Sign Regulations in New Haven, Michigan
New Haven, Michigan has specific sign regulations covering 21 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Temporary Signs, Changeable Copy Sign, Directional Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 28, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for New Haven, Michigan
Sample Sign Requirements in New Haven
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identification Sign (Home Occupation) | — | 1 sq ft | — |
| Monument Sign (Nonresidential Site) | 8 ft | 20 sq ft | Additional 10-ft setback required from road center lines and property lines in residential districts (425-5J(4)) |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign | 8 ft | 20 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
21
- Temporary Signs
- Changeable Copy Sign
- Directional Sign
- Awning or Canopy Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
6
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for New Haven
Other Cities in Michigan
Frequently Asked Questions
In New Haven, monument signs are limited to 8 ft. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in New 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 New Haven, regulated sign types include Temporary Signs, Changeable Copy Sign, Directional Sign, Awning or Canopy Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In New Haven, monument signs typically require a Additional 10-ft setback required from road center lines and property lines in residential districts (425-5J(4)) setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in New Haven are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. New Haven has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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New Haven, Michigan Sign Rules at a Glance
New Haven, Michigan regulates 21 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Non-accessory Billboard (LI, HI only)s in the Industrial Office Zoning District (IO), Light Industrial Zoning District (LI), Heavy Industrial Zoning District (HI) zoning district are capped at 24 ft above grade of ground or roadway tall and 300 sq ft, with a See above setback (Sec. 425-7F). Most commercial signs in New Haven require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for New Haven, Michigan
Sign Rules by Zoning District in New Haven (6 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Zoning Districts (SF, SF-1, SF-2, MF, MH) | 4 | 8 ft | 20 sq ft | — |
| Residential Office Zoning District (RO) | 8 | 15 ft for banners | 100 sq ft | — |
| General Business Downtown Zoning District (GBD) | 8 | 48 in (~4 ft) | 100 sq ft | — |
| General Business Zoning District (GB) | 9 | 15 ft for banners | 100 sq ft (up to 300 sq ft for large stores) | — |
| Industrial Office Zoning District (IO), Light Industrial Zoning District (LI), Heavy Industrial Zoning District (HI) | 10 | 24 ft above grade of ground or roadway | 300 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 15 ft for banners | 50% of associated ground sign area | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in New Haven(sample of 3 of 6 zones)
General Business Downtown Zoning District (GBD)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monument Sign | 8 ft | 20 sq ft | — | — | One per site | At site | — | Unlock | 425-6D(1), 425-7E(1)-(2), 425-5M |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | One per business/site per facade | On facade of business with individual public entrance | — | Unlock | 425-6D(2), 425-7H(1)-(3) |
| Projecting Sign | 48 in (~4 ft) | 20 sq ft | — | — | One per business/site per facade (in lieu of wall sign) | On facade; replaces wall sign option | — | Unlock | 425-6D(2), 425-7G |
| Changeable Copy Sign | — | 50% of associated monument sign area | — | — | Part of monument sign | As part of monument sign | — | Unlock | 425-7B |
| Awning or Canopy Sign | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | In lieu of wall sign | Principal front of building | — | Unlock | 425-7A |
| Directional Sign | 3 ft | 2 sq ft | — | — | One per drive location | At each drive location | — | Unlock | 425-7C |
| Temporary Signs | 4 ft | 16 sq ft (combined for two signs) | — | — | Two per address | Private property only | — | Unlock | 425-7J(1) |
| Special Temporary Event Display Signs | 15 ft for banners | 30 sq ft per banner (max four event signs at a time) | — | — | Max four special temporary event display signs per address at a time | — | — | Unlock | 425-7K |
General Business Zoning District (GB)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monument Sign (Standard Site) | 8 ft | 64 sq ft | — | — | One per site | At site | — | Unlock | 425-6C(1), 425-7E(1)-(2), 425-5M |
| Monument Sign (Large Retail Option) | 8 ft | 64 sq ft each | — | — | Two (special conditions); one per frontage | Retail establishments with over 60,000 sq ft GFA and 300 ft road frontage: two monument signs evenly spaced along frontage; if multiple road frontages, one sign per frontage | — | Unlock | 425-6C(1), 425-7E(1)-(2), 425-5M |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq ft (up to 300 sq ft for large stores) | — | — | One per tenant with entrance, one per street facade | On facade of building for each tenant with individual public entrance; one per street facade; buildings with two street frontages may have one additional wall sign on second facade | — | Unlock | 425-6C(2)-(3), 425-7H |
| Changeable Copy Sign | — | 50% of associated monument sign area | — | — | Part of monument sign | As part of monument sign | — | Unlock | 425-7B |
| Awning or Canopy Sign | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | In lieu of wall sign | Principal front of building | — | Unlock | 425-7A |
| Directional Sign | 3 ft | 2 sq ft | — | — | One per drive location | At each drive location | — | Unlock | 425-7C |
| Temporary Signs | 4 ft | 16 sq ft (combined for two signs) | — | — | Two per address | Private property only | — | Unlock | 425-7J(1) |
| Special Temporary Event Display Signs | 15 ft for banners | 30 sq ft per banner (max four at once) | — | — | Max four special temporary event display signs per address at a time | — | — | Unlock | 425-7K |
Industrial Office Zoning District (IO), Light Industrial Zoning District (LI), Heavy Industrial Zoning District (HI)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monument Sign | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — | — | One per site | At site | — | Unlock | 425-6E(1), 425-7E(1)-(2), 425-5M |
| Wall Sign (Industrial) | — | 150 sq ft | — | — | One per tenant | On facade for each tenant with individual public entrance | — | Unlock | 425-6E(2), 425-7H(4)(a) |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — | — | One per major road entrance | At each major road entrance to industrial/technical park | — | Unlock | 425-6E(3), 425-7E(1)-(2) |
| Changeable Copy Sign | — | 50% of associated monument sign area | — | — | Part of monument sign | As part of monument sign | — | Unlock | 425-7B |
| Awning or Canopy Sign | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | In lieu of wall sign | Principal front of building | — | Unlock | 425-7A |
| Directional Sign | 3 ft | 2 sq ft | — | — | One per drive location | At each drive location | — | Unlock | 425-7C |
| Temporary Signs | 4 ft | 16 sq ft (combined for two signs) | — | — | Two per address | Private property only | — | Unlock | 425-7J(1) |
| Non-accessory Billboard (LI, HI only) | 24 ft above grade of ground or roadway | 300 sq ft | — | See above | — | LI and HI districts, at least 1,000 ft from other billboards, 300 ft from adjacent residential or use, 200 ft from public ROW, 100 ft from any property line | — | Unlock | 425-7F |
PermitPal covers all 6 zoning districts in New 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 6 zones for New Haven — start freeProhibited Signs in New Haven
- Pylon signs.
- Signs displaying streamers, windblown devices, spinners, trailer signs, and pennant string flags.
- No flashing, animated, moving or bare-bulb-type signs or displays.
- Signs affixed to or painted on street furniture.
- Signs painted directly onto wall surfaces.
- Neon tubing, LED or similar accent lighting shall not be permitted on, in, around, in front or behind windows in a manner visible to the general public.
- Abandoned signs.
- Signs which are painted on or attached to a fence or wall (nonpermanent wall sign).
- Signs which are of a size, location, content, coloring, or manner of illumination which may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device or which hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal which obstruct the view in any direction at a street or road intersection.
- Signs which contain any obscene material as defined under Miller v. California, 413 U.S. 15 (1973).
- Signs which emit audible sound, odor, or visible matter.
- A sign which copies or imitates or in any way approximates an official highway sign or carries the words 'stop' or 'danger'; or any sign which obscures a sign displayed by public authority for the purpose of giving traffic instruction or direction or other public information.
- A sign which obstructs any window or door opening used as a means of egress or prevents free passage from one part of a roof to any other part thereof. A sign which interferes with an opening required for legal ventilation.
- A sign or illumination that causes any direct glare into or upon any building or property, other than the building or property to which the sign is accessory to.
- A sign which displays flashing or intermittent lights or lights of changing degrees or intensity unless each interval in the cycle is eight seconds or more and the sign does not constitute a traffic hazard.
- Any sign unlawfully installed, erected, or maintained.
- Any sign not expressly permitted herein.
Exempt Signs in New Haven
- Village, county, state or federal road or traffic control signs shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter.
- Signs not visible beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel upon which they are situated, or from any public thoroughfare or right-of-way, shall not be counted toward the maximum number of signs permitted on the subject lot or parcel. These signs shall remain subject to Zoning Administrator approval, permit requirements, inspections, and height and setback requirements.
- Signs directing traffic on private property.
- Public institutions located within the Village of New Haven boundaries, including the Village of New Haven, New Haven Community Schools and State of Michigan recognized public charter schools, shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter.
- Any sign containing content protected under, or consistent with, the United States Supreme Court decision in Reed v Town of Gilbert, 135 S.Ct. 2218 (2015).
- Legal notices, identification information or devices erected or authorized by governmental bodies.
- Signs of one square foot or less which contain only the names of residents and/or street address numbers.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for New Haven
- Approval and issuance of a building permit is required prior to the erection, installation, alteration or relocation of any sign, unless specifically exempt from permit requirements elsewhere in this chapter.
- Site plan review and approval shall be required for all signs proposed in conjunction with a proposed development which is required to receive site plan review and approval.
- No person shall alter, relocate, erect, re-erect or construct any sign, except those which are exempted, unless a permit has been issued by the Village pursuant to this chapter.
- Signs which are approved as part of a site plan do not require a separate application and sign fees and Zoning Administrator review (does not include building permit fees).
- Site plan is required to be submitted with the sign permit application for most signs, except wall signs and sign resurfacing.
- In shopping centers with multiple tenants, all signage shall be coordinated as to size, location, color and character. A coordinated sign package (sign plan) shall be submitted for the entire complex or center prior to individual permits being granted.
- The Zoning Administrator may require a survey of the subject property if deemed necessary to verify compliance.
- The Zoning Administrator, or designee, may choose to submit the application and plan to the Planning Commission for approval prior to issuance of a building permit.
- Denials by Planning Commission or Building Department may be appealed to the Zoning Board of Appeals for variance consideration.
Source: ecode360 municipal code