# Sign Regulations in Romeo, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Romeo, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/romeo
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-22
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://romeo.municipalcodeonline.com/book?type=ordinances#name=ARTICLE_6-VI_SIGNS)

## At a glance

Romeo, Michigan regulates 31 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Temporary Sign (Freestanding, Non-illuminated) (≤ 12 sq ft)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 6 ft max height tall and 12 sq ft max area, with a Minimum 10 ft from any property line for ground/pole-type placement; maintain a 20 ft clear vision triangle at street/driveway intersections setback (Sec. Sec 6-214(1); Sec 6-216(9)(a)-(f); Sec 6-216(6)). Most commercial signs in Romeo require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 14 | ≤36 inches | Up to 24 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts | 4 | 6 ft | Total sign area (wall + freestanding combined) ≤32 sq ft | — |
| Central Business District | 6 | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — |
| Office Districts | 4 | 6 ft | ≤32 sq ft (per sign) | — |
| General Commercial Districts, Industrial Districts | 8 | ≤10 ft | ≤150 sq ft | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (Freestanding, Non-illuminated) (≤ 12 sq ft) | 6 ft max height | 12 sq ft max area | — | Minimum 10 ft from any property line for ground/pole-type placement; maintain a 20 ft clear vision triangle at street/driveway intersections | Max two temporary sign periods per parcel per 12 months (one sign at a time unless otherwise permitted) | On private property; must observe setbacks; not within clear vision corner | — | Sec 6-214(1); Sec 6-216(9)(a)-(f); Sec 6-216(6) |
| Temporary Sign (>12 sq ft up to 24 sq ft) | 6 ft max height | Up to 24 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from property lines; maintain 20 ft clear vision triangle | Subject to parcel frequency limits; typically one sign per temporary permit | On private property; must observe setbacks and clear vision | — | Sec 6-215(1); Sec 6-216(9)(a)-(f) |
| Portable Sandwich Board (A-frame) Sign | ≤36 inches | — | ≤24 inches; base spread ≥18 inches | Placement must not interfere with pedestrian/vehicular traffic; keep 5 ft pedestrian clear zone | 1 per permanent address (shared/alternating if only entrance is on a pedestrian alley) | On sidewalk near business; must maintain a minimum 5 ft unobstructed sidewalk at all points; placement coordinated with streetscape elements | — | Sec 6-216(10)(a)-(i) |
| Ground/Monument Sign (General Standards) | — | — | — | Minimum 10 ft from any property line | — | May be located in required front yard | — | Sec 6-216(4)(a)-(b); Sec 6-216(5); Sec 6-216(6); Sec 6-215(3) |
| Pole/Pylon Sign (General Standards) | — | — | — | Minimum 10 ft from any property line | — | May be located in required front yard | — | Sec 6-216(4)(a)-(b); Sec 6-216(6); Sec 6-215(4) |
| Awning Sign (General) | — | — | — | No projection into required yard setback except CBD (up to 8 ft); otherwise comply with general yard setbacks | — | On awning attached to building; shall not extend into any required yard setback (CBD exception noted below) | — | Sec 6-216(8); Sec 6-216(3) (CBD ROW projection limit); Sec 6-217(2) (CBD context) |
| Directional Sign (Small) | — | ≤2 sq ft per directional sign | — | — | — | On private property for direction | — | Sec 6-214(7) |
| Handicapped Accessibility Sign | — | ≤4 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property | — | Sec 6-214(5) |

### Central Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (Freestanding, Non-illuminated) (≤ 12 sq ft) | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from property lines; maintain 20 ft clear vision | — | On private property; not in ROW | — | Sec 6-217(2)(a); Sec 6-214(1); Sec 6-216(9) |
| Wall Sign (Per Entrance Side) - Option 1 | — | Per formula; total combined cap | — | — | ≤1 per entrance side | On each entrance side of the business | — | Sec 6-217(2)(b); Sec 6-216(11); Sec 6-216(6) |
| Projecting Sign (Perpendicular) (In Lieu of Wall Sign) - Option 2 | — | ≤9 sq ft | — | ROW projection up to 3 ft; otherwise comply with building clearance requirements | 1 projecting sign if chosen in lieu of wall sign | Attached to building in CBD; may project into ROW subject to limits | — | Sec 6-217(2)(c); Sec 6-216(3) |
| Wall Sign + Projecting Sign (Combination) - Option 3 | — | Per formula (combined) | — | — | 1 wall sign and 1 projecting sign | On building faces as allowed | — | Sec 6-217(2)(d); Sec 6-216(3); Sec 6-216(11) |
| Wall Sign + Freestanding (Ground) Sign (Combination) - Option 4 | — | Per formula (combined) | — | Freestanding sign: ≥10 ft from property lines; maintain 20 ft clear vision | 1 wall sign and 1 freestanding sign | Wall on building; freestanding on site (front yard permissible) | — | Sec 6-217(2)(d); Sec 6-216(4); Sec 6-216(6) |
| Awning Sign (CBD-specific projection allowances) | — | — | — | CBD yard setback projection up to 8 ft permitted; ROW projection max 3 ft | — | On awning attached to building in CBD | — | Sec 6-216(8); Sec 6-216(3) |

### General Commercial Districts, Industrial Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (Freestanding, Non-illuminated) (≤ 12 sq ft) | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from property lines; maintain 20 ft clear vision | — | On private property; not in ROW | — | Sec 6-217(4)(a); Sec 6-214(1); Sec 6-216(9) |
| Ground Sign (Single-tenant site) | ≤10 ft | ≤150 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from property lines; maintain 20 ft clear vision triangle | 1 ground sign (plus 1 wall sign) | Front yard permissible | — | Sec 6-217(4)(b)(1),(3) |
| Additional Ground Sign (Dual Frontages) (Single-tenant site) | ≤10 ft | ≤150 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from property lines; maintain 20 ft clear vision triangle | 1 additional ground sign (for a total of up to 2) | On sites abutting two major or secondary thoroughfares | — | Sec 6-217(4)(b)(2),(3) |
| Wall Sign (Single-tenant site) | — | Per formula (max 80 sq ft) | — | — | 1 wall sign (in addition to ground sign) | On building of an individual business occupying its own site | — | Sec 6-217(4)(b)(4); Sec 6-216(11) |
| Ground Sign (Multi-tenant parcel) | ≤10 ft | ≤150 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from property lines; maintain 20 ft clear vision triangle | 1 ground sign (plus an additional if dual frontages) | On parcel occupied by two or more businesses | — | Sec 6-217(4)(c)(1)-(3) |
| Additional Ground Sign (Dual Frontages) (Multi-tenant parcel) | ≤10 ft | ≤150 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from property lines; maintain 20 ft clear vision triangle | 1 additional ground sign (for a total of up to 2) | On multi-tenant parcels abutting two major or secondary thoroughfares | — | Sec 6-217(4)(c)(2)-(3) |
| Wall Sign (Multi-tenant parcel) | — | Per formula (max 80 sq ft) | — | — | 1 per qualifying tenant | Each business with separate and direct exterior access within the development may have one wall sign | — | Sec 6-217(4)(c)(4)-(5); Sec 6-216(11) |
| Freestanding Sign with Reader/Changeable Board (Commercial/Industrial) | Per district freestanding height limit (≤10 ft) | Reader board area counts toward the sign’s allowable area (≤150 sq ft) | — | ≥10 ft from property lines; maintain 20 ft clear vision triangle | As part of allowed freestanding signs | As part of a freestanding sign on commercial/industrial sites | — | Sec 6-216(12); Sec 6-217(4) |

## Prohibited signs in Romeo

- Signs designed to flutter or move, except when permitted as a temporary sign.
- Flashing, animated, moving, or scrolling-message signs are prohibited.
- Balloon or inflatable signs are prohibited except when permitted as a temporary sign.
- Signs attached to utility poles, streetlamps, or similar structures are prohibited.
- Signs (except those established and maintained by government) located in, projecting into, or overhanging a public right-of-way or dedicated public easement are prohibited; exception: projecting or awning signs in the Central Business District may project up to 3 feet and may not be placed over a road surface.
- Signs that project over the roof are prohibited.
- Signs that restrict free ingress or egress from doors, windows, or fire escapes, or that prevent proper ventilation, are prohibited.
- Signs that simulate or imitate traffic signs or signals in size, color, lettering, or design in a manner that misleads, confuses, or creates a safety hazard are prohibited.
- Unlawful motor vehicle signs are prohibited, including: vehicles used primarily for advertising parked for frequent or extended periods; signs on unregistered or inoperable vehicles/trailers; signs larger than or extending beyond the vehicle/trailer surface; signs on vehicles/trailers parked in rights-of-way or areas not intended for parking; signs on vehicles/trailers regularly parked in front or side yards; signs on vehicles/trailers regularly parked within 50 feet of a street when more distant or non-visible areas are available; exception for temporary parking during business activities such as loading/unloading, off-site services, off-site business, or work breaks.
- Illuminated signs shall not be of the flashing or intermittent type.
- The source of illumination shall not be exposed, except for lighting that is integral to an electronic sign.
- Signs shall not have weeds, trees, vines, or other vegetation growing upon them or obscuring the view of the sign from the public right-of-way.

## Signs exempt from permit in Romeo

- Freestanding non-illuminated temporary signs not exceeding 12 square feet in area do not require a permit.
- Signs not visible from a public right-of-way, public park, or residentially zoned property do not require a permit.
- Window signs in nonresidential areas that occupy no more than 30% of the total window area do not require a permit.
- Signs erected by or on behalf of a public government body (including legal notices, informational, directional, and regulatory signs) do not require a permit.
- Signs indicating handicapped accessibility not exceeding 4 square feet do not require a permit.
- Markers, plaques, or signs describing a state or national historic designation, including historic home plates, do not require a permit.
- Directional signs not exceeding 2 square feet in area per sign do not require a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan or sign plan requirement is specified in the provided ordinance text.
- Exceptions (variances) to the sign ordinance may be granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals upon specific findings (Sec 6-220); use this process if relief from ordinance standards is needed.
- Permit applications (Sec 6-218) require a scaled site drawing showing sign location and detailed sign drawings/specs; portable sign applications also require a sidewalk placement plan and liability/indemnity statement. These are application submittals, not a master sign plan requirement.

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

---

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