# Sign Regulations in DeWitt, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** DeWitt, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/dewitt
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/DeWitt/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH78ZOOR_ARTXVSI)

## At a glance

DeWitt, Michigan regulates 26 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Ground Sign (for manufactured home parks, multiple-family complex, schools, or other nonresidential uses)s in the Single-Family, Low Density Residential District (R-1), Single-Family, Moderate Density Residential District (R-2), Moderate Density Mixed Residential District (R-3), Golf Course Residential District (GCR), Multiple-Family Residential District (MF), Manufactured Home District (MHP), Public and Quasi-Public District (PQ) zoning district are capped at 8 ft. tall and 32 sq. ft., with a At minimum setback required for main buildings and minimum 15 ft from any side or rear property line setback (Sec. Sec. 78-406, Table XV-01).

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single-Family, Low Density Residential District (R-1), Single-Family, Moderate Density Residential District (R-2), Moderate Density Mixed Residential District (R-3), Golf Course Residential District (GCR), Multiple-Family Residential District (MF), Manufactured Home District (MHP), Public and Quasi-Public District (PQ) | 7 | 8 ft. | 75 sq. ft. (sign size only) | — |
| Office District (O), Limited Commercial District (LC) | 6 | 10 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| Central Business District (CB) | 11 | 10 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| Flood Hazard Area Overlay District (F) | 1 | — | Subject to exemption: regulatory/directional signs up to 2 sq. ft. | — |
| Planned Unit Development (PUD) | 1 | — | As permitted by the underlying district for the specific use (see notes) | — |
| Multiple-Family Neighborhood District (MF-N) | 3 | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | 50 sq. ft. | — |

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

### Single-Family, Low Density Residential District (R-1), Single-Family, Moderate Density Residential District (R-2), Moderate Density Mixed Residential District (R-3), Golf Course Residential District (GCR), Multiple-Family Residential District (MF), Manufactured Home District (MHP), Public and Quasi-Public District (PQ)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On-premises, limited to traffic control/directional use | — | Sec. 78-406, Table XV-01 |
| Ground Sign (for manufactured home parks, multiple-family complex, schools, or other nonresidential uses) | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | At minimum setback required for main buildings and minimum 15 ft from any side or rear property line | 1 per major entrance | Major entrance(s) of use, at minimum required setback for main buildings and minimum 15 ft from any side or rear property line | — | Sec. 78-406, Table XV-01 |
| Subdivision Entrance Signs and Decorative Walls | 8 ft. | 75 sq. ft. (sign size only) | — | — | 1 per street entrance | Within public street right-of-way (not in traveled portion) or on private property (with permission), maximum 10 ft from right-of-way | — | Sec. 78-406, Table XV-01 |
| Temporary Sign - Residential | 6 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | 1 ft. from the front or rear lot line | — | Residential lots | — | Sec. 78-406, Table XV-01 |
| Wall Sign for Non-Residential Uses | — | Up to 75 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Wall of building facing the street | — | Sec. 78-406, Table XV-01 |
| Window Sign | — | Up to 20% of window | — | — | 1 per window | Inside window, visible from outside | — | Sec. 78-406, Table XV-01 |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | On wall of house, facing street | — | Sec. 78-406, Table XV-01; Sec. 78-35(l) |

### Office District (O), Limited Commercial District (LC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On-premises, limited to traffic control/directional use | — | Sec. 78-406, Table XV-01 |
| Ground Sign | 8 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — | 15 ft from side or rear lot line | 1 per street frontage | Each street frontage; minimum 15 ft from side or rear lot line | — | Sec. 78-406, Table XV-01 |
| Portable Sign | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | Minimum ½ required setback for main building from any lot line | 1 per lot or parcel | — | — | Sec. 78-406, Table XV-01 |
| Temporary Sign - Commercial | 10 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. from front or rear lot line | — | O, LC, PQ Districts | — | Sec. 78-406, Table XV-01 |
| Wall Sign | — | Up to 50 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Wall of building facing street | — | Sec. 78-406, Table XV-01 |
| Window Sign | — | Up to 20% of window | — | — | 1 per window | Inside window, visible from outside | — | Sec. 78-406, Table XV-01 |

### Central Business District (CB)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Street Frontage) | Must not exceed building height; shall not extend above the wall | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per parcel; additional for multi-tenant buildings/parking area faces | Each street frontage (or side facing parking area; see variations) | — | Sec. 78-407(b)(1), Table 1 |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | Bottom of awning or canopy must be at least 8 feet above ground/sidewalk | Included in wall sign area limit | — | — | 1 per parcel | On awnings/canopies on front of building or street facing sides | — | Sec. 78-407(b)(2), Table 1 |
| Ground/Monument Sign | 8 ft. | 25 sq. ft. per side (50 sq. ft. total) | — | — | 1 per lot; 2 if corner | Ground-mounted at front of lot | — | Sec. 78-407(b)(5), Table 1 |
| Poster Panel Sign (Sandwich/A-frame) | 3.5 ft. | 7 sq. ft. per side (14 sq. ft. total) | — | Minimum 2 ft from curb, leave at least 5 ft clear for sidewalk | 1 per customer entrance | Outdoors; minimum 2 ft from curb; must maintain 5 ft wide sidewalk between sign and building | — | Sec. 78-407(b)(4), Table 1 |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft. | 4 sq. ft. | — | 15 ft from right-of-way | As determined by City | Front setback area permitted, provided set back at least 15 ft from right-of-way | — | Sec. 78-407(b)(3), Table 1 |
| Projecting Sign | At least 8 ft above ground or sidewalk | 8 sq. ft. per side (16 sq. ft. total) | — | At least 3 ft from curb when projecting over right-of-way | 1 per business (2 for corner lots) | Building facade; may project a maximum of 6 ft into right-of-way, but not less than 3 ft from curb | — | Sec. 78-407(b)(6), Table 1 |
| Rear Entry Sign | At least 8 ft above ground or sidewalk | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business | Rear entrance to business | — | Sec. 78-407, Table 1 |
| Marquee Sign | May not exceed building height; at least 8 ft above ground/sidewalk | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per parcel | On marquee | — | Sec. 78-407, Table 1 |

## Prohibited signs in DeWitt

- Any sign not expressly permitted is prohibited in all districts, including but not limited to spinners, pennants, or streamers used for commercial advertisement, billboards, signs with moving or animated parts, signs with flashing, moving, oscillating, or variable intensity light, signs with intermittent lights resembling traffic or emergency vehicles, changeable message signs, signs located in the right-of-way of public streets or highways, signs attached to utility poles, fences, or trees unless otherwise permitted, obsolete signs, people signs, pole or pylon signs, portable signs except where expressly allowed, signage (except the municipality name) on radio, television, cellular phone, or water towers, signs on road furniture (benches, lights, decorative trash receptacles), signs that interfere with, mislead, or confuse vehicle drivers, signs that obstruct required ingress or egress points, signs that obstruct any traffic control device or site distance, signs not attached to buildings and within 10 feet of a fire hydrant, commercial vehicle parked on business or industrial lot for more than 48 hours, motor vehicle signs under prohibited circumstances, structurally unsafe/hazardous/poorly maintained/abandoned signs, signs not meeting applicable building code requirements, signs on city property unless approved by the city.
- No sign, except those by the City of DeWitt, Clinton County, state or federal governments, may be located in or overhang any public right-of-way or dedicated easement.
- No sign may be placed on a tree or utility pole, except signs of a government or utility.
- No sign shall be located within, project into, or overhang the triangular area formed at any road intersection within 25 feet of right-of-way intersection.
- No portable commercial signs are permitted except where expressly allowed by the ordinance.
- Motor vehicle signs: It is unlawful to park, place, or store a vehicle or trailer with a motor vehicle sign (over 2 sq. ft.) on private or public property under specified circumstances, including non-operable/unregistered-stationary, parked within 50 feet of a street, or for the purpose of advertising when other areas for parking out of view are available.
- No sign may interfere with required doors, windows, exists, or block any approved traffic signs/signals.
- No sign shall be structurally unsound, unsafe, hazardous due to poor maintenance, or not in good repair.
- No signs obstructing any approved traffic control device, road sign, or signal from view, interfere with visibility, or distract from existing devices/signs.
- No abandoned, obsolete, or unsafe signs may remain; they must be removed within seven days of business cessation or event end.
- Pole or pylon signs are prohibited.
- All signs must comply with state and local building and electrical codes.
- No commercial signs, logos, or messages on a wireless communication tower or antenna.
- No sign, unless otherwise permitted, may be illuminated by flashing, moving, intermittent or variable intensity light.
- No billboards (off-site advertising) are permitted.
- No signs may be fastened or constructed in a way that they pose an immediate hazard to person or property.
- No sign may be located within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.
- No sign may be installed or erected on city property unless approved by the city.

## Signs exempt from permit in DeWitt

- Banners installed for no more than 15 days.
- Directional signs not exceeding 6 square feet in display area per side.
- Signs entirely located within a building and not visible from the outside.
- Flags, up to three per lot, with a maximum size of 50 square feet each.
- Non-conforming signs existing at the effective date of the ordinance (until removed—then non-conformity is lost).
- Permanent signs on vending machines, gas pumps, and ice containers showing contents, maximum 3 square feet per sign and one per device.
- Signs by a public body to protect the public, not exceeding 2 square feet in area.
- Regulatory, directional, and street signs erected by a public agency in compliance with the Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards.
- Traffic control signs (directional, warning, or informational) authorized by a public agency, conforming to the Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for all signs unless explicitly exempted (temporary signs and exceptions as listed).
- Sign locations must be included and reviewed as part of a site plan for new buildings or additions, or as part of any required site plan review (Planning Commission review).
- The Planning Commission reviews sign location, size, and height as shown on a site plan for any new building/addition/site plan review.
- Sign applications not associated with new construction or site plan review are reviewed administratively by the development official.
- Site plans must show the location, size, and height of all existing and proposed signs.
- A variance from sign regulations requires an application to the ZBA (Zoning Board of Appeals) and demonstration of practical difficulty or unique site conditions—see criteria in Sec. 78-411.
- In the case of multi-tenant buildings/shopping centers, sign area/permitted number of signs may be allocated per tenant; such arrangements must be reflected in a master/site sign plan.
- Master sign plans/site sign plans may be required where multiple tenant buildings or developments are proposed; allocation of signage must be shown and approved as part of site plan review.
- In the CB (Central Business) District, sign permits for certain sign types (e.g., temporary signs) are explicitly required; dimensional and placement requirements must be reconciled in plan review.
- The sign regulations (including permitted location, maximum size, height, number, and method of illumination) are reviewed and enforced in the context of the overall site development; all signs must comply with location and design requirements as part of the comprehensive site plan approval.

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

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