# Sign Regulations in Woodhaven, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Woodhaven, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/woodhaven
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/Woodhaven/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTICH_ARTIVPO_S4.23RESIBI)

## At a glance

Woodhaven, Michigan regulates 23 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential Use)s in the R-1 (One-Family Residential District), R-2 (One-Family Residential District), R-T (Two-Family Residential District) zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 32 sq ft total for all sign surfaces; max height 6 ft, with a 15 ft from right-of-way or driveway; 50 ft from residential zoning; 15 ft from nonresidential exterior property line setback (Sec. Sec. 110-714(g)(2)). Most commercial signs in Woodhaven require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1 (One-Family Residential District), R-2 (One-Family Residential District), R-T (Two-Family Residential District) | 9 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft total for all sign surfaces; max height 6 ft | — |
| R-M (Multiple-Family Residential District) | 9 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft total; max height 6 ft | — |
| O-1 (Office Building District), B-1 (Local Business District) | 4 | 8 ft | 100 sq ft or 5% of façade area, whichever is less | — |
| B-2 (Community Business District), B-3 (General Business District), IRO (Industrial/Residential/Office District), I-1 (Industrial District 1) | 5 | 20 ft | 250 sq ft or 8% of primary facade, whichever is less; can be increased to 300 sq ft if sign size permitted | — |
| CBD (Central Business District) | 8 | 8 ft | 250 sq ft or 8% of facade, whichever is less | — |
| I-2 (Industrial District 2) | 5 | 40 ft | 500 sq ft (single surface); dual-sided 720 sq ft (no one side >360 sq ft) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 4 ft | Temporary banner: as permitted for primary wall sign; portable sign: 100 sq ft total; pennants: 0.5 sq ft per lineal ft of string | — |

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

### R-1 (One-Family Residential District), R-2 (One-Family Residential District), R-T (Two-Family Residential District)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 wall sign per lot for nonresidential uses (see footnote g, Sec. 110-714) | On the wall of the building, exposed face approximately parallel to the wall | — | Sec. 110-713, Table; Sec. 110-714(g)(3) |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential Use) | — | 10% of the façade it is located on OR 30 sq ft, whichever is less | — | — | 1 per nonresidential use | Facing the frontage access street | — | Sec. 110-714(g)(3) |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential Use) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft total for all sign surfaces; max height 6 ft | — | 15 ft from right-of-way or driveway; 50 ft from residential zoning; 15 ft from nonresidential exterior property line | 1 | In required yard, at least 15 ft from right-of-way/drives, 50 ft from residential district boundary, 15 ft from abutting nonresidential lot line | — | Sec. 110-714(g)(2) |
| Identification and Nameplate Sign (One- and Two-Family) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On building | — | Sec. 110-714(i) |
| Political Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | Not in, project into, or overhang a public right-of-way or easement | — | Sec. 110-714(b) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | On the building or land intended to be sold, rented, or leased | — | Sec. 110-714(k) |
| Real Estate Development Sign | — | See formula | — | 15 ft from right-of-way, 50 ft to nonresidential district, 100 ft to residential district | — | At least 15 ft from right-of-way, at least 50 ft from an adjacent nonresidential zoning district, not less than 100 ft from any residential district | — | Sec. 110-714(l) |
| Residential Entranceway Sign | — | 32 sq ft per structure | — | Entranceway structures set back at least 15 ft from right-of-way or driveway | 1 per entrance structure | On entranceway structure (see Sec. 110-743) | — | Sec. 110-714(m) |

### R-M (Multiple-Family Residential District)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential Use) | — | 10% of the façade or 30 sq ft, whichever is less | — | — | 1 per nonresidential use | Facing the frontage access street | — | Sec. 110-714(g)(3) |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential Use) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft total; max height 6 ft | — | 15 ft from right-of-way/drive, 50 ft from residential zoning district, 15 ft to exterior property line of nonresidential zoning district | 1 | In required yard, at least 15 ft from right-of-way/drives, 50 ft from residential boundary, 15 ft from abutting nonresidential lot line | — | Sec. 110-714(g)(2) |
| Identification Sign—Multiple Developments | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 15 ft from right-of-way, 50 ft from residential boundary, 15 ft from exterior property line (nonresidential) | 1 | At multiple-family development entrance | — | Sec. 110-714(j), (h) |
| Political Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises, not on or over public right-of-way | — | Sec. 110-714(b) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | On building or land intended to be sold, rented, or leased | — | Sec. 110-714(k) |
| Real Estate Development Sign | — | Per formula | — | 15 ft from right-of-way, 50 ft to nonresidential district, 100 ft to residential district | — | See footnote l; at least 15 ft from right-of-way. Min. distances between signs required. | — | Sec. 110-714(l) |
| Residential Entranceway Sign | — | 32 sq ft per structure | — | 15 ft from right-of-way/drives | 1 per structure | On entranceway structure at entrance | — | Sec. 110-714(m); Sec. 110-743 |
| Special Event Sign (Temporary) | — | — | — | 15 ft from right-of-way | — | On premises | — | Sec. 110-714(n) |

### CBD (Central Business District)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (Freestanding) | 8 ft | 150 sq ft | — | Must maintain minimum corner clearance (Sec. 110-744) | 1 per frontage; 2 if both streets 300 ft+ | Per frontage, subject to aggregate max and 8 ft height; new freestanding signs discouraged | — | Sec. 110-714(e)(2) |
| Wall Sign (Primary) | — | 250 sq ft or 8% of facade, whichever is less | — | — | 1 per primary facade | Public entrance or primary visible facade | — | Sec. 110-714(e)(3) |
| Wall Sign (Secondary) | — | 70 sq ft or 5% of facade | — | 200 ft to residential | Up to 3 | Up to 3 additional facades each at least 200 ft from residential district boundary | — | Sec. 110-714(e)(3) |
| Projecting (Hanging) Sign or Permanent Banner | — | 5 sq ft | Projects max 36 inches from wall | 12 inches minimum to wall | 1 | Cannot overhang public right-of-way | — | Sec. 110-714(e)(3)(a) |
| Canopy/Awning Sign | — | Sign lettering/logo max 30% of exterior awning/canopy surface | — | — | — | Front of building, projected over door/window | — | Sec. 110-714(e)(3)(b) |
| Plaque | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Near entrance | — | Sec. 110-714(e)(3)(c) |
| Permanent Window Sign | 8 inches (copy) | No more than 25% of window area; sign copy no higher than 8 inches | — | — | — | Applied directly to glazed area or hung inside window | — | Sec. 110-714(e)(3)(e) |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) | — | 38 sq ft per side | — | — | — | Included as part of sign | — | Sec. 110-714(e)(4) |

## Prohibited signs in Woodhaven

- No sign shall be erected, installed, altered or relocated unless and until all necessary building and zoning permits have been issued, except for certain signs as specified.
- No sign, except those established and maintained by the municipality, county, state or federal governments, shall be located in, project into, or overhang public right-of-way or dedicated public easement.
- No sign shall project above or beyond the maximum height limitation as provided for in the ordinance, except as specifically allowed for certain developments.
- Signs shall not be painted directly on the wall or roof of a building.
- Non-accessory signs (billboards) are only permitted in I-2 industrial districts, except certain temporary real estate development signs as specified.
- Illumination of signs must be directed or shielded downward so as not to interfere with the vision of persons on adjacent highways or adjacent property owners.
- No signs or billboards shall be located in a manner that will obscure the vision of drivers using streets, access drives, or otherwise conflict with any traffic control devices.
- All signs and billboards must be maintained in a neat, orderly, and safe condition.
- Signs painted on or affixed to vehicles or trailers are subject to the portable sign requirements unless the vehicle or trailer is licensed, operable, used for transportation or service for the principal on-site use, moved more than 50% of business hours, and parked in non-visible areas during non-business hours.
- When a sign is replaced, it must conform to all current requirements unless it is lawfully nonconforming and not enlarged or made more nonconforming.
- Lighting for signs must be decorative, shielded, and must not interfere with pedestrians or drivers.

## Signs exempt from permit in Woodhaven

- Signs established and maintained by the municipality, county, state, or federal governments, including directional signs for orientation, are permitted in all use districts.
- Freestanding signs that include the name of the resident or residence (subject to other sections).
- Real estate signs advertising land or buildings for rent, lease, or sale, when located on the property involved (subject to other sections).
- Political signs in R-1 and R-2 districts (subject to additional regulations).
- Directional signs required by government entities for orientation are permitted in all use districts.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Any new freestanding or wall sign (except permissible replacement signs) must have its location and supporting documentation submitted for site plan approval (Sec. 110-741(c)(11)).
- Within the CBD (Central Business District), any sign installation or modification requires Planning Commission approval prior to issuance of a building permit.
- Electronic Message Center (EMC) sign proposals require a public hearing by the Planning Commission.
- If a sign is proposed as part of a broader development or site proposal, sign details must be provided with the major site plan application submission.
- In situations where a proposed sign activity involves the refacing of an existing sign and a compromise cannot be reached, a public hearing under the special use permit process may be required.
- Master sign plans are implied by requirements to coordinate with DDA (Downtown Development Authority) guidelines in the CBD.

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

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