Battle Creek, MI Sign Regulations: Garage Sale Signs (2026)

Garage sale signs in Battle Creek are governed by subsections (c) through (e) of Section 827.04 of the Codified Ordinances, part of Chapter 827 adopted by the City Commission as Ord. 33-85 on 10-29-85. Subsection (c) allows one sign advertising the garage sale to be erected on the premises of the sale. It cannot be placed on the premises more than two days before the sale, and it cannot remain after the last day of the sale. The sign must also conform to Chapter 1296, the city's sign chapter, and Section 827.03(d) defines sign by reference to Section 1296.03(v).

Subsection (d) bars affixing any garage sale sign to a tree, utility pole or traffic sign in a public right of way. Section 827.03(c) defines public right of way as land reserved, used or to be used for an alley, street or walk easement, so the ban reaches alleys and walk easements as well as streets. Subsection (e) prohibits fixing a garage sale sign to any privately owned wall, fence or building without the owner's permission.

The Planning and Community Development Department is the primary enforcing agency under Section 827.02. The sign rules sit beside the frequency limit in Section 827.04(b): no more than three sales at one location in twelve months, and no sale longer than three consecutive days. Section 827.06 separately keeps merchandise from being displayed on or within three feet of a public right of way. The exemptions in Section 827.05, including sales by bona fide charitable and religious organizations, are narrow and the organization claiming one carries the burden of proving it.