# Sign Regulations in Wayland, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Wayland, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/wayland
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/Wayland/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH16STSIOTPUPL_ARTVIRESIBAPURI-W)

## At a glance

Wayland, Michigan regulates 19 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Pylon Signs in the Business District (B-1, B-2, B-3), Office District (RO) zoning district are capped at B-1/RO: 35 ft max; B-2/B-3: 40 ft max tall and B-1/RO: based on formula; B-2/B-3: 100 sq ft max, with a not in front half of setback setback (Sec. Sec. 20-731(6), Sec. 20-746(4), Sec. 20-776(1)). Most commercial signs in Wayland 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 | 7 | 60 inches | 24 sq ft | — |
| Residential District (R-A, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, RM, RMH) | 2 | 42 inches | 48 sq ft | — |
| Business District (B-1, B-2, B-3), Office District (RO) | 6 | B-1/RO: 35 ft max; B-2/B-3: 40 ft max | 5% of building face | — |
| Central Business District (CBD) | 8 | 15 ft max | 54 sq ft per side | — |
| Regional Commercial District (B-3), Industrial District (I-1, I-2) | 4 | 10 ft max | 300 sq ft max | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Incidental and Temporary Sign (Residential) | 42 inches | 5 sq ft | — | — | — | Permitted for all permitted residential uses in all residential zoning districts | — | Sec. 20-672(2)a |
| Incidental and Temporary Sign (Business and Industrial) | 60 inches | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | All business and industrial districts and for all permitted nonresidential uses in residential zoning districts | — | Sec. 20-672(2)b |
| Incidental Sign (Business and Industrial, smaller) | 42 inches | 5 sq ft | — | — | — | All business and industrial districts | — | Sec. 20-672(2)c |
| Window/Door Sign (Inside) | — | — | — | — | — | Painted on or attached to the inside of windows or doors of a business building | — | Sec. 20-672(1) |
| Construction Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Specific construction project | — | Sec. 20-672(4) |
| Warning Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | Devoted exclusively to warning of dangerous conditions and hazards | — | Sec. 20-672(6) |
| Flag | 30 ft above ground level (flag pole) | — | — | — | — | Attached to a structure or flag pole | — | Sec. 20-672(5) |

### Business District (B-1, B-2, B-3), Office District (RO)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | 90% of wall width | — | Max 3 per establishment, see citation for exceptions | Exterior wall, attached and parallel (B-1, RO, B-2); may project up to 6 ft in B-2, B-3, I-1, I-2 | — | Sec. 20-731(1,2), Sec. 20-746(1,2), Sec. 20-776(2) |
| Wall Sign (Rear or Side/ Additional Front Face) | — | — | 90% of wall width | — | 1 additional sign per qualifying wall | Rear or side of building facing parking area (deemed an additional front face) | — | Sec. 20-731(3), Sec. 20-746(3), Sec. 20-776(3) |
| Freestanding Pylon Sign | B-1/RO: 35 ft max; B-2/B-3: 40 ft max | B-1/RO: based on formula; B-2/B-3: 100 sq ft max | — | B-1/RO: 15 ft behind property line; B-2: 5 ft behind; B-3/I-1/I-2: not in front half of setback | 1 per establishment | At least 15 ft behind front street property line (B-1, RO, B-3 if principal building at least 50 ft from property line); In B-2, 5 ft behind front street property line, perpendicular to line | — | Sec. 20-731(6), Sec. 20-746(4), Sec. 20-776(1) |
| Monumentalized Sign | — | 5% of building face | — | — | 1 additional per qualifying wall | Where side yard or front yard of residential district adjoins business/office district (on such wall); can also be used as additional sign on rear/side wall abutting parking | — | Sec. 20-731(4), Sec. 20-746(3) |
| Wall Sign (Second Story) | — | 5% of second story building face | — | — | 1 per second story business | Face of second story wall; applies if second story is occupied by separate commercial use | — | Sec. 20-731(5), Sec. 20-746(3), Sec. 20-761(6) |
| Billboard | — | B-3, I-1, I-2: 300 sq ft max; B-2: no explicit max stated | — | At least 10 ft from property line, at least 3 ft above ground (3 ft open) | — | Principal use on vacant lots abutting a marked state highway, must have 60 ft frontage, 500 ft from another billboard on same side of street | — | Sec. 20-746(5), Sec. 20-776(4) |

### Central Business District (CBD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | 90% of wall width | — | Max 3 per establishment; see citation. | Face of wall, not above roof line; perpendicular street signs may extend up to 32 inches | — | Sec. 20-761(1,2,3,4) |
| Wall Sign (Rear or Side/ Additional Front Face) | — | — | 90% of wall width | — | 1 additional sign per qualifying wall | Rear or side of building facing parking area (deemed an additional front face) | — | Sec. 20-761(5) |
| Wall Sign (Second Story) | — | 5% of second story building face | — | — | 1 per second story business | Face of second story wall; applies if second story is separate commercial use | — | Sec. 20-761(6) |
| Freestanding Pylon Sign | 15 ft max | — | — | 5 ft behind right-of-way | 1 per qualifying lot | At least 5 ft behind street right-of-way (permitted if principal building at least 15 ft from property line) | — | Sec. 20-761(7) |
| Canopy/Marquee/Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | Within allowable total sign number for property | Attached to or part of awnings, canopies, marquees | — | Sec. 20-761(9) |
| Sandwich Board/A-Frame Sign | 4 ft | 8 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per storefront | Public sidewalk; at least 1 ft from curb; at least 4 ft clear sidewalk width remaining | — | Sec. 20-761(10) |
| Freestanding or Pylon Sign (Automotive/Service Only) | Minimum 10 ft, Maximum 30 ft above ground | 54 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per automotive business | Gasoline service station, used car lot, garage only | — | Sec. 20-761(8)a |
| Window/Door Sign (Inside) | — | — | — | — | — | Painted or attached inside window/door | — | Sec. 20-672(1) |

## Prohibited signs in Wayland

- No sign existing at the effective date of this article shall be moved to a new location or structurally repaired unless such sign shall conform or shall be made to conform to the provisions of this article.
- Any sign moved to another location or structurally repaired shall be considered a new sign and shall require a new permit.
- No sign of greater than two (2) square feet may be placed in the public street right-of-way unless permitted under specific provisions.
- Any sign placed within a street right-of-way that constitutes a traffic hazard or detriment to traffic safety may be removed and impounded by the building official without prior notification.
- Roof signs are prohibited in all districts.
- Any sign constituting a traffic hazard or detriment to traffic safety by obstructing drivers’ vision or traffic control devices is prohibited.
- Signs displaying words or symbols such as 'stop,' 'look,' 'danger,' or others that may mislead or confuse traffic are prohibited.
- Signs or sign structures that are no longer in use as originally intended, abandoned, structurally unsafe, hazardous, or not kept in good repair are prohibited.
- Any sign that obstructs ingress to or egress from required doors, windows, fire escapes, or other required exits is prohibited.
- Any sign or advertising structure containing obscene or illegal matter is prohibited.
- Any sign unlawfully installed, erected or maintained is prohibited.
- Signs with flashing, blinking, or running type lights creating a blinking or flashing effect are prohibited.
- Display or parking of a motor vehicle or trailer in view from a public right-of-way primarily to display a sign is prohibited, except for vehicles used regularly in the course of business or parked overnight at a business owner or employee's residence.
- Signs having any visible portion in motion or with the appearance of motion (except electronic changeable message signs that do not flash or blink) are prohibited.
- Billboard signs are prohibited except as permitted in the B-2, B-3, I-1, and I-2 districts.

## Signs exempt from permit in Wayland

- A sign painted on or attached to the inside of a window or door of a business building, not exceeding 25% of the window or door area. Such sign area is not counted toward the total sign area.
- Non-illuminated incidental and temporary signs of five (5) square feet or less in size and forty-two (42) inches or less in height for all permitted residential uses in all residential zoning districts.
- Non-illuminated incidental signs of sixteen (16) square feet or less in size and sixty (60) inches or less in height in all business and industrial districts and for all permitted nonresidential uses in residential zoning districts.
- Non-illuminated incidental signs not exceeding five (5) square feet in area and forty-two (42) inches in height in all business and industrial districts.
- Street signs erected by the city, state, or federal government for street direction or traffic control, and equivalent street signs for private streets.
- One construction sign displaying the architect or contractor's name on a construction project (not to exceed 24 square feet), to be removed within seven (7) days of project completion.
- Flags of any country, state, municipality, educational institution, non-profit organization, or business entity when attached to a structure or flagpole, with a flagpole not exceeding thirty (30) feet in height.
- Warning signs exclusively devoted to warning the public of dangerous conditions and unusual hazards, not exceeding three (3) square feet in area.
- Banners, pennants, string lights, ribbons, balloon signs, inflatable signs and figures and portable signs associated with special or seasonal events in R-A, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, RM, and RMH Districts only (with additional provisions for other districts).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs pertaining to any new development or development expansion required to undergo site plan approval by the planning commission must be reviewed and preliminarily approved as part of the site plan review process.
- All signs erected, altered or constructed require a sign permit from the building inspector unless exempted by specific provisions.
- Before issuing a sign permit, the building inspector must verify compliance with construction, safety, illumination, and location standards as outlined in Sec. 20-671.
- A sign plan is implicitly required as part of the overall site plan when planning commission site plan approval is necessary for development or expansion.

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

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