# Sign Regulations in Kalkaska, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Kalkaska, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/kalkaska
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-07
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/6707433)

## At a glance

Kalkaska, Michigan regulates 31 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Residential: 1–4 dwelling units)s in the Single Family Traditional District (SFT); Single Family Conventional District (SFC); Flexible Residential District (FR); Multiple Family Residential District (MFR) zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall and 2 sq ft, with a Minimum 10 ft from right-of-way setback (Sec. Section 6.5.18 (Freestanding, Residential: 1–4 du’s); Sections 6.5.5(B), 6.5.2(C)-(D)). Most commercial signs in Kalkaska require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single Family Traditional District (SFT); Single Family Conventional District (SFC); Flexible Residential District (FR); Multiple Family Residential District (MFR) | 9 | 14 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Manufactured Housing District (MH) | 3 | 14 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Medical District (MD) | 6 | 14 ft | Up to 50% of awning area | — |
| Downtown Commercial District (DC) | 9 | 14 ft | Up to 50% of awning area | — |
| Regional Commercial District (RC) | 9 | 20 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Light Industrial & Warehouse District (LIW) | 8 | 30 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 30 ft (pole height limit) | Up to 50% of each window | — |

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

### Single Family Traditional District (SFT); Single Family Conventional District (SFC); Flexible Residential District (FR); Multiple Family Residential District (MFR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Residential: 1–4 dwelling units) | 4 ft | 2 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 per parcel | On private property; not in right-of-way | — | Section 6.5.18 (Freestanding, Residential: 1–4 du’s); Sections 6.5.5(B), 6.5.2(C)-(D) |
| Freestanding Sign (Residential: 5+ dwelling units) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 per entrance | At entrances; on private property | — | Section 6.5.18 (Freestanding, Residential: 5+ du’s); Sections 6.5.5(B), 6.5.2(D) |
| Freestanding Sign (Institutional Use - Illuminated) | 6 ft | 20 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from right-of-way; Minimum 25 ft from property zoned residential | 1 per parcel | On parcel; centered on lot to extent possible | — | Section 6.5.18 (Freestanding, Residential: Institutional Use - Illuminated) |
| Freestanding Sign (Institutional Use - Unilluminated) | 6 ft | 30 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from right-of-way; Minimum 25 ft from property zoned residential | 1 per parcel | On parcel; centered on lot to extent possible | — | Section 6.5.18 (Freestanding, Residential: Institutional Use - Unilluminated) |
| Wall Sign (Residential: 1–4 dwelling units) | 8 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | Not specified | Building-mounted, parallel to wall | — | Section 6.5.18 (Wall, Residential: 1–4 du’s); Section 6.5.6(B)(1) |
| Wall Sign (Residential: 5+ dwelling units) | 14 ft | 20% of façade, not to exceed 50 sq ft | — | — | Not specified | Building-mounted, parallel to wall | — | Section 6.5.18 (Wall, Residential: 5+ du’s); Section 6.5.6(B)(1) |
| Wall Sign (Residential: Institutional Use) | 14 ft | 20% of façade, not to exceed 50 sq ft | — | — | Not specified | Building-mounted, parallel to wall | — | Section 6.5.18 (Wall, Residential: Institutional Use); Section 6.5.6(B)(1) |
| Electronic Message Sign (Institutional Use - Freestanding) | 6 ft | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parcel | Freestanding only, on parcel | — | Section 6.5.18 (Electronic Messaging, Residential: Institutional Use); Section 6.5.11(B)(1)-(7) |

### Regional Commercial District (RC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - One Business | 20 ft | 50 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from right-of-way; Minimum 25 ft from property zoned residential | If <400 ft road frontage: 1 per parcel | On private property | — | Section 6.5.18 (Freestanding, RC District) |
| Freestanding Sign - Multiple Businesses | 20 ft | 100 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from right-of-way; Minimum 25 ft from property zoned residential | If >400 ft road frontage: 2 per parcel | On private property | — | Section 6.5.18 (Freestanding, RC District) |
| Wall Sign | 12 ft | 20% of façade per business | — | — | Not specified | Building-mounted, parallel to wall | — | Section 6.5.18 (Wall, RC District); Section 6.5.6(B)(1) |
| Electronic Message Sign (Freestanding - 10% of Freestanding Sign) | 20 ft (freestanding EMS height follows freestanding sign height limit for RC) | 10% of freestanding sign area | — | — | 1 per parcel | Freestanding only | — | Section 6.5.18 (Electronic Messaging, RC District - 10% of freestanding sign); Section 6.5.11(B) |
| Electronic Message Sign (Marquee - 100% of Marquee Sign) | — | 100% of marquee sign area | — | — | 1 per parcel | Marquee sign | — | Section 6.5.18 (Electronic Messaging, RC District - 100% of marquee sign); Section 6.5.11(B) |
| Awning/Canopy Sign (Non-Residential Uses) | — | Up to 50% of awning area | — | — | Not specified | First floor only; centered within/over architectural elements; may encroach into ROW with road agency approval | — | Sections 6.5.7(B)(2)-(8); 6.5.18 (Awning/Canopy) |
| Marquee Sign (Non-Residential Uses) | — | Up to 20% of façade | — | — | 1 per building | First floor only; may encroach into ROW with road agency approval; must remain ≥6 ft from curb line | — | Sections 6.5.8(B)(1)-(3); 6.5.18 (Marquee) |
| Small Temporary Sign | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | Not specified | Within 6 ft of main entrance of establishment | — | Section 6.5.18 (RC, LIW Districts Small Temporary Table) |

### Light Industrial & Warehouse District (LIW)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft | 100 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from right-of-way; Minimum 25 ft from property zoned residential | 1 per parcel | On private property; centered on lot to the extent possible | — | Section 6.5.18 (Freestanding, LIW District) |
| Wall Sign | — | 20% of façade, not to exceed 100 sq ft | — | — | Not specified | Building-mounted, parallel to wall | — | Section 6.5.18 (Wall, LIW District); Section 6.5.6(B)(1) |
| Electronic Message Sign (Freestanding - 10% of Freestanding Sign) | 8 ft | 10% of freestanding sign area | — | — | 1 per parcel | Freestanding only | — | Section 6.5.18 (Electronic Messaging, LIW District); Section 6.5.11(B) |
| Small Temporary Sign | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | Not specified | Within 6 ft of main entrance of establishment | — | Section 6.5.18 (RC, LIW Districts Small Temporary Table) |
| Awning/Canopy Sign (Non-Residential Uses) | — | Up to 50% of awning area | — | — | Not specified | First floor only; centered within/over architectural elements; may encroach into ROW with road agency approval | — | Sections 6.5.7(B)(2)-(8); 6.5.18 (Awning/Canopy) |
| Marquee Sign (Non-Residential Uses) | — | Up to 20% of façade | — | — | 1 per building | First floor only; may encroach into ROW with road agency approval; must remain ≥6 ft from curb line | — | Sections 6.5.8(B)(1)-(3); 6.5.18 (Marquee) |
| Banner | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | 2 per pole | On privately owned parking lot lights only | — | Section 6.5.18 (Category Table: Banner, DC & LIW) |
| Billboard | 30 ft | 200 sq ft | — | ≥50 ft from property line; ≥100 ft from existing freestanding sign; ≥500 ft from residential zoning district and specified institutions | 1 per parcel | Only in LIW district; parcel must have direct frontage along a state highway | — | Sections 6.5.16(C)(1)-(3); 6.5.18 (Category Table: Billboard, LIW) |

## Prohibited signs in Kalkaska

- No sign shall be placed in the public right-of-way except permitted awning, canopy, and marquee signs with approval from the agency managing the right-of-way; small temporary signs in the Downtown Commercial (DC) district are allowed on sidewalks during business hours only and must maintain required clearance.
- No sign above three feet shall be placed in any required clear vision area.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained which simulates or imitates in size, color, lettering, or design any traffic sign or signal, or uses words/phrases/symbols in a manner that interferes with, misleads, or confuses pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
- No sign shall be illuminated by other than electrical means; wiring for illumination shall be installed underground in accordance with the National Electrical Code.
- Illumination that is not concentrated on the sign area or not directed/shielded so as to avoid interference with vision on adjacent streets or properties is prohibited.
- Illumination exceeding 60 watts per bulb is prohibited.
- Signs shall not include reflective materials.
- Signs that are not consistent with the standards of this chapter are prohibited.
- Signs other than utility company signs affixed to power utility poles or other utility structures or fixtures are prohibited.
- Signs placed in the street right-of-way other than as allowed in this section are prohibited.
- Signs located so as to interfere with the view necessary for motorists to proceed safely through intersections or to enter/exit public streets or private roads or driveways are prohibited.
- Signs that are illegal under state laws or regulations or applicable local ordinances or regulations are prohibited.
- Signs, except those established and maintained by municipal, county, state, or federal governments, located in, projecting into, or overhead within a public right-of-way or dedicated public easement are prohibited unless permitted by the agency with jurisdiction.
- Signs on parked vehicles and/or trailers that are parked in a manner making them visible from a public right-of-way (as advertising displays) are prohibited, except incidental vehicle lettering and "for sale" signs on properly licensed and insured vehicles.
- Signs that revolve, rotate, or move (other than barber poles) are prohibited.
- Signs that blink, flash, have fluttering light, or otherwise change light intensity, brightness, or color are prohibited (except electronic message signs, which have their own regulations).
- Signs erected at street intersections or other locations that obstruct free and clear vision, or that may be confused with authorized traffic control devices, or that use words such as "stop," "look," or "danger" in a manner that interferes with, misleads, or confuses traffic, or that are within any clear vision area, are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Kalkaska

- Signs not visible from a public right-of-way are exempt from the standards of Section 6.5.
- Permit is not required for address signs bearing only property numbers, post box numbers, names of occupants, or other identification of the premises, limited to one per building entrance and two square feet of area.
- Permit is not required for historical signs designated by the state or federal government, limited to ten square feet per parcel.
- Permit is not required for government signs erected on behalf of or pursuant to the authorization of a government body, including street signs, legal notices, informational signs, and regulatory signs.
- Customary displays of merchandise or objects and material without lettering behind a store window are not considered signs.
- An awning without lettering or other advertising is not regulated as an awning sign.

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

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