# Sign Regulations in Eagan, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Eagan, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/eagan
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MN/Eagan/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CICO_CH12COGUPLLAUSRENTUSST_S12.07INUSSTINLISIWIEA)

## At a glance

Eagan, Minnesota regulates 17 sign types across 14 zoning districts. Pylon Signs in the LB Limited Business District, NB Neighborhood Business District, GB General Business District, CSC Community Shopping Center District zoning district are capped at 27 feet tall and 125 sq ft per side, with a At least 10 feet from property line setback (Sec. Sec. 11.70 Subd. 28(F)(2)-(4)). Most commercial signs in Eagan require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (14 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A Agricultural District (A) | 3 | 60 feet (combined tower and antenna), measured from ground elevation | No larger than one meter (39 inches) in diameter | — |
| Estate District (E), Residential Single District (R-1), Residential Single District - Small Lot (R-1S), Residential Double District (R-2), Residential Townhouse District (R-3), Residential Multiple District (R-4), Manufactured Home Park District (R-5) | 3 | 60 feet | No larger than one meter (39 inches) in diameter | — |
| LB Limited Business District, NB Neighborhood Business District, GB General Business District, CSC Community Shopping Center District | 5 | 50% of building height or 15 feet above roof, whichever is less | 125 sq ft per side | — |
| I-1 Limited Industrial District, I-2 General Industrial District | 5 | 50% of structure or 15 feet above roof, whichever is less | 125 sq ft per side | — |
| RD Research and Development Park District, BP Business Park District | 3 | 50% of building height or 15 feet above roof | 10% of wall side area | — |
| PD Planned Development District | 1 | — | — | — |
| P Park District, PF Public Facilities/Institutional District | 2 | 50% of structure or up to 15 feet above roof | — | — |
| CGD Cedar Grove District | 3 | 12 feet | 45 sq ft (only one side of a two-sided sign counts), base min 3 ft high | — |
| T Transitional District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Shoreland Overlay District (S) | 1 | 10 feet (exclusive of safety rails); Detached decks may not exceed 8 feet above grade | 150 sq ft | — |
| Floodplain Overlay District (FP) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Airport Overlay District (AOD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Aircraft Noise Zone Overlay District (ANZ) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | 100 sq ft for temporary business signs; 16 sq ft for exempt civic/garage sale signs (see also real estate) | — |

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

### A Agricultural District (A)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Satellite Dish | 15 feet | — | — | Side yard: 30 feet; Rear yard: 30 feet | No more than one freestanding satellite dish per residential lot | Rear yard, meets setback requirements for accessory structures | — | Sec. 11.60 Subd. 3 D(1); Sec. 11.70 Subd. 26(D) |
| Building Mounted Antennae and Satellite Dishes | 50% of total building height or 15 feet above roof, whichever is less | No larger than one meter (39 inches) in diameter | — | — | — | Mounted on principal building | — | Sec. 11.60 Subd. 3 D(1); Sec. 11.70 Subd. 26(B)(1)-(4) |
| Freestanding Tower (Accessory Use) | 60 feet (combined tower and antenna), measured from ground elevation | — | — | Minimum setback from residential structure equal to the permissible height of the tower | 1 | Rear yard | — | Sec. 11.60 Subd. 3 D(5); Sec. 11.70 Subd. 26(E)(1) |

### LB Limited Business District, NB Neighborhood Business District, GB General Business District, CSC Community Shopping Center District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Mounted Antennae and Satellite Dishes | 50% of building height or 15 feet above roof, whichever is less | — | — | — | — | On principal structure | — | Sec. 11.60 Subds. 10-13; Sec. 11.70 Subd. 26(B) |
| Freestanding Satellite Dishes | 15 feet | — | — | Must meet accessory structure setbacks | 1 | Rear yard | — | Sec. 11.60 Subds. 10-13; Sec. 11.70 Subd. 26(D) |
| Freestanding Ground Sign | 7 feet (with 4-foot max sign area height) | — | — | At least 10 feet from property line | 1 per building | On property, at least 10 feet from property line | — | Sec. 11.70 Subd. 28(F)(1) |
| Pylon Sign | 27 feet | 125 sq ft per side | — | At least 10 feet from property line | 1 per building, with exceptions for multi-lot developments | On property, not within 10 feet of property line | — | Sec. 11.70 Subd. 28(F)(2)-(4) |
| Wall Sign (Building Mounted) | — | Varies (see formula) | — | — | Varies by building/tenant | On building facade (windows restricted by 60% max window/door area) | — | Sec. 11.70 Subd. 28(E) |

### I-1 Limited Industrial District, I-2 General Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Mounted Antennae and Satellite Dishes | 50% of structure or 15 feet above roof, whichever is less | — | — | — | — | On structure | — | Sec. 11.60 Subds. 14-15; Sec. 11.70 Subd. 26(B) |
| Freestanding Satellite Dish | 15 feet | — | — | Accessory structure setbacks | 1 | Designated yard per accessory structure setbacks | — | Sec. 11.60 Subds. 14-15; Sec. 11.70 Subd. 26(D) |
| Freestanding Ground Sign | 7 feet (with 4-foot max sign area height) | — | — | At least 10 feet from property line | 1 | On property, 10 ft min from property line | — | Sec. 11.70 Subd. 28(F)(1) |
| Pylon Sign | 27 feet | 125 sq ft per side | — | At least 10 feet from property line | 1 | On property, not within 10 ft of property line | — | Sec. 11.70 Subd. 28(F)(2) |
| Wall Sign (Building Mounted) | — | Varies by building | — | — | Varies | On building wall/facade | — | Sec. 11.70 Subd. 28(E) |

## Prohibited signs in Eagan

- No sign shall be erected, placed or located upon private property without the permission of the property owner or lessee.
- No business sign shall be located nearer than ten feet from any property or dividing line.
- No sign other than governmental signs shall be placed upon any city owned public property or railroad right-of-way.
- No sign other than governmental signs shall be affixed to any utility pole.
- No signs are allowed which contain moving sections or intermittent or flashing lights, except for intermittent display of time and temperature, governmental signs, and dynamic display signs allowed under subdivision K.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained in such place and manner as obstructs driver vision or is noxious, annoying or hazardous because of method of lighting, illumination, reflection or location.
- No signs are allowed which are painted directly upon the walls of a building.
- No signs other than governmental or specifically exempted signs shall be located within any city owned public right-of-way except as specified.
- No signs are permitted for which the source of light is directly visible to passing pedestrians or vehicle traffic.
- No sign shall project above the highest outside wall or parapet wall.
- No roof signs shall be allowed in BP and RD districts.
- Dynamic display signs must not be the predominant feature of the sign surface; dynamic display area must be subordinate to the main sign.
- Dynamic display messages must not change or move more often than once every one minute (except as otherwise provided by incentive options or exceptions).
- Dynamic displays: the images and messages must be complete in themselves, without continuation to the next image/message or other sign.
- No signs shall be permitted which interfere with the effectiveness of an official traffic sign, device or signal, or impair the vision of a motor vehicle driver.

## Signs exempt from permit in Eagan

- For sale, lease, or rent signs of real estate, when located on the property advertised and under 16 square feet.
- Church, hospital, or school directional signs less than six square feet in copy area.
- One on-property church sign for each church site.
- Signs warning of hazardous conditions.
- Simple information signs, such as 'exit,' 'loading dock,' etc.
- Simple nameplate signs over the entrance to a business or for parking area identification, not to exceed three square feet in gross area.
- Signs erected by a recognized unit of government or a local school district.
- Noncommercial signs.
- Temporary signs for special civic events or garage/neighborhood sales, for a period not to exceed 20 days.
- Residential name and address signs attached to mail boxes, private lampposts, or the like, may be located within public right-of-way.
- Noncommercial signs may be placed in the public right-of-way of a local street only if the sign is located more than five feet from the back of the street curb where no trail exists, or more than one foot from the edge of the trail furthest from the street curb where a trail exists.
- Any sign not exceeding a two square foot area that depicts 'Open/Closed' or hours of operation is exempt from window/door sign requirements.
- Dynamic display signs existing on October 6, 2007, that cannot meet certain structural requirements may continue as a non-conforming use, subject to regulations governing non-conforming structures and uses.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- In multi-lot developments, the design and placement of monument and directional signs shall be coordinated through an overall signage plan.
- A sign permit application, together with accompanying documents prescribed by the city, must be submitted to obtain a sign permit; permit fees are adopted by resolution of the city council.
- Applications for advertising signs, pylon signs, and any sign requiring a variance must be submitted to the council for final approval.
- Freestanding signs exceeding seven feet in height shall require a footing and foundation inspection by the protective inspections division and must comply with all building code requirements.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained without first obtaining a sign permit except as specifically exempted; a formal application is required.
- Building facade signage on multi-tenant buildings shall be evenly distributed between all tenants (implies coordinated signage planning).

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

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