# Sign Regulations in Swartz Creek, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Swartz Creek, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/swartz-creek
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/Swartz_Creek/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_APXAZOOR_ART14SIRE)

## At a glance

Swartz Creek, Michigan regulates 12 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the Single-Family Residential District (R-1), Single-Family Residential District (R-2), Downtown Residential District (R-3), Two-Family Residential District (R-4), Multiple-Family Residential District (RM-1), Planned Manufactured Seniors Housing Development District (PMSHDD) zoning district are capped at 6 ft. tall and 20 sq. ft. per side, with a 15 ft. from ROW or property line; 50 ft. from any residential district if for nonres use. setback (Sec. Article 14, Table 14.1, Notes (c)-(h), Section 14.08). Most commercial signs in Swartz Creek require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single-Family Residential District (R-1), Single-Family Residential District (R-2), Downtown Residential District (R-3), Two-Family Residential District (R-4), Multiple-Family Residential District (RM-1), Planned Manufactured Seniors Housing Development District (PMSHDD) | 5 | Not to exceed the maximum building height in the district (typically 25 feet or 2 stories) and cannot be higher than building to which attached. Minimum of 8 ft. above ground or sidewalk. | Up to 90 sq. ft. | — |
| Neighborhood Business District (NBD) | 3 | Shall not exceed height of building or district height limit (30 feet/2 stories); minimum 8 ft. above ground or sidewalk. | Up to 100 sq. ft. | — |
| General Business District (GBD) | 4 | No more than 35 ft. higher than I-69 elevation opposite property. | Up to 200 sq. ft. | — |
| Central Business District (CBD) | 3 | May not exceed building height or 40 ft./3 stories; minimum 8 ft. above grade/sidewalk. | Up to 90 sq. ft. | — |
| Office District (O-1) | 3 | May not exceed building height or 25 ft./2 stories; minimum 8 ft. above grade/sidewalk. | Up to 90 sq. ft. | — |
| Light Industrial District (I-1), Heavy Industrial District (I-2) | 3 | May not exceed building height or 40 ft.; minimum 8 ft. above grade/sidewalk. | Up to 150 sq. ft. | — |
| Planned Unit Development District (PUD) | 2 | 6 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | — |
| Flood Hazard Area Overlay Zone | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | Residential: 4 ft.; Commercial/Industrial: 6 ft. | 25% of each window area | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### Single-Family Residential District (R-1), Single-Family Residential District (R-2), Downtown Residential District (R-3), Two-Family Residential District (R-4), Multiple-Family Residential District (RM-1), Planned Manufactured Seniors Housing Development District (PMSHDD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Not to exceed the maximum building height in the district (typically 25 feet or 2 stories) and cannot be higher than building to which attached. Minimum of 8 ft. above ground or sidewalk. | Up to 90 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per building frontage; for multi-tenant—1 per tenant/entrance | On principal building wall. | — | Article 14, Section 14.05.A, Table 14.1, Article 14.08 |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft. | 20 sq. ft. per side | — | 15 ft. from ROW or property line; 50 ft. from any residential district if for nonres use. | 1 per parcel (2 for corner parcel); 1 per 300 ft. of frontage | 15 ft. from right-of-way or private road easement, and 15 ft. from property line. | — | Article 14, Table 14.1, Notes (c)-(h), Section 14.08 |
| Institutional Sign (e.g. church, school, public building in residential zones) | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | District setbacks apply. | 1 per parcel; 2 for corner parcel; 1 additional per facility | With setbacks per district. | — | Article 14.05.H |
| Temporary Sign | 4 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. from public ROW. | 2 per parcel or per 100 linear feet | Minimum 10 ft. from right-of-way. | — | Article 14, Table 14.1, 14.02, 14.05.G |
| Entranceway Sign (for subdivision or development) | — | 12 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per entrance | At entrance to subdivision/development. | — | Section 14.05.I |

### General Business District (GBD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Shall not exceed height of building or 30 ft./2 stories; min 8 ft. above ground. | Up to 200 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per frontage/entrance | On wall. | — | Table 14.1, Notes (a)-(b) |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft. | 90 sq. ft. | — | 15 ft. from ROW/10 ft. from property line. | 1 per parcel/300 ft. | 15 ft. from ROW/10 ft. from property line. | — | Table 14.1, Notes (c)-(h) |
| Temporary Sign | 6 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | — | 15 ft. from ROW, 100 ft. from residential district. | 2 per parcel or per 100 linear feet | 15 ft. from ROW; 100 ft. from residential district. | — | Table 14.1, Notes (i) |
| Pole/Pylon Sign (properties abutting I-69 only) | No more than 35 ft. higher than I-69 elevation opposite property. | 100 sq. ft. per face, double-sided permitted. | — | — | 1 per qualifying lot | On lot abutting I-69 (within 2500ft, includes additional businesses). | — | Article 14.05.J |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (General) | Residential: 4 ft.; Commercial/Industrial: 6 ft. | Residential: 6 sq. ft.; Commercial/Industrial: 24 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 per parcel or per 100 linear feet | Residential: 10 ft. from ROW; Commercial: 15 ft. from ROW. | — | Article 14.02, Table 14.1 |
| Nameplate/Address Sign | — | Residential: 2 sq. ft. nameplate; Business 18 in. numerals (address). | — | — | 1 per mailbox/entrance | Near entrance or mailbox. | — | Section 14.02.A-B |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft. | 4 sq. ft. | — | 15 ft. from ROW. | — | Front setback, min 15 ft. from ROW. | — | Section 14.05.D |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of each window area | — | — | 1 per window | Inside or on window | — | Section 14.05.B |

## Prohibited signs in Swartz Creek

- Any sign not expressly permitted is prohibited in all districts.
- Abandoned or obsolete signs are prohibited.
- Signs which incorporate flashing or moving lights are prohibited.
- Banners, balloons, pennants, festoons, inflatable figures, spinners, and streamers are prohibited unless specifically permitted in the ordinance.
- String lights used for commercial purposes (except for limited holiday use) are prohibited.
- Moving signs, including any sign with visible moving parts, revolving parts, or visible movement achieved by electrical, electronic, or mechanical means, are prohibited.
- Any sign or sign structure which is structurally unsafe, constitutes a hazard, blocks views, can cause electric shock, is unlawfully installed, is in a public right-of-way (except where permitted), or is not kept in good repair (e.g., broken parts, missing letters, non-operational lights) is prohibited.
- Any sign erected on a tree or utility pole, except government or utility signs, is prohibited.
- Any sign erected within ten feet of a fire hydrant is prohibited.
- Portable signs are prohibited except where expressly permitted.
- Signs affixed to a parked vehicle or trailer used principally for advertising purposes and parked for that purpose are prohibited.
- Any sign which obstructs vision or free access to/egress from a required door, window, fire escape, or other required exit is prohibited.
- Any sign with wording or symbols that interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic, such as 'Stop' or 'Danger', is prohibited.
- Any sign with obscene, indecent, or immoral matter is prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs on canopies at gas stations, banks, or other drive-through establishments except for 'enter' and 'exit' signs are prohibited.
- Signs on street furniture, such as benches and trash receptacles, except for plaques of recognition, are prohibited.
- Temporary signs no longer valid due to the sale, rental or lease of the property, termination of an event, or disrepair are prohibited.
- Business logos on directional signs are prohibited.
- Billboards are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited.
- Signs placed or erected without the permission of the property owner are prohibited.
- Signs are not permitted in, projecting into, or overhanging into any public right-of-way or dedicated easement unless explicitly permitted.
- Signs may not be constructed from materials fabricated for other purposes (e.g., remnants), nor have light-reflecting backgrounds (light-reflecting letters are permitted).
- Signs must not be constructed to a height that takes advantage of artificially raised ground (such as berms) to exceed height restrictions.
- Changeable message signs may not be programmed with any animated, scrolling, or flashing messages, symbols, logos, or graphics. Only static text and static logos are permitted.

## Signs exempt from permit in Swartz Creek

- Address numbers with numeral height no greater than six inches for residences and 18 inches for businesses (limit: one per lot, two for corner lots).
- Nameplates identifying occupants of the building, not to exceed two square feet (one per lot, two for corner lots).
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection, monumental citations, commemorative tablets, not exceeding 25 square feet.
- Signs on vehicles (e.g., buses, trucks, trailers, etc.) while used for transportation in the normal course of business.
- Regulatory, directional, and street signs erected by a public agency in compliance with Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and accessibility standards.
- Flags bearing the official design of a nation, state, municipality, educational institution, or non-profit organization.
- Plaques or signs designating a building as a historic structure.
- Incidental signs, total not to exceed two square feet per business.
- Private traffic control signs conforming to the requirements of Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
- Permanent signs on vending machines, gas pumps, or ice containers indicating only their contents (maximum 6 sq ft per device).
- Menu and order boards for drive-through facilities, provided they are on the interior of the lot, not legible from adjacent properties, and not located in a front yard.
- Stadium signs and athletic scoreboards up to 200 square feet in total.
- Portable real estate 'open house' signs not greater than four square feet.
- Help wanted signs soliciting employees where posted (total not to exceed six square feet).
- Any sign located completely within an enclosed building and not visible from outside.
- Placards not exceeding two square feet on gas station pumps.
- Placards (up to two sq ft) providing notices of a public nature, such as 'No Trespassing', 'No Hunting', 'Beware of Dog' etc., posted at minimum intervals of 30 feet and containing no additional unrelated content.
- Any sign erected by the city in the public right-of-way or on public property for a public purpose.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No sign, permanent or temporary, shall be erected, structurally altered, or relocated without review and approval from the City of Swartz Creek Building Official, except as otherwise provided. (Sec. 14.08.A)
- An application for a sign permit must contain information as required by the City of Swartz Creek Building Department to ensure compliance. (Sec. 14.08.B)
- A sign permit is required; such permit becomes void if work is not completed within six months. (Sec. 14.08.D/F)
- Exceptions to permit requirement: replacing copy on approved signs, and maintenance or repair that does not change structure. (Sec. 14.08.G)
- All signs require a final inspection and issuance of a certificate of compliance from the building department. (Sec. 14.08.H)
- Requests for a variance from sign regulations are made to the zoning board of appeals, requiring a public meeting/hearing and demonstration of hardship or practical difficulty (Sec. 14.11).
- Site plan approval for a new building, major building expansion, or a change of use in a non-residential or multi-family district requires details on proposed new signs or changes to existing signs as part of the site plan application (see Article 21; Article 14 references sign ordinance control).
- If a proposed deviation from the sign ordinance is requested as part of a Planned Unit Development (PUD), a sign plan or waiver request must be submitted with the preliminary PUD site plan (Sec. 7.06, item F.5).
- Construction and placement of ground/monument signs must include a landscape plan showing low shrubbery and plantings around the sign.
- Legal non-conforming signs (including those replaced or altered by more than 50% of value) must be brought into conformity with current sign regulations.
- In situations where signs are included as part of a larger site plan or development (including PUDs, PMSHDD, or Special Land Use approvals), a sign plan or details regarding sign location, size, and design must be included with submittals.
- Portable signs, except those specifically authorized, are to be removed upon enactment of the ordinance or upon change in property use.
- Enforcement provisions require property owners to maintain, repair, or remove signs found to be in violation. Fees may be assessed for enforcement actions.
- Appeals of sign permit denials or interpretation are heard by the zoning board of appeals per Sec. 14.11.

## 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 9 zoning districts in Swartz Creek — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Swartz+Creek+MI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-swartz-creek

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