Sign Regulations in Novi, Michigan
Novi, Michigan has specific sign regulations covering 26 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign (Per Business), Canopy Sign, Ground Sign (Per Development Parcel). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 8, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Novi, Michigan
Sample Sign Requirements in Novi
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign (Per Business) | — | 65 sq ft | — |
| Wall Sign (Single Tenant Nonresidential) | — | 250 sq ft | — |
| Canopy Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for NoviFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
26
- Wall Sign (Per Business)
- Canopy Sign
- Ground Sign (Per Development Parcel)
- Business Center Ground Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
8
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Novi
Other Cities in Michigan
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Novi vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Novi, 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 Novi, regulated sign types include Wall Sign (Per Business), Canopy Sign, Ground Sign (Per Development Parcel), Business Center Ground Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Novi vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Novi are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Novi has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Novi, Michigan Sign Rules at a Glance
Novi, Michigan regulates 26 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Entranceway Sign (General)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 5 ft tall and 24 sq ft (see specifics by district), with a 10 ft from right-of-way setback (Sec. Sec. 28-5(d)(11), 28-5(f)(3)). Most commercial signs in Novi require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Novi, Michigan
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Novi (8 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential District (RA, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, RT, RM-1, RM-2, MH) | 5 | 6 ft | 250 sq ft | — |
| Office District (OS-1, OSC, OST) | 5 | 6 ft | 250 sq ft | — |
| Industrial District (I-1, I-2) | 5 | 6 ft | 250 sq ft | — |
| Business District (B-1, B-2, B-3, FS, RC, NCC, C, TC, EXPO) | 5 | 6 ft | 250 sq ft | — |
| Town Center/Gateway District (TC-1, GE) | 8 | 15 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| EXO District (EXO) | 8 | 30 ft | 672 sq ft | — |
| Planned Suburban Low-Rise Overlay (PSLR) | 7 | 12 ft | 250 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft (temporary); 4 sq ft (address, cornerstone markers, historic markers) | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Novi(sample of 3 of 8 zones)
Town Center/Gateway District (TC-1, GE)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign (Front Entrance) | Not above wall height | 65 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | Front first floor entrance; wall | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-5(a), Table; Sec. 28-5(c)(1)a |
| Wall Sign (Rear Entrance) | Not above wall height | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Rear of building with direct separate entrance | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-5(c)(1)b |
| Wall Sign (Upper Floor or Interior Occupant) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 | At street entryway | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-5(c)(1)c |
| Sign (No Street Frontage, Parking Adjacent) | — | 24 sq ft | — | 30 ft on center from similar sign | 1 | Adjacent to parking lot or street, at least 30 ft on center from any similar sign | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-5(c)(1)d |
| Wall Sign (No Separate First Floor Exterior Entrance) | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Where no separate exterior entrance | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-5(c)(1)e |
| Business Center Ground Sign | 15 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Business center | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-5(a), Table; Footnote (4); 28-5(c)(2)b |
| Pedestrian Level Projecting Sign | 12 ft | 6 sq ft | 3 ft | — | 1 per business | At store frontage, min 8.5 ft above grade | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-5(e)(1) |
| Upper Level Projecting Sign | — | 15 sq ft | 3 ft | — | 1 per upper level business | Upper level exterior wall; min 12 ft above grade; not above wall height | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-5(e)(2) |
EXO District (EXO)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign (Per Business) | — | 65 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | First floor entrance; business frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-5(a), Table; 28-5(b)(1)a, 28-5(b)(7) |
| Wall Sign (Single Tenant) | — | 250 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Single tenant | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-5(a), Table; 28-5(b)(1)b |
| Wall Sign (EXPO Facility with Freeway Frontage) | Not above wall height | 360 sq ft per sign, up to 4 signs, total 360 sq ft for all signs | — | — | Up to 4 | Building side adjacent to interstate freeway | — | Unlock | Footnote (5) Sec. 28-5(a); 28-5(d)(13) |
| Canopy Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On canopy/awning | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-5(a), Table |
| Ground Sign (Per Development Parcel) | 6 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On development parcel | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-5(a), Table; 28-5(b)(2) |
| Business Center Ground Sign | 6 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Business center | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-5(a), Table |
| Highway Ground Pole Sign (EXO I-96 Corridor Zone) | 30 ft | 672 sq ft | — | No closer than required yard setback and not closer than 50 ft from any residential property | — | Within 50 ft of limited access right-of-way of I-96 (EXO district) | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-8(a)(2) |
| Highway Wall Sign (EXO I-96 Corridor Zone) | Not to exceed wall height | 360 sq ft | — | — | — | Building wall within 50 ft of I-96 right-of-way (EXO district) | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-8(a)(2) |
General Regulations For All Zones
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Changeable Copy Ground Sign (Nonresidential Only, Not Business Center) | Height per ground sign limit for zone | Area per ground sign limit for zone | — | — | — | Nonresidential ground sign locations | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-5(g) |
| Entranceway Sign (General) | 5 ft | 24 sq ft (see specifics by district) | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 per entrance, 2 at boulevard entrance | Entrance to subdivision, apartment complex, condominium, or institution | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-5(d)(11), 28-5(f)(3) |
| Temporary Sign (Single Family Residential) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Freestanding or wall; on-lot | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-6, Table |
| Temporary Sign (Multi-family Residential) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | Freestanding; on-lot | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-6, Table |
| Temporary Sign (Nonresidential in RA, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, RT, MH) | 6 ft | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | Freestanding or wall; on-lot | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-6, Table |
| Temporary Sign (Nonresidential in All Other Districts) | 6 ft | 20 sq ft (individual wall sign); 32 sq ft (individual freestanding sign); max 64 sq ft for all temporary signs | — | — | — | Freestanding or wall; on-lot | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-6, Table |
| Flag | — | Varies by flag pole height (see flag table) | — | — | 2 per parcel generally; more in TC/TC-1 via plan | On flagpole or wall | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-7(a)(6), Table |
| Projecting Sign (Where Permitted) | — | See TC-1/GE/PSLR: 6 sq ft pedestrian; 15 sq ft upper level | — | — | 1 per business where permitted | Private or public streets; building exterior | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-5(e) |
PermitPal covers all 8 zoning districts in Novi — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 8 zones for Novi — start freeProhibited Signs in Novi
- A sign not expressly permitted is prohibited.
- Flashing signs are prohibited.
- Feather flags, pennants, spinners, and streamers are prohibited.
- String lights designed to attract attention to a nonresidential use are prohibited, including strips of LED/neon along exteriors except for permitted temporary holiday lighting.
- Animated signs are prohibited.
- Any sign or sign structure that is structurally unsafe, not maintained, dilapidated, abandoned, not in good repair, capable of causing electrical shocks, has peeling paint, or has broken parts/lights/missing letters is prohibited.
- Any sign which constitutes a traffic hazard or obstructs drivers' vision or traffic control devices is prohibited.
- Any sign which obstructs required ingress or egress from doors, windows, fire escapes, or exits is prohibited.
- Any unlawfully installed, erected, or maintained sign is prohibited.
- Portable signs are prohibited except where expressly permitted.
- Motor vehicle signs are prohibited if: they are on inoperable or unregistered vehicles, extend beyond the vehicle, are parked in the public right-of-way or areas not intended for parking, are regularly parked in the front or side yard abutting a street when other locations are available, or are parked within 50 feet of the street when more distant or screened locations are available.
- No sign shall be located within, project into, or overhang any public right-of-way except as otherwise permitted.
- Signs with wind-actuated elements are prohibited.
- Highway signs must not have features including blinking, bursting, dissolving, distorting, fading, flashing, oscillating, rotating, scrolling, sequencing, shimmering, sparkling, streaming, traveling, tracing, twinkling, simulated movement, or convey the illusion of movement.
- No sign shall block or restrict visibility beyond what is reasonable, or conflict with other provisions of the zoning ordinance.
- No sign may be erected, maintained, altered, moved, or converted contrary to or in violation of ordinance provisions; violations are declared public nuisances.
Exempt Signs in Novi
- Signs less than one (1) square foot in area, when accessory to the use of the parcel of land.
- Legal notices, including but not limited to signs required for proposed rezoning changes.
- Decorative displays in connection with a recognized holiday, provided the display does not exceed 75 days.
- Signs required by law (e.g., fire code).
- Temporary signs not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet in area.
- Addresses not exceeding four (4) square feet in area, unless required by other code or regulation.
- Cornerstone markers, when cut into masonry or of bronze/other noncombustible material permanently attached to building, no greater than four (4) square feet.
- Historic marker signs, as regulated and approved by local, state, or federal government agencies.
- Motor vehicle signs (over two square feet), subject to subsection 28-10(b)(10).
- Flags as specified (see Sec 28-7), including official national, state, or municipal flags within stated size/placement limits.
- Traffic or other municipal signs such as legal notices, railroad crossing, danger, and other emergency signs as approved by the council or city manager.
- Signs on exterior racks or showcases not exceeding ten (10) percent of the largest visible face area.
- One (1) illuminated sign per building side, not exceeding 3.5 square feet and 36 inches in any dimension, displayed through glass (flashing/animated prohibited).
- Vending machines on exterior of business establishments may have two (2) signs, total area not exceeding 10% of wall surface or ten (10) square feet.
- Non-illuminated signs displayed in/on/through building glass area of a nonresidential use, covering not more than 25% of all the glass area of the frontage.
- Private traffic-control signs that conform to the Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
- Ordinary servicing, repainting of existing sign message, cleaning, changing information on a directory sign, or changing advertising on a permitted sign without changing its structure (does not require a permit).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Novi
- Sign permit applications relating to construction of a new building or an addition may be submitted, reviewed, and approved as part of a site plan application; proposed signs must be shown on the preliminary site plan.
- Review of sign plan and landscape plan is required for highway signs in the M-5 Corridor Sign Zone; site and landscape plan including all applicable information required for preliminary site plan approval under section 6.0 of the zoning ordinance is required, and review of site plan and landscape plan shall be by the city council.
- In TC-1 districts, all signs (except temporary signs in section 28-7) must be reviewed pursuant to the Sign Design and Review Manual for Novi TC-1 district.
- All provisions of the TC-1/GE Design and Review Manual are adopted as part of this chapter; the manual provides standards and criteria upon which sign approval or denial is based.
- A permit is required for most signs, unless expressly exempted (see Sec. 28-3, 28-7).
- Variances from sign regulations may be granted by the zoning board of appeals upon an affirmative finding of practical difficulty, subject to public hearing and notification requirements.
Source: municode municipal code