# Sign Regulations in Owosso, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Owosso, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/owosso
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/Owosso/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH38ZO_ARTXXSI)

## At a glance

Owosso, Michigan regulates 18 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the One-Family Residential District (R-1), Two-Family Residential District (R-2), Multiple-Family Residential District (RM) zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 24 sq ft per side, with a Min 5 ft from right-of-way setback (Sec. Sec. 38-270, Sec. 38-271(5)). Most commercial signs in Owosso require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 42 inches (general); 20 ft (construction, non-res), 8 ft (real estate for >2 ac) | Total aggregate per site: 30 sq ft; Individual: 20 sq ft. Exceptions: Construction (non-residential): up to 10% of front facade area, max 20 ft height; Real estate/vacant land >2 acres: 64 sq ft total, 32 sq ft per sign face, 8 ft height | — |
| One-Family Residential District (R-1), Two-Family Residential District (R-2), Multiple-Family Residential District (RM) | 6 | 6 ft | 24 sq ft per side | — |
| Office Service District (OS-1) | 4 | 20 ft or building height, whichever is less | 40 sq ft per side | — |
| Central Business District (CBD), Corridor District (COR), General Business District (GBD) | 8 | 20 ft or building height, whichever is less | 100 sq ft (default max), see formula | — |
| Light Industrial District (I-1), General Industrial District (I-2) | 5 | 20 ft or height of building, whichever is less | 200 sq ft max | — |
| Planned Unit Development District (PUD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Conservation/Open Space District (C-OS) | 1 | 6 ft | 40 sq ft per side | — |

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

### One-Family Residential District (R-1), Two-Family Residential District (R-2), Multiple-Family Residential District (RM)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per business | Attached to business wall (for uses other than single-family/duplex/attached condos) | — | Sec. 38-270, Sec. 38-271(1) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | Min 2 ft from street curb | 1 per business | On awning, for uses other than single-family/duplex/attached condos | — | Sec. 38-270, Sec. 38-271(2) |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft | 24 sq ft per side | — | Min 5 ft from right-of-way | 1 per parcel | On same parcel as use; at least 5 ft from right-of-way | — | Sec. 38-270, Sec. 38-271(5) |
| Ground Sign (Subdivision/Development/Entryway) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft per side | — | Min 5 ft from right-of-way | 1 per entrance | At vehicular entrance to subdivision/apartment/complex, etc. | — | Sec. 38-270, Sec. 38-271(7) |
| Electronic Message Sign (Institutional Use only) | 6 ft (same as ground sign) | 12 sq ft per side | — | Min 5 ft from right-of-way | 1 per institutional use | On same parcel as institutional use | — | Sec. 38-270, Sec. 38-271(6) |
| Business Placard (B&B/Home Occupation) | — | 2 ft x 3 ft (6 sq ft) | — | — | 1 per residence | Mounted flush to building | — | Sec. 38-270, Sec. 38-271(3), (4) |

### Central Business District (CBD), Corridor District (COR), General Business District (GBD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq ft (default max), see formula | — | — | 1 per business (or 1 per frontage, up to 2) | Attached to wall; business with entrance on facade | — | Sec. 38-272, Sec. 38-273(1) |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft | 40 sq ft per side | — | Min 5 ft from right-of-way | 1 per street frontage | On same parcel | — | Sec. 38-272, Sec. 38-273(2), (5) |
| Pole Sign | 20 ft or building height, whichever is less | 40 sq ft per side | — | Min 5 ft from right-of-way | 1 (or more if multiple frontages, see (5)) | On same parcel | — | Sec. 38-272, Sec. 38-273(4), (5) |
| Electronic Message Sign (as part of ground/pole sign) | — | — | — | — | 1 per premises | As part of ground or pole sign | — | Sec. 38-272, Sec. 38-273(3), (4) |
| Awning Sign / Projecting Sign | — | — | — | Min 2 ft from curb | — | Awning/projecting from building; not over alley/private lane | — | Sec. 38-272, Sec. 38-273(6) |
| Marquee Sign (Theaters only) | — | — | — | — | 1 per public entrance | Projecting from theater entrance, historic/Westown districts | — | Sec. 38-273(7) |
| Menu Board Sign | 6 ft | 25 sq ft | — | — | — | Drive-through lane | — | Sec. 38-273(8) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 4 ft | 8 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per entrance | On sidewalk in historic/Westown districts | — | Sec. 38-273(9) |

### Light Industrial District (I-1), General Industrial District (I-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 200 sq ft max | — | — | 1 per business (2 on corner lot) | On building wall | — | Sec. 38-272, Sec. 38-274(1) |
| Awning/Projecting Sign | — | — | — | Min 2 ft from curb | — | Awning/projecting from building | — | Sec. 38-272, Sec. 38-274(1)(b) |
| Pole Sign | 20 ft or height of building, whichever is less | 40 sq ft per side | — | Min 5 ft from right-of-way | 1 per parcel (see additional for frontage) | On same parcel | — | Sec. 38-272, Sec. 38-274(2) |
| Electronic Message Sign (as part of ground/pole sign) | — | — | — | — | 1 per premises | As part of ground/pole sign | — | Sec. 38-272, Sec. 38-274(2)(6), (3)(6) |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft | 40 sq ft per side | — | Min 5 ft from right-of-way | 1 per parcel (additional for more frontage/streets) | On same parcel | — | Sec. 38-272, Sec. 38-274(3)-(4) |

## Prohibited signs in Owosso

- All signs not expressly permitted by this chapter are prohibited.
- Abandoned signs are prohibited.
- Balloon signs are prohibited.
- Festoons are prohibited.
- Flashing signs are prohibited.
- Illegal signs are prohibited.
- Inflatable signs are prohibited.
- Moving signs are prohibited, excluding barbershop poles.
- Obsolete signs are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited, unless otherwise specified in this chapter.
- Outline tubing signs are prohibited.
- Pennants are prohibited.
- Portable signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Vehicle signs are prohibited.
- Non-regulatory signs placed in any public right-of-way; attached to a utility pole; or affixed to a tree, street furniture, or waste receptacles are prohibited.
- Any sign which simulates or imitates in size, color, lettering, or design any traffic sign or signal or other word, phrase, symbol, or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse the drivers of motorized vehicles is prohibited.
- Signs which obstruct or impair the vision of motorists or non-motorized travelers at any intersection, driveway, within a parking lot or loading area are prohibited.
- Signs which obstruct the minimum five (5) feet of clearance required for barrier free accessibility are prohibited.
- Signs which obstruct free access or egress from any building, including those that obstruct any fire escape, required exit way, window, or door opening, or that prevent free access to the roof by firefighters are prohibited.
- Signs shall not be constructed from materials that are remnants or manufactured for a different purpose.
- Use of glaring undiffused lights, bare bulbs, or flames for illumination is prohibited.
- Signs shall not be illuminated, except as allowed; external sources must be shielded and directed to prevent glare onto neighboring properties or the public right-of-way.
- Temporary signs shall not be attached to any utility pole or be located within any public right-of-way.
- Temporary signs shall not be erected in a manner expected to interfere with, obstruct, confuse or mislead traffic or create a hazard of any kind.
- Temporary signs shall not be illuminated.
- Signs shall not conceal or obscure signs of adjacent uses.

## Signs exempt from permit in Owosso

- The following signs are exempted from permit requirements but must comply with all other requirements of this chapter: Address signs.
- The following signs are exempted from permit requirements but must comply with all other requirements of this chapter: Building marker.
- The following signs are exempted from permit requirements but must comply with all other requirements of this chapter: Commemorative plaque.
- The following signs are exempted from permit requirements but must comply with all other requirements of this chapter: Historical marker sign.
- The following signs are exempted from permit requirements but must comply with all other requirements of this chapter: Directional signs.
- The following signs are exempted from permit requirements but must comply with all other requirements of this chapter: Public signs and regulatory signs.
- The following signs are exempted from permit requirements but must comply with all other requirements of this chapter: Temporary signs as detailed in this chapter.
- The following signs are exempted from permit requirements but must comply with all other requirements of this chapter: Time and temperature signs.
- The following signs are exempted from permit requirements but must comply with all other requirements of this chapter: Window signage.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No person shall erect, re-erect, change panels, make an alteration, or relocate any sign unless a permit has been obtained from the administrator and the permit fee paid.
- Applications for sign permits must be made on city forms and according to required specifications.
- Within the downtown historic district, all signs must meet and be reviewed for all requirements of the city historic district commission prior to submittal of a permit to the city.
- If a permit is denied, written notice and reasons must be given to the applicant.
- If the construction is not complete within six (6) months of permit issuance, the permit expires.
- Any permit application containing false information may be revoked or denied.
- Variance requests for signs (to deviate from requirements) are reviewed by the zoning board of appeals as sign board of appeals, including when a permit is denied or to grant variances from requirements.
- The PUD (Planned Unit Development) zoning district established after the adoption of this chapter requires allowable signage to be stated in the approved development program for the PUD.
- Permitting of signage and enforcement of chapter provisions is required for all non-exempt signs.

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

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