# Sign Regulations in Eaton Rapids, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Eaton Rapids, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/eaton-rapids
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/Eaton_Rapids/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_APXAZOOR_ARTXXIISI)

## At a glance

Eaton Rapids, Michigan regulates 24 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Sandwich Board Signs in the Central Business District zoning district are capped at 5 feet tall, 15 sq. ft., and 3 feet wide (Sec. Sec. 22.50(B)(1)). Most commercial signs in Eaton Rapids 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 | 7 | 20 feet (Min ground clearance: 8 feet) | — | — |
| Residential zoning districts (TRD, RD1, RD2, MFRD, MHPD) | 5 | 6 feet | 25 sq. ft. | — |
| Central Business District | 7 | 5 feet | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| Mixed Use District, General Business District, Local Business District | 10 | 40 ft max | 50–75 sq. ft. | — |
| Limited Industrial District (LID), General Industrial District (GID), Industrial park | 8 | 20 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |

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

### Central Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign/Pole Sign | — | 50 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business/development | At primary pedestrian entrance or street frontage. | — | Sec. 22.50(A)(1)(i), (5) |
| Wall Sign | — | See formula; base 20 sq. ft.; never >10% of wall surface. | — | — | Up to 2 at primary entrance, max 4 total per business/development | At each pedestrian entrance facing street or parking area. | — | Sec. 22.50(A)(1)(ii), (3), (4) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 45 sq. ft. (+3 sq. ft. per additional business in multi-business development) | — | — | — | On building, near center of linear street frontage. | — | Sec. 22.50(A)(1)(iii) |
| Mansard/Awning/Canopy Sign | — | 25% of total surface area or 50% of leading edge | — | — | — | On mansard, awning, or canopy | — | Sec. 22.50(A)(1)(iv), (2) |
| Window Sign | — | No one sign >20 sq. ft.; total per window = 25% of surface area | — | — | — | Interior side of window. | — | Sec. 22.50(A)(6) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 5 feet | 15 sq. ft. | 3 feet | — | 1 per business development | Adjacent to building; cannot block sidewalk or right-of-way. | — | Sec. 22.50(B)(1) |
| Banner | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business development per use | On building or site. | — | Sec. 22.50(B)(2) |

### Mixed Use District, General Business District, Local Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign/Pole Sign | — | 50–75 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On premises, street frontage. | — | Sec. 22.55(A)(1) |
| Wall Sign | — | See formula; cannot exceed 10% of surface of one wall. | — | — | — | On building wall. | — | Sec. 22.55(A)(2) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 45 sq ft (+3 sq ft per additional business in development) | — | — | — | On building front. | — | Sec. 22.55(A)(3) |
| Mansard/Awning/Canopy Sign | — | 25% of total or 50% of leading edge | — | — | — | On mansard, awning or canopy. | — | Sec. 22.55(A)(4) |
| Window Sign | — | No one sign >20 sq ft; total <=25% of window area. | — | — | — | On window (interior). | — | Sec. 22.55(A)(5) |
| Banner | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street | — | — | Sec. 22.55(B)(1)(ii) |
| Inflatable Balloon | 40 ft max | — | — | 1 foot per 1 foot of height from property line. | 1 per business at a time | Ground or roof mounted. Setback 1 foot per 1 foot height from property line. | — | Sec. 22.55(B)(1)(iii) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 5 ft | 15 sq. ft. | 3 ft | — | 1 per business development | Adjacent to building; cannot block sidewalk or ROW. | — | Sec. 22.55(B)(2)(i) |

### Limited Industrial District (LID), General Industrial District (GID), Industrial park

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building. | — | Sec. 22.60(A) |
| Monument Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Freestanding within development. | — | Sec. 22.60(A) |
| Painted Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Directly on building. | — | Sec. 22.60(A) |
| Numerical Street Address Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building, near entrance. | — | Sec. 22.60(A) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 24 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per property | On premises for sale/lease. | — | Sec. 22.60(B)(1) |
| Project Sign | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per construction project | One per construction project. | — | Sec. 22.60(B)(2) |
| Center Identification Sign | 20 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per public street | One per public street frontage; ground/pole/monument. | — | Sec. 22.60(C) |
| Directional, regulatory, essential public service signs | — | — | — | — | — | On property as needed for traffic control, hunting/trespass, utility, etc. | — | Sec. 22.60(D) |

## Prohibited signs in Eaton Rapids

- Any sign that does not conform to this Ordinance.
- Roof-mounted signs.
- Wind blown devices and signs with physically moving components.
- Any sign that interferes with, blocks the view of, or may be confused with any authorized traffic control sign or signal.
- Any sign attached to a utility pole, traffic control device, another sign or any other similar object located in the public right of way or private property unless required for traffic control, public safety.
- Any lighting that interferes with the visibility of drivers is prohibited (Example: Directional spot lights used to illuminate sign faces, that become misdirected and point toward the road).
- Billboards.
- Any off-premise sign, except as provided for in section 22.30.
- Abandoned or obsolete signs. At the end of the one hundred eighty-day period of abandonment, sign and any supporting structure must be removed. Where the face is part of a larger center identification sign, the face shall be replaced with a blank face.
- Oscillating, flashing or blinking, including any sign that utilizes animation, chasing, flashing, scintillation, scrolling or running messages, fade, or any other effect which depicts movement.
- Illumination between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless the business is open is restricted to the display of time, date or temperature.
- Portable signs, in residential districts and the Central Business District.

## Signs exempt from permit in Eaton Rapids

- Normal maintenance and repair of a permitted or authorized sign.
- Change of lettering or display panels which does not substantially alter the character or nature of the sign.
- Real estate signs on any premises, provided such signs do not exceed six (6) square feet in area.
- Highway or street signs erected by any governmental agency authorized to erect such signs.
- Signs erected by or at the direction of governmental agencies designating hours or conditions for use of public parks, parking lots, recreational areas governmental buildings, or other public areas.
- Directional signs erected in conjunction with private off-street parking areas and drives, provided each sign does not exceed four (4) square feet in area and is limited to traffic control functions.
- Historic signs provided that the signs meet all the conditions and requirements for the zoning district in which they are located.
- Signs posted to control or prohibit hunting or trespassing within the boundaries of the land on which they are located, provided such signs do not exceed four (4) square feet in area.
- Essential public service signs denoting utility lines, railroad lines, hazards, precautions and other signs that are deemed necessary to protect the public.
- Memorial signs or tablets which are either cut into the face of a masonry surface, or constructed of bronze or other similar material, when located flat on the face of a building. Such signs are limited to four (4) square feet.
- Project signs announcing site improvements. One sign per construction project denoting architects, engineers, contractors, owners, or financial institutions connected with the work under construction provided that it does not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area, for the duration of the project and must meet all other conditions and requirements for the zoning district in which it is located.
- Open for business sign. Each business may have one illuminated sign displayed from an interior window announcing they are open for business. Such sign shall be limited to six (6) square feet in size and shall contain no other message or advertising.
- Light strings. When not flashing or blinking when used as temporary decorations in connection with a holiday. Such decorations shall be removed within fifteen (15) days following the holiday with which they are connected.
- Flags. Limited to a total of three (3) in residential districts, and six (6) in all other districts.
- Political and point of view signs. Provided that such signs are not placed within the street right-of-way. In residential districts they shall be limited to a maximum of six (6) square feet and in non-residential districts they shall be limited to a maximum of thirty-two (32) square feet. Political signs supporting a candidate for public office may be posted no more than sixty (60) days prior to the election, and must be removed within seven (7) days following the election for the office in question. Point of view signs shall be removed after ninety (90) days.
- Signs which are used to publicize church events, school events, civic events, public gatherings, picnics, and similar events, provided that such signs are erected for a period not to exceed ten (10) days and do not exceed twenty (20) square feet in area are permitted off-premise.
- Accessory professional or nameplate signs, provided they are less than one and one-half (1½) square feet in area.
- Garage/yard sales and open house signs provided they are no greater than four (4) square feet in size, are erected no earlier than the day prior to the event and are removed the day following the event are permitted off-premise.
- Public art. Including banners, posters, paintings, murals, sculpture, or other categories of art intended for temporary or permanent public display when commissioned by or under the direction and control of the city.
- In observance of the death of a member of the Eaton Rapids Community while on active duty for a branch of the armed services, the placement of decorative yellow ribbons within the street right-of-way, including the attachment to trees or utility poles shall be allowed, provided that a plan has been submitted detailing the location(s) of the observance and an individual or group has accepted responsibility for putting up and taking down the ribbons. An observance shall not remain up for more than ten (10) days and shall be supervised by the city and have the prior written approval of the mayor.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, re-erect, alter, repair, remodel, or relocate any sign, except as otherwise identified in this Article, unless a sign permit has first been obtained from the building inspector.
- Applications for sign permits shall be made upon application forms provided by the city for this purpose.
- A sign permit is generally required for the erection, alteration, repair, remodeling, or relocation of any sign, unless the sign is exempt as detailed in Sec 22.30.
- For the placement of decorative yellow ribbons within the street right-of-way in observance of the death of a member of the community on active duty, a plan must be submitted to the city detailing the location(s) and responsibility for installation/removal, supervised by the city and with prior written approval of the mayor.

## 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 Eaton Rapids — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Eaton+Rapids+MI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-eaton-rapids

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