# Sign Regulations in Muskegon Heights, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Muskegon Heights, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/muskegon-heights
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/Muskegon_Heights/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH66SI)

## At a glance

Muskegon Heights, Michigan regulates 10 sign types across 2 zoning districts. On-site Directional Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 3 ft tall and 4 sq ft per sign, with a Minimum 5 ft from right-of-way setback (Sec. Sec. 13.12 (J)). Most commercial signs in Muskegon Heights require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (2 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Planned Unit Development (PUD) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Sign (All Types) | — | — | — | 10 ft from road right-of-way; 20 ft from all other property boundaries; leading edge at least 2 ft from right-of-way | — | Signs must be stationary, securely anchored or fastened, constructed to withstand a 90 mph wind load, and pertain only to the business/activity on the premises except for political, community event, and billboard signs. No sign may be placed in or extend into the public right-of-way or obstruct clear vision. | — | Sec. 13.09 (A-F); Sec. 13.12 (A-B), (F-G), (K) |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | General setbacks apply: 10 ft from road right-of-way, 20 ft from other property boundaries, leading edge minimum 2 ft from right-of-way | — | Must conform to general setbacks and landscaping requirements. | — | Sec. 13.09 (D) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Affixed to the wall of a building | — | Sec. 13.12 (K) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | Min. 5 ft from right-of-way or property line | — | — | — | Sec. 13.12 (L) |
| Construction Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On site where work is scheduled | — | Sec. 13.12 (H) |
| Community Special Event Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | No more than 5 per event | — | — | Sec. 13.12 (I) |
| On-site Directional Sign | 3 ft | 4 sq ft per sign | — | Minimum 5 ft from right-of-way | Max 2 per road frontage | Minimum 5 ft from any right-of-way line; max 2 signs per road frontage | — | Sec. 13.12 (J) |
| Political Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 13.12 (E) |

### Planned Unit Development (PUD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| PUD Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 13.09 (H) |

## Prohibited signs in Muskegon Heights

- It is unlawful to erect, place, or maintain any sign in the city except in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance.
- Any sign that is not expressly allowed under an applicable provision of this ordinance is prohibited.
- No sign may be constructed, erected, displayed, maintained, reconstructed or located so that it creates a hazard for vehicle or pedestrian traffic.
- All signs must be properly maintained in good condition and reasonable repair at all times; defective or damaged parts must be replaced in a timely fashion.
- Signs that advertise a business, attraction, or activity that is no longer operating must be removed, covered, or replaced with blank faces within 60 days after written notification.
- No sign shall be placed in, or extend into, or obstruct clear vision in any public right-of-way.
- No wall sign shall project above the roof line.
- No sign shall be closer than two feet from the road right-of-way.
- All signs must be stationary, securely anchored or fastened, and designed and constructed to withstand a 90 mph ground wind load.
- Signs shall pertain only to the business or activity conducted on the premises, except for political signs, community special event signs, and billboards.
- Any sign that obstructs free access to or egress from a required door, window, fire escape, or other required exit is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Muskegon Heights

- Governmental signs.
- Signs for essential services.
- Historical markers.
- Memorial signs or tablets.
- Political signs provided they meet the size limitations of the district.
- Signs with an address and name of the owner or occupant, of not more than one square foot in area, attached to a mailbox, light fixture, or exterior wall.
- Temporary yard and garage sale signs of four square feet in size or less, located on the property on which the sale is conducted, provided no lot displays such signs for more than 14 days per calendar year.
- Window signs provided the total area of all signs within one foot of the window shall not obscure more than 50 percent of the window area.
- Flags or insignia of any nation, state, local government, community organization, or educational institution.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A zoning compliance permit (application must include size, plans/specifications, construction methods, etc.) is required for all signs unless otherwise exempted.
- Plans and specifications for the proposed sign must be submitted for permit approval.
- Some districts or types of developments (e.g., planned unit developments, or PUDs) require sign approval by the planning commission and city council.
- Any sign construction requires inclusion in a site plan when associated with site development requiring such review.
- All signs must comply with provisions as part of general site plan review processes (as referenced in site and chapter 14 requirements).
- Temporary signs require a permit issued by the zoning administrator.

## Full detail

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

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