# Sign Regulations in Rockwood, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Rockwood, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/rockwood
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-21
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/13486293#13486293)

## At a glance

Rockwood, Michigan regulates 19 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Wall Sign (Address)s in the RA-1, RA-2, RA-3 (Single-Family Residential) zoning district are capped at 6 inches tall and 2 sq ft, with a No setback (Sec. §202-11A). Most commercial signs in Rockwood require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (11 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 12 feet | 12 sq ft per panel, up to 3 panels | — |
| RA-1, RA-2, RA-3 (Single-Family Residential) | 4 | 6 inches | 30 sq ft, not more than 50% of entranceway structure | — |
| R-B, R-C (Multiple-Family Residential) | 3 | 6 feet | 30 sq ft, not more than 5% of entranceway structure | — |
| R-M (Mobile Home Park District) | 3 | 6 feet | 30 sq ft | — |
| OR, Office/Residential (OR) | 2 | 4 feet | 18 sq ft | — |
| O-1, Office District (O-1) | 2 | 8 feet | 50 sq ft | — |
| B1, Local Business District (B1) | 4 | 4 feet | 40 sq ft | — |
| B2, Planned Community Business District (B2) | 6 | 10 feet | 40 sq ft | — |
| B3, General Business District (B3) | 6 | 10 feet | 40 sq ft | — |
| M1, Light Industrial (M1) | 4 | 20 feet | 300 sq ft | — |
| M2, Heavy Industrial (M2) | 3 | 10 feet | 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 11 zones)

### RA-1, RA-2, RA-3 (Single-Family Residential)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Address) | 6 inches | 2 sq ft | — | No | 1 per lot | On dwelling | — | §202-11A |
| Entranceway Sign (serving 4 or more lots or units) | 6 feet | 30 sq ft, not more than 50% of entranceway structure | — | 10 feet | 1 | At subdivision or development entrance | — | §202-11A |
| Ground Sign (Institutional Use) | 6 feet | 30 sq ft | — | 1/3 distance from lot line to building | 1 | For churches, schools, nonprofit, government | — | §202-11A |
| Bulletin Board (Institutional Use) | 6 feet | 30 sq ft | — | Maximum 100 feet | 1 | For churches, schools, nonprofit, government buildings | — | §202-11A |

### B2, Planned Community Business District (B2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Not above roofline | — | — | — | 1 per tenant per street frontage | 1 per tenant per street frontage | — | §202-11G |
| Ground Sign | 10 feet | 30 sq ft | — | See site plan approval | 1 | Location as approved in site plan | — | §202-11G |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 feet | — | — | See site plan approval | 1 | Location as approved in site plan | — | §202-11G |
| Awnings & Canopies/Marquees | — | 40 sq ft | — | — | — | On building facade | — | §202-11G(3) |
| Interior Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Viewed from public, inside window | — | §202-11G(4) |
| A-frame or Sandwich Sign | 4 feet | 2 sq ft per side | — | 1 foot | 1 | Not on public property/public right-of-way/sidewalk absent permit | — | §202-11G(6)-(8) |

### B3, General Business District (B3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Not above roofline | — | — | — | 1 per tenant per frontage | 1 per tenant per frontage | — | §202-11H |
| Ground Sign | 1 foot | 30 sq ft | — | 4 feet | 1 | — | — | §202-11H |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 feet | 30 sq ft | — | 15 feet | 1 | — | — | §202-11H |
| Awnings & Canopies/Marquees | — | 40 sq ft | — | — | — | On building facade | — | §202-11H(3) |
| Interior Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Viewed from public, inside window | — | §202-11H(4) |
| A-frame or Sandwich Sign | 4 feet | 2 sq ft per side | — | 1 foot | 1 | Not on public property/public right-of-way/sidewalk absent permit | — | §202-11H(5)-(7) |

## Prohibited signs in Rockwood

- It is unlawful to erect, construct, maintain or alter any sign without complying with the provisions of this chapter.
- Animated or moving signs are prohibited (revolving, animated, or utilizing movement to attract attention), except signs indicating the time, date, or temperature or barber poles.
- Flashing signs are prohibited (illuminated by or incorporating lights that flash, twinkle, move or appear to move).
- Exterior banners, pennants, spinners, and streamers are prohibited, excluding permitted signs under specified sections.
- Exterior string lights used in connection with commercial premises are not permitted, except for holiday decorations.
- Unsafe signs (structurally/electrically unsafe, not kept in good repair, with broken parts, missing letters, or nonoperational lights) are prohibited.
- Any sign erected on a utility pole, directional signpost, tree, or landscaping not erected by government or public transit agency is prohibited.
- Signs on closed businesses (advertising a business or product no longer on the premises) are considered nonconforming and abandoned; must be removed within 30 days.
- Portable signs, signs that appear to be freestanding but are not permanently anchored or secured to a building or ground in compliance with the Building Code, are prohibited except as permitted.
- Signs displayed on vehicles, trailers, or containers parked solely to attract attention to a business, service, or commodity are prohibited (does not include for-sale signs or standard company vehicle markings).
- Sign support structures or frames without a sign must have the message portion replaced or the structure removed within 30 days of the message's removal.
- Roof-mounted signs are not allowed in the City.
- Projecting signs are not allowed in the City.
- No sign, temporary or permanent, or its supports may be located in, on, or overhang a public right-of-way or public easement except those established by government, unless otherwise authorized.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained that simulates or imitates any traffic sign/signal, or that could interfere with, mislead, confuse, or obstruct the view of authorized traffic signals/devices.
- Any sign not expressly permitted in this chapter is prohibited.
- All signs must comply with applicable building and electrical codes and ordinances.
- Signs must be maintained in good working order and not become unsightly, insecure, or dangerous.
- Signs must not be located at street corners so as to obscure driver vision or conflict with traffic control signals (except as otherwise permitted).
- All illuminated signs must be arranged/shielded to avoid shining onto adjacent residential properties or interfering with drivers.

## Signs exempt from permit in Rockwood

- Government signs: signs erected by or on behalf of or pursuant to the authorization of a governmental body, including legal notices, informational signs, or regulatory signs.
- Flags, pennants or insignia of any governmental or nonprofit organization when not displayed for commercial promotion or as an advertising device.
- Address signs: signs not exceeding two square feet in area and bearing only property numbers, post box numbers, names of occupants, or other noncommercial identification.
- Street signs erected by City, county, state, or federal government for street names, traffic control, or direction/information.
- Property direction signs: signs for guiding traffic and parking on private property not exceeding three square feet.
- Handicap signs: signs not exceeding four square feet each and bearing no advertising material.
- Architectural features/artwork: integral decorative or architectural features or works of art approved by the Planning Commission and not containing letters, trademarks, moving parts, or lights.
- Small accessory signs: no more than two square feet each (e.g., 'no trespassing' or animal warning signs) with a total area not exceeding eight square feet per premises (six square feet in residential areas).
- Political signs: permitted on private property with property owner permission, not located in public rights-of-way or on utility poles/landscaping, and subject to number, size, height, and time limits.
- Real estate signs: temporary signs advertising land or buildings for rent, lease or sale, displayed only on the property for sale/lease with owner's permission.
- Open house signs: permitted between sidewalk and curb at intersections during open house hours; must not impede or hazard traffic and may be removed by the City if in violation.
- Temporary window signs or interior placards: allowed without a permit, subject to area regulations.
- Historic markers: authorized historical markers are allowed without a permit.
- Temporary placard: temporary placards not exceeding two square feet on private property for up to 24 hours.
- Light strings and holiday decorations: allowed during holiday seasons without a permit.
- Umbrella signs: advertising as an integral part of a fabric umbrella within approved outdoor dining areas in conjunction with a licensed food service area.
- Construction sign: under 64 square feet, advertising the name of the company doing work on premises with an active building permit, and removed after the certificate of occupancy is issued.
- Help wanted signs: permitted on a temporary basis for employee solicitation at the business where posted; permit required if remaining over a week.
- No permit is required for ordinary servicing, repainting, cleaning, or change of message on signs designed for periodic copy change without altering structure.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Any person or entity desiring to erect or display any sign, unless exempt, must first apply for and secure a permit from the City.
- All permanent signs, unless exempt, must be approved by the Building Official before a sign permit is issued.
- Freestanding pole or vertical in-ground signs, marquees, projecting signs, or billboards that change the original approved site plans require Planning Commission approval before Building Official approval.
- Any sign using electricity requires both a sign permit and an electrical permit.
- Permit applications must include two copies of the sign plans and specifications, showing construction and attachment method, heights, face area, and calculation methods; engineering certification may be required for public safety.
- The location of ground and freestanding signs must be incorporated and approved as part of the site plans in B2 (Planned Community Business District) (§202-11G(5)).
- Nonmotorized pathway (wayside exhibit) signs require Planning Commission approval for panel materials.
- Whenever the principal building on a site with a nonconforming sign is modified enough to require site plan review and approval, the nonconforming sign must be removed.
- All temporary signs requiring permits will be administratively approved unless the applicant seeks a fee waiver or time extension; such waivers/extensions require City Council approval.
- A variance (e.g., for height, size, or location) may only be granted following the procedures before the Zoning Board of Appeals as set forth in the Zoning Code.
- For certain artistic/architectural sign elements, Planning Commission approval is required for exemption from permit.
- A cash bond may be required for maintenance of freestanding nonaccessory signs in industrial districts, as a condition of permit (amount set by City Council resolution).

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

---

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