# Sign Regulations in East Grand Rapids, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** East Grand Rapids, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/east-grand-rapids
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-19

## At a glance

East Grand Rapids, Michigan regulates 41 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Temporary Wire Frame Sign (Residential Use)s in the R-1 Residential District, R-2 Residential District, R-3 Residential District, MFR Residential District zoning district are capped at 3 ft. tall and 6 sq. ft., with a Minimum 5 ft from right-of-way line or C-1 district boundary setback (Sec. § 8.17(B)(1)-(2), § 8.13(A)). Most commercial signs in East Grand Rapids require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 18 inches (numeral height) | 50 sq. ft. per flag | — |
| R-1 Residential District, R-2 Residential District, R-3 Residential District, MFR Residential District | 18 | 6 ft. | 75 sq. ft. | — |
| C-1 Commercial District | 16 | 6 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Government Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Permitted in public right-of-way or public dedicated easement. | — | § 8.13(D), § 8.15(B) |
| Regulatory, Directional and Street Sign (by public agency) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 8.13(I) |
| Nameplate | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per side | Each side of a building facing street or parking area. | — | § 8.13(F) |
| Address Numbers | 18 inches (numeral height) | — | — | — | 1 per side | On building. | — | § 8.13(E) |
| Memorial/Commemorative Sign | — | 5 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per building; exception for corner | Carved/set into building stone/concrete/bronze etc. | — | § 8.13(G) |
| Flag | — | 50 sq. ft. per flag | — | — | 3 per lot | — | — | § 8.13(K) |
| Umbrella Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 8.13(N) |
| Temporary signs not visible from streets/parking | — | — | — | — | — | Located completely within building and not visible from outside | — | § 8.13(O), (S) |

### R-1 Residential District, R-2 Residential District, R-3 Residential District, MFR Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Wire Frame Sign (Residential Use) | 3 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | Minimum 5 ft from right-of-way line or C-1 district boundary | 3 per lot; unlimited between Aug 15-Nov 15 | — | — | § 8.17(B)(1)-(2), § 8.13(A) |
| Temporary Rigid Frame Sign (Residential Use) | 6 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | Minimum 5 ft from right-of-way line or C-1 district boundary | 3 per lot | — | — | § 8.17(B)(1)-(2), § 8.13(B) |
| Multiple-family Development Identification Ground Sign (5 or more units) | 6 ft. | 36 sq. ft. | — | Minimum 5 ft from right-of-way; 10 ft (non-illuminated) or 25 ft (illuminated) from side/rear property line if adjacent to residential use; 100 ft for electronic message signs. | 1 per frontage | At the entrance to the development; one per frontage. | — | § 8.17(B)(5) |
| Ground Sign (Nonresidential Use - Schools, Government, Church) | 6 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — | Min. 5 ft from right-of-way; 10 ft (non-illuminated) or 25 ft (illuminated) from side/rear property line if adjacent to residential use; 100 ft for electronic message signs. | 1 per frontage (+1 for additional street) | One per frontage | — | § 8.17(C)(3)(a) |
| Ground Sign (Nonresidential Use - Hospital) | 6 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — | Minimum 5 ft from right-of-way; 10 ft (non-illuminated) or 25 ft (illuminated) from side/rear property line if adjacent to residential use; 100 ft for electronic message signs. | 1 per street frontage | One per street frontage | — | § 8.17(C)(4)(a) |
| Ground Sign (All other Nonresidential Uses) | 6 ft. | 36 sq. ft. | — | Minimum 5 ft from right-of-way; 10 ft (non-illuminated) or 25 ft (illuminated) from side/rear property line if adjacent to residential use; 100 ft for electronic message signs. | 1 per street frontage | One per street frontage | — | § 8.17(C)(5)(a) |
| Temporary Yard Sign - Wire Frame (All Nonresidential Uses) | 3 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 per lot; unlimited between Aug 15-Nov 15 | Not in public right-of-way or private street easement. | — | § 8.17(C)(5)(d), Table 1 § 8.19 |
| Temporary Yard Sign - Rigid Frame (All Nonresidential Uses) | 6 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot | Not in public right-of-way or private street easement. | — | § 8.17(C)(5)(d), Table 1 § 8.19 |

### C-1 Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning, Canopy and Marquee Sign | — | No more than 1/3 of area of awning/canopy/marquee; included in max area for wall sign. | — | — | 1 per frontage facing street or parking area | May project up to 6 ft into public right-of-way, not closer than 3 ft to curb; must be approved by City Commission. | — | Table 1, § 8.19; § 8.18(A) |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft. | 4 sq. ft. | — | — | As approved by Director of Public Works | As approved by Director of Public Works. | — | Table 1, § 8.19 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per side of building facing street/parking | May project up to 6 ft into public right-of-way, not closer than 3 ft to curb, subject to City Commission approval. | — | Table 1, § 8.19 |
| Banner, Light Pole (Temporary) | — | 3 ft (horiz) x 8 ft (vert) max | 3 ft. | — | As approved by Director of Public Works | On light poles: a) in C-1, Lakeside Dr; b) adjacent to hospital; c) on light poles within church/school/hospital parking areas/drives. | — | Table 1, § 8.19 |
| Identification Sign for Non Single-Family Use During Construction (Temporary) | 6 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft from ROW; 25 ft from lot with dwelling unit. | 1 per lot | Minimum 5 ft from ROW. 25 ft from lot with dwelling unit. | — | Table 1, § 8.19 |
| Poster Panel Sign (Sandwich Board / A-frame) | 3.5 ft. | 7 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per side of building facing street/parking | On sidewalk/plaza/pedestrian area facing street or parking. | — | Table 1, § 8.19 |
| Rigid Frame Sign (Temporary) | 6 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot | Not in ROW or private street easement. | — | Table 1, § 8.19 |
| Wire Frame Sign (Temporary) | 3 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 per lot; unlimited between Aug 15-Nov 15 | Not in ROW or private street easement. | — | Table 1, § 8.19 |

## Prohibited signs in East Grand Rapids

- Any sign not expressly permitted by this chapter.
- Signs held by pedestrians that advertise or direct attention to a business, event or use of property.
- Signs that incorporate flashing or moving lights, including electronic message signs, except as otherwise permitted by this chapter.
- Banners, balloons, pennants, inflatable figures, spinners and streamers, unless specifically permitted by this chapter.
- Neon and LED rope lights, fiber optics or other similar types of lights strung around window frames or outlining buildings, other than holiday decorations.
- Search lights and beacons.
- Moving signs, including any sign having the appearance of movement, visible moving or revolving parts, or other visible mechanical movement, achieved by electrical, electronic or mechanical means, including intermittent electric pulsations or movement caused by wind.
- Any sign or sign structure that is structurally unsafe.
- Any sign or sign structure that constitutes a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation or abandonment.
- Any sign or sign structure that constitutes a hazard to safety or health by reason of blocking views.
- Any sign or sign structure that is capable of causing electric shock to any person who comes in contact with it.
- Any sign or sign structure that is unlawfully installed, erected or maintained.
- Any sign or sign structure that is located in public street or utility right-of-way, except where expressly permitted.
- Any sign or sign structure that is not kept in good repair, such that it has broken parts, missing letters or nonoperational lights.
- Any sign or sign structure that does not meet applicable requirements of the currently adopted Building Code for the city.
- Any sign erected on a tree or utility pole, except signs of a government or utility or a banner sign as permitted by this chapter.
- Any sign not attached to a building and erected within ten feet of a fire hydrant.
- Portable signs.
- Any sign that obstructs free access to or egress from a required door, window, fire escape or other required exit from a building or structure.
- Any sign which makes use of the words “Stop”, “Look” or “Danger”, or any other words, phrases, symbols or characters, in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse drivers.
- Roof signs.
- Pole and/or pylon signs except temporary rigid frame signs otherwise permitted.
- Billboards.
- Trailer-mounted signs.
- Signs on street furniture, such as benches and trash receptacles, not including commemorative plaques or engravings not larger than one-half square foot.
- Off-premises signs, other than wire frame signs as allowed by this chapter.
- Ground signs are not permitted in the C-1 District.
- No sign shall have pyrotechnic effects.

## Signs exempt from permit in East Grand Rapids

- Wire frame signs (permit not required).
- Rigid frame signs (permit not required).
- Temporary window signs, in conformance with Table 1, § 8.19 (permit not required).
- Government signs.
- Address numbers with a numeral height no greater than 18 inches; one address sign per side of building.
- Nameplates, not to exceed two square feet; one per side of building facing street or parking area per business.
- Memorial signs or commemorative tablets carved into stone, concrete, or similar material, made an integral part of the structure, max five square feet per building (signs set into building corners permitted on both faces).
- Signs on a bus, truck, trailer, or other vehicle while in normal transport for business.
- Regulatory, directional and street signs erected by a public agency in compliance with applicable standards.
- Private traffic control signs that conform to state requirements.
- Flags bearing the official insignia of a nation, state, municipality, or educational institution (up to three per lot, 50 sq ft max each; no area limit for city or school properties).
- Plaques or signs designating a building as a historic structure and installed by a federal, state or local historical agency or group.
- Permanent signs on vending machines, ice containers or similar devices indicating only the contents (limited to front panel).
- Umbrella signs.
- Any sign that is completely within an enclosed building and not visible from outside.
- Incidental signs in the C-1 District, the aggregate size not exceeding three square feet.
- Signs indicating the location of a polling place.
- Signs mounted upon rented or otherwise temporary equipment or structures (e.g., temporary storage units, dumpsters, portable toilets), when said equipment is compliant with all ordinances.
- Signs not visible from any street or parking area.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A master sign plan shall be submitted in conjunction with any request for PUD approval.
- A master sign plan may be required, at the discretion of the Director of Public Works, for uses in any zoning district where the development includes multiple structures and/or substantial site area (examples: hospitals, shopping centers, churches, schools).
- Master sign plans require approval of the City Commission, which may waive or modify sign requirements.
- If a site plan is required (per Article X of the zoning ordinance), the master sign plan may be submitted as part of the site plan.
- Following approval of the master sign plan, all signs on the property must conform to the plan and be subject to sign permit requirements.
- A master sign plan must show: location of proposed signs, dimensions, foundation and anchoring details, construction materials, height and setbacks, and lighting details.
- A variance meeting with the Board of Appeals is required for any application that does not conform to the sign regulations; standards for variances are provided in § 8.24(D).
- The Board of Appeals may require the applicant to present photographs, renderings, or additional information before a decision on a variance.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for East Grand Rapids, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=East+Grand+Rapids+MI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-east-grand-rapids

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/east-grand-rapids