# Sign Regulations in Ravenna, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Ravenna, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/ravenna
- **Data last verified:** 2025-09-16
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/65ef7223debd3738911b5cf2/t/666b11a77116f309fdbed040/1718292908215/Ravenna_Village_compiled_zoning_ordinance_document_2022_June_24_03148278x9ED46.pdf#page=51)

## At a glance

Ravenna, Michigan regulates 15 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Event/Activity Sign (Large Parcel)s in the Natural Resources District, R-1 District, R-2 District zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 32 sq ft per side, with a At least 10 ft back from right-of-way setback (Sec. Section 190.321.G(3)). Most commercial signs in Ravenna require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Natural Resources District, R-1 District, R-2 District | 6 | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| R-3 District, R-4 District, R-5 District | 3 | 10 ft | 32 sq ft (total for lot) | — |
| C-1 District, C-2 District, C-3 District, O District, I District | 5 | 18 ft (pole sign; min ground clearance 12 ft), 6 ft (ground sign) | 160 sq ft | — |
| Planned Unit Development District (PUD), Residential Planned Unit Development District (PUD) | 2 | — | — | — |
| Commercial Planned Unit Development District (PUD), Industrial Planned Unit Development District (PUD), Office Planned Unit Development District (PUD) | 2 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Attached to, painted on, inscribed, or otherwise set upon the exterior wall or surface of any building. | — | Section 190.321.B(1)-(11), Section 190.321.D, Section 190.321.K |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Supported by one or more uprights, poles, pylons, or braces placed in or upon the ground and not attached to any building/structure. | — | Section 190.321.B(1)-(11), Section 190.321.D, Section 190.321.F(7) |
| Roof Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Erected, constructed, and maintained on or above the roof of a building. | — | Section 190.321.A(29) |
| Temporary Sign | — | — | — | Not within public right-of-way, attached to utility pole, or within 5 feet of sidewalk/street right-of-way (except specific commercial downtown area). | — | On private property only, must not encroach on public right-of-way, attached to utility pole, or within 5 feet of sidewalk/street right-of-way; exception for downtown commercial area with sidewalk abutting building. | — | Section 190.321.E(9) |
| Construction Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On property under construction. Permitted in any district. | — | Section 190.321.E(11) |

### Natural Resources District, R-1 District, R-2 District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Signs Exempt from Permit Requirements | — | — | — | — | — | See General Exemptions | — | Section 190.321.G(1) |
| Wall Sign (Other than Dwellings) | — | 12 sq ft | — | Sign must be set back at least 10 ft from front right-of-way line or lot line (for freestanding signs), wall signs shall be flat against building. | One per street frontage | Flat against a building. | — | Section 190.321.G(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Other than Dwellings) | — | 12 sq ft | — | At least 10 ft from right-of-way. | One per street frontage | Freestanding, at least 10 ft setback from front right-of-way line or lot line. | — | Section 190.321.G(2) |
| Institutional/Community Sign (Churches, Schools, Parks, Government, etc.) | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | No stated limit | Attached flat against building or freestanding | — | Section 190.321.G(3) |
| Off Premises Directional Sign (Institutional Uses/Churches/Schools/Parks) | — | 4 sq ft | — | At least 1 ft from road right-of-way | No more than 2 per entity | At least 1 ft off road right-of-way, not in public or private street right-of-way. | — | Section 190.321.G(3) |
| Event/Activity Sign (Large Parcel) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — | At least 10 ft back from right-of-way | One additional sign for events | At least 10 ft back from any right-of-way line | — | Section 190.321.G(3) |

### C-1 District, C-2 District, C-3 District, O District, I District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Signs Exempt from Permit Requirements | — | — | — | — | — | See General Exemptions | — | Section 190.321.H(1) |
| Wall Sign | — | 35 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage; see above for multi-use parcel | Attached flat against building | — | Section 190.321.H(2), (5), (6) |
| Freestanding Sign | 18 ft (pole sign; min ground clearance 12 ft), 6 ft (ground sign) | 80 sq ft | — | Min 10 ft from right-of-way | One per street frontage; multi-use/multi-tenant properties may have additional wall sign for each establishment | Freestanding sign for each street frontage. Min setback 10 ft from street right-of-way. | — | Section 190.321.H(2), (4) |
| Institutional/Community Sign (Churches, Schools, Parks, Government, etc.) | — | 160 sq ft | — | — | — | Attached flat against building or freestanding | — | Section 190.321.H(3) |
| Off Premises Directional Sign (Institutional Uses/Churches/Schools/Parks) | — | 4 sq ft | — | At least 1 ft off right-of-way | No more than 2 per entity | At least 1 ft off right-of-way, not in public or private street right-of-way. | — | Section 190.321.H(3) |

## Prohibited signs in Ravenna

- No sign or sign structure shall be placed, constructed or erected in any location or manner where it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.
- No rotating light or flashing illumination shall be used on or in connection with any sign.
- Signs shall be placed only on private property except for lawful signs of governmental purposes or events, as specifically authorized.
- Displays shall not be placed or erected to create or tend to create a traffic hazard or public nuisance.
- No sign (or any pole or support cable of any nature) except those established and maintained by government bodies shall be located in, project into, or overhang a public right-of-way or dedicated public easement, or private street easement, unless otherwise authorized.
- No advertising device shall be erected or maintained which simulates or imitates in size, color, lettering, or design any traffic sign or signal or other word, phrase, symbol, or character so as to interfere with, mislead, confuse or create a visual impediment or safety hazard.
- No sign above a height of 36 inches shall be located within, project into, or overhang the clear vision area at intersections unless visual clearance can be assured on the plans.
- No sign shall be erected within ten feet of any electrical conductor, electric light pole, street lamp, traffic light, or other public utility pole or standard.
- No wall sign shall project beyond or overhang the wall or permanent architectural feature and shall not project above or beyond the highest point of the roof or parapet.
- It shall be unlawful to construct, erect, re-erect, move, alter, enlarge, or illuminate any sign without first obtaining a sign permit, unless specifically exempt.
- Moving signs, revolving or animated signs, or those utilizing movement to attract attention are prohibited.
- No sign shall have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights, illuminated devices with changing light intensity, brightness, or color (some limited exceptions for electronic message boards with restrictions).
- Beacon lights and search lights are prohibited.
- Flashing signs (including those that twinkle, move, or appear to move) are prohibited.
- Exterior banners, pennants, streamers, or spinners are prohibited except as permitted elsewhere in the ordinance.
- Exterior string lights used in connection with a commercial premises are prohibited except for holiday decorations, which must be removed within 15 days after the holiday.
- Unsafe signs—including structurally or electrically unsafe signs, those obstructing ingress/egress, or those that could mislead, confuse, distract, or obstruct drivers—are prohibited.
- Any sign erected on a utility pole, directional sign post, or landscaping including trees is prohibited (except street signs by governmental authorities).
- Freestanding signs not permanently anchored or secured to a building or the ground are prohibited, except real estate 'open house' signs.
- Signs displayed on any vehicle or trailer parked so as to attract attention to a business, service, or commodity on the premises are prohibited.
- Any sign structure or frame without a sign is prohibited unless replaced or removed within 180 days of message removal.
- Portable signs are prohibited except as allowed under a narrow residential exception.
- Air or gas filled balloon signs are prohibited.
- New billboards are prohibited.
- Any other sign not expressly permitted by or that does not conform to the ordinance is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Ravenna

- Signs erected by or on behalf of or pursuant to the authorization of a government body, including legal notices, informational signs, directional, or regulatory signs.
- Flags, pennants or insignia of any governmental or nonprofit organization when not displayed in connection with a commercial promotion or as advertising.
- Address signs not exceeding two square feet and bearing only property numbers, post box numbers, occupant names, or premises identification without commercial connotations.
- Street signs erected by private developers or governmental entities for street name, traffic control, or informational purposes.
- Private traffic and parking signs on private property not exceeding six square feet each and bearing no advertising matter.
- Handicapped signs not exceeding four square feet and bearing no advertising matter.
- Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings or works of art, so long as they do not contain letters, trademarks, copyrighted materials, products/services offered for sale, moving parts, or lights.
- Any accessory sign or home occupation sign on-premise not more than four square feet in area, with total area limits per premises (8 sq ft if not residential, 6 sq ft in residential districts).
- Temporary signs (including political, campaign, real estate, event, banners, flags, etc.) complying with placement, duration, and size limits as stated in the ordinance; not located in the public right-of-way, on utility poles, or within 5 feet of sidewalks or right-of-way (with specified exceptions in downtown commercial areas).
- Essential services signs denoting utility lines, railroads, hazards, and the like.
- Construction signs in any district, no larger than 32 square feet and not greater than 6 feet in height, only while a building permit is active, and must be removed upon Certificate of Occupancy.
- Signs identifying designated historic landmarks or centennial farms by state or federal agencies.
- Signs or placards posted to control or prohibit hunting or trespassing.
- Memorial signs, tablets or markers.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permits for sign erection require submission of two copies of sign plans and specifications, including data as to height, clearance, face outline, and area calculation method.
- The sign plans may require a certificate or seal of a registered engineer when public safety requires.
- Architectural review or Planning Commission approval is required for subdivision/development signs, time/date/temperature signs, or any sign not explicitly defined in the ordinance.
- Roof signs are permitted only if installed in a structurally safe and secure manner, as determined by the Zoning Administrator based on plans submitted before installation of the sign.
- For Planned Unit Development (PUD) districts, approval of sign types, sizes, and designs is required as part of the PUD review and final development plan; the Planning Commission and Village Council may determine appropriate signage standards for mixed-use PUDs.
- The Village may approve modifications to the sign regulations (e.g., sign area, height, setback) during special land use or PUD review, upon demonstration that the modification is justified and will not result in hazards or visual blight.

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

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