# Sign Regulations in Durand, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Durand, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/durand
- **Data last verified:** 2026-02-11
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://cms5.revize.com/revize/durandmi/document_center/Zoning/Durand%20Zoning%20Ordinance%20Updated%20April%202025.pdf?t=202506021517520&t=202506021517520#page=117)

## At a glance

Durand, Michigan regulates 34 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Residential Development Monument Signs in the Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-M, R-O) zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 50 sq ft per face; 100 sq ft aggregate, with a ≥15 ft from any point of vehicular access to a public roadway; may be in required yards but cannot cross lot lines. setback (Sec. Sec. 1329(6)(a)-(e)). Most commercial signs in Durand require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 16 | 5 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-M, R-O) | 8 | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Nonresidential Districts (C-1, C-2, C-3, I-1, I-2, R-O) | 4 | 20 ft | Up to 100 sq ft (and ≤10% of building facade) | — |
| Downtown (Development Authority District) Overlay Zone | 5 | 4 ft | ≤100 sq ft; ≤10% of building facade per face | — |
| Industrial districts (Nonaccessory Signs) | 1 | 45 ft | 300 sq ft | — |
| Lansing Road Subarea | 1 | — | If commodity pricing only: ≤50% of total permitted monument sign area | — |
| C-2 Service/Business District (Lansing Road Subarea), C-3 General Business District (Lansing Road Subarea), Industrial District (Lansing Road Subarea) | 1 | — | If commodity pricing only: ≤50% of total permitted monument sign area | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Signs - Permit Procedures | — | — | — | No sign in required setbacks. No right-of-way encroachment except as provided for wall, awning/canopy, projecting, or portable temporary signs. | — | General: No sign shall be located in, project into, or overhang a public right-of-way except signs maintained by government, or as otherwise provided for wall, awning/canopy, projecting, or portable temporary signs. | — | Sec. 1329(2)(a)-(f) |
| Highway Sign (Government) | — | — | — | — | — | Erected by U.S., State of Michigan, County, or City of Durand. | — | Sec. 1329(9)(a) |
| Governmental Use Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Designates hours/conditions for parks, parking lots, recreation areas, other public spaces, or governmental buildings. | — | Sec. 1329(9)(b) |
| Directional Sign (Traffic Control Function) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | In conjunction with drives or off-street parking; must not obstruct traffic vision. | — | Sec. 1329(9)(c) |
| Canopy/Awning Sign (Substitution for Wall or Freestanding Sign) | — | — | — | ≥24 inches from vehicular lanes; clearance ≥7 ft 6 in over walkways. | — | Canopies/awnings extending into the public right-of-way require City Council review/approval; must be ≥24 inches from any vehicular parking space or moving lane; minimum clearance 7 ft 6 in above pedestrian walkways; must not conflict with sight distances, landscape features, traffic control devices, or adjacent properties. | — | Sec. 1329(9)(h)(1)-(6) |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of total window area (per floor level); single window ≤50% coverage | — | — | — | On/within/behind windows at the floor level occupied by the business. | — | Sec. 1329(9)(i)(1)-(3) |
| Temporary Sign - Construction | — | 32 sq ft | — | Not nearer than 10 ft to a public right-of-way. | — | On site of construction (site, construction shed, or trailer). | — | Sec. 1329(10)(c) |
| Temporary Sign - Portable (Special Events) | 5 ft | 27 sq ft per side | — | ≥5 ft from street ROW; maintain visibility for traffic. | — | ≥5 ft from street right-of-way; must not interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic flow or visibility. | — | Sec. 1329(10)(d)(1)-(6) |

### Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-M, R-O)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign (Sale/Lease) | — | 6 sq ft | — | Must be outside ROW. | 1 per lot/building | On the lot; not in the public right-of-way. | — | Sec. 1329(5)(a) |
| Home Occupation/Professional Service Sign (Wall) | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Front wall of the building. | — | Sec. 1329(5)(b) |
| Subdivision/Development Advertising Sign (Temporary) | — | 32 sq ft | — | ≥ one-third of minimum front yard depth from street ROW. | 1 per subdivision/development | No closer to any street ROW than one-third of the minimum authorized front yard depth. | — | Sec. 1329(5)(c) |
| Multiple-Family Building/Development Identification Sign (No Commercial Connotation) | — | 32 sq ft | — | ≥ one-third of minimum front yard depth from street ROW; ≥50 ft from property line of adjacent single-family district. | 1 per multiple-family building/development | No closer to street ROW than one-third minimum front yard depth; also separation from adjacent single-family district. | — | Sec. 1329(5)(d) |
| Institutional/Public/Other Authorized or Lawful Nonconforming Use Identification Sign | — | 50 sq ft | — | ≥ one-third of minimum front yard depth from street ROW. | 1 | No closer to the street ROW than one-third of the minimum authorized front yard depth. | — | Sec. 1329(5)(e) |
| Bed and Breakfast (or Similar Use) Sign (Wall) | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Front wall of the building. | — | Sec. 1329(5)(f) |
| Nameplate (Occupant Identification) (Wall) | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Front wall of the building. | — | Sec. 1329(5)(g) |
| Residential Development Monument Sign | 8 ft | 50 sq ft per face; 100 sq ft aggregate | — | ≥15 ft from any point of vehicular access to a public roadway; may be in required yards but cannot cross lot lines. | ≤2 per major vehicular access | May be in any required yard but shall not extend over any lot line; not within 15 ft of any point of vehicular access from zoning lot to public roadway. | — | Sec. 1329(6)(a)-(e) |

### Downtown (Development Authority District) Overlay Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | ≤100 sq ft; ≤10% of building facade per face | — | ≤1 ft projection from wall; below roof/parapet line. | 1 per business per building face | One wall sign per business on each building face. | — | Sec. 1329(8)(b)(1)-(2) |
| Awning/Canopy Valance Sign | — | ≤33% of valance area (copy area only) | — | Maintain ≥2 ft from vehicular lanes; maintain sight distance; do not block egress. | 1 per canopy | On canopy/awning valance at first story; ≥2 ft from any vehicular parking space or maneuvering lane; must not conflict with sight distances; shall not block ingress/egress. | — | Sec. 1329(8)(c)(1)-(5) |
| Under-Canopy Sign (Suspended) | — | 2 sq ft | — | Under-canopy only; must maintain canopy clearances. | Not specified (typically one per canopy in addition to valance sign). | Under canopy. | — | Sec. 1329(8)(c)(5) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 10 sq ft per face | — | Projection ≤4 ft or ≤1/3 sidewalk width; height limits as above; clearance ≥8 ft above grade. | 1 per side with customer access; more may be approved by Planning Commission | Projects from building facade; not beyond second-story windowsill or 15 ft above grade, whichever less. | — | Sec. 1329(8)(d)(1)-(4) |
| Monument Sign (In Lieu of Wall Sign) | 4 ft | 20 sq ft per face | — | ≥3 ft from lot lines; outside ROW; within front yard setback; maintain clear vision triangle. | 1 (in lieu of wall sign) | On private property, outside ROW, within front yard setback; ≥3 ft from any lot line; allowed only on sites with front yard setback ≥10 ft. | — | Sec. 1329(8)(e)(1)-(6) |

## Prohibited signs in Durand

- No sign shall be located in, project into, or overhang a public right-of-way or dedicated public easement, except government signs or as otherwise provided for wall, awning/canopy, projecting, or portable temporary signs.
- No sign shall be permitted in any required setback area (front, rear, side; corner lots require two front setbacks).
- Inflatable signs are prohibited.
- Signs illuminated by flashing or moving lights are prohibited, except for noncommercial information requiring periodic change (such as temperature, stock averages, time, and date).
- Exterior banners, pennants, spinners, and streamers are prohibited, except as permitted for special decorative displays under Section 10(b).
- Exterior string lights used in connection with a commercial premise are prohibited, other than holiday decorations.
- Any sign which is structurally or electrically unsafe is prohibited.
- Any business sign or sign structure that no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted or a product sold is prohibited.
- Any sign on a motor vehicle or trailer parked in front of a business for the purpose of advertising that business, product, or service is prohibited.
- Any sign structure or frame no longer containing a sign is prohibited.
- Use of materials subject to rapid deterioration (including plywood, pressboard, wallboard, cardboard, paper, cloth, and similar materials) is expressly prohibited for signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Durand

- Highway signs erected by the U.S. Government, State of Michigan, County, or City of Durand.
- Governmental use signs designating hours of activity or conditions of use for parks, parking lots, recreational areas, other public spaces, or governmental buildings.
- Directional signs for drives or off-street parking areas not exceeding 4 square feet, limited to traffic control functions, not obstructing vision, and containing no advertising copy or logos.
- Historic signs designating sites recognized by the State Historical Commission as Centennial Farms or Historical Landmarks.
- Placards posted to control or prohibit hunting and/or trespassing.
- Essential service signs denoting utility lines, railroad lines, hazards, and precautions.
- Memorial signs or tablets cut into masonry or constructed of bronze or other incombustible material located flat on a building face.
- Canopy signs used as a substitution for a wall or freestanding sign, permitted subject to conditions including City Council review if extending into the public right-of-way, minimum clearances, sight distance protections, maintenance, and limited backlighting specifications.
- Window signs for operating businesses, permitted subject to area limits (no more than 25% of total window area at a floor level and no more than 50% coverage of any single window) and illumination limits (only open/closed indicators up to 4 square feet).
- Temporary signs permitted citywide, including: nonilluminating political signs (removed within 5 days after the election); special decorative displays for holidays, public demonstrations, or civic/charitable purposes when authorized by the Building Department; construction signs; and portable special event signs subject to area, location, illumination, height, and removal requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan or sign plan requirement is specified in Section 1329.
- Planning Commission review and approval is required for freestanding signs that are not two-sided; signs made in the image of animals, plants, or machines are subject to Planning Commission design review.
- Planning Commission may grant approval of additional projecting signs for properties with multiple tenants or storefront widths of 40 feet or more; additional projecting signs must be placed at a uniform height and spaced at least 20 feet apart.
- Canopies and awnings extending into the public right-of-way require City Council review and approval.
- Special decorative displays or signs for holidays, public demonstrations, or civic/charitable purposes require authorization by the Building Department.
- Wall murals within the Downtown Development Authority District require review and approval by a committee (Mayor, City Manager, City Building Official, and DDA Chair) and must meet approval standards of Section 1334(8).
- Electronic changeable copy signs require a sign permit application that includes a certification of compliance from the owner/operator/manufacturer; they must default to a static display during malfunction and be turned off if found in violation until compliance is restored.
- Electronic changeable copy signs may not be located in demanding driver environments, as determined by roadway LOS or in the opinion of the Planning Commission (complex driving conditions).

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

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