# Sign Regulations in Carver, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Carver, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/carver
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MN/Carver/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CO_CH1GEPR_S1-5EFSERESIFO)

## At a glance

Carver, Minnesota regulates 17 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Monument Signs in the Central business district (CBD) zoning district are capped at 10 ft tall and 30 sq ft, with a At least 5 ft from public right-of-way or structure setback setback (Sec. Sec. 50-93(8)A.1). Most commercial signs in Carver require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Central business district (CBD) | 4 | 10 ft | 80 sq ft or 10% of wall area, whichever is less | — |
| General commercial (GC), Freeway commercial (FC) | 7 | 20 to 50 ft depending on lot size/frontage | Variable; up to 275 sq ft maximum on large walls | — |
| Industrial district (I-1) | 4 | 10 ft | 64 sq ft | — |
| Agriculture (A-1), Low density residence (R-1), Low density residence unsewered (RUS-1), Medium density residence (R-2) | 1 | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Public institutional (P/I), Public open space (P) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | Flag: 50 ft (non-res.), 25 ft or height of principal structure (residential); Free-standing: 4 ft; Traffic: 5 ft | Window signs: Max 50% of window area; non-governmental traffic signs: 4 sq ft; free-standing yard sign: 12 sq ft, 4 ft high | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Central business district (CBD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 10 ft | 30 sq ft | — | At least 5 ft from public right-of-way or structure setback | 1 per lot/building pad | One per zoning lot or separate building pad with street frontage, at least 5 ft from public right-of-way or existing structure setback | — | Sec. 50-93(8)A.1 |
| Wall Sign or Canopy Sign | — | 80 sq ft or 10% of wall area, whichever is less | — | No wall sign shall extend further than within 1 ft of the curb | — | Building facade (street frontage) | — | Sec. 50-93(8)A.2 |
| Rear Door Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per rear or side door | One per rear or side door, on the door | — | Sec. 50-93(8)A.3 |
| Under-Canopy Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tenant | Per tenant, perpendicular to wall, uniform height | — | Sec. 50-93(8)A.4 |

### General commercial (GC), Freeway commercial (FC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| TH212 Frontage Monument Sign | 20 to 50 ft depending on lot size/frontage | 120 sq ft to 480 sq ft depending on lot size/frontage | — | 40 ft from TH 212 right-of-way and 40 ft from adjacent property line; not greater than 100 ft from right-of-way | 1 per zone lot with required frontage | One per zone lot with TH 212 frontage as part of PCD, instead of the monument sign; minimum setback 40 ft from TH 212 right-of-way and 40 ft from adjacent property line | — | Sec. 50-93(8)B.1 |
| Monument Sign | 10 ft | 80 sq ft | — | At least 10 ft from any property line | 1 per zoning lot | One per zoning lot with street frontage, at least 10 ft from any property line | — | Sec. 50-93(8)B.2 |
| Wall Sign or Canopy Sign (Structure > 100,000 sq ft) | — | Varies (per PCD approval) | — | — | Per PCD approval | On building facade(s) as per site plan | — | Sec. 50-93(8)B.3.a |
| Wall Sign or Canopy Sign (Structure < 100,000 sq ft) | — | Variable; up to 275 sq ft maximum on large walls | — | — | — | On street frontage and entrance façade; canopy signs may substitute for wall signs. | — | Sec. 50-93(8)B.3.b |
| Menu Board (Drive through) | 8 ft | 45 sq ft | — | — | 1 per drive through | Drive through facility | — | Sec. 50-93(8)B.4 |
| Rear Door Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per rear/side door | One per rear or side door; on the door | — | Sec. 50-93(8)B.5 |
| Under-Canopy Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tenant | Per tenant; extends perpendicular to wall; at uniform height | — | Sec. 50-93(8)B.6 |

### Industrial district (I-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (Primary) | 10 ft | 64 sq ft | — | At least 20 ft from public right-of-way of entrance street | Max 2 per entrance | At entrance(s) from public right-of-way; not within 20 ft of right-of-way | — | Sec. 50-93(8)C.1.a |
| Monument Sign (Secondary) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per structure | At each structure in industrial/office park | — | Sec. 50-93(8)C.1.b |
| Wall Sign (Structures with 3+ stories) | — | 48 sq ft | — | — | 1 per right-of-way frontage | At top of structure, per right-of-way frontage | — | Sec. 50-93(8)C.2 |
| Door or Wall Sign (Per Tenant) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tenant | On the door or immediately adjacent wall to the tenant's suite | — | Sec. 50-93(8)C.3 |

## Prohibited signs in Carver

- It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, construct, enlarge, move, alter or convert any sign or cause the same to be done within the city except in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance.
- Except as specifically exempted from the provisions of section 50-93, it shall be unlawful for any person to post, display, substantially change, or erect a sign without a permit.
- No sign or sign structure shall be erected, altered, rebuilt or relocated until a permit has first been issued by the city, except as provided in subdivision (5) of section 50-93.
- All signs not expressly authorized by this Ordinance are prohibited.
- Temporary signs that are not in compliance with subdivision (8)C are prohibited.
- Roof signs including signs mounted on a roof surface or projecting above the roof line of a structure if either attached to the structure or cantilevered over the structure are prohibited.
- Signs with dynamic displays, except those allowed under subdivision (8)F, are prohibited.
- Swinging signs are prohibited.
- Rotating signs are prohibited.
- Pylon signs are prohibited.
- Animated signs, flashing signs, and intensely lit signs are prohibited, except changing signs as allowed.
- Signs designed to resemble official traffic signs, except signs used to control traffic on private property, are prohibited.
- Signs painted on or attached to any courtesy bench, trash can, or similar object used for advertising are prohibited.
- Window signs which exceed 50 percent of the window area are prohibited.
- Wind-activated devices other than flags and banners are prohibited.
- A-frame signs, sandwich board, sidewalk, or curb signs are prohibited when placement makes a location inaccessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Signs attached or painted onto equipment, such as semi-truck trailers, where signing is a principal use of the equipment, are prohibited.
- Signs painted on or attached to utility poles, trees, rocks, or other similar objects are prohibited.
- Signs that obstruct a fire escape, required exit, window or door opening used as a means of ingress or egress, or interfere with any opening required for ventilation, or which violate any city code including Life Safety Code and Fire Prevention Code, are prohibited.
- Signs occupying a parking space required under minimum parking requirements, other than signs designating the space reserved for handicapped or other use, are prohibited.
- Signs which do not conform to city-adopted building and electrical codes are prohibited.
- Signs which emit audible sound, odor or visible matter are prohibited.
- Signs set back less than ten feet from the curb of any street or located in roadway medians, except within the central business district, are prohibited.
- Signs attached to any street signs or signs directing or controlling traffic, or any sign attached to a pole supporting such signs, are prohibited.
- Signs projected onto a structure are prohibited.
- Signs within public right-of-way except for official traffic signs or publicly owned/maintained signs are prohibited. Sandwich board signs within the central business district zoning district are excluded from this prohibition with conditions.
- Signs in violation of any zoning overlay district or historic district rules and regulations are prohibited.
- Any sign constructed of non-durable material, including but not limited to paper, cardboard, or flexible plastic, displayed more than 60 days and showing weather damage is prohibited.
- Abandoned signs are prohibited; signs are deemed abandoned if the business, service, event, or principal use on the zoning lot has been discontinued for six months.
- Any sign that is structurally unsound or a hazard to traffic or pedestrians is prohibited.
- Dilapidated or neglected signs are prohibited.
- Billboard signs are prohibited.
- Signs in any area designated as an undisturbed buffer by law, zoning, or plat are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Carver

- Signs in compliance with the Fair Campaign Practices Act (M.S.A. § 211.B.045) are exempt from permit requirements.
- Non-governmental traffic control devices that do not contain commercial messages and are not larger than four square feet and not more than five feet in height are exempt from permit requirements, provided placement does not adversely affect adjacent properties or site lines.
- One non-illuminated free-standing sign per property having an aggregate sign area of not more than 12 square feet, not exceeding four feet in height or set back less than ten feet from the public right-of-way, is exempt from permit requirements.
- Signs for the sole purpose of displaying street numbers as required by ordinance, provided said numbers do not exceed 12 inches in height unless approved, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Flags meeting height restrictions and proportional size limits (as per ordinance) are exempt from permit requirements, with a limit of three flag poles and a maximum of two flags per pole per zoning lot.
- Window signs installed for viewing from outside the premises, not exceeding 50 percent of the available window space, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Temporary outdoor advertising in compliance with subdivision (8)C is exempt from permit requirements.
- Signs in the public institutional (P/I) or public open space (P) districts are exempt from permit requirements.
- Public notice signs, traffic control devices, or other official government signs when posted by a government officer in the course of their duties are exempt from permit requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A site plan to scale showing the location of zoning lot lines, structures, parking areas, existing and proposed signs, and any other physical features is required as part of every sign permit application.
- For free-standing and monument signs, dimensioned sign location on the site plan and structural foundation and mounting details must be included in the sign permit application. Indicate the location and size of all existing free-standing and monument signs on the property.
- Monument (subdivision) signs in residential districts shall be reviewed with preliminary plat approval; ongoing ownership and maintenance of the sign shall be specified as a condition of approval.
- Signage for properties under jurisdiction of the Carver Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) must be approved by the HPC before a sign permit will be issued, except for banner and temporary signs.
- Wall signs for commercial structures exceeding 100,000 square feet must be approved as part of the planned commercial development (PCD) process and may vary from standard wall sign requirements; approved wall signs shall be as shown on the approved site plans for the PCD.

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

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