# Sign Regulations in Manchester, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Manchester, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/manchester
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-20

## At a glance

Manchester, Michigan regulates 23 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Central Business District (CBD) zoning district are capped at 6 feet tall and 25 square feet per side, with a 10 feet from right-of-way; equal to height from other property lines setback (Sec. § 151.147(B), Table A). Most commercial signs in Manchester require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | 12 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| Central Business District (CBD) | 6 | 6 feet | 100 square feet | — |
| C-2 | 3 | 8 feet | 100 square feet | — |
| OS | 3 | 6 feet | 40 square feet | — |
| I-1 | 3 | 6 feet | 40 square feet | — |
| I-2 | 3 | 30 feet above street level | 300 square feet per side (cannot exceed 300 sq ft combined for tandem/stacked faces) | — |
| R1-3, MHP | 1 | 6 feet | 20 square feet per side | — |
| R-1A, R-1B, R-2, R-3 | 2 | 2 feet | 20 square feet | — |
| Residential Zoning Districts | 1 | — | As determined in site plan review | — |
| Residential Districts (R-1A, R-1B, R-2, R-3) | 3 | 2 feet | 20 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate | — | 2 square feet | — | — | — | On property where sign user resides | — | § 151.146(F)(1) |
| Political Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Private property only, no less than 100 feet from any polling place entrance. | — | § 151.146(F)(2) |
| Directional Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | — | Private property | — | § 151.146(F)(3) |
| Off-premises Directional Sign | 6 feet | 2 square feet | — | — | Maximum 2 per use | Any district, directing to church, government building, or educational institution | — | § 151.152(D) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Residential Districts) | 4 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | One per property | On property intended for rent, lease, or sale | — | § 151.150(B)(1) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Non-residential Districts) | 12 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | One per property | On property intended for rent, lease, or sale | — | § 151.150(B)(1) |
| Promotional Banner/Temporary Promotional Sign | — | — | — | — | One temporary promotional sign/banner per business, per application | — | — | § 151.150(C)(1) |
| Window Sign | — | 30% of window area in which displayed | — | — | — | Window (painted, mounted, or hung inside) | — | § 151.152(F) |

### Central Business District (CBD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 feet | 25 square feet per side | — | 10 feet from right-of-way; equal to height from other property lines | 1 per premises (1 road); 2 per premises (2 roads, 2nd at max 50% area) | 10 ft from public road right-of-way; setback equal to sign height from all other property boundaries. | — | § 151.147(B), Table A |
| Wall Sign | 4 feet | 100 square feet | — | — | 1 per building or per frontage if on 2 rights-of-way | Wall or mansard roof facing street(s) | — | § 151.148(C), Table |
| Projecting/Suspended Sign | — | 20 square feet per side (40 total both sides) | — | — | — | Projecting outward from building; min. 8 ft above sidewalk or sufficiently high to not interfere with pedestrians. | — | § 151.149(B, C) |
| Portable Display Sign (Sandwich Board, Easel, Double-Sided) | 5 feet | — | 2 feet | — | One per business/entrance | Directly in front of business; outer edge no more than 30" from building face; one per entrance if multiple entrances. | — | § 151.150(C)(2)(b, c, d, e) |
| Directory Sign | 6 feet | 24 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot unless more than 2 frontages | — | — | § 151.152(A) |
| Window Sign | — | 30% of window area in which displayed | — | — | — | Painted, mounted or hung inside window | — | § 151.152(F) |

### I-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 feet | 40 square feet per side | — | 10 feet from right-of-way, equal to sign height from other boundaries | 1 per premises/frontage; 2 per premises if two frontages | 10 ft from road right-of-way; distance equal to sign height from other boundaries | — | § 151.147(B), Table A |
| Wall Sign | 4 feet | 40 square feet | — | — | 1 or 2 if two frontages | Building wall | — | § 151.148(C), Table |
| Billboard | 30 feet above street level | 300 square feet per side (cannot exceed 300 sq ft combined for tandem/stacked faces) | — | 75 ft from right-of-way, 10 ft from interior boundaries, 200 ft+ from residential, 1000 ft from other billboard | 3 per linear mile street/highway | Only in I-2; not within 200 ft of residential zone/house, 300 ft if illuminated; not within 1000 ft of another billboard on same street | — | § 151.151(B-G) |

## Prohibited signs in Manchester

- No roof signs are permitted in any district.
- Signs containing flashing, intermittent or moving lights, moving or revolving parts, or reflecting parts which may distract drivers are prohibited, except for those displaying only the time or temperature without other animated messages.
- Signs affixed to trees, rocks, shrubs, or similar natural features are prohibited, except for signs denoting a site of historic significance.
- Signs that imitate traffic signals, traffic direction signs, or any similar traffic-control devices, or use words, phrases, symbols, or characters in a manner that could interfere, mislead, or confuse traffic are prohibited.
- Temporary signs mounted upon trucks, vans, or other wheeled devices are prohibited, except for political signs and except signs permanently painted on, or displayed upon, vehicles used for the owner's occupation or livelihood.
- Signs (other than those erected by a public agency) located within or overhanging the public right-of-way or on public property are prohibited, unless otherwise specified.
- Any sign or sign structure which constitutes a hazard to public health and safety due to inadequate maintenance is prohibited.
- Any sign unlawfully installed, erected, or maintained is prohibited.
- No sign shall be illuminated by other than electrical means.
- Illumination for signs must not interfere with vehicular traffic or adjacent property enjoyment, nor shine directly onto adjacent or abutting properties; illuminated signs adjacent to residential areas must not exceed 0.1 foot-candle along the property line and must have shielded fixtures.
- No sign shall have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights or other illuminating devices with changing intensity, brightness, or color, or create the illusion of writing or printing, except for movement showing the date, time and temperature exclusively.
- Internally-illuminated plastic signs with dark-colored detachable letters are strictly prohibited in all districts.
- Rear-illuminated (backlit) awnings are prohibited.
- Neon lighting is prohibited outside the sign structure and is not permitted as accent lighting along a building wall or window.
- Gas-filled light tubes (fluorescent) shall be allowed for indirect illumination only when the tubes are not exposed to view from any public roadway or sidewalk.
- All signs must be erected and maintained in compliance with building codes and other applicable ordinances; the most restrictive law applies in case of conflict.
- Signs must not interfere with the visibility or effectiveness of official traffic signs/signals, driver vision at access points/intersections, or pedestrian movement on sidewalks.
- No sign shall be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to obstruct firefighting or access to any door, window, or fire escape.
- Signs must not interfere with scenic views, create nuisances to public right-of-way users or adjacent properties, or be detrimental to land/property values.
- Handbills, newspapers, or other circulars may not be distributed outside automobile parking lots of parks and playgrounds without prior written permission from the Village Council.
- No persons shall post, fasten, paint, or affix any placard, bill, notice, or sign upon any structure, tree, or automobile within the boundaries of any park or playground, except temporary directional signs for group picnics or events on designated signposts.

## Signs exempt from permit in Manchester

- Nameplates not exceeding 2 square feet in size are permitted in all districts.
- Political signs for public office or issues to be determined by election are permitted in all districts for up to 45 days prior to an election, must be on private property and at least 100 feet from any polling place entrance, and must be removed within 5 days after the election.
- Directional signs indicating direction of traffic flow on private property, not exceeding 2 square feet in size, containing no advertising and may be illuminated, are permitted in all districts.
- Street numbers are permitted in all districts.
- Signs erected by a public agency may be located within or overhang the public right-of-way or on public property, as specified.
- Signs permanently painted on or displayed on vehicles used for the owner's occupation or livelihood (and licensed and operating on public streets) are permitted.
- Historic markers designating a state historical site or a structure listed in the National Register of Historic Places are permitted in addition to other lawful signs, subject to permit review.
- Window signs not requiring a permit or included in signage calculations are exempt (excluding hours of operation and address signs); however, permanent and/or illuminated window signs require a permit.
- Temporary political signs mounted upon trucks, vans, or other wheeled devices are allowed as an exception to the prohibition on temporary signs mounted on vehicles.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required to display, erect, relocate, or alter any sign unless otherwise noted; the permit application requires a site plan and elevation drawings of the proposed sign.
- Alteration of existing signs limited to changing information on the sign does not require structural modification.
- Review and approval by the Planning Commission is required for off-premises directional signs, historic markers, and murals (via conditional land use review).
- Historic marker permit applications must be reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission; no fee is charged for such markers.
- Murals require conditional land use approval based on a recommendation from the Planning Commission and Village Council, with additional application requirements including maintenance plans and owner consent.
- All portable display signs require submission of an application and a one-time permit; insurance and indemnity may be required if placed in the public right-of-way.
- A permit is required for permanent and/or illuminated window signs.
- For most signs (non-exempt), sign permit applications must include a site plan, elevation, construction detail, and other pertinent data.

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

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