Kalamazoo, MI Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

A sign backing a candidate or ballot measure in the City of Kalamazoo is defined at Kalamazoo City Code § 12.3, "Sign, Election Campaign," as a sign that advocates or opposes a candidate for political office or an issue to be determined at an official federal, state, county, school or municipal election. The Zoning Ordinance does not carve out separate size, timing or removal rules for that category; election signs are instead governed by the general Class A temporary sign standards at § 50-9.4A. Those standards allow temporary signs on any site without a sign permit, but cap the total temporary sign area on one lot at 36 square feet, limit any individual temporary sign to six square feet, and cap sign height at 42 inches.

Class A temporary signs cannot be illuminated except as allowed under the sign lighting standards in § 50-9.3F. Because these are the same limits that apply to any paper, cloth, plastic or plywood temporary sign without a permanent foundation, a household or campaign that puts up several yard signs on one property has to keep the combined area of every temporary sign on that lot, political or otherwise, under the 36-square-foot ceiling. The City Planner enforces these standards under § 10.1, and a sign that exceeds the size or height limits, or that is illuminated in violation of the rule, is treated as any other Zoning Ordinance violation: a public nuisance and municipal civil infraction under § 10.2.