# Sign Regulations in Brooklyn, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Brooklyn, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/brooklyn
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/Brooklyn/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=MUCO_CH62ZO_ARTIVSURE_DIV2SIRE)

## At a glance

Brooklyn, Michigan regulates 21 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Residential Subdivision, Manufactured Home Park, PUD, Multiple Family, Housing for Elderly)s in the All Residential Districts zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 8 sq ft per side; 16 sq ft total, with a 10 ft from property line setback (Sec. Sec. 62-199(e)). Most commercial signs in Brooklyn require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | 2 sq ft (nameplate and house number), 6 sq ft (memorial sign or tablet) | — |
| All Residential Districts | 5 | 6 ft | 30 sq ft per street frontage | — |
| Central Business (C-1) | 9 | 48 inches | 50% of window area per floor level. | — |
| General Commercial (C-2), Light Industrial (I-1) | 9 | 48 inches | 50% of window area per floor level. | — |
| All Commercial Districts | 4 | 96 in (8 ft) | 30 sq ft per sign; 12 sq ft for wall not facing ROW but visible | — |
| All Industrial Districts | 2 | 96 in (8 ft) | 24 in width x 96 in height | — |
| Marijuana Operations Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |

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

### All Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Yard Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft per sign; up to 18 sq ft per lot | — | — | Up to 18 sq ft total per lot | Private property with property owner’s consent. | — | Sec. 62-203(c)(2)-(3) |
| Freestanding Sign (Residential Subdivision, Manufactured Home Park, PUD, Multiple Family, Housing for Elderly) | 6 ft | 8 sq ft per side; 16 sq ft total | — | 10 ft from property line | 1 per developed area/project | No closer than 10 ft from property line | — | Sec. 62-199(e) |
| Wall Sign (Multiple-Family & Elderly Housing) | — | 30 sq ft per street frontage | — | — | 1 per street frontage | One per project; additional if multiple frontages (one per frontage). | — | Sec. 62-200(e) |
| Wall Sign (Home Occupation & Certain Conditional Uses) | — | 8 sq ft (non-illuminated for home occupation); 30 sq ft (conditional uses) | — | — | 1 per building/tenant | On exterior wall of building. | — | Sec. 62-200(d) |
| Freestanding Sign (Conditional Use: church, school, park, etc.) | 6 ft | 20 sq ft per side; 40 sq ft total | — | 10 ft from property line | 1 per use | No closer than 10 ft from property line. | — | Sec. 62-199(d) |

### Central Business (C-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 ft | 24 sq ft per side; 48 sq ft total | — | At property line (not projecting over ROW) | 1 per premises/center | At property line, cannot project into or over public right-of-way. | — | Sec. 62-199(b) |
| Wall Sign | — | 30 sq ft per sign; 12 sq ft for exposed building surface not facing public street | — | Set back min 1 ft from edge of building. | 1 per exterior wall facing ROW per tenant; additional if multiple frontages | On exterior wall facing public right-of-way (one per tenant); also one per frontage if multiple frontages; 12 sq ft max for wall not facing ROW but visible. | — | Sec. 62-200(a), (b), (c) |
| Blade Sign (Village Theme or Brand) | — | Combined max with wall sign: 30 sq ft per business. | — | — | 1 per business | Perpendicular to wall facing ROW. | — | Sec. 62-201 |
| Marquee Sign | — | Combined with wall sign: max 30 sq ft per business. | — | — | 1 per business | — | — | Sec. 62-201 |
| Portable Temporary Sign | 4 ft (adjacent to ROW) | 8 sq ft per side (adjacent to ROW), 16 sq ft per side (10 ft min from ROW); size on building: 1 sq ft per 2 linear ft building frontage (excluding windows) | — | — | 1 per premises | Adjacent to street ROW, within ROW (only C-1), or attached to building. | — | Sec. 62-203(a) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 48 inches | 8 sq ft per side; up to 16 sq ft total | — | Max 6 ft from entrance unless approved otherwise. | 1 per business | Within 6 ft from front primary entrance, or within public ROW with approved permit (only C-1), or as portable temporary sign. | — | Sec. 62-203(d); (13) limits ROW to C-1 |
| Feather Flag Sign | 8 ft | 24 inches (2 ft) width x 96 inches (8 ft) height | 2 ft | — | 1 per business/80 ft frontage | On property or in public ROW with approval. | — | Sec. 62-203(b) |
| Indoor Window Sign | — | 50% of window area per floor level. | — | — | — | On interior side of windows at each floor. | — | Sec. 62-202 |

### General Commercial (C-2), Light Industrial (I-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 12 ft @ 10 ft setback; +1 ft per 4 ft extra setback; max 18 ft without CUP | 24 sq ft per side @ 10 ft setback; +3 sq ft per side per 4 ft extra setback; max 36 sq ft per side without CUP | — | Min 10 ft from property line | 1 per premises/center | No closer than 10 ft from property line. | — | Sec. 62-199(c), Sec. 62-204(a) |
| Wall Sign | — | 30 sq ft per sign (may be greater with CUP if >35 ft setback or for multi-unit centers with large frontage); | — | Min 1 ft from building edge | 1 per business per frontage | On exterior wall facing public ROW (one per tenant per frontage if has >1 ROW); 12 sq ft permitted on other visible walls not facing ROW. | — | Sec. 62-200(a)-(c), Sec. 62-204(c)-(d) |
| Marquee Sign | — | Combined with wall sign: 30 sq ft per business | — | — | 1 per business | — | — | Sec. 62-201 |
| Blade Sign | — | Combined with wall/marquee sign: 30 sq ft per business | — | — | 1 per business | Perpendicular to wall facing ROW. | — | Sec. 62-201 |
| Portable Temporary Sign | 4 ft (adjacent to ROW) | 8 sq ft per side adjacent to ROW; 16 sq ft per side if min 10 ft from ROW; when attached to building, sign area = 1 sq ft per 2 linear feet of building frontage (excluding windows) | — | — | 1 per premises | Adjacent to ROW or attached to building. | — | Sec. 62-203(a) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 48 inches | 8 sq ft per side, up to 16 sq ft total | — | Max 6 ft from entrance unless approved. | 1 per business | Within 6 ft of business entrance otherwise as portable temp sign; not in ROW for C-2 and I-1. | — | Sec. 62-203(d) |
| Feather Flag Sign | 8 ft | 24 inches (2 ft) width x 96 inches (8 ft) height | 2 ft | — | 1 per business/80 ft frontage | On property, not in ROW unless with approval. | — | Sec. 62-203(b) |
| Indoor Window Sign | — | 50% of window area per floor level. | — | — | — | On interior side of windows at each floor. | — | Sec. 62-202 |

## Prohibited signs in Brooklyn

- Uses not expressly permitted are prohibited.
- It is unlawful to display, erect, relocate, or alter any sign other than a temporary window sign or a temporary yard sign without obtaining a sign permit.
- It is unlawful to change, modify, alter, or deviate from the terms or conditions of a sign permit without prior approval of the zoning administrator.
- The placement of signs shall not interfere with the visibility or effectiveness of any official traffic sign or signal, or with driver vision at any access point or intersection.
- Signs shall not be erected, relocated, or maintained to prevent ventilation or free egress/ingress from any door, window, or fire escape.
- Signs and landscaping must meet clear vision requirements at intersections and driveways.
- The light from illuminated signs must be shielded at its source and not shine on adjacent properties or onto abutting public streets.
- Signs with flashing, rotating, or moving lights are prohibited, except time and temperature signs and certain "open" signs and gas station pricing as specified.
- No portion of the sign shall have excessive luminance (defined limits) unless programmed and approved as described.
- All signs must be erected and maintained in compliance with building codes and other applicable ordinances. The most restrictive law shall govern in case of conflict.
- Signs must avoid hazards due to collapse, fire, collision, decay, or abandonment.
- Signs must not obstruct firefighting or police surveillance.
- Signs must avoid traffic hazards, not confuse or distract motorists, or impair vision for pedestrians or drivers.
- Signs must not interfere with scenic views, be detrimental to property values, or constitute a safety issue or nuisance to adjacent property.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs containing flashing, intermittent or moving lights or with moving or revolving parts are prohibited, except time/temp or certain "open" signs as allowed.
- Signs affixed to trees, rocks, shrubs, or similar natural features are prohibited, except historic site markers.
- Signs imitating traffic signals or devices, or which use words or symbols to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic, are prohibited.
- Signs in the public right-of-way or on public property are prohibited unless specifically approved by the village council (specific wayfinding exception noted).
- Any sign or sign structure that is structurally unsafe, inadequately maintained, dilapidated, remains on premises more than 30 days after business closure, is not in good repair, or is in violation of the state electrical code, is prohibited.
- Signs or similar devices not specifically listed in the division as permitted are prohibited.
- Only one sign of any type (excluding temporary yard signs) is permitted on any one premises in any residential district.

## Signs exempt from permit in Brooklyn

- Signs painted or otherwise displayed (including magnetic signs) upon a vehicle, licensed and operating on public streets and highways, identifying the owner’s occupation or livelihood, are permitted.
- Nameplates and house numbers not exceeding two square feet in size and memorial signs or tablets up to six square feet are permitted; historical markers and cemetery stones are excluded from the square foot requirement.
- Directional signs which indicate the direction of traffic flow (not exceeding two square feet, no advertising, may be illuminated) are permitted.
- Tourist-oriented direction signs may be placed in the right-of-way if approved by Michigan Department of Transportation and/or village council.
- Signs promoting a village theme or brand, such as blade signs of a uniform size and approved by village council, are permitted.
- Temporary freestanding yard signs do not require a permit or permit fee.
- Historical markers and cemetery stones are not subject to the square foot requirement for nameplates/memorials.
- A change of copy for an existing permanent sign with reuse of an existing sign structure (i.e., no dimensional change) requires a permit but the permit fee is waived.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for all signs except temporary window signs and temporary yard signs.
- Sign permit applications must be made in writing on forms provided by the zoning administrator, signed by the applicant and property owner, and follow procedures as described.
- The application for a sign permit must include payment of a permit fee (unless specifically waived) and be on a form provided by the village.
- Digital and LED electronic signs require approval through a conditional use permit process, subject to luminance and other regulations.
- Applications requiring a conditional use permit (variance) must be submitted a minimum of 45 days prior to display to enable review by the planning commission and the decision of village council.
- A common signage theme is required for each common business site or industrial park.
- If a sign is determined to be a mural (as per Sec. 62-223), and not a sign, only an administrative mural review is required and not a sign permit.
- All signage must conform to this division within five years of adoption or be granted a variance as provided by the board of appeals.
- Appeals concerning sign regulations are heard before the village council (per article VI—board of appeals).

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

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