# Sign Regulations in Escanaba, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Escanaba, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/escanaba
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/Escanaba/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_APXAZO_CH20SI)

## At a glance

Escanaba, Michigan regulates 21 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Pole Sign (Detached Sign)s in the Local Business District (D) zoning district are capped at 25 ft tall and 100 sq. ft. (<2 acres); 120 sq. ft. (2.1-10 ac); 150 sq. ft. (>10.1 ac), with a See location_of_sign setback (Sec. Section 2009.6). Most commercial signs in Escanaba require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Open Space District (OS) | 4 | No pole higher than 70 feet | Refer to Section 2006.1.6 for maximum by pole height, e.g., up to 25 ft pole: 32 sq ft; up to 70 ft pole: 216 sq ft. | — |
| Single-Family Dwelling District (A), Two-Family Dwelling District (B), Multiple-Family Dwelling District (C), Residential Planned Unit Development District (C-2) | 5 | Up to 70 ft pole height | Up to 216 sq ft (max size for 70 ft flagpole as per table in 2006.1.6) | — |
| Local Business District (D) | 7 | 25 ft | Main: 400 sq. ft.; Secondary: 300 sq. ft. | — |
| Commercial District (E), Planned Commercial Development District (E-1), Special Planned District (E-2), Central Retail Commercial District (E-3) | 8 | 25 ft (non-DDA); 18 ft (DDA) | Up to 400 sq ft (E); Up to 200 sq ft (main wall) E3 DDA; 100 sq ft (secondary wall) | — |
| Light Manufacturing District (F), Industrial Park District (F-1), Heavy Manufacturing District (G) | 8 | 25 ft | 400 sq ft main, 300 sq ft secondary | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | Up to 50% of window area | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Local Business District (D)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Main: 400 sq. ft.; Secondary: 300 sq. ft. | — | — | No limit given, but maximum area applies per wall | On principal building wall | — | Section 2009.2, 2008.5.2, 2004 |
| Canopy/Awning Sign | 5 ft (max height of sign) | — | — | — | No explicit limit | On canopy/awning (building attached) | — | Section 2009.3 |
| Pole Sign (Detached Sign) | 25 ft | 100 sq. ft. (<2 acres); 120 sq. ft. (2.1-10 ac); 150 sq. ft. (>10.1 ac) | — | See location_of_sign | 1 per parcel; additional by special permit | Front yard, 5 ft from property line minimum, or 20 ft from inside curb edge in certain corridors | — | Section 2009.6 |
| Ground Sign | 15 ft | 2.0 ac or less: 120 sq ft; 2.1-10 ac: 140 sq ft; 10.1+ ac: 160 sq ft | — | See location | 1; additional for >8 ac | Front yard; 5 ft min from property line, or 20 ft from inside curb in stated corridors | — | Section 2009.7 |
| Message Board Sign - Electronic | Part of or adjacent to pole/ground sign; overall sign height limit applies | 32 sq ft (or up to 50 sq ft depending on lot size/category) | — | — | 1 per use/property | As accessory to pole/ground sign | — | Section 2003.8, Section 2009.6, Section 2009.7 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 75 sq ft | — | — | No explicit limit | On building, in place of detached sign | — | Section 2009.4 |
| Temporary Sign | — | 12 sq ft per sign, max 18 sq ft total per parcel | — | — | — | On premises, outside ROW | — | Section 2006.1.7 |

### Commercial District (E), Planned Commercial Development District (E-1), Special Planned District (E-2), Central Retail Commercial District (E-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Up to 400 sq ft (E); Up to 200 sq ft (main wall) E3 DDA; 100 sq ft (secondary wall) | — | — | — | Principal walls of building | — | Section 2009.2, 2011.2 (DDA), 2008.5.2 |
| Canopy/Awning Sign | 5 ft max (sign), not above roofline | — | — | — | — | Mounted on canopy or awning | — | Section 2009.3, 2011.6 |
| Pole Sign (Detached Sign) | 25 ft (non-DDA); 18 ft (DDA) | Up to 150 sq. ft. (per Table 2009.6); E-3 DDA: 64 sq. ft. max (2011.4) | — | See cited sections | 1 per property | Front yard, 5 ft from property line or more as per corridor; DDA: not in ROW | — | Section 2009.6, 2011.4 |
| Ground Sign | 15 ft (E/E-1/E-2), 12 ft (E-3 DDA) | 160 sq ft (E, E-1, E-2); E-3: 125 sq ft max main, 32 sq ft message board (if >=150 ft frontage) | — | See cited sections | 1 (plus tenant sign if in group); >8 ac, additional | Front yard, 5 ft from property line or as specified | — | Section 2009.7, 2011.5 |
| Message Board Sign - Electronic | Height as part of pole or ground sign, not to exceed sign's limit | Up to 32 sq ft (section 2009.6, 2011.5) | — | — | 1 per property | As part of pole/ground sign; cannot stand alone | — | Section 2003.8, 2009.6/7, 2011.5 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 75 sq ft (non-DDA); 32 sq ft (DDA) | — | — | — | On building; DDA: can project into ROW/over sidewalk up to 6 ft | — | Section 2009.4, 2011.3 |
| Temporary Sign | — | 12 sq ft per sign, 18 sq ft per parcel | — | — | — | On premises, not in ROW | — | Section 2006.1.7 |
| Outdoor Advertising Sign (Billboard) (E, E-1, E-2 Only) | 25 ft | 240 sq ft | — | Min 10 ft from property line, and as per 2012.17 | 1 per parcel | Permitted only by SLU and only on Light/Heavy Manufacturing when abutting state highway (see 2012.4) | — | Section 2012.4, 2012.17 |

### Light Manufacturing District (F), Industrial Park District (F-1), Heavy Manufacturing District (G)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 400 sq ft main, 300 sq ft secondary | — | — | — | On main or secondary wall of building | — | Section 2009.2 |
| Canopy/Awning Sign | 5 ft | — | — | — | — | On canopy/awning | — | Section 2009.3 |
| Pole Sign (Detached) | F/F1: 25 ft; G: 25 ft | F/F1: 150 sq ft; G: 150 sq ft | — | 5 ft min; see above | 1 per property; additional by SLU | Front yard, 5 ft from property line or as corridor requires | — | Section 2009.6 |
| Ground Sign | 15 ft | F/F1/G: 160 sq ft | — | 5 ft min | 1 or 2 per large parcel | Front yard as above | — | Section 2009.7 |
| Message Board Sign (Electronic) | Part of pole/ground sign | Up to 50 sq ft (for >10 ac), otherwise 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parcel | As part of front yard ground/pole sign | — | Section 2003.8, 2009.6/7 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 75 sq ft | — | — | No explicit limit | Building wall | — | Section 2009.4 |
| Outdoor Advertising Sign (Billboard) | 25 ft | 240 sq ft | — | Min 10 ft from property line, other required per section | 1 per parcel | Permitted only by SLU on F, G, where abutting state highway | — | Section 2012.4, 2012.17 |
| Temporary Sign | — | 12 sq ft per sign, 18 sq ft total per parcel | — | — | — | On premises, outside ROW | — | Section 2006.1.7 |

## Prohibited signs in Escanaba

- All portable signs (except as allowed for temporary signs) are prohibited.
- New signs extending into the public right-of-way are prohibited, except for those permanent signs approved by the City along the City Street System or the State of Michigan along State System Streets, and on-premises planned development identification signs.
- Roof signs (above the roofline) are prohibited, except as permitted in Section 2009.5.
- Streamers, wind-blown devices, spinners, pennants, and balloons are prohibited except as temporarily displayed as part of a special sale, promotion or community event (temporarily = no more than 20 days in any calendar year).
- Signs similar in color, design, and appearance to traffic control signs are prohibited.
- No sign shall be situated so as to obstruct any fire escape, required exit way, window, or door opening used as a means of access to or egress from a structure.
- No sign is permitted to project beyond public alley lot lines.
- New outdoor advertising signs (billboards) are prohibited unless a Special Land Use permit is issued by the Planning Commission.
- Off-premises signs other than those permitted by this Ordinance are prohibited.
- Signs that mislead the public with regard to the use of public property are prohibited.
- Signs located in such a manner as to obstruct or interfere with official traffic signs, signals, or devices, or the driver's view of approaching, merging or intersecting traffic are prohibited.
- Signs which blink, flash, or are animated by lighting in any fashion that would cause such signs to have the appearance of traffic safety signs and lights, or municipal vehicle warnings from a distance are prohibited.
- Signs must not be posted, painted, or fastened on public property or certain private property without permission.
- No sign may be attached to any utility pole. Signs attached to a utility pole are subject to removal by the City without notice.
- No sign shall be located in, project into, or overhang any public right-of-way unless otherwise stated in this Ordinance.
- Signs shall not be erected within the sight distance triangle of an intersection that would obstruct clear vision.
- No exposed, reflected-type bulbs or strobe lights, or incandescent lamps shall be used on the exterior surface of any sign so as to expose the face of the bulb, light, or lamp to any public street or adjacent property.
- No sign allowed to be placed so as to obstruct the vision of motorists or cause confusion with traffic control signs.
- No sign permitting audio devices to create sound (for EMC or changeable copy signs).
- No sign shall be permitted in the public right-of-way, project into, or overhang any right-of-way or be attached to any utility pole (for all temporary signs).
- Temporary signs and banners exceeding prescribed size, duration, or placement limits are prohibited.
- No sign shall be allowed to be placed in a manner that is not in compliance with the Zoning Ordinance or Michigan Building Code.
- EMCs (electronic message centers) without dimming and brightness controls (required automatic dimming) are prohibited.
- Obsolete or abandoned signs (signs that cease to advertise the active business upon the premises for which it is advertised) must be removed after one year of non-use.
- Deficiencies such as chipping paint, broken plastic, missing letters and exposed light bulbs on signs indicate lack of maintenance and are prohibited.
- Signs that do not meet maintenance requirements are prohibited.
- No sign structure or support shall block or interfere with fire escapes or designated exits.
- Outdoor advertising signs (billboards) are prohibited in specified areas of the City (see Section 2012.3).

## Signs exempt from permit in Escanaba

- Memorial signs, plaque, or grave markers that are non-commercial in nature are exempt from permit requirements.
- On-premises directional and instructional signs not exceeding six (6) square feet in area, unless a monument sign, then not exceeding nine (9) square feet, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Identification signs not exceeding one and one-half (1.5) square feet in area that indicate the name and/or address of the occupant are exempt from permit requirements.
- Window signs with a total copy area not exceeding fifty (50) percent of the window or glass door onto which the sign is attached are exempt from permit requirements.
- Incidental signs (but with restrictions on drive-in service window board signs, see code) are exempt from permit requirements.
- Flags or emblems of any nation, organization of nations, state, city, or any fraternal, religious, or civic organization are exempt from permit requirements when displayed on permanent poles in nonresidential zoning districts and within specified design standards.
- Temporary signs not exceeding twelve (12) square feet in area, with a total maximum of eighteen (18) square feet per parcel, constructed of durable materials and erected in specified locations, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Temporary banners in nonresidential districts, within specified standards (attached to buildings, duration not exceeding 30 days, etc.), are exempt from permit requirements.
- Official notices and governmental signs are exempt from permit requirements.
- Signs and sign support structures may be maintained and repaired (including change of information and repainting) without a permit, provided the existing sign face or structure is not taken down or enlarged/altered in structure.
- Existing legal and conforming signs as they existed on the date of adoption of the ordinance are exempt in perpetuity from restrictions on location, construction, size, height, method of replacement, or removal of structural elements.
- Existing historic signs that express the history of Escanaba may remain in place, provided their condition is preserved to their original state and maintained in a safe and defect-free condition.
- Change of information and repainting on existing signs, without structural alteration, does not require a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Sign applications must include a site/sketch plan of the property showing the accurate placement of the proposed sign (Section 2004.2.E).
- For ground, detached, and outdoor advertising signs, blueprints or inked, scaled drawings of plans and specifications are required as part of the permit application (Section 2004.2.F).
- A separate permit is required for each sign or group of signs on a single supporting structure (Section 2004.1).
- Applications for outdoor advertising (billboard) signs must include a sealed complete set of drawings prepared by a licensed architect or engineer, including site plan, elevation view, and supporting documentation (Section 2012.6).
- All new outdoor advertising signs (billboards) require site plan application and site plan review approval (Section 2012.4.B).
- All sign permit applications may be referred by the Zoning Administrator to the Planning Commission if non-standard signs are proposed (Section 2004.4).
- Combined off-premises signs on dead-end right-of-way require a Special Land Use application and Planning Commission approval, with public notice and a plan of placement (Section 2010.4).
- Sign variance applications are processed as variances by the Zoning Board of Appeals and require demonstration of practical difficulty and sign-specific circumstances (Section 2015.1, 304.2.4).
- Sign plans may be required by the Planning Commission for projects involving Master Sign Plan arrangements or for creative/alternative sign designs deviating from standard requirements (Section 2011.1).
- Group tenant (shared) signs must provide a 'tenant directory' as part of the detached sign plan and are subject to area limitations (Tables 2009.6, 2009.7).
- The Zoning Administrator may require additional information as part of the sign permit application to determine compliance (Section 2004.2.G).
- Where signs are included as part of a Planned Commercial Development, Planned Unit Development, Special Planned District, or major site plan, sign details including size, location, design, and intensity and direction of any area or floodlighting must be detailed in the application (see PUD sections such as 818.4 and cross-referenced sign ordinances).
- In the Downtown Development Authority District (DDA), alternative compliance for creative sign design is allowed, but must be specifically submitted to the DDA Board for review (Section 2011.1).
- Signs for special events or sponsorship on athletic fields may be permitted via a single application covering multiple signs, but such application must include notice to adjacent property owners (Section 2004.2.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 6 zoning districts in Escanaba — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Escanaba+MI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-escanaba

---

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