# Sign Regulations in Jackson, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Jackson, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/jackson
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/Jackson/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH28ZO_ARTIXSIRE)

## At a glance

Jackson, Michigan regulates 9 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Billboards in the Industrial District (I-1, I-2) zoning district are capped at 35 ft tall and 300 sq. ft. per face, with a At least 25 ft from pavement, or district minimum; within 100 ft of a building, setback equals building front line setback (Sec. Sec. 28-145(d)(13)). Most commercial signs in Jackson require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | — | — |
| Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-6) | 2 | 4 ft | 12 sq. ft. per face | — |
| Mobile Home Residence District (R-5) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Commercial District (C-3) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Commercial District (C-4) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Industrial District (I-1, I-2) | 2 | 35 ft | 300 sq. ft. per face | — |
| Planned Building Group Shopping Center (PB) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nonconforming Sign (General) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 28-130(i)(1)-(2) |
| Sign - Ordinary Repair/Maintenance | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 28-130(i)(3) |

### Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-6)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation Nameplate | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per home occupation | Must be attached to the building | — | Sec. 28-145(d)(10)h |
| Community Garden Ground Sign | 4 ft | 12 sq. ft. per face | — | — | 1 per community garden site | On-site (location subject to art. IX of this chapter) | — | Sec. 28-145(d)(14)l |

### Industrial District (I-1, I-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Billboard | 35 ft | 300 sq. ft. per face | — | At least 25 ft from pavement, or district minimum; within 100 ft of a building, setback equals building front line | Total citywide number may not increase above existing; must remove existing faces to create new ones | Permitted only on major streets in I-2 district | — | Sec. 28-145(d)(13) |
| Signage as permitted in Industrial District | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 28-135(a)(2); Table of Required Review Process |

## Prohibited signs in Jackson

- No nonconforming sign shall be changed to another nonconforming sign without a variance.
- No nonconforming sign shall be structurally altered so as to change the shape, size, type or design of the sign.
- No nonconforming sign shall be re-established after the activity, business or use to which it relates has been discontinued for ninety (90) days or longer.
- Sign panels must be replaced with blank panels and any interior lighting disconnected ninety (90) days after discontinuance of the previously approved use associated with the sign; twelve (12) months after discontinuance, the sign structure must be removed.
- The replacement of a manual changeable message sign with a digital message sign is specifically excluded from the provision allowing ordinary repair/maintenance.
- Repairs to nonconforming signs exceeding fifty (50) percent of the value of the sign shall be permitted only in conformity with the provisions of this chapter unless a variance is granted.
- No advertising, signs, logos, or lighting shall be permitted on wireless communication facilities except for official or public notice or warning signs required by a valid and applicable federal, state, or local law or regulation, or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

## Signs exempt from permit in Jackson

- The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the ordinary repair/maintenance of existing signs or changing of sign panels or to the altering of a sign specifically designed for periodic change of message without change in sign structure, such as a bulletin board or similar type of sign.
- Repairs may be done to a nonconforming sign to an extent not exceeding fifty (50) percent of the value of the sign, provided that the dimensional characteristics of the sign as it existed at the time of passage or amendment of this chapter is not increased and the sign has not lost its nonconforming status due to vacancy, discontinuance or abandonment.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Sign location, size, height, and lighting must be shown on required site plans for full site plan review (FSP).
- Sign relocation or replacement meeting the dimensional and location standards of this chapter requires administrative review via site plan (AR) per the Table of Required Review Process.
- A site plan (which includes signs) is required for any construction of nonresidential uses, additions, expansions, major building changes, and as part of applications for conditional use permits.
- Site plan applications require detailed information about proposed signs, including location, size, height, and lighting.
- For new wireless communication facilities, a site plan showing all proposed attached wireless communication facilities or support structures is required.
- Variance requests for signs (including for structural alterations or replacement exceeding limits) require review and approval by the zoning board of appeals, which may involve a public meeting.

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

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