# Sign Regulations in Cambridge, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Cambridge, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/cambridge
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-08
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.ci.cambridge.mn.us/home/showpublisheddocument/3542/638061076340100000)

## At a glance

Cambridge, Minnesota regulates 37 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Ground Sign (Standard - Not Abutting Collector/Minor Arterial)s in the Professional Medical District (P-M) zoning district are capped at ≤ 6 ft tall and ≤ 32 sq ft, with a ≥ 5 ft from property line setback (Sec. § 156.063(D)(2)(a)-(d); (B)(4)(c)). Most commercial signs in Cambridge require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | Top of sign ≤ 15 ft above the grade elevation of the adjacent elevated four-lane highway | ≤ 200 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts (R-1A, R-1, R-2, R-3); Growth Area Districts (RA, UR) | 4 | ≤ 6 ft | As per general temporary sign limits: banners on buildings ≤100 sq ft; portable signs ≤32 sq ft. | — |
| Professional Medical District (P-M) | 11 | ≤ 28 ft | ≤ 175 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Business District (B-1) | 19 | ≤ 28 ft | ≤ 200 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Fringe Business District (B-1A) | 12 | 30 mph: ≤ 18 ft; 35 mph: ≤ 20 ft or ≤ 22 ft (two entries); 40 mph: ≤ 24 ft; 45 mph: ≤ 26 ft; 50+ mph: ≤ 28 ft. | Banners ≤100 sq ft; portable ≤32 sq ft; off-premises temporary signs ≤32 sq ft. | — |
| Highway Business District (B-2) | 11 | Local 30 mph: ≤6 ft; Collector 30 mph: ≤16 ft; Principal/Minor Arterial: 30 mph ≤18 ft; 35 mph ≤20 ft or ≤22 ft; 40 mph ≤24 ft; 45 mph ≤26 ft; 50+ mph ≤28 ft. | ≤ 200 sq ft | — |
| Business Transition District (BT) | 11 | Local 30 mph: ≤6 ft; Collector 30 mph: ≤16 ft; Principal/Minor Arterial: 30 mph ≤18 ft; 35 mph ≤20 ft or ≤22 ft; 40 mph ≤24 ft; 45 mph ≤26 ft; 50+ mph ≤28 ft. | ≤ 200 sq ft | — |
| Low Impact Business-Industrial District (I-1), Light Industrial District (I-2), General Industrial District (I-3), Industrial Transition District (IT) | 8 | 30 mph: ≤ 18 ft; 35 mph: ≤ 20 ft or ≤ 22 ft; 40 mph: ≤ 24 ft; 45 mph: ≤ 26 ft; 50+ mph: ≤ 28 ft. | ≤ 200 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### Professional Medical District (P-M)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Standard - Not Abutting Collector/Minor Arterial) | ≤ 6 ft | ≤ 32 sq ft | — | ≥ 5 ft from property line | Per general ground sign limits unless part of a development complex | On private property. | — | § 156.063(D)(2)(a)-(d); (B)(4)(c) |
| Ground Sign (Collector, 30 mph) | ≤ 16 ft | ≤ 25 sq ft | — | ≥ 5 ft | Per general ground sign limits | On lots abutting collector streets. | — | § 156.063(D)(2)(a)-(c); Table B |
| Ground Sign (Principal/Minor Arterial, 30 mph) | ≤ 18 ft | ≤ 75 sq ft | — | ≥ 5 ft | Per general ground sign limits | On lots abutting principal/minor arterial streets. | — | § 156.063(D)(2)(a)-(c); Table B (Principal/Minor Arterial, 30 mph) |
| Ground Sign (Principal/Minor Arterial, 35 mph - Option 1) | ≤ 20 ft | ≤ 25 sq ft | — | ≥ 5 ft | — | On lots abutting principal/minor arterial streets. | — | Table B (Principal/Minor Arterial, 35 mph: 25 sq ft area / 20 ft height) |
| Ground Sign (Principal/Minor Arterial, 35 mph - Option 2) | ≤ 22 ft | ≤ 100 sq ft | — | ≥ 5 ft | — | On lots abutting principal/minor arterial streets. | — | Table B (Principal/Minor Arterial, 35 mph: 100 sq ft area / 22 ft height) |
| Ground Sign (Principal/Minor Arterial, 40 mph) | ≤ 24 ft | ≤ 125 sq ft | — | ≥ 5 ft | — | On lots abutting principal/minor arterial streets. | — | Table B (Principal/Minor Arterial, 40 mph: 125 sq ft area / 24 ft height) |
| Ground Sign (Principal/Minor Arterial, 45 mph) | ≤ 26 ft | ≤ 150 sq ft | — | ≥ 5 ft | — | On lots abutting principal/minor arterial streets. | — | Table B (Principal/Minor Arterial, 45 mph: 150 sq ft area / 26 ft height) |
| Ground Sign (Principal/Minor Arterial, 50+ mph) | ≤ 28 ft | ≤ 175 sq ft | — | ≥ 5 ft | — | On lots abutting principal/minor arterial streets. | — | Table B (Principal/Minor Arterial, 50+ mph: 175 sq ft area / 28 ft height) |

### Downtown Business District (B-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Local, 30 mph) | ≤ 6 ft | ≤ 20 sq ft | — | ≥ 5 ft | Per general ground sign limits | On lots along local streets (30 mph). | — | § 156.063(D)(3)(a)-(b); Table B (Local, 30 mph); (B)(4)(b)-(c) |
| Ground Sign (Collector, 30 mph) | ≤ 16 ft | ≤ 25 sq ft | — | ≥ 5 ft | Per general ground sign limits | Along collector streets (30 mph). | — | § 156.063(D)(3)(a)-(b); Table B (Collector, 30 mph); (B)(4)(b)-(c) |
| Ground Sign (Principal/Minor Arterial, 30 mph) | ≤ 18 ft | ≤ 75 sq ft | — | ≥ 5 ft | — | Along principal/minor arterial streets (30 mph). | — | Table B (Principal/Minor Arterial, 30 mph); § 156.063(D)(3)(a)-(b); (B)(4)(b)-(c) |
| Ground Sign (Principal/Minor Arterial, 35 mph - Option 1) | ≤ 20 ft | ≤ 25 sq ft | — | ≥ 5 ft | — | Along principal/minor arterial streets (35 mph). | — | Table B (Principal/Minor Arterial, 35 mph: 25 sq ft / 20 ft) |
| Ground Sign (Principal/Minor Arterial, 35 mph - Option 2) | ≤ 22 ft | ≤ 100 sq ft | — | ≥ 5 ft | — | Along principal/minor arterial streets (35 mph). | — | Table B (Principal/Minor Arterial, 35 mph: 100 sq ft / 22 ft) |
| Ground Sign (Principal/Minor Arterial, 40 mph) | ≤ 24 ft | ≤ 125 sq ft | — | ≥ 5 ft | — | Along principal/minor arterial streets (40 mph). | — | Table B (Principal/Minor Arterial, 40 mph: 125 sq ft / 24 ft) |
| Ground Sign (Principal/Minor Arterial, 45 mph) | ≤ 26 ft | ≤ 150 sq ft | — | ≥ 5 ft | — | Along principal/minor arterial streets (45 mph). | — | Table B (Principal/Minor Arterial, 45 mph: 150 sq ft / 26 ft) |
| Ground Sign (Principal/Minor Arterial, 50+ mph) | ≤ 28 ft | ≤ 175 sq ft | — | ≥ 5 ft | — | Along principal/minor arterial streets (50+ mph). | — | Table B (Principal/Minor Arterial, 50+ mph: 175 sq ft / 28 ft) |

### Downtown Fringe Business District (B-1A)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Property total area: Table A A=75 sq ft minimum; B=18% of wall surface area (cap not specified). | — | — | — | On principal structures. | — | § 156.063(D)(3)(a)-(b); Table A (B-1A) |
| Ground Sign (Local, 30 mph) | ≤ 6 ft | ≤ 20 sq ft | — | ≥ 5 ft | — | Along local streets (30 mph). | — | § 156.063(D)(3)(a)-(b); Table B; (B)(4)(b)-(c) |
| Ground Sign (Collector, 30 mph) | ≤ 16 ft | ≤ 25 sq ft | — | ≥ 5 ft | — | Along collector streets (30 mph). | — | Table B (Collector, 30 mph); § 156.063(D)(3)(a)-(b) |
| Ground Sign (Principal/Minor Arterial, 30/35/40/45/50+ mph) | 30 mph: ≤ 18 ft; 35 mph: ≤ 20 ft or ≤ 22 ft (two entries); 40 mph: ≤ 24 ft; 45 mph: ≤ 26 ft; 50+ mph: ≤ 28 ft. | 30 mph: ≤ 75 sq ft; 35 mph: ≤ 25 sq ft or ≤ 100 sq ft (two entries); 40 mph: ≤ 125 sq ft; 45 mph: ≤ 150 sq ft; 50+ mph: ≤ 175 sq ft. | — | ≥ 5 ft | — | Along principal/minor arterial streets. | — | Table B (Principal/Minor Arterial entries); § 156.063(D)(3)(a)-(b); (B)(4)(b)-(c) |
| Canopy Sign - Island Canopy | — | ≤ 20 sq ft per sign; length ≤ 10 ft | — | — | Up to 4 per canopy | On fuel island canopies. | — | § 156.063(D)(3)(e) |
| Gas Pump/Island/Canopy Support Sign | — | ≤ 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On gas pumps, islands, canopy supports. | — | § 156.063(D)(3)(f) |
| Drive-Thru Lane Sign (On-Site) | — | ≤ 50 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 per lane | At each drive-up or walk-up lane. | — | § 156.063(D)(3)(g) |
| Temporary Signs | — | Banners ≤100 sq ft; portable ≤32 sq ft; off-premises temporary signs ≤32 sq ft. | — | — | — | On private property; not in ROW. | — | § 156.063(E)(1)-(12); (E)(9)(b)-(c) |

## Prohibited signs in Cambridge

- Placing, erecting, replacing, or altering any sign without a sign permit, unless specifically exempt.
- Signs that by reason of position, shape, or color interfere with the proper function of a traffic sign or mislead vehicular traffic.
- Signs that by reason of illumination or brightness disturb the peace of any neighboring residential property.
- Signs within a public right-of-way or on a public easement, except for signs installed by governmental units and B-1/B-1A district sidewalk signs as regulated (or where an Easement Agreement is approved by the City).
- Signs that resemble any official marker erected by a governmental agency or that display words such as 'stop' or 'danger' without legal authority.
- Signs attached to trees, benches, street light standards, or utility poles.
- Signs with rotating beams, spotlights, flashing illumination, pennants, or stringers.
- Signs that project over and into a public right-of-way, except for canopy, flag mount, or awning signs with a minimum 7-foot clearance above a public sidewalk in the B-1 and B-1A districts.
- Rotating signs.
- Signs painted on or attached to vehicles where the vehicle is parked on a property and not intended to be moved.
- Signs on any rooftop.
- Off-premises signs, except as specifically allowed in this section.
- Signs that constitute a nuisance or a danger to public safety.
- Permanent signs made of non-durable materials such as vinyl, cloth, cardboard, or paper.

## Signs exempt from permit in Cambridge

- One wall sign displaying the property address per principal building in all zoning districts, up to 1 square foot, not subject to permitting and not counted toward total sign area.
- Signs on residential properties that are less than 1 square foot in area (permit-exempt; do not count against allowable signage).
- Non-commercial signs in parking lots that are less than 8 square feet in size and 6 feet in height (permit-exempt; do not count against allowable signage).
- Noncommercial safety signs erected by railroad or utilities companies (permit-exempt; do not count against allowable signage).
- Temporary signs displayed while a parcel is for sale, available for lease, or under construction, subject to size and duration limits (permit-exempt; do not count against allowable signage).
- Non-commercial signs during election periods as allowed by Minnesota Statute 211B.045 (permit-exempt; do not count against allowable signage).
- Noncommercial flags, badges, or insignia (permit-exempt; do not count against allowable signage).
- Emergency signs required by any governmental agency (permit-exempt; do not count against allowable signage).
- Carvings or plaques incorporated into a building, made of permanent materials, containing only non-commercial speech (permit-exempt; do not count against allowable signage).
- Home occupation and residential day care: one non-illuminated sign not exceeding 8 square feet (permit-exempt; in B-1, B-1A, B-2, or BT districts, one non-illuminated ground sign may be allowed per Table A, column B).
- Signs erected or maintained by the City are exempt from the sign regulations.
- Message substitution: the owner of any otherwise allowed sign may substitute non-commercial speech without additional approval or permitting.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Commercial and industrial development complexes must obtain approval of a master sign plan from the Zoning Administrator; the plan must show proposed sign locations, materials, structures, and installation details, and may require amendments as occupancy or tenants change.
- All commercial development complexes require an approved master signage plan prior to installation of any signage.
- All industrial development complexes require an approved master signage plan prior to installation of any signage.
- Property owners must request City designation as a Commercial or Industrial Development Complex before using complex sign standards.
- Additional ground signs beyond the one-sign maximum may be authorized through a conditional use permit or as part of a planned unit development approval.
- Elevated ground signs for highway-oriented businesses that are adjacent to residential uses require a special use permit from the City Council.
- Installing a sign within a public easement requires an Easement Agreement with the City.
- Wayfinding signs on private property in all zoning districts require a sign permit; the Zoning Administrator determines wayfinding sign height.
- Wayfinding signs in the public right-of-way are installed and maintained by the City; the requester must pay fabrication, installation, and maintenance costs.
- A sign permit is required for any placement, erection, replacement, or alteration of a sign unless it is specifically exempt; a double fee may be charged if a sign is erected without first obtaining a permit.

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

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