# Sign Regulations in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/grosse-pointe-shores
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/Grosse_Pointe_Shores/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH16LADISU_ARTVIISUIM_S16-225STSI)

## At a glance

Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan regulates 4 sign types across 2 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the Residence Lakefront District, Philanthropic District, Park/Club District zoning district are capped at 4 feet tall and 7 square feet per side, max 2 sides, with a 5 feet from right-of-way and other property boundaries (unless city approved for within right-of-way) setback (Sec. Sec. 40-331(f)(2); Sec. 40-331(e)(4)). Most commercial signs in Grosse Pointe Shores require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (2 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residence Lakefront District, Philanthropic District, Park/Club District | 4 | 4 feet | 7 square feet per side, max 2 sides | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 4 feet | 7 square feet per side, max 2 sides | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Residence Lakefront District, Philanthropic District, Park/Club District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign | 4 feet | 2 square feet per side, max 2 sides | — | — | One at each driveway entrance | On-premises; one at each driveway entrance to the property. | — | Sec. 40-331(f)(1) |
| Ground Sign | 4 feet | 7 square feet per side, max 2 sides | — | 5 feet from right-of-way and other property boundaries (unless city approved for within right-of-way) | One per lot of record; for subdivisions/site condominiums/multifamily, one at primary entrance plus one additional at secondary entrance (with max 50% of allowable area) if on a different street | On-premises; may be located within public right-of-way upon city approval, including mounting to a fence or wall not exceeding 2 feet above the structure. | — | Sec. 40-331(f)(2); Sec. 40-331(e)(4) |
| Temporary Sign | 4 feet (can exceed in Philanthropic or Park/Club Districts with permit) | 7 square feet per side | — | 5 feet from right-of-way, driveway, property lines, unless city approved for within right-of-way/easement | Five per lot of record | On-premises; may be within public right-of-way or easement with city approval, including on fence/wall not exceeding 2 feet over structure | — | Sec. 40-331(f)(3); Sec. 40-331(e)(4) |
| Banner Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Allowed only in Philanthropic and Park/Club Districts | — | Sec. 40-331(d)(3) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign | 4 feet | 2 square feet per side, max 2 sides | — | — | One at each driveway entrance | On-premises; one at each driveway entrance to the property. | — | Sec. 40-331(f)(1) |
| Ground Sign | 4 feet | 7 square feet per side, max 2 sides | — | 5 feet from right-of-way, driveway, property lines | One per lot; see special rule for subdivisions/site condos/multifamily | On-premises with minimum 5-foot setback from right-of-way, driveway, and property lines. | — | Sec. 40-331(f)(2) |
| Temporary Sign | 4 feet | 7 square feet per side | — | 5 feet from right-of-way, driveway, property lines | Five per lot | On-premises with 5-foot setback from right-of-way, driveway, and property lines. | — | Sec. 40-331(f)(3) |

## Prohibited signs in Grosse Pointe Shores

- Signs not exempt or permitted as provided are not permitted.
- Abandoned signs are not permitted.
- Bench signs are not permitted.
- Banner signs are not permitted, except in the Philanthropic District or Park/Club District with a permit.
- Any sign unlawfully installed, erected or maintained is not permitted.
- Flashing, animated, or moving signs are not permitted.
- Electronic or digital changeable copy signs are not permitted.
- Illuminated signs are not permitted except as may be specifically permitted by the city.
- Inflatable signs are not permitted.
- Nonconforming signs are not permitted.
- Freestanding signs are not permitted.
- Roof signs are not permitted.
- Vehicle signs are not permitted.
- Wall (building-mounted) signs are not permitted.
- Any device erected or maintained which simulates or imitates in size, color, lettering, or design any traffic sign or signal or other word, phrase, symbol, or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse vehicular traffic is not permitted.
- Any sign which obstructs free ingress to or egress from a required door, window, fire escape or other required exit is not permitted.
- Any sign that, as determined by the building official or designee, is deemed unsafe, constitutes a hazard, is structurally unsound or not in good repair is not permitted.
- Only signs established or permitted by city, county, state or federal government may be located in or project into the public road right-of-way or public property, unless specifically provided otherwise.
- Signs shall not obstruct the clear vision or movement of pedestrians, cyclists, or motorists.
- All signs must be on-premises signs.
- Signs must comply with all other ordinances, including but not limited to section 40-237 (corner clearance) and subsection 40-244(b)(2) (home occupations).
- No sign shall be illuminated by other than electrical means.
- Illuminated signs shall not interfere with the vision of pedestrians, cyclists, or motorists.
- The light from illuminated signs shall not directly shine into adjacent or abutting properties.
- Illuminated signs adjacent to residentially zoned property shall not exceed 0.1 foot-candles along the adjacent property line.
- No sign shall have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights or other illuminating devices which have a changing light intensity, brightness, or color.
- When signs are externally illuminated, the light source shall be shielded and not visible from a public street or adjacent property.
- Neon lighting or similar lighting technologies are prohibited.
- Any sign located within a public right-of-way or easement area may be removed by the city without notice in the event of a public safety or infrastructure emergency.

## Signs exempt from permit in Grosse Pointe Shores

- Flags are exempt.
- Legal notices, identification information, or directional signs erected or permitted by governmental bodies or agencies are exempt.
- Building or unit addresses are exempt.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Grosse Pointe Shores, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Grosse+Pointe+Shores+MI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-grosse-pointe-shores

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