# Sign Regulations in Waterford Township, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Waterford Township, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/waterford-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-24
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.waterfordmi.gov/DocumentCenter/View/299/Waterford-Township-Zoning-OrdinanceNo-135-APDF?bidId=#page=84)

## At a glance

Waterford Township, Michigan regulates 21 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (ROW frontage < 100 ft)s in the General Regulations For All Zones (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, C-UB, C-UL, CR, HT-1, HT-2, M-1, M-1-R, M-2, O-1, O-2, PL, R-1, R-1A) zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 50 sq ft sign facing area, with a Minimum 15 ft from any public or private right-of-way; 25 ft from a non-residential property line; 50 ft from a residential property line. setback (Sec. Section 2-508 Table; Section 2-501.2 (underground wiring); Section 2-508(B)-(D)). Most commercial signs in Waterford Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, C-UB, C-UL, CR, HT-1, HT-2, M-1, M-1-R, M-2, O-1, O-2, PL, R-1, R-1A) | 17 | First sign: 17 ft; Second sign: 12 ft | First sign: 200 sq ft; Second sign: 100 sq ft | — |
| Single Family Residential (R-1, R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-1D, R-1E) | 2 | 4 ft (freestanding) | Max area of all temporary signs: 10 sq ft; Max area of any individual sign: 6 sq ft | — |
| Multiple Family Residential (R-M1, R-M2, R-MH) | 2 | 6 ft (freestanding) | Max area of all temporary signs: 32 sq ft; Max area of any individual sign: 16 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, C-UB, C-UL, CR, HT-1, HT-2, M-1, M-1-R, M-2, O-1, O-2, PL, R-1, R-1A)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (ROW frontage < 100 ft) | 8 ft | 50 sq ft sign facing area | — | Minimum 15 ft from any public or private right-of-way; 25 ft from a non-residential property line; 50 ft from a residential property line. | 1 | All electrical wiring must be installed underground. Freestanding signs must be ground signs unless E applies. | — | Section 2-508 Table; Section 2-501.2 (underground wiring); Section 2-508(B)-(D) |
| Freestanding Sign (ROW frontage 100–200 ft) | 10 ft | 75 sq ft sign facing area | — | 15 ft from ROW; 25 ft from non-res property line; 50 ft from residential property line. | 1 | All electrical wiring must be underground. | — | Section 2-508 Table; 2-508(B)-(D); 2-501.2 |
| Freestanding Sign (ROW frontage 201–400 ft along one street) | 12 ft | 100 sq ft sign facing area | — | 15 ft from ROW; 25 ft from non-res property line; 50 ft from residential property line. | 1 | All electrical wiring must be underground. | — | Section 2-508 Table; 2-508(B)-(D); 2-501.2 |
| Freestanding Sign (ROW frontage > 401 ft; no approved site plan and no 20 ft greenbelt) | 12 ft | 100 sq ft sign facing area | — | 15 ft from ROW; 25 ft from non-res property line; 50 ft from residential property line. | 1 | All electrical wiring must be underground. | — | Section 2-508 Table; 2-508(B)-(D); 2-501.2 |
| Freestanding Sign (ROW frontage > 401 ft; approved site plan and 20 ft greenbelt) | First sign: 17 ft; Second sign: 12 ft | First sign: 200 sq ft; Second sign: 100 sq ft | — | 15 ft from ROW; 25 ft from non-res property line; 50 ft from residential property line. | 2 | All electrical wiring must be underground. | — | Section 2-508 Table (two signs scenario); 2-508(B)-(D); 2-501.2 |
| Freestanding Post-Pylon Sign (Alternative due to visibility obstruction) | Max sign frame height 12 ft; bottom edge of sign minimum 8 ft above grade | — | — | 15 ft from ROW; 25 ft from non-res property line; 50 ft from residential property line. | — | Must meet freestanding sign setbacks. | — | Section 2-508(E) |
| Memorial Sign | If freestanding, must comply with height limits in Section 2-508 based on frontage scenario | 4 sq ft | — | If freestanding, freestanding sign setbacks apply (15 ft ROW; 25 ft non-res line; 50 ft res line). | — | Must be erected on a zoning lot directly related to events associated with the zoning lot. | — | Section 2-502(2) |
| Temporary Sign - General Rules | See zone-specific temporary sign table for freestanding temporary signs | See zone-specific temporary sign table for Single Family and Multiple Family uses | — | At least 2 ft from edge of traveled portion of roadway; not in public right-of-way. | — | Not attached to a utility pole, tree, fence; not located in a public right-of-way; not located closer than 2 ft to the edge of the traveled portion of the roadway. | — | Section 2-503(1)-(9) |

### Single Family Residential (R-1, R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-1D, R-1E)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign - Freestanding (Single Family Residential) | 4 ft (freestanding) | Max area of all temporary signs: 10 sq ft; Max area of any individual sign: 6 sq ft | — | At least 2 ft from edge of traveled portion; not in public right-of-way. | — | Not attached to a utility pole, tree, fence; not located in a public right-of-way; not located closer than 2 ft to the edge of the traveled portion of the roadway. | — | Section 2-503 Table (Single Family Residential - Freestanding); Section 2-503(1)-(7) |
| Temporary Sign - Wall (Single Family Residential) | — | Max area of all temporary signs: 6 sq ft; Max area of any individual sign: 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Not attached to a utility pole, tree, fence; not located in a public right-of-way; not located closer than 2 ft to the edge of the traveled portion of the roadway. | — | Section 2-503 Table (Single Family Residential - Wall); Section 2-503(1)-(7) |

### Multiple Family Residential (R-M1, R-M2, R-MH)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign - Freestanding (Multiple Family Residential) | 6 ft (freestanding) | Max area of all temporary signs: 32 sq ft; Max area of any individual sign: 16 sq ft | — | At least 2 ft from edge of traveled portion; not in public right-of-way. | — | Not attached to a utility pole, tree, fence; not located in a public right-of-way; not located closer than 2 ft to the edge of the traveled portion of the roadway. | — | Section 2-503 Table (Multiple Family Residential - Freestanding); Section 2-503(1)-(7) |
| Temporary Sign - Wall (Multiple Family Residential) | — | Max area of all temporary signs: 20 sq ft; Max area of any individual sign: 20 sq ft | — | — | — | Not attached to a utility pole, tree, fence; not located in a public right-of-way; not located closer than 2 ft to the edge of the traveled portion of the roadway. | — | Section 2-503 Table (Multiple Family Residential - Wall); Section 2-503(1)-(7) |

## Prohibited signs in Waterford Township

- No permanent sign may be erected, installed, altered, or relocated without an approved plan and building permit.
- No sign shall be located in, project into, or overhang a public right-of-way or easement, except as otherwise provided in the ordinance.
- No sign shall be erected, established, or maintained in clear vision areas as defined in Section 2-403.
- Signs shall not be painted directly upon the roof of any building or structure.
- It is unlawful to park, place, or store a vehicle or trailer with a vehicle sign on private or public property for the purpose of advertising a business, products, or directing people to a business or business activity.
- Roof signs are prohibited in all districts.
- Projecting signs are prohibited in all districts.
- Signs containing animated, flashing, intermittent, or moving sign message sequencing are prohibited (except those displaying only time or temperature).
- Signs affixed to trees, rocks, shrubs or similar natural features are prohibited (historic markers may be allowed when affixed in conformance with State of Michigan historic designation regulations).
- Signs which imitate traffic signals, direction signs, similar traffic control devices, or emergency vehicle warning lights are prohibited.
- Temporary and portable signs are prohibited unless specifically provided otherwise in the Zoning Ordinance.
- Any sign that, by reason of size, location, content, coloring, or manner of illumination, constitutes a traffic hazard or detriment to traffic safety (e.g., obstructs drivers' vision or visibility of traffic control devices) is prohibited.
- All non-accessory signs are prohibited unless specifically provided otherwise in the Zoning Ordinance.
- Any sign that obstructs free ingress or egress from a required door, window, fire escape, or other required exit way is prohibited.
- Any sign unlawfully installed, erected, or maintained, or deemed structurally or electrically unsafe by the Building Official, is prohibited.
- Any sign not expressly permitted in the Zoning Ordinance is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Waterford Township

- Temporary signs not exceeding 32 square feet in area are allowed in all districts without a permit.
- Temporary holiday decorating signs are allowed without a permit if they do not jeopardize public safety, are not used for a commercial purpose, and conform to Section 2-201.
- Address signs not exceeding 2 square feet in area (or 4 square feet if freestanding) are allowed without a permit and must comply with Section 2-501.
- Cornerstone markers cut into masonry or constructed of bronze or other noncombustible material and permanently attached to a building, not greater than 4 square feet, are allowed without a permit.
- Historic marker signs, as regulated and approved by local, state, or federal government agencies, are allowed without a permit.
- Traffic or other municipal signs such as legal notices, railroad crossing, danger, warning of electrical current or animals, and other emergency signs are allowed without a permit (legal notice signs must be removed per township, court order, or state statute).
- Protective signs along a property line, at a frequency not exceeding one sign per 20 linear feet and with each sign not exceeding 2 square feet, are allowed without a permit.
- Signs displaying noncommercial messages (e.g., religious, political, economic, social, philosophical) protected by the First Amendment are allowed without a permit but must comply with the number and size regulations of the Ordinance.
- Flags bearing the official designation of the United States of America are allowed without a permit; other flags are allowed without a permit if they do not exceed 48 square feet and there are no more than three flags per parcel; all flags must be maintained in good repair (failure to repair within 30 days of notice constitutes a violation).
- Temporary signs generally do not require a permit; however, temporary banners require a permit (no fee), may be displayed for up to 28 days per calendar year (no continuous period greater than 14 days), and no more than three banner permits per parcel per year are allowed.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All permanent signs proposed in conjunction with a proposed development must be reviewed and approved through the same review and approval process as the development; building permit issuance is based on the approved plan.
- All other permanent signs being erected, relocated, or structurally altered must be reviewed and approved in accordance with Section 4-015; no permanent sign may be erected, installed, altered, or relocated without an approved plan and building permit.
- Memorial signs require sign construction plan review approval by the Building Department in accordance with Section 4-015 and must comply with Section 2-501; if freestanding, they must comply with height requirements in Section 2-508.
- For ground signs located on a landscape berm, the berm must be part of the approved landscape plan for the site.
- When a zoning lot containing an obsolete, abandoned, or nonconforming sign structure undergoes major site plan review under Section 4-004.3, the Planning Commission may require removal of such signs as a condition of final site plan approval.
- Temporary banners require a permit (no fee); display limits are 28 days per calendar year, no continuous period greater than 14 days, and no more than three banner permits per parcel per year.
- For planned developments meeting specified criteria (combined zoning lots with shared access, frontage, and greenbelt), the Planning Commission may authorize freestanding signage as if the development were a single zoning lot.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Waterford Township, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Waterford+Township+MI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-waterford-township

---

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