Michigan municipalities have a wide range of regulations regarding when and where political yard signs are posted.
In the state of Michigan each municipality has its own rules regarding the posting of political signs, while the Michigan Department of Transportation regulates the publication of political signs in public areas and roadways. These regulations vary by jurisdiction, but follow the same general guidelines.
Time Frame
Political signs in the city of Allen Park may be posted as early as 60 days before an election, while the village of Manchester allows political signs to be posted 45 days prior to an election and St. Clair Shores allows a one month window. In Ann Arbor, political yard signs are not mandated by time limits; rather, they are limited by the condition of the signs. In the cities of Saline and St. Clair Shores, political signs must be removed no later than 10 days following an election, whereas Manchester gives residents only five days to remove political signs.
Size
Different municipalities in Michigan require that political signs fit certain dimensions before they can be posted. Ann Arbor allows residents to post political yard signs if their height does not exceed 48 inches and the width does not exceed 36 inches, including the base of the sign. The bottom of political yard signs in Ann Arbor must be at least six inches from the ground. The city of St. Claire Shores allows yard signs that are no bigger than three feet in height and four feet in width. The signs must not protrude more than five feet from the top of the curb.
Permits
St. Clair Shores does not require residents to obtain a permit to post political yard signs, however political candidates and organizations must receive the permission of home or property owner before erecting them. Allen Park does not require permits for political yard signs, but it too requires the permission of the property owner.
Placement
Although homeowners in Michigan are free to exercise their right to support or oppose a political candidate or position, drivers have the right to have an unobstructed view of roads and traffic signs. Saline does not allow political yard signs posted in any area that obstructs the view of traffic, and will remove them promptly. The city of Ann Arbor requires yard signs be placed a minimum of 15 feet from the street and five feet from the sidewalk's edge. If a "legally existing obstruction" does not allow the poster to follow those guidelines, the sign may be placed right in front of the legal obstruction. St. Clair Shores bans all political yard signs placed on a right-of-way that could pose a danger to the public, as well as on public property.
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