Sign Regulations in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan has specific sign regulations covering 39 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Projecting Sign, Wall Sign, Awning Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: October 30, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Ann Arbor, Michigan
Sample Sign Requirements in Ann Arbor
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Signs - Area Calculation and Height Measurement (General) | Measured from lowest ground/pavement beneath sign to highest edge of sign or structure; minimum height measured from highest ground/pavement beneath sign to lowest edge of sign or structure | Absolute maximum per any single sign: 200 sq ft | — |
| All Signs - Changeable Copy and Electronic Message Sign Component | — | EMS component max 25% of sign area; Changeable copy max 50% of sign area | — |
| Address Signs (Exempt from Area Calculation) | Address character height up to 12 inches in Residential districts; up to 24 inches in Nonresidential districts | — | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for Ann ArborFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
39
- Projecting Sign
- Wall Sign
- Awning Sign
- Canopy Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
5
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Ann Arbor
Other Cities in Michigan
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Ann Arbor vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Ann Arbor, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Ann Arbor, regulated sign types include Projecting Sign, Wall Sign, Awning Sign, Canopy Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Ann Arbor vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Ann Arbor are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Ann Arbor has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Ann Arbor, Michigan Sign Rules at a Glance
Ann Arbor, Michigan regulates 39 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Temporary Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential/Mixed-Use)s in the Downtown Core District (D1), Downtown Interface District (D2), Campus Business Residential District (C1A/R) zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and Per lot as formula; per sign not separately specified, with a Min 5 ft from lot line setback (Sec. Sec. 5.24.7.A–B; Table 5.24-6 (Nonresidential)). Most commercial signs in Ann Arbor require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Ann Arbor, Michigan
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Ann Arbor (5 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | Address character height up to 12 inches in Residential districts; up to 24 inches in Nonresidential districts | Absolute maximum per any single sign: 200 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Core District (D1), Downtown Interface District (D2), Campus Business Residential District (C1A/R) | 8 | Max 30 ft, but no higher than top of building; Min 8 ft if projecting into public right-of-way | ≤25% of awning area; also subject to building total 2 sq ft/lf up to 200 sq ft | — |
| Office District (O), Local Business District (C1), Campus Business District (C1A), Community Convenience Center (C1B), Business Service District (C2B), Fringe Commercial District (C3), Transit Corridor (TC1), Hotel District (R5), Parking District (P), Public Land District (PL), Research District (RE), Office/Research/Limited Industrial District (ORL), Limited Industrial District (M1), Limited Light Industrial District (M1A), Heavy Industrial District (M2) | 9 | Max 30 ft, but no higher than top of building; Min 8 ft if projecting into public right-of-way | No specific per-sign max; subject to total building allowance (max 200 sq ft). | — |
| Agricultural-Open Space District (AG), Single-Family Dwelling District (R1A), Single-Family Dwelling District (R1B), Single-Family Dwelling District (R1C), Single-Family Dwelling District (R1D), Single-Family Dwelling District (R1E), Two-Family Dwelling District (R2A), Two-Family Dwelling and Student Housing District (R2B), Townhouse Dwelling District (R3), Multiple-Family Dwelling District (R4A), Multiple-Family Dwelling District (R4B), Multiple-Family Dwelling District (R4C), Multiple-Family Dwelling District (R4D), Multiple-Family Dwelling District (R4E), Mobile Home Park District (R6) | 13 | 10 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Planned Unit Development District (PUD) | 5 | Per Table 5.24-2 by sign type | Per Table 5.24-4 by land use | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Ann Arbor(sample of 3 of 5 zones)
Downtown Core District (D1), Downtown Interface District (D2), Campus Business Residential District (C1A/R)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Projecting Sign | Max 30 ft, but no higher than top of building; Min 8 ft if projecting into public right-of-way | By building: 2 sq ft/lf of building frontage, max 200 sq ft (shared) | — | — | 1 per business frontage | Attached to building facade; projection limited as above. | — | Unlock | Sec. 5.24.5.A.1–2; Table 5.24-2 (Projecting Signs); Sec. 5.24.4.C–D; Sec. 5.25.3.B.1.b–d |
| Wall Sign | Min 8 ft if projecting into public right-of-way | By building: 2 sq ft/lf of building frontage, max 200 sq ft (shared) | — | — | No maximum | Building facade as specified. | — | Unlock | Sec. 5.24.5.A.1–2; Table 5.24-2 (Wall Signs); Sec. 5.24.4.C–D; Sec. 5.25.3.B.1.b–d |
| Awning Sign | Max 20 ft | ≤25% of awning area; also subject to building total 2 sq ft/lf up to 200 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business frontage | On awning face/surface. | — | Unlock | Sec. 5.24.5.A.1–2 (Awning limits); Table 5.24-2 (Awning Signs) |
| Canopy Sign | Max 20 ft | ≤25% of canopy area; also subject to building total 2 sq ft/lf up to 200 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business frontage | On canopy face/surface. | — | Unlock | Sec. 5.24.5.A.1–2 (Canopy limits); Table 5.24-2 (Canopy Signs) |
| Window Sign - Interior (Mixed-Use/Downtown) | — | ≤25% of ground floor window area (combined interior+exterior) | — | — | — | Interior side of ground floor windows. | — | Unlock | Sec. 5.24.6; Table 5.24-5 (Mixed-Use, Nonresidential and Special Purpose) |
| Window Sign - Exterior (Mixed-Use/Downtown) | — | ≤25% of ground floor window area (combined interior+exterior) | — | — | — | Exterior side of ground floor windows. | — | Unlock | Sec. 5.24.6; Table 5.24-5 |
| Temporary Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential/Mixed-Use) | 6 ft | Per lot as formula; per sign not separately specified | — | Min 5 ft from lot line | Max 4 per lot | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 5.24.7.A–B; Table 5.24-6 (Nonresidential) |
| Temporary Wall Sign (Nonresidential/Mixed-Use) | 10 ft | 20 sq ft per building; 20 sq ft per sign | — | — | No maximum | Building wall | — | Unlock | Sec. 5.24.7.A–B; Table 5.24-6 (Nonresidential) |
Office District (O), Local Business District (C1), Campus Business District (C1A), Community Convenience Center (C1B), Business Service District (C2B), Fringe Commercial District (C3), Transit Corridor (TC1), Hotel District (R5), Parking District (P), Public Land District (PL), Research District (RE), Office/Research/Limited Industrial District (ORL), Limited Industrial District (M1), Limited Light Industrial District (M1A), Heavy Industrial District (M2)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Projecting Sign | Max 30 ft, but no higher than top of building; Min 8 ft if projecting into public right-of-way | By building: 2 sq ft/lf of building frontage, max 200 sq ft (shared) | — | — | 1 per business frontage | Attached to building facade; limited projection. | — | Unlock | Sec. 5.24.5.B.1–2; Table 5.24-3 (Projecting Signs); Sec. 5.24.4.C–D |
| Wall Sign | Min 8 ft if projecting into public right-of-way | By building: 2 sq ft/lf of building frontage, max 200 sq ft (shared) | — | — | No maximum | Building facade. | — | Unlock | Sec. 5.24.5.B.1–2; Table 5.24-3 (Wall Signs); Sec. 5.24.4.C–D |
| Freestanding Sign | Min height equal to 1 ft for each foot of setback from nearest lot line; up to 25 ft maximum | No specific per-sign max; subject to total building allowance (max 200 sq ft). | — | Minimum required setback: 5 ft from lot line | 1 per street frontage | On lot per setback; outside minimum required setback from lot line. | — | Unlock | Sec. 5.24.5.B.1–2; Table 5.24-3 (Freestanding Signs) |
| Awning Sign | Max 20 ft | ≤25% of awning area; also subject to building total 2 sq ft/lf up to 200 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business frontage | On awning face/surface. | — | Unlock | Sec. 5.24.5.B.1–2; Table 5.24-3 (Awning Signs) |
| Canopy Sign | Max 20 ft | ≤25% of canopy area; also subject to building total 2 sq ft/lf up to 200 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business frontage | On canopy face/surface. | — | Unlock | Sec. 5.24.5.B.1–2; Table 5.24-3 (Canopy Signs) |
| Window Sign - Interior (Mixed-Use/Nonresidential) | — | ≤25% of ground floor window area (combined interior+exterior) | — | — | — | Interior of ground floor windows. | — | Unlock | Sec. 5.24.6; Table 5.24-5 |
| Temporary Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential) | 6 ft | Per lot as formula; per sign not separately specified | — | Min 5 ft | Max 4 per lot | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 5.24.7.A–B; Table 5.24-6 (Nonresidential) |
| Temporary Wall Sign (Nonresidential) | 10 ft | 20 sq ft per building; 20 sq ft per sign | — | — | No maximum | Building wall | — | Unlock | Sec. 5.24.7.A–B; Table 5.24-6 (Nonresidential) |
Agricultural-Open Space District (AG), Single-Family Dwelling District (R1A), Single-Family Dwelling District (R1B), Single-Family Dwelling District (R1C), Single-Family Dwelling District (R1D), Single-Family Dwelling District (R1E), Two-Family Dwelling District (R2A), Two-Family Dwelling and Student Housing District (R2B), Townhouse Dwelling District (R3), Multiple-Family Dwelling District (R4A), Multiple-Family Dwelling District (R4B), Multiple-Family Dwelling District (R4C), Multiple-Family Dwelling District (R4D), Multiple-Family Dwelling District (R4E), Mobile Home Park District (R6)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign (Single and Two-Family; Multiple-Family up to six units) | N/A | 1 sq ft per building | — | — | 1 per building | Building wall | — | Unlock | Sec. 5.24.5.C; Table 5.24-4 (Single and Two-Family; Multiple-Family up to six units) |
| Wall Sign (Multiple-Family 7+ units and other group housing) | 10 ft | 6 sq ft per building | — | — | 1 per building | Within 4 ft of a qualifying door on building wall | — | Unlock | Sec. 5.24.5.C; Table 5.24-4 |
| Freestanding Sign (Multiple-Family 7+ units and other group housing) | Up to 8 ft, limited to 1 ft of height for each foot of setback from nearest lot line | 50 sq ft | — | Minimum required setback: 5 ft | 1 per lot | On lot, meeting setback | — | Unlock | Sec. 5.24.5.C; Table 5.24-4 |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential Uses in Residential Districts) | 10 ft | 12 sq ft (shared among wall/awning/canopy) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Building wall | — | Unlock | Sec. 5.24.5.C; Table 5.24-4 (Nonresidential) |
| Awning Sign (Nonresidential Uses in Residential Districts) | 10 ft | 12 sq ft (shared among wall/awning/canopy) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Awning | — | Unlock | Sec. 5.24.5.C; Table 5.24-4 (Nonresidential) |
| Canopy Sign (Nonresidential Uses in Residential Districts) | 10 ft | 12 sq ft (shared among wall/awning/canopy) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Canopy | — | Unlock | Sec. 5.24.5.C; Table 5.24-4 (Nonresidential) |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential Uses in Residential Districts) | Up to 8 ft, limited to 1 ft of height for each foot of setback from nearest lot line | 50 sq ft | — | Minimum required setback: 5 ft | 1 per lot | On lot, meeting setback | — | Unlock | Sec. 5.24.5.C; Table 5.24-4 (Nonresidential) |
| Temporary Freestanding Sign (Single and Two-Family; Multiple-Family up to six units) | 6 ft | Per lot: 20 sq ft; Per sign: 12 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft | 6 per lot | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 5.24.7.A–B; Table 5.24-6 (Single and Two-Family; Multiple-Family up to six units) |
PermitPal covers all 5 zoning districts in Ann Arbor — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 5 zones for Ann Arbor — start freeProhibited Signs in Ann Arbor
- Signs not specifically permitted by this Code
- Signs that move, pulse, scroll, blink, flash, sparkle, or give the appearance thereof, other than flags
- Exterior pennants, spinners, inflatables, feather flags, and streamers
- Signs that are structurally or electrically unsafe
- Signs placed on a tree or utility pole or structure
- Signs on a motor vehicle or trailer that is parked on a premises so as to be visible from a public right-of-way, outside business hours, for the primary purpose of advertising
- Rope lights, string lights, or similar lighting attached to, surrounding, or drawing attention to a sign
- Signs erected on or projecting into a public right-of-way, except for signs expressly permitted in a public right-of-way by this Code
- Signs that imitate a traffic control device
- Signs that emit smoke, visible vapor, particulate matter, sound, or odor
- Sign structures that no longer contain a sign
- Signs with a sign area over 200 square feet
- Temporary signs shall not be illuminated
- Illuminated signs must be extinguished during specified hours (lots without a business: between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.; lots with businesses: between 30 minutes after close and 30 minutes before opening)
- Signs and sign structures shall not interfere with required sightlines or obscure/interfere with official street signs or signals
- Permanent signs, sign structures, flags, awnings, or canopies shall not be located in, project into, or overhang a public right-of-way without prior City review and permission, required insurance, and agreements
Exempt Signs in Ann Arbor
- Signs required by law or a government entity are not subject to the sign regulations
- Noncommercial messages may be placed or substituted on any lawfully permitted sign
- Address signs (12 inches or less in height in Residential districts; 24 inches or less in height in Nonresidential districts) are excluded from maximum sign area calculations
- Each lot is permitted up to three flags with noncommercial messages (combined total area up to 90 square feet); flag area is not counted toward maximum sign area
- Light source mounting/shielding exemptions for signs: internally illuminated box signs (translucent material), halo/back-lit/reverse channel signs, neon signs, and electronic message signs are exempt from the external mounting/shielding requirement
- Temporary sign display period exceptions: when a building or lot (or a portion) is listed or advertised for sale or lease, temporary signs may remain for the duration of the listing
- One nonilluminated temporary freestanding sign up to 6 square feet is permitted at any time with no limitation on display period
- Illuminated signs are exempt from Outdoor Lighting color spectrum (CRI/CCT) limits applicable to nonresidential and multi-family lighting installations
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Ann Arbor
- No master sign plan or sign plan requirement is identified in the provided sections
- PUD proposals must declare a sign regulation classification or propose modifications to Section 5.24, but this is not a master sign plan requirement
- City review/permission (and insurance) is required for signs projecting into or overhanging the public right-of-way; this is a permit/permission condition, not a sign plan
Source: other municipal code