# Sign Regulations in Warren, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Warren, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/warren
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/Warren/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_APXAZO_ARTIV-ASI)

## At a glance

Warren, Michigan regulates 129 sign types across 19 zoning districts. Freestanding non-residential use sign within residential zone (church/synagogue/school/library/park)s in the R-1-A Districts—One-Family Residential Districts (R-1-A) zoning district are capped at 5 feet (residential freestanding maximum) tall and 32 square feet, with a Set back from right-of-way line minimum distance equal to height of the sign (Section 4A.32). setback (Sec. Section 4A.31(d) and Section 4A.32). Most commercial signs in Warren require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (19 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1-A Districts—One-Family Residential Districts (R-1-A) | 31 | Not exceed 25 feet in height | Not to exceed 150 square feet in size | — |
| R-1-B, R-1-C, R-2, R-3, R-3-A, R-4 | 31 | Not exceed 25 feet in height | Not to exceed 150 square feet in size | — |
| R-1-P Districts—One-Family Residential Parking Districts (R-1-P) | 26 | Not exceed 25 feet in height | Not to exceed 150 square feet in size | — |
| R-5 | 15 | 5 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| PB | 19 | 25 ft (freestanding on-premise identification sign) | 150 sq ft (freestanding identification sign), 40 sq ft (wall sign) | — |
| SS | 18 | 25 ft (freestanding on-premise identification sign) | 150 sq ft (freestanding identification sign), 40 sq ft (wall sign) | — |
| O | 8 | 5 feet | 50 square feet | — |
| C-1 | 21 | 25 feet (freestanding identification sign) | 150 square feet (freestanding identification sign) | — |
| C-2 | 20 | 25 feet (freestanding identification sign) | 150 square feet (freestanding identification sign) | — |
| C-3 | 20 | 25 feet (freestanding identification sign) | 150 square feet (freestanding identification sign) | — |
| P | 7 | 5 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| M-1 | 28 | 25 ft (freestanding) | 150 sq ft (freestanding), 40 sq ft (wall) | — |
| M-2 | 27 | 25 ft (freestanding) | 150 sq ft (freestanding), 40 sq ft (wall) | — |
| M-3 | 25 | 50 feet | 400 square feet | — |
| M-4 | 24 | 50 feet | 400 square feet | — |
| City Center District | 8 | 25 feet (freestanding identification sign must not exceed 25 feet in height) | Freestanding identification sign: 150 sq ft; wall sign: 40 sq ft per business; informational sign: 2 sq ft per business | — |
| Village Historic District | 7 | 25 feet (freestanding identification sign must not exceed 25 feet in height) | Freestanding identification sign: 150 sq ft; wall sign: 40 sq ft per business; informational sign: 2 sq ft per business | — |
| City Center District—Specially Designated Overlying District, Village Historic District—Specially Designated Historic District | 16 | 20 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 19 | ≤ 50 feet | ≤ 400 square feet (allowed in M-3/M-4 only, per Section 4A.48(a)) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 19 zones)

### R-1-A Districts—One-Family Residential Districts (R-1-A)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign (permit-exempt) | Not over 5 feet in height | Residential districts: not more than 8 square feet in area; Non-residential districts: not more than 16 square feet in area | — | — | — | On-premises signs announcing sale or rent of the property | — | Section 4A.13(g); Section 4A.26(a) |
| Temporary Sign (in all districts) | Major/collector: not project higher than 6 feet above surface grade; local residential: not project higher than 3 feet above surface grade | Major thoroughfares: 32 sq ft max total area; Collector roads: 16 sq ft max total area; Local residential streets: 4 sq ft max total area | — | — | — | Temporary signs in all districts; setback requirements apply | — | Section 4A.41(a)-(f); Section 4A.14(b) (context: flashing/moving lights prohibited) |
| Temporary Outdoor Retail Sales Sign (with approved outdoor retail sale permit) | Not project higher than 5 feet above grade | Not exceed 32 square feet in total area | — | — | — | On the property where the outdoor retail sale is conducted | — | Section 4A.43(a)-(c) |
| Shopping Center Freestanding Identification Sign (regardless of zoning district) | Not exceed 25 feet in height | Not to exceed 150 square feet in size | — | — | — | One freestanding on-premise identification sign for each shopping center | — | Section 4A.37(b) |
| Subdivision identification sign | — | 32 square feet | — | Freestanding/ground signs: set back a minimum distance equal to height (Section 4A.17(b)); if freestanding in residential: max height 5 feet and same height-based setback (Section 4A.32). | 1 per street frontage, neighborhood, subdivision or development | One per street frontage, neighborhood, subdivision or development | — | Section 4A.31(b), Section 4A.17, Section 4A.18 |
| Apartment, condominium or mobile home complex identification sign | — | 32 square feet | — | Freestanding signs in residential: set back from right-of-way line minimum distance equal to height of the sign. | 1 per entrance | Per entrance to apartment or condominium complex | — | Section 4A.31(c) and Section 4A.32 |
| Freestanding non-residential use sign within residential zone (church/synagogue/school/library/park) | 5 feet (residential freestanding maximum) | 32 square feet | — | Set back from right-of-way line minimum distance equal to height of the sign (Section 4A.32). | 1 freestanding and 1 wall sign per permitted non-residential use | For permitted non-residential uses within residential zones | — | Section 4A.31(d) and Section 4A.32 |
| Wall non-residential use sign within residential zone (church/synagogue/school/library/park) | — | 32 square feet | — | Wall signs must comply with general obstruction/overhang prohibitions (Section 4A.17(a)) and visibility rules; specific wall setback is not stated. | 1 wall sign per permitted non-residential use | On wall for permitted non-residential uses within residential zones | — | Section 4A.31(d) and Section 4A.18(a) |

### R-1-B, R-1-C, R-2, R-3, R-3-A, R-4

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign (permit-exempt) | Not over 5 feet in height | Residential districts: not more than 8 square feet in area; Non-residential districts: not more than 16 square feet in area | — | — | — | On-premises signs announcing sale or rent of the property | — | Section 4A.13(g); Section 4A.26(a) |
| Temporary Sign (in all districts) | Major/collector: not project higher than 6 feet above surface grade; local residential: not project higher than 3 feet above surface grade | Major thoroughfares: 32 sq ft max total area; Collector roads: 16 sq ft max total area; Local residential streets: 4 sq ft max total area | — | — | — | Temporary signs in all districts; setback requirements apply | — | Section 4A.41(a)-(f); Section 4A.14(b) (context: flashing/moving lights prohibited) |
| Temporary Outdoor Retail Sales Sign (with approved outdoor retail sale permit) | Not project higher than 5 feet above grade | Not exceed 32 square feet in total area | — | — | — | On the property where the outdoor retail sale is conducted | — | Section 4A.43(a)-(c) |
| Shopping Center Freestanding Identification Sign (regardless of zoning district) | Not exceed 25 feet in height | Not to exceed 150 square feet in size | — | — | — | One freestanding on-premise identification sign for each shopping center | — | Section 4A.37(b) |
| Subdivision identification sign | — | 32 square feet | — | Freestanding/ground signs: set back a minimum distance equal to height (Section 4A.17(b)); if freestanding in residential: max height 5 feet and same height-based setback (Section 4A.32). | 1 per street frontage, neighborhood, subdivision or development | One per street frontage, neighborhood, subdivision or development | — | Section 4A.31(b), Section 4A.17, Section 4A.18 |
| Apartment, condominium or mobile home complex identification sign | — | 32 square feet | — | Freestanding signs in residential: set back from right-of-way line minimum distance equal to height of the sign. | 1 per entrance | Per entrance to apartment or condominium complex | — | Section 4A.31(c) and Section 4A.32 |
| Freestanding non-residential use sign within residential zone (church/synagogue/school/library/park) | 5 feet (residential freestanding maximum) | 32 square feet | — | Set back from right-of-way line minimum distance equal to height of the sign (Section 4A.32). | 1 freestanding and 1 wall sign per permitted non-residential use | For permitted non-residential uses within residential zones | — | Section 4A.31(d) and Section 4A.32 |
| Wall non-residential use sign within residential zone (church/synagogue/school/library/park) | — | 32 square feet | — | Wall signs must comply with general obstruction/overhang prohibitions (Section 4A.17(a)) and visibility rules; specific wall setback is not stated. | 1 wall sign per permitted non-residential use | On wall for permitted non-residential uses within residential zones | — | Section 4A.31(d) and Section 4A.18(a) |

### M-1

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real estate signs [Permit Exempt] | 5 feet | 16 square feet (non-residential); 8 square feet (residential, but M-1 is non-residential) | — | Must comply with all other applicable ordinance provisions including Section 4A.17 setbacks. | — | On-premises | — | Section 4A.13(g) |
| Garage sale signs [Permit Exempt] | — | 4 square feet | — | Must comply with all other applicable ordinance provisions including Section 4A.17 setbacks. | 1 per residence | Front yard set back at the site of the garage sale | — | Section 4A.13(h) |
| Opinion signs [Permit Exempt] | — | 4 square feet | — | Must comply with all other applicable ordinance provisions including Section 4A.17 setbacks. | 3 per residence (only in residential areas) | Front yard set back | — | Section 4A.13(i) |
| Temporary community activity or event signs [Permit Exempt] | — | 3 square feet | — | Must comply with all other applicable ordinance provisions including Section 4A.17 setbacks where applicable. | 1 per lot frontage; up to 25 per activity/event; up to 2 activities/events per calendar year per non-profit | Private property only (not on public property or road rights-of-way) | — | Section 4A.13(j) and Section 4A.44 |
| Freestanding on-premise sign or advertising display | 20 feet (general maximum for freestanding signs) | 75 square feet | — | Freestanding/ground signs must be set back from right-of-way line a minimum distance equal to the height of the sign (Section 4A.17(b)). | 1 per business (commercial/industrial districts zoned C-1, C-2, C-3, M-1 and M-2) | On-premise | — | Section 4A.35(b), Section 4A.18(b), Section 4A.21, Section 4A.53(g), Section 4A.12 |
| Wall sign (total wall signage) | — | 40 square feet (total wall signage per business) | — | Must comply with other applicable setback/obstruction requirements (Section 4A.17). | Total wall signage limited per business (one limit per business) | Wall sign (on building facade) | — | Section 4A.35(c), Section 4A.18(a), Section 4A.21, Section 4A.53(g), Section 4A.12 |
| Temporary sign (parcel-based; approved 2 times/year; up to 30 consecutive days) | 6 feet (major thoroughfare/collector); 3 feet (local residential street) | 32 sq ft (major thoroughfare); 16 sq ft (collector); 4 sq ft (local residential street) | — | Minimum 10 feet from right-of-way line. | 1 temporary sign per parcel; up to 2 times per calendar year | Based on road type; temporary sign on private property is implied by setback and ROW rules; must not be on ROW | — | Section 4A.41(a)-(f) |
| General Regulations For All Zones - Electronic Message Center (Section 4A.27) | — | Digital display area <= 25% of total permitted free standing sign area (unless Motor Fuels Retail Outlet License property). | — | Freestanding/ground sign setback rule applies (Section 4A.17(b)). | 1 max. | Freestanding sign. | — | Section 4A.27(a)-(f). |

## Prohibited signs in Warren

- Any sign not expressly permitted by this article.
- Unless permitted elsewhere in this article, signs that use flashing, blinking, intermittent, or moving lights; or exposed incandescent light bulbs.
- Exterior rope lighting visible from the public right-of-way except temporary lighting and government signs.
- Signs imitating or resembling official traffic or government signs or signals that are made of the same material, and are of similar size and shape and color.
- Signs attached to trees, telephone poles, public benches, streetlights, or placed on any public property or public right-of-way, unless otherwise provided by ordinance.
- Roof signs.
- Abandoned signs.
- Obsolete signs.
- Signs in parking districts (P) greater than two (2) square feet in size.
- Off-premises signs other than billboards, election and special events or activities signs as regulated in this ordinance.
- Except as provided for the City of Warren Placemaking with Art Initiative public art works: any billboard containing any tobacco advertisement in any publicly visible location on or within five hundred (500) feet of the perimeter of any school premises, playground, or playground area in a public park.
- A sign advertising alcoholic liquor as prohibited in Warren Code of Ordinances, Chapter 4, Article II, Section 4-9A.
- Inflatable signs, except as permitted in Warren Code of Ordinances, Appendix A, Article IV-A, Division V, Section 4A.42.
- Feather flag signs.
- An off-premises sign advertising a Marihuana Business or Caregiver Operation.
- A sign, visible from a public right-of-way, advertising Caregiver Operations or Marihuana Businesses, except Retail Establishments and Provisioning Center Facilities.
- A sign that contains any words or phrases listed in MCL 333.17711, including, but not limited to: apothecary, dispensary, pharmacy, and drugstore.

## Signs exempt from permit in Warren

- The prohibited-sign restrictions apply except when the sign is a public art work commissioned by the City of Warren as part of its Placemaking with Art Initiative.

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

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