# Sign Regulations in Dundee, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Dundee, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/dundee
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/Dundee/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_APXAZO_ART18SIST)

## At a glance

Dundee, Michigan regulates 26 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Pedestrian or A-Frame Signs in the Pedestrian-Oriented Business District (B-1, Central Business District) zoning district are capped at 4 feet tall, 6 sq ft per side, 12 sq ft total, and 2 feet wide, with a 3 ft from curb; 4 ft pedestrian clearance setback (Sec. Section 18.04.D; Section 18.05.E). Most commercial signs in Dundee require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts (RA, RA-1, RA-2, RA-3, RM-1, RM-2, MHC) | 3 | 6 feet | 20 sq ft per side, 40 sq ft total | — |
| Limited Commercial (LC) | 3 | 6 feet | 50 sq ft (may be increased by 50% with >1 frontage) | — |
| Commercial Districts (B-2, B-3, B-4) | 8 | 18 feet (min 10 ft clearance from ground) | 150 sq ft (plus 50% if >1 frontage) | — |
| Pedestrian-Oriented Business District (B-1, Central Business District) | 7 | 5 feet | 50 sq ft (plus 50% if >1 frontage) | — |
| Industrial Districts (M-1, M-2) | 4 | Max sign face height 20 ft; sign face length 50 ft; total sign height 60 ft; 8 ft minimum clearance from ground to bottom of sign face | 400 sq ft per sign panel; up to two panels per side | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 50 feet | Not to exceed 25% of total glass area on any side | — |

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

### Commercial Districts (B-2, B-3, B-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Principal Wall Sign (B-2, B-4) | — | 150 sq ft (plus 50% if >1 frontage) | — | — | One (1) per frontage | Anywhere on a building or accessory structure | — | Section 18.04.C; Section 18.05.A |
| Principal Wall Sign (B-3) | — | 100 sq ft (plus 50% if >1 frontage) | — | — | One (1) per frontage | Anywhere on a building or accessory structure | — | Section 18.04.C; Section 18.05.A |
| Ancillary Wall Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | One (1) per business | Same as wall sign | — | Section 18.04.C; Table 18.04.C |
| Monument Sign (B-3) | 6 feet | 32 sq ft/side, 64 sq ft total (primary entrance); 16 sq ft/side, 32 sq ft total (secondary entrance) | — | 10 ft front; 20 ft side | One (1) primary entrance; one (1) secondary entrance (not on same street as primary) | 10 ft front setback; 20 ft side setback. | — | Section 18.04.C; Section 18.05.B |
| Monument Sign (B-2 & B-4) | 6 feet | 50 sq ft/side, 100 sq ft total (primary entrance); 25 sq ft/side, 50 sq ft total (secondary entrance) | — | 10 ft front; 20 ft side | One (1) primary entrance; one (1) secondary entrance (not on same street as primary) | 10 ft front setback; 20 ft side setback. For business centers, only on arterial road; 8 ft height for business center sign. | — | Section 18.04.C; Section 18.05.B |
| Pole Sign (B-4 District only) | 18 feet (min 10 ft clearance from ground) | 64 sq ft/side, 128 sq ft total | — | 10 ft front; 20 ft side; 2 ft building setback | One (1) per lot | 2 ft building setback; 10 ft front setback; 20 ft side setback | — | Section 18.04.C; Section 18.05.D |
| Awning Sign | — | 33% of awning face | — | — | One (1) per business | On the awning face | — | Section 18.04.C |
| Other Signs | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Section 18.04.C; Section 18-05.I |

### Pedestrian-Oriented Business District (B-1, Central Business District)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 50 sq ft (plus 50% if >1 frontage) | — | — | One (1) per frontage | Anywhere on building | — | Section 18.04.D; Section 18.05.A |
| Projecting Sign or Blade Sign | — | 8 sq ft | 2 ft depth (up to 33% of sign 4 ft thick for creative design) | — | One (1) per business | On the front façade of the business | — | Section 18.04.D; Section 18.05.F |
| Rear Façade Wall Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | One (1) per business | Anywhere on rear facade if there is a rear entry | — | Section 18.04.D |
| Monument Sign | 5 feet | 40 sq ft | — | 10 ft front, 20 ft side | One (1) per lot | 10 ft front setback; 20 ft side setback | — | Section 18.04.D; Section 18.05.B |
| Pedestrian or A-Frame Sign | 4 feet | 6 sq ft per side, 12 sq ft total | 2 feet | 3 ft from curb; 4 ft pedestrian clearance | One (1) per customer entrance or per onsite business, whichever is less | At the public entrance, on private property or public sidewalk (with restrictions: min 3 ft from back of curb, must maintain a 4 ft pedestrian clearance) | — | Section 18.04.D; Section 18.05.E |
| Awning Sign | — | 33% of awning face | — | — | One (1) per awning | On the awning face | — | Section 18.04.D |
| Other Signs | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Section 18.04.D; Section 18-05.I |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Window Sign | — | Not to exceed 25% of total glass area on any side | — | — | — | On windows (ground floor for non-residential buildings) | — | Section 18.06.H |
| Temporary Signs | 3 ft (general/residential); 4 ft (non-residential election season); 5.5 ft (for sale/lease residential); 8 ft (for sale/lease non-residential) | 6 sq ft (general); 6 sq ft (residential election season); 48 sq ft (non-residential election season); 9 sq ft (for sale/lease in residential); 36 sq ft (for sale/lease in non-residential); 32 sq ft per side (real estate development) | — | — | See above | On property; must not obstruct traffic or inhibit sight lines | — | Section 18.06.J |
| Flag | 50 feet | — | — | 5 ft from property line | Up to 4 per lot | On flagpole or support, minimum 5 ft setback from property line | — | Section 18.06.I |
| Special Event Signs (non-residential, or non-residential use in residential district) | 6 feet | 25 sq ft | — | — | One (1) per lot | On lot | — | Section 18.05.I.2 |
| Outline Tubing Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | One (1) per business | On building/business | — | Section 18.05.I.1 |
| Wall Plate Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | One per entrance per occupant, plus one general | On wall at entrance or other location on building | — | Section 18.06.G |
| Incidental Sign | 2.5 feet | 2 sq ft | — | — | Up to 3 per non-residential site | — | — | Section 18.06.F |
| House Number Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | Behind building line | — | On building | — | Section 18.06.E |

## Prohibited signs in Dundee

- Signs copying or imitating official highway signs or carrying the words 'stop,' 'look,' or 'danger', or any wording, symbol, or character that might interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.
- Signs that obscure or are erected in such a manner as to interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with authorized traffic signs, signals, or devices.
- Signs unlawfully erected, structurally altered, or relocated in violation of this or any other Village Ordinance or law.
- Signs displaying flashing or intermittent lights or lights of changing degrees of intensity, or moving signs by mechanical means or air currents, except as specifically permitted in the Article.
- Signs that obstruct any window or door opening used as a means of egress or that prevent free passage from one part of a roof to another or interfere with an opening required for legal ventilation.
- Signs or illumination that cause direct glare into or upon any building other than the building to which the sign is accessory.
- Signs which emit audible sound, odor, or visible matter.
- Non-regulatory signs placed in the public right-of-way.
- Exterior string lights including rope lights, fiber optics or other similar lights intended to draw attention to a sign used in connection with a commercial premise, except holiday decorations or lighting used with outdoor dining areas.
- Animated signs.
- Beacon lights.
- Banners (except street banners advertising community/special events).
- Feather and flutter signs.
- Festoons.
- Inflatable signs.
- Mirrors or mirrored signs.
- Moving signs.
- Obsolete signs.
- Painted wall signs.
- Pennants.
- Portable signs, unless otherwise permitted.
- Roof signs.
- Snipe signs.
- Mobile billboards.
- A sign shall not have more than 20% of its surface area with disfigured, cracked, ripped, or peeling paint, poster paper, or other material for more than 30 successive days.
- A sign shall not stand with bent or broken sign facing, broken supports, loose appendages or struts, or be more than 15 degrees from vertical for more than 30 successive days.
- A sign shall not have weeds, trees, vines, or other vegetation growing upon it, or obscuring the view of the sign from the public right of way for more than 30 successive days.
- An internally illuminated sign shall not be allowed to stand with only partial illumination for more than 30 successive days.

## Signs exempt from permit in Dundee

- Changing messaging copy on an approved sign.
- Painting, repainting, cleaning, and other normal maintenance and repair of a sign or sign structure.
- Traffic control signs on private property, such as 'Stop', 'Yield', restricted parking, and similar signs, provided the face and size meet traffic engineering standards.
- Historical signs not exceeding twelve (12) square feet in area or six (6) feet in height. The sign may be a pole or monument sign.
- House number signs not exceeding two (2) square feet in area, illuminated only by the reflector method, placed behind the building line, and erected so that the light source is not visible from outside the premises.
- Incidental signs: up to three (3) per non-residential site, limited to two (2) square feet per sign and a maximum height of two and one-half (2.5) feet.
- Wall plate signs not exceeding two (2) square feet, limited to one (1) for each occupant at each entrance and one (1) general sign at any location on the building.
- Window signs for non-residential uses on the ground floor, not exceeding 25% of the total glass area on that side of the building.
- Flags of any country, state, municipality, or similar entity displayed on a flagpole or similar support, setback at least five (5) feet from any property line, maximum height of fifty (50) feet, and total not exceeding four (4) per lot.
- Temporary signs in all districts not exceeding three (3) feet in height and total area of six (6) square feet, with maximum display of thirty (30) consecutive days in any given calendar year.
- Additional provisions for temporary signs during election season and for properties for sale/lease as detailed in subsections.
- Temporary signs on sites with approved real estate development, as outlined.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs require a permit unless specifically exempted under Section 18.06.
- A sign requiring a permit may be relocated on the same premises only if a new sign permit is obtained and all requirements are met.
- A permit application requires submission of design, materials, size, location, and other information; must address removal of previously installed signage and repairs to mounting surfaces.
- Permit applications must include construction plans certified by a state registered engineer for off-premises signs.
- Any property alteration (property line, easement, or right-of-way) affecting setbacks requires obtaining a new sign permit or variance.
- If non-conforming, the sign/property owner must either remove the sign, conform to the ordinance, or apply for a variance.
- All permit applications are reviewed by the Zoning Enforcement Officer (or designee), who must decide within thirty (30) days.
- Fees for sign permits or renewals are set by the Village Board of Trustees' approved schedule.
- Some murals (only in non-residential districts) require Planning Commission approval for compliance with district standards.
- Street banners over public roads advertising community/special events require approval from the relevant road/transportation authority.

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

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