# Sign Regulations in Cloquet, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Cloquet, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/cloquet
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-30
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.cloquetmn.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/7124/638917970043500000#page=108)

## At a glance

Cloquet, Minnesota regulates 17 sign types across 14 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the SR - Suburban Residential District, R-1 - Single-Family Residential District, R-2 - One- and Two-Family Residential District zoning district are capped at 8 feet tall and 4 square feet, with a 5 feet from public street right-of-way line; 5 feet from other yards setback (Sec. 17.5.13 Subd. 14 Table; 17.5.13 Subd. 14 Note). Most commercial signs in Cloquet require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (14 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| FM - Forest Management and Research, FR - Farm Residential District | 2 | 10 feet | 40 square feet | — |
| SR - Suburban Residential District, R-1 - Single-Family Residential District, R-2 - One- and Two-Family Residential District | 3 | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| R-3 - Multiple-Family Residential District, MHC - Manufactured Home Community (Mobile Home Park) District | 2 | 10 feet | 40 square feet | — |
| MRC - Mixed Residential/Commercial District, NC - Neighborhood Convenience District | 2 | 10 feet | — | — |
| CC - City Center District | 3 | 7 feet | 6 square feet | — |
| HC - General Commercial – Historical District | 3 | 7 feet | 6 square feet | — |
| RC - Regional (Highway) Commercial District, OM – Office/Manufacturing District | 7 | 35 feet | — | — |
| LI - Light Industrial District | 2 | 10 feet | — | — |
| HI - Heavy Industrial District | 2 | 10 feet | — | — |
| PI - Public/Institutional District, PP - Public Parks District, AIR - Airport District | 2 | 10 feet | 40 square feet per building | — |
| SG - Sand and Gravel Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| PUD - Planned Unit Development Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| C- Conservation Subdivision Overlay District | 2 | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 10 feet for ground; 25-35 feet for pylon | 50% of allowable copy area | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 14 zones)

### SR - Suburban Residential District, R-1 - Single-Family Residential District, R-2 - One- and Two-Family Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 8 feet | 4 square feet | — | 5 feet from public street right-of-way line; 5 feet from other yards | 1 | On property, front yard | — | 17.5.13 Subd. 14 Table; 17.5.13 Subd. 14 Note |
| Building Sign | Highest outside wall | 4 square feet | — | Minimum required building setback | 1 | Attached to building facade near main entrance | — | 17.5.13 Subd. 14 Table; 17.5.13 Subd. 14 Note |
| Monument Development Sign | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | 5 feet from public street right-of-way line; 5 feet from other yards | 1 | On site, minimum 30 feet from residences | — | 17.5.13 Subd. 8 A (4) |

### RC - Regional (Highway) Commercial District, OM – Office/Manufacturing District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pylon Sign (<50,000 sq ft) | 25 feet | — | — | 5 feet from public street right-of-way line; 5 feet from other yards | 1 | On property, facing highway | — | 17.5.13 Subd. 14 Table; 17.5.13 Subd. 8 A (3) (a) |
| Pylon Sign (>=50,000 sq ft) | 35 feet | — | — | 5 feet from public street right-of-way line; 5 feet from other yards | 1 | On property, facing highway | — | 17.5.13 Subd. 14 Table; 17.5.13 Subd. 15 Table |
| Ground Sign (Under 50,000 sq ft) | 10 feet | — | — | 5 feet from public street right-of-way line; 5 feet from other yards | 1 | On property | — | 17.5.13 Subd. 14 Table |
| Ground Sign (Over 50,000 sq ft Multi-occupant) | 10 feet | — | — | 5 feet from public street right-of-way line; 5 feet from other yards | 2 | On property | — | 17.5.13 Subd. 14 Table |
| Building Sign | Highest outside wall | — | — | Minimum required building setback | 1 per business | Building facade | — | 17.5.13 Subd. 14 Table |
| Major Anchor / Center Sign - Option 1 | 10 feet (ground) or 25/35 feet (pylon) | — | — | 10 feet from property line or ROW; 50 feet from corner intersection | 1 | On lot within development | — | 17.5.13 Subd. 8 A (5) |
| Major Anchor / Center Sign - Option 2 | 10 feet (ground) or 25/35 feet (pylon) | — | — | 10 feet from property line or ROW; 50 feet from corner | 2 | On lot within development | — | 17.5.13 Subd. 8 A (5) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 feet for ground; 25-35 feet for pylon | Varies by zone and type (pylon or ground) | — | 5 feet from public ROW; 5 feet other yards; 10 feet driveway median | Varies by zone | On private property; not in visibility triangle | — | 17.5.13 Subd. 3; Subd. 4; Subd. 8 A (3) |
| Wall Sign | Highest outside wall; not above first floor unless entrance | Varies by zone | — | Minimum building setback; 8 feet from front lot line if building occupies | Varies by zone | Attached to building wall; within sign band | — | 17.5.13 Subd. 3 A; Subd. 8 A (1) |
| Area Identification Sign | 10 feet | — | — | 5 feet from ROW | 1 per frontage | On complex property; along street; min 50 ft from other signs | — | 17.5.13 Subd. 8 A (6) |
| Menu Board | 8 feet | 30 square feet | — | 20 feet from public ROW; 5 feet other | 2 per lane | Near drive-thru lane | — | 17.5.13 Subd. 8 A (10) |
| Video Sign | As per pylon/ground | 50% of allowable copy area | — | As per sign type | 1 | On site; 100 feet from residential | — | 17.5.13 Subd. 8 A (11) |
| Second Ground Sign | 10 feet | — | — | 5 feet from ROW | 1 (in addition to primary) | On through or corner lot, interior roadway | — | 17.5.13 Subd. 8 A (8) |

## Prohibited signs in Cloquet

- Wall signs shall not extend beyond fifteen (15) inches of the wall surface.
- No temporary sign shall be attached to a light standard or the supporting pylon of a freestanding sign.
- Advertising and business signs shall not face residential districts where the non-residential property abuts, is across a side street from, or is adjacent to such residential district, except where a residential district is immediately across from the front of the property.
- Posting of bills, posters, placards or circulars on any public right-of-way or public property is prohibited, except for specific city-authorized signs.
- No bills, posters or signs on private property without owner permission and conformity to ordinances.
- Political posters and campaign signs prohibited on public property and rights-of-way.
- No sign shall be placed in the front five (5) feet of any lot, except where buildings occupy that space with limited projections.
- No sign shall obstruct free and clear vision at intersections or interfere with traffic signs, signals, or devices.
- No roof signs anywhere in the City.
- No new advertising or billboard signs within street rights-of-way or on property other than the premises of the business.
- No open house, for sale, garage sale signs in rights-of-way, easements, sidewalks, medians, or within 300 feet of major arterial intersections.
- No paper, cardboard, or similar signs affixed to exterior walls or windows of buildings.
- No portable or movable signs except as specifically permitted in Subd. 8 A (9).
- No revolving beacons, sequential flashing, flashing signs, or similar devices.
- No signs imitating official traffic signs or signals, or containing words like 'stop', 'go slow', 'caution', etc.
- No signs advertising terminated businesses beyond 90 days from vacancy.
- All illuminated signs must have indirect or diffused light and not direct rays onto streets or adjacent property.
- No flashing signs or dramatic changes in electronic/video signs.
- No signs on driveway medians within 10 feet of public street right-of-way.
- Exposed backs of signs and structures must be painted neutral color.
- No signs interfering with traffic signs, signals, or devices.

## Signs exempt from permit in Cloquet

- Development project signs (residential and commercial/industrial) allowed without permit under specified conditions including size, location, and removal timelines.
- Informational signs attached to buildings (e.g., car wash bay) up to 6 sq ft each, in addition to other permitted signs.
- On-site directional signs up to 2 sq ft in multi-family, commercial, industrial zones.
- Real estate signs up to 16 sq ft per street frontage, removed within 10 days of sale/rental; open house signs during event only, within 1/2 mile radius excluding ROW and intersections.
- Promotional signs up to 32 sq ft for civic events, up to 60 days before/after, with property owner permission.
- Gasoline pump island signs up to 3 sq ft per pump, not viewed off-site.
- Pedestrian awning or canopy signs up to 1 ft high x 6 ft long, attached to building.
- Rear entrance identification signs up to 6 sq ft for deliveries, not counted in maximum sign area.
- Political signs up to 46 days before primary election, on private property.
- Club, lodge, office signs up to 12 sq ft non-illuminated.
- No trespass/no hunting signs up to 2 sq ft on private property.
- Garage sale signs up to 3 sq ft for max 3 days, not in ROW or sidewalks.
- Bench signs on sitting benches in any district.
- Signs erected by City, Council, or State.
- Address numbers under 6 sq ft total copy area exempt from maximum sign area.
- Public interest landmark signs (e.g., park signs) approved by City Council on city property.
- Civic, religious, non-residential use signs up to 12 sq ft illuminated or not.
- Public and quasi-public use signs (schools, parks, etc.) up to 12 sq ft.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Prior to issuance of a sign permit (except replacement of sign faces in existing cabinet), the owner must designate a signage plan for all signs on the site and building, including maximum height/width, materials, colors, locations, and dimensions; all proposed signs must adhere to this plan.
- For single or multi-occupant buildings, a signage plan must be submitted prior to sign permit, designating sign areas on all sides with maximum dimensions; building signs must be affixed within designated areas.
- For additional building or identification signs, a master signage plan must be submitted including site plan, elevations, computations of maximum areas/heights/numbers, and locations of all present/future signs.
- In multi-occupant buildings, the number of signs per business is controlled through the master signage plan and Subd. 14 regulations.
- Signs on building faces abutting residentially zoned property require Planning Commission approval as part of Sign Plan review.
- A signage plan must be included with any building permit, site plan review, nonresidential PUD, exterior remodel, or other official plan, and reviewed simultaneously.
- Signage plans may be amended by filing a new plan conforming to current code; existing nonconforming signs must be brought into compliance within 5 years.
- After approval, no signs may be erected except in conformance with the plan; conflicts resolved in favor of the code.
- For major anchor/center signs or shopping centers over specified sizes, signage is subject to criteria including materials, setbacks, and landscaping reviewed as part of sign permit.
- Variances for signs not permitted by regulations may be approved by Planning Commission acting as Board of Adjustment if special conditions exist or for public service, requiring written request, fee, and all permit information.

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

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