# Sign Regulations in Saline, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Saline, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/saline
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/Saline/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_APXAZO_ART12SIRE)

## At a glance

Saline, Michigan regulates 23 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Temporary Yard Sign (Rigid Frame)s in the R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-1, R-2, R-3A, R-3, RMH zoning district are capped at 5 ft. tall and 8 sq. ft., with a 3 ft. setback (Sec. Sec 12.07(2)). Most commercial signs in Saline 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 | 9 | 7 ft. | 40 sq. ft. per flag | — |
| R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-1, R-2, R-3A, R-3, RMH | 5 | 6 ft. | 18 sq. ft. per side; 36 sq. ft. total | — |
| PB | 3 | 6 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| OS, C-2, C-3, I-1, I-2, I-4, SPA-1, D-2 | 7 | 20 ft. (maximum 40 ft. w/approval) | 300 sq. ft. per face, 2 faces maximum | — |
| D-1 | 5 | 8 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| PUD districts | 2 | — | Determined by City during PUD plan review | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Incidental Sign | 7 ft. | 4 sq. ft. per side | — | — | 4 per business property, 2 per school campus | On private property and school campuses. For schools: minimum 10 ft. from front property line | — | Sec 12.02(5)A,B |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of total window area | — | — | — | On windows | — | Sec 12.02(5)I |
| Flag | — | 40 sq. ft. per flag | — | 15 ft. minimum | 4 | — | — | Sec 12.02(5)G |
| Balloon (Small, Temporary) | 6 ft. above ground level | Less than 18 inches in diameter/length | — | — | — | — | — | Sec 12.02(5)J |
| Permanent Sign on Vending Machine/Ice Container | — | — | — | — | — | Within ten feet of the building | — | Sec 12.02(5)H |
| Integral Sign | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | — | — | — | Sec 12.02(5)E |
| Paper Notice (Kiosk) | — | — | — | — | — | City-approved kiosk | — | Sec 12.02(5)F |
| Residential Wall Plate | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | — | — | — | Sec 12.02(5)L |

### R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-1, R-2, R-3A, R-3, RMH

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Residential Use/Development Entrance) | 6 ft. | 18 sq. ft. per side; 36 sq. ft. total | — | — | 1 per zoning lot (additional at secondary entrance not on same street) | Primary entrance; additional at secondary entrance not on same street | — | Sec 12.03(1)C, Table A |
| Building Sign (Public/Quasi-Public Facilities) | — | Max 0.5 sq. ft. per 1 ft. building frontage; 50 sq. ft. max | — | — | — | On building (wall) | — | Sec 12.04(1)B, Table B |
| Temporary Yard Sign (Rigid Frame) | 5 ft. | 8 sq. ft. | — | 3 ft. | 4 per lot/parcel, with 4 additional allowed during election periods | 3 ft. from all property lines | — | Sec 12.07(2) |
| Temporary Yard Sign (Wire Frame) | 4 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | 3 ft. | 4 per lot/parcel, with 4 additional allowed during election periods | 3 ft. from all property lines | — | Sec 12.07(2) |
| Nonresidential Temporary Sign | 4 ft. | 8 sq. ft. per sign, 16 sq. ft. total per parcel | — | — | 4 per parcel (8 per parcel during election periods) | — | — | Sec 12.07(3) and (2) |

### OS, C-2, C-3, I-1, I-2, I-4, SPA-1, D-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | OS, C-2, C-3, SPA-1, D-2: 8 ft.; I-1, I-2, I-4: 6 ft.; Can go up to 15 ft. by 1 additional ft. height per 1 ft. extra setback | 32 sq. ft. per side; 64 sq. ft. total | — | Minimum 10 ft. from right-of-way and 15 ft. from principal entrance driveway/property lines | 1 (with exceptions for multi-tenant, business/industrial parks, etc.) | Per zoning lot, second allowed at secondary entrance not on same road (with additional criteria) | — | Sec 12.03(2), Table A |
| Ground Sign (Business/Industrial Center) | 15 ft. | 150 sq. ft. | — | — | Max 1 per frontage | Business/industrial center premises | — | Sec 12.03(1)D |
| Building Sign (Wall/Awning/Channel Letter) | — | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On building; channel letter and awning rules per ordinance | — | Sec 12.04(1)A and (6), Table B |
| Projecting Sign (D-2 only, wall attached) | — | 16 sq. ft. per side; 8 sq. ft. per side in alley | — | — | 1 (plus additional alley sign) | 1 per business; additional in alleyways allowed | — | Sec 12.04(1)A(4,5) |
| Nonresidential Temporary Sign | 6 ft. (OS, C-2, etc.), 4 ft. (D-2) | 16 sq. ft. per face; 32 sq. ft. total per parcel | — | — | 4 per parcel (8 during elections) | — | — | Sec 12.07(3), Table |
| Electronic Message Sign (C-3, SPA-1, I-2, I-4) | — | — | — | — | — | Freestanding or wall mounted | — | Sec 12.03(1)J |
| Outdoor Advertising Sign (C-3, I-1, I-2, I-4 only) | 20 ft. (maximum 40 ft. w/approval) | 300 sq. ft. per face, 2 faces maximum | — | 40 ft. from property line; 500 ft. from specified uses; 50 ft. from streets | Minimum 300 ft. apart | — | — | Sec 12.05(1)-(7) |

## Prohibited signs in Saline

- All signs not expressly permitted under this Ordinance are prohibited in the city.
- Beacons are prohibited.
- Pennants are prohibited.
- Portable signs, including those mounted on vehicles, are prohibited except as otherwise permitted by this zoning ordinance.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Inflatable signs and tethered balloons are prohibited.
- Animated signs are prohibited, except for specific non-permanent light projections under strict conditions.
- Signs affixed to trees, rocks, shrubs, or natural features are prohibited.
- Signs that imitate traffic signals, traffic direction signs, or use words/phrases/symbols that could interfere with or mislead/confuse traffic are prohibited.
- Permanent signs (other than those by a public agency with a permit) located within or overhanging the public right-of-way or on public property are prohibited unless specified elsewhere.
- Strobe, flashing, or oscillating lights from the interior or exterior of a building are prohibited.
- Moving signs are prohibited, with exceptions for barber poles and marked delivery vehicles.
- Abandoned signs (on vacant property or serving vacant buildings for six months or more) are prohibited and deemed a nuisance.
- Signs which emit audible sound, odor, or visible matter are prohibited.
- Exterior string lights used to advertise a commercial premises are prohibited.
- Any sign erected on a tree or utility pole is prohibited.
- Awning signs with rear illumination are prohibited.
- Vehicular signs are prohibited.
- Suspended signs are prohibited.
- Any sign or sign structure which is structurally unsafe, inadequately maintained, dilapidated, not in good repair, or capable of causing electrical shocks is prohibited.
- No sign shall obstruct firefighting or prevent access to any door, window, or fire escape.
- No sign shall be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to obstruct firefighting or prevent free access to any door, window, or fire escape.
- No sign shall be illuminated by other than electrical means.
- No sign shall have blinking, flashing, fluttering lights, or other illuminating devices with changing intensity, brightness, or color, or create illusion of writing/printing.
- No exposed reflective bulbs or strobe lights or incandescent lamps shall be used on the exterior face to expose the bulb, light, or lamp to any public road or adjacent property.
- Neon lighting is prohibited outside the sign structure and as accent lighting along a building wall or window.
- Awning signs shall not be back-lit.
- No sign shall be suspended by chains or other devices that allow the sign to swing due to wind action.
- No sign shall be attached in a way that obstructs ventilation openings unless not in violation of relevant codes.
- No sign shall be erected/maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape, required exit, window or door opening used as a means of egress.
- No sign shall be installed closer than 24 inches horizontally or vertically from any electrical conductor or utility guy wire.
- No sign shall interfere with visibility or effectiveness of any official traffic sign or signal, driver vision at access points/intersections, or pedestrian movement on any public sidewalk or safety path.
- Signs in public right-of-way are prohibited except as specifically allowed.

## Signs exempt from permit in Saline

- Incidental signs that direct pedestrian and vehicular traffic on private property, subject to size, height, content, and quantity limits, and may be illuminated.
- Incidental signs on school campuses, subject to size, height, location, content, and quantity limits, and may be illuminated.
- Signs erected for traffic safety purposes by public road agencies.
- Painting, repainting, cleaning, and other normal maintenance and repair of a sign or sign structure, unless a structural change is made.
- Integral signs not exceeding six square feet.
- Paper notices placed on kiosks as approved by the city.
- Flags when no more than four per lot, one per pole, at least 15 feet setback, and each flag not exceeding 40 sq. ft.; flagpole locations must be shown on a site plan when site plan review is required.
- Permanent signs on vending machines or ice containers within ten feet of the building.
- Window signs occupying 25% or less of the total window area of a building (no maximum display time).
- Balloons less than 18 inches in diameter/length, not obstructing visibility, maintained at maximum 6 feet above ground.
- Banner signs installed by the city with city manager's permission, attached to permanent structural members.
- Residential wall plates not exceeding two square feet.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Site plan review may specify the location and approval of certain types of signs or flag poles; the location of incidental signs or flags is subject to site plan review.
- Within PUD districts, the number, size, and location of ground signs and wall signs shall be determined by the intended use and are subject to review and approval during PUD plan review.
- Incidental signs and some flags require site plan indication/approval if part of a site plan submittal.
- The location of all ground signs is subject to Saline's clear vision requirements in section 7.04, which can be reviewed as part of site or development plan review.
- Multi-tenant buildings and business centers may have signs whose size and design are reviewed as part of building or site plans.
- No explicit requirement for a master sign plan is stated, but PUDs (Planned Unit Developments) require review and approval of sign plans as part of the overall PUD plan review process.
- Some types of sign placement (e.g., projecting or sidewalk signs extending into the right-of-way) require additional approval from governmental agencies such as MDOT or the city.

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

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