# Sign Regulations in Bemidji, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Bemidji, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/bemidji
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MN/Bemidji/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH28ZO_ARTVIISIRE)

## At a glance

Bemidji, Minnesota regulates 41 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Permitted Non-Residential Uses)s in the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6, MH zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 32 sq ft, with a 15 feet from right-of-way setback (Sec. Sec. 28-250(a)(4)). Most commercial signs in Bemidji require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | 5 ft (unless on building) | 32 square feet (R-1-5, MH); 48 square feet (all others) | — |
| Conservation District (C) | 1 | — | — | — |
| R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6, MH | 9 | 6 ft | 36 sq ft per entrance | — |
| LC, LD | 12 | 15 ft | 250 sq ft | — |
| B-1, B-2 | 10 | 15 ft | 250 sq ft | — |
| UR | 7 | — | 200 sq ft per parcel (total) | — |
| O/M, U | 7 | 15 ft | 60 sq ft | — |
| I-1, I-2 | 6 | 30 ft | 125 sq ft total for parcel | — |
| Trunk Highway 197 Overlay District | 1 | 25 ft | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6, MH

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Entryway Sign (Subdivision, Development, Neighborhood) | — | 32 sq ft per street frontage | — | — | One per street frontage | At entryway per street frontage | — | Sec. 28-250(a)(2) |
| On-Premise Building Entrance Sign (Apartment/Condo) | — | 36 sq ft per entrance | — | — | One per entrance | At each building entrance in apartment/condo complex | — | Sec. 28-250(a)(3) |
| Freestanding Sign (Permitted Non-Residential Uses) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 15 feet from right-of-way | One per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | Sec. 28-250(a)(4) |
| Wall Sign (Permitted Non-Residential Uses) | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | Sec. 28-250(a)(4) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | One | Front or side yard | — | Sec. 28-250(a)(5) |
| Freestanding Sign (All permitted, general) | 6 ft | — | — | 15 feet from right-of-way | — | — | — | Sec. 28-250(a)(6) |
| Banner (Permitted Non-Residential Uses except Home Occupation) | — | 30 sq ft | — | — | One per parcel | — | — | Sec. 28-250(a)(8) |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Permitted Non-Residential except Home Occupation) | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | One per parcel | Outdoors when establishment open | — | Sec. 28-250(b) |

### LC, LD

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Bulletin Board Sign | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | One per parcel | On-premise | — | Sec. 28-251(a)(1) |
| Banner | — | 30 sq ft | — | — | One per parcel | On-premise | — | Sec. 28-251(a)(2) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | — | 20 sq ft (total for both) | — | — | Two per parcel | Outdoors when open | — | Sec. 28-251(a)(3) |
| Sail Sign | 15 ft | — | — | — | Two per parcel | Outdoors when open | — | Sec. 28-251(a)(4) |
| Portable Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft from lot line | One per parcel | On-premise | — | Sec. 28-251(b)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Single Tenant) | — | 125 sq ft static; +55 sq ft manual changeable or dynamic display (if incorporated into same structure) | — | 15 ft from front; 5 ft side | One per parcel (two for ≥10 acre with two driveways/frontages) | Per parcel; up to 2 for ≥10 acre, 2-street parcels | — | Sec. 28-251(b)(2)b.ii |
| Freestanding Sign (Multi-Tenant) | — | 150 sq ft static; +55 sq ft manual/dynamic display (if incorporated) | — | 15 ft from front; 5 ft side | One per parcel (two for ≥10 acre with two driveways/frontages) | Per parcel; up to 2 for ≥10 acre, 2-street parcels | — | Sec. 28-251(b)(2)c.ii |
| Low Profile Monument Sign | 6 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 5 ft from right-of-way | One (in lieu of other freestanding) | — | — | Sec. 28-251(b)(2)d.i |

### B-1, B-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Bulletin Board Sign | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | One per parcel | On-premise | — | Sec. 28-252(a)(1) |
| Banner | — | 60 sq ft | — | 5 ft from lot line | One per parcel | On-premise; min. 5 ft setback from lot line | — | Sec. 28-252(a)(2) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | — | 20 sq ft (total) | — | — | Two per parcel | Outdoors when open; 5 ft pedestrian clearance | — | Sec. 28-252(a)(3) |
| Sail Sign | 15 ft | — | — | — | Two per parcel | Outdoors when open; 5 ft pedestrian clearance | — | Sec. 28-252(a)(4) |
| Portable Sign | — | 60 sq ft | — | 5 ft from lot line | One per parcel | On-premise; min 5 ft setback from lot line | — | Sec. 28-252(b)(1) |
| Freestanding or Monument Sign (Single Tenant) | — | 125 sq ft static; +55 sq ft manual/dynamic display (if incorporated) | — | 15 ft from street right-of-way; 10 ft side | One per parcel (two for ≥5 acres, two frontages) | Per parcel; up to two for ≥5 acres w/ two driveways | — | Sec. 28-252(b)(2)b.ii |
| Freestanding or Monument Sign (Multi-Tenant) | — | 150 sq ft static; +55 sq ft manual/dynamic display (if incorporated) | — | 15 ft from street right-of-way; 10 ft side | One per parcel (two for ≥5 acres, two frontages) | Per parcel; up to two for ≥5 acres/2 driveways | — | Sec. 28-252(b)(2)c.ii |
| Low Profile Monument Sign | 6 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 5 ft from ROW | One (in lieu of other freestanding) | — | — | Sec. 28-252(b)(2)d.i |

## Prohibited signs in Bemidji

- No sign shall be permitted as a main or accessory use except in accordance with the provisions of this development code.
- It is unlawful for any person to erect, place, or maintain a sign in the city except in accordance with the provisions of this development code.
- Signs, other than government signs, are prohibited within all public rights-of-way and easements and on public property.
- Projecting signs, awnings, canopies, and under canopy signs that overhang a sidewalk or other pedestrian way shall provide a minimum clearance above the pedestrian way of eight feet.
- Signs on vacant or abandoned buildings, or signs located at businesses which have ceased to operate as commercial enterprises. Such signs shall be removed by the property owner within 30 days of abandonment or business cessation.
- Signs imitating or resembling official traffic or public safety signs or signals in shape, size or color.
- Snipe signs or signs attached to trees, telephone or utility poles, public benches, streetlights, or placed on any public property or public right-of-way, with the exception of government signs.
- Signs that interfere with the safe operation of official traffic control devices.
- Signs that emit sound.
- Signs anchored by guy wires, chains, cables or similar devices that project down to the ground or in any way which create an unsafe condition for pedestrians or motorists.
- Dynamic displays on any moving motorized or non-motorized vehicle, except as may be allowed in a parade which has been officially approved by a political subdivision.
- Roof signs without a CUP approved (excludes sloping roof signs and fascia signs on roof-like projections. Such signs may not extend higher than the peak of the roof line).
- Swinging or other non-secured permanent signs.
- Billboards including all dynamic billboard type displays.
- Vehicular signs displayed on a parked trailer, truck, or other vehicle where the primary purpose of the vehicle is to advertise a product, service, business, or other activity is prohibited. (Exception for business logos, identification or advertising on vehicles primarily and actively used for business purposes and/or personal transportation.)
- Signs tied to trees, supported by rocks or other naturally occurring landscape features.
- Off-premise or directional signage.
- Any person, entity or organization erecting, displaying or failing to remove any sign or device without first obtaining the appropriate sign permit (unless otherwise exempted).

## Signs exempt from permit in Bemidji

- Government signs.
- Signs not intended to be viewed from a public right-of-way.
- The copy or message displayed on signs.
- Interior window displays.
- Product dispensers.
- Non-dynamic display scoreboards on athletic fields.
- Gravestones.
- Barber poles.
- Religious symbols.
- Commemorative plaques.
- The display of street numbers.
- Any display or construction not defined as a sign.
- The owner of any sign that is otherwise allowed by this code may substitute non-commercial copy in lieu of any other commercial or non-commercial copy, without any additional approval or permitting.
- Maintenance of a sign or change of copy on painted or printed sign face panels.
- Specific listed types of signs in Sec. 28-247 are exempt from permit requirements, but must comply with code. These include: 1) Certain construction site signs; 2) Holiday decorations; 3) Identification signs within specified size limits; 4) Signs authorized by Minn. Stat., § 211B.045; 5) Commercial message signs on property for sale or lease according to size and timing standards; 6) Certain window signs when accessory (not principal); 7) Incidental signs under two square feet; 8) Wall or building art without commercial messaging; 9) Flags within specified number, size, and location requirements; 10) Signs on operating, lawfully parked vehicles and construction equipment temporarily parked on a permitted construction site; 11) Small garage sale signs (time-limited); 12) Temporary or permanent public utility warning signs; 13) Outdoor scoreboards in athletic stadiums without dynamic displays; 14) Signs/banners on fences at permitted outdoor recreational facilities not oriented to public roads; 15) On-premise directional signs (subject to limits); 16) Certain off-premise directional signs for closed driveways; 17) Bench signs at bus stops or resting places (subject to size limits); 18) Point of purchase display signs under one square foot; 19) Handicapped parking signs; 20) Small non-commercial speech signs; 21) Non-commercial speech community event banners in approved locations; 22) Select security/warning signs within size and placement limits; 23) One private drive sign per entrance (size-limited).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Each individual tenant in a multi-tenant building in the LC and LD districts may have one wall sign if a sign plan is submitted for review by planning staff.
- Each individual tenant in a multi-tenant building in the B-1 and B-2 districts may have one wall sign if a sign plan is submitted for review by the planning director.
- For multi-tenant buildings in the UR district, a total of one wall mounted sign is allowed per business per street and alley right-of-way frontage, if a sign plan is submitted for review by the planning director. Landlords may submit one plan and obtain one permit per building if sign structures are incorporated into the lease plan.
- A conditional use permit (CUP) is required for roof signs.
- A comprehensive sign plan with a PUD in the LD district may allow a dynamic display exceeding 55 square feet in sign area.
- Special event sign permits are required for the use of temporary signs/devices for special events, and must be obtained prior to display.

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

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