# Sign Regulations in Auburn Hills, Michigan

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Auburn Hills, Michigan, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Auburn Hills, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/auburn-hills
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-28
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.auburnhills.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Article-18-General-Provisions-Last-amended-on-6-17-24-.pdf#page=19)

## At a glance

Auburn Hills, Michigan regulates 27 sign types across 14 zoning districts. Billboard (Static)s in the Light Industrial (I-1) zoning district are capped at ≤55 ft measured from natural grade to top of billboard tall, ≤672 sq ft (14 ft high x 48 ft wide), and ≤48 ft (as part of 14x48 ft size) wide, with a ≥25 ft from any property line; ≥55 ft from any structure (on or off premises) setback (Sec. §1811(2)(b)(1–7) Billboards – Purpose & Standards). Most commercial signs in Auburn Hills require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (14 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | ≤12 ft | Entrance sign(s): ≤80 sq ft per sign; On-site directional: ≤6 sq ft each; Off-site non-accessory directional to development: ≤64 sq ft per sign | — |
| Non-Residential Zoning Districts | 5 | ≤20 ft | Per sign: ≤150 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts | 3 | ≤12 ft | ≤32 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts (Non-Dwelling Uses) | 2 | ≤6 ft | Per sign: ≤100 sq ft | — |
| One-Family Residential Districts (R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4) | 3 | ≤6 ft | ≤32 sq ft | — |
| Multiple Family Residential Districts (RM-1, RM-2, RM-3) | 3 | ≤12 ft | ≤32 sq ft | — |
| Mobile Home Park (MHP) | 3 | ≤12 ft | ≤32 sq ft | — |
| Office (O); Limited Business (B-1); General Business (B-2) | 5 | ≤20 ft | Per sign: ≤150 sq ft; premises total per formula | — |
| Technology and Research (T&R) | 3 | ≤20 ft | Per sign: ≤150 sq ft; premises total per formula | — |
| Special Purpose (SP) | 3 | ≤20 ft | Per sign: ≤150 sq ft; premises total per formula | — |
| Downtown District (D) | 3 | ≤20 ft (subject to any additional Downtown-specific limits not included here) | Per sign: ≤150 sq ft; premises total per formula | — |
| Light Industrial (I-1) | 5 | ≤55 ft measured from natural grade to top of billboard | ≤672 sq ft (14 ft high x 48 ft wide) | — |
| General Industrial (I-2) | 3 | ≤20 ft | Per sign: ≤150 sq ft; premises total per formula | — |
| Heavy Industrial (I-3) | 3 | ≤20 ft | Per sign: ≤150 sq ft; premises total per formula | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 14 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Roof-Mounted Sign | Shall not exceed roof height by more than one-half the distance between the eave (or soffit) and peak; in no instance shall exceed the maximum height of the zoning district | — | — | — | — | Mounted on the face of mansard, hip, gambrel, or gable roofs only | — | §1811(3) Roof-Mounted Signs (Article XVIII, General Provisions 18-23) |
| Manual Changeable Copy Sign (Component) | — | Not more than 50% of the total area of any individual sign | — | — | — | As part of permitted signs | — | §1811(D)(2) Manual Changeable Copy Signs |
| Grand Opening / Annual Sale Signs (Temporary) | — | Up to 20% increase over normally permitted sign area during the limited period | — | — | — | On the premises of the business | — | §1811(D)(3); §1811(5)(H–L) |
| Construction Sign (Temporary) | ≤12 ft | ≤32 sq ft per side | — | Meet freestanding sign setback requirements | 1 per development | Confined to the site under construction | — | §1811(D)(4) Construction Signs |
| Real Estate Development Signs (Temporary – Residential Development) | Entrance sign(s): ≤12 ft; On-site directional: ≤5 ft; Off-site directional: ≤12 ft | Entrance sign(s): ≤80 sq ft per sign; On-site directional: ≤6 sq ft each; Off-site non-accessory directional to development: ≤64 sq ft per sign | — | Meet freestanding sign setback requirements | Entrance: 1 per vehicle entrance; On-site directional: as needed; Off-site: as permitted, subject to spacing | At each vehicle entrance (on-site); on-site directional to models/sales/rental; off-site directional on qualifying major thoroughfares | — | §1811(D)(5)(a–e) Real Estate Development Signs |
| Large Format Temporary Wall Mural | — | — | — | — | 1 per site at a time | Attached directly to building facade; must be accessory to on-site business (no off-premise advertising; no event advertising unless charitable) | — | §1811(D)(8)(a–g) Large Format Temporary Wall Murals (Amended 9-10-12, Ord. 12-852) |

### Office (O); Limited Business (B-1); General Business (B-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Non-Residential) | ≤20 ft | Per sign: ≤150 sq ft; premises total per formula | — | Setback at least equal to sign height and ≥3 ft from ROW; outside visual clearance triangle (25 ft) | 1 per vehicle entrance | On premises | — | §1811(D)(1)(a)(1)(a–c); §1811(D)(1)(e) |
| Wall Sign (Non-Residential) | — | Per sign: ≤150 sq ft | — | — | As needed within allocated area | On building facade | — | §1811(D)(1); §1811(D)(1)(e)(2–3); §1811(D)(1)(g) |
| Automatic Changeable Copy Monument Sign (Special Land Use) | ≤10 ft | Total sign face area limited implicitly by 75% rule and site allowances | ≤12 ft | ≥10 ft from front property line | — | On premises in O, B‑1, B‑2 districts | — | §1811(3)(C)(1)(a–g) Automatic Changeable Copy Signs (permitted locations include O, B‑1, B‑2) |
| Manual Changeable Copy Sign (Component) | — | ≤50% of any individual sign | — | — | — | On permitted wall/freestanding signs | — | §1811(D)(2); §1811(3)(C)(1)(h) |
| Real Estate Sign (Non-Residential Property For Sale/Rent) | ≤12 ft | ≤32 sq ft | — | Meet freestanding sign setback requirements | 1 per parcel | On parcel for sale/rent | — | §1811(D)(6) |

### Light Industrial (I-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Non-Residential) | ≤20 ft | Per sign: ≤150 sq ft; premises total per formula | — | Setback at least equal to sign height and ≥3 ft from ROW; outside visual clearance triangle | 1 per vehicle entrance | On premises | — | §1811(D)(1)(a)(1)(a–c); §1811(D)(1)(e) |
| Wall Sign (Non-Residential) | — | Per sign: ≤150 sq ft | — | — | — | On building facade | — | §1811(D)(1); §1811(D)(1)(e)(2–3); §1811(D)(1)(g) |
| Non-Accessory Sign (Off-Premise) – Industrial Districts | — | Included within maximum size limitations for the district (e.g., per-sign ≤150 sq ft; premises totals per non-residential formula) | — | Meet freestanding sign setback requirements if freestanding | ≤1 off-premise sign per lot | On industrial-zoned lots | — | §1811(8)(A–B) Non-Residential Non-Accessory Signs |
| Billboard (Static) | ≤55 ft measured from natural grade to top of billboard | ≤672 sq ft (14 ft high x 48 ft wide) | ≤48 ft (as part of 14x48 ft size) | ≥25 ft from any property line; ≥55 ft from any structure (on or off premises) | Subject to 4,000-ft spacing from other billboards | Only on I-1 parcels that directly abut I‑75 right-of-way | — | §1811(2)(b)(1–7) Billboards – Purpose & Standards |
| Billboard with LED Digital Display (Automatic Changeable Copy Component) | ≤55 ft (billboard overall) | Static billboard size limits still apply (≤14x48 ft). LED display size not separately specified for billboards | ≤48 ft (billboard overall) | Same as billboard | Subject to billboard spacing rules | Only where billboards are permitted (I‑1 abutting I‑75) | — | §1811(2)(b)(8)(a–h) LED Digital Display on Billboards (Amended 1-25-16, Ord. 872) |

## Prohibited signs in Auburn Hills

- No sign may be attached or placed on a building so as to obstruct any fire escape or means of ingress/egress.
- Non-government signs may not be located in, project into, or overhang a public right-of-way, public easement, or public property; City Council may grant an exception in City right-of-way.
- Flashing or intermittent illumination is prohibited.
- Rotating or moving signs are prohibited.
- Animated signs are prohibited.
- Projecting signs are prohibited.
- Signs that simulate or imitate traffic signs/signals or similar devices in a way that interferes with, misleads, or confuses traffic are prohibited.
- Portable signs are prohibited, except for approved grand opening/annual sale signs.
- Cold/hot air or helium inflatable balloons are prohibited, except for approved grand opening/annual sale signs.
- Festoon signs or banners are prohibited, except for approved grand opening/annual sale signs.
- Searchlights or spotlights for advertising are prohibited, except for grand openings/annual sales or where permitted as a Special Land Use.
- Temporary signs are prohibited, except for approved grand opening/annual sale signs.
- No sign may be located at street corners or site access drives where it would obscure the vision of drivers or pedestrians, or conflict with traffic control signals.
- Signs on trailers are prohibited.
- Painted signs directly on building walls are prohibited.
- Signs utilizing LCD, television, video projection, or similar technology are prohibited.
- No sign (including cables, guys, or supports) may be within six feet of any electrical conductor, electric light pole, street lamp, traffic light, or other public utility pole/standard.
- No open spark or flame may be used for display purposes unless specifically approved by the Community Development Department.
- Illuminated signs must be shielded and directed to avoid glare onto adjacent parcels/streets and must be directed away from and shielded from adjacent residential areas.
- Maintaining unsafe signs or signs that are an immediate hazard is prohibited; such signs must be repaired or removed promptly (within 48 hours for immediate hazards).
- Maintaining signs for a discontinued use beyond 30 days is prohibited (signs must be removed within 30 days of discontinuance).

## Signs exempt from permit in Auburn Hills

- No permit required for identification signs under 3 square feet conveying street numbers or the name of person(s) (not a business).
- No permit required for government signs up to 6 square feet that warn of danger, prohibition, regulation, regulate parking, or inform of historical significance.
- No permit required for residential real estate signs up to 6 square feet (one per parcel).
- No permit required for one outline tubing sign stating only 'open'/'closed' or 'vacancy'/'no vacancy', limited to 2 square feet.
- No permit required for incidental signs on operable, currently licensed motor vehicles, provided parking is not primarily for sign display; if parked for advertising, it must advertise only the on-premises establishment and is treated as a Special Land Use.
- No permit required for window signs when the sign area does not exceed 30% of the window area.
- No permit required for incidental signs visible only from the premises (not counted toward site sign area).
- No permit required for political signs on private property with owner consent; must be removed within 7 days after the election.
- No permit required for directional/informational government signs established by City, County, State, or Federal government.
- Murals that do not function as signs (do not advertise a business, product, service, or activity) are not regulated by the Zoning Ordinance.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs require approval by the Community Development Department and, if required, a sign permit prior to establishment; a permit is also required for structural alterations, change between accessory and non-accessory status, repair/re-erection, moving, or reconstruction.
- Automatic changeable copy signs require Special Land Use approval per Section 1818 by the City Council after site plan review and a public hearing by the Planning Commission; also require a sign permit.
- City Council may allow extended hours of operation for automatic changeable copy signs when no negative impact to residential areas is anticipated; otherwise limited to business hours or 6:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m., whichever is less.
- Vehicle-based advertising (incidental signs on vehicles parked for advertising) is considered a Special Land Use and must meet Section 1818 requirements.
- Searchlights or spotlights for advertising purposes require Special Land Use approval under Section 1818 (except for grand openings/annual sales).
- LED digital displays on billboards require acceptance by the City Council of a development agreement detailing use restrictions and other conditions before approval.
- Variations from billboard provisions (including conversion of a static billboard to LED digital display) are only permitted via Section 1830 Planned Unit Development Option at the sole discretion of the City Council; applicants may not seek relief from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
- Large format temporary wall murals require a sign permit; denial may be appealed in writing to the City Council for a hearing, and denials based on Building or Fire Code may be appealed to the Construction Board of Appeals; applicant must have written authorization from the property owner.
- City Council may grant an exception to allow signs in City rights-of-way.
- Downtown District signs are subject to additional requirements and restrictions in Sections 907(7) and 1811D(7).

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 14 zoning districts in Auburn Hills — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Auburn+Hills+MI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-auburn-hills

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