# Sign Regulations in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/grosse-pointe-farms
- **Data last verified:** 2026-02-10
- **Source:** [openai municipal code](https://www.grossepointefarms.org/departments/city_clerk/code_of_ordinances_and_city_charter.php)

## At a glance

Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan regulates 28 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Temporary Real Estate or Contractor Sign (Residential Principal Uses)s in the R-1-AAA One-Family Residential District; R-1-AA One-Family Residential District; R-1-A One-Family Residential District; R-1 One-Family Residential District; RC One-Family Attached Residential Cluster District; RM Multiple-Family Residential District zoning district are capped at 4 ft above grade (to top of sign) tall and 6 sq ft, with a At least 3 ft from nearest point of any public sidewalk or other public right-of-way (unless Director of Public Service approves a different location for good cause); must not interfere with necessary sight lines that could imperil vehicular traffic or cyclists setback (Sec. Code No. 11-09, Section 8(2)(b), (f), (g), (h)). Most commercial signs in Grosse Pointe Farms require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1-AAA One-Family Residential District; R-1-AA One-Family Residential District; R-1-A One-Family Residential District; R-1 One-Family Residential District; RC One-Family Attached Residential Cluster District; RM Multiple-Family Residential District | 8 | 6 ft (overall height) | 32 sq ft | — |
| CS Community Service District; CR Community Recreational District | 8 | 6 ft (overall height) | 32 sq ft | — |
| B-1 Local Business District; B-2 Commercial District; O-1 Office District | 14 | 42 inches (measured from normal grade line at base of sign) | 35 sq ft (per individual sign) | — |
| P-1 Vehicular Parking District | 2 | 10 ft above grade | 15 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### R-1-AAA One-Family Residential District; R-1-AA One-Family Residential District; R-1-A One-Family Residential District; R-1 One-Family Residential District; RC One-Family Attached Residential Cluster District; RM Multiple-Family Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent Identification Sign (Principal Uses Other Than Residences) | 6 ft (overall height) | 32 sq ft | — | — | One permanent identification sign per premises (plus one bulletin/announcement board permitted) | On premises of principal use (residential districts) | — | Code No. 11-09, Section 8(1)(a), (c) |
| Bulletin or Announcement Board (Principal Uses Other Than Residences) | 6 ft (overall height) | 32 sq ft | — | — | One bulletin/announcement board per premises (in addition to one permanent identification sign) | On premises of principal use (residential districts) | — | Code No. 11-09, Section 8(1)(a), (c) |
| Temporary Announcement Sign (Principal Uses Other Than Residences) | 4 ft (overall height) | 24 sq ft | — | — | One or more if permitted by Director of Public Service | On premises of principal use (residential districts) | — | Code No. 11-09, Section 8(1)(b), (c) |
| Security/Alarm Provider Identification Sign (Residential Principal Uses) | 2 ft above grade (to top of sign) | 1 sq ft | — | — | One | Within 5 ft of the principal residential structure | — | Code No. 11-09, Section 8(2)(a), (h) |
| Temporary Real Estate or Contractor Sign (Residential Principal Uses) | 4 ft above grade (to top of sign) | 6 sq ft | — | At least 3 ft from nearest point of any public sidewalk or other public right-of-way (unless Director of Public Service approves a different location for good cause); must not interfere with necessary sight lines that could imperil vehicular traffic or cyclists | One | On the premises being advertised | — | Code No. 11-09, Section 8(2)(b), (f), (g), (h) |
| Temporary Political Sign (Residential Principal Uses) | 4 ft above grade (to top of sign) | 6 sq ft | — | At least 3 ft from nearest point of any public sidewalk or other public right-of-way (unless Director of Public Service approves a different location for good cause); must not interfere with necessary sight lines that could imperil vehicular traffic or cyclists | No explicit limit | On the premises | — | Code No. 11-09, Section 8(2)(c), (f), (g), (h) |
| Temporary For-Profit or Commercial Activity Sign (Residential Principal Uses) | 4 ft above grade (to top of sign) | 6 sq ft | — | At least 3 ft from nearest point of any public sidewalk or other public right-of-way (unless Director of Public Service approves a different location for good cause); must not interfere with necessary sight lines that could imperil vehicular traffic or cyclists | One | On the premises | — | Code No. 11-09, Section 8(2)(d), (f), (g), (h) |
| Additional Non-duplicative Sign (Residential Principal Uses) | 4 ft above grade (to top of sign) | 6 sq ft per sign | — | At least 3 ft from nearest point of any public sidewalk or other public right-of-way (unless Director of Public Service approves a different location for good cause); must not interfere with necessary sight lines that could imperil vehicular traffic or cyclists | Multiple allowed if non-duplicative; no explicit limit | On the premises | — | Code No. 11-09, Section 8(2)(e), (f), (g), (h) |

### CS Community Service District; CR Community Recreational District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent Identification Sign (Principal Uses Other Than Residences) | 6 ft (overall height) | 32 sq ft | — | — | One permanent identification sign per premises (plus one bulletin/announcement board permitted) | On premises of principal use (community service and recreation districts) | — | Code No. 11-09, Section 8(1)(a), (c) |
| Bulletin or Announcement Board (Principal Uses Other Than Residences) | 6 ft (overall height) | 32 sq ft | — | — | One bulletin/announcement board per premises (in addition to one permanent identification sign) | On premises of principal use (community service and recreation districts) | — | Code No. 11-09, Section 8(1)(a), (c) |
| Temporary Announcement Sign (Principal Uses Other Than Residences) | 4 ft (overall height) | 24 sq ft | — | — | One or more if permitted by Director of Public Service | On premises of principal use (community service and recreation districts) | — | Code No. 11-09, Section 8(1)(b), (c) |
| Security/Alarm Provider Identification Sign (Residential Principal Uses) | 2 ft above grade (to top of sign) | 1 sq ft | — | — | One | Within 5 ft of the principal residential structure | — | Code No. 11-09, Section 8(2)(a), (h) |
| Temporary Real Estate or Contractor Sign (Residential Principal Uses) | 4 ft above grade (to top of sign) | 6 sq ft | — | At least 3 ft from nearest point of any public sidewalk or other public right-of-way (unless Director of Public Service approves a different location for good cause); must not interfere with necessary sight lines that could imperil vehicular traffic or cyclists | One | On the premises being advertised | — | Code No. 11-09, Section 8(2)(b), (f), (g), (h) |
| Temporary Political Sign (Residential Principal Uses) | 4 ft above grade (to top of sign) | 6 sq ft | — | At least 3 ft from nearest point of any public sidewalk or other public right-of-way (unless Director of Public Service approves a different location for good cause); must not interfere with necessary sight lines that could imperil vehicular traffic or cyclists | No explicit limit | On the premises | — | Code No. 11-09, Section 8(2)(c), (f), (g), (h) |
| Temporary For-Profit or Commercial Activity Sign (Residential Principal Uses) | 4 ft above grade (to top of sign) | 6 sq ft | — | At least 3 ft from nearest point of any public sidewalk or other public right-of-way (unless Director of Public Service approves a different location for good cause); must not interfere with necessary sight lines that could imperil vehicular traffic or cyclists | One | On the premises | — | Code No. 11-09, Section 8(2)(d), (f), (g), (h) |
| Additional Non-duplicative Sign (Residential Principal Uses) | 4 ft above grade (to top of sign) | 6 sq ft per sign | — | At least 3 ft from nearest point of any public sidewalk or other public right-of-way (unless Director of Public Service approves a different location for good cause); must not interfere with necessary sight lines that could imperil vehicular traffic or cyclists | Multiple allowed if non-duplicative; no explicit limit | On the premises | — | Code No. 11-09, Section 8(2)(e), (f), (g), (h) |

### B-1 Local Business District; B-2 Commercial District; O-1 Office District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Attached Sign (Front Façade) | 5 ft (per individual sign) | 35 sq ft (per individual sign) | ≤ 75% of the lineal frontage of the building face (per individual sign) | — | No more than 2 attached signs per building (front façade only) | On the front of the building facing the street or front lot line | — | Code No. 11-09, Section 9(a)(2)(i), (iii), (vii), (viii); 9(b)(iii) |
| Attached Sign (Side/Rear Façade - Corner or Alley/Parking) | 5 ft (per individual sign) | 35 sq ft (per individual sign) | ≤ 75% of the lineal frontage of the building face (per individual sign) | — | One additional sign allowed on either the side or rear façade (in addition to front-façade signs) | On either the side or rear façade of a corner building that adjoins more than one street, or a building with a side/rear façade adjoining a public alley or parking facility | — | Code No. 11-09, Section 9(a)(2)(ii), (iii), (vii), (viii); 9(b)(iii) |
| Wall Sign (Flat Wall - Business/Office/Commercial) | 5 ft (per individual sign) | 35 sq ft (per individual sign) | ≤ 75% of the lineal frontage of the building face (per individual sign) | — | Subject to building face aggregate and per-building limits | On building façade(s) as permitted | — | Code No. 11-09, Section 9(a)(2)(iii), (vii); 9(b)(ii), (iii) |
| Freestanding Sign (Business/Office/Commercial) | 5 ft (per individual sign) | 35 sq ft (per individual sign) | ≤ 75% of the lineal frontage of the building face (per individual sign) | — | Subject to building face aggregate and per-building limits | On premises; may not be on roof; may not project over any walk, street or other passage open to public travel | — | Code No. 11-09, Section 9(a)(2)(iii), (vii), (viii); 9(b)(ii), (iii) |
| Projecting Sign (Building Face Frontage ≤ 20 lineal feet) | May not extend more than 12 ft above average grade at the building face | 10 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — | Cannot extend over any public street or alley | Not more than one projecting sign per 20 lineal feet of building face | Attached to building; must not extend over any public street or alley | — | Code No. 11-09, Section 9(a)(2)(v); 9(b)(iii) |
| Projecting Sign (Building Face Frontage > 20 lineal feet) | May not extend more than 12 ft above average grade at the building face | 15 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — | Cannot extend over any public street or alley | Not more than one projecting sign per 20 lineal feet of building face | Attached to building; must not extend over any public street or alley | — | Code No. 11-09, Section 9(a)(2)(v); 9(b)(iii) |
| Awning or Canopy Valance Sign | Letters/numbers/symbols on valance limited to 8 inches in height | Not more than 1/3 of the valance surface may contain advertising material | — | — | Not specified | On building; location must conform to Zoning Ordinance and all other applicable ordinances | — | Code No. 11-09, Section 9(a)(2)(vi), (viii) |
| Monument Sign | 42 inches (measured from normal grade line at base of sign) | 25 sq ft per side (maximum two sides) | — | At least 10 ft from the nearest property line | Not specified | On premises in business/office/commercial district | — | Code No. 11-09, Section 9(a)(3); 9(b)(iii) |

## Prohibited signs in Grosse Pointe Farms

- It is unlawful to erect, alter, relocate, re-assemble, or post any sign without first obtaining a city sign permit.
- Changing the use of an erected sign without applying for and obtaining a new permit is prohibited.
- Using single-strand wires, wood plugs, or other structurally unsafe materials in the erection or maintenance of any sign is prohibited.
- Maintaining any sign in disrepair, dilapidated, or decayed condition is prohibited; such signs must be repaired or removed.
- Erecting any sign in a location that imperils public safety due to traffic conditions, fire, or other hazard, or that interferes with police or fire duties, is unlawful.
- Outdoor lighted advertising signs may not be illuminated between midnight and sunrise unless the business is open during those hours and the signs are adequately shielded from residential premises.
- No flashing or intermittent lighting, or red or green illumination, on any sign located in the same line of vision as a traffic control system.
- Signs may not interfere with vision clearance along any highway, street or road, or at any intersection of two or more streets.
- Illuminated signs may not cast light upon residences and must be located at least 50 feet from a residential district.
- Maintaining any sign contrary to the ordinance is prohibited and deemed a public nuisance subject to removal.

## Signs exempt from permit in Grosse Pointe Farms

- Residence numbering signs are not considered "signs" under the ordinance.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required citywide before erecting, altering, relocating, re-assembling, or posting any sign (except certain residential signs in Section 8(2)).
- Permit applications must include a plan or sketch showing the sign's dimensions, plans, specifications, and materials.
- For electrically illuminated signs, the application must include the electrician’s name, license information, the sign’s UL label number, and the electrical permit number.
- If plastic materials are used, the application must state the manufacturer’s trade/common name of the plastic and certify that it is non-combustible or approved non-combustible; the finished plastic unit must be identified accordingly.
- Permits are issued only after approval by the Director of Public Service and confirmation of compliance with all ordinance provisions.
- Any change in the use of a sign requires filing a new application and obtaining a new permit.
- A variance/appeal process is available: a written appeal to the City Council must be filed within 10 days to seek modification of requirements (Sections 8–10) or to reverse a permit denial; the Council may reduce or modify requirements in cases of unusual practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship, or for public safety, comfort, convenience, or protection of property values.

## 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 5 zoning districts in Grosse Pointe Farms — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Grosse+Pointe+Farms+MI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-grosse-pointe-farms

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