# Sign Regulations in Mason, Michigan

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

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

## At a glance

Mason, Michigan regulates 36 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Off-premise Sign (Billboard) - within 900 ft. of Highway Interchanges in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 25 ft. tall and 300 sq. ft., with a 35 ft. from ROW, 500 ft. from residential setback (Sec. Sec. 58-129(1)). Most commercial signs in Mason require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential (RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, R2F, MH, RM), Single-family Agricultural (AG) | 7 | 8 ft. | 40 sq. ft. (combined) | — |
| Commercial (C-1, C-3) | 6 | 20 ft. | 30 sq. ft. | — |
| Commercial (C-2) | 5 | 20 ft. | 30 sq. ft. | — |
| Manufacturing (M-1, M-2) | 6 | 20 ft. | 52 sq. ft. | — |
| Office (O-1, O-2) | 4 | 5 ft. | 30 sq. ft. | — |
| Planned Unit Development (PUD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 17 | 25 ft. | 300 sq. ft. | — |

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

### Residential (RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, R2F, MH, RM), Single-family Agricultural (AG)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 4 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per parcel | Wall sign affixed flat against a building wall unless recognized as a historic marker. | — | Sec. 58-127(a)(1) |
| Farm Enterprise Sign - Freestanding | 8 ft. | 34 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per contiguous farm enterprise | On the farm enterprise for identifying/advertising the farm. | — | Sec. 58-127(a)(2)a |
| Farm Enterprise Sign - Wall | — | — | — | — | — | Placed flat against a building. | — | Sec. 58-127(a)(2)b |
| Seed Plot Sign (Agricultural) | 6 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per distinct seed plot per street; max 1 per street | 1 freestanding sign for each distinct seed plot; second allowed if frontage on more than one public street. | — | Sec. 58-127(a)(2)c and Sec. 58-130(9) |
| Housing Development Signs - Freestanding | 6 ft. | 40 sq. ft. (combined) | — | — | Max 2 per street entrance | Per street entrance. | — | Sec. 58-127(a)(3) |
| Institutional Signs - Wall | — | — | — | — | 1 wall + 1 freestanding per institution | Affixed to institutional building. | — | Sec. 58-127(a)(4)a |
| Institutional Signs - Freestanding | 8 ft. | 34 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 wall + 1 freestanding per institution | On premise of institution. | — | Sec. 58-127(a)(4)b |

### Commercial (C-1, C-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | In window | — | Sec. 58-127(b)(1) |
| Freestanding On-premise Sign | 20 ft. | 30 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per parcel, 2 if corner lot but max 1 per street | On premises | — | Sec. 58-127(b)(2) |
| Wall Sign - Store Front | — | 30 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per store front; 2 if on more than one street, max 1 per street | Ground level store front | — | Sec. 58-127(b)(3)a-b |
| Wall Sign - Multi-tenant Building (Non-storefront Tenant) | — | 3 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per non-storefront tenant | Within 18" of the outside building entry door | — | Sec. 58-127(b)(3)c.2 |
| Projecting Sign | 14 ft. above grade | 6 sq. ft. sign area | Projection: Max 3 ft. from building | — | 1 per business with distinct storefront; 2 if more than one public street, max 1 per street | Projects from building in C-1 district | — | Sec. 58-127(b)(4) |
| Sidewalk Sign (A-frame) | 4 ft. | 8 sq. ft. per side | Minimum base spread 2 ft. | — | 1 per establishment | Immediately in front of promoted establishment | — | Sec. 58-127(b)(5) and Sec. 58-130(7) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign - Garage Sale On-premise | — | 4 sq. ft. each | — | — | 2 off-premise, 1 on-premise per event | On or off premise as per Sec. 58-130(1) | — | Sec. 58-130(1) |
| Temporary Sign - Sale or Lease of Real Property (Single/Two-Family) | 6 ft. | 6 sq. ft. per face | — | — | 1 per unit; 2nd if on two streets (max 1 per street) | — | — | Sec. 58-130(2)a,d |
| Temporary Sign - Sale or Lease of Real Property (Multi-Family) | 6 ft. | 10 sq. ft. per face | — | — | 1 per development; may use permanent sign for vacancy notices | — | — | Sec. 58-130(2)b |
| Temporary Sign - Commercial, Office, Industrial | 10 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per period | On premises | — | Sec. 58-130(5) |
| Temporary Sign - Sidewalk (A-frame) | 4 ft. | 8 sq. ft. per side | 15 base min 2 ft. spread | — | 1 per establishment | In front of business | — | Sec. 58-130(7) |
| Agricultural Seed Plot Sign (Temporary) | 6 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per seed plot per street; max 1 per street | 1 per distinct seed plot per street; max 1 per street | — | Sec. 58-130(9) |
| Off-premise Sign (Billboard) - within 900 ft. of Highway Interchange | 25 ft. | 300 sq. ft. | — | 35 ft. from ROW, 500 ft. from residential | 1 per parcel | Within 900 ft. of highway interchange (C-2, M-1, M-2 districts only) | — | Sec. 58-129(1) |
| Off-premise Sign (Billboard) - more than 900 ft. from Highway Interchange | 10 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | — | Consistent with Sec. 58-128(4): min. 1 ft. (≤10 ft. tall) or 10 ft. (>10 ft. tall) from ROW; at least 5 ft. from side/rear property lines. | 1 per parcel | More than 900 ft. from highway interchange (C-2, M-1, M-2 districts only) | — | Sec. 58-129(2) |

## Prohibited signs in Mason

- Any sign or structure which is structurally unsafe.
- Any sign or structure which constitutes a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation or abandonment.
- Any sign or structure which is not kept in good repair.
- Any sign or structure which is capable of causing electrical shocks to persons likely to come into contact with it.
- Any sign which, by reason of its size, location, content, coloring or manner of illumination, constitutes a traffic hazard or detriment to pedestrian or traffic safety by obstructing the vision of drivers, or by obstructing or detracting from the visibility of any traffic sign or control device on public streets and roadways.
- Any sign which obstructs free ingress to or egress from a door, window, fire escape or other required exit way.
- Signs which make use of words such as 'Stop,' 'Look,' 'Danger' or other words, phrases, symbols or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
- Any sign unlawfully installed, erected or maintained.
- Any sign which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted, service rendered, or a product sold.
- Any sign or structure encroaching on or projecting into or over a public right-of-way, street, alley, or sidewalk unless otherwise allowed in this chapter.
- Moving or animated signs or signs having flashing red, blue or high intensity strobe type lighting.
- Roof signs unless otherwise permitted in this chapter.
- The use of a motor vehicle, trailer, boat or other surface normally not a sign when parked and used as an additional advertising sign in circumvention of the requirements of this chapter.
- Signs emitting sounds.
- Off-premise signs, except as otherwise permitted in this chapter.
- Any sign or other advertising structure depicting or describing sexual intercourse, specified anatomical areas, or specified sexual activities as defined in sec. 94-173(h) of this code.
- Hand painted signs not of a commercial or a non-professional quality.
- Any sign not expressly permitted in this chapter.

## Signs exempt from permit in Mason

- Memorial signs or tablets, name of a building and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other incombustible material.
- Signs of governmental agencies and public utilities required in rendering essential services.
- The flag, emblem, pennant or insignia of any nation, state, city or other governmental unit; or of any political, educational, charitable, philanthropic, civic, professional, religious or like organization when displayed in connection with a campaign, drive, movement or event sponsored by such an organization, subject to prior notice to the city manager and subject to reasonable time, place and manner restrictions as the city manager may deem necessary to protect the public safety or welfare.
- Parades, holiday sales by civic groups, merchant sidewalk sales and similar temporary events utilizing signs when authorized by the city council or laws of this state.
- No hunting, no trespassing signs and on-premise directional signs not exceeding four square feet in area.
- Any identification, address, or for sale sign affixed to a wall, mailbox, post, lamp post, or pillar; and which is not larger than two square feet in sign area; and not for the purpose of advertising a home occupation.
- Any sign communicating that a business is open, provided the sign area does not exceed four square feet and contains no advertising matter. Said sign shall not count against a business's window or other sign area calculation.
- Municipal signs required by law, traffic control signs, directional signs placed in a right-of-way, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger and other temporary emergency signs.
- Parking or directional signs not over two square feet in area not exceeding two per driveway provided the sign contains no advertising matter. Drive-in businesses may in addition utilize individual signs, not exceeding three in number, but which shall not together aggregate more than 12 square feet, and which are necessary in such businesses.
- Way finding signs for ancillary uses or divisions of an existing use including automobile repair shops, docking stations, service doors, instructional boards, or overhead dimensional limits. Each sign shall not exceed six square feet in area and shall be subject to administrative review and approval. Said signs shall contain no advertising matter.
- Historical markers issued and approved by the Michigan Historical Marker Program of the State Historic Preservation Office describing designation of an historic site or structure that does not exceed 18 square feet.
- Signs on public property or in public parks in conjunction with sporting events, holidays, etc., when said public property has administrative rules regulating such signage.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permit applications must include two copies of site plan drawings, sign plans and specifications, illumination specifications, materials description, and method of construction and attachment to the building or in the ground (Sec. 58-62(4)).
- No specific mention of a required 'Master Sign Plan' or blanket requirement for master plans; however, detailed sign plans are required for permit applications.
- Sign variances and appeals may be heard by the zoning board of appeals as prescribed in Chapter 94, Article XI (Sec. 58-86).

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

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