Sign Permit Requests
Planning and Zoning Department
A Step-By-Step Guide
INTRODUCTORY MEETING WITH PLANNING STAFF - Staff will assist the applicant by explaining the
review process, review the zoning requirements, and provide site information, review the application
and site plan requirements.
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION - Applicant will submit application to the Zoning Administrator for
review. Fee must be received before any requests are processed.
APPLICATION/SITE PLAN IS INCOMPLETE Staff will prepare a notice of findings/corrections
that will be sent to the applicant or review in person.
APPLICANT SUBMITS REVISIONS Staff reviews for completeness.
ZONING ADMINISTRATOR APPROVAL - Staff will review request to determine if application is complete.
If application is complete and the request meets the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance a sign permit
will be issued.
STAFF ISSUES PERMIT A copy of the application is given to the applicant along with a copy of the permit
for their file.
SITE VISIT TO CLOSE OUT PERMIT Staff will go out to perform a site visit to determine if the
construction has met the requirements of the ordinance. If there are no issues, letter of compliance is
prepared and mailed to applicant, permit is closed.
If there are issues, staff will work with the applicant to see corrections are made and the requirements of the
ordinance are met.
Sign permit standards are found in Article 21
Sign permit definitions are found in Section 220 S
Signs in the Historic District require a certificate of appropriateness for signage; with approval from the Museum
Director/Curator (including window signs that do not require a sign permit)
If there is signage on an awning it is considered a sign
Signs that project into the right-of-way (projecting signs, in C-2 & C-3), or awnings over the right-of-way require
a building permit. Applicant is to contact the Building Inspector.
(5/19)
4
5
1
2
2a
a.
a
2b
a.
a
3
Planning & Zoning
395 Third Street
Manistee, MI 49660
231.723.6041 (phone)
231.398.3526 (fax)
Sign Permit Application
Please Print
Property Information
Address:
Parcel #
Applicant Information
Name of Owner or Lessee:
Address:
Phone #:
e-mail:
Name of Contractor (if applicable):
Address:
Phone #:
e-mail:
License Number:
Expiration Date:
Project Information check all that apply
New
Replacement
Type of Sign check all that apply
Ground Mount
*Marquee
[Includes awning/canopy]
*Pole
[Only allowed on US 31]
Portable
*Projecting
*Suspended
Wall
* Requires Building Permit
Illumination check all that apply
Internal Requires Electrical Permit
Non-Illuminated
Building Dimensions
Front:
Side:
Side:
Rear:
Sign Information
Sign Area:
[In Square Feet]
Grade Clearance:
Only Applies to Ground Mount Marquee, Pole,
Projecting and Suspended Sign
Authorization
I hereby certify that the proposed work is authorized by the owner of record and that I have been authorized by the owner
to make this application as his authorized agent, and we agree to conform to all applicable laws of the State of Michigan.
All information submitted on this application is accurate to the best of my knowledge.
Applicant Signature: ______________________________________ Date: __________
By signing the application the Applicant and Owner agree to comply with the requirements of Article 21 Signs of the City of
Manistee Zoning Ordinance. Sign Plan for project attached (permit cannot be issued without plan)
Office Use Only
Fee: $50.00
Receipt #
Zoning District:
Notes:
Signature: _____________________________________________ Date: ______________________
Sign Permit Application Page 1 of 2
Sign Plan Requirements
A plan, at a scale determined by the Administrator to be reasonable, illustrating the following
elements of the proposed or modified signage:
Included
1. Sign type, per the definitions in Section 220;
Included
2. Dimensional characteristics, such as height, width, vertical clearances, and area;
Included
3. Colors, materials, appearance, and lighting of the signage;
Included
4. Relationship with buildings or structures;
Included
5. Setbacks from buildings, landscaping, driveways, and rights-of-way; and,
Included
6. Locations of any existing signage in the subject development or on the subject
parcel. The site plan shall also include proposed and existing signage not requiring
a permit.
Zoning Requirements
Permit Lapse. A sign permit shall lapse if the business activity on the premises is discontinued for a
period of six (6) months, unless the business is a seasonal activity, in which case, the sign permit shall
lapse if the business activity is discontinued through one (1) normal business season. A sign whose
permit has lapsed shall be removed by the owner within thirty (30) days of receipt of notice to
remove from the City. If the event the owner fails to remove a sign in accord with such an order, the
sign may be removed by the City, at the owner’s expense, without notice or action from the City.
The City shall reserve the right to place a lien on the property on which the sign exists to recover any
expense associated with sign removal.
Permit Assignment. A sign permit shall be assignable to the successor of a business on the same
parcel, except where the proposed sign is materially or substantially different in any way to the sign
which was permitted. The Administrator shall make this determination.
The complete set of Zoning Requirements for Signs can be found in the City of Manistee Zoning
Ordinance Article 21 Signs.
Sign Permit Application Page 2 of 2