# Sign Regulations in Coon Rapids, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Coon Rapids, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/coon-rapids
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/mn/coon_rapids/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT11LADERE_CH11-1200GEDIST_11-1203SIRE)

## At a glance

Coon Rapids, Minnesota regulates 36 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Ground Sign (Shopping Centers/Multiple Tenant Buildings in O, NC)s in the Office District (O), Neighborhood Commercial District (NC) zoning district are capped at Per 11-1203.9 (Monument 10 ft; Pylon height by sign area: ≤40 sf = 20 ft; 41–80 sf = 24 ft; 81–264 sf = 30 ft; >264 sf = 36 ft) tall and 100 sq ft, with a Per 11-1203.8 general ground sign setbacks. setback (Sec. Table 11-1203.7(2): Shopping Centers/Multiple Tenant Buildings in O, NC, I; 11-1203.7(1)(a); 11-1203.9). Most commercial signs in Coon Rapids require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Low-Density Residential 1 District (LDR1), Low-Density Residential 2 District (LDR2), Moderate-Density Residential District (MDR), High-Density Residential District (HDR), Mobile Home District (MH) | 4 | 10 ft (monument). If pylon used outside RRO: per Table 11-1203.9 by sign area (≤40 sf: 20 ft; 41–80 sf: 24 ft; 81–264 sf: 30 ft; >264 sf: 36 ft). | Up to 100 sq ft | — |
| Office District (O), Neighborhood Commercial District (NC) | 5 | Per 11-1203.9 (Monument 10 ft; Pylon height by sign area: ≤40 sf = 20 ft; 41–80 sf = 24 ft; 81–264 sf = 30 ft; >264 sf = 36 ft) | Up to 150 sq ft per permitted wall | — |
| Community Commercial District (CC), General Commercial District (GC) | 8 | Max 30 ft (measured per 11-1203.10(4)(b)) | Up to 300 sq ft per permitted wall | — |
| Industrial District (I) | 5 | Max 30 ft | Up to 300 sq ft per permitted wall | — |
| Regional Shopping District (RS) | 2 | Per 11-1203.9 unless otherwise specified in approved development plan | Up to 300 sq ft per permitted wall | — |
| Conservancy District (CD) | 3 | Monument 10 ft; Pylon height per Table 11-1203.9. Given 32 sq ft area, pylon up to 20 ft. | 32 sq ft | — |
| River Rapids Overlay District (RRO), Port Evergreen, Port Riverwalk, Port Campus Square, and Port Wellness Districts (PORT) | 2 | 10 ft | 100 sq ft (includes base and supporting material) | — |
| Planned Unit Development (PUD) | 2 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | Monument signs: max 10 ft (all districts). Pylon signs: outside RRO per Table 11-1203.9—≤40 sf: 20 ft; 41–80 sf: 24 ft; 81–264 sf: 30 ft; >264 sf: 36 ft. In RRO: ground signs must be monument, max 10 ft. | Per canopy face: ≥24 sq ft allowed if 10% exceeds 24 sq ft; otherwise minimum applies | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### Office District (O), Neighborhood Commercial District (NC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Shopping Centers/Multiple Tenant Buildings - O, NC) | — | Up to 100 sq ft per permitted wall | — | — | Unlimited per business frontage (max 2 walls per business) | Unlimited number of wall signs permitted on each business frontage (exterior wall facing a public street or containing a public entrance); not to exceed two walls per business. | — | Table 11-1203.7(1): Shopping Centers/Multiple Tenant Buildings in O, NC; 11-1203.7(1)(a) |
| Wall Sign (Other Developments in O, NC) | — | Up to 150 sq ft per permitted wall | — | — | Unlimited per business frontage (max 2 walls per building) | Unlimited number of wall signs permitted on each business frontage; not to exceed two walls per building. | — | Table 11-1203.7(1): Other Developments in O, NC |
| Ground Sign (Shopping Centers/Multiple Tenant Buildings in O, NC) | Per 11-1203.9 (Monument 10 ft; Pylon height by sign area: ≤40 sf = 20 ft; 41–80 sf = 24 ft; 81–264 sf = 30 ft; >264 sf = 36 ft) | 100 sq ft | — | Per 11-1203.8 general ground sign setbacks. | One per center | One area identification sign per center. | — | Table 11-1203.7(2): Shopping Centers/Multiple Tenant Buildings in O, NC, I; 11-1203.7(1)(a); 11-1203.9 |
| Ground Sign (Office District – Individual Building) | Per 11-1203.9 (Monument 10 ft; Pylon per size table) | 100 sq ft (signs >25 sq ft only on street frontage >100 ft) | — | Per 11-1203.8. | One per building | One per building. | — | Table 11-1203.7(2): Institutional uses in any residential district; Office district (listed as O, Institutional Uses in LDR1, LDR2, MDR, HDR, MH); 11-1203.9 |
| Ground Sign (Other Developments in NC) | Per 11-1203.9 | 100 sq ft | — | Per 11-1203.8. | One per site | One sign per site. | — | Table 11-1203.7(2): Other Developments in NC, I; 11-1203.9 |

### Community Commercial District (CC), General Commercial District (GC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Shopping Centers/Multiple Tenant Buildings) | — | Up to 300 sq ft per permitted wall | — | — | Unlimited per business frontage (max 2 walls per business) | Unlimited number of wall signs permitted on each business frontage (exterior wall facing a public street or containing a public entrance); not to exceed two walls per business. | — | Table 11-1203.7(1): Shopping Centers/Multiple Tenant Buildings in CC, GC, I; 11-1203.7(1)(b) |
| Wall Sign (Other Developments in CC, GC) | — | Up to 300 sq ft per permitted wall | — | — | Unlimited per business frontage (max 2 walls per building) | Unlimited number of wall signs permitted on each business frontage; not to exceed two walls per building. | — | Table 11-1203.7(1): Other Developments in CC, GC, I |
| Ground Sign - Shopping Center (< 15 acres) | Per 11-1203.9 (Monument 10 ft; Pylon per size table) | Up to 264 sq ft total; no more than 200 sq ft may be devoted to the permanent message portion (remainder may be reader board/electronic display) | — | Per 11-1203.8. | One per arterial/collector frontage | Per arterial/collector street frontage. | — | Table 11-1203.7(2): Shopping Centers/Multiple Tenant Buildings in CC, GC (centers <15 acres) |
| Ground Sign - Shopping Center (≥ 15 acres) | Per 11-1203.9 (Monument 10 ft; Pylon per size table) | Up to 300 sq ft | — | Per 11-1203.8. | Two per arterial/collector frontage | Per arterial/collector street frontage. | — | Table 11-1203.7(2): Shopping Centers/Multiple Tenant Buildings in CC, GC (centers ≥15 acres) |
| Ground Sign (Unified Developments – Individual Building Signs) | Per 11-1203.9 | 100 sq ft per individual building sign | — | Per 11-1203.8. | One per business frontage (max two per building) | Per business frontage within a unified development (three or more principal buildings with common characteristics). | — | Table 11-1203.7(2): Unified Developments in CC, GC; 11-1203.7(2)(a) |
| Ground Sign (Unified Developments – Area Identification Sign) | Per 11-1203.9 | 300 sq ft if there are no other ground signs on the same frontage | — | Per 11-1203.8. | One per development (per frontage, subject to standards) | Within unified development; may be located on separate lot subject to 11-1203.7(2)(a). | — | Table 11-1203.7(2): Unified Developments in CC, GC (area identification sign) |
| Ground Sign (Other Developments in CC, GC) | Per 11-1203.9 | If <300 ft street frontage: 100 sq ft. If ≥300 ft frontage: 100 sq ft + 1 sq ft per additional foot of frontage over 300 ft, up to 200 sq ft max | — | Per 11-1203.8. | One per building frontage | One per building frontage. | — | Table 11-1203.7(2): Other Developments in CC, GC |
| Off-Premises Sign (Billboard within Highway Corridor) | Max 30 ft (measured per 11-1203.10(4)(b)) | Max 250 sq ft per display side (max two sides, back-to-back; angle between faces ≤15°) | — | As listed in 11-1203.10(4)(f). | Not specified per lot; governed by corridor spacing/separation | Only within the designated highway corridor and only in areas zoned CC, GC, or I; not within an interchange. | — | 11-1203.10(2)-(5) |

### Industrial District (I)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Shopping Centers/Multiple Tenant Buildings) | — | Up to 300 sq ft per permitted wall | — | — | Unlimited per business frontage (max 2 walls per business) | Unlimited number of wall signs permitted on each business frontage; not to exceed two walls per business. | — | Table 11-1203.7(1): Shopping Centers/Multiple Tenant Buildings in CC, GC, I; 11-1203.7(1)(b) |
| Wall Sign (Other Developments in I) | — | Up to 300 sq ft per permitted wall | — | — | Unlimited per business frontage (max 2 walls per building) | Unlimited number of wall signs permitted on each business frontage; not to exceed two walls per building. | — | Table 11-1203.7(1): Other Developments in CC, GC, I |
| Ground Sign (Shopping Centers/Multiple Tenant Buildings in I) | Per 11-1203.9 (Monument 10 ft; Pylon per size table) | 100 sq ft | — | Per 11-1203.8. | One per center | One area identification sign per center. | — | Table 11-1203.7(2): Shopping Centers/Multiple Tenant Buildings in O, NC, I; 11-1203.9 |
| Ground Sign (Other Developments in I) | Per 11-1203.9 | 100 sq ft | — | Per 11-1203.8. | One per site | One sign per site. | — | Table 11-1203.7(2): Other Developments in NC, I; 11-1203.9 |
| Off-Premises Sign (Billboard within Highway Corridor) | Max 30 ft | Max 250 sq ft per display side (two sides max, back-to-back; angle between faces ≤15°) | — | Per 11-1203.10(4)(f). | Not specified per lot; governed by spacing/separation | Only within the designated highway corridor and only in I, CC, or GC districts. | — | 11-1203.10(2)-(5) |

## Prohibited signs in Coon Rapids

- Attaching any sign to trees or utility poles is prohibited.
- Painting any sign directly on an exterior building surface is prohibited; letters/symbols must be attached to walls by adhesive or mechanical means.
- Signs may not overhang the public right-of-way, sidewalk easement, walkway easement, or bicycle path easement (except a bus bench or approved trash container at a designated public transportation pickup location).
- No sign may extend above the roof line of a building.
- Projecting signs may not project more than two feet from the wall to which they are anchored.
- No sign may be installed that, by position, movement, shape, illumination, or color, creates a traffic hazard by obstructing vision or by interfering with, confusing, or misleading traffic.
- Signs may not noticeably move by mechanical means or as a result of normal wind pressure.
- Any sign not expressly permitted by the sign code is prohibited.
- Illuminated signs may not have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights or change in brightness or color.
- Light from illuminated signs may not reflect direct rays onto adjacent property or public streets.
- No incandescent lamps over 15 watts may be used on the exterior surface of any sign during nighttime hours.
- For dynamic displays on on‑premises signs, fading, dissolving, scrolling, traveling, or any transition that creates the illusion of movement is prohibited; the display must remain static for at least four seconds between changes.
- Dynamic displays are not permitted on fuel pump canopies.

## Signs exempt from permit in Coon Rapids

- Signs erected by a public agency in a public right-of-way are exempt from the sign code.
- Private traffic directional signs not exceeding eight square feet are exempt from the sign code.
- Other temporary signs under 11-1203.6(2) do not require a permit or permit fee (all other provisions of the sign code still apply).
- Substitution of copy: the owner of any allowed sign may substitute copy (e.g., noncommercial/nonconforming message) without additional approval or permitting.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Shopping centers/multiple tenant buildings in O and NC must have standardized sign location and style; sign criteria must be documented in standards approved by the Director before any sign permit is issued, with a copy kept on file.
- Shopping centers/multiple tenant buildings in CC, GC, RS, and I must have standardized sign location, method of construction, and style; sign criteria must be documented in standards approved by the Director before any sign permit is issued, with a copy kept on file.
- PUD projects: signs are governed by the approved development plan; the sign code is the standard by which the PUD sign plan will be evaluated.
- Regional Shopping (RS) District: signs are governed by the approved development plan; development plan approval is required per 11-706.7.
- Unified developments in CC/GC: the general location of area identification signs for shopping centers within unified developments must be approved by the Planning Commission as part of site plan approval.
- Wall graphics exceeding standard size limits require approval by the Board of Adjustment and Appeals based on specified criteria.

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

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