Each sign face that is visible from a freeway, primary highway, or interstate and is regulated by the Michigan Department of Transportation requires a permit. Signs regulated by the Highway Advertising Act of 1972, as amended, are located outside of the Right-of-Way, on private property. The Right-of-Way is all the land owned by the department for the purpose of highway construction, operation, and maintenance. It is always considerably wider than just the paved roadway and shoulders.

If a sign is an on-premises sign, a permit is not required. An on-premises sign is a sign advertising activities conducted or maintained on the property on which it is located.