# Sign Regulations in Plymouth Charter Township, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Plymouth Charter Township, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/plymouth-charter-township
- **Data last verified:** 2026-02-10
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://cms5.revize.com/revize/plymouthtownshipmi/Community%20Development/2024/ZO99_25_ARTICLE_XXV2.pdf)

## At a glance

Plymouth Charter Township, Michigan regulates 57 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Ground Sign - Monument (Street Frontage < 200 ft)s in the Ann Arbor Road Corridor District (ARC) zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 25–42 sq ft, depending on setback (see table: 5 ft=25, 6=26, …, 22+=42), with a Minimum 5 ft from existing right-of-way or street setback line; increased area allowed with greater setback up to 22+ ft. setback (Sec. Sec. 14.10.5(a)(1)-(4)a, tables for frontage <200 ft; 5(a)(5)-(7); 3(e) Underground Wiring; 4(b), (m), (q), (r), (s)). Most commercial signs in Plymouth Charter Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 8 ft | 50 sq ft aggregate | — |
| Ann Arbor Road Corridor District (ARC) | 26 | Not to exceed height of wall to which attached and not more than 35 ft overall | Up to 90 sq ft; table examples: signable area 50→15, 75→22.5, 100→30, 125→37.5, 150→45, 175→52.5, 200→60, 225→67.5, 250→75, 275→82.5, 300→90, above 300→90 max | — |
| Agricultural, Residential, and Public Land Districts (AG, R-1-E, R-1-H, R-1-S, R-1, RM, R-2, R-2-A, PL) | 5 | 20 ft or wall height, whichever less | 50 sq ft | — |
| Office Service and Village Planned Districts (OS, VP) | 5 | 20 ft or wall height, whichever less | 50 sq ft | — |
| Mid-Rise District (MR) | 8 | 8 ft (<200 ft frontage); 10 ft (>=200 ft frontage); up to 14 ft if >=500 ft 1 road or 700 ft 2 roads | 90 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Districts (C-1, C-2) | 23 | 35 ft or wall height, whichever less | 126 sq ft | — |
| Office Research and Technology Districts (OR, TAR) | 8 | 8 ft (<200 ft frontage); 10 ft (>=200 ft frontage) | 90 sq ft (additional 90 sq ft facing I-275/M-14) | — |
| Industrial District (IND) | 11 | 8 ft (<200); 10 ft (>=200) | 90 sq ft (+90 facing I-275/M-14) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### Ann Arbor Road Corridor District (ARC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign - Monument (Street Frontage < 200 ft) | 8 ft | 25–42 sq ft, depending on setback (see table: 5 ft=25, 6=26, …, 22+=42) | — | Minimum 5 ft from existing right-of-way or street setback line; increased area allowed with greater setback up to 22+ ft. | 1 ground sign per street frontage; only 1 on multi-frontage lots if one sign can be placed to be visible from both streets. | Wholly within property boundaries, outside street setback/right-of-way; must meet setback from existing right-of-way or street setback line, whichever is greater. | — | Sec. 14.10.5(a)(1)-(4)a, tables for frontage <200 ft; 5(a)(5)-(7); 3(e) Underground Wiring; 4(b), (m), (q), (r), (s) |
| Ground Sign - Monument (Street Frontage ≥ 200 ft) | 10 ft | 42–60 sq ft depending on setback (10 ft=42, 11=43, 12=45, 13=46, 14=48, 15=49, 16=51, 17=52, 18=54, 19=55, 20=57, 21=58, 22+=60) | — | Minimum 10 ft from existing right-of-way or street setback line; increased area allowed with greater setback up to 22+ ft. | 1 ground sign per street frontage; only 1 on multi-frontage lots if one sign can serve both. | Wholly within property boundaries, outside street setback/right-of-way; subject to setback from right-of-way or street setback line, whichever is greater. | — | Sec. 14.10.5(a)(1)-(4)b, tables for frontage ≥200 ft; 5(a)(5)-(7); 3(e) |
| Ground Sign - Monument with Manual Changeable Copy | Same as corresponding monument ground sign (8 ft or 10 ft depending on frontage) | Within applicable ground sign maximums; changeable copy area counted toward total | — | Same setbacks as base ground sign type. | Counts toward ground sign limit of 1 per street frontage. | On-premises, subject to ground sign location and setback rules. | — | Sec. 14.10.5(a)(8) |
| Projecting Sign | No higher than height of wall to which attached and no higher than second-story window sill; minimum clearance under sign 8 ft 6 in | 25–42 sq ft depending on building setback from street setback line | — | Functional projection limits relative to property line and sidewalk; no separate numeric setback from street given. | 1 per qualifying façade; projecting signs must be at least 25 ft apart. | Attached to building façade, at 90° to wall; only on zoning lots with ≥50 ft width on side where mounted; instead of wall or marquee sign for that business. | — | Sec. 14.10.5(c)(1)-(10) |
| Directional Sign - On-Premises Ground | 6 ft | 2 sq ft per side; max 2 sides (i.e., up to 4 sq ft total display area) | — | Must be outside street setback and right-of-way; otherwise no specific numeric setback. | Max 1 directional ground sign at each driveway entrance. | Within subject property; not allowed within street setback or right-of-way. | — | Sec. 14.10.5(g)(1) |
| Directional Sign - Off-Premises Monument (1 User) | 4.5 ft | 12 sq ft | — | ≥30 ft from centerline of access road/easement and ≥60 ft from centerline of major thoroughfare; entirely on private property. | Max 1 sign per intersection; this variant assumes 1 planned user. | Only on land zoned ARC, at intersection of business access road and a major thoroughfare; located entirely on private property; at least 30 ft from centerline of access road/easement and at least 60 ft from centerline of major thoroughfare. | — | Sec. 14.10.5(g)(2)(a)-(c), (4)-(10); table for planned number of users |
| Directional Sign - Off-Premises Monument (2 Users) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | Same as other off-premises directional signs. | Max 1 sign per intersection; up to 2 planned users on sign. | Same locational requirements as 1-user sign. | — | Sec. 14.10.5(g)(2)(b)-(c), (4)-(10); table for 2 users |
| Directional Sign - Off-Premises Monument (3 or More Users) | 8 ft | 36 sq ft | — | Same as other off-premises directional signs. | Max 1 sign per intersection; 3+ planned users on sign. | Same locational requirements as 1-user sign. | — | Sec. 14.10.5(g)(2)(b)-(c), (4)-(10); table for 3 or more users |

### Commercial Districts (C-1, C-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Building Setback 200-299 ft) | 35 ft or wall height | 112.5 sq ft | — | Building 200-299 ft from street setback | As per wall sign | Attached to wall, within signable area | — | SEC. 25.9.2(c)(2) |
| Wall Sign (Building Setback 300-399 ft) | 35 ft or wall height | 117 sq ft | — | Building 300-399 ft from street | As per wall sign | Attached to wall | — | SEC. 25.9.2(c)(2) |
| Wall Sign (Building Setback 400-499 ft) | 35 ft or wall height | 121.5 sq ft | — | Building 400-499 ft from street | As per wall sign | Attached to wall | — | SEC. 25.9.2(c)(2) |
| Wall Sign (Building Setback 500+ ft) | 35 ft or wall height | 126 sq ft | — | Building 500+ ft from street | As per wall sign | Attached to wall | — | SEC. 25.9.2(c)(2) |
| Projecting Sign | Wall height | 25 sq ft at <=10 ft building setback, +1 sq ft per ft >10 up to 42 sq ft | — | No projection into setback/ROW | 1 per facade with public ingress/egress | Projects 90 deg from wall on >=50 ft frontage facade | — | SEC. 25.7, 25.9.3 |
| On-Premises Directional Sign | 4 ft (ground) | 2 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — | Outside street setback/ROW | 1 per ingress/egress drive | Within property, at ingress/egress; may on building | — | SEC. 25.4.3 |
| Off-Premises Directional Sign (C-2 only) | 4.5 ft (1), 6 (2), 8 (3+) | 12 sq ft (1 user), 24 (2), 36 (3+ ) | — | >=30 ft from access centerline, >=60 ft from thoroughfare centerline | 1 per intersection | At intersection of access road and major thoroughfare; on private prop | — | SEC. 25.4.4 |
| Gasoline Service Station Monument Sign (C-1, C-2) | Per district | Per district ground max | — | Per ground | 1 | Per ground sign | — | SEC. 25.4.6(a) |

### Industrial District (IND)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft (<200); 10 ft (>=200) | — | — | Min 5 ft | 1 per premises | Within boundaries, no setback/ROW | — | SEC. 25.7(b), 25.9.1(b)-(i) |
| Wall Sign | Wall height | 90 sq ft (+90 facing I-275/M-14) | — | — | 1 per facade + corner + freeway | Attached wall; front + freeway if facing | — | SEC. 25.7(b), 25.9.2(e),(f) |
| Projecting Sign | Wall height | 25 + (bldg setback-10) up to 42 | — | No into ROW | 1 per facade | 90 deg from wall >=50 ft front | — | SEC. 25.7, 25.9.3 |
| Outdoor Advertising Sign | — | — | — | Per district | Not specified | Adjacent to I-275 or M-14 | — | SEC. 25.7(d), 25.1 def |
| On-Premises Directional Sign | 4 ft | 2 sq ft/side | — | Outside setback | 1/drive | Property at drives | — | SEC. 25.4.3 |
| Awning Sign | Eave | — | — | — | As wall | Vertical awning | — | SEC. 25.9.4 amended |
| Canopy Sign | Eave | — | — | — | As wall | Vertical canopy | — | SEC. 25.9.4 amended |
| Changeable Copy Sign (Manual) | — | To max | — | — | Part | Ground/wall | — | SEC. 25.9.6 |

## Prohibited signs in Plymouth Charter Township

- Signs not expressly permitted are prohibited.
- Signs which incorporate in any manner any flashing or intermittent lights.
- Signs in the public right-of-way or on public property, except as permitted by this Article.
- Any sign which revolves or has any scrolling message, visible moving part, visible revolving parts or visible mechanical movement of any description or other apparent visible movement achieved by electrical, electronic pulsations, or by mechanical means, including intermittent electrical pulsations, or by action of normal wind currents, except for those actions associated with time/temperature signs.
- A sign or sign structure which is determined by the Building Official to be structurally unsafe.
- A sign or sign structure which is determined by the Building Official to be a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation or abandonment.
- A sign or sign structure which is determined by the Building Official to not be kept in good repair.
- A sign or sign structure which is determined by the Building Official to be capable of causing electrical shocks to persons likely to come in contact with it.
- Any sign which by reason of its size, location, content, coloring or manner of illumination, constitutes a traffic hazard or a detriment to traffic safety by obstructing the vision of drivers, or by obstructing, or detracting from the visibility of any traffic sign or control device on public streets and roads. All signs shall comply with the clear vision regulations in Section 28.25 of the Zoning Ordinance.
- Any sign which obstructs free ingress to or egress from a required door, window, fire escape or other required exit way.
- Signs which make use of such words as "stop", "look", "danger", or any other words, phrases, symbols or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse vehicular traffic.
- Any sign, unlawfully installed, erected or maintained.
- Any sign now or hereafter existing which advertises a product, service or business no longer available at that location.
- Roof signs: For the purpose of this section any architectural element which is used on the wall of a structure to give the appearance of a roof line similar to a mansard, gambrel or other roof type shall be considered the same as a roof and no sign shall be permitted upon it. A vertical plane or fascia which is attached to and located below the angled plane of a sloped roof or roof element and which is less than 6 inches in height, shall be considered part of the roof and not used for signage.
- Portable or inflatable signs unless otherwise provided for in this Ordinance.
- Banners, pennants, spinners and streamers except as otherwise provided for in this Ordinance.
- Wall panel signs.
- Animated signs.
- Neon, LED, string or rope lights used to highlight architectural features, or to frame a window or door, except as may be permitted under Section 28.8 Exterior Lighting.
- Awning and marquee signs.
- Canopy signs, except as permitted herein.
- Electronic changeable copy signs, except as specifically permitted under Section 25.9.
- Any sign, which requires a permit, that consists of glass tubing, filled with neon or another gas, may only be permitted subject to Planning Commission approval.

## Signs exempt from permit in Plymouth Charter Township

- Street address signs for identification by emergency personnel, prominently displayed on the front side of buildings or freestanding signs, in Arabic numerals at least 4 inches high by 2.5 inches wide (proportional for '1'), contrasting with background, visible from street, not exceeding 3 sq ft unless counted in maximum sign area.
- House numbers legible from the street, home occupation signs, nameplates identifying occupant or address, not exceeding 2 sq ft in area.
- Window signs not exceeding 2 sq ft indicating hours of operation and open/closed status.
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection, cut into masonry or of bronze/other incombustible material.
- For sale signs attached to vehicles.
- Flags bearing the official design of a nation, state, municipality, educational institution or non-profit organization.
- Traffic safety and control signs erected by or on behalf of a governmental body, or other municipal signs such as legal notices, railroad crossing, danger and other emergency notices approved by the Township Board or Supervisor.
- Community special event signs approved by the Township Board or the Township Supervisor.
- Institutional bulletin boards no more than 50 sq ft in area, 4 ft in height, placed wholly within the property to which the sign pertains.
- Private traffic control signs conforming to the Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
- Park and playground signs.
- Political signs, removed within 10 days following election, not closer than 100 ft from polling place entrance, candidate responsible for compliance, not exceeding 8 sq ft, height not exceeding 4.5 ft for ground-mounted.
- Real estate signs (temporary and permanent leasing) subject to specified size, height, placement, and removal requirements.
- Community entrance signs erected by the municipality.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Off-premises directional signs require review and approval by the Planning Commission.
- Site entry features with signage require approval by the Planning Commission as part of site plan or subdivision plat review.
- Pole signs require approval by the Planning Commission upon finding specific conditions (e.g., monument sign would block vision or wall/projecting sign cannot be established).
- Variances from sign restrictions require approval by the Township Zoning Board of Appeals upon finding of genuine hardship.
- Signs in ARC and OS-ARC Districts are governed by Section 14.10 (potential additional plan requirements not detailed here).
- For gasoline service stations, changeable copy for fuel pricing requires compliance with specific standards, potentially involving Department of Building and Code Enforcement review.

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

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