# Sign Regulations in Reading, Michigan

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

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

## At a glance

Reading, Michigan regulates 5 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Real Estate or Construction Signs in the Residential districts zoning district are capped at 8 sq. ft., with a No sign shall be placed nearer any street than one-half the minimum building setback line required for the zoning district. setback (Sec. § 152.070 (B)(1)). Most commercial signs in Reading require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential districts | 3 | — | 18 sq. ft. | — |
| Business districts, Industrial districts | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign (Government Established) | — | — | — | — | — | Permitted in any district; orientation only. | — | § 152.070 (A)(7) |

### Residential districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate or Construction Sign | — | 8 sq. ft. | — | No sign shall be placed nearer any street than one-half the minimum building setback line required for the zoning district. | One per property | On any property being sold, leased, or developed. | — | § 152.070 (B)(1) |
| Identification Sign | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | No sign shall be placed nearer any street than one-half the minimum building setback line required for the zoning district. | One per property | Identifies the use on the premises for any permitted or conditionally permitted use. | — | § 152.070 (B)(2) |
| Bulletin Board | — | 18 sq. ft. | — | No sign shall be placed nearer any street than one-half the minimum building setback line required for the zoning district. | One per institution | In connection with any church, school, or similar public structure. | — | § 152.070 (B)(3) |

### Business districts, Industrial districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Principal Building Sign (One Road Frontage) | — | — | — | No sign shall be placed nearer any street than one-half the minimum building setback line required for the zoning district. | One per road frontage | On the premises of the business; only carries name, symbol, and nature of the business. | — | § 152.070 (C)(1)-(3) |

## Prohibited signs in Reading

- No flashing, oscillating, or intermittent type or illuminated sign is permitted within the city limits.
- No sign shall project over public rights-of-way except those established and maintained by government entities (city, township, county, state, or federal).
- No sign shall project above the maximum height limitation for the district in which located.
- No sign shall resemble any official traffic control device or railroad sign or signal.
- No sign shall be placed nearer any street than one-half the minimum building setback line required for the zoning district in which the sign is to be located.

## Signs exempt from permit in Reading

- All directional signs required for the purpose of orientation, when established by the city, township, county, state, or federal government, shall be permitted in all districts.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A zoning compliance permit shall be required for the erection, construction, or alteration of any sign, except as hereinafter provided, and all such signs shall be approved by the Zoning Administrator as to their conforming to the requirements of the district wherein such sign or signs are to be located and the requirements of this section.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Reading, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Reading+MI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-reading

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