# Sign Regulations in Ecorse, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Ecorse, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/ecorse
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/Ecorse/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH20SEGO_ARTIVGAYABARUSA_DIV1GE_S20-75ADSI)

## At a glance

Ecorse, Michigan regulates 14 sign types across 14 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the LI District zoning district are capped at 8 ft. tall and Illuminated: 32 sq. ft.; Unilluminated: 48 sq. ft., with a Min. 2 ft. from right-of-way setback (Sec. Table in 6.5.16).

## Sign rules by zoning district (14 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential: 1–4 du's | 4 | 15 ft. | 45 sq. ft. | — |
| Residential: 5+ du's | 5 | 15 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| MH District | 5 | 15 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| NMU District | 9 | 15 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| CC District | 11 | 15 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| C District | 9 | 30 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| LI District | 9 | 30 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| GI District | 9 | 30 ft. | 300 sq. ft. | — |
| PSP District | 8 | 15 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| All Residential Uses | 2 | 15 ft. | 45 sq. ft. | — |
| C, LI and GI Districts | 2 | 6 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | — |
| All Districts and Uses | 2 | 15 ft. | 45 sq. ft. | — |
| All Districts and Uses EXCEPT Residential Uses with 1–4 du's | 2 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 14 zones)

### CC District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 14 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On exterior wall of building | — | Table in 6.5.16 |
| Canopy/Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | 1/building | 1st floor only; min. 8 ft above grade; max 4 ft projection from façade; may encroach in ROW with approval | — | Table in 6.5.16; 6.5.8 |
| Projecting Sign | 14 ft. | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | 1/business | Min. 7 ft above grade; max 4 ft projection from façade; may encroach in ROW with approval | — | Table in 6.5.16; 6.5.9 |
| Electronic Message Sign (Wall Sign) | 8 ft. | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | 1/parcel | Only as wall sign | — | Table in 6.5.16; 6.5.11 |
| Electronic Message Sign (Freestanding Sign) | 6 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1/parcel | Only as part of a freestanding sign | — | Table in 6.5.16; 6.5.11 |
| Small Temporary Sign | 4 ft. | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Permitted in the right-of-way; must be removed at close of business each day | — | Table in 6.5.16 |
| Large Temporary Sign | 6 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | — | No closer to side property line than principal structure | — | Table in 6.5.16 |
| Flag | 15 ft. | 45 sq. ft. | 3 ft. x 5 ft. (max single flag size) | — | 3/parcel | — | — | Table in 6.5.16; 6.5.14 |

### LI District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 14 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On exterior wall of building | — | Table in 6.5.16 |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft. | Illuminated: 32 sq. ft.; Unilluminated: 48 sq. ft. | — | Min. 2 ft. from right-of-way | 1/parcel | Centered on lot to greatest extent possible; Min. 2 ft. setback from ROW | — | Table in 6.5.16 |
| Canopy/Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | 1/building | 1st floor only; min. 8 ft above grade; max 4 ft projection from façade; may encroach in ROW with approval | — | Table in 6.5.16; 6.5.8 |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | 2 | Within 3 ft. of window, facing exterior | — | Table in 6.5.16; 6.5.10 |
| Small Temporary Sign | 6 ft. | 12 sq. ft. | — | — | — | No closer to side property line than principal structure | — | Table in 6.5.16 |
| Large Temporary Sign | 6 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | — | — | — | No closer to side property line than principal structure | — | Table in 6.5.16 |
| Flag | 15 ft. | 45 sq. ft. | 3 ft. x 5 ft. (max single flag size) | — | 3/parcel | — | — | Table in 6.5.16; 6.5.14 |
| Billboard | 30 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | 1/parcel | Minimum of 1,400 ft between billboards; minimum 50 ft from property line; minimum 500 ft from residential or PSP zoning; minimum 100 ft from freestanding sign; minimum 500 ft from schools, religious institutions, hospitals, cemetery, or government building | — | 6.5.15; Table in 6.5.16 |

### GI District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 24 ft. | 300 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On exterior wall of building | — | Table in 6.5.16 |
| Freestanding Sign | 12 ft. | Illuminated: 48 sq. ft.; Unilluminated: 72 sq. ft. | — | Min. 100 ft. from residential district/use | 1/parcel | Min. 100 ft. from a residential zoning district or use | — | Table in 6.5.16 |
| Canopy/Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | 1/building | 1st floor only; min. 8 ft above grade; max 4 ft projection from façade; may encroach in ROW with approval | — | Table in 6.5.16; 6.5.8 |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | 2 | Within 3 ft. of window, facing exterior | — | Table in 6.5.16; 6.5.10 |
| Small Temporary Sign | 6 ft. | 12 sq. ft. | — | — | — | No closer to side property line than principal structure | — | Table in 6.5.16 |
| Large Temporary Sign | 6 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | — | — | — | No closer to side property line than principal structure | — | Table in 6.5.16 |
| Flag | 15 ft. | 45 sq. ft. | 3 ft. x 5 ft. (max single flag size) | — | 3/parcel | — | — | Table in 6.5.16; 6.5.14 |
| Billboard | 30 ft. | 200 sq. ft. | — | — | 1/parcel | Minimum of 1,400 ft between billboards; minimum 50 ft from property line; minimum 500 ft from residential or PSP zoning; minimum 100 ft from freestanding sign; minimum 500 ft from schools, religious institutions, hospitals, cemetery, or government building | — | 6.5.15; Table in 6.5.16 |

## Prohibited signs in Ecorse

- No sign shall be placed in the right-of-way except permitted awning, canopy and marquee signs with agency approval or small temporary signs in NMU and CC districts placed according to specified rules.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained that simulates or imitates in size, color, lettering, or design any traffic sign or signal or could interfere with, mislead, confuse, or create a safety hazard to traffic.
- No sign may be illuminated by means other than electrical devices, and all wiring must be installed underground in accordance with the National Electrical Code.
- All illumination must be concentrated on the area of the sign or landscape feature and directed/shielded so as not to interfere with vision of persons on adjacent streets or property.
- Illumination for all signs limited to 800 lumens and a color temperature of 3500K or warmer; internally illuminated signs must have a dark background and light lettering.
- No sign shall include reflective materials.
- Signs incorporating any manner of flashing, strobe, or moving lights (except approved electronic message signs) are prohibited.
- Animated signs, including environmentally or mechanically activated or flashing signs, are prohibited (exceptions apply for approved electronic message signs).
- Signs on park-type benches, trees, or utility poles are prohibited.
- Inflatable signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Pole- or pylon-mounted signs are prohibited.
- Portable and vehicle signs parked primarily for the purpose of attracting attention are prohibited.
- Signs unlawfully installed, erected, or maintained are prohibited.
- Signs that completely block the view of other signs are prohibited.
- Any additional signage for a business that has an existing nonconforming sign is prohibited.
- Signs with statements, words, or pictures of an obscene, indecent, or immoral character are prohibited.
- Signs located on entry or exit doors, or fences are prohibited.
- Only one electronic message sign is permitted per parcel; electronic message signs with animation, streaming video, text or images that flash, pulsate, move, or scroll are prohibited.
- Billboards are prohibited outside of the C, LI, and GI districts and must meet specified setbacks and spacing.

## Signs exempt from permit in Ecorse

- Address signs bearing only property numbers, post box numbers, name of occupants, or other identification of premises (one per building entrance, up to 2 sq. ft. each) are exempt from permit requirements.
- Historical signs designated by the state or federal government (up to 10 sq. ft. per parcel) are exempt from permit requirements.
- Government signs erected on behalf of or pursuant to authorization of a government body (including street signs, legal notices, informational signs, and regulatory signs) are exempt from permit requirements.
- The standards are not applicable to any sign not visible from a public right-of-way.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit must be secured from the building official prior to the erection or structural alteration of any sign, except for address signs, historical signs, and government signs as specified.
- Application forms for a sign permit must include: applicant contact information, site address, sign location, design drawing, illumination details, sign installer, owner consent, and other required info.
- The addition of an electronic message sign into an existing conforming sign requires a land use permit; electronic message signs are not permitted in nonconforming signs.
- Administrative decisions by the building official regarding signs may be appealed to the zoning board of appeals.
- Evidence of compliance with all standards and approval by governing right-of-way agency is required for any sign (awning, canopy, marquee, projecting) encroaching into public right-of-way.
- No explicit reference to a mandatory master sign plan for any or all zones, but individual sign permits are reviewed for compliance with the ordinance.
- Permit applications for temporary signs must specify the dates of intended display.

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

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