# Sign Regulations in Westland, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Westland, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/westland
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/Westland/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH110ZO_ARTXVSI)

## At a glance

Westland, Michigan regulates 44 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Garage/Yard/Basement Sale Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 5 ft above curb level tall and 6 sq ft, with a Not within 3 ft of property line setback (Sec. Sec. 110-15.3.7(a-d)). Most commercial signs in Westland require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | Not less than 10 feet vertical clearance above grade | 16 sq ft | — |
| Residence districts | 8 | 14 ft above curb level | 100 sq ft each | — |
| Office districts | 6 | The lower of: 25 ft above grade, top of sills of 1st level windows above 1st story, or height of building at eaves facing the street | 64 sq ft | — |
| Commercial districts | 14 | The lower of: 25 ft above grade, top of sills of 1st level windows above 1st story, or height of building at eaves facing street | 200 sq ft | — |
| Super-regional shopping center (Commercial districts) | 2 | The lower of: 25 ft above grade, top of sills of 1st level windows above 1st story, or height of building at eaves facing street | 400 sq ft | — |
| Industrial districts | 7 | 14 ft above curb level | 200 sq ft | — |
| Industrial parks (Industrial districts) | 1 | 14 ft above curb | 200 sq ft | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Marquee Sign | Not less than 10 feet vertical clearance above grade | — | — | — | — | Affixed flat to the vertical face of the marquee/canopy; no projection into public right-of-way | — | Sec. 110-15.3.3(a) |
| Canopy Sign | Not less than 7.5 feet vertical clearance above grade | — | — | — | — | Affixed flat to vertical face; no projection into public right-of-way | — | Sec. 110-15.3.3(a) |
| Awning Sign | Not less than 7.5 feet vertical clearance above grade | — | — | — | — | Affixed flat to surface of awning; no projection into public right-of-way | — | Sec. 110-15.3.3(b) |
| For Sale / For Rent Sign (Frontage < 300 ft) | 5 ft above curb level | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per zoning lot (except vacant unplatted lots with >300 ft frontage, see restrictions) | On premises; freestanding or wall-mounted. | — | Sec. 110-15.3.4(a-c) |
| For Sale / For Rent Sign (Frontage > 300 ft) | 5 ft above curb level | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per 300 ft of frontage | On premises; freestanding or wall-mounted. | — | Sec. 110-15.3.4(a-c) |
| Temporary Election Sign | 8 ft | 8 sq ft | — | 3 ft from property line | — | Private property; not in rights-of-way; setback at least 3 feet from property line. | — | Sec. 110-15.3.5(a-d) |
| Garage/Yard/Basement Sale Sign | 5 ft above curb level | 6 sq ft | — | Not within 3 ft of property line | 1 per lot (3 per sale) | Freestanding; must be on a separate zoning lot; not in rights-of-way or within 3 ft of property line. | — | Sec. 110-15.3.7(a-d) |

### Residence districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate/Identification Sign (One- and two-family residential uses) | 5 ft above curb line | 1 sq ft per dwelling unit | — | 3 ft from property line | 1 per dwelling unit; 2 (corner lot) | Attached to structure or freestanding, not closer than 3 ft to property line. | — | Sec. 110-15.4.1(a) |
| Identification Sign (Non-residential uses) | 1 story or 15 ft above curb, whichever is lower | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot; 2 on corner lot | Attached to structure | — | Sec. 110-15.4.1(b) |
| Parking Area Sign (Directional, Entrance/Exit) | — | 2 sq ft each | — | — | 1 per entrance/exit | Accessory to parking area | — | Sec. 110-15.4.2(a) |
| Parking Area Use/Identity Sign | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parking area; 2 per corner lot | Accessory to parking area | — | Sec. 110-15.4.2(a) |
| Temporary Residential Development/Improvement Sign | 14 ft above curb level | 100 sq ft each | — | 50 ft from all site boundaries (other than front yard req). Observe front yard requirement. | 2 per development or 1 per entrance | Observe front yard requirement of principal use; at least 50 ft from other boundaries. | — | Sec. 110-15.4.3(b-d) |
| Permanent Residential Development Identification Sign | 6 ft above curb level | 85 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | At entrance to subdivision or estate | — | Sec. 110-15.4.4(a-b) |
| Church Bulletin Board | 6 ft above curb level | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line | 1 per lot; 1 per 100 ft of frontage (>100 ft), 2 for corner lot | On lots occupied by churches; not less than 10 ft from property line. | — | Sec. 110-15.4.5(a-c) |
| Accessory Sign for Nonconforming Use | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 110-15.4.6 |

### Commercial districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall-Mounted Identification/Business Sign | The lower of: 25 ft above grade, top of sills of 1st level windows above 1st story, or height of building at eaves facing street | 200 sq ft | — | — | — | Building wall | — | Sec. 110-15.6.2(a-b) |
| Ground Sign (Shopping Center, unified/200 ft frontage) | 14 ft above curb level, brick/masonry base 2 ft (height increases 10% per 5 ft setback above 10 ft min) | 100 sq ft | — | 10 ft min (height increases per additional setback) | 1 per street frontage | On each street frontage, set back min 10 ft from front lot line | — | Sec. 110-15.6.3(a) |
| Ground Sign (Individual Use) | 8 ft above curb level, brick/masonry base 2 ft (height increases 10% per 5 ft setback above 10 ft min) | 48 sq ft | — | 10 ft min (height increases per additional setback) | 1 per street frontage | On each street frontage, set back min 10 ft from front lot line | — | Sec. 110-15.6.3(b) |
| Gasoline Service Station Sign (On Building) | See commercial district wall sign height restrictions | 70 sq ft | — | — | — | On building wall | — | Sec. 110-15.6.9 |
| Gasoline Service Station Pump Island Sign | Bottom of signs max 2 ft above pumps | 4 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 per pump island | On pump island | — | Sec. 110-15.6.9(a-d) |
| Combined Identification and Price Sign (Gasoline Station) | 8 ft above curb level (2 ft brick/masonry base) | 48 sq ft (max 50% LED/electronic display) | — | 10 ft minimum from front lot line | 1 per station | In front, facing street; on property (not encroaching right-of-way); set back min 10 ft from front lot line. | — | Sec. 110-15.6.9(b-e) |
| Secondary Ground Sign (Gas Station w/ Secondary Use) | 8 ft above curb level (2 ft brick/masonry base) | 24 sq ft | — | 10 ft from front lot line | 1 per station with secondary use | On zoning lot; set back min 10 ft from front lot line. | — | Sec. 110-15.6.9(f) |
| Temporary Sign/Banner (Grand Opening/Special Event, Wall-Mounted or Ground) | — | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft from front lot line (if ground mounted) | 3 per grand opening/event | On building wall or ground; ground mounted signs must be min 10 ft from front lot line. | — | Sec. 110-15.6.10 |

## Prohibited signs in Westland

- Signs which incorporate any flashing or moving lights, or exposed incandescent light bulbs, except as specifically permitted. (Exception for authorized static LED/electronic display signs meeting ordinance standards.)
- Banners, pennants, spinners, streamers, inflatable balloons, and benches with advertisements (except as authorized by specific provisions).
- String lights used in connection with commercial premises for commercial purposes, other than holiday decorations.
- Any sign which has any visible moving part, visible revolving parts or visible mechanical movement, or other apparent visible movement achieved by electrical, electronic, or mechanical means, including intermittent electrical pulsations, or by action of normal wind current. (Exception for authorized static LED/electronic display signs meeting ordinance standards.)
- Any sign or sign structure which is structurally unsafe, a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation or abandonment, not kept in good repair, or capable of causing electrical shocks.
- Any sign which obstructs free ingress to or egress from a required door, window, fire escape, or other required exit way.
- Any sign which uses words such as 'stop', 'look', 'danger', or similar wording, symbols, or characters in a manner that interferes with, misleads, or confuses traffic.
- Any sign or other advertising structure containing any obscene, indecent or immoral matter.
- Any sign unlawfully installed, erected or maintained.
- Any sign now or hereafter existing which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted, or a product sold.
- Portable or temporary signs, except as authorized in the ordinance or as approved by variance.
- Any sign attached to a standpipe, cutter drain, or fire escape, or erected so as to impair access to a roof.
- Any outdoor advertising sign or billboard except for those lawfully existing at the time the ordinance became effective, or those authorized by district regulations, and subject to special maintenance rules for existing billboards.
- Any sign which projects above the parapet line of any roof.
- Any sign which projects into any public right-of-way or access way.
- Any sign attached to a tree, fence, or utility pole.
- Any for sale sign displayed on any vehicle parked on a commercial or business parking lot.
- Any other sign not specifically authorized by the ordinance.
- High intensity search lights used for the attraction of business patrons and customers (not including emergency lighting).

## Signs exempt from permit in Westland

- Signs not visible beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel upon which they are situated, or from any public thoroughfare or right-of-way.
- Miscellaneous traffic and other official signs of any public or governmental agency such as railroad crossing signs, trespassing signs, signs indicating danger, or signs used as aids to service or safety.
- Any identification of any official court or public office, notices thereof, parks, playgrounds, and community recreation facilities, or any flag, emblem or insignia of the nation, a political unit, or school.
- Any sign which is located completely within an enclosed building and not visible from outside the building.
- Tablets, grave markers, headstones, statuary, or remembrances of persons or events that are noncommercial in nature.
- Works of fine art when not displayed in conjunction with a commercial enterprise which may receive direct commercial gain from such displays.
- Temporary decorations or displays celebrating traditionally accepted patriotic or religious holidays, and special municipal and public school activities.
- Signs on a truck, bus, trailer, or other vehicle while operated in the normal course of a business which is not primarily the display of such sign.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No reference to a master sign plan or required sign plan review/approval process is found in the provided ordinance text.
- Variances from the general sign ordinance provisions may be sought through the zoning board of appeals (e.g., for portable or temporary signs not otherwise permitted).

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

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