Are LED Signs Allowed in Greenville, Montcalm County, Michigan? A Guide to Permits, Sizes, and Zoning
EMC Sign Allowed?
✅ Yes. EMC signs are permitted in Greenville, provided they follow the city’s Signs and Illumination Standards (§ 46-259). This means:
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All EMCs must be designed to prevent glare and visual interference.
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Illumination must be shielded and directed downward to avoid spilling onto adjacent properties or roadways.
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Lighting must not interfere with traffic signals or create unsafe conditions.
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Signs cannot exceed brightness levels or operate in a way that constitutes a public nuisance.
🔗 Full Ordinance – City of Greenville Sign Code
🔗 Zoning & Parcel View – City of Greenville Zoning & Parcel View
EMC Sign Summary Table
| Feature | Answer |
|---|---|
| Zoning districts that allow EMCs | Any district where illuminated signs are permitted (commercial, industrial, some civic) |
| EMC sign styles allowed | Monument, freestanding, wall (treated as illuminated signs) |
| Off-premise EMCs allowed | ❌ No (signs must advertise on-premises use only) |
| EMCs allowed in ROW | ❌ Not allowed |
| Minimum setback required | Must comply with general sign setback requirements per zoning district |
| Use restrictions | EMCs must comply with brightness, shielding, and non-interference rules |
Zoning District Overview
Greenville regulates signs by zoning classification under its Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 46).
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Commercial and Industrial districts generally permit freestanding, monument, and wall signs, including illuminated types (and by extension, EMCs).
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Residential districts restrict signage primarily to small identification or non-illuminated signs.
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Civic / institutional uses (schools, churches, public buildings) may apply for monument-style illuminated signs, which can incorporate EMCs if they meet § 46-259 illumination standards.
Zoning-Specific Standards
Below is an example framework based on Greenville’s zoning practices. Exact dimensions depend on each district’s sign regulations:
Commercial Zoning Districts
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| EMC allowed | ✅ Yes (as illuminated signs) |
| Permitted sign types | Freestanding, monument, wall |
| Maximum number of signs | Based on street frontage |
| Maximum area | Determined by frontage and zoning code |
| Maximum height | Set by zoning district (typically 20–30 ft for freestanding) |
| Illumination | ✅ Allowed if shielded and non-glare (§ 46-259) |
| Animated / flashing | ❌ Not expressly permitted; EMCs must use static or timed message changes |
| Off-premise | ❌ Not allowed |
Industrial Zoning Districts
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| EMC allowed | ✅ Yes |
| Permitted sign types | Monument, freestanding, wall |
| Height & area | Larger allowances than commercial districts |
| Illumination | ✅ Allowed under § 46-259 |
| Off-premise | ❌ Not allowed |
Residential & Civic
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| EMC allowed | Limited — only for civic/institutional uses (schools, churches) |
| Sign types | Monument signs |
| Height & area | Smaller scale (typically under 10 ft, modest square footage) |
| Illumination | Must comply with shielding, brightness, and safety standards |
Permit Filing Requirements
To install an EMC in Greenville:
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Required forms: Sign permit application (Building Department), plus electrical permit for EMC wiring.
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Permit fee: Varies by size and type; contact the Greenville Building Department.
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City review: Zoning Administrator reviews compliance with sign code and § 46-259 illumination standards.
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Our fee: [Insert your company’s filing fee if applicable].
Local Project Examples
Examples of EMC-style installations in Greenville include:
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Church monument sign displaying service times and community announcements.
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Retail plaza sign with a digital panel integrated into a freestanding structure for rotating tenant promotions.
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School entrance sign with a small EMC to post event updates and closures.
These projects demonstrate Greenville’s willingness to permit EMCs when they respect size, height, and illumination restrictions.
Full Ordinance Text
§ 46-259 Signs and Illumination Standards (excerpt):
“All illumination shall be designed, located, installed, and directed so that no direct or reflected light will cause glare or impair the vision of motorists, pedestrians, or adjacent property owners. Lighting shall not interfere with traffic control devices or create a nuisance. All light fixtures shall be fully shielded to prevent off-site spillover.”
External Reference Links
🗺️ Greenville Zoning & Parcel View
📘 Greenville Zoning Sign Code
📝 Permit Application Portal