# Sign Regulations in Pittsfield Charter Township, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Pittsfield Charter Township, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/pittsfield-charter-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-30
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/37337193#37337193)

## At a glance

Pittsfield Charter Township, Michigan regulates 39 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Directional Sign (On-Premises) - No Permits in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall and 6 sq ft, with a Behind the front right‑of‑way line setback (Sec. §40-15.04(A)(1)-(2)). Most commercial signs in Pittsfield Charter Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | Ground (freestanding) signs: max 8 ft to top of sign; total height including pedestal no higher than 11 ft from adjacent street grade | Based on pole height: ≤60 sq ft (pole 46 ft+); ≤40 sq ft (26–45 ft); ≤24 sq ft (21–25 ft); ≤15 sq ft (20 ft and under) | — |
| Recreation-Conservation District (RC), Agricultural District (AG), Residential Districts | 4 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial District (C-1), Regional Commercial District (C-2) | 13 | 20 ft (may be increased to 40 ft by Zoning Administrator upon demonstrated obstruction conditions) | 300 sq ft (per face in same direction, max 2 faces) | — |
| Form-Based Districts - (FB) | 9 | Lowest point of sign ≥8 ft above grade | 100 sq ft | — |
| Public Facility District (PF), General Industrial District (I), Business District (BD) | 6 | 20 ft (up to 40 ft if approved by Zoning Administrator due to obstructions) | 300 sq ft (per face in same direction, max 2 faces) | — |
| Planned Unit Development District (PUD) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Signs - General Standards | Ground (freestanding) signs: max 8 ft to top of sign; total height including pedestal no higher than 11 ft from adjacent street grade | — | — | General minimums: 5 ft from any private driveway; 15 ft from any right‑of‑way or property line; must also meet district yard requirements | — | All signs must meet district yard requirements | — | §40-15.02(A)-(F); §40-15.02(C)-(E); §40-15.02(B); §40-15.14 |
| Directional Sign (On-Premises) - No Permit | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | Behind the front right‑of‑way line | Not specified | Must be located on the property to which it directs traffic and behind the front right‑of‑way line | — | §40-15.04(A)(1)-(2) |
| Garage/Yard/Estate Sale Sign (Residential Districts) - No Permit | 3 ft (both primary and temporary directional signs) | 6 sq ft (primary sign); Temporary directional signs on approach routes: 3 sq ft each | — | — | Primary sign count not specified; temporary directional signs number not specified | Residential zoning districts; temporary directional signs allowed on approach routes | — | §40-15.04(B)(1)-(4); §40-15.12(A)(2) |
| Flag (All Other Districts) | Flagpole may not exceed roofline height of structure on same lot; flag may not exceed roof height | Based on pole height: ≤60 sq ft (pole 46 ft+); ≤40 sq ft (26–45 ft); ≤24 sq ft (21–25 ft); ≤15 sq ft (20 ft and under) | — | Must meet yard requirements for signs | Up to 3 per public street frontage | Flags must meet sign yard requirements; displayed from permanently affixed pole or building mounting; pole not roof‑mounted; not attached to structures/lots designed for an alternative use | — | §40-15.02(F)(2)(a)-(f) |
| Temporary Ground Sign (RC/AG/Residential Sign Zones) | 6 ft | Total per premises: 32 sq ft; Max area of any individual sign: 16 sq ft | — | Front yard minimum setback: 5 ft | Not specified (limited by total area) | On premises served; Front yard location subject to setback | — | §40-15.12(A)-(E); Table 15.12.C-1 |
| Temporary Ground Sign (All Nonresidential Sign Zones) | 6 ft | Total per premises: 32 sq ft; Max area of any individual sign: 16 sq ft | — | Front yard minimum setback: 15 ft | Not specified (limited by total area) | On premises served; Front yard location subject to setback | — | §40-15.12(A)-(E); Table 15.12.C-1 |
| Temporary Wall Sign (RC/AG/Residential Sign Zones) | — | Total per premises: 16 sq ft; Max area of any individual sign: 8 sq ft | — | — | Not specified (limited by total area) | Mounted on building walls | — | §40-15.12(A)-(E); Table 15.12.D-1 |
| Temporary Wall Sign (All Nonresidential Sign Zones) | — | Total per premises: 24 sq ft; Max area of any individual sign: 12 sq ft | — | — | Not specified (limited by total area) | Mounted on building walls | — | §40-15.12(A)-(E); Table 15.12.D-1 |

### Neighborhood Commercial District (C-1), Regional Commercial District (C-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Shopping or Business Center) | 8 ft (general ground sign height limit) | 65 sq ft | — | 15 ft from road right‑of‑way | 1 per public street frontage | On each public street frontage of a shopping/business center | — | §40-15.06(A)(1)(a)-(c); §40-15.02(B)(2); §40-15.02(D) |
| Wall Sign (Shopping or Business Center) | — | 200 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | On building wall of each business in the center | — | §40-15.06(A)(2)(a)-(b); §40-15.02(B)(2), (5)-(6) |
| Combined Exterior Wall Sign (Tenants Without Ground Floor Frontage) | — | 24 sq ft (total combined sign area) | — | — | 1 combined sign | Exterior wall | — | §40-15.06(A)(2)(b); §40-15.06(B)(2)(b) |
| Window Sign | — | Up to 25% of total window area (text); Table states up to 25% of each individual window | — | — | No limit | Inside windows | — | §40-15.06(A)(3)(a); §40-15.06(B)(3)(a); Table 15.06 |
| Canopy/Awning Sign (In Lieu of Wall Sign) | — | 200 sq ft | — | — | 1 in lieu of wall sign | On canopy/awning | — | §40-15.06(A)(3)(b); §40-15.06(B)(3)(b); §40-15.02(B)(6) |
| Drive-Through Accessory Sign (Shopping/Business Center) | — | Total per drive aisle: 32 sq ft (for accessory signs) | — | — | 2 per drive aisle | At drive-through lanes with pickup windows | — | §40-15.06(A)(4) |
| Ground Sign (Non-Center Lot) | 8 ft (general ground sign height limit) | 65 sq ft | — | 15 ft from road right‑of‑way | 1 per public street frontage | On each public street frontage of lots not in shopping/business centers | — | §40-15.06(B)(1)(a)-(c); §40-15.02(D); §40-15.02(B)(2) |
| Outdoor Advertising Sign (Billboard) - C-2 Only | 20 ft (may be increased to 40 ft by Zoning Administrator upon demonstrated obstruction conditions) | 300 sq ft (per face in same direction, max 2 faces) | — | ≥50 ft from any boundary of parcel; see spacing distances above | Spacing controls effectively limit number | Only on parcels abutting interstate highways, freeways, and other primary highways; not within 50 ft of any parcel boundary | — | §40-15.10(A)-(F); §40-15.02(B)(4) |

### Form-Based Districts - (FB)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Parcel < 1 Acre) | 4 ft | 20 sq ft | — | 2 ft from right‑of‑way and 3 ft from sidewalk | 1 per lot | On lots meeting lot width and building setback criteria | — | §40-15.07(B)(1)(a)-(f); Table 15.07 |
| Ground Sign (Parcel ≥ 1 Acre) | 6 ft | 60 sq ft | — | 2 ft from right‑of‑way and 3 ft from sidewalk | 1 per lot | On qualifying lots one acre or greater | — | §40-15.07(B)(1)(a)-(f); Table 15.07 |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per frontage (ROW and parking lot) | On building wall fronting ROW and/or parking lot | — | §40-15.07(B)(2)(a)-(b); §40-15.02(B)(2),(5)-(6) |
| Combined Exterior Wall Sign (Tenants Without Ground Floor Frontage) | — | 24 sq ft (total combined sign area) | — | — | 1 combined sign | Exterior wall | — | §40-15.07(B)(2)(b) |
| Window Sign | — | Up to 25% of total window area (text); Table indicates 25% of each individual window | — | — | No limit | Inside windows | — | §40-15.07(B)(3); Table 15.07 |
| Canopy/Awning Sign (In Lieu of Wall Sign) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 in lieu of wall sign | On canopy/awning | — | §40-15.07(B)(4); Table 15.07; §40-15.02(B)(6) |
| Blade (Projecting) Sign | Lowest point of sign ≥8 ft above grade | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Projecting from attached facade | — | §40-15.07(B)(5)(a)-(d); §40-15.03(H) exception |
| Vehicle Fueling/Multi-Use Station Signage (Reference C-1/C-2 Standards) | — | Canopy/awning sign up to 100 sq ft (using 1 sq ft/lf formula); Fuel pump signs 3 sq ft per pump face (per §40-15.06(B)(5)(b)[2]) | — | — | Per referenced standards | On canopy/awning and pump faces | — | §40-15.07(B)(6); §40-15.06(B)(5) |

## Prohibited signs in Pittsfield Charter Township

- No sign shall have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights or other illumination with changing intensity, brightness, or color, or be constructed/operated to create an appearance of writing or printing; exception for lights or decorations related to religious and patriotic festivities (§40-15.02B(3)).
- Neon lighting is prohibited outside of the sign structure and is not permitted as accent lighting along a building wall or window, unless allowed during building and lighting review as part of site plan review (§40-15.02B(5)).
- Backlighting of awnings and signs is prohibited (§40-15.02B(6)).
- Swinging signs (signs that noticeably move due to wind because of their suspension/attachment) are prohibited (§40-15.03A).
- Moving signs (any sign or portion that moves or is nonstationary), including banners, pennants, searchlights, twirling signs, balloons, or other gas-filled figures, are prohibited except as otherwise provided (§40-15.03B).
- Unlawful motor vehicle signs: It is unlawful to park/place/store a vehicle or trailer with a motor vehicle sign on private property where an on-premises ground or wall sign is located if the vehicle is unregistered/inoperable; the sign extends beyond the vehicle surface; the vehicle is in a ROW or non-parking area; the vehicle is regularly parked in a front/side yard abutting a street when less visible areas are available; or the vehicle is regularly parked within 50 feet of a street when more distant/less visible areas are available. Exceptions apply for temporary, actively undertaken business/personal activities requiring the vehicle and not primarily related to advertising (§40-15.03C).
- Portable signs, including sandwich board signs, sidewalk or curb signs, or banners, are prohibited (§40-15.03D).
- Painted wall signs (painted directly onto a building or structural part) are prohibited (§40-15.03E).
- Roof signs (erected/constructed wholly on and over the roof and extending above the highest roof portion) are prohibited (§40-15.03F).
- Fence/utility/tree/rock/wall attachments: Signs pasted or attached to utility poles or placed upon trees, fences, rocks, or attached in an unauthorized manner to walls or other signs are prohibited (§40-15.03G).
- Projecting signs located in, or projecting into/overhanging, any public right-of-way are prohibited, except as allowed by law or as otherwise permitted in a form-based district (§40-15.03H).
- Electronic message signs (EMS), including LED signs, are prohibited except as otherwise permitted by this chapter (§40-15.03I).
- Affixing signs/posters visible from a public way by tacking/pasting/otherwise affixing is prohibited except for certain legal notices such as “no trespassing,” “no hunting,” “beware of animal,” danger/warning signs, and legal postings required by law (§40-15.03J(1)).
- Signs that imitate official traffic signs/signals or contain words like “stop,” “go,” “slow,” “caution,” “danger,” “warning,” etc., are prohibited, except as otherwise provided by law (§40-15.03J(2)).
- Signs that could be confused with traffic control devices due to size, location, content, coloring, or illumination, that hide traffic/street signs/signals, or that obstruct views at street/road intersections are prohibited (§40-15.03J(3)).
- Signs containing obscene or pornographic content are prohibited (§40-15.03J(4)).
- Signs that emit audible sound, odor, or visible matter are prohibited (§40-15.03J(5)).
- Placing any sign within a road right-of-way or on utility poles is a violation (and subject to removal) unless otherwise specified in the chapter (§40-15.16C).

## Signs exempt from permit in Pittsfield Charter Township

- Directional signs are permitted anywhere in the Township without a sign permit, provided they are located on the property they serve, behind the front right-of-way line, do not exceed 6 square feet in area and 4 feet in height, and may include a business logo if the Zoning Administrator determines it is reasonably necessary for effectiveness (§40-15.04A).
- Signs not exceeding 1 square foot bearing only property numbers, post box numbers, names of occupants or premises, or other identification of premises without commercial connections are exempt from regulations (§40-15.04C(1)).
- Legal notices, identification, information, or directional signs erected or required by governmental bodies are exempt from regulations (§40-15.04C(2)).
- Integral decorative or architectural features of a building (excluding letters, trademarks, moving parts, moving lights, or backlit areas) are exempt from regulations (§40-15.04C(3)).
- Painting, repainting, cleaning, and other normal maintenance and repair of a sign or sign structure do not require a sign permit, provided no structural or size change is made (§40-15.14E).
- Temporary signs under 12 square feet per sign generally do not require a permit (all permitted temporary signs that are 12 square feet or greater require a permit; banners always require a permit) (§40-15.12B).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No general master sign plan requirement is stated for all projects; however, a comprehensive sign plan (“sign package”) may be submitted for Planning Commission review and approval for any property with more than one building, any multiple-tenant building, or adjacent buildings on multiple parcels seeking sign consistency (§40-15.07D(2)).
- If a sign package is pursued, it is processed as part of site plan review (Article IX) and must include design, location, colors, dimensions, materials/anchorage/supports, and illumination method for all proposed permitted signs; it must clearly define the building/property areas covered (§40-15.07D(3)).
- Planning Commission may approve a sign package only if signage is unified and consistent, higher quality than otherwise required, and compatible with the building design/materials and surrounding area (§40-15.07D(4)).
- Through an approved sign package, limited relief may be granted: increase sign area by up to 33 1/3%, increase sign height by up to 33 1/3%, and permit one additional sign on a lot (but not an additional ground sign) (§40-15.07D(5)).

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

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