# Sign Regulations in Walled Lake, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Walled Lake, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/walled-lake
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/Walled_Lake/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH51ZO_ART20.00SI)

## At a glance

Walled Lake, Michigan regulates 28 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the O-1, C-1, C-3 zoning district are capped at 6 ft. (O-1); 6 or 8 ft. as per setback (C-1, C-3) tall and 40 sq. ft., with a Building must be set back 40 ft. from R.O.W.; sign not closer than 1 ft. from R.O.W.; min. 50 ft. from residential setback (Sec. Sec. 51-20.08(6)). Most commercial signs in Walled Lake require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| CS | 2 | If set back 25 ft. or more: 8 ft. \| If set back less than 25 ft.: 6 ft. | 25 sq. ft. | — |
| O-1, C-1, C-3 | 12 | 36 inches (sign); 45 inches incl. legs | 64 sq. ft. | — |
| C-2, I-1 | 4 | If set back 25 ft.+: 8 ft.; less than 25 ft.: 6 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| Residential, Residential Districts | 6 | 6 ft. | 25 sq. ft. | — |
| Office, Commercial, Industrial, Nonresidential Districts | 3 | 10 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — |
| Historic Lakefront District (C-3) | 3 | 36 inches (sign); 45 inches incl. legs | 64 sq. ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 20 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### O-1, C-1, C-3

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 64 sq. ft. | Two-thirds of building width; vertically no more than one-third of building height | — | 1 per street frontage, see multi-tenant/corner rules | One per street frontage; multi-tenant: per tenant w/individual access; see additional requirements | — | Sec. 51-20.08(5)b |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 ft. (O-1); 6 or 8 ft. as per setback (C-1, C-3) | 40 sq. ft. | — | Building must be set back 40 ft. from R.O.W.; sign not closer than 1 ft. from R.O.W.; min. 50 ft. from residential | 1 per street frontage (special rules for visibility/corner lot) | Required front yard; see setback; only if building set back 40 ft. from R.O.W.; 1 per street frontage (see additional) | — | Sec. 51-20.08(6) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Minimum clearance 8 ft.; oriented to pedestrian traffic | — | Sec. 51-20.08(17) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 36 inches (sign); 45 inches incl. legs | 6 sq. ft. per face; max overall: 36" height, 24" width. Legs can add 9" to height. | 24 inches | — | 1 per business per frontage | Within 4 ft. of main entrance or as otherwise specified; must not block pedestrian/vehicular circulation; in C-3 sensitive to historic character | — | Sec. 51-20.08(16) |
| Window Sign | — | Total area (temp+perm+incidental) may not exceed 1/3 of window area | — | — | — | Inside buildings | — | Sec. 51-20.08(11); Sec. 51-20.06(c)(5) |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | — | Included in wall sign maximum for district/parcel | — | Compliance with setback for district | — | On awning/canopy | — | Sec. 51-20.08(8) |
| Pole Sign | 20 ft. | Same as freestanding sign in zone (40 sq. ft.) | — | 40 ft. setback from R.O.W.; 100 ft. from residential; 150 ft. frontage; spacing per rules above | 1 per parcel | Min. parcel frontage of 150 ft.; bldg. set back 40 ft. from R.O.W. | — | Sec. 51-20.08(10) |
| Underhanging Sign | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business | Must serve pedestrian entrances, min. clearance 8 ft. above sidewalk | — | Sec. 51-20.08(13) |

### Residential, Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate/Street Address | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On premises | — | Sec. 51-20.07(1) & 51-20.05(b)(1) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential) | 6 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | May be in required setback area but not in road right-of-way | 1 per parcel; 2 on corner | Portable/Freestanding; 1 per parcel; corner parcel may have 2 facing each street | — | Sec. 51-20.06(c)(5) |
| Garage Sale Sign | 5 ft. | 2 sq. ft. | — | May be in required setback but not in road R.O.W. | 5 per sale (citywide); 4 off-site, 1 on-site | Freestanding or wall; 5 citywide per sale; no more than 4 off-site, 1 on-site | — | Sec. 51-20.07(3); 51-20.06(c)(5) |
| Residential Entranceway/Identification Sign | 6 ft. | 25 sq. ft. | — | 25 ft. from property or R.O.W. unless approved otherwise | 1 per entrance | One per entrance to subdivision/apartment/condo | — | Sec. 51-20.07(4) |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential Use in Residential) | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per nonresidential use | On building | — | Sec. 51-20.07(5) |
| Freestanding Sign (Special Approval Uses in Residential) | 4 ft. | 25 sq. ft. | — | 25 ft. from R.O.W., 15 ft. from other property lines, driveways, approaches | 1 per parcel (2 on corner); Churches: may have one extra per facility | No closer than 25 ft. to R.O.W., 15 ft. to other properties/driveways/approaches | — | Sec. 51-20.07(6) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign (Temporary) | 15 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | Setback at least distance equal to sign height | 1 | On building or lot under construction | — | Sec. 51-20.06(c)(5) |
| Real Estate Sign (Unplatted Vacant Land) | 10 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | Setback at least height of sign | 1; 2 on corner | Portable/Freestanding | — | Sec. 51-20.06(c)(5) |
| Real Estate Development Sign | 10 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | Setback at least height of sign (min); not within 50 ft. of any occupied dwelling | 1 per frontage; 1 off-premises per development | On-premises for each frontage on secondary/major thoroughfare; 1 off-premises per development | — | Sec. 51-20.06(c)(5) |
| Grand Opening Sign | 10 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | May be in setback area, not in R.O.W. | 1 | Freestanding or wall, commercial zones | — | Sec. 51-20.06(c)(5) |
| Community Special Event Sign | — | Subject to city council approval | — | May be in required setback, not in R.O.W. | — | — | — | Sec. 51-20.06(c)(5) |
| Political Campaign Sign | 10 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | May be in required setback, not in R.O.W. | No set limit | Freestanding or wall | — | Sec. 51-20.06(c)(5) |
| Banner Sign | 15 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | Plastic/fabric, commercial areas | — | Sec. 51-20.06(c)(5) |
| Inflatable Sign | 20 ft. | Not applicable | — | Setback at least height of sign | 1 | C-1, C-2 only | — | Sec. 51-20.06(c)(5) |

## Prohibited signs in Walled Lake

- No sign may be erected, relocated, enlarged, structurally changed, or structurally altered unless in conformance with this article and, unless exempted, without a permit.
- It is unlawful to erect, structurally alter, relocate, enlarge, or structurally change a sign without first obtaining a permit unless exempted.
- A person providing false information on a sign application shall be guilty of a civil infraction.
- Placing or attaching any non-exempt placards, posters, circulars, showbills, handbills, political signs, cards, leaflets or other advertising matter to any fence, wall, post, tree, sidewalk, pavement, platform, pole, tower, curbstone or surface in or upon public easement, right-of-way, or public property is prohibited and such items may be removed by the city.
- All signs must comply with prevailing state building code construction standards.
- Signs that are structurally unsafe, constitute a hazard by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, or abandonment, or are capable of causing electric shock are prohibited.
- Signs not kept in good repair, with broken parts, missing letters, or non-operational lights are prohibited.
- Any sign erected on a tree or utility pole, except for signs of a government or utility, is prohibited.
- Portable signs are prohibited except where expressly permitted.
- Signs obstructing free access to or egress from required doors, windows, fire escapes, driveways, or other required exits from buildings or premises are prohibited.
- Signs using the terms 'stop,' 'look,' or 'danger,' or any other words, phrases, symbols, or characters in a manner to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic are prohibited.
- Any sign unlawfully installed, erected, enlarged, altered, moved or maintained is prohibited.
- Signs on street furniture (including benches and trash receptacles) are prohibited.
- Signs affixed to parked vehicles for advertising purposes are prohibited.
- Real estate signs no longer valid due to the sale, rental, or lease of the property are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Walled Lake

- Address numbers and/or nameplates identifying occupants of the building up to two square feet in area.
- Memorial signs or tablets in cemeteries.
- Signs affixed to a parked vehicle or truck trailer, provided sign is not used principally for advertising or directing people to a business or for such business activity and vehicle/trailer is not parked primarily for advertising purposes.
- Public signs and traffic control signs, including authorized government body or public utility signs, traffic signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, warnings of a hazard, and similar signs.
- Flags bearing the design of a nation, state, municipality, educational institution, or organization, provided the flag does not advertise an on-site business.
- Incidental signs (small signs, emblems, or decals informing the public of facilities or services available on premises).
- Permanent signs on vending machines, gas pumps, or ice containers, indicating only the contents.
- No more than two on-site real estate signs advertising open house or sale/lease/rent of the property, no greater than three square feet per sign.
- Help wanted signs soliciting employees at the place of business, maximum area four square feet for all such signs.
- Any sign located completely within an enclosed building and not clearly visible from outside.
- Plaques or signs designating a building as a historic structure, if so designated.
- No trespassing, no hunting, no dumping, and no soliciting signs.
- Signs used to direct vehicular or pedestrian traffic to parking areas, loading areas, or particular buildings or locations on site.
- Servicing, repainting, cleaning, or changing the message on signs designed for such changes (like marquee or gasoline price sign).
- Historic signs are exempt from obsolete sign removal requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No sign may be erected, structurally changed, etc., unless in conformance with the standards and procedures in this article, including issuance of a permit, except as otherwise provided (exempt signs).
- Application for sign permits require two copies of plans and specifications explaining construction, attachment, and placement.
- Sign proposals submitted with new building construction or additions to existing buildings must be reviewed by the planning commission as part of the required site plan review; proposed signs must be shown on the site plan.
- Building official issues permit after review and approval of sign application.
- Master Sign Plan or site plan with sign locations is required as a part of the process for new buildings or additions.
- Sign proposals may be subject to planning/building department, planning commission, and/or zoning board of appeals review as appropriate.
- Variances or appeals must be submitted to the zoning board of appeals.

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

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