# Sign Regulations in Schoolcraft, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Schoolcraft, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/schoolcraft
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/Schoolcraft/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH62ZO_ARTXVIIISI)

## At a glance

Schoolcraft, Michigan regulates 21 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Multiple family dwellings/subdivisions/site condos and permitted non-residential uses)s in the RM zoning district are capped at 5 ft. tall and 30 sq. ft., with a 10 ft. from all property lines. setback (Sec. Sec. 62-486 (refers to Sec. 62-485)). Most commercial signs in Schoolcraft require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 25% of total window or door area | — |
| R-A, R-1, R-2, R-3, RMH | 5 | 5 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| RM | 7 | 5 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| B-1, B-2, I-1, I-2 | 10 | 30 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| CBD | 7 | Shall not exceed a height of 24 ft. or project above roofline, whichever is less; minimum 8 ft. above sidewalk | 60 sq. ft. | — |

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

### RM

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Permitted Non-Residential Uses) | — | 30 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per façade, max 2 | Front façade; maximum height of 20 ft. | — | Sec. 62-486 (refers to Sec. 62-485) |
| Awning or Canopy Sign (Permitted Non-Residential Uses) | No higher than top of awning/canopy | 30 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business façade, max 2 if no wall sign present | Above building entrances; face of awning or canopy. | — | Sec. 62-486 (refers to Sec. 62-485) |
| Freestanding Sign (Multiple family dwellings/subdivisions/site condos and permitted non-residential uses) | 5 ft. | 30 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. from all property lines. | 1 per major entrance, max 2 | 10 ft. from all property lines. | — | Sec. 62-486 (refers to Sec. 62-485) |
| Professional Sign or Nameplate | — | 4 sq. ft. | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 62-486 |
| Identification Sign (Apartments, 8 or more dwelling units) | — | 24 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | — | — | Sec. 62-486 |
| Temporary Freestanding Sign | 5 ft. | 12 sq. ft. (max per sign), total sign area 36 sq. ft. | 3 ft. | 5 ft. from all property lines | — | Setback 5 ft. from all property lines; not in right-of-way. | — | Sec. 62-491 |
| Temporary Wall Sign | 4 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | 8 ft. | — | 1 | A minimum of 8 ft. above grade, cannot project above roofline, must be flush to wall. | — | Sec. 62-491 |

### B-1, B-2, I-1, I-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Street Facing Façade) | Cannot project above roofline; minimum 10 ft. above grade | 15% of the facade | 70% of the width of the façade | — | Maximum two per building, or one per tenant space (multi-tenant); see notes | Street facing façade, minimum 10 ft. above grade | — | Sec. 62-487 |
| Wall Sign (Secondary Façade) | Cannot project above roofline; minimum 10 ft. above grade | 5% of the facade | 40% of the width of the façade | — | — | Secondary façade, minimum 10 ft. above grade | — | Sec. 62-487 |
| Monument Sign (Freestanding) | 8 ft. | 60 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. from all property lines | 1, possible additional sign if >400 ft frontage | 10 ft. from all property lines | — | Sec. 62-487 |
| Pole Sign (Freestanding) | 30 ft. | 60 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. from front property line and sign height from all side yards | 1, possible additional sign if >400 ft frontage | 10 ft. from front property line and sign height from all side yards | — | Sec. 62-487 |
| Pylon Sign (Freestanding, B-2 Only) | 30 ft. | 80 sq. ft. | — | Min 5 ft. behind front property line; meet side yard reqs | 1 (pylon sign option of permitted freestanding signs) | Min 5 ft. behind front property line, perpendicular to street line; must conform to side yard requirements, not less than 150 ft. from residential use principal building | — | Sec. 62-488 |
| Incidental Sign | 4 ft. | 2 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. from property lines | 2 | Located interior to the development, minimum 10 ft. from any property line | — | Sec. 62-487 |
| Temporary Freestanding Sign | 10 ft. | 32 sq. ft. (max per sign), total sign area 64 sq. ft. | 8 ft. | 5 ft. from all property lines | — | Setback 5 ft. from all property lines; not in right-of-way. | — | Sec. 62-491 |
| Temporary Wall Sign | 6 ft. | 72 sq. ft. | 12 ft. | — | 1 | Minimum 8 ft. above grade, cannot project above roofline, must be flush to wall. | — | Sec. 62-491 |

### CBD

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Street Facing Façade) | Cannot project above roofline; minimum 8 ft. above grade | 15% of the facade | 70% of the width of the façade | — | 1 (plus see notes for additional signs in specific situations) | Street facing façade; minimum 8 ft. above grade | — | Sec. 62-489 |
| Awning or Canopy Sign | No higher than the top of awning/canopy; minimum 8 ft. above grade | 25% of awning/canopy area | 70% of the width of the awning/canopy | — | — | Awnings: surface, drip edge preferred; canopies: face of canopy; minimum 8 ft. above grade | — | Sec. 62-489 |
| Marquee Sign | No higher than top of marquee; minimum 8 ft. above grade | 50% of the marquee | 70% of width of marquee | — | — | Above entrance; minimum 8 ft. above grade | — | Sec. 62-489 |
| Projecting Sign (Street Facing Façade Over 14 ft. Above Grade) | Shall not exceed a height of 24 ft. or project above roofline, whichever is less; minimum 8 ft. above sidewalk | 32 sq. ft. | 8 ft. | — | — | Street façade over 14 ft. above grade; minimum 8 ft. above sidewalk | — | Sec. 62-489(f) |
| Projecting Sign (Street Facing Façade at or below 14 ft. Above Grade) | Shall not exceed a height of 24 ft. or project above roofline, whichever is less; minimum 8 ft. above sidewalk | 16 sq. ft. | 8 ft. | — | — | Street façade at or below 14 ft. above grade; minimum 8 ft. above sidewalk | — | Sec. 62-489(f) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 3 ft. | 6 sq. ft. per side | 3 ft. | — | 1 | May not be located within 2 ft of curb; must be in sidewalk area 4-8 ft from building face; sign-free area required for pedestrian passage. | — | Sec. 62-489 |
| Temporary Wall Sign | 6 ft. | 60 sq. ft. | 10 ft. | — | 1 | Minimum 8 ft. above grade, cannot project above roofline, must be flush to wall. | — | Sec. 62-491 |

## Prohibited signs in Schoolcraft

- A sign not expressly permitted by this article is prohibited.
- Signs shall pertain to the use or lot on which it is located, unless expressly authorized by this article.
- All signs must be placed on private property and no sign shall be located within or above any public right-of-way except for projecting signs as permitted within the CBD district.
- Except for electronic displays as allowed by this article, signs shall be illuminated only by continuous indirect or direct lighting.
- All sign illumination shall be employed in such a manner so as to prevent intense or brilliant glares or rays of light from being directed at any street or any adjoining property.
- The following signs are prohibited, unless expressly authorized by this article: Any sign that gives the appearance of motion, including moving, oscillating, animated, or flashing elements, and change to illumination levels.
- The following signs are prohibited, unless expressly authorized by this article: Exterior pennants, spinners, inflatables, feather signs, streamers, balloons, banners, and festoons.
- The following signs are prohibited, unless expressly authorized by this article: Human signs, where a person walks, carries, holds, or in any other way, displays a sign.
- The following signs are prohibited, unless expressly authorized by this article: Snipe signs.
- The following signs are prohibited, unless expressly authorized by this article: Roof signs.
- The following signs are prohibited, unless expressly authorized by this article: Signs located on a vehicle, not used during the normal course of business, which are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying an advertisement.
- The following signs are prohibited, unless expressly authorized by this article: Any sign, signal, marking, or device which imitates or resembles any official traffic control device or railroad sign or signal, or emergency vehicle signal, or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic, or which hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of any official traffic-control device.
- The following signs are prohibited, unless expressly authorized by this article: Signs painted, attached or in any other manner affixed to trees, rocks, or similar natural surfaces, or attached to public utility poles or similar public structures.
- The following signs are prohibited, unless expressly authorized by this article: Rope light, string light, or similar lighting attached to, surrounding, or otherwise drawing attention to a sign.
- The following signs are prohibited, unless expressly authorized by this article: Abandoned signs.
- No nonconforming sign shall be structurally altered to change the shape, type, or size unless the change brings the sign into compliance; however, the sign face may be replaced as long as it does not alter the sign in any other way.
- No nonconforming sign shall be changed to another nonconforming sign.
- No nonconforming sign shall be moved to a new location unless such sign shall conform or shall be made to conform to the provisions of this article.
- Signs shall not be erected in a manner or location which will obstruct passage from windows or doorways.
- Sign supports and construction shall be designed and built in accordance with the Michigan Building Code.
- Temporary signs shall not be attached to fences, trees, utility poles, or the like.
- Temporary signs shall not be placed in a position that will obstruct the vision of traffic or create a hazard or disturbance to the safety, health, and welfare of the public in any manner.
- Illumination of temporary signs is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Schoolcraft

- Building and/or unit addresses.
- Legal notices and government signs.
- Inscriptions on buildings provided they are no larger than three square feet and the sign copy is limited to building name, construction, or establishment date and/or similar historical information.
- Incidental signs located in nonresidential zoning districts, which do not exceed two square feet in area per sign and are located in the interior portions of any parcel, lot, or building site.
- Temporary signs in residential districts per the requirement of section 62-491.
- Signs deemed necessary or ordered by the village council.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All permanent signs erected, altered, or constructed in the village shall require a sign permit from the building inspector.
- Permit applications for illuminated electronic signs shall include a copy of the manufacturer's specifications for luminance.
- Application for sign permits shall be made upon forms provided for by the village and must include specified information and drawings.
- No permit shall be required for ordinary servicing, repainting of existing sign message or cleaning of a sign.
- A permit issued becomes null and void if work is not commenced within 180 days of issuance or is suspended/abandoned for more than 180 days.
- Application for temporary signs on nonresidential property shall be made upon forms provided for by the village.
- Prior to issuing any necessary permits for an electronic billboard, the applicant shall submit to the village written verification from the manufacturer that the electronic billboard is so designed and equipped.
- Permit application must include information showing full compliance with Village and State of Michigan laws.
- Any nonconforming sign which is structurally repaired shall require a new permit.

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

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