# Sign Regulations in Portland, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Portland, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/portland
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/Portland/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH28SI)

## At a glance

Portland, Michigan regulates 22 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the Residential District zoning district are capped at 10 feet tall and 40 square feet (total for all signs per lot), with a Minimum of 5 feet from all lot lines setback (Sec. Sec. 28-9, Table). Most commercial signs in Portland require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential District | 7 | 10 feet | 40 square feet (total for all signs per lot) | — |
| Downtown Business District | 7 | 4 feet | 10 square feet | — |
| General Business District | 8 | 20 feet | 75 square feet | — |
| Industrial District | 6 | 6 feet | 50 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 10 feet | 40 square feet (total for all signs per lot) | — | Minimum of 5 feet from all lot lines | 2 | Minimum of 5 feet from all lot lines | — | Sec. 28-9, Table |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential Use) | — | — | — | — | No limit | — | — | Sec. 28-9, Table |
| Real Estate Sign (Single- and Two-Family Use) | 4 feet | 10 square feet | — | — | One per street frontage per lot | — | — | Sec. 28-9, Table |
| Real Estate Sign (Plats, Site Condominiums, Mobile Home Parks) | 6 feet | 40 square feet | — | Minimum of 5 feet from all lot lines | One per 500-foot road frontage | Minimum of 5 feet from all lot lines | — | Sec. 28-9, Table |
| Real Estate Sign (Nonresidential Use) | 6 feet | 20 square feet | — | Minimum of 5 feet from all lot lines | One per street frontage per lot | Minimum of 5 feet from all lot lines | — | Sec. 28-9, Table |
| Noncommercial Sign | 4 feet | 10 square feet | — | — | No limit | Not in right-of-way | — | Sec. 28-9, Table |
| Home Occupation Sign | 4 feet | 4 square feet | — | Minimum of 5 feet from all lot lines | 1 | Minimum of 5 feet from all lot lines | — | Sec. 28-9, Table |

### General Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 28-11(1) |
| Ground Sign (Parcel with One Establishment) | 20 feet | 50 square feet | — | 5 feet from all lot lines | 1 | — | — | Sec. 28-11(2) |
| Ground Sign (Parcel with Multiple Establishments) | 20 feet | 75 square feet | — | 5 feet from all lot lines | 1 | — | — | Sec. 28-11(2e) |
| Noncommercial Sign | 4 feet | 10 square feet | — | 5 feet from all lot lines | One per candidate or issue per lot | Set back at least 5 feet from all lot lines | — | Sec. 28-11(3) |
| Real Estate Sign | 6 feet | 20 square feet | — | 5 feet from all lot lines | One per street frontage per establishment | Set back at least 5 feet from all lot lines | — | Sec. 28-11(4) |
| Vehicle Service Station Directional Sign | — | 3 square feet | — | — | 1 per door or bay | Over each individual door or bay | — | Sec. 28-11(5) |
| Flag Sign | — | 24 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot | — | — | Sec. 28-11(6) |
| Pole Sign (Within 1,320 ft of Grand River/I-96 at Exit 77) | Minimum height necessary to provide highway visibility, determined by engineer | 15 feet by 15 feet (225 sq. ft.) | 15 feet | — | 1 per commercial parcel | Within 1,320 ft of specified intersection | — | Sec. 28-11(7) |

### Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 28-12(1) |
| Ground Sign | 6 feet | 50 square feet | — | 5 feet from all lot lines | 1 per lot | — | — | Sec. 28-12(2) |
| Industrial Park Identification Sign (Ground or Wall) | 6 feet (ground sign height) | 50 square feet (same as ground sign) | — | — | 1 per entrance | At industrial park entrance | — | Sec. 28-12(3) |
| Noncommercial Sign | 4 feet | 10 square feet | — | 5 feet from all lot lines | One per candidate or issue per lot | Set back at least 5 feet from all lot lines | — | Sec. 28-12(4) |
| Real Estate Sign | 6 feet | 20 square feet | — | 5 feet from all lot lines | One per street frontage per establishment | Set back at least 5 feet from all lot lines | — | Sec. 28-12(5) |
| Flag Sign | — | 24 square feet | — | — | No limit | — | — | Sec. 28-12(6) |

## Prohibited signs in Portland

- A sign not expressly permitted by this chapter is prohibited.
- Flashing signs, including flashing lights that may interfere with motor vehicle operation by distracting the driver's attention.
- Roof signs.
- Portable signs except sidewalk signs as permitted by section 28-10(4).
- Off-premises signs.
- Pole signs, except as permitted by section 28-11(7).
- Vehicle signs.
- Signs may not be placed in, on, or over any public right-of-way or alley except as allowed by section 28-10 or as otherwise permitted by the city, the county road commission, or Michigan Department of Transportation.
- A light pole or other support structure not specifically designed as sign support structure may not be used for the placement of any sign.
- A sign may not be erected where, by reason of its position, shape, color, or other characteristics, it interferes with, obstructs, or may be confused with an official traffic sign, signal, or device.
- A sign may not contain flashing, moving, or animated parts except for automatic changeable copy signs or traditional barber pole signs.
- A wall sign may not extend beyond the edge of the wall to which it is affixed.
- A sign and its support structure may not extend beyond the lot lines of the property on which it is located.
- All signs must be stationary and may pertain only to the business or activity conducted on the premises.
- A sign may not be constructed and maintained except in good structural condition and consistent with the state construction code.
- A sign may not be constructed with plywood, particleboard, or Masonite except for signs ten square feet or less, or construction and real estate signs as otherwise permitted.
- Every sign must be kept neatly painted, stained, sealed, or preserved, including all metal parts and supports.
- Dangerous signs (those constituting an immediate hazard to health or safety) are deemed a nuisance and may be removed by the city.
- Unsafe signs (those deemed unsafe by the zoning administrator) must be removed or brought into compliance.
- No person may erect, structurally alter or maintain, or relocate any sign without first obtaining a permit, except as provided in sections 28-5 and 28-15(c).

## Signs exempt from permit in Portland

- Government signs.
- Community event signs.
- Noncommercial signs two square feet or less.
- Window signs except flashing signs as described in section 28-4(1).
- Memorial signs four square feet or less.
- Murals.
- Signs not visible from off site.
- Essential services signs two square feet or less.
- Placards.
- Community service group signs two square feet or less for each community service group.
- Nameplates two square feet or less.
- Incidental signs two square feet or less.
- Flags of a noncommercial nature, including, but not limited to, flags or insignia of any nation, state, township, community service group, or educational institution.
- Signs atop gasoline service station pumps announcing contents or on-premises sales as long as the signs do not exceed two square feet per pump island structure.
- Signs on gas station pump islands or their structural supports identifying self-serve and full-serve operation. The signs may not contain business identification or advertising. No more than two signs may be displayed per pump island. The signs may not exceed four square feet in area per pump island structure.
- Parking lot signs indicating restrictions on parking, when placed within permitted parking lots. The signs may not exceed ten feet in height or four square feet in area.
- Garage sales, auctions and estate sale signs announcing the sale of household goods on the premises where the sign is located. Only one sign is permitted per premises. The sign must be set back at least five feet from any property line or public street right-of-way. The sign may not exceed six square feet. The sign may not be erected more than seven business days before the announced sale and must be removed within one business day after the announced sale.
- Historical markers 12 square feet or less.
- Directional signs, off-site, with a city permit. The sign may not exceed four square feet in size or four feet in height. Only one permit may be issued for any parcel of property. A permit expires six months after it is issued and may not be transferred.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A variance from the terms of this chapter, including for sign dimensions and placement, requires application to and a public hearing before the planning commission, which may attach conditions and require information as necessary to ensure compliance with the intent and spirit of the sign ordinance.
- Permits are required to erect, alter, maintain, or relocate any sign unless otherwise exempted, and the permit application requires submission of details about the sign location, plans, and, when necessary for public safety, engineer or architect certification.
- Appeals or applications for variances are heard by the planning commission; a public hearing is required and the planning commission may grant variances (such as for height, area, setback) only where strict enforcement prevents reasonable property use or unique conditions exist.

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/portland