# Sign Regulations in Wolverine Lake, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Wolverine Lake, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/wolverine-lake
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-20

## At a glance

Wolverine Lake, Michigan regulates 34 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Nameplate and Identification Sign (One- and Two-Family Use)s in the Residential District zoning district are capped at 5 feet above ground floor level tall and 1 sq ft per dwelling unit, with a 3 feet from property line setback (Sec. 1276.04(a)(1)). Most commercial signs in Wolverine Lake 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 | 6 | 12 feet above grade (vertical clearance required) | 20 sq ft (up to 5 ft in length, except Residential District - see there) | — |
| Residential District | 9 | 15 feet or one story, whichever is less | 32 sq ft each | — |
| Office District | 4 | No higher than: 15 ft above grade, or top of first level window sills above first story, or eave height facing street (whichever is lowest) | 32 sq ft | — |
| Commercial District (C-1) | 10 | No higher than: 15 ft above grade, or top of first level window sills above first story, or eave height facing street, whichever is lowest | 64 sq ft per sign; max 150 sq ft total per establishment | — |
| Commercial District (C-2, C-3) | 11 | No higher than: 15 ft above grade, or top of first level window sills above first story, or eave height facing street, whichever is lowest | Total 200 sq ft per establishment | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate and Identification Sign (One- and Two-Family Use) | 5 feet above ground floor level | 1 sq ft per dwelling unit | — | 3 feet from property line | 1 per dwelling unit (2 on corner lot) | Attached to structure or free-standing, but not closer than 3 feet to property line. | — | 1276.04(a)(1) |
| Identification Sign (Nonresidential Use) | 15 feet or one story, whichever is less | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building (2 on corner lot) | Attached to structure | — | 1276.04(a)(2) |
| For Sale/For Rent/For Lease Sign | 5 feet (free-standing) or 1 story (wall-mounted) | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot (2 on corner lot) | On premises offered for sale/rent/lease | — | 1276.04(b) |
| Temporary Sign (Accessory to Development/Improvements) | 7 feet | 32 sq ft each | — | Front yard requirements; 50 ft from other site boundaries | Up to 2 per development or 1 per entrance | At entrance or as permitted by principal use's front yard; at least 50 feet from other boundaries. | — | 1276.04(c) |
| Permanent Residential Development Identification Sign | 7 feet | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | At each entrance to subdivision or estate | — | 1276.04(d) |
| Church Bulletin Board | 7 feet above nearest right-of-way line | 12 sq ft | — | 10 feet from property line | 1 per lot (more if lot >100ft frontage, or 2 on corner) | On church lot; at least 10 feet from any property line. | — | 1276.04(e) |
| Lake Access Lot Identification/Rule Sign | 7 feet | 12 sq ft each; 18 sq ft maximum per lot | — | District setback requirements | Maximum 2 per lot | Pole or ground mounted, must meet district setbacks. | — | 1276.04(g) |
| Temporary Political Sign (Residential District) | 3 feet | 10 sq ft | 5 feet | — | Maximum 7 | Private property in Residential District | — | 1276.03(d) |

### Commercial District (C-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall-Mounted Identification Sign | No higher than: 15 ft above grade, or top of first level window sills above first story, or eave height facing street, whichever is lowest | 64 sq ft per sign; max 150 sq ft total per establishment | — | — | — | Mounted to building wall, projecting not more than 12 inches | — | 1276.06(b)(1,3) |
| Wall Mounted Electronic Message Sign (C-1) | See Wall-Mounted Identification Sign | Up to 32 sq ft (half of maximum wall sign of 64 sq ft) | — | — | — | Mounted to wall within total allowed wall sign area | — | 1276.06(b)(4), 1276.05(b)(3) |
| Free-Standing Identification Sign | 7 feet above elevation of nearest point on public right-of-way | 32 sq ft | — | 10 feet from front lot line | 1 per street frontage (only if frontage >= 150 ft) | On zoning lot frontage (must have 150 feet min. frontage) | — | 1276.06(c)(1-7) |
| Free-Standing Electronic Message Sign (C-1) | See Free-Standing Identification Sign | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | On free-standing sign | — | 1276.06(c)(8), 1276.05(b)(3) |
| Permanent Window Sign | — | 30% of window area | — | — | — | Inside surface of window glass | — | 1276.06(d) |
| Permanent Window Electronic Message Sign | — | 30% of window area (also no more than 50% of allowed sign area; see additional requirements) | — | — | — | Inside surface of window glass | — | 1276.06(d), 1276.05(b)(3) |
| Temporary Sales/Event Window Sign | — | 30% of window area | — | — | — | Inside window glass | — | 1276.06(e) |
| Portable Sign (C-1 District) | 6 feet | 12 sq ft per street frontage (combined) | 4 feet | — | 2 per street frontage (max) | On business property (placement per Admin approval for unique cases) | — | 1276.06(h)(2-6) |

### Commercial District (C-2, C-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall-Mounted Identification Sign | No higher than: 15 ft above grade, or top of first level window sills above first story, or eave height facing street, whichever is lowest | Total 200 sq ft per establishment | — | — | — | Mounted to building wall, not projecting more than 12 inches | — | 1276.06(b)(2,3) |
| Wall Mounted Electronic Message Sign (C-2/C-3) | See Wall-Mounted Identification Sign | Up to 100 sq ft (half of maximum wall sign area, 200 sq ft) | — | — | — | Mounted to wall within total allowed wall sign area | — | 1276.06(b)(4), 1276.05(b)(3) |
| Free-Standing Identification Sign | 8 feet above elevation of nearest point on public right-of-way | 36 sq ft | — | 10 feet from front lot line | 1 per street frontage (only if frontage >= 150 ft) | On zoning lot frontage (must have 150 feet min. frontage) | — | 1276.06(c)(1,3,4,6,7) |
| Free-Standing Electronic Message Sign (C-2/C-3) | See Free-Standing Identification Sign | Up to 18 sq ft | — | — | — | On free-standing sign | — | 1276.06(c)(8), 1276.05(b)(3) |
| Permanent Window Sign | — | 30% of window area | — | — | — | Inside surface of window glass | — | 1276.06(d) |
| Permanent Window Electronic Message Sign | — | 30% of window area (also no more than 50% of allowed sign area; see additional requirements) | — | — | — | Inside surface of window glass | — | 1276.06(d), 1276.05(b)(3) |
| Free-Standing and Wall-Mounted Advertising Sign | 8 feet (free-standing) or per wall sign restriction | Counts toward total sign area (up to 200 sq ft total for wall signs, 36 sq ft for free-standing, if on eligible lot) | — | — | — | On eligible zoning lots per district requirements | — | 1276.06(g) |
| Portable Sign (C-2 and C-3 Districts) | 6 feet | 12 sq ft per street frontage (combined) | 4 feet | — | 2 per street frontage (max) | On business property (placement per Admin approval for unique cases) | — | 1276.06(h) |

## Prohibited signs in Wolverine Lake

- Signs which incorporate flashing or moving lights, except message changes on electronic message signs.
- Banners, pennants, spinners, and streamers, except specifically permitted temporary signs.
- String lights used in connection with commercial premises for commercial purposes, except Christmas decorations.
- Any sign with visible moving or revolving parts, or that appears to move by wind or mechanical/electrical means, except message changes on electronic message signs.
- Signs that are structurally unsafe, hazardous, not kept in good repair, or capable of causing electrical shocks.
- Signs that obstruct required doors, windows, fire escapes, or other exits.
- Signs with words or symbols that may interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic (e.g., 'Stop', 'Look', 'Danger').
- Signs or advertising structures with obscene, indecent, or immoral content.
- Signs unlawfully installed, erected, or maintained.
- Signs that no longer advertise an active business or product.
- Portable signs, except as allowed in Section 1276.06.
- Signs attached to a standpipe, gutter drain, or fire escape; or that impair access to a roof.
- Advertising signs within a Residential District or within seventy-five feet of a Residential District boundary, unless fully screened (with exceptions in Section 1276.06(h)).
- Signs projecting above the parapet line of a roof.
- Signs projecting into any public right-of-way or accessway.
- Single face wall signs projecting more than eighteen inches from a building, except as provided in subsection (c).
- Any other sign not specifically authorized by the Zoning Code.

## Signs exempt from permit in Wolverine Lake

- Signs not visible beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel where they are located, or from public thoroughfares or rights-of-way.
- Miscellaneous traffic and official signs of public or governmental agencies, e.g., railroad crossing, danger, or service/safety aid signs.
- Flags, emblems, or insignias of the nation, a political unit, or school when used for official purposes.
- Official public notices (e.g., notices of public hearings, condemnation, eviction, stop work orders).
- Any sign completely within an enclosed building and not visible from outside.
- Tablets, grave markers, headstones, statuary, or noncommercial remembrances of persons or events.
- Works of fine art not displayed in conjunction with a commercial enterprise that could gain commercially from the display.
- Temporary decorations or displays for traditionally accepted patriotic or religious holidays.
- Signs on vehicles (e.g., truck, bus, trailer) while operated in the normal course of a business not primarily for displaying a sign.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No sign shall be erected or maintained unless it complies with location and bulk regulations for the district unless specifically provided for by a variance.
- Signs already established prior to the Zoning Code (and rendered nonconforming) are subject to the provisions of Chapter 1282 regarding nonconforming signs.
- Obsolete signs must be removed within thirty days of written notice from the Building Inspector; noncompliant removal may result in removal by the Inspector at the owner's expense.
- No explicit requirement for a master sign plan or comprehensive sign plan is found in the sections provided; however, sign grouping (e.g., grouping signs for multiple establishments on a single lot) allows some exemptions from total sign area reductions (see 1276.03(h)).
- Certification from the manufacturer regarding luminance is required prior to issuance of permit for electronic message signs in office districts.

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

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