# Sign Regulations in Coldwater, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Coldwater, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/coldwater
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-03
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.coldwater.org/DocumentCenter/View/466/City-Zoning-Ordinance-PDF?bidId=#page=63)

## At a glance

Coldwater, Michigan regulates 25 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Monument Sign (Non-Residential Use)s in the Residential Districts (AA, R-3, A-1, A-2, A-3) zoning district are capped at 6 feet tall and 32 square feet, with a Comply with general (2 ft from ROW) setback (Sec. 5.1.C.2). Most commercial signs in Coldwater require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 15 feet | 50% of total sign area (manual); 100% of total sign area (automated) | — |
| Residential Districts (AA, R-3, A-1, A-2, A-3) | 8 | 6 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| Non-residential Districts (C-1, C-3, C-4, D-1, D-2) | 10 | 15 feet | 200 square feet total for all exterior signs; 24 square feet if no ground floor frontage | — |
| Non-residential Districts (C-2, OS) | 6 | 6 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| Zoning Districts Adjacent to I-69 | 1 | 30 feet above ground grade or abutting roadway grade (whichever higher) | 300 square feet per side | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Residential Districts (AA, R-3, A-1, A-2, A-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional/Regulatory Sign | — | — | — | Comply with general (2 ft from ROW) | As determined | In parking areas | — | 5.1.C.1 |
| Monument Sign (Non-Residential Use) | 6 feet | 32 square feet | — | Comply with general (2 ft from ROW) | 1 | On non-residential property | — | 5.1.C.2 |
| Customary Farm and Crop Sign | — | — | — | Comply with general | — | On active farms | — | 5.1.C.3 |
| Subdivision Entranceway Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | Comply with general | As appropriate for entrances | At subdivision entrance | — | 5.1.C.4 |
| Nameplate Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | Comply with general | 1 per dwelling unit | For each dwelling unit | — | 5.1.C.5 |
| Temporary Lease or Sale Sign | 4 feet | 6 square feet | — | Comply with general | 1 (or per frontage) | On premises; corner lots 1 per street frontage | — | 5.1.C.7.a |
| Temporary Garage Sale Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | Comply with general | 1 | Within property line | — | 5.1.C.7.b |
| Temporary Construction Sign (Residential) | — | 24 square feet | — | Comply with general | 1 | On construction site | — | 5.1.C.7.c |

### Non-residential Districts (C-1, C-3, C-4, D-1, D-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 200 square feet total for all exterior signs; 24 square feet if no ground floor frontage | — | Comply with general (2 ft from ROW) | 1 per exterior façade | Attached to exterior wall of building | — | 5.1.D.1.a; 5.1.D.2; 5.1.D.4.b |
| Freestanding Sign | 15 feet | 75 square feet total for all exterior freestanding signs | — | Comply with general (2 ft from ROW) | 1 per occupied parcel (business center as specified) | On-site | — | 5.1.D.1.b; 5.1.D.2; 5.1.D.3; 5.1.D.4.a |
| Monument Sign | 15 feet | — | — | Comply with general | Included in freestanding | On-site | — | 5.1.D.3 |
| Menuboard Sign | — | 36 square feet | — | — | 2 per establishment | Rear yard | — | 5.1.D.5 |
| Temporary Commercial Message Sign | — | 24 square feet | — | Comply with general | 1 | On premises | — | 5.1.D.6.a |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | 8 feet | 20 square feet | — | Comply with general | 1 | On premises | — | 5.1.D.6.b |
| Temporary Construction Sign | — | 24 square feet | — | Comply with general | 1 | On site | — | 5.1.D.6.c |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On windows | — | 5.1.D.7 |

### Non-residential Districts (C-2, OS)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Standard) | 3 feet (if using frontage method) | As per formula | — | Comply with general (no 2 ft min in C-2) | 1 per building | On exterior wall; downtown: between top of 1st story windows and bottom of 2nd story lowest window | — | 5.1.E.1 |
| Wall Sign (Additional Tenant) | — | 12 square feet | — | Comply with general | 1 per additional access | On exterior wall facing public alley, parking lot, or street with additional access | — | 5.1.E.2.a |
| Projecting Sign | — | 12 square feet | 4 feet | Comply with general | — | Attached to building | — | 5.1.E.2.b |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of total window area per floor level OR 50 square feet total per building | — | — | — | On window surface | — | 5.1.E.2.c |
| Monument Sign | 6 feet | 32 square feet | — | Sufficient to meet required setbacks | 1 | On occupied parcels with sufficient lawn/parking for setbacks | — | 5.1.E.3 |
| Sandwich Board Sign | — | 7.5 square feet (30 inches wide by 36 inches tall) | 30 inches | — | 1 per address | In front of sponsoring business on sidewalk | — | 5.1.E.4 |

## Prohibited signs in Coldwater

- No person shall erect, place or maintain a sign except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
- Abandoned signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Air-filled or gas-filled balloon signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Animated signs and/or flashing signs are prohibited in all zoning districts (except traffic control devices).
- Street furniture signs are prohibited in all zoning districts (except at bus stops).
- Roof signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Off-premise signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Signs carried, waved or otherwise displayed by persons on public rights-of-way or visible from them for commercial purposes are prohibited (does not limit displays for demonstrations, political rallies, etc.).
- Signage on publicly owned land or inside street rights-of-way is prohibited except those erected by City, County, State or Federal Government.
- Temporary or portable signs are prohibited unless otherwise specified in the Ordinance.
- Any sign not specifically permitted in each zoning district and/or designated use category is prohibited.
- No sign shall emulate or imitate traffic signs or signals, or interfere with, mislead or confuse the public regarding traffic signs or signals, or obstruct their view.
- Exterior signs shall not interfere with traffic visibility, considering height, area, structure, lighting, location relative to roads, drives, parking, sidewalks, buildings, and Section 5.8 Traffic Visibility Across Corner Lots.
- No sign shall be located closer than two feet to a public street right-of-way (except in C-2 District).
- No portion of any sign shall overhang a public street right-of-way (except in C-2 District); projecting signs over public property must be at least 12 feet above sidewalk grade, or 9 feet for wall or marquee signs.
- No exterior freestanding sign, signboard or billboard sign shall exceed 15 feet in height.
- Signs shall not utilize exposed incandescent lamps without sunscreen or diffusion, or exceeding 160 watts without shielding; no revolving beacon lights; metal halide, fluorescent, and quartz lighting must be in enclosed luminaries; neon/argon/krypton tubes may be used if not flashing or creating movement; lighting must avoid glare to traffic or residential areas; no flashing, oscillating or intermittent lighting; burned out luminaires must be replaced within 10 business days.
- Manual changeable copy is limited to 50% of total sign area (exceeding this is prohibited).

## Signs exempt from permit in Coldwater

- No permit required for signs erected by City, County, State or Federal Government for street direction or traffic control (must comply with height, area, location regulations).
- No permit required for governmental use signs, including integral signs, erected by governmental agencies for parks, parking lots, recreational areas, public spaces, or governmental buildings (must comply with height, area, location regulations).
- No permit required for signs of public organizations under order and permission of Council (must comply with height, area, location regulations).
- No permit required for posting of legal notices required by law (must comply with height, area, location regulations).
- No permit required for signs designating sites recognized by State Historical Commission as centennial farms or historic landmarks (must comply with height, area, location regulations).
- No permit required for real estate signs under 6 square feet advertising premises for sale, rent, or lease (must comply with height, area, location regulations).
- No permit required for political signs not exceeding 6 square feet total, on private property, removed within 10 days after election (must comply with height, area, location regulations).
- No permit required for placards posted to control and/or prohibit hunting within the City (must comply with height, area, location regulations).
- No permit required for essential service signs denoting utility lines, railroad lines, hazards, precautions, including portable flashing signs (must comply with height, area, location regulations).
- No permit required for integral signs cut into masonry or of bronze/other incombustible material, flat on building face (must comply with height, area, location regulations).
- No permit required for special decorative displays, signs, pennants, flags or banners for holidays, public demonstrations promoting civic welfare or charitable purposes, used no more than 14 days (must comply with height, area, location regulations).
- No permit required for temporary signs except as provided in each zoning district (must comply with height, area, location regulations).
- No permit required for maintenance of a sign.
- No permit required for replacement of a panel on an existing box sign.
- No permit required for change of copy on painted, printed or changeable copy signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Applications for sign permits must include plans, drawings, and specifications detailing type, size, shape, location, construction, materials, weight, frame, anchorage, and guys (Section 5.1.B.2).
- A scale drawing of sign dimensions or area and evidence of secure attachment must be provided; for freestanding signs, a site development plan of location and scale drawing of structure is required (Section 5.1.B.3).
- Directional/regulatory signs in residential parking areas require site plan review by Planning Commission or Zoning Administrator to determine size and necessity (Section 5.1.C.1).
- Subdivision entranceway signs must have design consistent with development theme, using natural or approved materials (no plywood, chipboard); implies approval process (Section 5.1.C.4).
- Temporary construction signs in residential require City Council final approval before erection (Section 5.1.C.7.c).
- Business center signs require compliance with specified sizes and locations, implying plan review (Section 5.1.D.4).
- Temporary construction signs in non-residential districts require removal upon certificate of occupancy or 75% development (Section 5.1.D.6.c).
- Projecting signs in C-2/OS must meet building code for supports (Section 5.1.E.2.b).
- Billboards adjacent to I-69 require compliance with spacing, location, size, height, and construction standards, plus Highway Advertising Act (Sections 5.1.F, 5.1.F.9).
- Nonconforming signs may require Zoning Board of Appeals determination for repair after damage exceeding 50% replacement cost (Section 5.1.G.3).
- All signs must meet construction requirements and may be inspected; unsafe signs require repair or removal (Section 5.1.H).

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/coldwater