# Sign Regulations in Vienna Township, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Vienna Township, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/vienna-township
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-16
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/mi/vienna_charter_township,_(genesee_co.)/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_APXAZO_ART24SI)

## At a glance

Vienna Township, Michigan regulates 24 sign types across 16 zoning districts. Directional Orientation Sign (On-site traffic)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 4 sq ft, with a No specific setback beyond the within-25-ft driveway rule stated. setback (Sec. Sec. 2410(7)). Most commercial signs in Vienna Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (16 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 15 ft (per Sec. 2435(4)b) | Zone-specific smallest freestanding sign maximum allowed in Sec. 2420(2)a: RSA, RU-1, RMC, RM, MHP, AR: 32 sq ft; OST: 32 sq ft; OR: 32 sq ft; C-1/C-2: 100 sq ft; C-3: 64 sq ft; C-4: 64 sq ft; I-1: 32 sq ft; I-2: 64 sq ft. | — |
| One-family residential suburban district (RSA) | 5 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| One-family residential urban district (RU-1) | 5 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Multiple-family condominium residential district (RMC) | 6 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Multiple-family residential district (RM) | 6 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Mobile home park district (MHP) | 6 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Agricultural residential district (AR) | 5 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Office service transition district (OST) | 4 | Up to 30 ft, but not above building roof/parapet highest point (per footnote (7)) | With freestanding sign: up to 50 sq ft per sign and total of all wall signs; Without freestanding sign: up to 75 sq ft per sign | — |
| Office research district (OR) | 5 | Up to 30 ft, but not above building roof/parapet highest point (per footnote (7)) | With freestanding sign: up to 100 sq ft per sign; Without freestanding sign: up to 150 sq ft per sign | — |
| Local commercial district (C-1); General commercial district (C-2) | 3 | Up to 30 ft, but not above building roof/parapet highest point (per footnote (7)) | 100 sq ft | — |
| Shopping center commercial district (C-3) | 4 | Up to 30 ft, but not above building roof/parapet highest point (per footnote (7)) | 100 sq ft (up to 200 sq ft on parcels of five acres or more per footnote (9)) | — |
| Highway commercial district (C-4) | 5 | 40 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| Limited industrial district (I-1) | 6 | Up to 30 ft, but not above building roof/parapet highest point (per footnote (7)) | 200 sq ft | — |
| General industrial district (I-2) | 4 | Up to 30 ft, but not above building roof/parapet highest point (per footnote (7)) | 200 sq ft | — |
| Vehicular parking district (P-1) | 6 | 15 ft | 64 sq ft | — |
| ORT | 3 | 15 ft | Up to 64 sq ft based on setbacks/location | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 16 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Orientation Sign (On-site traffic) | 6 ft | 4 sq ft | — | No specific setback beyond the within-25-ft driveway rule stated. | No general limit; within 25 ft of any street right-of-way, max two per driveway entrance/exit. | Within a zoning lot; intended solely to provide directions or instructions for vehicular or pedestrian traffic; may include a logo but shall not advertise or identify a business. | — | Sec. 2410(7) |
| Temporary Sign (Institutional/quasi-public/charitable/public uses) | — | — | — | — | — | Permitted in any zoning district as freestanding or wall signs for institutional, quasi-public, charitable or public uses. | — | Sec. 2410(8)a; Sec. 2440 |
| Temporary Sign (C or I-1 uses) | — | — | — | — | — | For any use in C or I-1 districts: temporary freestanding or wall signs, or temporary window signs are permitted. | — | Sec. 2410(8)b; Sec. 2440 |
| Political Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Any zoning district except not within the public street right-of-way. | — | Sec. 2445(1) |
| Sale/Lease/Rent Sign (Real estate advertising for a property) | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | Minimum 5 ft setback in any yard abutting a private or public street or freeway. | One per road frontage of the zoning lot. | On the land or building that is for rent, lease, or sale; may be placed in any yard. | — | Sec. 2435(1); Sec. 2415(2)(d); Sec. 2440(2) |
| Real Estate Development Sign | 15 ft (per Sec. 2435(4)b) | Up to 64 sq ft (subject to location and setbacks) | — | Within front yard setback: size/height limits apply; otherwise must satisfy Article 18 setbacks. | On-premises: one per major thoroughfare/collector street frontage and one per freeway frontage (only one oriented toward each). Off-premises: one per zoning lot; limited to those reasonably necessary to direct the public. | On premises: one per major thoroughfare or collector street frontage and one per freeway frontage (only one oriented toward each). Off-premises: only on vacant zoning lots; limited in number to those reasonably necessary to direct the public. | — | Sec. 2435(2)a–f; Sec. 2435(4)a–e |
| Temporary Construction Sign | 15 ft (per Sec. 2435(4)b) | 64 sq ft | — | Need not meet setback requirements. | One per major or secondary thoroughfare or collector street frontage, with only one oriented toward each frontage. | Only on the zoning lot upon which construction is taking place. | — | Sec. 2435(3)a–d; Sec. 2435(4)a–e |
| Entranceway Structure Sign | 10 ft (structure height limit) | Zone-specific smallest freestanding sign maximum allowed in Sec. 2420(2)a: RSA, RU-1, RMC, RM, MHP, AR: 32 sq ft; OST: 32 sq ft; OR: 32 sq ft; C-1/C-2: 100 sq ft; C-3: 64 sq ft; C-4: 64 sq ft; I-1: 32 sq ft; I-2: 64 sq ft. | — | Minimum 10 ft from any street right-of-way. | — | Adjacent to a major or secondary thoroughfare or collector street and to the entrance road of the development; may be located within a public or private street right-of-way if approved by the governing entity and by the ZBA; only in yards adjacent to streets entering the development. | — | Sec. 2430(1)–(8); Sec. 2420(2)a (for referenced area limits) |

### Multiple-family condominium residential district (RMC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Nameplate (Dwellings) | — | 2 sq ft (only if no freestanding nameplate is used) | — | — | 1 per dwelling (in lieu of freestanding nameplate). | On dwelling. | — | Sec. 2415(1)a (Wall Signs table: RSA et al., For dwellings); Sec. 2415 footnote (2); Sec. 2440(1) |
| Wall Sign - Nameplate (Principal buildings other than residential) | — | 2 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 nameplate wall signs permitted. | On principal building other than a dwelling. | — | Sec. 2415(1)a (Wall Signs table: RSA et al., Principal bldgs other than residential) |
| Wall Sign - Accessory | — | 25 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 accessory wall sign. | On building wall. | — | Sec. 2415(1)a (Wall Signs table: RSA et al., Accessory); Sec. 2415(2) |
| Freestanding Sign - Nameplate (Dwellings) | 6 ft | 2 sq ft | — | 0 ft from street; 0 ft from RSA or RU-1 district. | 1 per dwelling (in lieu of wall nameplate). | On the dwelling’s zoning lot. | — | Sec. 2420(2)a (Freestanding table: RSA et al., For dwellings); Sec. 2420 footnote (1); Sec. 2440(2) |
| Freestanding Accessory Sign - Principal buildings other than residential | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | From Street: minimum yard setbacks apply; From RSA or RU-1 district: 50 ft (from property line). | 1 per zoning lot. | On zoning lot of principal building other than residential. | — | Sec. 2420(2)a (Freestanding table: RSA et al., Principal bldgs other than residential) |
| Freestanding Accessory Sign - Multifamily Development Identification | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 25 ft from street; 50 ft from RSA or RU-1 district. | 1 per zoning lot. | On RMC/RM/MHP sites to identify the development. | — | Sec. 2420(2)a (Freestanding table: RMC, RM and MHP row) |

### Multiple-family residential district (RM)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Nameplate (Dwellings) | — | 2 sq ft (only if no freestanding nameplate is used) | — | — | 1 per dwelling (in lieu of freestanding nameplate). | On dwelling. | — | Sec. 2415(1)a (Wall Signs table: RSA et al., For dwellings); Sec. 2415 footnote (2); Sec. 2440(1) |
| Wall Sign - Nameplate (Principal buildings other than residential) | — | 2 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 nameplate wall signs permitted. | On principal building other than a dwelling. | — | Sec. 2415(1)a (Wall Signs table: RSA et al., Principal bldgs other than residential) |
| Wall Sign - Accessory | — | 25 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 accessory wall sign. | On building wall. | — | Sec. 2415(1)a (Wall Signs table: RSA et al., Accessory); Sec. 2415(2) |
| Freestanding Sign - Nameplate (Dwellings) | 6 ft | 2 sq ft | — | 0 ft from street; 0 ft from RSA or RU-1 district. | 1 per dwelling (in lieu of wall nameplate). | On the dwelling’s zoning lot. | — | Sec. 2420(2)a (Freestanding table: RSA et al., For dwellings); Sec. 2420 footnote (1); Sec. 2440(2) |
| Freestanding Accessory Sign - Principal buildings other than residential | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | From Street: minimum yard setbacks apply; From RSA or RU-1 district: 50 ft (from property line). | 1 per zoning lot. | On zoning lot of principal building other than residential. | — | Sec. 2420(2)a (Freestanding table: RSA et al., Principal bldgs other than residential) |
| Freestanding Accessory Sign - Multifamily Development Identification | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 25 ft from street; 50 ft from RSA or RU-1 district. | 1 per zoning lot. | On RMC/RM/MHP sites to identify the development. | — | Sec. 2420(2)a (Freestanding table: RMC, RM and MHP row) |

## Prohibited signs in Vienna Township

- No sign (except those established and maintained by governmental units) may be located in, project into, or overhang a public right-of-way or dedicated public easement (Sec. 2410(2)).
- Illuminated signs may not be of the flashing or intermittent type (Sec. 2410(6)).
- Erecting, altering, or relocating any sign that requires a permit without prior approval and issuance of a sign permit is prohibited (Sec. 2440(1)–(2)).
- After a permit is issued, a sign may not be moved to another location or structurally altered without approval of the official or board that granted the original permit (Sec. 2440(3)).
- Abandoned signs are prohibited and must be removed (any sign on property vacant or a building unoccupied for 90 days or more, or any sign referring to a time/event/purpose that no longer applies; exception for temporary business suspension up to 180 days) (Sec. 2450(3)).

## Signs exempt from permit in Vienna Township

- Items excluded from the definition of 'sign' and therefore exempt: (a) signs not exceeding 1 square foot bearing only property numbers, post box numbers, or names of occupants; (b) flags and insignia of any government, except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion; (c) legal notices, identification information, or directional signs erected by governmental bodies (Sec. 2405).
- Political signs are exempt from the ordinance, provided they are not located within the public street right-of-way, are not installed more than 90 days before the election, and are removed within 14 days after the election (Sec. 2445(1)).
- On-site directional or instructional traffic signs that do not advertise or identify a business (except by logo) are exempt from the general conditions of Sec. 2410; they are limited to 4 square feet in area, 6 feet in height, and within 25 feet of any street right-of-way no more than two such signs are permitted per driveway entrance/exit (Sec. 2410(7)).
- Residential dwelling nameplates are exempt from sign permit requirements (Sec. 2440(1)–(2)).
- Sale/lease/rent signs allowed under Sec. 2435(1) are exempt from sign permit requirements (Sec. 2415(2)(d); Sec. 2440(2)).
- Directional signs required for orientation when established by governmental units are permitted in all districts (Sec. 2410(3)).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- General permits: Except for residential nameplates, sale/lease/rent signs under Sec. 2435(1), and political signs, most signs require building inspector approval and a permit before installation or alteration (Sec. 2440(1)–(2)).
- Wall signs: Permits required for all wall signs except sale/lease/rent signs under Sec. 2435(1) (Sec. 2415(2)(d)).
- Freestanding accessory, residential entranceway, and nonaccessory signs: Building inspector approval and a permit are required before erection or alteration; a new permit is required if relocated or increased in area/dimension (Sec. 2440(2)).
- Nonaccessory signs: Allowed only in I-1 with Zoning Board of Appeals approval; permits issued for two years and may be renewed by the building inspector; inspection fee required; subject to Sec. 2440 permit requirements (Sec. 2425).
- Entranceway structures/signs identifying developments: May be permitted by the building inspector; if located within a public or private street right-of-way, require approval by the jurisdiction/owner and by the Zoning Board of Appeals; permit issuance required (Sec. 2430(2)).
- Real estate development signs and temporary construction signs: Permit required; cash bond required; permits valid for one year and renewable by the building inspector; inspection fee required (Sec. 2435(4)).
- After a sign permit is issued, any move or structural alteration requires approval by the original permitting authority and an additional fee (Sec. 2440(3)).

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

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