Sign Regulations in Grand Haven, Michigan
Grand Haven, Michigan has specific sign regulations covering 25 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Bed and Breakfast - Ground Sign (Option 1), Bed and Breakfast - Wall Sign (Option 2), Directional Sign (Bed and Breakfast). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: January 14, 2026
Sign Regulation Overview for Grand Haven, Michigan
Sample Sign Requirements in Grand Haven
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Sign Standards (All Signs) | — | — | Minimum 1/2 of the required front yard setback (sandwich boards exempt). |
| Projecting Sign - General Standards | — | ≤ 12 sq. ft. | — |
| Sandwich Board Sign - General Standards | ≤ 42 inches | ≤ 6 sq. ft. | Exempt from the 1/2 front yard setback rule. |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for Grand HavenFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
25
- Bed and Breakfast - Ground Sign (Option 1)
- Bed and Breakfast - Wall Sign (Option 2)
- Directional Sign (Bed and Breakfast)
- Wall Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
5
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Grand Haven
Other Cities in Michigan
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Grand Haven vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Grand Haven, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Grand Haven, regulated sign types include Bed and Breakfast - Ground Sign (Option 1), Bed and Breakfast - Wall Sign (Option 2), Directional Sign (Bed and Breakfast), Wall Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Grand Haven vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Grand Haven are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Grand Haven has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Grand Haven, Michigan Sign Rules at a Glance
Grand Haven, Michigan regulates 25 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the NMU, OS, CB, B, WF, WF-2, CC zoning district are capped at 6 ft. tall and 32 sq. ft., with a 1/2 of required front yard setback. setback (Sec. Sec. 40-705 (Non-Residential Districts table)). Most commercial signs in Grand Haven require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Grand Haven, Michigan
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Grand Haven (5 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | ≤ 42 inches | ≤ 50% of traditional stationary sign area (must be secondary to stationary sign) | — |
| LDR, MDR, MFR, DR, NS, S, E, OT | 7 | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| NMU, OS, CB, B, WF, WF-2, CC | 12 | ≤ 42 inches | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| C | 13 | ≤ 42 inches | ≤ 100 sq. ft. per sign | — |
| TI, I | 13 | ≤ 42 inches | ≤ 100 sq. ft. per sign | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Grand Haven(sample of 3 of 5 zones)
NMU, OS, CB, B, WF, WF-2, CC
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | ≤ 60 sq. ft. per sign | — | — | No limit | On building facade. | — | Unlock | Sec. 40-705 (Non-Residential Districts table); Sec. 40-701.L; Sec. 40-701.F.1 (CB neon) |
| Awning Sign | — | ≤ 60 sq. ft. per sign (counted toward sign area) | — | — | No limit | On building awning. | — | Unlock | Sec. 40-705 (Non-Residential Districts table); Sec. 40-708.A–B |
| Projecting Sign | — | ≤ 12 sq. ft. | — | — | No limit | Attached to building; may project over public ROW only in CB and NMU (not in OS, B, WF, WF-2, CC) with encroachment permit & insurance. | — | Unlock | Sec. 40-705 (Non-Residential Districts table - permitted type); Sec. 40-701.E(1)-(2); Sec. 40-704.H(4); Sec. 40-701.F.1 |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | Minimum setback: 1/2 of required front yard setback. | 1 per frontage | On site; 1 per frontage. | — | Unlock | Sec. 40-705 (Non-Residential Districts table) |
| Ground Sign (US-31 Frontage ≥ 90 ft) | 6 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | Minimum setback: 1/2 of required front yard setback. | 1 per frontage | Lots of record with at least 90 ft of frontage on US-31. | — | Unlock | Sec. 40-705 (Non-Residential Districts table) |
| Pole Sign (US-31 Frontage ≥ 90 ft) - In lieu of Ground Sign | 20 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | Minimum setback: 1/2 of required front yard setback. | 1 (in lieu of allowed ground sign) | Lots of record having at least 90 ft of frontage on US-31. | — | Unlock | Sec. 40-705 (Non-Residential Districts table); Sec. 40-701.N; Sec. 40-701.J |
| Sandwich Board Sign | ≤ 42 inches | ≤ 6 sq. ft. | ≤ 30 inches | Exempt from front setback rule. | — | ≤ 24 inches from storefront/entrance it serves; cannot block pedestrian access; may be within public ROW when requirements met. | — | Unlock | Sec. 40-707; Sec. 40-704.H(7) |
| Gas Station Canopy Sign | — | 24 sq. ft. per sign | — | — | 2 (one per side of canopy) | On gas station canopy fascia. | — | Unlock | Sec. 40-705 (Non-Residential Districts table) |
C
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | ≤ 100 sq. ft. per sign | — | — | No limit | On building facade. | — | Unlock | Sec. 40-705 (Non-Residential Districts table: 100 sq. ft. in C); Sec. 40-701.L |
| Awning Sign | — | ≤ 100 sq. ft. per sign (counted toward sign area) | — | — | No limit | On building awning. | — | Unlock | Sec. 40-705 (Non-Residential Districts table: 100 sq. ft. in C); Sec. 40-708.B |
| Projecting Sign | — | ≤ 12 sq. ft. | — | — | No limit | Attached to building; projecting over public ROW in C is governed by general prohibition exceptions (only CB, NMU, OT, S explicitly allowed over ROW). | — | Unlock | Sec. 40-701.E; Sec. 40-704.H(4) |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | Minimum setback: 1/2 of required front yard setback. | 1 per frontage | On site; 1 per frontage. | — | Unlock | Sec. 40-705 (Non-Residential Districts table) |
| Ground Sign (US-31 Frontage ≥ 90 ft) | 6 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | Minimum setback: 1/2 of required front yard setback. | 1 per frontage | Lots with ≥ 90 ft frontage on US-31. | — | Unlock | Sec. 40-705 (Non-Residential Districts table) |
| Pole Sign (US-31 Frontage ≥ 90 ft) - In lieu of Ground Sign | 20 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | Minimum setback: 1/2 of required front yard setback. | 1 (in lieu of one ground sign) | Lots with ≥ 90 ft frontage on US-31. | — | Unlock | Sec. 40-705; Sec. 40-701.N; Sec. 40-701.J |
| Sandwich Board Sign | ≤ 42 inches | ≤ 6 sq. ft. | ≤ 30 inches | Exempt from front setback. | — | ≤ 24 inches from storefront/entrance; cannot block pedestrians; may be in public ROW if requirements met. | — | Unlock | Sec. 40-707; Sec. 40-704.H(7) |
| Gas Station Canopy Sign | — | 24 sq. ft. per sign | — | — | 2 | On canopy fascia. | — | Unlock | Sec. 40-705 |
TI, I
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | ≤ 100 sq. ft. per sign | — | — | No limit | On building facade. | — | Unlock | Sec. 40-705 (Non-Residential Districts table: 100 sq. ft. in TI and I); Sec. 40-701.L |
| Awning Sign | — | ≤ 100 sq. ft. per sign (counted toward sign area) | — | — | No limit | On building awning. | — | Unlock | Sec. 40-705; Sec. 40-708.B |
| Projecting Sign | — | ≤ 12 sq. ft. | — | — | No limit | Attached to building. | — | Unlock | Sec. 40-701.E; Sec. 40-704.H(4) |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | Minimum setback: 1/2 of required front yard setback. | 1 per frontage | On site; 1 per frontage. | — | Unlock | Sec. 40-705 |
| Ground Sign (US-31 Frontage ≥ 90 ft) | 6 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | Minimum setback: 1/2 of required front yard setback. | 1 per frontage | Lots with ≥ 90 ft frontage on US-31. | — | Unlock | Sec. 40-705 |
| Pole Sign (US-31 Frontage ≥ 90 ft) - In lieu of Ground Sign | 20 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | Minimum setback: 1/2 of required front yard setback. | 1 (in lieu of one ground sign) | Lots with ≥ 90 ft frontage on US-31. | — | Unlock | Sec. 40-705; Sec. 40-701.N; Sec. 40-701.J |
| Sandwich Board Sign | ≤ 42 inches | ≤ 6 sq. ft. | ≤ 30 inches | Exempt from front setback. | — | ≤ 24 inches from storefront/entrance; cannot block pedestrian access; may be in ROW if requirements met. | — | Unlock | Sec. 40-707; Sec. 40-704.H(7) |
| Gas Station Canopy Sign | — | 24 sq. ft. per sign | — | — | 2 | On canopy fascia. | — | Unlock | Sec. 40-705 |
PermitPal covers all 5 zoning districts in Grand Haven — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 5 zones for Grand Haven — start freeProhibited Signs in Grand Haven
- Obsolete signs that do not relate to an existing business or products/services available on the site are prohibited in any district.
- Signs that are illegal under applicable federal/state/local laws or ordinances, or inconsistent with the standards of this ordinance, are prohibited.
- Signs that are not clean and in good repair, or that are out of compliance with applicable building and electrical codes, are prohibited.
- Air-filled balloons, air dancer signs, and lighter-than-air signs are prohibited.
- Signs not securely affixed to a supporting structure are prohibited.
- Non-official signs that attempt to regulate/warn/direct traffic, that interfere with or resemble official traffic signs/signals/devices, or that may obstruct a motorist’s vision are prohibited.
- Signs for minor home occupations are prohibited.
- Signs located in, projecting into, or overhanging within a public right-of-way or dedicated public easement are prohibited, except for the specified allowances (official traffic signs; public transit signs; public utility informational signs; projecting/marquee/suspended signs as permitted in CB, NMU, OT, and S districts; emergency warning signs; temporary signs/banners/directional signs approved by the city council; and sandwich board signs meeting ordinance requirements).
- Truck or trailer-mounted signs (including billboard trucks) or signs attached to vehicles used primarily for display are prohibited; identification of a business/products/services on vehicles used and parked in the normal course of business is allowed.
- Illumination prohibitions applicable to all illuminated signs: lighting shall not be flashing, blinking, intermittent, or on-and-off; illumination must be arranged so no direct light sources are visible to motorists/pedestrians or adjacent properties; external lighting must be downward facing/shielded or directed to illuminate only the sign face; internal sign faces must be opaque so individual lamps are muted and only the sign face is illuminated; backlit bulbs/light sources shall not be visible.
- A sign shall not extend above the roof line of the building to which it is attached.
- No sign shall be located where it obstructs the clear vision corner (per section 40-307).
- Signage or copy is not permitted on coverings around pole supports.
- Projecting/suspended signs over sidewalks/walkways shall not project more than 48 inches from the building face, shall not exceed 12 square feet in area, and must maintain at least 9 feet of clearance over the walkway.
- Wall signs shall not project more than 6 inches from the wall and shall not exceed 90% of the width of the wall to which they are attached.
- Pole signs: the lowest edge of the sign face may not be closer than 10 feet to natural grade.
Exempt Signs in Grand Haven
- Public notices, traffic control, or warnings required by valid federal, state, or local law/regulation/ordinance.
- Property address and owner identification signs up to 1 square foot in area.
- Signs wholly located within a building and not visible from outside (window signs are not included in this exemption).
- Holiday lights and decorations that contain no commercial message.
- Works of art that do not contain a commercial message.
- Minor signs, subject to: a) maximum 6 sq ft area and 6 ft height; b) may be located on adjacent property with written approval from the adjacent owner; c) drive-through minor signs may be up to 48 sq ft and 6 ft height; d) signs on gas pumps shall not exceed 3 sq ft.
- Governmental historical designation signs.
- Window signs, provided window sign coverage does not exceed 25% of window area per building elevation.
- Special event signage on public property.
- City wayfinding signs consistent with the accepted graphic identity and approved by the city manager, on public or private property.
- Temporary yard signs: a) limited to one per street frontage; b) additional signs allowed during the period from 30 days prior to an election to 7 days after the election, and during declared emergencies per section 40-111.01.E; c) size limits: max 3 sq ft on residential property and 12 sq ft on nonresidential property (size limits do not apply during declared emergencies per section 40-111.01.E).
- Temporary yard signs on residential or commercial construction sites: a) limited to one per street frontage; b) maximum area 12 sq ft in residential districts and 32 sq ft in nonresidential districts; c) maximum height 10 ft; d) minimum 1 ft setback from any property line/right-of-way; e) confined to the construction site; f) must be removed within 14 days after issuance of the occupancy permit.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Grand Haven
- Special purpose signs require submittal of a basic site plan under section 40-115; the planning commission may consider approval if the sign does not exceed permitted area in the underlying district.
- Temporary signs, banners, or directional signs within the public right-of-way must be approved by the city council, which will establish sign area standards and a display period.
- Projecting or suspended signs extending over a public street/sidewalk/alley require an encroachment permit (renewed every 3 years) and a public liability insurance policy naming the city as an additional insured; if insurance is canceled, the sign must be removed.
- Nonconforming landmark signs may be fully replaced in kind only upon a planning commission determination that the sign meets landmark criteria (exemplary technology/craftsmanship/design; integrated into significant architecture; or extraordinary aesthetic quality/creativity/innovation).
- Except for exempt signs, a land use permit is required for all new signs or sign replacements (section 40-702, cross-referencing section 40-111.02).
Source: municode municipal code