Kalamazoo, MI Sign Regulations: Digital Billboards (2026)

City Code § 50-9.7 lets an off-premises sign owner convert a static or manual changeable-copy billboard into an internally illuminated automatic changeable copy sign, such as an LED billboard, only on a site where a sign of 200 square feet or more already stood as of July 1, 2013 next to a state or federally controlled road. The new digital face cannot be located within 300 feet of a residential district (100 feet on part of West Main Street), cannot exceed the size of the static face it replaces, and must sit at least 2,500 feet from any other digital off-premises sign.

Converting a sign also forces removal of six sign support structure elimination credits citywide, with the Community Planning and Economic Development Department tracking the credit ledger: eliminating an old sign structure counts for two credits outside the CC, M-1 and M-2 districts and one credit inside them. Section 50-9.7C limits message changes to no more than once every 10 seconds, bans animation, dissolving and fading transitions, requires the display to default to a static image on mechanical failure, and bars sound or broadcast transmissions. Section 50-9.7D caps the entire program at eight additional structures citywide after July 1, 2013.

General zoning violations under Appendix A § 10.3 carry a municipal civil infraction fine of up to $500 for each day the violation continues, enforced by the City Planner.