# Sign Regulations in Utica, Michigan

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Utica, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/utica
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/Utica/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_APXAZO_ARTXVSIRE)

## At a glance

Utica, Michigan regulates 15 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Monument Signs in the Central Business District (C-1) zoning district are capped at 8 feet tall and 75 sq ft (1-199 ft frontage), 100 sq ft (200+ ft frontage), with a Minimum 5 feet from property line setback (Sec. Section 1504(3)a-e). Most commercial signs in Utica require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential District (R1-A, R1-B, R-2, R-3) | 2 | 5 feet | 40 square feet | — |
| Office District (O-1) | 6 | 20 feet (up to 40 feet if abutting both a controlled access highway and state/federal highway) | 75 sq ft (1-199 ft frontage), 100 sq ft (200+ ft frontage) | — |
| Central Business District (C-1) | 7 | 8 feet | 75 sq ft (1-199 ft frontage), 100 sq ft (200+ ft frontage) | — |
| General Business (C-2) | 9 | 20 feet (40 ft in special cases) | 75 sq ft (<200 ft frontage), 100 sq ft (200+ ft frontage) | — |
| Downtown Mixed Use (DMXD) | 7 | 5 feet | 75 sq ft (<200 ft frontage), 100 sq ft (200+ ft) | — |
| Mixed Use (MXD) | 8 | 20 ft (40 ft if abutting controlled access and state/fed highway) | 75 sq ft for <200 ft frontage, 100 sq ft if 200+ ft | — |
| Industrial District (I) | 6 | 50 feet | 250 sq ft | — |
| Vehicular Parking District (P-1) | 1 | 5 ft | 12 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | 1 sq ft each | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### Central Business District (C-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Projecting over entrances or windows | — | Section 1504(2) |
| Monument Sign | 8 feet | 75 sq ft (1-199 ft frontage), 100 sq ft (200+ ft frontage) | — | Minimum 5 feet from property line | One per business or parcel; one per frontage if corner lot | Setback minimum 5 ft from any property line | — | Section 1504(3)a-e |
| Wall Sign | — | 15% of facade or 200 sq ft | — | — | One per qualifying wall or per tenant for shared entry, area-limited | On each building wall with an individual entrance or facing public right-of-way | — | Section 1504(5)a |
| Window Sign | — | No more than 50% of window area is exempt from counting toward max number of allowed signs; over 50% counts as a sign | — | — | — | Primary or secondary building storefront windows | — | Section 1504(6) |
| Projecting/Hanging Sign | — | 8 square feet | — | — | — | Affixed perpendicularly to facade above sidewalk | — | Section 1504(7)a |
| Temporary Sign | 5 feet | 12 square feet (combined for all per address) | — | 5 feet from property line | One or more per address, up to 12 sq ft total | Private property, not overhanging ROW | — | Section 1505.1 |
| Human Directional Sign | — | — | — | 5 feet from property line | One per business during event | On establishment property, 5 ft min setback, must not impede traffic or be in ROW | — | Section 1505.3 |

### General Business (C-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Changeable Messaging Center | — | 50% or 30 sq ft of monument/pylon sign area (whichever more restrictive) | — | — | — | May be incorporated into monument or pylon signs | — | Section 1503(10), 1504(3)g, 1504(4)d |
| Monument Sign | 8 feet | 75 sq ft (<200 ft frontage), 100 sq ft (200+ ft frontage) | — | 5 feet from property line | One per parcel/frontage; multiple if on corner | Setback minimum 5 ft from property line | — | Section 1504(3) |
| Pylon Sign | 20 feet (40 ft in special cases) | 50 sq ft (up to 40 ft tall if abutting controlled access & state/fed highway) | — | 5 feet | — | Setback minimum 5 ft from property line | — | Section 1504(4) |
| Wall Sign | — | 15% of facade or 200 sq ft | — | — | One per wall (as described in code) | Each wall with own entry or facing ROW | — | Section 1504(5)a |
| Window Sign | — | Max 50% of window area exempt from count; >50% counts in 3 total | — | — | — | Storefront windows | — | Section 1504(6) |
| Projecting/Hanging Sign | — | 8 square feet | — | — | — | Projecting from wall above sidewalk | — | Section 1504(7) |
| Temporary Sign | 5 ft | 12 sq ft | — | 5 feet | One or more per address, total 12 sq ft | Private property | — | Section 1505.1 |
| Human Directional Sign | — | — | — | 5 feet | One per event | Establishment property, min 5 ft setback | — | Section 1505.3 |

### Mixed Use (MXD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Over door, entry, window | — | Section 1504(2) |
| Monument Sign | 8 feet | 75 sq ft for <200 ft frontage, 100 sq ft if 200+ ft | — | 5 feet from property line | One per parcel; additional for corner | Setback 5 ft from property line | — | Section 1504(3) |
| Wall Sign | — | 15% of facade or 300 sq ft | — | — | One per wall with separate access/ROW orientation | Walls with entry or facing ROW | — | Section 1504(5)b |
| Pylon Sign | 20 ft (40 ft if abutting controlled access and state/fed highway) | 50 sq ft (up to 40 ft tall in special cases) | — | 5 ft | — | Setback 5 ft | — | Section 1504(4) |
| Window Sign | — | No more than 50% of window area exempt from sign cap; >50% triggers cap | — | — | — | Building storefronts | — | Section 1504(6) |
| Projecting/Hanging Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | Affixed perpendicularly above sidewalk | — | Section 1504(7) |
| Temporary Sign | 5 ft | 12 sq ft | — | 5 ft | Multiple; total not to exceed 12 sq ft | Private property | — | Section 1505.1 |
| Human Directional Sign | — | — | — | 5 ft | One per event | On establishment property, 5 ft setback | — | Section 1505.3 |

## Prohibited signs in Utica

- It is unlawful to erect, maintain, relocate or keep any sign that copies or imitates an official highway sign, carries the words 'stop' or 'danger', or obscures a sign displayed by public authority for the purpose of giving traffic instruction or direction.
- Signs are prohibited if they display flashing or intermittent lights or lights of changing degrees or intensity unless each interval in the cycle is eight seconds or more and the sign does not constitute a traffic hazard.
- Signs that obstruct any window or door opening used as a means of egress or prevent free passage from one part of a roof to another, or interfere with an opening required for legal ventilation, are prohibited.
- Signs or illumination that causes direct glare into or upon any building or property, other than the building or property to which the sign is accessory, are prohibited.
- Pennants, string flags, spinners, streamers, and inflatable signs are prohibited.
- No sign or portion thereof shall be permitted which moves or assumes any motion constituting a nonstationary condition (except as may otherwise be provided in the ordinance).
- Abandoned signs are prohibited.
- Signs that are of a size, location, content, coloring, or manner of illumination which may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device or which hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal, or which obstruct the view in any direction at an intersection, are prohibited.
- Signs containing statements, words, or pictures of an obscene, pornographic, or immoral character are prohibited.
- Signs painted on any fence are prohibited.
- Signs which emit audible sound, odor, or visible matter are prohibited.
- Marquee signs are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Utica

- Any single sign with an area of one square foot or less, limited to two per premises.
- Building markers, plaque signs, tenant directory signs, affixed restaurant menu signs, canopy signs pursuant to section 1504.2, memorial tablets, historic designation signs or signs of a similar fashion.
- Signs of a duly constituted governmental body, including traffic or similar regulatory devices, legal devices, or warnings at railroad crossings.
- Signs required to be maintained by law or governmental order, rule or regulation, provided they do not exceed 48 square feet.
- Traffic control devices on private or public property, installed and maintained to comply with the Michigan Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, or the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices adopted by the Federal Highway Administration.
- Wall murals and similar graphics, subject to the review and approval of the city council.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A detailed sign plan (in paper or electronic files) must be submitted with the application for initial sign permits, detailing the plans, specifications, building materials, method of construction and attachment to the building or to the ground.
- For all newly constructed or exteriorly renovated buildings in the Downtown Mixed Use District (DMXD), an overall building sign design plan demonstrating proposed aesthetic and structural qualities of the sign shall be approved by the historic district commission and city planning commission.
- Temporary signs that exceed basic standards (size, height, etc.) require a permit and approval from Utica City Council. A comprehensive sign plan containing dimensions, location and timeframe must be submitted to the City of Utica.

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

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