# Sign Regulations in Dilworth, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Dilworth, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/dilworth
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-19

## At a glance

Dilworth, Minnesota regulates 18 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Off-premise Signs in the Commercial zoning district (C-1, C-2, C-3), Industrial zoning district (I-1, I-2) zoning district are capped at 35 ft (≤100 ft from property line); 50 ft (>100 ft from property line) tall and 99 sq ft (inclusive of border and trim, exclusive of base/supports), with a 250 ft between off-premise signs (unless separated by highway/arterial). setback (Sec. § 153.064(C)(1)-(10)). Most commercial signs in Dilworth require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercial zoning district (C-1, C-2, C-3), Industrial zoning district (I-1, I-2) | 8 | 35 ft (≤100 ft from property line); 50 ft (>100 ft from property line) | 100-300 sq ft per sign (inclusive of border and trim, exclusive of base/supports) | — |
| Residential zoning district | 8 | 5 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Commercial zoning district (C-1, C-2, C-3), Industrial zoning district (I-1, I-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| On-premise Sign | — | — | — | No sign or projection may extend within 6 feet of curb line; at intersections, no part within 30 feet of intersecting curb line if it impedes vision from 30 in to 8 ft high. | — | Must be located in C-1, C-2, C-3, I-1, or I-2 zone | — | § 153.064(B)(1)-(9) |
| On-premise Sign - Institution/Facility | — | — | — | — | — | For nursing homes, assisted living, retirement homes, childcare centers, public/cultural/government/utility buildings, religious institutions, and day care facilities. | — | § 153.064(B)(2) |
| Off-premise Sign | 35 ft (≤100 ft from property line); 50 ft (>100 ft from property line) | 99 sq ft (inclusive of border and trim, exclusive of base/supports) | — | 250 ft from residential zone boundary; spacing: 250 ft between off-premise signs (unless separated by highway/arterial). | Spacing requirement: min 250 ft apart. | Must be in a zone that allows off-premise signs as a conditional use; at least 250 ft setback from residential zones | — | § 153.064(C)(1)-(10) |
| Off-premise Electronic Changeable Copy or Graphic Display Sign | 35 ft (≤100 ft from property line), 50 ft (>100 ft from property line) | 99 sq ft (same as off-premise sign) | — | 500 ft from residential district boundary | Spacing requirements as for off-premise signs | 500 ft setback from residential zoning boundary | — | § 153.064(D)(1)-(10) |
| Billboard Sign | 35 ft (≤100 ft from property line); 50 ft (>100 ft from property line) | 100-300 sq ft per sign (inclusive of border and trim, exclusive of base/supports) | — | 250 ft from residential district; 5,000 ft to another billboard; 250 ft to nearest off-premise sign. | Spacing: min 5,000 ft apart from other billboards | In district allowing billboards as conditional use; at least 250 ft from residential zoning boundaries. | — | § 153.064(E)(1)-(11) |
| Billboard Electronic Changeable Copy or Graphic Display Sign | 35 ft (≤100 ft from property line); 50 ft (>100 ft from property line) | 100-300 sq ft (same as billboard sign) | — | 500 ft from residential zoning boundary; spacing as for billboards | Spacing: min 5,000 ft apart from other billboards | 500 ft setback from residential zoning boundary | — | § 153.064(F)(1)-(10) |
| Portable Sign (On-premise) | 8 ft | 60 sq ft | — | — | One per parcel; two if six or more active businesses on a parcel | On same premises as business, profession, product, service, activity, or entertainment | — | § 153.064(G)(1)-(7) |
| Portable Sign (Off-premise) | 8 ft | 60 sq ft | — | — | — | Business use in C-1, C-2, C-3, I-1, I-2; for off-premise: only as described and for business/organization events. | — | § 153.064(G)(8) |

### Residential zoning district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Exempt Sign - Property Identification | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Attached to residential property | — | § 153.064(A)(1) |
| Exempt Sign - Home Occupation | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Flat against wall of principal residential building | — | § 153.064(A)(2) |
| Exempt Sign - Flags and Insignias | — | — | — | — | — | Residential property | — | § 153.064(A)(3) |
| Exempt Sign - Real Estate (Sale/Rent/Lease) | 5 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | Residential properties | — | § 153.064(A)(6) |
| Exempt Sign - Subdivision Entrance Identification | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per entrance | Entrance to subdivision or tract | — | § 153.064(A)(7)-(8) |
| Exempt Sign - Subdivision Lot Availability | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per entrance | Entrance to subdivision | — | § 153.064(A)(8) |
| Exempt Sign - Political Election | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | On residential property | — | § 153.064(A)(9) |
| Exempt Sign - Construction Site | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On site during construction | — | § 153.064(A)(10) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Legal Notice/Identification/Informational/Directional (Governmental) | — | — | — | — | — | Erected or required by governmental bodies | — | § 153.064(A)(5) |
| Exempt Sign - Nonconforming or Conditional Use Advertising | — | — | — | — | — | In connection with lawfully maintained nonconforming use/conditional use | — | § 153.064(A)(4) |

## Prohibited signs in Dilworth

- No person shall without lawful authority alter, deface, injure or remove any official traffic control device, or post any unauthorized sign.
- No exempt sign(s) shall be placed upon city property or right-of-way without Planning Commission approval.
- The foundation base and posts of all signs may not be located upon city property or rights-of-way unless approved by the Planning Commission.
- No part of any sign or projection may protrude over the public right-of-way within six feet of the actual or proposed curb line.
- No part of any sign or projection may be located within 30 feet of the intersecting curb line of an intersection if it shall impede vision between a height of 30 inches and eight feet.
- All sources of artificial light other than street lights shall have a fixed direction and shall be designed to not increase the amount of light to any abutting residential lot nor to confuse, distract, or be a hazard to vehicular traffic.
- No portable sign may have blinking, flashing or fluttering lights or other illuminating devices which have a changing intensity, brightness, or color.
- No sign may be of such intensity or brilliance as to impair the vision of a motor vehicle driver with average eyesight or to otherwise interfere with the driver's operation of a motor vehicle.
- No sign may be of such intensity or brilliance that it interferes with the effectiveness of an official traffic sign, device, or signal.
- Undue brightness is prohibited for illuminated signage, defined as illumination of a white portion of the sign in excess of 7,500 nits (day) or 500 nits (night).
- All sign installations shall also conform to Minnesota Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation authorities wherever applicable.
- It is the obligation of the installer to check for any or all underground utilities or services before excavating for sign foundations.

## Signs exempt from permit in Dilworth

- Signs not exceeding two square feet in area and bearing only property numbers, post box numbers and names of occupants of premises.
- A sign not exceeding two square feet in area which is non-illuminated and mounted flat against the wall of the principal building is allowed for home occupations.
- Flags and insignias of any government except when displayed in connection with a commercial promotion.
- An advertising sign in connection with a lawfully maintained nonconforming use or conditional use, which complies with the conditions of approval, if any, and division (B).
- Legal notices, identification, informational or directional signs erected or required by governmental bodies.
- A sign advertising only the sale, rental or lease of the building or premises, which may not exceed 16 square feet in area and five feet in height.
- A sign not to exceed 32 square feet in area is permitted for each entrance to a subdivision or tract identifying the subdivision or tract name.
- A sign not to exceed 32 square feet in area is permitted for each entrance to a subdivision advertising the availability of lots in a subdivision, which may remain up until 75% of lots in the subdivision are sold, or three years following substantial completion of the subdivision development, whichever comes first.
- Signs measuring not more than 16 square feet in area connected with political elections and in conformance with Minnesota Statutes.
- On-site signs during construction, not to exceed 32 square feet, advertising contractors, financial institutions, or other services associated with the development of commercial or residential properties.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No explicit reference to a master sign plan or comprehensive sign plan requirement was located in this section.
- Exempt signs may be placed upon city property or right-of-way only with Planning Commission approval.
- The foundation base and posts of all signs may not be located upon city property or rights-of-way unless approved by the Planning Commission.
- A sign permit must be obtained prior to installation of any commercial signs, with exceptions for flat-mounted building signs or those not otherwise regulated by this chapter.
- A conditional use sign permit is required prior to installation of any off-premise signs or billboard signs.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Dilworth, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Dilworth+MN&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-dilworth

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