Grand Rapids sign permit requirements

What the Grand Rapids sign code and sign ordinance allow, summarised from ARTICLE 15 Signs. Every figure below shows the ordinance's own wording, so you can check it rather than take our word for it.

Check before you build. This is an informational summary, not legal advice, and sign rules change. Confirm with Grand Rapids's planning department before ordering or installing a sign — most codes also vary by zoning district.

Is a permit required?

Sec. 5.15.14

Sign permit required for permanent business signs; exemptions include incidental signs ≤2 sq ft, non-illuminated driveway signs, murals with no commercial message, commercial temporary event signs ≤20 sq ft, and certain others

“Except as provided elsewhere in this Chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person to erect, place, install, display, alter, or relocate a sign without first obtaining a sign permit or permits.”

Freestanding sign — maximum height

Sec. 5.15.12

Ground sign in MCN-C/MON-C: 6 ft. Pylon/pole sign in MCN-C/MCN-TOD/MON-C/MON-TOD: 25 ft. General pylon/pole cap 25 ft.

“MCN-C, MCN-TOD, MON-C, MON-TOD Area 50 sq. ft. Height 25 ft.”

Projecting sign — maximum area

Sec. 5.15.12

TN-CC: 10 sq ft; TN-TCC/TN-TOD/MCN-TOD/MON-TOD: 10 sq ft; TN-TBA/MCN-C/MON-C/NOS: 12 sq ft. 1 per ground floor establishment.

“TN-TBA, MCN-C, MON-C, NOS 12 sq. ft. 3 ft.”

Window signs — maximum coverage

Sec. 5.15.07

Window signs (painted/stenciled/applied) shall not cover more than 25% of the window; electronic/changeable copy window signs limited to 25% or 3 sq ft

“shall not cover more than twenty-five (25) percent of the window, door, or other transparent surface.”

Illumination

Sec. 5.15.04

Internal or external illumination permitted for most commercial signs. Back-lit/internally illuminated signs prohibited on faces viewable from adjacent residential use (except TN-CC/TN-TCC). Timer control required near residential (off by 11 p.m., on no earlier than 6 a.m.).

“Except in the TN-CC and TN-TCC Zone Districts, back-lit and internally illuminated signs are prohibited on any side or rear building face where a residential lot is adjacent to, or the sign is viewable from, a residential use.”

Digital / electronic message centres

Sec. 5.15.10

Electronic signs allowed. Non-scrolling: change no more than once every 5 minutes, stationary ≥5 min; scrolling message ≤5 sec one direction. Max brightness 5,000 nits day / 500 nits night with auto ambient adjustment. Near residential must be off 11 p.m.–6 a.m. One electronic sign per lot. Electronic portion max 24 sq ft or 50% of sign area (Mixed-Use Commercial).

“the screen of the sign shall not change more than once every five (5) minutes, and shall remain in a stationary state for at least five (5) minutes.”

Prohibited sign types

Sec. 5.15.06

Inflatable signs, human signs, blade signs, snipe signs; also moving/spinning/animated signs, flashing/oscillating/blinking signs, streamers, pennants, and roof signs (signs may not extend above building roof line)

“The following signs are prohibited in any Zone District. 1. Inflatable signs including but not limited to hot or cold air balloons, air-activated devices, or other attention-getting devices. 2. Human Signs. 3. Blade Signs. 4. Snipe Signs.”

Which zoning district this describes

Sec. 5.15.12

Rules vary materially by district. General commercial figures shown are for Mixed-Use Commercial Zone Districts (Sec. 5.15.12), with MCN-C/MON-C being the most conventional commercial districts. Special/Overlay districts (SD-IT, SD-IC, OD-EBL, etc.) governed by Sec. 5.15.13.

“Table 5.15.12.B. pertains to signs in Mixed-Use Commercial Zone Districts, as described in Article 6.”

Set out in a table in the ordinance

These limits depend on street type, lot size or building frontage, and the ordinance expresses them as a table. We'd rather send you to the real table than reproduce it wrongly.

• Wall sign — maximum area Sec. 5.15.12
• Freestanding sign — setback Sec. 5.15.12
• Projecting sign — clearance Sec. 5.15.12

Not covered in the sign chapter we read: wall sign — % of facade, freestanding sign — maximum area. That doesn't mean the city has no rule — it may sit elsewhere in the code.

Read the full ordinance Last checked 2026-07-30

Spotted something wrong or out of date? Tell us — corrections from local sign shops are how this stays accurate.

Common questions

Do you need a permit for a sign in Grand Rapids, MI?: Sign permit required for permanent business signs; exemptions include incidental signs ≤2 sq ft, non-illuminated driveway signs, murals with no commercial message, commercial temporary event signs ≤20 sq ft, and certain others
How tall can a freestanding sign be in Grand Rapids, MI?: Ground sign in MCN-C/MON-C: 6 ft. Pylon/pole sign in MCN-C/MCN-TOD/MON-C/MON-TOD: 25 ft. General pylon/pole cap 25 ft.
How big can a projecting sign be in Grand Rapids, MI?: TN-CC: 10 sq ft; TN-TCC/TN-TOD/MCN-TOD/MON-TOD: 10 sq ft; TN-TBA/MCN-C/MON-C/NOS: 12 sq ft. 1 per ground floor establishment.
How much of a window can be covered by signs in Grand Rapids, MI?: Window signs (painted/stenciled/applied) shall not cover more than 25% of the window; electronic/changeable copy window signs limited to 25% or 3 sq ft
Can a sign be illuminated in Grand Rapids, MI?: Internal or external illumination permitted for most commercial signs. Back-lit/internally illuminated signs prohibited on faces viewable from adjacent residential use (except TN-CC/TN-TCC). Timer control required near residential (off by 11 p.m., on no earlier than 6 a.m.).
Are digital or electronic message signs allowed in Grand Rapids, MI?: Electronic signs allowed. Non-scrolling: change no more than once every 5 minutes, stationary ≥5 min; scrolling message ≤5 sec one direction. Max brightness 5,000 nits day / 500 nits night with auto ambient adjustment. Near residential must be off 11 p.m.–6 a.m. One electronic sign per lot. Electronic portion max 24 sq ft or 50% of sign area (Mixed-Use Commercial).

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