# Sign Regulations in Mackinac Island, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Mackinac Island, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/mackinac-island
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/Mackinac_Island/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH46SIDIMEOR)

## At a glance

Mackinac Island, Michigan regulates 9 sign types across 1 zoning district. Freestanding Sign (Lot >1 acre)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 35 sq ft, with a At least 5 ft from sidewalk; freestanding sign only allowed if there is 10 ft permeable surface from sidewalk/street. setback (Sec. Sec. 46-3(b)(3), Sec. 46-6, Ord. No. 504, 6-24-2015, eff. 7-14-2015).

## Sign rules by zoning district (1 zone)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | Lettering maximum 9 in (vertical) | 35 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Must not extend above the height of the wall on which the sign is placed. | See formula; or 4 sq ft for interior signs visible from exterior. | — | — | Max 2 commercial signs per business (see Sec. 46-7 for exceptions) | Attached directly to or painted upon a building or wall, or inside building visible from exterior. | — | Sec. 46-3(b)(1), Sec. 46-6, Sec. 46-2 (def), Ord. No. 504, 6-24-2015, eff. 7-14-2015 |
| Projecting Sign (≤ 16 ft clearance) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 commercial signs per business (see Sec. 46-7 for exceptions). 2 identical sides of projecting sign counted as one sign. | Projecting out from the exterior of a building. | — | Sec. 46-3(b)(2), Sec. 46-2 (def), Sec. 46-6, Ord. No. 504, 6-24-2015, eff. 7-14-2015 |
| Freestanding Sign (Lot >1 acre) | 8 ft | 35 sq ft | — | At least 5 ft from sidewalk; freestanding sign only allowed if there is 10 ft permeable surface from sidewalk/street. | For lots over 1 acre, 4 commercial signs allowed per business (see Sec. 46-7(g)). | Permanently affixed to ground not less than 5 ft from sidewalk, in area with minimum 10 ft of lawn/garden/permeable surface from sidewalk or street. | — | Sec. 46-3(b)(3), Sec. 46-6, Ord. No. 504, 6-24-2015, eff. 7-14-2015 |
| Freestanding Sign (Lot <1 acre) | 8 ft | 1 sq ft per lineal foot of frontage | — | At least 5 ft from sidewalk; allowed only if there is 10 ft permeable surface from sidewalk/street. | Max 2 commercial signs per business (see Sec. 46-7 for exceptions). | Permanently affixed to ground not less than 5 ft from sidewalk, in area with minimum 10 ft of lawn/garden/permeable surface from sidewalk or street. | — | Sec. 46-3(b)(3), Sec. 46-6, Ord. No. 504, 6-24-2015, eff. 7-14-2015 |
| Awning Sign (Front of awning) | Lettering maximum 9 in (vertical) | 16 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 commercial signs per business (see Sec. 46-7 for exceptions) | Depicted on front of awning. | — | Sec. 46-3(b)(4), Sec. 46-6, Ord. No. 504, 6-24-2015, eff. 7-14-2015 |
| Awning Sign (Side of awning) | Lettering maximum 9 in (vertical) | 9 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 commercial signs per business (see Sec. 46-7 for exceptions) | Depicted on side of awning. | — | Sec. 46-3(b)(4), Sec. 46-6, Ord. No. 504, 6-24-2015, eff. 7-14-2015 |
| Window Sign | Subcopy letters max 4 in; (other letters not specified) | 20% of window area per sign; subcopy: not included, but letters max 4 in tall. | — | — | Not more than two window signs per business. (2 window signs count as one commercial sign) | Affixed, etched or painted directly on the glass surface of a single window. | — | Sec. 46-3(b)(5), Sec. 46-2 (def), Ord. No. 504, 6-24-2015, eff. 7-14-2015 |
| Off-Premise Sign | Subject to regular size/height limits by sign type. | Subject to same size limits as commercial signs. | — | — | Counts against allowed total. | On-premises only where a business is conducted. | — | Sec. 46-8, Ord. No. 504, 6-24-2015, eff. 7-14-2015 |

## Prohibited signs in Mackinac Island

- Any sign placed on, upon or over the roof of a building.
- Any sign placed on or upon lampposts, utility poles, fire escapes, ladders, standpipes, tree shrubs or other foliage.
- Any sign which contains calcium fluoride (fluorite) or any other transparent crystalline mineral for the purpose of display of fluorescent character on any part of any sign.
- Any banner, pennants, propellers, balloons, pinwheels, searchlights, spinners, streamers, kites, animal characters or similar attention getting devices, freestanding logos (not displayed on a backdrop or substraight) or ornamentation.
- Any flag which advertises or promotes a commercial product or service.
- Any sign advertising a business that no longer exists.
- A sign exceeding four square inches which is attached, or related, to the price of an item of merchandise which is displayed in a way to be viewed through a front facing window of the business.
- Illumination of signs is only permitted by indirect light; no sign shall be self-illuminating or have illumination of a flashing, moving or intermittent type.
- A commercial sign is prohibited unless it is in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

## Signs exempt from permit in Mackinac Island

- Names of buildings.
- One temporary sign for purposes of special sales provided such signs are not larger than four square feet.
- One sign advertising 'Help wanted,' placed in a window provided such sign is not larger than one square foot in area.
- One sign stating 'Open' placed in a window provided that any such sign is not larger than one square foot in area. If the business has more than one entrance used by the public, the business shall be allowed an additional sign of this type for each such additional entrance.
- One sign stating 'Closed' placed in a window provided that any such sign is not larger than one square foot in area. If the business has more than one entrance used by the public, the business shall be allowed an additional sign of this type for each such additional entrance.
- One sign displaying store hours placed in a window provided that any such sign is not larger than one square foot in area. If the business has more than one entrance used by the public, the business shall be allowed an additional sign of this type for each such additional entrance.
- One sign devoted to community wide events placed in a window provided that any such sign is not larger than two square feet in area. If the business has more than one entrance used by the public, the business shall be allowed an additional sign of this type for each such additional entrance.
- Displays of credit cards recognized by the business may be placed in one window of the business provided the display of any one credit card is not larger than three inches by five inches in area. If the business has more than one entrance used by the public, the business shall be allowed an additional sign of this type for each such additional entrance.
- Signs depicting only business logos, without other symbols or lettering, provided each logo sign is not greater than 50 percent of the maximum allowable area of any such sign regulated and limited by this chapter.
- Displays providing pricing information for transportation services such as carriages, taxis, horses, bicycles and boats provided the total area of the one or more displays does not exceed 20 square feet in size.
- A total of not more than two displays on a food service establishment of a restaurant menu, menu summary, or daily special summary, provided each display does not exceed four square feet in size and is affixed to the wall or window of the building.
- Directional, safety and informational signs providing general information without a commercial message shall be allowed.
- Vending machine displays shall be allowed.
- Commercial signs may be allowed in association with special events with prior city council approval. Such signs shall not be allowed to remain more than 72 hours.
- A sign on the door of a business consisting of lettering bearing the name of the business and/or its logo.
- If a business has windows not being utilized for a window sign, lettering not taller than four inches, naming the products sold within, shall be allowed along the bottom of the window pane.
- 'For sale' and 'for rent' signs (and similar types of signs) advertising the sale or lease of real property in all zoning districts provided such signs meet the following criteria: not exceeding one square foot in size; freestanding unless the owner has no area to place a freestanding sign; no portion higher than three feet from the ground; no more than one such sign on any premises; removed within five days after closing. No permit required except a realtor’s sign, which requires an annual permit.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Mackinac Island, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Mackinac+Island+MI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-mackinac-island

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