How Westland Handles Sign Regulations: A Practical Guide
Westland maintains 112 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with sign regulations. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Westland falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Garage Sale Signs
Westland limits yard sale signs to six square feet, five feet tall, three per sale, and bans placement in the right-of-way or within three feet of a property line.
Key details: Max sign size: 6 sq ft. Max sign height: 5 ft above curb. Max signs per sale: 3 total. Right-of-way setback: 3 ft from property line.
Improperly placed or oversized yard sale signs violate section 26-444 and, like other yard sale offenses, are municipal civil infractions carrying a $100 fine for a first offense and $300 for repeat violations.
Window Signs
Westland limits temporary window signs to storefronts under 10,000 square feet, and caps combined temporary and permanent window signage at 30 percent of the window's total area.
Key details: Temporary window sign limit: Businesses under 10,000 sq ft. Combined coverage cap: 30% of window area. Governing provision: Zoning Ordinance § 11.8.14(d). Adopted: Oct. 21, 2024 (Ord. No. 248). Max penalty: $500 fine or 90 days.
Violating the sign standards carries a fine up to $500, up to 90 days in jail, or both, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense under Sec. 19.1.
Political Signs
Westland bans posting political signs, along with handbills and other advertising matter, on streets, sidewalks, trees, utility poles, and other public property citywide.
Key details: Scope: Public property and utility poles only. Covers: Poles, trees, sidewalks, rights-of-way. Exception: Except as expressly authorized by law. Default penalty: Up to $500 fine / 90 days. Origin: 1981 Code § 3-2.
Attaching a political sign to a public pole, sidewalk, tree, fence, or right-of-way violates § 6-2; absent a chapter-specific penalty, City Code § 1-8's general fine of up to $500.00 and/or 90 days' imprisonment applies.
Holiday Displays
Westland allows temporary holiday and seasonal decorations for up to 90 consecutive days, after which they must come down, and caps residential rope or neon front-yard lighting at the same 90 days.
Key details: Duration limit: 90 consecutive days. Residential lighting rule: Rope/neon lights limited to 90 days. Governing provision: Zoning Ordinance § 11.8.17. Adopted: Oct. 21, 2024 (Ord. No. 248). City displays: Exempt on public property.
Decorations left up past 90 days, or exceeding district height limits, can draw a fine up to $500, up to 90 days in jail, or both under Sec. 19.1, with each day a separate offense.
The Bottom Line
Westland's sign regulations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Westland is broadly strict or permissive.
All of the above reflects Westland's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.