# Sign Regulations in Apple Valley, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Apple Valley, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/apple-valley
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-19

## At a glance

Apple Valley, Minnesota regulates 28 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Pylon Signs in the Agriculture (parcel is 10 acres or more with commercial greenhouse or nursery in operation) zoning district are capped at 13 ft. tall and 80 sq. ft., with a 13 ft from right-of-way, 10 ft from other yards setback (Sec. Appendix C, Appendix D). Most commercial signs in Apple Valley require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential, Multiple Residential, Agriculture | 2 | 8 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | — |
| Agriculture (parcel is 10 acres or more with commercial greenhouse or nursery in operation) | 3 | 13 ft. | 200 sq. ft. | — |
| Institutional | 2 | 8 ft. | Aggregate 500 sq. ft. | — |
| Neighborhood Convenience Center | 2 | 8 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | — |
| Gasoline Sales | 3 | 24 ft. | Max 500 sq. ft.; min 40 sq. ft. | — |
| Limited Business | 3 | 8 ft. | 200 sq. ft. | — |
| General Business, Retail Business, Shopping Center (regional), Visitors Business, Industrial and Sand and Gravel | 10 | 24 ft. | Max 500 sq. ft.; min 40 sq. ft. | — |
| Non-retail Commercial, Business Park Zoning Districts | 1 | 8 ft. | 110 sq. ft. | — |
| Planned Development | 1 | — | — | — |
| Commercial or Industrial District, Commercial District, Industrial District, Institutional Zoning District, M-4 Zoning District, M-5 Zoning District, M-6 Zoning District, M-7 Zoning District, M-8 Zoning District | 1 | — | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| RB, SC | 1 | 28 ft. (design features may extend up to 5 ft above) | 180 sq. ft. per side (max 2 sides); sign structure 75% brick/exterior as primary building; 25% streetscape materials | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 12 ft. | 80 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### Agriculture (parcel is 10 acres or more with commercial greenhouse or nursery in operation)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pylon Sign | 13 ft. | 80 sq. ft. | — | 13 ft from right-of-way, 10 ft from other yards | 1 | Minimum 13 ft setback from public street right-of-way, 10 ft from other yards | — | Appendix C, Appendix D |
| Ground Sign | 13 ft. | 80 sq. ft. | — | 13 ft from right-of-way, 10 ft from other yards | 1 | Minimum 13 ft setback from public street right-of-way, 10 ft from other yards | — | Appendix C, Appendix D |
| Building Sign | Highest outside wall | 200 sq. ft. | — | Minimum required building setback | 1 | Affixed to building | — | Appendix C |

### General Business, Retail Business, Shopping Center (regional), Visitors Business, Industrial and Sand and Gravel

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pylon Sign (Single Occupant) | 24 ft. | 110 sq. ft. | — | 13 ft from right-of-way, 10 ft from other yards | 1 | 13 ft from right-of-way, 10 ft from other yards, 50 ft from another pylon sign | — | Appendix C, Appendix D |
| Pylon Sign (Multi-Occupant under 50,000 sq. ft.) | 24 ft. | 110 sq. ft. | — | 13 ft from right-of-way, 10 ft from other yards | 1 | 13 ft from right-of-way, 10 ft from other yards, 50 ft from another pylon sign | — | Appendix C, Appendix D |
| Pylon Sign (Multi-Occupant over 50,000 sq. ft.) | 24 ft. | 180 sq. ft. | — | 13 ft from right-of-way, 10 ft from other yards | 2 | 13 ft from right-of-way, 10 ft from other yards, 50 ft from another pylon sign | — | Appendix C, Appendix D |
| Ground Sign (Single Occupant) | 8 ft. | 110 sq. ft. | — | 13 ft from right-of-way, 10 ft from other yards | 1 | 13 ft from right-of-way, 10 ft from other yards | — | Appendix C, Appendix D |
| Building Sign (Single Occupant) | Highest outside wall | Max 500 sq. ft.; min 40 sq. ft. | — | Minimum required building setback | 1 | Affixed to building per sign plan | — | Appendix C, Note 1, §154.04(B) |
| Ground Sign (Multi-Occupant under 50,000 sq. ft.) | 8 ft. | 110 sq. ft. | — | 13 ft from right-of-way, 10 ft from other yards | 1 per business | 13 ft from right-of-way, 10 ft from other yards | — | Appendix C, Appendix D |
| Building Sign (Multi-Occupant under 50,000 sq. ft.) | Highest outside wall | Max 500 sq. ft.; min 40 sq. ft. | — | Minimum required building setback | 1 per business | Affixed to building per sign plan | — | Appendix C, Note 1, §154.04(B) |
| Pylon Sign (Multi-Occupant over 50,000 sq. ft.) | 24 ft. | 180 sq. ft. | — | 13 ft from right-of-way, 10 ft from other yards | 2 | 13 ft from right-of-way, 10 ft from other yards | — | Appendix C, Appendix D |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Development Sign (Residential) | 12 ft. | 80 sq. ft. | — | 13 ft from right-of-way, 10 ft from other yards, 50 ft from residence | 1 per subdivision | Min 13 ft from right-of-way, 10 ft from other yards, 50 ft from any dwelling unit | — | §154.03(A)(1), Appendix B, Appendix D |
| Development Sign (Commercial/Industrial) | 12 ft. | 80 sq. ft. | — | 13 ft from right-of-way, 10 ft from other yards | 1 per subdivision | Min 13 ft from right-of-way, 10 ft from other yards; not on developed lot | — | §154.03(A)(2), Appendix B, Appendix D |
| Construction Sign | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | 13 ft from right-of-way, 10 ft from other yards, 50 ft from residence | 1 per property | Min 13 ft from public street right-of-way, 10 ft from other yards, 50 ft from a residence | — | §154.03(A)(3), Appendix B, Appendix D |
| Informational Sign | Building sign requirements (highest outside wall) | 6 sq. ft. each | — | — | No limit, per bay/door/window | Affixed to building; allowed for each bay, door, or window | — | §154.03(B) |
| Directional Sign | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | Max 4 per site | On-site; up to 4 per site in commercial/industrial/institutional | — | §154.03(C) |
| Political Sign | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | Minimum 18 ft from gutter line/road edge; 10 ft from other areas | No limitation | Must not be on prohibited public areas (see Appendix A) | — | §154.03(J), Appendix B, Appendix D |
| Non-Commercial Sign (Residential Districts) | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | 13 ft from right-of-way, 10 ft from other yards | 1 per lot | Residential districts only | — | §154.03(K), Appendix B, Appendix D |
| Garage Sale Sign | — | 3 sq. ft. | — | — | — | — | — | §154.03(M) |

## Prohibited signs in Apple Valley

- Signs shall not be painted directly on any exterior building surface but shall be on a separate frame. Signs, letters and symbols may be attached directly to a wall by adhesive or mechanical means.
- No paper, cardboard, or similar signs, notices, or flyers, pasted, tacked, or otherwise affixed to the exterior wall or window of any building.
- No use of sequential flashing (illuminated) copy or display or flashing, rotating, strobe lights or similar devices. Exemptions: electronic message signs with permit and compliant, traffic control devices by government, or required safety devices.
- No use of a sign so designed as to be movable from one location to another, such as, but not limited to, readerboards, semi-truck trailer or other device whose function is to serve as a sign.
- No permanent or temporary signs shall be upon or overhang the public right-of-way or the boundary of adjacent property except traffic signs erected by the city, county or state.
- Open house, garage sale and for sale signs shall not be placed on certain specified street rights-of-way, easements, roadway surface, sidewalks, medians, and decorative surfaces listed in Appendix A.
- No advertising or billboard sign shall be placed or located within any street rights-of-way. No advertising or billboard sign shall be on property other than the premises on which the business, commodity, service or entertainment is located.
- Any sign, signal, marking or device, or any illumination on any sign, which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles any official traffic control device, railroad sign/signal, or emergency vehicle signs is prohibited.
- Any sign, signal, marking, or device, or any illumination on any sign, which attempts to direct the movement of traffic or obstructs from view or interferes with the effectiveness of any official traffic control device, street sign, or railroad sign or signal is prohibited.
- Electronic graphic display signs are prohibited.
- All illuminated signs must have an indirect or diffused light source and be designed not to direct rays of light onto public streets or adjacent property creating a nuisance or safety hazard.
- No flashing signs are permitted in any district, except traffic control devices in connection with roadway operations by government.
- No illuminated sign shall change in either color or intensity of light except for signs or traffic control devices in connection with roadway operations by government.
- No permanent or temporary sign shall be located upon a driveway median for a distance of a minimum of 30 feet from a public street right-of-way.
- No sign shall be installed which, by reason of position, shape, color, or wording would interfere with the proper functioning of any official traffic sign, signal, or device.
- Signs not conforming to code or an approved signage plan must be scheduled for compliance or removal, and illegal signage may prevent future sign permit issuance.

## Signs exempt from permit in Apple Valley

- The following signs are allowed without a permit or payment of permit fees, provided requirements are met: temporary development signs, construction signs, informational signs, on-site and off-site directional signs (with Council permission), real estate signs, civic event signs, pump island signs, pedestrian awning/canopy signs, rear entrance identification signs, political signs, non-commercial signs, no trespass/no hunting/restrictive signs, garage sale signs, bench signs at recognized bus stops, signs erected by city, county, or state, park and ride site signs (with property owner permission), Minnesota zoo signs (not within 100 feet of a public street or road), address numbers under 6 square feet, public interest landmark signs erected on city controlled property and approved by Council.
- Electronic message signs used in connection with public roadway operations by the state, county or city shall not be subject to the permit or permit fee requirement.
- Changeable copy on an approved changeable sign structure (not requiring permit for change of copy itself).
- Existing (prior legal) signs may remain as nonconforming signs until replaced.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Prior to issuance of a sign permit for building signs, the owner must designate a signage plan for all sides of single or multi-occupant buildings including height, width, materials, colors, sign band area, and sign locations.
- A master signage plan is required for additional building or business identification signs, showing a site plan, elevations, maximum areas, locations, and assigned sign areas for each present and future sign.
- A common signage plan may be submitted by owners of contiguous lots or a lot with more than one building, which allows a bonus to maximum area; must specify standards for consistency among all affected signs and be signed by all owners.
- A signage plan must be included with any building permit authorization, site plan review, nonresidential PUD, exterior remodel, or other official plan for development, and is reviewed simultaneously with other plans.
- After a signage plan is approved, no sign may be erected, painted, or maintained except in conformance with the plan.
- Any amendment to an existing signage plan requires submission and approval of a new plan conforming to current code.
- If a new/amended signage plan is filed and existing signs do not conform, the plan must include a schedule for bringing all nonconforming signs into compliance within three years.
- Variance requests for signage beyond code limits require written application (with all sign permit information and fee) and City Council approval.
- Major anchor/center sign structures require a conditional use permit and site plan approval by the City Council.

## 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 12 zoning districts in Apple Valley — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Apple+Valley+MN&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-apple-valley

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