# Sign Regulations in Shelby Township, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Shelby Township, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/shelby-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-04
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.shelbytwp.org/home/showdocument?id=324#page=237)

## At a glance

Shelby Township, Michigan regulates 73 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Ground Sign (Two Lanes, 25-30 mph)s in the Professional Office Districts (O-1, O-2) zoning district are capped at 12 feet tall and 20 square feet per side, with a Section 5.24.E.3 setback (Sec. 5.24.B.2.e, m.1). Most commercial signs in Shelby Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-1-A, R-1-B, R-1-C, R-2, R-3 to R-7, R-8 to R-12, MHP, HMR) | 9 | 10 feet | 48 square feet | — |
| Professional Office Districts (O-1, O-2) | 15 | 12 feet | 76 square feet per side | — |
| Local Retail Business District (C-1) | 15 | 12 feet | 76 square feet per side | — |
| Linear Retail, Shopping Center and General Business Districts (C-2, C-3, C-4) | 16 | 12 feet | 110 square feet per side | — |
| Multi-Use District (C-5) | 14 | 12 feet | 110 square feet per side | — |
| Industrial Districts (L-M, H-M) | 20 | 25 feet | 300 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 14 | 7 feet | <=50% of total sign area | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### Professional Office Districts (O-1, O-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Two Lanes, 25-30 mph) | 12 feet | 20 square feet per side | — | Section 5.24.E.3 | 1 per site; 2 for corner sites with two road frontages | Road frontage on site | — | 5.24.B.2.e, m.1 |
| Ground Sign (Two Lanes, 35-40 mph) | 12 feet | 30 square feet per side | — | Section 5.24.E.3 | 1 per site; 2 for corner sites with two road frontages | Road frontage on site | — | 5.24.B.2.e, m.1 |
| Ground Sign (Two Lanes, 45-50 mph) | 12 feet | 45 square feet per side | — | Section 5.24.E.3 | 1 per site; 2 for corner sites with two road frontages | Road frontage on site | — | 5.24.B.2.e, m.1 |
| Ground Sign (Four Lanes, 25-30 mph) | 12 feet | 30 square feet per side | — | Section 5.24.E.3 | 1 per site; 2 for corner sites with two road frontages | Road frontage on site | — | 5.24.B.2.e, m.1 |
| Ground Sign (Four Lanes, 35-40 mph) | 12 feet | 54 square feet per side | — | Section 5.24.E.3 | 1 per site; 2 for corner sites with two road frontages | Road frontage on site | — | 5.24.B.2.e, m.1 |
| Ground Sign (Four Lanes, 45-50 mph) | 12 feet | 76 square feet per side | — | Section 5.24.E.3 | 1 per site; 2 for corner sites with two road frontages | Road frontage on site | — | 5.24.B.2.e, m.1 |
| Directory of Tenants Sign (Office Complex) | Per ground sign | Per ground sign schedule | — | Section 5.24.E.3 if freestanding | 1 per complex | Integrated with overall design of complex | — | 5.24.B.2.m.4, b.3 |
| Real Estate Development Sign (Office) | 10 feet | 48 square feet | — | Section 5.24.E.3 | 1 per road frontage/entrance | On site of proposed development | — | 5.24.B.2.f |

### Linear Retail, Shopping Center and General Business Districts (C-2, C-3, C-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Two Lanes, 25-30 mph) | 12 feet | 25 square feet per side | — | Section 5.24.E.3 | 1 per site/frontage; 2 if two | Road frontage | — | 5.24.B.2.e (Part II), o.3, r |
| Ground Sign (Two Lanes, 35-40 mph) | 12 feet | 40 square feet per side | — | Section 5.24.E.3 | 1 per site/frontage; 2 if two | Road frontage | — | 5.24.B.2.e (Part II), o.3, r |
| Ground Sign (Two Lanes, 45-50 mph) | 12 feet | 65 square feet per side | — | Section 5.24.E.3 | 1 per site/frontage; 2 if two | Road frontage | — | 5.24.B.2.e (Part II), o.3, r |
| Ground Sign (Four Lanes, 25-30 mph) | 12 feet | 40 square feet per side | — | Section 5.24.E.3 | 1 per site/frontage; 2 if two | Road frontage | — | 5.24.B.2.e (Part II), o.3, r |
| Ground Sign (Four Lanes, 35-40 mph) | 12 feet | 75 square feet per side | — | Section 5.24.E.3 | 1 per site/frontage; 2 if two | Road frontage | — | 5.24.B.2.e (Part II), o.3, r |
| Ground Sign (Four Lanes, 45-50 mph) | 12 feet | 110 square feet per side | — | Section 5.24.E.3 | 1 per site/frontage; 2 if two | Road frontage | — | 5.24.B.2.e (Part II), o.3, r |
| Real Estate Development Sign (Business) | 10 feet | 48 square feet | — | Section 5.24.E.3 | 1 per frontage | On site | — | 5.24.B.2.f |
| For Sale or Lease Sign (Business) | — | 24 square feet | — | Outside vision triangle | Not specified | On site; encroach setback ok outside ROW/vision | — | 5.24.B.2.g |

### Industrial Districts (L-M, H-M)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Retail Use in Industrial) | 12 feet | Per C-2 table (Part II) | — | E.3 | 1 per site/frontage | Road frontage | — | 5.24.B.2.q(1), e (Part II), r |
| Ground Sign (Single Tenant Industrial) | 12 feet | Per Part II table | — | E.3 | 1 per building/site | Road frontage | — | 5.24.B.2.q(2), e (Part II), r |
| Ground Sign (Multi-Tenant Industrial) | 12 feet | Per Part II table | — | E.3 | 1 per site | Road frontage | — | 5.24.B.2.q(3), e (Part II), r |
| Outdoor Advertising Sign (Billboard, HM only) | 25 feet | 300 square feet | — | 50 ft from freeway ROW; other per above | Per spacing | HM district abutting freeway/interstate; >=50 ft from ROW; >=500 ft from interchange/street/Z boundary; >=1500 ft from another | — | 5.24.B.2.q(5) |
| Real Estate Development Sign (Industrial) | 10 feet | 48 square feet (office/retail); 32 square feet industrial? Wait, f is 48, g 32 for industrial sale | — | E.3 | 1 per frontage | Site | — | 5.24.B.2.f/g |
| Ground Sign (Retail Use in Industrial) | 12 feet | Per C-2/C-3/C-4 table (Part II) | — | Section 5.24.E.3 | 1 per site/road frontage; 2 if two frontages | Road frontage on site | — | 5.24.B.2.q(1), e (Part II), o.3, r |
| Ground Sign (Single Tenant Industrial Building) | 12 feet | Per Part II table | — | Section 5.24.E.3 | 1 per building | Road frontage on site | — | 5.24.B.2.q(2), e (Part II), r |
| Ground Sign (Multi-Tenant Industrial Site) | 12 feet | Per Part II table | — | Section 5.24.E.3 | 1 per site | Road frontage on site | — | 5.24.B.2.q(3), e (Part II), r |

## Prohibited signs in Shelby Township

- Awnings and canopies may not be used for signage in shopping centers or office buildings with multiple tenants unless part of the approved sign plan
- Exposed neon may not be used to outline buildings or accent features except for small accessory window signs or neon open/closed signs up to 4 sq ft
- Painted signs directly on any exterior building wall
- Projecting signs above the roof or more than 18 inches from a building wall except as modified elsewhere
- Inflatable signs or objects for temporary or permanent signage
- Moving signs that revolve, are animated, or utilize movement except time/date/temperature signs and approved electronic changeable copy signs
- Flashing signs that incorporate lights that flash, twinkle, or appear to move except time/temperature signs and approved electronic changeable copy signs
- Banners, pennants, spinners, streamers except approved temporary banner pennants
- String lights on commercial premises except holiday decorations removed within 15 days after holiday
- Signs on utility poles, directional signposts, or landscaping including trees except official street signs
- Signs for businesses no longer existing must be removed within 180 days or Township will remove at owner's expense
- Motor vehicle signs parked or stored for advertising purposes more than 72 hours, with presumption if visible from street under certain conditions
- Changeable message signs with removable letters except for churches, schools, public buildings, gasoline price signs, or similar approved uses
- Off-site or nonaccessory signs except billboards in HM district abutting freeways as regulated
- Snipe and bandit signs, sign walkers, search lights or illuminated beacons

## Signs exempt from permit in Shelby Township

- Agricultural sales signs: Two temporary nonilluminated signs not exceeding 16 sq ft each for sites selling on-site grown produce
- Name plates and house numbers not exceeding 2 sq ft; memorial, historical, or commemorative markers not exceeding 2 sq ft
- Noncommercial signs (e.g., public telephones, restrooms, no smoking, building restrictions) not exceeding 2 sq ft
- Parking lot signs indicating restrictions, not exceeding 6 ft height and 3 sq ft area, placed within permitted parking lot
- Regulatory, directional, and street signs erected by public agency per Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices
- Flags bearing insignia of governmental or nonprofit organizations, not for commercial promotion or advertising
- Small accessory signs (e.g., no trespassing, animal warnings) no more than 2 sq ft each, total not exceeding 8 sq ft per premises
- Government signs erected by or on behalf of government including legal notices, informational, directional, or regulatory signs
- Political signs not in road right-of-way, not on utility poles or trees, observing setbacks, erected no more than 45 days before election and removed within 3 days after, with property owner approval

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Sign plan required for shopping centers or multiple-tenant buildings: submitted prior to individual tenant sign approval, specifying type and style permitted
- Uniform sign plan required for office complexes (O-1/O-2) with tenants having separate entrances, approved by reviewing authority
- Awnings and canopies in shopping centers or multi-tenant office buildings must be part of approved sign plan
- Directory of tenants in shopping centers or office complexes must integrate with overall center design plan
- For grouped uses in C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, and industrial districts, tenant listings may be approved as part of ground sign within schedule requirements, implying coordination with site sign plan
- Applications for signs in multi-tenant settings reviewed for conformance with overall design plan

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

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