# Sign Regulations in Coopersville, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Coopersville, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/coopersville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/Coopersville/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COORCO_PATWLAZOCO_CH1282SI)

## At a glance

Coopersville, Michigan regulates 48 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Real Estate Sign (Residential)s in the Residential districts zoning district are capped at 5.5 ft tall and 8 sq ft, with a 25 ft from lot line, 10 ft from street ROW setback (Sec. 1282.12(c)). Most commercial signs in Coopersville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 15 | 40 inches | 32 sq ft | — |
| AG agricultural district | 5 | 5.5 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Residential districts | 9 | 10 ft | 64 sq ft | — |
| C-1 business district, C-2 business district, MSD motorists service district | 8 | 20 ft (up to 75 ft if within 100 ft of I-96, MSD, with 80 sq ft face and steel beam construction) | 75 sq ft | — |
| Mixed-use PUD zoning district | 5 | 20 ft | 70 sq ft | — |
| I-1 light industrial district, I-2 heavy industrial district, Industrial zoning districts | 6 | 30 ft | 250 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Campaign Sign (General) | — | 12 sq ft (any one sign); 32 sq ft total for all campaign signs per lot | — | Minimum 5 ft from all lot lines | Up to 4 per lot | Located on private property, not permitted in public right-of-way | — | 1282.06, Exempt Signs |
| Garage Sale/Yard Sale Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per lot; 2 on corner lot | Located on lot having the sale, not in public right-of-way | — | 1282.06, Exempt Signs |
| Home Improvement/Construction/Remodeling Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On lot where work is occurring, not in right-of-way | — | 1282.06 |
| Temporary Sign (General) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per public street frontage | Not in public right-of-way | — | 1282.06, Exempt Signs and Temporary Signs |
| Real Estate Sign (Single/Tw0-Family Districts) | 5.5 ft | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot; 2 for corner/through lot | On the lot (parcel) for sale/lease, not in public right-of-way or between road and sidewalk | — | 1282.06 |
| Real Estate Sign (Other Districts) | 4 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot; 2 for corner/through lot | On the lot (parcel) for sale/lease, not in public right-of-way | — | 1282.06 |
| Model Home Sign | 4 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Street frontage of lot containing a model home, not on building | — | 1282.06 |
| Expressive Sign (General) | — | 12 sq ft per sign; 32 sq ft total for all expressive signs per lot | — | 5 ft from all lot lines | Up to 4 per property | On private property, not permitted in public right-of-way | — | 1282.06 |

### Residential districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate (Residential) | — | 2 sq ft | — | 5 ft from lot/ROW line | 1 per lot | On building, at least 5 ft from lot or street right-of-way line | — | 1282.12(a) |
| Directional or No Trespassing Sign (Residential) | — | 2 sq ft | — | 25 ft from side lot, 10 ft from street ROW | 1 per property | On building or lot, at least 25 ft from side lot line or 10 ft from street ROW | — | 1282.12(b) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential) | 5.5 ft | 8 sq ft | — | 25 ft from lot line, 10 ft from street ROW | 1 per dwelling or lot | At least 25 ft from any lot line, 10 ft from street ROW | — | 1282.12(c) |
| Subdivision Project Ground Sign (Residential) | 10 ft | 64 sq ft | — | 100 ft from occupied residential, 5 ft from street ROW/lot line | 1 per subdivision | At least 100 ft from occupied residential, 5 ft from street ROW/lot line | — | 1282.12(d) |
| Bulletin Board/Announcement Ground Sign (Public/Charitable/Religious) | 5 ft | 20 sq ft | — | 50 ft from residential lot line or 5 ft from street ROW | 1 per institution | At least 50 ft from any residential lot line or 5 ft from street ROW line | — | 1282.12(e) |
| Campaign Sign (Residential) | — | 12 sq ft per sign; 32 sq ft total for all campaign signs per property | — | 5 ft from all lot lines | Up to 4 per property | On private property only | — | 1282.12(f) |
| Expressive Sign (Residential) | — | 12 sq ft per sign; 32 sq ft total for all expressive signs per property | — | 5 ft from all lot lines | Up to 4 per property | On private property only | — | 1282.12(g) |
| Yard Sale Sign (Residential) | 3 ft | 4 sq ft per sign | — | — | Up to 5 per yard sale | On-premises, not in right-of-way, not attached to utility poles | — | 1282.12(i) |

### C-1 business district, C-2 business district, MSD motorists service district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall or Panel Sign (Business/MSD) | — | — | — | — | See wall sign measurement rules (can be more than one, see 1282.08(d)-(e)) | Attached parallel to wall, projecting not more than 12 inches | — | 1282.13, 1282.09 |
| Projecting Sign (Business/MSD) | — | 20 sq ft per face | — | 10 ft from side lot line, 25 ft from residential | 1 per establishment | At least 10 ft from side lot line; at least 25 ft from residential boundary line; not into right-of-way | — | 1282.14(a) |
| Pole Sign (Business/MSD) | 20 ft (up to 75 ft if within 100 ft of I-96, MSD, with 80 sq ft face and steel beam construction) | 70 sq ft (C-1, C-2); 80 sq ft (if within 100 ft of I-96, MSD) | — | 15 ft from residential, 5 ft from street ROW | 1 per yard | At least 15 ft from residential district line; at least 5 ft from street ROW | — | 1282.14(b), 1282.09(d) |
| Ground Sign (Business/MSD) | 10 ft | 75 sq ft | — | 25 ft from business lot, 5 ft from ROW, 100 ft from residential | 1 per business | At least 25 ft from existing business lot, 5 ft from ROW, 100 ft from residential district | — | 1282.14(d), 1282.09(e) |
| Canopy or Covered Walk Sign (Business/MSD) | — | 5 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business use | Soffit or fascia of canopy or roof over walkway | — | 1282.14(c) |
| Directional Ground Sign (Business/MSD) | — | 6 sq ft per sign | — | 25 ft from side lot, 5 ft from ROW | — | At least 25 ft from side lot line and 5 ft from street ROW | — | 1282.14(e) |
| Project Sign (Business/MSD) | — | 60 sq ft | — | 50 ft from residential, 5 ft from lot/ROW | 1 per lot (project) | At least 50 ft from nearest residential lot line; 5 ft from lot/ROW | — | 1282.14(f) |
| Temporary Sign (Business/MSD) | — | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft from residential or ROW | 1 per period, max 5/year | At least 5 ft from nearest residential lot line or ROW | — | 1282.14(g) |

## Prohibited signs in Coopersville

- A sign not expressly permitted by this ordinance is prohibited.
- Signs in the public right-of-way, except governmental and public signs, wayfaring signs, or projecting signs permitted by this chapter and having obtained written permission or an approved permit from the proper governmental agency.
- Signs which attempt or appear to attempt to direct the movement of traffic or which interfere with, obstruct the view of, or can be confused with, imitate, or resemble any official traffic sign, signal, or device.
- Rotating beams, beacons, or flashing illumination resembling any emergency light shall not be used in connection with any sign display.
- No sign shall be permitted that prevents drivers from having a clear and unobstructed view, from an adequate and safe distance, of any official sign and approaching or merging traffic.
- Governmental and public signs or wayfaring signs shall not have any attachment not part of the original design.
- No sign or sign structure shall be located in such a manner as to materially impede the view of any street or highway intersection or in such a manner as to materially impede the view at railroad crossings.
- No sign or sign structure shall be affixed to, displayed, or located upon any utility or public structure, equipment, or appurtenance located in or upon any public right-of-way, utility easement, or other public or private property.
- No signs shall be painted on, attached to, or maintained upon trees, rocks or other natural features.
- Pennants, ribbons, streamers, sheets, spinners, balloon signs, inflatable figures, wind signs are prohibited, except temporary signs associated with grand openings and City-approved or City-recognized community events.
- Banners are not permitted, except for temporary signs involving grand openings and City-approved or City-recognized community events.
- Portable signs, including but not limited to A- or T-frame signs, or signs on trailer frames (whether or not the trailer wheels have been removed), are prohibited.
- No person shall park any vehicle, trailer, or truck trailer on a public right-of-way, public property, or private property, visible from a public right-of-way, with a sign or advertising device attached for the basic purpose of advertising products or directing people to a business or activity (excluding standard advertising or identification practices where signs are painted on or permanently attached to business or commercial vehicles).
- Commercial statuary used or intended for commercial purposes is prohibited.
- Outline lighting of property lines or open sales areas, whether flashing or constant, is prohibited.
- Flashing, strobe, moving, oscillating, or intermittent illumination of any sign is prohibited, except for time and temperature signs that have no other intermittent illuminated message.
- Signs shall not project into any dedicated right-of-way.
- Signs shall not obstruct required windows or doors or fire escapes, or interfere with safety provisions.

## Signs exempt from permit in Coopersville

- Address numbers and name plates not exceeding two square feet in area for each residential unit or dwelling.
- Building outline lighting in commercial and industrial districts (not containing text or logos and not flashing or animated) is not regulated as a sign.
- Flags, emblems, or insignia of any nation, state, political subdivision, or corporate entity, provided setback requirements are met and not in public right-of-way. One corporate flag permitted per business; corporate emblem flag counted in freestanding sign area. Not permitted in public right-of-way.
- Historic or commemorative plaques not exceeding four square feet.
- Incidental signs (other than directional, parking, and loading signs) permitted in conjunction with an event, max height four feet, max area one square foot, setback ten feet from right-of-way.
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings, and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or inlaid so as to be part of the building, or constructed of bronze or other incombustible material, and not in public right-of-way.
- Official signs authorized by a government or governmental subdivision, including traffic, directional, or warning signs, and public service company warning signs, erected by or on order of a public officer in performance of public duty.
- Public notices officially posted by public officers, employees, or agents in the performance of their duties.
- Seasonal or holiday displays, not considered signs and not regulated, so long as they contain no commercial message, are primarily decorative, and are associated with a holiday (not in the public right-of-way).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- In the development of a group of stores and services in any shopping complex in any zoning district, a plan for the signing of the entire shopping center shall be submitted to the Planning Commission for review and approval in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
- Application for a sign permit shall be submitted with drawings to scale showing design, layout, area, size, height, character, materials, colors, and for illuminated signs, lighting specifications.
- Permit is required for all temporary signs in any zoning district.
- Permit is required for all signs exceeding specified size thresholds in residential, business, and industrial districts (see Section 1282.05(a)).

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

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