# Sign Regulations in St Clair, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** St Clair, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/st-clair
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-12
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/mi/st._clair_(st._clair_co.)/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=APXBZO_ART6SI)

## At a glance

St Clair, Michigan regulates 28 sign types across 14 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the General Commercial (C-2) zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 32 sq ft, with a 25 ft from back of curb setback (Sec. Section 6.4.1, District 4 (C-2); Section 6.3.3; Section 6.4.1(e); Section 6.3.2.C.2). Most commercial signs in St Clair require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (14 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single-Family Residential (low density) (R-1), Single-Family Residential (medium density) (R-1A), Two-Family Residential (R-2) | 4 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Multiple-Family Residential (R-3) | 2 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Mobile Home Park (MHP) | 2 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft total | — |
| Planned Unit Development (PUD) | 1 | As approved during site plan/PUD review | As approved by City during site plan/PUD review; distance-from-ROW size increases per Note a may apply | — |
| Mixed Use (MD), Local Commercial (C-1) | 4 | 6 ft | ≤50% of permitted sign area (additive only if PC approves) | — |
| General Commercial (C-2) | 5 | 6 ft | Calculated per formula; max 200 sq ft; 10% height cap | — |
| Office Service (OS), Light Industrial (M-1), Heavy Industrial (M-2) | 3 | 8 ft | Calculated; max 200 sq ft; 10% height cap | — |
| Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities (PRPF) | 3 | Ground: 8 ft | ≤50% of permitted sign area (additive only if PC approves) | — |
| Riverside Subdistrict | 5 | Minimum 8 ft above grade; Max 15 ft on single-story; Max 1 ft below second-story window sill line on multi-story | ≤50% of permitted sign area (additive only if PC approves) | — |
| Clinton Avenue Subdistrict | 5 | Minimum 8 ft above grade; Max 15 ft (single-story); Max 1 ft below second-story sill (multi-story) | ≤50% of permitted sign area (additive only if PC approves) | — |
| Gaslight Subdistricts | 5 | Minimum 8 ft above grade; Max 15 ft (single-story); Max 1 ft below second-story sill (multi-story) | ≤50% of permitted sign area (additive only if PC approves) | — |
| Downtown Redevelopment District | 3 | ≥15 ft above immediate grade | As allowed in approved Master Sign Plan; Anchor Store may occupy up to 40% of allowed square footage | — |
| Historic District | 1 | Per underlying district | Per underlying district | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | Ground-mounted civic/charitable event signs ≤36 inches | As determined by frontage: interval of 60 ft on-center acceptable; per Section 6.5.3(C): temporary banners ≤12 sq ft per side (24 sq ft total) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 14 zones)

### General Commercial (C-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 25 ft from back of curb | 1 ground OR 1 wall sign on main street frontage | Main street frontage | — | Section 6.4.1, District 4 (C-2); Section 6.3.3; Section 6.4.1(e); Section 6.3.2.C.2 |
| Wall/Hanging/Canopy Sign (Primary Frontage) | — | Calculated per formula; max 200 sq ft; 10% height cap | — | — | 1 on one abutting street frontage | On one abutting street frontage | — | Section 6.4.1, District 4 (C-2); Note b(1–3); Section 6.4.1(e) |
| Window Sign | — | Up to 25% of ground-floor window area; max 50% coverage of any single window or door | — | — | Not numerically limited; subject to area limits | Within 2 ft of window interior/exterior | — | Section 6.4.1, District 4; Section 6.5.2 |
| Electronic Message/Animated Sign | Must conform to district sign height regulations | ≤50% of permitted sign area (additive only if PC approves) | — | Per associated sign type | Per district limits and Note d | Freestanding, wall-mounted, or window | — | Section 6.4.6(A–G); Section 6.4.1 Note d; Section 6.3.3 |
| Shopping Center Ground Sign (Multi-tenant in C-2 or Downtown Redevelopment) | Per designated zoning district | As allowed in approved Master Sign Plan; Anchor Store may occupy 40% of allowed square footage | — | Per district (C-2 ground sign setback 25 ft from back of curb) | 1 main ground sign, with additional signs as determined necessary based on lot size and zoning (per Master Sign Plan) | Front of property; shopping center sites (more than 3 units; ≥250 LF frontage on one road) | — | Section 6.2 (Shopping Center sign definition); Section 6.4.2 (Master Sign Plan); Section 6.4.1, item 6 (Multi-tenant) |

### Riverside Subdistrict

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Primary Frontage) | Minimum 8 ft above grade; Max 15 ft on single-story; Max 1 ft below second-story window sill line on multi-story | Up to 36 sq ft per street; additional street signs ≤50% of primary street area | — | — | 1 per public thoroughfare; additional abutting street signs at ≤50% of primary | One per public thoroughfare (primary frontage and abutting public streets) | — | Section 6.4.1, District 11 (Riverside/Clinton) Table; Section 6.3.3 (illumination); Additional criteria row |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | 8 ft | Up to 36 sq ft per awning/canopy | — | — | 1 per awning/canopy | One per awning/canopy; permitted on abutting public streets (additional street awning signage ≤50% of primary area) | — | Section 6.4.1, District 11 table; Note b(1–3); Additional criteria row |
| Window Sign | — | Up to 25% of ground-floor window area; max 50% coverage any single window | — | — | Not numerically limited; subject to area limits | Within 2 ft of window | — | Section 6.4.1, District 11; Section 6.5.2 |
| Freestanding/Projecting Sign | Freestanding: no minimum requirement; Wall-mounted projecting: minimum 8 ft; maximum 12 ft | Up to 32 sq ft per side | — | — | Per frontage; plus 1 additional pole-mounted projecting sign if >120 LF | Primary street frontage | — | Section 6.4.1, District 11, Freestanding/Projecting column; Special Conditions row |
| Electronic Message/Animated Sign | Per associated sign type | ≤50% of permitted sign area (additive only if PC approves) | — | — | 1 per development | Freestanding, wall, or window per district rules | — | Section 6.4.1, District 11 (EM/Animated column); Section 6.4.6; Additional criteria row |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Hanging/Projecting/Canopy/Awning Sign (General Allowance) | Must be ≥7 ft above walking surface when projecting over public walkway; must not project over street/alley; projection ≤5 ft from building face | Per district wall sign allowances | — | — | Per district limits | Where allowed as wall signs in permitted districts | — | Section 6.4.1(b)(1–3) |
| Electronic Message/Animated Sign (General) | Conform to district sign height | ≤50% of permitted sign area | — | Per associated sign type | Per district limits; 1 per development in subdistricts | Only permitted in OS, C-1, C-2, M-1, M-2, PRPF, Riverside, Clinton Avenue, Gaslight (and for gas stations and multi-tenant sites per Note d); not permitted in residential districts or PUD unless specifically allowed | — | Section 6.4.6(A–G); Section 6.4.1 Note d; Section 6.3.3 |
| Temporary, Special Event Sign | Ground-mounted civic/charitable event signs ≤36 inches | As determined by frontage: interval of 60 ft on-center acceptable; per Section 6.5.3(C): temporary banners ≤12 sq ft per side (24 sq ft total) | — | Must be outside right-of-way; event ground signs: general setback per safety determination | Determined by frontage; 60-ft on-center spacing acceptable | Non-residential parcels (up to 45 days/year; increments of 3–15 consecutive days); civic/charitable event signs permitted in C-1, C-2, Clinton, Riverside, Gaslight, and residential districts with property owner permission | — | Section 6.4.7(A–G); Section 6.5.3(A–C) |
| Construction Sign | Residential: set back ≥15 ft; Non-residential: height not specified; must be set back ≥15 ft | Residential districts: ≤6 sq ft per face; Non-residential districts: ≤18 sq ft per face | — | ≥15 ft from curb | As needed within limits | On construction site | — | Section 6.5.5(A–C) |
| Real Estate Sign | Residential: ≤4.5 ft; Non-residential: ≤8 ft total height | Residential: ≤9 sq ft per face; Non-residential: ≤16 sq ft per face | — | ≥15 ft from curb/edge of pavement | 1 wall or freestanding per lot; additional directional signs per event limits | On property for sale; open house/garage sale directional signs allowed with limits | — | Section 6.5.6(A–D) |
| Public and Civic Announcement Electronic Message Sign | 6 ft | ≤24 sq ft area; height ≤6 ft | — | ≥10 ft from right-of-way line | 1 per eligible site | Any site containing church, school, or civic space (regardless of district) | — | Section 6.5.7(A–D) |
| Political/Civic Signs | — | — | — | Outside right-of-way | Not specified; subject to removal timeline | Private property | — | Section 6.5.4(A–F) |

## Prohibited signs in St Clair

- Any sign not specifically permitted by the ordinance is prohibited.
- Signs may only advertise goods, services, or uses that are displayed, sold, or permitted on the parcel where the sign is located (off-premises advertising is prohibited).
- No sign may be located in a place not specifically permitted by the ordinance.
- No sign may project into, over, or across any public right-of-way (except City/County/State signs, or by City Council permission or where specifically permitted).
- Within the intersection vision triangle (30 feet from the intersecting right-of-way lines), no sign may exceed 2.5 feet in height.
- No sign may obstruct any door, means of egress, fire escape, or firefighting/health/safety/code-related requirements.
- No sign may exceed the allowable height or area listed in the Schedule of Sign Regulations.
- Signs may not be placed on berms or other elevated areas to exceed allowable height.
- Internally illuminated translucent canopies or awnings are prohibited.
- Visible LED illumination on signs is prohibited (including LED illuminators, bars, lamps, alphanumeric, RGB, bi-color/tri-color, flashing LEDs), except as specifically allowed for electronic message/animated signs, “open/closed” signs, and gas station price signs.
- Flashing, rotating, moving, motion-sequenced rope lighting, animated window shades, and other non-steady light sources are prohibited.
- Internal illumination is prohibited for any sign located in a historic district or State/Federal historically designated site.
- External illumination must be shielded so it does not shine onto adjacent properties or into public streets/walkways.
- Roof signs above the bottom roof line are prohibited (except signs on false mansard fronts on one-story structures, at or below the top of the roof line).
- Banner signs advertising products/services/entertainment venues are prohibited unless otherwise allowed for public/civic announcements by the ordinance.
- Obscene content on signs is prohibited.
- Billboards/offsite signage is prohibited.
- Vacant lot signage is prohibited, except real estate sale/lease signs and political signs allowed by the ordinance.
- Neon is prohibited except for “open/closed” signs up to 4 square feet.
- Trailer- or vehicle-mounted signs are prohibited.
- Lasers, searchlights, and other high-intensity illumination devices are prohibited.
- Advertising a product or service on a flag or bunting is prohibited.
- Pennants, streamers, and similar advertising devices are prohibited.
- Inflatable signs are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in St Clair

- Address numbers required by ordinance.
- One identification sign per structure up to 2 square feet designating the name/profession of an occupant.
- Noncommercial informational signs up to 2 square feet (e.g., restrooms, door directions).
- Directly or indirectly illuminated signs such as clock faces or barber poles that do not contain illustrations or communicate a message.
- One historic plaque/building directory/restaurant menu up to 6 square feet with letters no taller than 2 inches, containing information pertaining to building occupants only.
- Parking information/directional/pedestrian or vehicular warning/control signs up to 4 square feet and not exceeding 3 feet in height for ground-mounted signs.
- Portable “open” signs as permitted by the Schedule of Sign Regulations; fixed lighted or unlighted “open” signs (including LED/neon) up to 4 square feet.
- Reserved parking space, reserved seating, or reserved display area signs.
- Neon or painted lettering on windows as permitted by the Schedule of Sign Regulations.
- Grand opening signs, one time only, for up to 45 days.
- Window signage within the type, number, size, location, and illumination limits of the Schedule of Sign Regulations (maximum 50% coverage of any single window/door and overall limits per district).
- Construction site signs (size and setback limits; displayed only during active construction; removed upon final inspection or certificate of occupancy; maximum 180 days unless extended by the Building Official).
- Real estate signage (one wall or freestanding sign per lot with size/height/setback limits; must be removed within 10 days after sale/lease/rental; plus open house and garage sale directional signs under specified limits).
- Public and civic electronic message announcement sign: one per site that contains a church, school, or civic space (regardless of district), up to 24 square feet, 6 feet high, set back at least 10 feet from the right-of-way; must meet illumination standards and specified base/support design.
- Municipal seasonal decorations and community event signs reviewed by City Council under the Special Events ordinance (may be placed; similar private seasonal decorations up to 2 square feet on private property if not a nuisance).
- Cross-street banners with written approval of the Building Official, subject to dimensional and installation standards and a maximum duration of 60 days.
- Temporary banner signs on private property (registration required; one sign per business/non-profit/leasing entity; maximum 12 square feet per side/24 square feet total; limited display periods; no illumination).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Master Sign Plan is required for all multi-tenant sites with over 100 lineal feet of frontage on any one road right-of-way in Commercial (C-1, C-2), Industrial (M-1, M-2), and Office Service (OS) districts.
- All signs in Multi-tenant (C-1, C-2, M-1, M-2, OS, Riverside, Clinton, Gaslight) and PUD districts must have materials, illumination, type, and color that meet Planning Commission approval under the Master Sign Plan (Section 6.4.2).
- Master Sign Plan submittals must include a site plan to the Planning Commission meeting the ordinance requirements for Site Plan Review; all proposed signage must be prepared by a licensed architect or engineer; colors/materials/lighting must be coordinated to provide a consistent theme; Planning Commission may not permit signage that is not specifically permitted or is prohibited by the Ordinance.
- Within designated Zoning/Historic/Overlay Districts established by Planning Commission and City Council, the Planning Commission may grant up to a 25% increase in allowable signage if an architectural study is submitted by a licensed architect and signage is designed accordingly; subsequent compliant changes may be approved by the Building Official.
- PUD: All signage must be presented with the request for the PUD at the Planning Commission review.
- Gas stations: All signage must be presented with the request for Site Plan Approval as required by the Ordinance.
- Fast food menu boards: Location and size must be shown on a submitted site plan and are subject to Planning Commission approval.
- Electronic message/animated signs: Illumination and display type require Planning Commission review and approval for compatibility with the area (Section 6.4.1 Note d and Section 6.4.6).
- Sign permits: When required by the Building Code, permit drawings/plans/specifications must bear the seal of a registered architect or engineer; an electrical permit is required for any sign requiring electrical service.

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

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