# Sign Regulations in Belle Plaine, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Belle Plaine, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/belle-plaine
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-30
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.belleplainemn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1004/Chapter-11-Zoning-Ordinance-PDF)

## At a glance

Belle Plaine, Minnesota regulates 31 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Temporary Sign - Directional (Off-Premises Business Directional)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 6 ft (measured from ground to top) tall and 32 sq ft, with a 10 ft from any street ROW or internal property line setback (Sec. 1107.20 Subd. 10(3)(G)(1–8)). Most commercial signs in Belle Plaine require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 15 | 15 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts (A-2, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-7, R-MH, PUD Overlays) | 5 | 6 ft | 48 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Central Business District (B-3, PUD Overlays) | 8 | 6 ft | No more than 50% of each door or window allowed to have signage may be covered | — |
| Commercial and Industrial (B-2, I-2, I-C, PUD Overlays) | 10 | 35 ft (measured from elevation of centerline of the roadway upon which the sign is oriented) | 200 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address Sign (Per Building/Dwelling Unit) | — | 2 sq ft per dwelling unit; nameplate: 6 sq ft per surface for groups of 4–12 units; 12 sq ft per surface for groups of 12+ units; max 2 display surfaces | — | — | One address sign required per building; one nameplate sign per place of business or dwelling group | On side of building that faces the street address; one sign at main entrance if it does not face the addressed street; vertical placement between 5 ft above ground and 1 ft below roof line | — | 1107.20 Subd. 10(2); 1107.20 Subd. 6(2)(E) |
| Neon Sign (Individual, Interior/Window) | — | 3 sq ft per neon sign | — | — | Max 2 per building face abutting a public street | Mounted inside/on window (visible from public way) or interior but visible | — | 1107.20 Subd. 6(2)(G); 1107.20 Subd. 4 (SIGN, ILLUMINATED) |
| Temporary Sign - Construction (Not Adjacent to Principal Arterial) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | Up to two per construction site | At construction site (any district) | — | 1107.20 Subd. 10(3)(D)(1–2) |
| Temporary Sign - Construction (Adjacent to Principal Arterial) | 15 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | Up to two per construction site | At construction site adjacent to a Principal Arterial | — | 1107.20 Subd. 10(3)(D)(2) |
| Temporary Sign - Property For Sale or Lease (Not Adjacent to Principal Arterial) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage | On property while for sale or lease (any district) | — | 1107.20 Subd. 10(3)(F)(1–2) |
| Temporary Sign - Property For Sale or Lease (Adjacent to Principal Arterial) | 15 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage | On property adjacent to a Principal Arterial while for sale or lease | — | 1107.20 Subd. 10(3)(F)(2) |
| Temporary Sign - Directional (Off-Premises Business Directional) | 6 ft (measured from ground to top) | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft from any street ROW or internal property line | Max 1 per intersection and max 1 per parcel | On private property with written property owner approval; at least 10 ft from any street right-of-way line or internal property line | — | 1107.20 Subd. 10(3)(G)(1–8) |
| Temporary Sign - Developing Subdivision (Development Identification) | 12 ft | — | — | — | Up to 2 development signs; plus 1 per lot (4 sq ft, 6 ft height) | Within new subdivision (two or more lots) | — | 1107.20 Subd. 10(3)(J) |

### Commercial Central Business District (B-3, PUD Overlays)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address Sign | — | 4 sq ft per building | — | — | One per building | On side of building that faces street address; one at main entrance if not facing addressed street; vertical placement between 5 ft above ground and 1 ft below roof line | — | 1107.20 Subd. 11(2)(A); 1107.20 Subd. 10(2) |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | 10 ft | — | One per lot | On lot; one per lot | — | 1107.20 Subd. 11(2)(B); 1107.20 Subd. 10(4)(A)(1); 1107.20 Subd. 10(5) |
| Wall Sign | — | Up to 20% of Building Face | — | Min 8 ft vertical clearance above sidewalk for any projection; may project into ROW up to 15 inches | One per building face; not to exceed two per building; one per tenant in multi-tenant buildings (subject to coverage limit) | Affixed to building face; may extend into right-of-way up to 15 inches with minimum 8 ft clearance above sidewalk to lowest point | — | 1107.20 Subd. 11(2)(C)(1–2); 1107.20 Subd. 10(4)(A)(1); 1107.20 Subd. 10(5) |
| Sandwich Sign (Sidewalk/On-Property) | — | 6 sq ft (two sides may contain graphics/text) | Max depth/spread 2 ft | — | One per business | Placed only on business property or on sidewalk directly abutting business property | — | 1107.20 Subd. 11(2)(D)(1–5) |
| Canopy or Awning Sign | — | — | — | Min 8 ft vertical clearance; min 30 inches from street curb | One per lot | Canopy/Awning over building entrance or window area; min clearance 8 ft above public sidewalk or right-of-way; may not project nearer than 30 inches to street curb | — | 1107.20 Subd. 11(2)(E)(1–3) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 15 sq ft | 3 ft max width | Min 8 ft vertical clearance from sidewalk to lowest point | One per building face | Projecting from building into public right-of-way (allowed in B-3) | — | 1107.20 Subd. 11(2)(F)(1–7); 1107.20 Subd. 10(1)(F) (exception for B-3 projecting signs) |
| Internal Directional Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | Up to 4 per lot | On-premise, guiding traffic within site | — | 1107.20 Subd. 11(2)(G); 1107.20 Subd. 4 (SIGN, INTERNAL DIRECTIONAL) |
| Window Sign (Permanent) - B-3 | — | No more than 50% of each door or window allowed to have signage may be covered | — | — | — | Mounted on, painted on, attached to, or within 3 ft inside window/opening facing public way | — | 1107.20 Subd. 11(2)(H); 1107.20 Subd. 6(2)(A) (B-3 exception) |

### Commercial and Industrial (B-2, I-2, I-C, PUD Overlays)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address Sign | — | 4 sq ft per building | — | — | One per building | On side of building that faces the addressed street; one at main entrance if not facing addressed street; vertical placement between 5 ft above ground and 1 ft below roof line | — | 1107.20 Subd. 11(3)(A); 1107.20 Subd. 10(2) |
| Monument Sign (Non-Principal Arterial Frontage) | — | 150 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from public right-of-way line | One per street frontage | Facing each street frontage; one per street frontage per lot | — | 1107.20 Subd. 11(3)(B); 1107.20 Subd. 10(4)(A)(2); 1107.20 Subd. 10(5) |
| Monument Sign (Facing Principal Arterial) | — | 200 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from public right-of-way line | One per street frontage | Facing Principal Arterial (e.g., TH-169; also Commerce Drive or Enterprise Drive adjacent to TH-169 may utilize Principal Arterial standards) | — | 1107.20 Subd. 11(3)(B); 1107.20 Subd. 4 (PRINCIPAL ARTERIAL); 1107.20 Subd. 10(4)(A)(2); 1107.20 Subd. 10(5) |
| Pylon Sign (General) | 35 ft (measured from elevation of centerline of the roadway upon which the sign is oriented) | 150 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from public right-of-way line | One per lot | On lot; oriented to roadway | — | 1107.20 Subd. 11(3)(D); 1107.20 Subd. 10(4)(A)(2); 1107.20 Subd. 10(5) |
| Pylon Sign (Facing Principal Arterial) | 35 ft (measured from elevation of centerline of the roadway upon which the sign is oriented) | 200 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from public right-of-way line | One per lot | Facing Principal Arterial (e.g., TH-169; Commerce Drive/Enterprise Drive adjacent to TH-169 may utilize Principal Arterial standards) | — | 1107.20 Subd. 11(3)(D); 1107.20 Subd. 4 (PRINCIPAL ARTERIAL); 1107.20 Subd. 10(4)(A)(2); 1107.20 Subd. 10(5) |
| Pylon Sign (TH-169 Low Elevation Uses - Convenience Food/Hotel/Motor Fuel/Restaurant) | Up to 35 ft above the centerline of TH-169, total sign height not to exceed 50 ft | 200 sq ft (if facing Principal Arterial; otherwise 150 sq ft) | — | Min 5 ft from public right-of-way line | One per lot | On properties with elevation below centerline of TH-169; oriented to TH-169 | — | 1107.20 Subd. 11(3)(D) (last sentence) |
| Sandwich Sign (Sidewalk/On-Property) | — | 6 sq ft (two sides may contain graphics/text) | Max depth/spread 2 ft | — | One per business | Placed only on business property or on sidewalks directly abutting business property | — | 1107.20 Subd. 11(3)(E)(1–5) |
| Internal Directional Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | Up to 4 per lot | On-premise, guiding traffic within site | — | 1107.20 Subd. 11(3)(G); 1107.20 Subd. 4 (SIGN, INTERNAL DIRECTIONAL) |

## Prohibited signs in Belle Plaine

- Off-premises signs are prohibited in all districts.
- Signs with obscene, indecent, or immoral content are prohibited.
- Signs painted, attached, or affixed to utility poles, trees, rocks, or similar natural surfaces are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs that resemble official government markers or traffic control devices in a way that interferes with or misleads traffic are prohibited.
- Signs in, upon, or projecting into any public right-of-way or easement are prohibited, except Projecting Signs as specifically regulated in the B-3 Central Business District.
- Signs located within sight triangles or that otherwise impede visibility of traffic or pedestrians are prohibited.
- Signs that obstruct any window, door, fire escape, stairway, or opening intended for ingress/egress are prohibited.
- Any sign not in conformance with the sign regulations (other than a lawful non-conforming sign) is prohibited.
- Any sign not expressly permitted by the sign ordinance is prohibited.
- Signs in vehicles and/or trailers parked to advertise or direct people to an activity are prohibited unless a Temporary Sign permit has been issued.

## Signs exempt from permit in Belle Plaine

- Permanent window signs are exempt from permit in all zoning classes except the B-3 Central Business District; at least 50% of doors and windows on each building face must remain free of window signage and at least 50% of the area of the window containing the sign must remain free of signage.
- Signs 2 square feet or less are exempt from permit.
- Signs entirely inside a building and not visible from outside are exempt from permit.
- Memorial signs/tablets, building names, and dates cut into or attached to masonry or other noncombustible material on the building facade are exempt from permit.
- Address signs are exempt from permit (and registration) citywide.
- Replacement/repainting of a sign face, lettering, or materials is exempt from permit provided the sign’s location, configuration, and area remain the same.
- Individual neon signs not exceeding 3 square feet are exempt from permit, limited to two neon signs per building face abutting a public street.
- Non-commercial speech (election) signs posted during the statutory election windows are exempt from permit and registration; they may be placed on private property or the right-of-way in front of private property with owner approval, but not on publicly owned property or adjacent right-of-way.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Master Sign Plan: Preferred (not required) for all multiple-tenant developments and/or structures; sign placement and materials should be uniform and consistent; all signs in the plan must conform to the ordinance’s architectural, design, location, and performance standards, including any district-specific standards.
- Comprehensive Sign Plan: May be issued for multiple-tenant occupancies and/or commercial planned unit developments within B-2, B-3, I-C, and I-2; serves as an alternative to strict adherence to the standard regulations; reviewed administratively, but the Zoning Administrator or applicant may refer to the Planning Commission and/or City Council for approval.
- Comprehensive Sign Plan constraints: Total number of signs approved may not exceed 125% of the number allowed under traditional review; no sign may exceed the district maximum height by more than 50%; total sign area approved may not exceed 125% of the maximum area allowed under traditional review.
- Comprehensive Sign Plan review criteria include consistency with architectural/design standards and ensuring signs are sufficiently visible and readable given purpose, traffic movement/access, site features/structures, and viewing distances/angles.
- Comprehensive Sign Plan may include conditions, requirements, or standards to ensure signs are not detrimental to persons/property or public welfare.
- Comprehensive Sign Plan amendments: Minor amendments may be approved administratively if they meet the original plan’s standards, meet all other ordinance requirements, and do not increase the number of signs, height, or area authorized; replacement/repainting of a sign face without changing location/configuration/area does not require a permit or administrative review.
- Variance: The City may grant variances from square footage, height, and setback requirements in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance variance provisions (applicant must pursue the variance process when deviations are requested).
- B-3 Central Business District process note: All sign permits for properties within the B-3 District must be forwarded to the Design Committee for approval before any sign permit is issued.

## 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 4 zoning districts in Belle Plaine — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Belle+Plaine+MN&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-belle-plaine

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