# Sign Regulations in Norway, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Norway, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/norway
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/Norway/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH21MIPR_ARTIIITOIEDISI)

## At a glance

Norway, Michigan regulates 21 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Monument or Pole Signs in the Business B-1, Business B-2 zoning district are capped at 15 ft (monument), 30 ft (pole) tall and 50 sq ft, with a 5 ft (see requirement) setback (Sec. Sec. 1005, Table). Most commercial signs in Norway require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential R-1, Residential R-2, Residential RR, Residential RP | 7 | 8 ft above grade | 40 sq ft per side (up to two sides) | — |
| Business B-1, Business B-2 | 12 | 15 ft (monument), 30 ft (pole) | 60 sq ft | — |
| Business B-3 | 12 | 15 ft (monument), 30 ft (pole) | 60 sq ft | — |
| Business B-4, I - Industrial | 13 | 30 ft above grade (greater of natural or abutting road) | 300 sq ft per face, temp embellishments up to 20% | — |
| HC-O District | 4 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 4–8 ft | 60 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Business B-1, Business B-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Monument or Pole Sign | 15 ft (monument), 30 ft (pole) | 50 sq ft | — | 5 ft (see requirement) | 1, or 1 per major street frontage over 600 ft | On-premises | — | Sec. 1005, Table |
| Projecting Sign | — | 24 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 per use | Pins 6 inches to max 5 feet outward from building wall, 90 degrees to wall, may not extend into right-of-way | — | Sec. 1006.H |
| Rear Public Entrance Wall Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per rear entrance | At each rear public entrance | — | Sec. 1006.D |
| Portable Sign | 4 ft | 8 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per business | On private property; may be in public right of way if within 36 in. of building face & 6 ft of entrance (B-1), but not to obstruct pedestrian movement | — | Sec. 1008.A |
| Vehicle Sign (Property Owner Vehicle) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On vehicle owned by property owner | — | Sec. 1008.C |
| Changeable Copy Sign | 15 ft (monument), 30 ft (pole) | 50 sq ft (per freestanding sign) | — | — | See ground sign limits | As part of permitted ground sign | — | Sec. 1007 |
| Temporary Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property only, with owner's permission, unless otherwise provided. | — | Sec. 1013.D |
| Cluster Sign | — | 60 sq ft | — | Exempt from sec. 401. Not in R-O-W. | — | Exempt from setback requirements of section 401 but not in vision triangle or R-O-W. | — | Sec. 1012 |

### Business B-3

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Monument or Pole Sign | 15 ft (monument), 30 ft (pole) | 50 sq ft | — | 5 ft (see requirement) | 1, or 1 per major street frontage over 600 ft | On-premises | — | Sec. 1005, Table |
| Projecting Sign | — | 24 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 per use | Pins 6 in away, max 5 ft out from wall; may not extend into right-of-way | — | Sec. 1006.H |
| Rear Public Entrance Wall Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per rear entrance | At rear public entrance | — | Sec. 1006.D |
| Portable Sign | 4 ft | 12 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per business | On private property (not public right-of-way/sidewalk) | — | Sec. 1008.B |
| Vehicle Sign (Property Owner Vehicle) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | On vehicle owned by property owner | — | Sec. 1008.C |
| Changeable Copy Sign | 15 ft (monument), 30 ft (pole) | 50 sq ft (per ground sign) | — | — | See ground sign limits | As part of permitted ground sign | — | Sec. 1007 |
| Temporary Sign | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property | — | Sec. 1013.D |
| Cluster Sign | — | 60 sq ft | — | Exempt from sec. 401; not in ROW. | — | Exempt from sec. 401; not in vision triangle or R-O-W. | — | Sec. 1012 |

### Business B-4, I - Industrial

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Monument or Pole Sign | 15 ft (monument), 30 ft (pole) | 100 sq ft | — | 5 ft (see requirement) | 1, or 1 per allowed frontage | On-premises | — | Sec. 1005 Table |
| Projecting Sign | — | 24 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per use | Pins 6 in away, max 5 ft out from building wall; not in ROW | — | Sec. 1006.H |
| Rear Public Entrance Wall Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | At rear public entrance | — | Sec. 1006.D |
| Portable Sign | 4 ft | 12 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per business | On private property; not on public right-of-way/sidewalk | — | Sec. 1008.B |
| Vehicle Sign (Property Owner Vehicle) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On vehicle owned by property owner, products/services of owner only | — | Sec. 1008.C |
| Changeable Copy Sign | 15 ft (monument), 30 ft (pole) | 100 sq ft (per ground sign) | — | — | See ground sign limits | As part of freestanding sign | — | Sec. 1007 |
| Temporary Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | Private property only | — | Sec. 1013.D |
| Billboard | 30 ft above grade (greater of natural or abutting road) | 300 sq ft per face, temp embellishments up to 20% | — | Min 50 ft from road intersection; see also 500 ft billboard-to-billboard | Billboard min 500 ft apart | — | — | Sec. 1010 |

## Prohibited signs in Norway

- Unlawfully installed, erected, or maintained signs after the effective date of this Ordinance are prohibited.
- No portion of a privately owned sign or its supported structures shall be placed on, or within the air space above, publicly owned property, a public right-of-way, proposed public right-of-way, or boulevard, except within the B-1 District.
- Signs which imitate an official traffic sign or signal containing words such as 'stop', 'go', 'slow', 'caution', 'danger', 'warning', or similar words except as otherwise provided in this section are prohibited.
- Signs that are of a size, location, content, coloring or manner of illumination that may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device or which hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal, or which obstruct the view in any direction at a street or road intersection are prohibited.
- Signs affixed to trees, rocks, shrubs, fences, utility poles (except utility company signs), or other similar features are prohibited.
- Billboards, except in the permitted areas specified in section 1010, are prohibited.
- Signs erected on a roof of a building above the roofline are prohibited.
- Signs that emit sound are prohibited.
- No strobe, blinking or other pulsating lights shall be permitted.
- No sign shall be lighted so as to create a traffic hazard or to adversely affect neighboring land uses.
- No sign may be lighted to such intensity or in such a manner that it creates a public nuisance or adversely affects the public health, safety, or general welfare.
- No sign shall be located on any street corner in such a manner that would obscure the vision of drivers using the streets or conflict with traffic control signals at intersections.
- No signs shall obstruct the vision of drivers at any driveway, parking lot or other route providing ingress and egress to any premises.
- No sign shall be placed in a vision triangle.
- No sign shall be located or designed to materially block or obstruct a passing motorist's view of an existing sign or business.
- Signs shall not be designed or maintained in a manner that would confuse or mislead motorists or pedestrians, create traffic or pedestrian hazards, obstruct free and clear vision or interfere with any traffic control device.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to prevent ingress or egress from any door, window or fire escape.
- No sign of any kind shall be attached to a standpipe, fire escape or other means of ingress or egress.
- Signs shall not impair the use of adjacent properties.
- Dilapidated sign structures that are likely to cause injury or degrade the surrounding area and signs which advertise a closed business, past event or political election, are no longer legible, or are otherwise untimely or unsafe, are considered a nuisance or danger to the public.

## Signs exempt from permit in Norway

- Signs for a noncommercial nature and in the public interest, erected by, or on the order of a public officer in the performance of official duty, are exempt from requiring a zoning compliance permit.
- Signs intended to advertise a public election, individuals actively participating in such an election, or public ballot issue, or express personal opinions are exempt from requiring a zoning compliance permit, but are subject to timeframes and placement rules.
- Signs which announce 'no hunting' or 'no trespassing' are exempt from requiring a zoning compliance permit.
- Signs which have an occupant's name and/or house number or emergency identification number are exempt from requiring a zoning compliance permit.
- Signs which indicate a garage sale or directions to a garage sale are exempt from requiring a zoning compliance permit.
- Advertising signs such as banners, balloons, blimps, inflated characterizations of animals or movie figures, flags, pennants, pinwheels, robots, searchlights or other devices with similar characteristics are exempt from requiring a zoning compliance permit.
- Signs which identify the name of a farm or farming operation not exceeding a total sign area of 32 square feet are exempt from requiring a zoning compliance permit.
- One sign, whose area does not exceed four square feet, is permitted to announce the sale, lease, or rental of residential or commercial property maintained on that property and is exempt from requiring a zoning compliance permit.
- Temporary unlighted real estate signs may be located on premises other than those being offered for sale, rental, or lease, provided clear vision corners are maintained.
- Signs permitted by section 1004 (certain residential signs) are exempt from the general setback requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- An application for a sign permit must contain a scale drawing of the property showing the location of all buildings/structures and the location of the proposed sign on the lot, building, or structure.
- If a site plan meeting the requirements of article XI has already been submitted and contains all required information, it may be used in lieu of a separate sign plan for the permit application.
- All signs, except those specified in section 1004, require the issuance of a sign permit by the zoning administrator.
- Sign permits are required for specific sign types as indicated in permitted sign tables (e.g., ground signs, building-mounted signs, portable signs in certain districts).

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

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