Royal Oak, MI Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Section 607-3 defines a POLITICAL SIGN as one relating to the election of a person to public office, a political party, or an issue to be voted on at an election called by a public body. Section 607-8, which lists signs permitted at all locations throughout the City subject to the conditions and limitations set forth in that section, states that permits are not required unless otherwise indicated, and subsection I lists temporary signs, including signs advertising property currently for sale or lease, signs advertising an on-going garage or estate sale, and political signs, among those permitted signs.

Section 607-9K, added by Ordinance No. 2017-11, adds a size limit specific to residential lots: temporary signs with a maximum area of six square feet are permitted on property lawfully used for one- and two-family residential uses. The Substitution Clause in § 607-18 reinforces that a political message may replace any commercial message on a sign that is otherwise permitted, so a business's existing wall or freestanding sign face can carry a political message instead without separately qualifying under the temporary-sign category. The Enforcement Official, defined in § 607-3 as the Building Official or a designee, administers the chapter and can issue a notice of violation under § 607-17 if a political sign exceeds the size limit or is placed somewhere Chapter 607 does not permit it, such as within the public right-of-way outside Sign Area 3.