# Sign Regulations in Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Dearborn Heights, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/dearborn-heights
- **Data last verified:** 2026-05-15
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/mi/dearborn_heights/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH26SI)

## At a glance

Dearborn Heights, Michigan regulates 28 sign types across 13 zoning districts. Monument Sign (Single Business)s in the RO-1 zoning district are capped at 8 ft (including foundation) tall and 36 sq ft, with a Located at the front property line. setback (Sec. Monument general standards Sec. 26-6(3)(b)1; site plan review requirement in definition of Freestanding Sign; pole sign prohibition Sec. 26-11(14); illumination Sec. 26-12; permit Sec. 26-16.). Most commercial signs in Dearborn Heights require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (13 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R1-A | 4 | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| R1-B | 4 | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| R-2 | 4 | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| RM | 7 | 10 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| RMA | 7 | 10 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| RO-1 | 15 | Up to 16 ft (per formula) | 350 sq ft (see additional requirements below) | — |
| C-1 | 15 | Up to 16 ft (per formula) | 350 sq ft (see additional requirements below) | — |
| C-2 | 15 | Up to 16 ft (per formula) | 350 sq ft (see additional requirements below) | — |
| C-3 | 15 | Up to 16 ft (per formula) | 350 sq ft (see additional requirements below) | — |
| M-1 | 15 | Up to 16 ft (per formula) | 350 sq ft (see additional requirements below) | — |
| M-2 | 15 | Up to 16 ft (per formula) | 350 sq ft (see additional requirements below) | — |
| M-3 district | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | — | 20 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 13 zones)

### RO-1

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (Subdivision or Housing Complex) | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 total; not more than 1 per entrance | At subdivision/complex entrances on private property. | — | Sec. 26-5(3), made applicable to SCD IV–VII by Sec. 26-6(1); permit Sec. 26-16; illumination Sec. 26-12. |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Single- and Two-Family) | 6 ft | 5 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property at the dwelling or adjacent vacant lot. | — | Sec. 26-9(1)(a), made applicable to SCD IV–VII by Sec. 26-9(2)(a). |
| Exterior On-Premises Signs (Total Allowance per Ground-Floor Business) | — | Up to 200 sq ft total for all exterior on‑premises signs (subject to formula). | — | — | No specific numeric limit; controlled by total area and message unit limits | On the business premises. | — | Area/message units and exceptions Sec. 26-6(2) and (5). Illumination Sec. 26-12. Permit Sec. 26-16. |
| Monument Sign (Single Business) | 8 ft (including foundation) | 36 sq ft | — | Located at the front property line. | — | At the front property line (placed at the front property line). | — | Monument general standards Sec. 26-6(3)(b)1; site plan review requirement in definition of Freestanding Sign; pole sign prohibition Sec. 26-11(14); illumination Sec. 26-12; permit Sec. 26-16. |
| Monument Sign (Multiple Businesses Sharing One Monument) | Up to 16 ft (per formula) | Up to 72 sq ft (per formula) | — | Located at the front property line. | — | At the front property line (placed at the front property line). | — | Monument exceptions for multiple businesses Sec. 26-6(3)(b)2; site plan review note in Freestanding Sign definition; pole sign prohibition Sec. 26-11(14); illumination Sec. 26-12; permit Sec. 26-16. |
| Off-Premises Sign (Freestanding) — SCD VI and SCD VII only | 8 ft (including base) | 350 sq ft (see additional requirements below) | — | At the front property line; and at least 50 ft from any SCD I–IV district boundary. | — | At the front property line in SCD VI or VII only. | — | Off‑premises standards Sec. 26-8(1)–(3); billboard prohibition Sec. 26-11(15) and billboard definition (>200 sq ft) Sec. 26-3; illumination Sec. 26-12; permit Sec. 26-16. |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Other than Single-/Two-Family) | 10 ft | 12 sq ft | — | Set back at least 25 ft from the front property line unless attached to a permanent building. | — | On private property for properties other than single-/two-family houses. | — | Sec. 26-9(2)(b). |
| Temporary Construction Sign | 10 ft | 50 sq ft per street with vehicle entrance | — | At least 25 ft from the front property line unless attached as allowed. | — | On private property at sites currently being developed; may be attached to a building, construction fence, or barricade. | — | Sec. 26-9(2)(c); permit Sec. 26-16. |

### C-1

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (Subdivision or Housing Complex) | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 total; not more than 1 per entrance | At subdivision/complex entrances on private property. | — | Sec. 26-5(3), made applicable to SCD IV–VII by Sec. 26-6(1); permit Sec. 26-16; illumination Sec. 26-12. |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Single- and Two-Family) | 6 ft | 5 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property at the dwelling or adjacent vacant lot. | — | Sec. 26-9(1)(a), made applicable to SCD IV–VII by Sec. 26-9(2)(a). |
| Exterior On-Premises Signs (Total Allowance per Ground-Floor Business) | — | Up to 200 sq ft total for all exterior on‑premises signs (subject to formula). | — | — | No specific numeric limit; controlled by total area and message unit limits | On the business premises. | — | Area/message units and exceptions Sec. 26-6(2) and (5). Illumination Sec. 26-12. Permit Sec. 26-16. |
| Monument Sign (Single Business) | 8 ft (including foundation) | 36 sq ft | — | Located at the front property line. | — | At the front property line (placed at the front property line). | — | Monument general standards Sec. 26-6(3)(b)1; site plan review requirement in definition of Freestanding Sign; pole sign prohibition Sec. 26-11(14); illumination Sec. 26-12; permit Sec. 26-16. |
| Monument Sign (Multiple Businesses Sharing One Monument) | Up to 16 ft (per formula) | Up to 72 sq ft (per formula) | — | Located at the front property line. | — | At the front property line (placed at the front property line). | — | Monument exceptions for multiple businesses Sec. 26-6(3)(b)2; site plan review note in Freestanding Sign definition; pole sign prohibition Sec. 26-11(14); illumination Sec. 26-12; permit Sec. 26-16. |
| Off-Premises Sign (Freestanding) — SCD VI and SCD VII only | 8 ft (including base) | 350 sq ft (see additional requirements below) | — | At the front property line; and at least 50 ft from any SCD I–IV district boundary. | — | At the front property line in SCD VI or VII only. | — | Off‑premises standards Sec. 26-8(1)–(3); billboard prohibition Sec. 26-11(15) and billboard definition (>200 sq ft) Sec. 26-3; illumination Sec. 26-12; permit Sec. 26-16. |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Other than Single-/Two-Family) | 10 ft | 12 sq ft | — | Set back at least 25 ft from the front property line unless attached to a permanent building. | — | On private property for properties other than single-/two-family houses. | — | Sec. 26-9(2)(b). |
| Temporary Construction Sign | 10 ft | 50 sq ft per street with vehicle entrance | — | At least 25 ft from the front property line unless attached as allowed. | — | On private property at sites currently being developed; may be attached to a building, construction fence, or barricade. | — | Sec. 26-9(2)(c); permit Sec. 26-16. |

### C-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (Subdivision or Housing Complex) | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 total; not more than 1 per entrance | At subdivision/complex entrances on private property. | — | Sec. 26-5(3), made applicable to SCD IV–VII by Sec. 26-6(1); permit Sec. 26-16; illumination Sec. 26-12. |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Single- and Two-Family) | 6 ft | 5 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property at the dwelling or adjacent vacant lot. | — | Sec. 26-9(1)(a), made applicable to SCD IV–VII by Sec. 26-9(2)(a). |
| Exterior On-Premises Signs (Total Allowance per Ground-Floor Business) | — | Up to 200 sq ft total for all exterior on‑premises signs (subject to formula). | — | — | No specific numeric limit; controlled by total area and message unit limits | On the business premises. | — | Area/message units and exceptions Sec. 26-6(2) and (5). Illumination Sec. 26-12. Permit Sec. 26-16. |
| Monument Sign (Single Business) | 8 ft (including foundation) | 36 sq ft | — | Located at the front property line. | — | At the front property line (placed at the front property line). | — | Monument general standards Sec. 26-6(3)(b)1; site plan review requirement in definition of Freestanding Sign; pole sign prohibition Sec. 26-11(14); illumination Sec. 26-12; permit Sec. 26-16. |
| Monument Sign (Multiple Businesses Sharing One Monument) | Up to 16 ft (per formula) | Up to 72 sq ft (per formula) | — | Located at the front property line. | — | At the front property line (placed at the front property line). | — | Monument exceptions for multiple businesses Sec. 26-6(3)(b)2; site plan review note in Freestanding Sign definition; pole sign prohibition Sec. 26-11(14); illumination Sec. 26-12; permit Sec. 26-16. |
| Off-Premises Sign (Freestanding) — SCD VI and SCD VII only | 8 ft (including base) | 350 sq ft (see additional requirements below) | — | At the front property line; and at least 50 ft from any SCD I–IV district boundary. | — | At the front property line in SCD VI or VII only. | — | Off‑premises standards Sec. 26-8(1)–(3); billboard prohibition Sec. 26-11(15) and billboard definition (>200 sq ft) Sec. 26-3; illumination Sec. 26-12; permit Sec. 26-16. |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Other than Single-/Two-Family) | 10 ft | 12 sq ft | — | Set back at least 25 ft from the front property line unless attached to a permanent building. | — | On private property for properties other than single-/two-family houses. | — | Sec. 26-9(2)(b). |
| Temporary Construction Sign | 10 ft | 50 sq ft per street with vehicle entrance | — | At least 25 ft from the front property line unless attached as allowed. | — | On private property at sites currently being developed; may be attached to a building, construction fence, or barricade. | — | Sec. 26-9(2)(c); permit Sec. 26-16. |

## Prohibited signs in Dearborn Heights

- Signs illuminated by flashing or moving lights (except compliant barber poles and compliant LED displays).
- Exterior banners, pennants, spinners, and streamers.
- Exterior string lights on commercial premises, except holiday decorations for up to 60 consecutive days.
- Any sign with visible motion other than permitted flags or banners.
- Structurally or electrically unsafe, dilapidated, abandoned, non-operational, or poorly maintained signs.
- Any sign erected, affixed, or painted on public property, public trees, traffic control signs, light/utility poles or related equipment, or within a public easement/right-of-way.
- Any business sign or sign structure that no longer advertises a bona fide business or product.
- Portable signs (except portable real estate 'open house' signs permitted by Sec. 26-10(2)).
- Any sign painted directly on a building or colors painted on a commercial building that are not in harmony with existing buildings.
- Any sign on a motor vehicle or trailer parked in front of a business for the purpose of advertising a business or its products/services located on the premises.
- Any sign on a motor vehicle or trailer projecting more than 15 inches from the vehicle surface when visible from a public street.
- Any sign structure or frame (including supporting poles) that no longer contains a sign.
- Roof signs.
- Pole signs.
- Billboards.
- Home occupation signs.
- No sign may overhang any public right-of-way.
- No illuminated sign is permitted on the rear building elevation or in a rear yard where adjacent or across-the-alley property is residentially zoned (except approved parking lot directional signs and lighting standards).

## Signs exempt from permit in Dearborn Heights

- Address numbers: one per building front (residential numerals 3–8 inches; business numerals 5–24 inches); one rear address for businesses (3–24 inches); not counted as message units.
- Portable real estate 'open house' signs up to 5 sq ft, displayed only 2 days in any 7-day period.
- Political signs up to 4.5 sq ft: not earlier than 30 days before the election; remove within 5 days after; prohibited on public property/ROW, poles/equipment, public trees, and private vacant property without owner consent.
- Garage/rummage/yard/estate/lawn sale signs up to 3 sq ft, posted only for the 3 days of the sale; not on public property/ROW, poles/equipment, or public trees.
- Authorized signs of the state or a political subdivision.
- Institutional signs (religious institution, school, museum, community recreational facility, library) indicating name/current displays/activities up to 20 sq ft.
- Memorial signs/tablets; names of buildings and date of erection when cut into masonry or made of bronze/other incombustible material affixed to a building.
- Flags bearing the official design of a nation, state, municipality, educational institution, or noncommercial organization.
- Permanent signs on vending machines or ice containers indicating only contents, up to 6 sq ft per device; no signs on or affixed to gas pumps.
- Noncommercial informational signs up to 6 sq ft each (e.g., restrooms, telephone, no smoking, door openings, private traffic-control and parking).
- Interior 'for sale/for rent' signs up to 4 sq ft.
- Historic plaques or signs up to 2 sq ft designating a building as a historical structure.
- Residential construction builder identification signs up to 6 sq ft, erected after building permit issuance and removed at completion or occupancy.
- Temporary signs for religious or non-profit organizations up to 6 sq ft for no more than 14 consecutive days; not on public property/ROW, poles/equipment, public trees, or authorized government signs.
- Permit exemptions: ordinary servicing, repainting of existing sign message, cleaning; and change of message on a sign designed for periodic message change without structural change (including bulletin boards and billboards, but not attaching a new permanent face).

## Sign permit fees & timelines in Dearborn Heights

| Item | Details | Citation |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sign Erector Registration | $35 | cite: 7 |

_The full published fee and review-timeline schedule for Dearborn Heights is available in PermitPal (free account)._

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

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