# Sign Regulations in Romulus, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Romulus, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/romulus
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/Romulus/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH48SI)

## At a glance

Romulus, Michigan regulates 21 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Ground or Monument Signs in the Nonresidential districts, Commercial districts, RC District, M-1 District, M-2 District, MT District zoning district are capped at 9 feet tall and 45 square feet per face; 90 square feet total; Multi-tenant: 65 sq ft per face/130 sq ft total, with a 50 ft from residential district. setback (Sec. Table 48-7, Ground or Monument). Most commercial signs in Romulus require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nonresidential districts, Commercial districts, RC District, M-1 District, M-2 District, MT District | 13 | 20 feet | 100 square feet (may be increased—see additional requirements) | — |
| RC District | 1 | 20 feet | 64 square feet per face, 128 square feet total | — |
| M-1 District, M-2 District, MT District | 1 | 45 feet (if district adjacent to interstate), otherwise as established for buildings in district | General: 300 sf total; within 150 ft of interstate: 700 sf total | — |
| CBD Districts, Commercial districts | 2 | No higher than height of building; at least 10 ft above ground/ | 40 square feet | — |
| Residential districts | 2 | — | The lesser of: (i) 2 square feet per lineal foot of building wall, or (ii) 100 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 15 feet | 64 square feet | — |

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

### Nonresidential districts, Commercial districts, RC District, M-1 District, M-2 District, MT District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 square feet (may be increased—see additional requirements) | — | All signs shall be set back at least 50 feet from residential districts. | 1 per wall facing a street or access drive | Each wall facing a street or access drive | — | Table 48-7, Wall (1); Table specifying increases based on setback. |
| Ground or Monument Sign | 9 feet | 45 square feet per face; 90 square feet total; Multi-tenant: 65 sq ft per face/130 sq ft total | — | Minimum 15 feet from edge of adjacent street. All signs: 50 ft from residential district. | 1 per lot (2 on corner lot, additional if frontage > 300 ft and 100 ft apart) | On lot in nonresidential districts, minimum 15 feet from the edge of adjacent street pavement | — | Table 48-7, Ground or Monument |
| Pole or Pylon Sign (All but RC District) | 15 feet | 40 sf per face; 80 sf total; Multi-tenant: 60 sf/120 sf | — | 15 feet from edge of adjacent street pavement | 1 per lot, 2 on corner lot, add'l if >300' frontage and 100' apart | All nonresidential districts except CBD | — | Table 48-7, Pole or pylon |
| Pole or Pylon Sign (RC District) | 20 feet | 64 sf per face; 128 sf total | — | 15 feet from edge of adjacent street pavement | 1 per lot, 2 on corner lot, add'l if >300' frontage and 100' apart | RC District | — | Table 48-7, Pole or pylon |
| Grand Opening Sign (Ground) | 4 feet | 16 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot | Nonresidential districts | — | Table 48-7, Grand Opening |
| Grand Opening Sign (Wall) | Must not exceed building height | 16 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot | Nonresidential districts | — | Table 48-7, Grand Opening |
| Real Estate Development Sign | 15 feet | 64 square feet | — | 15 ft from ROW, 100 ft from residential district property line | 1 per lot, 2 on corner lot | Ground, all districts | — | Table 48-7, Real estate development |
| Entranceway Sign | 4 feet | 48 square feet | — | — | 1 per entrance | At entrance to development | — | Table 48-7, Entranceway |

### CBD Districts, Commercial districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Poster Panel Sign (Sandwich Sign, A-frame) | 4 feet | 8 square feet per side; 16 square feet total | — | — | 1 per customer entrance | Minimum 2 ft from edge of curb; must keep min 5 ft sidewalk free between sign and building wall. | — | Table 48-7, Poster panel (sandwich signs, A-frames) |
| Marquee Sign | No higher than height of building; at least 10 ft above ground/ | 40 square feet | — | — | 1 per building | Mounted on building (with theater use) | — | Table 48-7, Marquee |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Entranceway Sign | 4 feet | 48 square feet | — | — | 1 per entrance | At development entrance | — | Table 48-7, Entranceway |
| Real Estate Development Sign | 15 feet | 64 square feet | — | 15 ft from ROW, 100 ft from residential district property line | 1 per lot, 2 on corner lot | Ground | — | Table 48-7, Real estate development |
| Church Sign (Major Thoroughfare) | 6 feet | 45 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot, 2 on corner lot | On property abutting major thoroughfare | — | Table 48-7, Churches |
| Church Sign (Local/Collector St) | 6 feet | 20 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot, 2 on corner lot | On property abutting local or collector street | — | Table 48-7, Churches |
| Community Special Event Sign | — | Subject to building department approval | — | — | — | — | — | Table 48-7, Community special event |

## Prohibited signs in Romulus

- Any sign not expressly permitted.
- Illegal signs. Any sign unlawfully installed, erected, or maintained.
- Moving signs.
- Obsolete signs.
- Portable or movable signs, as defined, except where expressly permitted in this chapter.
- Roof signs.
- Signs that confuse traffic, including signs which make use of the words 'stop,' 'look,' or 'danger,' or any other words, phrases, symbols, or characters, in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.
- Signs which in any way simulate or could be confused with the lighting of emergency vehicles or traffic signals, including no red, yellow, or green illumination on any sign located in the same line of vision as a traffic control system, and no interference with vision clearance along any highway, street, or road or at any intersection of two or more streets.
- Signs that obstruct access. Signs which obstruct free access to or egress from any building.
- String lights used for commercial purposes, other than holiday decorations.
- Unsafe signs, including those that are structurally unsafe; constitute a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, or abandonment; are capable of causing electric shock to a person who comes in contact with it; or are not kept in good repair, such that they have broken parts, missing letters, or non-operational lights.
- Use of glaring undiffused lights or bulbs is prohibited.
- Illumination by bare bulbs, neon, luminous tubing, or flames is prohibited, except that bare bulbs are permitted on theater marquees.
- Lights shall be shielded so as not to project onto adjoining properties or thoroughfares.
- No nails, tacks, or wires shall be permitted to protrude in or from the front of any sign (except as part of permitted devices such as block letters or reflectors).

## Signs exempt from permit in Romulus

- Address signs within specified size limits.
- Barber poles installed to specified height and building limits.
- Bulletin boards not over 20 square feet for public, charitable, or religious institutions (electrical permit required if illuminated).
- Permanent device signs on vending machines, gas pumps, or ice containers indicating only the contents (limited to one per device, maximum 3 square feet per sign).
- 'Help wanted' employment signs for the place of business, maximum area and height limits.
- Flags with flagpole not exceeding 35 feet in height.
- Garage and estate sale signs (one per premises, on-premises only, size and display duration limits).
- Historical markers not exceeding 12 square feet in area.
- Incidental signs not exceeding a total of two square feet, total of two per business, attached to permitted sign, exterior wall, building entrance, or window.
- Interior signs completely within an enclosed building, not visible from outside or primarily directed at persons within the premises.
- Memorial signs/tablets up to four square feet in area, with content and mounting restrictions.
- Nameplates identifying occupants/professional/home occupation, not exceeding two square feet, attached to building wall.
- Painted wall signs less than 12 square feet without raised borders, letters, decorations, or lighting appliances.
- Political signs.
- Real estate signs subject to size, height, number, installation, and removal restrictions.
- Real estate open house signs subject to size, number, installation, and duration restrictions.
- Signs on road furniture (e.g., benches, trash receptacles) no larger than one square foot.
- Signs on vehicles while operated and used for transport in the normal course of business, provided the primary use is not advertising a business on the premises where the vehicle is parked.
- Traffic control signs, municipal signs, legal notices, danger signs, emergency or non-advertising signs, or private traffic control signs conforming to the Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and as approved by the city.
- Publicly authorized warning signs (e.g., no trespassing, warning of hazard), not exceeding two square feet in area.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Sign permits are required for most signs as indicated in Table 48-7; exceptions are listed in Sec. 48-4.
- Applications for sign permits must be made on forms furnished by the building code official and must include information such as plans, structural details, and other requirements.
- Signs may require review by the building code official (Sec. 48-10).
- Variance (appeal) process is available via the zoning board of appeals if a sign permit is refused.
- Sign waivers may be granted within a planned development area (PDA), as deemed appropriate by the planning commission.
- No explicit mention of a master sign plan or universal sign plan requirement in the provided sections.

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

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