# Sign Regulations in Big Lake, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Big Lake, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/big-lake
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-19

## At a glance

Big Lake, Minnesota regulates 16 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Electronic Message Center (EMC)s in the B-1, B-2, I-1, I-2, I-3 zoning district are capped at 8 feet above grade tall and Same as freestanding sign per lot: One square foot per linear street frontage, max 150 sq ft, with a 10 feet from property line; 5 feet from parking/driveway setback (Sec. § 1300.06 Subd. 3). Most commercial signs in Big Lake require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1, R-2, R-4, R-5 | 2 | Post and Arm: 5 feet above grade; Monument: 8 feet above grade | 32 square feet (for residential subdivision sign) | — |
| R-3 | 4 | 8 feet | 100 square feet | — |
| B-1, B-2, I-1, I-2, I-3 | 9 | 9 feet from grade to top of sign | Same as freestanding sign per lot: One square foot per linear street frontage, max 150 sq ft | — |
| TOD | 9 | 9 feet from grade to top of sign | Same as freestanding sign (see 1004.06 for restrictions) | — |
| Shoreland Management Zoning District | 1 | 10 feet above natural grade level | 32 square feet | — |
| Floodprone Areas (FEMA Designated Flood Areas) | 1 | At least 2 feet above ground | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | Flagpole: 25 feet | 75% of window area | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### B-1, B-2, I-1, I-2, I-3

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | One per side of structure with street frontage | Min. 8 feet vertical clearance above sidewalk/pathway | — | § 1300.06 Subd. 1 |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | One per side of structure with street frontage | Min. 8 feet vertical clearance above sidewalk/pathway; May be placed on front, above, or suspended below canopy | — | § 1300.06 Subd. 2 |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) | 8 feet above grade | Same as freestanding sign per lot: One square foot per linear street frontage, max 150 sq ft | — | 10 feet from property line; 5 feet from parking/driveway | 1 per street frontage, max 2 per site | On freestanding sign in lot | — | § 1300.06 Subd. 3 |
| Freestanding Sign | Post and Arm: 5 feet above grade; Monument: 8 feet above grade; Pylon: 30 feet above grade; EMC: 8 feet above grade | 150 square feet | — | 10 feet from property line; 5 feet from parking/driveway | 1 per lot | 10 feet setback from property line, 5 feet from parking/driveway | — | § 1300.05 Subd. 2; § 1300.06 Subd. 4 |
| Internal Wayfinding | 8 feet | 6 square feet per sign | — | — | Appropriate number as determined by Zoning Administrator | Placed for directional assistance as determined by Zoning Administrator | — | § 1300.06 Subd. 5 |
| Menu Board | 9 feet from grade to top of sign | 50 square feet per sign, 64 square feet total (for up to 2 signs) | — | — | No more than two | Customer automobile drive-through | — | § 1300.06 Subd. 8 |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | One per tenant per qualifying façade | Mounted flat against wall, maximum 4 inch separation from wall; minimum 8 feet vertical clearance above sidewalk grade; may be painted or attached | — | § 1300.06 Subd. 9 |
| Temporary Sign | Per type; Sandwich Board: 4 feet; Flag: 25 feet for flagpole; Freestanding: 6 feet | 8 square feet (no permit required); otherwise per type | — | Freestanding & Flag: 10 feet from curb/street | No more than four temporary signs per site at one time | Not within clear view triangle; Banner: public street by city permission; Freestanding: 10 ft from curb or street; Flag: 10 ft from curb/street | — | § 1300.08 |

### TOD

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | One per side of structure with street frontage | Min. 8 feet vertical clearance above sidewalk/pathway | — | § 1300.06 Subd. 1 |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | One per side of structure with street frontage | Min. 8 feet vertical clearance above sidewalk/pathway; May be placed on front, above, or suspended below canopy | — | § 1300.06 Subd. 2 |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) | 8 feet above grade | Same as freestanding sign (see 1004.06 for restrictions) | — | 10 feet from property line; 5 feet from parking/driveway | 1 per street frontage, max 2 per site | On freestanding sign in lot | — | § 1300.06 Subd. 3 |
| Internal Wayfinding | 8 feet | 6 square feet per sign | — | — | Appropriate number as determined by Zoning Administrator | Placed for directional assistance as determined by Zoning Administrator | — | § 1300.06 Subd. 5 |
| Menu Board | 9 feet from grade to top of sign | 50 square feet per sign, 64 square feet total (for up to 2 signs) | — | — | No more than two | Customer automobile drive-through | — | § 1300.06 Subd. 8 |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | One per tenant per qualifying façade | Mounted flat against wall, maximum 4 inch separation from wall; minimum 8 feet vertical clearance above sidewalk grade; may be painted or attached | — | § 1300.06 Subd. 9 |
| Window Sign | — | Limited to one-third (33.3%) of the total surface area of the window affixed | — | — | — | Affixed to exterior or interior of window | — | § 1300.06 Subd. 10 |
| Temporary Sign | Per type; Sandwich Board: 4 feet; Flag: 25 feet for flagpole; Freestanding: 6 feet | 8 square feet (no permit required); otherwise per type | — | Freestanding & Flag: 10 feet from curb/street | No more than four temporary signs per site at one time | Not within clear view triangle; Banner: public street by city permission; Freestanding: 10 ft from curb or street; Flag: 10 ft from curb/street | — | § 1300.08 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign - Sandwich Board (A-Frame) | 4 feet | 10 square feet per side | — | — | One per business | Must leave minimum 6 feet of clear walkway on sidewalk; Not left on sidewalk overnight | — | § 1300.08 Subd. 3.1 |
| Temporary Sign - Banner | — | 32 square feet | — | — | One per property | May extend across public street only with city permission; attached to building or on posts/stakes | — | § 1300.08 Subd. 3.2 |
| Temporary Sign - Flag | Flagpole: 25 feet | Maximum aggregate area of all flags: 32 square feet | — | 10 ft from curb or street | — | Set back at least 10 feet from curb or street | — | § 1300.08 Subd. 3.3 |
| Temporary Sign - Freestanding | 6 feet above ground | 32 square feet | — | 10 ft from curb or street | — | Set back at least 10 feet from curb or street | — | § 1300.08 Subd. 3.4 |
| Temporary Sign - Window | — | 75% of window area | — | — | — | — | — | § 1300.08 Subd. 3.5 |

## Prohibited signs in Big Lake

- No sign shall be placed in such a position as to endanger pedestrians, bicyclists, or traffic on a street by obscuring the view or by interfering with official street signs or signals.
- No sign may be located within a clear view triangle as specified in subsection 1001.02.
- Signs and their supporting structures shall not interfere with any surface and underground utility or communications lines or equipment.
- No sign shall be mounted on chimneys, rooftop equipment, towers, cooling towers, elevator penthouses, commercial antennas, communication towers, belfries, church spires, and cupolas.
- No sign shall be pasted or attached to utility poles, trees, fences, or other signs.
- No sign shall be pasted or attached to city property or equipment without permission from the governing body and shall be subject to all related laws and ordinances.
- All signs and components thereof shall be kept in good repair and in safe, neat, clean, and attractive condition and in compliance with all applicable Building Code requirements.
- Any sign which becomes structurally unsafe or endangers the safety of a building or premises, or endangers the public safety, shall be considered a public nuisance and shall be repaired or removed by the owner, agent, or person having the beneficial use of the building, structure, or land upon which the sign is located within ten days after written notification from the Zoning Administrator.
- Billboards are prohibited.
- Flashing lights are prohibited.
- Inflatable signs are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited.
- Projecting signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Rotating signs are prohibited.
- Signs that produce sound or include a noisemaking device or instrument for any purpose other than regulatory are prohibited.
- Signs on or attached to mobile equipment where the sign is a principal use of the equipment on either a temporary or permanent basis are prohibited.
- Signs which are of a size, location, movement, content, coloring, or manner of illumination which may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device, or which hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal or which obstruct the view in any direction at a street or road intersection are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Big Lake

- Building addresses are not regulated by this chapter.
- Historic plaques are not regulated by this chapter.
- Governmental signs for control of traffic and other regulatory or notification purposes as governed under MUTCD and State MUTCD are not regulated by this chapter.
- Murals are not regulated by this chapter.
- Real estate signs are not regulated by this chapter.
- Notices required to be posted by law, including, but not limited to warning signs, dangerous dog, hazardous building, building permit, and the like, are not regulated by this chapter.
- Seasonal decorations, including inflatable seasonal decorations, are not regulated by this chapter.
- Sculptures are not regulated by this chapter.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A master sign plan is required for all multi-tenant buildings to control total sign area and sign placement.
- No permit shall be issued for an individual sign in a multi-tenant building without a submittal of a master sign plan as part of the permit application.
- A master sign plan must contain a scaled site plan, scaled color drawings, dimensions of each sign including a summary table, and signatures of all owners or their authorized agents.
- A master sign plan may be amended by filing a new plan that conforms to all requirements.
- After approval, no sign may be erected, placed, painted, or maintained except in conformance with the approved master sign plan.
- Planned Unit Developments (PUD) may be required to submit a PUD sign plan as part of the preliminary PUD development plan.
- Sign permits are required for all permanent and temporary sign structures in all districts.

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

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