# Sign Regulations in Belding, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Belding, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/belding
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/Belding/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=APXBZO_CH16SIDERE_S16.4SI)

## At a glance

Belding, Michigan regulates 16 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, RM-1, RM-2) zoning district are capped at 6 ft. tall and 32 sq. ft., with a 15 ft. from side or rear property line setback (Sec. Section 16.4.J.1, Table 16.4-1). Most commercial signs in Belding require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, RM-1, RM-2) | 6 | 6 ft. | 60 sq. ft. | — |
| Office Service District (OS-1) | 5 | 6 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| Neighborhood Business District (B-1) | 8 | 30 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| General Business District (B-2) | 6 | 35 ft. for pole sign; 6 ft. for ground sign | 150 sq. ft. | — |
| Industrial District (I-1) | 5 | 20 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | — |
| Parking District (P-1) | 5 | 20 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, RM-1, RM-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | 15 ft. from side or rear property line | 1 per major entrance | 15 ft. from side or rear property line; 1 per major entrance | — | Section 16.4.J.1, Table 16.4-1 |
| Wall Sign | — | 40 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On wall facing street; 1 per street frontage | — | Section 16.4.J.1, Table 16.4-1 |
| Roof Sign | — | 60 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per structure | 1 per structure | — | Table 16.4-1, Note 4 |
| Temporary Sign - Political | 6 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | 15 ft. from side or rear property line | 1 per issue or candidate | 15 ft. from side or rear property line | — | Table 16.4-2 |
| Temporary Sign - Real Estate | 6 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | 15 ft. from any side or rear lot line | 1 per lot | 15 ft. from any side or rear lot line | — | Table 16.4-2 |
| Temporary Sign - Portable | 4 ft. (including frame/chassis/wheels) | 20 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft. from front lot line, 15 ft. from side or rear lot line | 1 per lot or parcel | 5 ft. from front lot line, 15 ft. from side or rear lot line | — | Table 16.4-2 |

### Neighborhood Business District (B-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft. from front; 15 ft. from side/rear | 1 per lot | 5 ft. from front property line, 15 ft. from side or rear property line | — | Table 16.4-1 |
| Wall Sign | — | 40 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On wall facing street; 1 per street frontage | — | Table 16.4-1 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 40 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On wall facing street; 1 per street frontage | — | Table 16.4-1, Note 3 |
| Business Center Sign | 30 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per center | One per center | — | Section 16.4.J.3.b. |
| Marquee Sign | — | 25 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per marquee/street frontage | On front fascia of marquee | — | Section 16.4.J.4.a. |
| Awning Sign | — | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per awning/street frontage | Awning | — | Section 16.4.J.4.b. |
| Temporary Sign - Political | 6 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft. from lot line or adjacent building | 1 per issue/candidate | 5 ft. from lot line or adjacent building | — | Table 16.4-2 |
| Temporary Sign - Real Estate | 6 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft. from any side or rear lot line | 1 per lot | 5 ft. from any side or rear lot line | — | Table 16.4-2 |

### General Business District (B-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft. from front; 15 ft. from side/rear | 1 per lot (Option 1: either ground or pole) | 5 ft. from front property line; 15 ft. from side or rear property line; 1 per lot. (See Option with Pole Sign) | — | Table 16.4-1 |
| Pole Sign | 20 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft. from front; 15 ft. from side/rear | 1 per lot (Option 2: either pole or ground) | 5 ft. from front property line; 15 ft. from side or rear property line; 1 per lot (in lieu of ground sign) | — | Table 16.4-1 |
| Wall Sign | — | 60 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On wall facing street; 1 per street frontage | — | Table 16.4-1 |
| Business Center Sign | 35 ft. for pole sign; 6 ft. for ground sign | 150 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. from property line for ground sign; 15 ft. for pole sign | 1 per street frontage; max 2 per center | 10 ft. from property line for ground or pole sign; 15 ft. for pole sign; minimum 10 ft. visual clearance required for pole signs. | — | Section 16.4.J.3.a. |
| Temporary Sign - Political | 6 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | 15 ft. from side or rear lot line | 1 per issue/candidate | 15 ft. from side or rear lot line | — | Table 16.4-2 |
| Temporary Sign - Real Estate | 6 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | — | 15 ft. from any side or rear lot line | 1 per lot | 15 ft. from any side or rear lot line | — | Table 16.4-2 |

## Prohibited signs in Belding

- No person shall erect, alter, place or permit to be placed, or replace any sign without first obtaining a sign permit, except those specifically exempted from permit requirements.
- Signs shall be maintained free of peeling paint or paper, fading, staining, rust, or other condition which impairs legibility or intelligibility or creates a blighting, unsightly or unsafe condition.
- Sign supports, braces, guys and anchors shall be maintained in such a manner as not to cause a hazard.
- When a sign is allowed to be illuminated, if externally illuminated, the source of the light shall be enclosed and directed to prevent the source of light from shining directly onto traffic or residential property.
- No sign shall be placed in, upon or over any public right-of-way, alley, or other public place, except as may be otherwise permitted by this section.
- No light pole, utility pole, or other supporting member shall be used for the placement of any sign unless specifically designed and approved for such use.
- No sign shall be erected in any place where it may, by reason of its position, shape, color, or other characteristic, interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device, or constitute a nuisance per se.
- No commercial vehicle, which in the opinion of the zoning administrator has the intended function of acting as a sign, shall be parked in any area abutting the street.
- Except for electronic displays as allowed by this section, no sign shall employ any flashing, moving, oscillating, blinking, or variable intensity light, provided variable time-temperature signs may be permitted.
- No sign shall contain any moving or animated parts nor have the appearance of having any moving or animated parts.
- No wall sign shall extend above or beyond the edge of the wall to which it is affixed.
- Off-premise signs are prohibited, except special event signs as permitted by this section.
- Vehicle signs are prohibited; however, signs attached to a public transit vehicle or other government-owned vehicle shall be exempt.
- Balloon signs are prohibited, except when allowed as a commercial event sign.
- Signs that are held by or supported by a person for commercial advertising purposes are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Belding

- Directional signs, subject to specific requirements, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Permanent government signs, including those with an electronic display or reader board, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Commercial event signs of four (4) square feet in size or less, except that balloons are not allowed, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Historical markers are exempt from permit requirements.
- Window signs, provided that no more than fifty (50) percent of the window area is covered with signs, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Political signs, subject to specific requirements, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Memorial signs or tablets are exempt from permit requirements.
- Murals, provided that no portion of the mural contains advertising, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Signs not visible from any street or alley are exempt from permit requirements.
- Signs for essential services are exempt from permit requirements.
- Placards not exceeding two (2) square feet are exempt from permit requirements.
- Signs with address, owner, or occupant name, of up to two (2) square feet in area attached to a mailbox, light fixture or exterior wall, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Flags or insignia of any nation, state, city, community organization, or educational institution are exempt from permit requirements.
- Commercial signs mounted to a public transit vehicle or government vehicle are exempt from permit requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Any sign, including its type, size, area, and location, must be shown on site plans and is part of site plan or sketch plan review (see Section 16.1.C.3.a.2.(vi), which requires 'location of any signs not attached to the building' on preliminary site plans; and Section 16.1.C.3.b.1.(x), which requires 'location, sizes, and type of signs and on-site lighting' on final site plans).
- Amendments to an approved final site plan that propose a reduction in the size of any sign or movement of signs by no more than ten (10) feet are considered minor changes and may be approved administratively; other sign changes require a new site plan to be submitted and reviewed (Section 16.1.D.2.c).
- Sign plans are implicitly required as part of the overall site plan and sketch plan review processes for new development, major alterations, or significant changes to any site where signage is proposed or altered.

## 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 7 zoning districts in Belding — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Belding+MI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-belding

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