# Sign Regulations in Bellevue, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Bellevue, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/bellevue
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/33177498#33177498)

## At a glance

Bellevue, Michigan regulates 32 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the BOS District, B-2 District zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 32 sq ft per face, with a Minimum 5 ft from street right-of-way. setback (Sec. §155-21.07A(1)(a-d)). Most commercial signs in Bellevue require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | — | 60 sq ft | — |
| Agricultural Districts, Residential Districts | 7 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Multiple-family residential units and mobile home park districts | 1 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| BOS District, B-2 District | 11 | 30 ft | 120 sq ft per face | — |
| Industrial Districts | 3 | 35 ft | 300 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Signs | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §155-21.03; §155-21.04 |
| Wall Sign (Nameplate or Occupational Sign) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §155-21.03B(1) |
| Memorial Sign or Tablet | — | — | — | — | — | Cut into masonry or constructed of bronze or aluminum. | — | §155-21.03B(2) |
| Traffic or Municipal, Legal Notices, Danger, Emergency or Nonadvertising Signs | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §155-21.03B(3) |
| Real Estate Sign (Rental, Sale or Lease) | — | — | — | — | — | On property being advertised. | — | §155-21.03B(4); also see zone-specific. |
| Directional Sign (On-site Traffic & Parking) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §155-21.03B(6) |
| Barber Pole | — | — | — | — | — | At least 7 feet above pedestrian right-of-way. | — | §155-21.03B(8) |
| Menu Board (Drive-through Restaurant) | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | — | Drive-through restaurants. | — | §155-21.03B(9) |

### Agricultural Districts, Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Real Estate For Subdivisions/Developments) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | To advertise lots/buildings in subdivision or development. | — | §155-21.06A(1)(a) |
| Ground Sign (Funeral Homes) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 | On premises of funeral home. | — | §155-21.06A(1)(c) |
| Wall Sign (Dwelling Nameplate) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit | On dwelling. | — | §155-21.06A(2)(a) |
| Temporary Sign (Garage Sale) | — | 4 sq ft | — | At least 10 feet inside property line. | 1 per permit; additional by approval | Must be placed at least 10 feet within the property line of said premises. | — | §69-5A; §155-21.06A(3)(a) |
| Temporary Sign (Banners & Pennants for Open House) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §155-21.06A(3)(b) |
| Temporary Sign (Construction Sign) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per site | On construction or remodeling premises. | — | §155-21.06A(3)(c) |
| Temporary Sign (Real Estate For Sale/Lease/Rent) | 6 ft | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | On property being advertised. | — | §155-21.06A(3)(d) |

### BOS District, B-2 District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per face | — | Minimum 5 ft from street right-of-way. | 1 (2 on corner lots) | Accessory to development, not closer than 5 ft to right-of-way line. | — | §155-21.07A(1)(a-d) |
| Pole Sign | 30 ft | 120 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 | Accessory to development. | — | §155-21.07A(2)(a-f) |
| Projecting Sign | 25 ft above grade (or lower of: sills of first windows above first story, lowest part of roof) | 24 sq ft per face (34 sq ft per face if public message device) | — | — | 1 per entrance | One at each entrance to business/office; must be at least 10 ft above ground. | — | §155-21.07A(3)(a-d) |
| Wall Sign | — | Dependent on wall size (≤10% of wall area). >50 sq ft signs must be of noncombustible material. | — | — | 1 per business per wall | On all street/parking/alley sides of building; one per business tenant. | — | §155-21.07A(4)(a-f) |
| Awning/Canopy/Marquee Sign | — | Counted as part of total wall sign area (max 10% of wall area). | — | — | — | On awning/canopy/marquee; min 7'6" above ground. | — | §155-21.07A(5)(a) |
| Window Sign | — | ≤30% of glass area | — | — | — | Window facing front. | — | §155-21.07A(6)(a) |
| Temporary Sign (For Sale or Rental of Units) | — | 6 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per unit (2 on corner lots) | On property/unit for sale or rent. | — | §155-21.07A(7)(a) |
| Temporary Sign (Construction) | — | 64 sq ft per face | — | — | — | On building/lot where construction is carried on. | — | §155-21.07A(7)(b) |

## Prohibited signs in Bellevue

- It is unlawful to erect, alter or relocate any sign within the Village without first obtaining a permit, except as specifically exempted.
- No sign shall be illuminated by other than electrical means or devices, and wiring shall be installed in accordance with all Codes and Ordinances.
- Illuminations shall not be of a flashing, intermittent flashing.
- No sign shall be erected in a manner as to obstruct free and clear traffic vision.
- The face of all signs shall be smooth; no nails, tacks or wires are permitted to protrude from the front of any sign (block letters, reflectors, etc., excepted).
- It is unlawful to display upon any sign or advertising structure any specified anatomical areas or specified sexual activities.
- Any sign that no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted, or product, entertainment, service or commodity offered or sold on the lot, must be removed within 30 days after notice (except signs of historic value as determined by the Zoning Board of Appeals).
- No sign shall be erected or placed in the public right-of-way unless specifically authorized.
- All freestanding, ground, pole, portable, and pylon signs shall be set back not less than five feet from all street right-of-way lines except as otherwise provided.
- All wall signs shall be of noncombustible material.
- All wall signs shall be attached by metal anchors, bolts, or expansion screws (not wire, strips of wood, or nails).
- Sign permit may be revoked at any time upon violation of any conditions; incomplete work after 4 months voids permit.
- Unsafe, insecure, or unlawfully installed signs must be repaired, brought into conformance, or removed promptly upon notice; Zoning Administrator may remove unsafe/unlawful signs at owner's expense if not complied with.
- Signs, supporting structures, and immediate premises must be maintained in good repair, good working order, and sanitary condition.
- No temporary sign shall be strung on a building exterior, sign structure, or across any public right of way, nor project beyond the property line except as authorized by the Village Council.

## Signs exempt from permit in Bellevue

- Wall signs used as nameplates, not exceeding two square feet in area.
- Occupational signs denoting only the name and profession of occupants in a commercial, public, or institutional building, not exceeding two square feet in area.
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings, and date of erection when cut into masonry or constructed of bronze/aluminum.
- Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices, danger and such temporary emergency or nonadvertising signs.
- Sign advertising rental, sale or lease of the property upon which it is located.
- Gasoline price signs.
- Directional signs regulating on-site traffic and parking, not more than six square feet.
- Flags bearing the official design of a nation, state, municipality, educational institution, organization or as approved by the Zoning Administrator.
- Barber poles, at least seven feet above pedestrian right-of-way.
- Menu boards at drive-through restaurants with a maximum size of 60 square feet.
- Painting, repainting, servicing, or cleaning a sign, or changing advertising copy or message, unless a structural change is made.
- Repair to a conforming sign damaged by winds, vandalism, fire, or act of God does not require a permit so long as each repair restores the sign to original design and meets all codes.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permit required for any sign erection, alteration, or relocation unless specifically exempted.
- Permit applications require site information, plans, owner consent, structural/electrical information, and any other information required by the Zoning Administrator.
- A permit is not transferable between owners; any change in the name of a business on a sign requires a permit.
- Illuminated signs require both an electrical and building permit in addition to the sign permit.
- Permit fee must be paid prior to erection or alteration of any sign unless exempted.
- A sign plan is not explicitly mentioned, nor is a master sign plan; approval processes such as for pole signs (in BOS and B-2 districts) and attention-getting devices require Planning Commission or Zoning Board of Appeals, which might function similarly to plan review or require a variance meeting.

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

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