# Sign Regulations in Brainerd, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Brainerd, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/brainerd
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-08
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.ci.brainerd.mn.us/DocumentCenter/View/6558/New-Zoning-Code-Adopted-July-2022?bidId=#page=77)

## At a glance

Brainerd, Minnesota regulates 28 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Changeable Copy Sign (Wall/Freestanding/Monument)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Minimum 8 ft to bottom of sign; overall height governed by host sign type and district limits tall and Counts toward total sign area allowed in the applicable zoning district, with a set back ≥3 ft from property lines and outside sight visibility triangle; no encroachment into ROW or easements. setback (Sec. Section 515-3-38 F.4; J.5–J.7; J.14.a–d; I.6; D.3). Most commercial signs in Brainerd require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | ≤12 ft | ≤100 sq ft | — |
| Rural Living (RL-1, RL-2) | 2 | ≤6 ft | ≤32 sq ft | — |
| Garden Living (GL) | 2 | ≤6 ft | ≤32 sq ft | — |
| Contemporary Neighborhood (CN-1, CN-2) | 2 | ≤6 ft | ≤32 sq ft | — |
| Traditional Neighborhood (TN-1, TN-2, TN-3) | 2 | ≤6 ft | ≤32 sq ft | — |
| Traditional Neighborhood 2 (TN-2) | 3 | ≤6 ft | ≤12 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Corridor (CC), General Commercial (GC), Main Street (MS), Town Center (TC), Makers + Employment (ME), General Industrial (GI) | 15 | ≤25 ft | ≤300 sq ft per sign | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Changeable Copy Sign (Wall/Freestanding/Monument) | Minimum 8 ft to bottom of sign; overall height governed by host sign type and district limits | Counts toward total sign area allowed in the applicable zoning district | — | Freestanding/monument signs: set back ≥3 ft from property lines and outside sight visibility triangle; no encroachment into ROW or easements. | Max 1 per parcel | On-site; may be incorporated into wall, freestanding, or monument signs where signs are otherwise permitted. | — | Section 515-3-38 F.4; J.5–J.7; J.14.a–d; I.6; D.3 |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign (≥5 lots/units) | Freestanding sign ≤6 ft | 24 sq ft per entrance sign | — | ≥3 ft from property lines; outside sight visibility triangle; no encroachment into ROW. | 1 per street entrance | At subdivision/multifamily development entrances; placed on common space sized to accommodate the structure. | — | Section 515-3-38 J.2.a–h; I.1; I.6; D.3 |
| Multifamily Development Wall Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per multifamily development | On the building façade of the multifamily development. | — | Section 515-3-38 J.2.f; I.6; D.3 |
| Subdivision/Project Marketing Sign (Final Plat Approved; ≥5 lots) | Freestanding sign ≤8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | ≥3 ft from property lines; outside sight visibility triangle; no encroachment into ROW. | Per rule: 1 per project or 1 per street frontage, whichever is greater | On project frontage(s) to a public street. | — | Section 515-3-38 J.3.a–d; I.6; D.3 |
| Government/Educational/Place of Worship - Wall Signs | — | Parcel-specific by formula | — | — | Max 2 on front wall | Front wall of principal building. | — | Section 515-3-38 J.4.a; I.6 |
| Government/Educational/Place of Worship - Monument Sign (Changeable Copy Allowed) | ≤12 ft | ≤100 sq ft | — | ≥3 ft from property lines; outside sight visibility triangle; no encroachment into ROW. | 1 per principal building; 2 on corner lots | On-site, facing the street(s). | — | Section 515-3-38 J.4.b; J.5–J.7; I.6; I.1 |
| Drive-Through Menu Board Sign (Convenience Food Uses) | ≤8 ft (including base/pole) | ≤50 sq ft (single-sided) | — | Outside principal building setback; general setbacks apply as applicable. | Per drive-through aisle (not specifically quantified) | Directly adjacent to drive-through aisle; oriented to drive-through patrons. | — | Section 515-3-38 J.15.a–c; I.6 |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential Districts) | — | ≤9 sq ft | — | — | — | On the property that is for sale or rent. | — | Section 515-3-38 I.18 |

### Traditional Neighborhood 2 (TN-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Residential Use) | — | ≤2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parcel (residential uses) | On building façade. | — | Section 515-3-38 J.9.a.i; I.6; D.3; E |
| Freestanding Sign (Residential Use) | ≤6 ft | ≤12 sq ft | — | ≥3 ft from property lines; outside sight visibility triangle; no encroachment into ROW. | 1 per parcel (residential uses) | On-site, facing street. | — | Section 515-3-38 J.9.a.ii; I.1; I.6; D.3; E |
| Banner Sign (Temporary) | — | Counts toward allowable building sign area for the district | — | — | 1 per building wall (temporary) | On building wall. | — | Section 515-3-38 I.8.a; I.6; D.3 |

### Commercial Corridor (CC), General Commercial (GC), Main Street (MS), Town Center (TC), Makers + Employment (ME), General Industrial (GI)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (15% of Building Façade) | — | Parcel-specific by formula | — | — | Number limited by façade area cap; per-tenant limits apply in multiple occupancy buildings | On façades fronting a public street or alley. | — | Section 515-3-38 J.10.a; J.11.a–d; I.2; I.12; I.6; D.3 |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | — | Must fit within physical dimensions of the awning/canopy fascia | — | — | 1 per canopy fascia fronting a public street | On awning/canopy fascia fronting a public street. | — | Section 515-3-38 J.12.a–b; J.11.d; I.6 |
| Projecting Sign (CC/GC/MS/TC only) | — | By formula | — | No encroachment over vehicular travel lanes; ROW encroachment only as allowed in CC, TC, MS. | — | Mounted to building façade fronting a public street. | — | Section 515-3-38 I.13.a–c; J.11; I.6; D.3 |
| Freestanding Sign (Street Frontage ≤100 ft) | ≤25 ft | ≤100 sq ft | — | ≥3 ft from property lines; outside sight visibility triangle; no encroachment into ROW. | Per frontage rule; see additional variations for larger frontages | On the street frontage determining its sign area. | — | Section 515-3-38 J.10.b; I.3; I.6; I.1 |
| Freestanding Sign (Street Frontage >100 ft) (GI/CC/GC) | Typically ≤25 ft unless otherwise limited; no explicit height increase stated | ≤300 sq ft per sign | — | ≥3 ft from property lines; outside sight visibility triangle; no encroachment into ROW. | See 'Additional Signs' variation for very large frontages | Must be located on the street frontage for which its sign area is determined. | — | Section 515-3-38 J.10.b.i–iv; J.10.c–e; I.3; I.6; I.1 |
| Freestanding Sign - Additional Signs (Frontage >300 ft) (GI/CC/GC) | — | ≤300 sq ft per sign | — | ≥3 ft from property lines; outside sight visibility triangle; no encroachment into ROW. | 1 additional sign per additional 300 ft of frontage (GI/CC/GC only) | On the street frontage for which its sign area is determined. | — | Section 515-3-38 J.10.b.ii–iv; J.10.c–e; I.6 |
| Banner Sign (Temporary) | — | Counts toward allowable building sign area for the district | — | — | 1 per building wall (temporary) | On building wall. | — | Section 515-3-38 I.8.a; I.6; D.3 |
| Accessory Gas Price Sign (Automobile Service/Convenience Stores) | — | ≤16 sq ft per face (single or double-faced) | — | General setbacks apply as applicable. | 1 per public street frontage | Affixed to the standard of a ground sign or to a light fixture. | — | Section 515-3-38 J.13.a–b; I.6; D.3 |

## Prohibited signs in Brainerd

- No sign may be erected, altered, improved, reconstructed, maintained, or moved without first securing a Sign Permit from the City, unless exempt under Section E.
- Any sign that imitates, resembles, attempts to direct traffic like, hides from view, or interferes with any official traffic-control device or railroad sign or signal is prohibited.
- All signs over 300 square feet in area are prohibited.
- All off-premises signs greater than 6 square feet in area are prohibited.
- Changeable copy signs are prohibited except as specifically allowed by Subsection J.
- Content classified as obscene under Minnesota Statutes Section 617.241 is prohibited on signs.
- Flashing or rotating signs are prohibited.
- Signs painted, attached, or otherwise affixed to trees or similar natural surfaces, or attached to utility poles, bridges, towers, or similar public structures are prohibited.
- No signs, guys, stays, or attachments may be erected, placed, or maintained on trees or interfere with electric light, power, telephone, or telegraph wires or their supports.
- No sign shall be attached to or allowed to hang from any building until all necessary wall attachments have been approved by the City Building Official.
- Illuminated signs must be shielded to prevent lights from being directed at oncoming traffic, may not interfere with or obscure traffic signs or signals, and lighting may not illuminate adjacent properties, buildings, or streets.
- No sign or sign structure may be erected or maintained that prevents free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape, and no sign or sign structure shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- Signs are not allowed to encroach into or over MnDOT right-of-way without MnDOT approval.
- Any sign that is unreadable, unsafe, unsecured, abandoned, unlawful, or in disrepair must be repaired or removed by the owner or lessee within 60 days.
- All signs or sign messages must be removed by the owner or lessee when the business they advertise is no longer conducted on the premises.

## Signs exempt from permit in Brainerd

- Changing the display surface on an existing sign does not require a permit.
- Small signs on private property without illumination do not require a permit, subject to: owner permission; placement at least 15 feet from the back of curb; not within the sight visibility triangle or within the right-of-way; ground-mounted signs not exceeding 6 square feet in area and 3 feet in height; no more than two ground-mounted signs and two flags per property; additional signs of any size permitted during State election periods (46 days before the State primary to 10 days after the State general election, and 91 days before a special election to 10 days after).
- One temporary off-premises sign on private property of 6 square feet or less in size and not exceeding 3 feet in height is allowed for a period of up to 7 days without a permit.
- Signs located within the public right-of-way are regulated by Chapter VIII of the City Code (permit not required under this Section).
- Official signs do not require a permit.
- Substitution of non-commercial copy for any allowed sign copy may be made without additional approval or permitting; conversion back to commercial copy is permitted as allowed.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Sign Permit application must include a Sketch Plan to scale showing lot lines, building structures, parking areas, existing and proposed signs, and other physical features.
- A Sign Permit application must include an inventory of existing on-site signage (size, height, location).
- A Sign Permit application must include plans, location and specifications, and the method of construction and attachment or placement.
- For subdivision or multiple-family area identification signs, detailed site and landscape plans must be included with each sign permit application and are subject to approval by the Zoning Administrator.
- For subdivision or multiple-family area identification signs, detailed construction plans and a materials list must be included with each sign permit application and are subject to approval by the Zoning Administrator.
- No explicit Master Sign Plan or variance meeting requirement is stated in the provided text.

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

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