# Sign Regulations in Clinton, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Clinton, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/clinton
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/Clinton/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH38SEGO_ARTIIGASA_S38-34SI)

## At a glance

Clinton, Michigan regulates 36 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Directional/Informational Sign (Freestanding)s in the General Commercial District (C-1), Highway Service Commercial District (C-2), Light Industrial District (I), Local Service Commercial District (C-4) zoning district are capped at 3 feet tall and 2 sq ft per sign, with a Minimum 3 feet from ROW/property line setback (Sec. Sec. 66-302(l)(5); Signage Table). Most commercial signs in Clinton require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Agriculture District (AG) | 5 | 22 feet; minimum 7 feet clearance | 300 sq ft per sign face | — |
| Recreation Open Space District (RO) | 2 | 6 feet | 32 sq ft | — |
| Low Density Residential District (R-1), Medium Density Residential District (R-2), High Density Residential District (R-3), Planned Unit Residential District (R-4), Mobile Home Residential District (MH-1) | 5 | Mounted not more than 15 feet high | 25 sq ft | — |
| High Density Residential District (R-3) | 3 | 6 feet | 32 sq ft | — |
| General Commercial District (C-1), Highway Service Commercial District (C-2), Light Industrial District (I), Local Service Commercial District (C-4) | 8 | 16 feet | 60 sq ft | — |
| Central Business District (C-3) | 9 | 40 inches | 60 sq ft | — |
| Planned Mixed Use District (PMU) | 1 | As per the most permissive similar use, e.g., monument 16 ft, wall as permitted | As per the most permissive similar use in C-1/C-2/I/C-4 (see above for specifics) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 8 feet | 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### General Commercial District (C-1), Highway Service Commercial District (C-2), Light Industrial District (I), Local Service Commercial District (C-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional/Informational Sign (Freestanding) | 3 feet | 2 sq ft per sign | — | Minimum 3 feet from ROW/property line | Not specified | Freestanding; on-site | — | Sec. 66-302(l)(5); Signage Table |
| Directional/Informational Sign (Wall mounted) | Below top of building facade or eave line | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | Not specified | Wall mounted, below eave/building facade top | — | Sec. 66-302(l)(6); Signage Table |
| Monument Sign (C-1, C-4, I) | 16 feet | 32 sq ft per sign | — | No closer than half required minimum front yard depth | 1 per commercial building not part of shopping center | On-site | — | Sec. 66-302(l)(7); Signage Table |
| Monument Sign (C-2, I) | 16 feet | 48 sq ft per sign | — | No closer than half required minimum front yard depth | 1 per commercial building not part of group | On-site | — | Sec. 66-302(l)(7); Signage Table |
| Wall Sign | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 per wall facing public street/alleyway | Each wall facing a public street or public alleyway | — | Sec. 66-302(l)(8); Signage Table |
| Window Sign | Street level windows | 15% of total surface area of street level facade windows; not to exceed 25% of area of any individual window | — | — | — | Window, street level | — | Sec. 66-302(l)(9); Signage Table |
| Flashing Sign (Window) | First floor only | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Window | — | Sec. 66-302(l)(10); Signage Table |
| Feather Flag Sign | 8 feet | 16 sq ft (cumulative) | — | Out of ROW or at least 10 feet from curb | 1 per 100 ft, max 4 | Out of street ROW/10 feet from curb | — | Sec. 66-302(l)(11) |

### Central Business District (C-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Projecting Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | Building facade | — | Sec. 66-302(m)(1); Signage Table |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Awning/canopy on building | — | Sec. 66-302(m)(2); Signage Table |
| Wall Sign | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 per wall facing street/alleyway | Building wall, facing street/alleyway | — | Sec. 66-302(m)(3); Signage Table |
| Marquee Sign | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | — | Marquee | — | Sec. 66-302(m)(2); Signage Table |
| Window Sign | Street-level windows | 15% of total surface area of street-level windows; max 25% of any individual window | — | — | — | Street-level windows | — | Sec. 66-302(m)(5); Signage Table |
| Flashing Sign (Window) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Window | — | Sec. 66-302(m)(6); Signage Table |
| Feather Flag Sign (Special Events Only) | 8 feet | 16 sq ft (cumulative) | — | Out of ROW or at least 10 feet from curb | 1 per 100 ft, max 2 | Out of ROW or at least 10 feet from curb | — | Sec. 66-302(m)(7) |
| A-frame (Sandwich Board) Sign | 40 inches | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per business | Adjacent to sidewalk immediately adjacent to business | — | Sec. 66-302(m)(8); Signage Table |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business/residence/building | On-site; 1 per business/residence/building | — | Sec. 66-302(d)(1), (Sign Exemptions) |
| Incidental Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On-site | — | Sec. 66-302(d)(2) |
| Noncommercial Sign (Election, Opinion, etc.) | — | 6 sq ft | — | Out of ROW and sight triangle; at least 100 feet from polling place entrance on election day | — | On private property; not in ROW/sight triangle | — | Sec. 66-302(d)(3) |
| For Sale (Vehicle/Personal Articles) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On item for sale; temporarily on property | — | Sec. 66-302(d)(4) |
| Garage/Yard Sale Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On-site or with permission | — | Sec. 66-302(d)(5) |
| Real Estate Sign | 7 feet from grade | 6 sq ft per parcel (R-1, R-2, R-3); 12 sq ft per parcel (other zones) | — | — | 1 per parcel | On for-sale/rental property | — | Sec. 66-302(d)(6) |
| Safety/Warning/Trespassing | — | 2 sq ft (some warning signs may be 6 sq ft) | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 66-302(d)(7), (d)(10) |
| Construction Sign | 8 feet | 32 sq ft | — | No closer than half the required front yard/setback for district | 1 per ROW frontage per parcel | On-site | — | Sec. 66-302(e)(2) |

## Prohibited signs in Clinton

- No sign shall be erected at any location where, by reason of its position, size, shape, color, animation or illumination, it may interfere with or obstruct the view of traffic, nor shall any sign be permitted which may be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device. No sign may be placed within the sight clearance triangle.
- No person shall erect, display or maintain any sign which obstructs any fire escape, building entrance or public passage or which is at a horizontal distance less than ten feet from any fire hydrant or traffic light.
- All signs must comply with the site clearance triangle regulations.
- Animated signs are prohibited.
- Balloon signs are prohibited.
- Electronic messaging signs are prohibited.
- Flashing signs are prohibited, except for flashing signs of two square feet or less where permitted.
- Off-premise signs are prohibited, except as allowed in this section.
- Pole signs are prohibited, excluding billboards.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs that emit audible sound, odor or visible matter are prohibited.
- Signs which hide from view all or any part of any traffic sign, street sign, or traffic signal are prohibited.
- Signs which are pasted or attached to utility poles or placed upon trees, fences, rocks, or in an unauthorized manner to walls or other signs are prohibited.
- Signs located in, or which project into, or overhang any public right-of-way except as allowed by local, state, or federal law or regulation are prohibited.
- Signs which are of a size, location, movement, content, coloring, or manner of illumination which may cause any unsafe distraction for motor vehicle operators are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Clinton

- One nameplate of not more than two square feet in surface area per business, residence or building does not require a zoning compliance permit.
- Incidental signs except in areas zoned residential do not require a zoning compliance permit.
- Non-commercial signs of not more than six square feet in area which pertain to an election are exempt for a period of 60 days prior to and five days after the election. Must be on private property outside of any street right-of-way or sight clearance triangle and at least 100 feet from any polling place entrance on an election day.
- "For sale" signs of less than six square feet in area and attached to vehicles, personal possessions and articles of a noncommercial nature are exempt for a period of ten days.
- "Garage sale" and "yard sale" signs when less than two square feet in area and displayed on the owner's property or on other property with the owner's permission for seven days with village approved garage sale permit. These signs cannot be attached to public utility poles.
- One nonilluminated real estate sign not to exceed six square feet in surface area per parcel or 12 square feet in surface area if zoned other than R-1, R-2 or R-3. Not to project higher than seven feet above grade. Must be removed within 30 days after the sale or rental of the property.
- Trespassing, safety or caution signs not exceeding two square feet in area.
- Public signs of a noncommercial nature erected by or on the order of a public officer or building official in the performance of public duty, and/or required to ensure public safety.
- Flags indicating the insignia of any nation, state, municipal, college, or university.
- Warning signs, such as no trespassing, warning of electrical currents or animals, provided that such signs do not exceed six square feet in area.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A zoning compliance permit is required for the erection, construction, relocation or alteration of any sign, except as noted in the exemptions under subsection d.
- All signs must comply with the Michigan Building Code.
- Submission of a plan or drawing is required with the application for a zoning compliance permit (see Sec. 66-34(a)(2)), including the location and dimensions of the proposed sign.
- Site plan review may be required for developments that include signage, particularly for commercial, industrial, multiple-family, and certain special district uses (see Sec. 66-307 and related district regulations).
- Changes to nonconforming signs, or requests for variances from sign regulations, may require action before the Zoning Board of Appeals.

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

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