# Sign Regulations in Davison, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Davison, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/davison
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-19

## At a glance

Davison, Michigan regulates 17 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Permanent Building Signs in the A-1 Residential District, A-2 Residential District, A-3 Residential District zoning district are capped at 5 ft (if ground-mounted) tall and 8 sq ft, with a May not project beyond one-half the setback or within required clear vision zone. setback (Sec. 1292.07(b), (e)). Most commercial signs in Davison require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | 4.5 sq ft (without permit); larger requires permit | — |
| A-1 Residential District, A-2 Residential District, A-3 Residential District | 2 | 5 ft (if ground-mounted) | 216 sq in | — |
| B-1 Residential Multi-Family District, B-2 Mobile Home Park District | 2 | 5 ft (if ground-mounted) | 216 sq in | — |
| C-1 Commercial District, C-2 Commercial District, C-3 Commercial District, I Industrial District | 7 | 5 ft | 80% of total window area for each wall | — |
| Downtown Development Authority District | 1 | 42 in (max), 36 in (min) | — | — |
| Local Development Finance Authority District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Industrial Districts | 1 | 15 ft min to lowest edge, 25 ft max to top | — | — |
| Residential Districts, Residential Zoning Districts | 3 | 42 in (max), 36 in (min) | 216 sq in | — |
| Commercial Zoning Districts | 2 | 42 in (max), 36 in (min) | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### A-1 Residential District, A-2 Residential District, A-3 Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign | — | 216 sq in | — | May not project beyond one-half setback or within clear vision zone. | 1 per residential dwelling | Anywhere on premises; may not project beyond one-half setback or within required clear vision zone. | — | 1292.07(a) |
| Permanent Building Sign | 5 ft (if ground-mounted) | 8 sq ft | — | May not project beyond one-half the setback or within required clear vision zone. | 1 per building | Anywhere on premises; must be mounted flush to building if building-mounted; not on roof. | — | 1292.07(b), (e) |

### C-1 Commercial District, C-2 Commercial District, C-3 Commercial District, I Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building-Mounted Sign | — | 72 sq ft (total for all); individual max 30% of wall area | — | — | — | On canopies, marquees, and wall areas facing business street frontage or City-owned alleyway; limited to two wall areas for businesses with multiple frontages. | — | 1292.09 |
| Ground-Mounted/Monument Sign (Single Business, Up to 150 ft frontage) | 5 ft | 36 sq ft (plus up to 24 sq ft reader board, 60 sq ft total) | — | 10 ft minimum from front lot line; 25 ft from side lot line. | 1 per frontage up to 150 ft; more for added 300 ft increments | Front yard, minimum setbacks apply. | — | 1292.10 (Table & subsections) |
| Ground-Mounted/Monument Sign (Single Business, 150 to 300 ft frontage) | 5 ft | 36 sq ft (plus up to 24 sq ft reader board, 60 sq ft total) | — | 10 ft minimum from front lot line; 25 ft from side lot line. | 1 per frontage (see 1292.10(b)) | Front yard, minimum setbacks apply. | — | 1292.10 (Table & subsections) |
| Ground-Mounted/Monument Sign (Multiple Business, Up to 150 ft frontage) | 5 ft | 24 sq ft per business (no more than 72 sq ft total; plus 24 sq ft reader board) | — | 10 ft from front lot line, 25 ft from side lot line. | 1 per frontage up to 150 ft; more for 300 ft increments | — | — | 1292.10 |
| Ground-Mounted/Monument Sign (Multiple Business, 150 to 300 ft frontage) | 5 ft | 24 sq ft per business (max 72 sq ft total; plus 24 sq ft reader board) | — | 10 ft from front lot line, 25 ft from side lot line. | 1 per frontage up to 150 ft; more for 300 ft increments | — | — | 1292.10 |
| Portable Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per point of sale per three months | Not upon or within public right-of-way | — | 1292.12 |
| Temporary Window Sign | — | 80% of total window area for each wall | — | — | — | Within window area on building walls. | — | 1292.13 |

### Residential Districts, Residential Zoning Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign | — | 216 sq in | — | May not project beyond one-half the setback required, or within a required clear vision zone. | 1 per dwelling/unit or occupancy | Anywhere on premises, not projecting beyond one-half setback or in clear vision zone. | — | 1292.07(a), 1292.08(a) |
| Permanent Building or Structure Sign | 5 ft if ground-mounted | 8 sq ft | — | May not project beyond one-half setback or within a clear vision zone. | 1 per building/structure | Anywhere on premises; must be flush to building if wall-mounted and not on roof. | — | 1292.07(b)-(e), 1292.08(b), (e) |
| A-Frame Sign (Special Land Use) | 42 in (max), 36 in (min) | — | 24 in (max), 20 in (min) | — | 1 per building with exterior frontage (if special land use) | On-site, within 15 ft of entry if associated with special land use. | — | 1292.14 |

## Prohibited signs in Davison

- Signs that are dangerous to the public due to structural deficiencies and/or disrepair.
- Signs that are not maintained in accordance with the ordinance.
- Signs that are not kept in repair or whose supports, braces, guys and anchors are not kept in repair and painted when necessary to prevent corrosion.
- Illuminated signs that create glare, over-illumination of the surrounding area, or traffic hazards.
- Illuminated signs aimed directly at adjacent streets, roads, or properties.
- Exposed aboveground electrical wiring/conduits (unless for a temporary illuminated sign).
- Back-lit or internally illuminated signs causing excessive glare or light encroachment onto neighboring properties.
- Illuminated signs (in or near residential districts) not equipped with timer control and not operating within allowed hours.
- Signs obstructing any fire escape, means of egress, or access required by Building Code.
- Signs attached in a manner interfering with ventilation openings required by Building Code (except as otherwise permitted).
- Pylon/pole signs.
- Signs that use stereopticon, motion picture projection, media in advertisements, visible moving parts, or any mechanism that gives the illusion of motion (unless specifically permitted).
- Signs that emit audible sound, odor, or visible matter.
- EMS signs (excluding computerized reader boards with text such as time, date, pricing, etc.).
- Inflatable signs.
- Flag signs.
- Signs in dangerous or defective condition.
- Abandoned signs (signs on vacant property for 3+ months or which pertain to a time/event/purpose which no longer applies).
- Signs in the City right-of-way without permit.
- Signs obstructing vision clearance for traffic as defined by Section 400.10.
- Failure to obtain a sign permit when required is a violation and subject to enforcement.

## Signs exempt from permit in Davison

- Painting, cleaning or maintenance, or changing the copy or message, unless a structural change is made.
- Changing the copy or message on reader board panel signs designed for such changes (including theatre marquees, billboards, electronic message signs, and signs with moveable copy).
- Art murals are exempt from the sign review or permitting process.
- Temporary signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Master Sign Plan is required for buildings or clusters of buildings within a project having more than one tenant and must be submitted with the sign permit application. The plan must show locations, area, and height of all freestanding and wall signs, elevations of freestanding signs, and designated areas for individual tenant signs using similar construction methods, size and scale.
- Applications for sign permits require a site plan drawing as part of the application.
- Site plan review by the Planning Commission is required for off-site sign permits, and as part of review for other sign applications tied to site plans.
- Requests for Administrative Reviews, Interpretations, and Variances regarding signage may be taken to the Zoning Board of Appeals (Sign Code Board of Appeals) under Chapter 1264.
- Exceptions for A-frame sign regulations are subject to the administrative review requirements of Section 1292.03.

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

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