# Sign Regulations in Ludington, Michigan

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

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

## At a glance

Ludington, Michigan regulates 15 sign types across 7 zoning districts. A-Frame Sign (Temporary)s in the LC, M-R, C-1, W, P (Combined) zoning district are capped at 4 feet tall, Not to exceed 4 feet height, 28 inches width, 2 feet between faces, and 28 inches wide, with a See sign placement rules setback (Sec. Article 800.5:1.H). Most commercial signs in Ludington require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1A, R-1B, R-2A, R-3A (Residential Uses) | 4 | 6 feet | 24 square feet | — |
| R-1A, R-1B, R-2A, R-3A (Non-Residential Uses) | 3 | 6 feet | 24 square feet | — |
| LC, M-R, C-1, W, P (Combined) | 7 | 6 feet (ground sign), or 25% of window for window sign | Up to 35% of awning area (counts toward building-mounted sign area) | — |
| C-2, M-1, M-2, G-1 (Combined) | 8 | 8 feet | 48 square feet | — |
| CBD, WCBD (Combined) | 7 | 6 feet | Up to 35% of awning area (counts toward the building-mounted signage max) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 6 feet | 35 square feet (50 sq ft in M-1/M-2) | — |

_1 additional zoning district is covered in PermitPal (free account)._

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

### LC, M-R, C-1, W, P (Combined)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Ground Sign | 6 feet (ground sign), or 25% of window for window sign | 24 square feet | — | Outside right-of-way and corner clearance | Not specified | On private property, outside of the right-of-way | — | Article 800.5, Table |
| Temporary Building-Mounted Sign | — | 24 square feet (per lot, aggregate with window/ground temp signs) | — | — | Not specified | Building façade or window | — | Article 800.5 |
| A-Frame Sign (Temporary) | 4 feet | Not to exceed 4 feet height, 28 inches width, 2 feet between faces | 28 inches | See sign placement rules | 1 per business | Within 1 ft of building wall OR at least 1 ft from curb. Must leave 5 feet clear sidewalk. | — | Article 800.5:1.H |
| Ground Sign (Permanent) | 6 feet | 32 square feet | — | Not in right-of-way, must meet clear vision corner | 1 per street frontage | On private property; monument style | — | Section 800.6:1.A, Table |
| Wall Sign | — | 15% of Sign Allowance Calculation Area | — | — | Not specified | On any façade, below 2nd story window or just at building top under cornice; not above roofline | — | Section 800.6:1.B |
| Awning Sign | — | Up to 35% of awning area (counts toward building-mounted sign area) | — | — | Not specified | On awning | — | Section 800.6:1.B.2 |
| Window Sign (Permanent) | — | 25% of any window area | — | — | Not specified | Within window | — | Section 800.6:1.C |

### C-2, M-1, M-2, G-1 (Combined)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Ground Sign | 6 feet or 25% of window (for window sign) | 24 square feet | — | Outside right-of-way and corner clearance | Not specified | On private property, outside right-of-way or corner clearance area | — | Article 800.5, Table |
| Temporary Building-Mounted Sign | — | 24 square feet (total per lot for temp signs) | — | — | Not specified | On building façade or within window | — | Article 800.5 |
| A-Frame Sign (Temporary) | 4 feet | Not to exceed 4 feet height, 28 inches width, 2 feet between faces | 28 inches | See sign placement rules | 1 per business | Within 1 ft of building or at least 1 ft from curb, 5 ft of sidewalk clearance in front of business | — | Article 800.5:1.H |
| Ground Sign (Permanent) | 8 feet | 48 square feet | — | Not in right-of-way, subject to clear corner vision | 1 per street frontage | On private property; monument style | — | Section 800.6:1.A, Table |
| Wall Sign | — | 15% of Sign Allowance Calculation Area | — | — | Not specified | Any façade, below 2nd story window or under cornice, not above main roofline | — | Section 800.6:1.B |
| Awning Sign | — | Up to 35% of awning area (counts toward the building-mounted signage max) | — | — | Not specified | On awning | — | Section 800.6:1.B.2 |
| Window Sign (Permanent) | — | 25% of any window area | — | — | Not specified | Within window | — | Section 800.6:1.C |
| Projecting Sign | — | 20 square feet per sign face | — | May encroach up to 4 feet into ROW if 8ft clearance is maintained | Not specified | Secured to building, not above second story window, minimum 8 ft clearance above sidewalk | — | Section 800.6:1.B.3 |

### CBD, WCBD (Combined)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Building-Mounted Sign | — | 24 square feet (total per lot for all temp signs) | — | — | Not specified | On building or within window | — | Article 800.5 |
| A-Frame Sign (Temporary) | 4 feet | Not to exceed 4 feet height, 28 inches width, 2 feet between faces | 28 inches | See sign placement requirements | 1 per business | Within 1 ft of building wall OR at least 1 ft from curb; must leave at least 5 ft clear sidewalk width in front of business | — | Article 800.5:1.H |
| Ground Sign (Permanent) | 6 feet | 32 square feet | — | subject to clear corner vision | 1 | On private property; monument style required | — | Section 800.6:1.A, Table |
| Wall Sign | — | 15% of Sign Allowance Calculation Area | — | — | Not specified | Any façade, below 2nd story window or under cornice, not above main roofline | — | Section 800.6:1.B |
| Awning Sign | — | Up to 35% of awning area (counts toward the building-mounted signage max) | — | — | Not specified | On awning | — | Section 800.6:1.B.2 and B.5.b |
| Window Sign (Permanent) | — | 25% of any window area | — | — | Not specified | Within window | — | Section 800.6:1.C |
| Projecting Sign | — | 20 square feet per sign face | — | May encroach into ROW if 8 ft clearance is maintained | Not specified | Secured to building, not above second floor window, 8 ft clearance above sidewalk minimum | — | Section 800.6:1.B.3 |

## Prohibited signs in Ludington

- Signs are prohibited from being located in or overhanging all public rights-of-way and dedicated public easements except as otherwise provided for signs in the C-1 Central Business District or signs erected by the City for public purposes.
- Signs must not be located within any clear vision area (corner clearance area) as described in the ordinance.
- No sign may be constructed or erected without a permit unless specifically indicated otherwise.
- No sign will be placed so as to obstruct any fire escape, required exitway, window, or door opening used as a means of passage or as access for firefighting purposes.
- Signs must not be structurally unsafe, poorly maintained, or allowed to become unsightly through disrepair or action of the elements.
- All signs erected by a business must be removed within 90 days of the business' closure.
- Signs containing obscene statements, words, or pictures as determined by federal, state, or applicable case law are prohibited.
- Signs whose placement, size, content, coloring, or manner of illumination create traffic or pedestrian hazards are prohibited.
- Signs may not use words or symbols (e.g., 'stop,' 'look,' 'danger') in a manner that is confusing or misleading to traffic.
- Signs that are of a size, location, movement, content, coloring, or illumination which may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device or emergency vehicle are prohibited.
- Signs that obstruct a motorist's view of any traffic sign, street sign, or traffic signal are prohibited.
- Signs with visible moving parts, mechanical movement, or other apparent movement achieved by electrical or mechanical means or action of normal wind currents are prohibited (except for holiday decorations).
- Freestanding exterior signs that are not anchored or secured to a building or the ground and signs that are part of a structure designed to be moved from one location to another with a change in message are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs not expressly permitted by this Article are prohibited.
- The use of scrolling, intermittent, or other animated lighting effect on any sign visible from the exterior of the building is prohibited.
- No A-frame sign may include moving, spinning, or swinging elements, or be electrified or artificially illuminated, or include text elements such as 'stop', 'slow', 'warning', or 'danger' or other words or phrases that could cause confusion with public traffic signs or signals. Profane or offensive language is prohibited on A-frame signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Ludington

- Changes to sign copy (not affecting area, height, or location, and not adding illumination or electronic messaging) are allowed for all signs without a permit.
- Address numbers legible from the street and one nameplate sign not exceeding two square feet per lot, indicating the name of occupant(s), are allowed without a permit for parcel identification.
- For multiple family developments with two or more apartment buildings, one building mounted sign per building with a maximum area of 10 square feet indicating address and unit numbers, is permitted without a permit for parcel identification.
- Official traffic control signs within parking lot areas when conforming to the Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices are allowed without a permit.
- Signs denoting places on an official state historical registry or the National Register of Historic Places are permitted without a permit, subject to clear vision requirements.
- Directional signs for the general public erected by the City, County, State, or other public or exempt agency are allowed in all districts without a permit.
- Seasonal decorations that do not convey a commercial message or are not intended to promote commercial activity are not considered signage and do not require a permit.
- One 'No Trespassing' (or similar notice) sign for every 100 feet of lot frontage per side of a lot, each no more than two square feet in area and located entirely on private property, is permitted without a permit.
- Murals that do not meet the definition of 'sign' as determined by the Zoning Administrator are exempt from all sign area requirements and permitting.
- Flags are not considered signs and are permitted on all lots, subject to dimensional and placement requirements specified elsewhere.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs require a permit issued by the zoning administrator unless specifically exempted in Section 800.4:1.
- For buildings with multiple tenants, it is the responsibility of the property owner (not the City) to ensure equitable signage within the standards and limits of the Article.
- A permit is required to erect or use an A-frame sign for more than 7 days.
- Temporary signs in excess of permitted time limits (e.g., temporary ground signs in residential districts over 180 days or temporary window signs over 30 days) may become permanent signs if they obtain a permit and meet requirements for permanent signage.
- Approval of signage exceeding ordinance limits for campus sites may be permitted by the Zoning Administrator during Site Plan Approval, contingent on a determination that the site constitutes a 'campus.'
- Upon parcel plan review, the Planning Commission may approve specific modifications of the general prohibition on mechanical/kinetic signs.
- Murals must be reviewed by the Zoning Administrator prior to installation to determine if they meet the definition of '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 Ludington — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Ludington+MI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-ludington

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