# Sign Regulations in Hamtramck, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Hamtramck, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/hamtramck
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-19

## At a glance

Hamtramck, Michigan regulates 18 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the I zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall, 40 sq ft, and 10 ft wide, with a Min. 1/4 of building setback setback (Sec. §155.152 Table 1, §155.152(B)(6)(b)). Most commercial signs in Hamtramck require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| C2, CBD | 11 | 20 feet above grade or building height, whichever is less | 100 sq ft | — |
| I | 9 | 60 ft from grade | 700 sq ft (per face, one direction); single panel | — |
| R, R-M | 10 | 20 ft above grade or building height, whichever is less | 100 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 4 ft | 24 sq ft total per address; 16 sq ft max per sign | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### C2, CBD

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning and Canopy Sign | — | Part of total allowed wall sign area | — | — | 1 per 1st or 2nd story tenant | Ground or second floor tenants only | — | §155.152 Table 1, §155.152(B)(1) |
| Wall Sign | 20 feet above grade or building height, whichever is less | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | Building facade | — | §155.152 Table 1, §155.152(B)(12) |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft above grade or 22 ft above roadway | 60 sq ft | — | Min 10 ft from side lot; Min 30 ft from R district property | 1 per business development | On business development property; minimum 10 ft from side lot, minimum 30 ft from R district property line | — | §155.152 Table 1, §155.152(B)(6)(a) |
| Projecting and Marquee Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business tenant | Ground or second floor uses only | — | §155.152 Table 1, §155.152(B)(9) |
| Menu Board | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §155.152 Table 1, §155.152(B)(7) |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of window area (See special cases) | — | — | As limited by area % | Interior window glass facing street | — | §155.152 Table 1, §155.152(B)(13) |
| Freestanding Temporary Sign | 4 ft | 16 sq ft per address (in C2/CBD); 24 sq ft combined for all temp signs | — | — | 1 per address | If building <3 ft from property line, may be on sidewalk if at least 5 ft clear sidewalk; otherwise on private property. | — | §155.152 Table 1, §155.152(B)(11) |
| On-site Directional Sign | 3 ft | 4 sq ft per sign | — | Behind front right-of-way line | — | On property being directed to, behind front right-of-way line | — | §155.152 Table 1, §155.152(B)(8) |

### I

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Billboard | 60 ft from grade | 700 sq ft (per face, one direction); single panel | — | Not in required setback; 300 ft from Residential District | 1 | Abutting interstate or freeway only, not within 100 ft of structure or 300 ft of Residential District. Not in required setback. Not on roof. | — | §155.152 Table 1, §155.152(B)(2) |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 ft | 40 sq ft | 10 ft | Min. 1/4 of building setback | 1 per principal structure | Front yard | — | §155.152 Table 1, §155.152(B)(6)(b) |
| Wall Sign | Building height | 200 sq ft | — | — | — | Building facade | — | §155.152 Table 1, §155.152(B)(12) |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of window area | — | — | — | Interior of window, visible from street | — | §155.152 Table 1, §155.152(B)(13) |
| Changeable Message Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Can be part of any permitted sign | — | §155.152 Table 1, §155.152(B)(3) |
| Electronic Message Board | — | — | — | — | — | Can be part of any permitted sign | — | §155.152 Table 1, §155.152(B)(4) |
| Freestanding Temporary Sign | 4 ft | 16 sq ft per address; 24 sq ft total for all temp signs | — | — | 1 per address | On private property only | — | §155.152 Table 1, §155.152(B)(11) |
| On-site Directional Sign | 3 ft | 4 sq ft | — | Behind front right-of-way line | — | On property being directed to, behind front right-of-way line | — | §155.152 Table 1, §155.152(B)(8) |

### R, R-M

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning and Canopy Sign (Commercial Storefronts Only, CED Discretion) | — | Part of wall sign area | — | — | 1 per 1st or 2nd story tenant | Commercial storefronts only, CED discretion | — | §155.152 Table 1, §155.152(B)(1) |
| Wall Sign (Commercial Storefronts Only, CED Discretion) | 20 ft above grade or building height, whichever is less | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | Commercial storefronts only, CED discretion; building facade | — | §155.152 Table 1, §155.152(B)(12) |
| Projecting and Marquee Sign (Commercial Storefronts Only, CED Discretion) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business tenant | Commercial storefronts only, CED discretion | — | §155.152 Table 1, §155.152(B)(9) |
| Window Sign (Commercial Storefronts Only, CED Discretion) | — | 25% of window area per side | — | — | — | Commercial storefronts only, CED discretion; interior side window | — | §155.152 Table 1, §155.152(B)(13) |
| Signs Advertising Developments or Subdivisions | 6 ft | 18 sq ft | — | — | — | Common area shown on approved plat/site plan | — | §155.152 Table 1, §155.152(B)(10) |
| Freestanding Temporary Sign | 4 ft | 16 sq ft per address; 24 sq ft total temporary signs | — | — | 1 or more per address, up to 16 sq ft | On private property only | — | §155.152 Table 1, §155.152(B)(11) |
| On-site Directional Sign | 3 ft | 4 sq ft per sign | — | Behind front right-of-way line | — | On property being directed to, behind front right-of-way line | — | §155.152 Table 1, §155.152(B)(8) |
| Flag | — | — | — | — | 3 per site | — | — | §155.152 Table 1, §155.152(B)(5) |

## Prohibited signs in Hamtramck

- Signs located in such a manner as to obstruct or otherwise interfere with an official traffic sign, signal, or device, or obstruct or interfere with a driver's view of approaching, merging, or intersecting traffic.
- Signs encroaching upon or overhanging public right-of-way, except as authorized elsewhere in this chapter.
- Signs placed on, in or attached to, any utility pole, light standard, street tree, planter, trash can, or any other public facility located within the public right-of-way unless specifically authorized elsewhere in this chapter.
- Signs that blink, flash, or are animated by lighting in any fashion, including signs that have the appearance of traffic safety signs and lights or municipal vehicle warnings.
- Portable signs except as allowed for temporary signs.
- No vehicle or trailer with attached signs or advertising for premises-based businesses, or marked delivery vehicles, shall be parked between building front and front property line, nor on public right-of-way or public property visible from a right-of-way, except for attended loading or unloading, except as specifically permitted for cases where no other parking exists.
- Vehicles and trailers used primarily as static displays, advertising, or for storage, shelter, or distribution points for commercial products or services.
- Bulbs or strings of lights, except as permitted or required as part of a permitted outdoor sales area or temporary holiday display; other lighting devices, streamers, hot and cold air balloons or inflatable devices or structures, or propellers.
- Under canopy signs.
- Roof signs.
- Abandoned signs.
- Any sign that projects more than 18 inches from the building wall.
- Permanently affixed incandescent, LED, neon or other forms of strip lighting on the exterior of any building, or on interior windows facing the street.
- Animated signs.
- Bench signs.
- Off-premises signs, except as may be specifically permitted elsewhere in this chapter.
- Searchlights, except as may be specifically permitted elsewhere in this chapter.
- Any other signs not specifically permitted by this chapter.
- No sign shall be structurally altered, enlarged, relocated, repaired or refaced except in conformity to the provisions herein and until a proper permit (if required) has been secured.
- No signs other than public signs shall be erected on any public sidewalk or public way, unless specifically authorized by the chapter.
- No sign or sign structure shall be erected at the intersection of any street in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device.
- No sign shall be illuminated by other than electrical means; no movement, flashing or illusion of flashing, or turning on/off the sign illumination or any bulb or component thereof is permitted; no increase in the ambient light level at the property line of any adjacent residential-zoned property.
- No sign illumination may produce an increase in the ambient light level at the property line of any adjacent residential-zoned property.
- No sign shall be erected unless a permit has first been obtained from the city, except for signs exempted from the permit requirement.
- All signs must conform to the State Construction Code and any other ordinances of the city.
- If a sign becomes insecure or unsafe or is unlawfully installed or maintained, it must be brought into compliance or removed.

## Signs exempt from permit in Hamtramck

- Repair or restoration of any part of an existing sign when said sign is less than 50% destroyed or damaged by storm or other accidental emergency, and when ordered by the Building Official to return the sign to a safe condition, provided the sign message remains the same.
- Signs not requiring a permit are exempt from the permit requirement provisions, but must still be properly located, erected, and maintained.
- On-site directional signs with the sole purpose of directing traffic movement onto or within a property do not require a permit (must comply with size/location limitations).
- Interior signs not visible from outside a building are not regulated by the sign ordinance.
- Public signs established by city, county, state, or federal governments, or signs required to be placed by law.
- Flags (no more than three per site) do not require a permit.
- Menu boards in certain districts do not require a permit.
- Temporary signs in all districts do not require a permit, but must comply with placement, size, and duration restrictions.
- Garage sale signs may be posted on private property (with consent of owner) but not on public property, and must be removed within 24 hours of sale conclusion.
- Interior strip/incandescent/neon/LED (not facing street) lights as regulated by § 155.154(I)(1), if conditions are met.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permit applications must include two copies of plans and specifications with color renderings and method of construction/attachment.
- The Building Official may require plans to bear the certificate or seal of a registered structural or civil engineer as a condition to issuance of a permit.
- Billboards must be located as shown on an approved site plan or plat for developments or subdivisions.
- Signs advertising developments or subdivisions not exceeding 18 square feet in area, and six feet in overall height, may be erected in a common area as shown on the approved site plan or plat, and must comply with District requirements.
- Application forms for sign permits require information about dimensions, plans, construction, and relation to site surroundings.
- Building Official authority: The Building Official may require any additional information necessary to show full compliance with city and state laws.
- No mention was found of a required comprehensive master sign plan or formal 'variance' process specifically for signs in the general provisions reviewed.

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

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