# Sign Regulations in Rochester Hills, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Rochester Hills, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/rochester-hills
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-28
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/mi/rochester_hills/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=SPBLADERE_CH134SI)

## At a glance

Rochester Hills, Michigan regulates 36 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Monument Sign (Medical/Professional Office and Research Facilities)s in the Neighborhood Business District (NB); Community Business District (CB); Highway Business District (HB); Office Business District (O); Industrial District (I); Special Purpose District (SP); Employment Center District (EC); Flex Business (overlay) District (FB) zoning district are capped at 7 ft tall and 100 sq ft total; max 48 sq ft per individual monument sign, with a 10 ft setbacks setback (Sec. Sec. 134-5(1) (Office, professional and research uses – Medical offices; Professional offices; Research facilities); Sec. 134-5(2)g). Most commercial signs in Rochester Hills require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | 30% of awning/canopy face | — |
| One-family Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, RE); One-family Residential Cluster District (RCD); Mixed Residential (overlay) District (MR) | 10 | 7 ft | 48 sq ft (total for all monument signs) | — |
| Multiple-Family Residential District (RM-1); Manufactured Housing Park District (RMH) | 9 | 7 ft | 48 sq ft (total for all monument signs) | — |
| Neighborhood Business District (NB); Community Business District (CB); Highway Business District (HB); Office Business District (O); Industrial District (I); Special Purpose District (SP); Employment Center District (EC); Flex Business (overlay) District (FB) | 14 | 7 ft | Up to 200 sq ft total (all monument signs) | — |
| Regional Employment Center Interchange (REC-I) | 14 | 7 ft | Up to 200 sq ft total (all monument signs) | — |
| Brooklands District (BD) | 11 | 7 ft | Up to 200 sq ft total | — |

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

### Neighborhood Business District (NB); Community Business District (CB); Highway Business District (HB); Office Business District (O); Industrial District (I); Special Purpose District (SP); Employment Center District (EC); Flex Business (overlay) District (FB)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (General Commercial/Retail/Restaurant uses) | 7 ft | Up to 200 sq ft total (all monument signs) | — | 10 ft front setback; side and rear setbacks as required for buildings | — | On-site, along street frontage | — | Sec. 134-5(1) (Commercial, retail and industrial uses – General commercial, retail, restaurant uses); Sec. 134-5(2)a–e; Sec. 134-5(2)g; Sec. 134-4(3) |
| Monument Sign (Gasoline Stations and Other Auto-Related Uses) | 7 ft | — | — | — | Per frontage: 1; If frontage >300 ft and with more than one entrance: 2 | On-site, along street frontage(s) | — | Sec. 134-5(1) (Gasoline stations and other auto-related uses) [height/number]; Sec. 134-5(2)g (EMC) |
| Monument Sign (Industrial Uses) | 7 ft | Up to 100 sq ft total (all monument signs) | — | — | Per frontage: 1; If frontage >300 ft and with more than one entrance: 2 | On-site, along street frontage(s) | — | Sec. 134-5(1) (Industrial uses); number-of-signs row shared with gas/auto uses |
| Monument Sign (Medical/Professional Office and Research Facilities) | 7 ft | 100 sq ft total; max 48 sq ft per individual monument sign | — | 10 ft setbacks | 1 per vehicular entrance (entrances must be ≥300 ft apart) | On-site at vehicular entrances | — | Sec. 134-5(1) (Office, professional and research uses – Medical offices; Professional offices; Research facilities); Sec. 134-5(2)g |
| Monument Sign (Recreational/Institutional/Public/Quasi-public uses) | 7 ft | 48 sq ft (total for all monument signs) | — | 10 ft setbacks | — | On-site | — | Sec. 134-5(1) (Recreational, church, institutional, public and quasi-public uses) |
| Monument Sign (Hospitals) | 7 ft | 150 sq ft when placed in front of the hospital from which it is addressed; plus 1 additional sign up to 20 sq ft per major road frontage | — | 10 ft setbacks | Primary monument sign (1) plus 1 additional per major road frontage | Primary sign placed in front of the addressed hospital; additional small signs per major road frontage | — | Sec. 134-5(1) (Hospitals); Sec. 134-5(2)g |
| Wall Sign (General Commercial/Retail/Office/Restaurant Uses) | — | 10% of primary building/tenant facade; no single sign >100 sq ft | Max width ≤80% of storefront bay width | — | — | On the primary building or tenant facade; upper portion of storefront | — | Sec. 134-6(1) (Commercial, retail, office and restaurant uses); Sec. 134-6(2)a–e |
| Temporary Freestanding Sign (Non-Residential Uses in Non-Residential Districts) | 7 ft | 20 sq ft per sign | — | — | Maximum 3 | On the zoning lot | — | Sec. 134-9(a) Table 134-9A (Non-Residential Uses in all other districts – Freestanding); Sec. 134-4(1)a.5; Sec. 134-9(b)–(d), (f) |

### Regional Employment Center Interchange (REC-I)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (General Commercial/Retail/Restaurant uses) | 7 ft | Up to 200 sq ft total (all monument signs) | — | 10 ft front setback; side and rear setbacks as required for buildings | — | On-site, along street frontage | — | Sec. 134-5(1) (Commercial, retail and industrial uses – General commercial, retail, restaurant uses); Sec. 134-5(2)a–e; Sec. 134-5(2)g; Sec. 134-4(3) |
| Monument Sign (Gasoline Stations and Other Auto-Related Uses) | 7 ft | — | — | — | Per frontage: 1; If frontage >300 ft and with more than one entrance: 2 | On-site, along street frontage(s) | — | Sec. 134-5(1) (Gasoline stations and other auto-related uses) [height/number]; Sec. 134-5(2)g (EMC) |
| Monument Sign (Industrial Uses) | 7 ft | Up to 100 sq ft total (all monument signs) | — | — | Per frontage: 1; If frontage >300 ft and with more than one entrance: 2 | On-site, along street frontage(s) | — | Sec. 134-5(1) (Industrial uses); number-of-signs row shared with gas/auto uses |
| Monument Sign (Medical/Professional Office and Research Facilities) | 7 ft | 100 sq ft total; max 48 sq ft per individual monument sign | — | 10 ft setbacks | 1 per vehicular entrance (entrances must be ≥300 ft apart) | On-site at vehicular entrances | — | Sec. 134-5(1) (Office, professional and research uses – Medical offices; Professional offices; Research facilities); Sec. 134-5(2)g |
| Monument Sign (Recreational/Institutional/Public/Quasi-public uses) | 7 ft | 48 sq ft (total for all monument signs) | — | 10 ft setbacks | — | On-site | — | Sec. 134-5(1) (Recreational, church, institutional, public and quasi-public uses) |
| Monument Sign (Hospitals) | 7 ft | 150 sq ft when placed in front of the hospital from which it is addressed; plus 1 additional sign up to 20 sq ft per major road frontage | — | 10 ft setbacks | Primary monument sign (1) plus 1 additional per major road frontage | Primary sign placed in front of the addressed hospital; additional small signs per major road frontage | — | Sec. 134-5(1) (Hospitals); Sec. 134-5(2)g |
| Wall Sign (General Commercial/Retail/Office/Restaurant Uses) | — | 10% of primary building/tenant facade; no single sign >100 sq ft | Max width ≤80% of storefront bay width | — | — | On the primary building or tenant facade; upper portion of storefront | — | Sec. 134-6(1) (Commercial, retail, office and restaurant uses); Sec. 134-6(2)a–e |
| Temporary Freestanding Sign (Non-Residential Uses in Non-Residential Districts) | 7 ft | 20 sq ft per sign | — | — | Maximum 3 | On the zoning lot | — | Sec. 134-9(a) Table 134-9A (Non-Residential Uses in all other districts – Freestanding); Sec. 134-4(1)a.5; Sec. 134-9(b)–(d), (f) |

### Brooklands District (BD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (General Commercial/Retail/Restaurant uses) | 7 ft | Up to 200 sq ft total | — | 10 ft front setback; side/rear per building setbacks | — | On-site, along street frontage | — | Sec. 134-5(1) (General commercial, retail, restaurant uses); Sec. 134-5(2); Sec. 134-5(2)g |
| Monument Sign (Medical/Professional Office and Research Facilities) | 7 ft | 100 sq ft total; max 48 sq ft per sign | — | 10 ft setbacks | 1 per vehicular entrance | On-site at vehicular entrances | — | Sec. 134-5(1) (Office, professional and research uses); Sec. 134-5(2)g |
| Monument Sign (Gasoline Stations and Other Auto-Related Uses) | 7 ft | — | — | — | Per frontage: 1 (2 if frontage >300 ft and has >1 entrance) | On-site, along street frontage(s) | — | Sec. 134-5(1) (Gasoline stations and other auto-related uses) [height/number]; Sec. 134-5(2)g |
| Monument Sign (Industrial Uses) | 7 ft | Up to 100 sq ft total | — | — | Per frontage: 1 (2 if frontage >300 ft and has >1 entrance) | On-site, along street frontage(s) | — | Sec. 134-5(1) (Industrial uses) |
| Wall Sign (General Commercial/Retail/Office/Restaurant Uses) | — | 10% of facade; no single sign >100 sq ft | ≤80% of storefront bay width | — | — | On primary building or tenant facade | — | Sec. 134-6(1) (General commercial, retail, office and restaurant uses); Sec. 134-6(2)a–e |
| Wall Sign (General Uses) – Setback 100–249 ft | — | 10% × 1.5; no single sign >100 sq ft | ≤80% of storefront bay width | — | — | Primary facade | — | Sec. 134-6(2)g |
| Wall Sign (General Uses) – Setback ≥250 ft | — | 10% × 2.0; no single sign >100 sq ft | ≤80% of storefront bay width | — | — | Primary facade | — | Sec. 134-6(2)g |
| Temporary Freestanding Sign (Non-Residential Uses) | 7 ft | 20 sq ft per sign | — | — | Maximum 3 | On the zoning lot | — | Sec. 134-9(a) Table 134-9A (Non-Residential Uses in all other districts – Freestanding); Sec. 134-9(b)–(d), (f) |

## Prohibited signs in Rochester Hills

- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs that simulate or imitate the size, color, lettering, or design of any traffic sign or signal, or otherwise interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic, are prohibited.
- Animated or moving signs are prohibited, including any sign with moving or animated parts or images caused by machinery, electronics, wind, or otherwise.
- Signs are prohibited where a light source moves or is not of constant intensity or color; or where any light bulb can shine directly into the eyes of vehicle occupants on any highway, driveway, or parking area; or into any window of any residence within 200 feet; or where illumination interferes with visibility/readability of any traffic sign or device.
- Use of open sparks or flames for display purposes is prohibited unless specifically approved by the building department.
- Signs are prohibited within public rights-of-way unless authorized by the county road commission, the state department of transportation, or the city with jurisdiction over the right-of-way.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited.
- Any sign not expressly permitted by Chapter 134 is prohibited.
- No sign may be placed within corner clearance areas: within 25 feet along each street right-of-way line at street intersections, and within 15 feet along the street right-of-way and driveway edge at driveway intersections; compliance with city engineering standards is required.
- No sign may be erected so that any part (including cables or guys) is within six feet of any electrical conductor, electric light pole, streetlamp, traffic light, or other public utility pole or standard.
- Illuminated signs shall not be flashing or intermittent.
- The source of illumination shall not be exposed; external illumination must be shielded and directed to prevent glare onto public rights-of-way or neighboring properties.
- Direct light sources shall not be visible from any street or adjacent residential property unless obscured or softened by a diffusing material.
- Strip lighting or the use of neon, similar gas, or LED outline tubing around windows and buildings is prohibited.
- Electronic message signs are prohibited from featuring motion or animation; all portions of a message must remain static for a minimum of 30 seconds and transitions must be instantaneous.
- Electronic message displays shall not mimic traffic controls.
- Only freestanding signs may include electronic message components.

## Signs exempt from permit in Rochester Hills

- Addressing numbers required by the City (Chapter 18, Street Addresses) do not require a sign permit.
- Flags attached to freestanding flagpoles (that do not impede traffic, do not project beyond property lines, and do not project into existing or proposed rights-of-way, and are maintained in good repair) do not require a sign permit.
- Official signs posted by duly constituted public authorities do not require a sign permit.
- Decorative banners placed on street light poles by public agencies or private non-profit, community, and civic organizations do not require a sign permit.
- Temporary signs less than 12 square feet do not require a sign permit.
- Customary displays of merchandise or objects and material without lettering placed behind a store window are not considered signs or parts of signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required to erect, re-erect, alter, relocate, display, or continue to display any sign unless specifically exempted; applications must be submitted by the premises owner/authorized representative or a registered sign erector.
- Permit applications must include location, consent to erect, positioning relative to property lines/buildings, two copies of plans and specifications with construction/attachment methods, stress sheets if required, sign erector information, insurance, and any other information required by the building department; a structural or civil engineer’s seal may be required for public safety.
- Any sign requiring a permit must clearly identify the permit holder on the sign.
- No permitted sign may be moved or structurally altered without approval of the official or board that granted the original permit; additional fees apply.
- All signs are subject to inspection and approval by the building department; failure to schedule and obtain approval constitutes a municipal civil infraction.
- Variances and appeals relating to this chapter (other than construction standards) are heard by the Sign Board of Appeals (Zoning Board of Appeals acting as sign board); a public hearing is required with notice to owners within 300 feet; four concurring votes are required to grant relief.
- Variance validity: a granted variance permitting erection/alteration is valid for six months unless a permit is obtained within that period and work proceeds; variances run with the land and are valid only under the site plan or layout considered by the board; conditions may be attached.
- Appeals/variances of construction standards are heard by the City Construction Board of Appeals.
- Nonconforming signs must be removed when significant changes or improvements to the premises require site plan review and approval.
- Monument signs are permitted only on parcels with an occupied building holding a valid certificate of use or on parcels operating pursuant to an approved plan (e.g., an approved development plan).
- No master sign plan requirement is stated in the provided ordinance text.

## 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 Rochester Hills — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Rochester+Hills+MI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-rochester-hills

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