# Sign Regulations in Plainwell, Michigan

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

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

## At a glance

Plainwell, Michigan regulates 29 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding or Ground Mounted Signs in the Local Commercial (C-1), Community Service (CS), Central Business District (CBD) zoning district are capped at 16 feet tall and 50 square feet per side, with a Leading edge at least 5 feet from property line setback (Sec. Sec. 52-10.C.7; 52-17 Table). Most commercial signs in Plainwell require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential zoning districts (R-1A, R-1B, R-1C) | 2 | 5 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| Multiple-family residential districts (R-2, R-MH) | 2 | 5 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| Local Commercial (C-1), Community Service (CS), Central Business District (CBD) | 8 | 16 feet | 50 square feet per side | — |
| General Commercial District (C-2) | 7 | 16 feet | 200 square feet or 20% of unobstructed wall area | — |
| Manufacturing districts (M-1, M-2) | 6 | 24 feet | 100 square feet per side | — |
| Planned unit development (PUD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 35 feet (flagpole) | 35 square feet per side | — |

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

### Local Commercial (C-1), Community Service (CS), Central Business District (CBD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 20 square feet per business frontage; or max 200 square feet or 20% of unobstructed wall per wall (see Table) | — | — | 1 per business frontage | Affixed to building wall; per business frontage | — | Sec. 52-10.C.1; 52-17 Table |
| Group Identification Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per entrance | Located next to entrance | — | Sec. 52-10.C.2 |
| Projecting Sign | Top edge: not to exceed height of wall (or bottom of second story window on multi-story) | 20 square feet | 4 feet | — | 1 per business | Mounted perpendicular to building wall; not in conjunction with wall, ground or freestanding signs | — | Sec. 52-10.C.3 |
| Window or Door Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On window or door | — | Sec. 52-10.C.4 |
| Canopy Sign (Main Business Sign) | — | 20 square feet | — | — | 1 per business | On canopy, ground floor uses | — | Sec. 52-10.C.5.a, d, e |
| Canopy Sign (Accessory Business Sign) | — | 10 square feet | — | — | 1 per business | Valence of canopy, ground floor uses | — | Sec. 52-10.C.5.b, d, e |
| Restaurant Menu Wall Display Sign | — | 4 square feet | — | — | 1 per entrance | Attached to building wall, per entrance | — | Sec. 52-10.C.6 |
| Freestanding or Ground Mounted Sign | 16 feet | 50 square feet per side | — | Leading edge at least 5 feet from property line | 1 per site or 1 per street frontage (max 2) | On-premises; leading edge no closer than 5 feet from property line; C-1 and CS Districts only | — | Sec. 52-10.C.7; 52-17 Table |

### General Commercial District (C-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 200 square feet or 20% of unobstructed wall area | — | — | — | On building | — | Sec. 52-10.D; 52-17 Table |
| Freestanding Sign | 16 feet | 50 square feet per side | — | — | 1 per business road frontage | 1 per business road frontage | — | Sec. 52-10.D; 52-17 Table |
| Ground Mounted Sign | 16 feet | 50 square feet per side | — | — | 1 per business road frontage | 1 per business road frontage | — | Sec. 52-10.D; 52-17 Table |
| Gas Station Fuel Pump Canopy Sign | — | 20 square feet per canopy face | — | — | 1 per canopy face | On each fuel pump canopy face visible from public street | — | Sec. 52-10.D.1.b |
| Gasoline Price Sign | — | 30 square feet | — | — | 1 per station (2 if at intersection of 2 major thoroughfares) | Gas station premises; up to 2 signs for stations at intersection of 2 major thoroughfares (1 facing each street) | — | Sec. 52-10.D.1.c |
| Business Center Sign | — | Up to 150 square feet per side (see formula) | — | — | — | On-site; for business centers with >25,000 sq ft floor area | — | Sec. 52-10.D.2 |
| Billboard | — | — | — | — | — | Along a freeway or primary highway only; special use permit required | — | Sec. 52-10.D; Sec. 52-11; 52-17 Table |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Institutional Sign (Exempt) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | — | Entirely upon property of the institution or in a central area designated by the city | — | Sec. 52-3.E |
| Directional Sign (Exempt) | 3 feet | 3 square feet | — | Not closer than 5 feet to right-of-way | — | Directing traffic movement onto/off the premises; not within right-of-way; not closer than 5 feet to road right-of-way | — | Sec. 52-3.B |
| Temporary Sign - Residential Districts | 6 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 52-3.H.3.a |
| Temporary Sign - Commercial/Industrial Districts | 8 feet | 32 square feet per side | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 52-3.H.3.b |
| House Number or Nameplate (Exempt) | — | 4 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 52-3.D |
| Flag/Banner - Residential Area (Exempt) | 35 feet (flagpole) | 6 feet by 10 feet (60 square feet) | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 52-3.C |
| Sidewalk Sign (A-frame/Swinging, Exempt) | 4 feet (including handles/frame) | 8 square feet total (4 square feet per side) | — | — | 1 per building frontage, 1 at rear entrance if entry | On sidewalk, only during business hours and not on public property outside those hours | — | Sec. 52-3.J |
| Grand Opening Temporary Sign | — | 35 square feet per side | — | 10 feet from street right-of-way, 5 feet from sidewalk | 1 per business | On site of business | — | Sec. 52-12.B |

## Prohibited signs in Plainwell

- No sign may imitate or resemble an official traffic sign or signal, or bear words used in traffic control, such as 'stop', 'go slow', 'caution', 'danger', 'warning', or similar.
- No sign may be constructed, located, or illuminated in a way that might be confused with or construed as a traffic control sign, hides any approved traffic or street sign or signal, misleads traffic, or obstructs necessary vision for traffic safety.
- Structurally unsafe signs, or those constituting a hazard due to inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, abandonment, or capable of causing electrical shocks are not permitted.
- Signs may not obstruct ingress or egress from a required door, window, fire escape, or other required exit.
- It is prohibited to install, erect, or maintain any sign unlawfully.
- Signs may not project into the public right-of-way, except signs projecting eight or more feet above the public right-of-way surface.
- Roof signs erected after the effective date of this ordinance are prohibited.
- Any sign not expressly permitted by this chapter, or which violates any provision thereof, is prohibited.
- Portable signs including “A” or “T” frame signs and signs mounted on vehicles (licensed or unlicensed) parked for the purpose of display are prohibited, unless expressly excepted or allowed (e.g., exempt sidewalk signs).
- Signs may not be erected on trees or utility poles (except by political divisions of the state or the utility that owns the pole).
- Signs may not be affixed to street furniture such as trash receptacles, benches, screen walls, lamp posts, etc., except for uniform municipal banners attached to street lighting.
- Signs which are obscene or indecent are prohibited.
- No sign electrical equipment may cause interference with radio or television reception; if interference is caused, the sign must be disconnected until repairs are made.
- Signs cannot be located with less than three feet of horizontal clearance or eight feet of vertical clearance from overhead electrical conductors.
- Illuminated signs may use only a steady, contained, stationary, and shielded light source so that the light source is not exposed to public view and directed only onto/within a sign.
- No colored lights may be used in a way that could be confused with traffic control devices.
- No exposed reflective bulbs, strobe lighting, or incandescent lamps exceeding 15 watts may be used on the exterior surface of signs if the bulb is exposed to public street or adjacent property.
- No sign, except conforming 'enter,' 'exit,' or 'no vacancy' signs, may be illuminated between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., unless the premises are open for business during those hours.
- No sign exceeding three feet in height may be placed within 20 feet of the edge of road pavement, unless the bottom edge is at least eight feet above grade.
- Any sign that is structurally unsound, inadequately maintained, or otherwise a hazard may be ordered to be repaired or removed by the Zoning Administrator.

## Signs exempt from permit in Plainwell

- Common household signs (e.g., yard sale, garage sale, rummage sale, for sale, no trespassing, beware of dog, etc.), subject to a three-day display limit and not to be erected on utility poles or trees.
- Directional signs not exceeding three square feet in area and three feet in height, at least five feet from road right-of-way, and with no more than 50% of the area bearing identification copy; horizontal directional signs on and flush with paved areas are exempt from these standards.
- Flags and banners in residential areas no larger than six feet by ten feet, for noncommercial purposes, not used as advertising devices, and mounted on poles/masts no higher than 35 feet.
- House numbers and nameplates identifying the occupant or address of a parcel, not exceeding four square feet in surface display area.
- Institutional signs (public, charitable, educational, religious institutions) up to 32 square feet, located on the property of the institution or in a city-designated central area, may be illuminated as allowed, and if building-mounted, must be flat wall signs not projecting above the roof line.
- Integral signs such as names, dates, citations, and commemorative tablets when carved into or made as part of the structure in stone, concrete, or similar material.
- Public signs of a noncommercial nature erected or ordered by a public officer in the performance of their duty (safety, trespassing, traffic, memorial plaques, historical interest signs, etc.).
- Temporary signs not specifically regulated elsewhere (including political, real estate, special event, construction signs, inflatable devices, etc.), subject to removal within ten days of event conclusion, prohibited placement in public right-of-way or on utility poles, and area/height limits (6 sq. ft. and 6 ft. height in residential; 32 sq. ft. and 8 ft. height in commercial/industrial).
- Traditional displays connected with celebrations of national, religious, or community holidays.
- Sidewalk signs (A-frame or swinging-style, portable, freestanding) meeting all outlined requirements, including size, use, structural soundness, placement to avoid blocking pedestrian passage, only during business hours, and not having attached devices such as lights, balloons, streamers, or flags.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No permit shall be issued for an individual sign unless a Master Signage Plan (MSP) for the site has been submitted to and approved by the Zoning Administrator as conforming with this chapter.
- A Master Signage Plan must include: site plan with sign/building locations, elevation showing sign details/placement, computation of maximum permitted/proposed signage area, illustration of every proposed sign (including size, color scheme, materials, illumination), and the Zoning Administrator may waive requirements at their discretion.
- A building permit is required for the erection, construction, or alteration of any sign, except as otherwise provided for exempt signs.
- Any sign that requires a variance must be presented to the Board of Zoning Appeals.

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

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