporary signs mounted upon trucks, vans, or other wheeled devices. Signs permanently painted on or otherwise permanently displayed upon a vehicle, licensed and operating on the public streets and highways, identifying the owner's occupation or livelihood, shall be permitted.
- Any sign or sign structure which constitutes a hazard to public health and safety due to inadequate maintenance.
- Any sign affixed to a light standard except for government agency signs authorized under § 152.302(K).
- Any sign unlawfully installed, erected, or maintained.
- No sign shall obstruct any opening required for building ventilation.
- No sign shall impede free entry or exit through any door, window, or fire escape.
- No sign shall be located in, project into, or overhang a public road right-of-way without the approval of the controlling government agency and the Village Council.
- No sign shall in any way obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic, or the view in any direction at a road intersection.
- No sign shall be illuminated by other than electrical means.
- No sign may be erected which flashes, rotates, or has moving parts.
- Internally-illuminated plastic signs with dark-colored detachable letters are strictly prohibited in all districts.
- Rear-illuminated (backlit) awnings are prohibited.
- All signs shall be erected in compliance with all applicable building codes, and other applicable ordinances governing construction within the village. In the event of conflict between this section and other laws, the most restrictive shall govern.
- Corner clearance: Signs higher than 30 inches shall be prohibited in the triangular area formed at the intersection of any two street right-of-way lines by a straight line drawn between said right-of-way lines at a distance along each line of 25 feet from their point of intersection.
- A sign structure now or hereafter existing which no longer contains a sign shall be removed.
- A sign or sign structure shall not have more than 20% of its area covered with disfigured, cracked, rippled, or peeling material or paint for a period of more than 30 consecutive days.
- A sign shall not have weeds, vines, or other vegetation growing upon it in a manner that obstructs the view of the sign for a period of more than 30 consecutive days.
- An illuminated sign shall not remain partially illuminated with a failed light source for a period of more than 30 consecutive days.
- Signs that have become faded, torn or have become unsightly shall be removed immediately.

## Signs exempt from permit in Pinckney

- Nameplates containing only a resident's name and address, not exceeding two square feet in size.
- On-premise directional signs indicating pedestrian or vehicular traffic flow on private property, not exceeding two square feet in size and six feet in height, with no advertising; may be illuminated.
- One ingress and one egress sign per entrance/exit, not exceeding two square feet in area and two feet in height, setback at least five feet from the road right-of-way.
- Street numbers.
- No hunting, no fishing, no trespassing signs under two square feet in area and spaced no less than 100 feet apart.
- Landmark and historical markers designated by appropriate government agencies.
- Signs in the interior of a building, with the exception of window signs.
- Names of buildings, dates of erection, monument citations, commemorative tablets, etc., when carved into stone, concrete, or similar permanent materials and made an integral part of the structure.
- Any sign not visible from a street, other public place, or adjacent property, including signs inside structures not visible or legible through windows or openings.
- Flags on a permanent flagpole.
- Any sign erected and maintained by any government agency on public property or within the public right-of-way for the purpose of directing, managing, or regulating traffic, including street signs, traffic signals, traffic safety signs, speed limit signs, city entry/welcome signs, neighborhood identification signs, and directional signs.
- No permit required for the routine repair, servicing, cleaning, or repainting of an existing sign message.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required to display, erect, relocate, or alter any sign unless otherwise noted within the subchapter.
- A permit application must be accompanied by a plot plan, elevation and detail drawings, and other specified information. Any sign that uses electricity requires an electrical permit from the County Building Department.
- Planning Commission approval is required for menuboard signs for drive-in and drive-through businesses.
- Mural signs require special land use approval by the Planning Commission and must meet specific criteria.
- Entranceway signs identifying residential subdivisions or developments require Planning Commission approval.
- Ground signs or wall signs that exceed maximum permitted height, area, or setback requirements may be permitted by the Planning Commission as a special land use after review.
- Permission to display a promotional banner or sign for civic or charitable activity across M 36 must be authorized by the Zoning Administrator and Village Council.
- Permanent and/or illuminated window signs require a permit and application.
- In all cases, Zoning Administrator must determine whether sign permit applications meet all requirements before issuing a permit.
- If a sign permit has been issued, any change, modification, or deviation requires prior approval of the Zoning Administrator with written record maintained.

## 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 Pinckney — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Pinckney+MI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-pinckney

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