# Sign Regulations in Sturgis, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Sturgis, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/sturgis
- **Data last verified:** 2025-06-26
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/Sturgis/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_APXAZO_ARTXSI)

## At a glance

Sturgis, Michigan regulates 42 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the B-C, Central Business District (B-C) zoning district are capped at 6 ft. tall and 32 sq. ft., with a 5 ft. from property line setback (Sec. 1.1006(C)(1)). Most commercial signs in Sturgis require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (11 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | 4 sq. ft. | — |
| Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5) | 5 | 3 ft. | 144 sq. in. (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-5); 4 sq. ft. (R-4) | — |
| R-4 | 1 | — | 24 sq. ft. per sign face | — |
| Signs accessory to permitted non-residential uses in residential districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5) | 2 | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| B-OS, Business, Office, Service District (B-OS) | 5 | 12 ft. (feather), 6 ft. (most), 4 ft. (sandwich) | 32 sq. ft. (banner, rigid frame, portable signs); 25 sq. ft. for feather; 6 sq. ft. wire frame; 6 sq. ft. sandwich board; others per Table 1.1012 A1. | — |
| B-C, Central Business District (B-C) | 7 | Feather: 12 ft.; Sandwich Board: 4 ft.; Banner: 4 ft.; Flag: No higher than first floor tenant space | 60 sq. ft. per face (shared among tenants); max 50% of area per tenant | — |
| B-H 1, Business Highway 1 District (B-H 1) | 6 | 30 ft. (no part closer than 8 ft to ground) | 100 sq. ft. (unless wall frontage >200 ft, see below) | — |
| B-H 2, Business Highway 2 District (B-H 2), M, Manufacturing District (M) | 7 | 30 ft. (min. 8 ft. above ground) | 150 sq. ft. | — |
| B-N, Business Neighborhood District (B-N) | 7 | Feather: 12 ft.; Sandwich Board: 4 ft.; Banner: 4 ft.; Flag: No higher than first floor tenant space | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| PDD-2, Planned Development District 2 (PDD-2) | 11 | Feather: 12 ft.; Sandwich Board: 4 ft.; Banner: 4 ft.; Flag: see location limits | 120 sq. ft. | — |
| PDD-3, Planned Development District 3 (PDD-3) | 9 | 30 ft. (bottom to top), min 12 ft. from bottom to ground, cannot extend above roofline or above 3rd floor | 32 sq. ft./face (primary only); 60 sq. ft./face (multiple tenants, max 32 sq. ft. per main tenant, secondaries max 50%) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 11 zones)

### B-C, Central Business District (B-C)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (First Floor Tenant) | — | 10% of first floor front face area | 60% of wall width | — | 2 per tenant per street/parking area | On front of building. If no front access, permitted on main store front. | — | 1.1006(A)(1), (A)(5), (A)(6), (A)(7) |
| Window Sign | — | 10% per window, maximum 25 sq. ft. per tenant | — | — | — | Window | — | 1.1006(A)(2)(ii), (A)(2)(iii), (A)(2)(iv), (C)(4) |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft. from property line | 1 | Set back 5 ft. from property line; corner clearances required | — | 1.1006(C)(1) |
| Multi-Tenant Ground Sign | 6 ft. | 60 sq. ft. per face (shared among tenants); max 50% of area per tenant | — | 5 ft. from property line | 1 per eligible complex | Set back 5 ft. from property line | — | 1.1006(C)(2) |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | — | Included in 10% of first floor face formula | — | — | — | Parallel to building face, on awning/canopy | — | 1.1006(C)(3), (F), (G), (H) |
| Temporary Sign | Feather: 12 ft.; Sandwich Board: 4 ft.; Banner: 4 ft.; Flag: No higher than first floor tenant space | Flag: 6 sq. ft.; Feather: 25 sq. ft.; Sandwich Board: 6 sq. ft./side; Banner: 32 sq. ft.; See Table 1.1012 D1. | — | — | Max 2 at once (different types); refer to permit limits | As provided; typically in front of tenant or on building | — | 1.1012(D), Table 1.1012 D1 |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per premises | On property advertised | — | 1.1006(A)(2)(v) |

### PDD-2, Planned Development District 2 (PDD-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Type A—Trellis/Marquee | — | 120 sq. ft. | — | — | One per tenant frontage | Tenant frontage | — | 1.1009, Table for PDD-2 |
| Type B—Fascia Wall Sign | — | 120 sq. ft. | — | — | One per tenant frontage | Tenant frontage | — | 1.1009, Table for PDD-2 |
| Type C—Feature Sign | — | 120 sq. ft. | — | — | One per tenant frontage | Tenant frontage | — | 1.1009, Table for PDD-2 |
| Type D—Window and Door Sign | — | 10 sq. ft. | — | — | One per window | Each window | — | 1.1009, Table for PDD-2 |
| Type E—Changeable Sign (Easel Umbrella) | — | 12 sq. ft. (easels), umbrellas see table | — | — | One per major entry | Major entry | — | 1.1009, Table for PDD-2 |
| Type F—Projecting Blade Sign | — | 10 sq. ft. (one side counted) | — | — | One per tenant frontage | Per tenant frontage | — | 1.1009, Table for PDD-2 |
| Type G—Awning Sign | — | 10 sq. ft. per awning | — | — | One per awning | Awning | — | 1.1009, Table for PDD-2 |
| Type H—Plaque Sign | — | 4 sq. ft. | — | — | One per major entry | Major entry | — | 1.1009, Table for PDD-2 |

### PDD-3, Planned Development District 3 (PDD-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Primary Occupant) | — | 10% of first floor main face area | 60% of wall width | — | 2 | Attached to building | — | 1.1013(A)(1), (A)(3), (C)(4) |
| Wall Sign (Secondary Tenant) | — | 10% of first floor front face area | 60% of wall width | — | 2 | Attached to tenant space wall | — | 1.1013(A)(2) |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft./face (primary only); 60 sq. ft./face (multiple tenants, max 32 sq. ft. per main tenant, secondaries max 50%) | — | 5 ft. from property line | 1 per parcel | Freestanding; 5 ft. setback from property line. | — | 1.1013(A)(3) |
| Grand Projecting Sign | 30 ft. (bottom to top), min 12 ft. from bottom to ground, cannot extend above roofline or above 3rd floor | — | — | — | 1 | Perpendicular to facade | — | 1.1013(C)(2) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Perpendicular to building wall | — | 1.1013(C)(3) |
| Window Sign | — | 10% of each window; up to 25 sq. ft. per tenant. | — | — | — | Applied to window, or mounted on interior. | — | 1.1013(C)(4) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per premises | On property advertised. | — | 1.1013(A)(4)(iv) |
| Temporary Signs | Feather: 12 ft.; Sandwich Board: 4 ft.; Banner: 4 ft.; Flag: see location limits | Flag: 6 sq. ft.; Feather: 25 sq. ft.; Sandwich Board: 6 sq. ft./side; Banner: 32 sq. ft. | — | — | — | — | — | 1.1013(H), 1.1012(D), Table 1.1012 D1 |

## Prohibited signs in Sturgis

- No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to prevent free ingress and egress from any door, window or fire escape.
- No sign shall be erected at the intersection of any streets in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision or any location where, by reason of the position, shape, or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device, or which makes use of words, phrases, symbols, or characters in such manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.
- No signs other than municipal traffic control signs shall be located within eight feet of the ground surface in the triangle formed by the property lines paralleling the streets and extending for a distance of 25 feet each way from the intersection of the right-of-way lines at the corner lot.
- Any sign which no longer advertises a bonafide business conducted, or a product, or entertainment, service, or commodity offered or sold on the lot, shall be taken down and removed by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building or structure upon which said signs shall be found within 60 days after written notice from the city.
- No sign shall be erected, constructed, repaired, or relocated without a building permit or a temporary permit, unless specifically exempted.
- Sign types not specifically permitted in any zoning district shall be interpreted to be prohibited from such district.
- No sign shall be installed on Michigan Department of Transportation controlled routes (M-66 and US-12) without a permit from the Michigan Department of Transportation.
- No sign shall be illuminated by other than electric means or devices, and wiring shall be installed in accordance with the National Electrical Code.
- All electrical transformer boxes, raceways, and conduits shall be concealed from view or painted to match or harmonize with the building.
- All illumination shall be concentrated on the area of the sign or landscape feature so as to prevent glare upon the street or adjacent property.
- No flashing, rotating, strobing, audio or noise, pyrotechnic simulation or distraction features shall be permitted for electronic message display signs.
- No sign shall be lighted by means of flashing or intermittent illumination.
- Flashing, rotating or moving signs, animated signs or signs with moving lights or creating the illusion of movement shall not be permitted.
- Air-blown devices and inflatable signs shall not be placed on a roof or suspended from a building.
- Temporary signs may not be placed in any parking area.
- No temporary sign shall be placed in the right-of-way (in residential districts).
- All temporary signs must be maintained in good condition.

## Signs exempt from permit in Sturgis

- The relettering, repainting, or changing of lighting elements of a sign shall not require a building permit.
- A permit for political signs shall not be required.
- Flags of the United States, the state, the city, foreign nations having diplomatic relations with the United States, military, and any of their flags adopted or sanctioned by an elected legislative body of competent jurisdiction are not considered signs.
- Emergency, directional, parking, address, temporary event or activity and promotional signs for public parks and public facilities shall not require a permit if they do not exceed 32 square feet.
- For rent, lease or property for sale signs of specified sizes (varies by district) advertising the property on which they are located are permitted provided such signs are promptly removed upon rent, lease or sale of such property. A permit for such sign shall not be required.
- Temporary signs in manufacturing and residential districts do not require a permit as long as other requirements are met.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- In the B-C central business district, all proposed internally illuminated signage will be sent to the design review committee for recommendation before an application is considered by the planning commission.
- Electronic message display signs in the BC district must be recommended by the design review committee, as per article XIII of the zoning ordinance, prior to an application for approval being considered by the planning commission.
- Sign materials and lighting in the B-C district shall utilize materials as may be appropriate in conformity with design guidelines established by the downtown development authority and are subject to review by the planning board or its designated design review committee.
- The building department may request a review by the planning board design review committee where a question may exist as to the application of sign requirements.
- In PDD-2 and PDD-3 planned development districts, sign materials and lighting must be in conformity with design guidelines established by the downtown development authority and are subject to review by the planning board or its designated design review committee.
- If the building official cannot determine whether the project meets the standards in the B-N district, the building official shall refer the project to the design review committee for its determination and recommendation to the planning board for approval.
- Nonconforming signs and certain compliance actions may be enforced by 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 11 zoning districts in Sturgis — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Sturgis+MI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-sturgis

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