# Sign Regulations in East Bethel, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** East Bethel, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/east-bethel
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MN/East_Bethel/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH54SI)

## At a glance

East Bethel, Minnesota regulates 25 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Freestanding Monument Sign (Single Use)s in the Central Business (B-2) zoning district are capped at Lowest point of roof or parapet tall and 40 sq ft, with a 20 ft from front property line; 5 ft side/rear (15 ft abutting side street, 35 ft abutting residential) setback (Sec. Sec. 54-8(1)). Most commercial signs in East Bethel require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| Rural Residential (RR), Single-Family Residential (R-1), Single-Family and Townhome Residential (R-2) | 4 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per surface, 2 surfaces max | — |
| Public/Institutional (P/I) (Residentially Zoned District/Abutting Local or County Roads) | 2 | Lowest point of roof or parapet | 40 sq ft per sign | — |
| Public/Institutional (P/I) (Abutting Trunk Highway 65) | 2 | Lowest point of roof or parapet | 100 sq ft | — |
| Limited Business (B-1) | 2 | Lowest point of roof or parapet | 40 sq ft per individual sign | — |
| Central Business (B-2) | 6 | 10 ft above grade | 100 sq ft | — |
| Highway Commercial (B-3), Light Industrial (I) | 5 | 10 ft from grade | 200 sq ft per sign | — |
| Planned Business District (PBD), City Center (CC) | 3 | 5 ft | 8 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Construction Sign (Residential Districts) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per each project or development per abutting street | On construction site with an approved building permit | — | Sec. 54-3(g)(2) |
| Temporary Construction Sign (Commercial and Industrial Districts) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per each project or development per abutting street | On construction site with an approved building permit | — | Sec. 54-3(g)(2) |
| Temporary Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Inside window opening | — | Sec. 54-3(g)(3) |
| No Trespassing/No Hunting/Warning or Restrictive Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property | — | Sec. 54-3(g)(4) |
| Public Event Ground Sign | — | 32 sq ft per sign | — | — | — | Any zoning district | — | Sec. 54-3(g)(5) |
| Electronic Changeable Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parcel | Limited business (B-1), central business (B-2), highway commercial (B-3), light industrial (I), or public/institutional (P/I) districts. | — | Sec. 54-3(c) |
| Manual Changeable Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | Limited business (B-1), central business (B-2), highway commercial (B-3), light industrial (I), or public/institutional (P/I) districts. | — | Sec. 54-3(d) |

### Central Business (B-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate or Business Sign (Wall: Single Use) | Lowest point of roof or parapet | 40 sq ft per sign, max 80 sq ft integrated | — | — | — | On building | — | Sec. 54-8(1) |
| Nameplate or Business Sign (Wall: Multiple Uses) | Lowest point of roof or parapet | 40 sq ft per sign | — | — | — | On building | — | Sec. 54-8(2) |
| Freestanding Monument Sign (Single Use) | Lowest point of roof or parapet | 40 sq ft | — | 20 ft from front property line; 5 ft side/rear (15 ft abutting side street, 35 ft abutting residential) | 1 per parcel | On parcel | — | Sec. 54-8(1) |
| Freestanding Monument Sign (Multiple Uses) | Lowest point of roof or parapet | 100 sq ft | — | 20 ft from front property line; 5 ft side/rear (15 ft abutting side street, 35 ft abutting residential) | 1 per parcel | On parcel | — | Sec. 54-8(2) |
| Business Park Monument Identification Sign | 10 ft above grade | 40 sq ft per face | — | — | — | At all roadway entrance points within the development; must control property by easement or title | — | Sec. 54-8(4) |
| Freestanding Monument Sign (Highway 65) | Lowest point of roof or parapet | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parcel | Within 200 ft of Highway 65; placed perpendicular to Highway 65 | — | Sec. 54-8(5) |

### Highway Commercial (B-3), Light Industrial (I)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate or Business Sign (Wall: Single Use) | Lowest point of roof or parapet | 200 sq ft per sign | — | — | — | On building | — | Sec. 54-9(1) |
| Nameplate or Business Sign (Wall: Multiple Uses) | Lowest point of roof or parapet | 200 sq ft per sign | — | — | — | On building | — | Sec. 54-9(2) |
| Freestanding Monument Sign (Single Use or Multiple Uses) | Lowest point of roof or parapet | 100 sq ft | — | 20 ft from front property line; 5 ft side/rear (15 ft abutting side street, 35 ft abutting residential) | 1 per parcel | On parcel | — | Sec. 54-9(1)-(2) |
| Business Park Monument Identification Sign | 10 ft from grade | 40 sq ft per face | — | — | — | At all entrance points within the development; must control property by easement or title | — | Sec. 54-9(4) |
| Freestanding Monument Sign (Highway 65) | Lowest point of roof or parapet | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parcel | Within 200 ft of Highway 65; placed perpendicular to Highway 65 | — | Sec. 54-9(5) |

## Prohibited signs in East Bethel

- No person shall place, erect, or maintain a sign, nor shall a lessee or owner permit property under their control to be used for any sign that does not conform to the requirements of this chapter.
- Signs, other than governmental signs, are prohibited within the public rights-of-way or easements.
- No permanent sign shall be constructed on any lot prior to the time of construction of the principal building to which it is accessory.
- All signs, other than temporary signs, shall meet the National Electrical Code requirements.
- Any sign that by reason of its location, shape, movement, color, lighting intensity, or any other manner interferes with the proper and safe functioning of a traffic sign or signal, obstructs vision of pedestrians, cyclists, or motorists, or constitutes a traffic hazard, as defined by the city, is prohibited.
- Balloon signs are prohibited.
- Banners, pennants, ribbons, streamers, and strings of light bulbs used as an attention-getting device on commercial properties are prohibited except for special events as permitted.
- Flashing signs are prohibited.
- Motion signs are prohibited.
- Portable (trailer) signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs, including signs mounted on a roof surface or projecting above the roof line, or on a wall of a structure if either attached to the structure or cantilevered over the structure, are prohibited.
- With the exception of 'No Trespassing' and/or 'No Hunting' signs, signs painted on or attached to trees, rocks, or other natural surfaces, or attached to public utility poles, bridges, or similar public structures are prohibited except for those signs found on fences (inside) of baseball parks.
- Search lights, strobe lights, or projection signs are prohibited.
- Projecting signs are prohibited except in the city center (CC) district.
- Signs painted directly on building walls (wall graphics) are prohibited.
- Signs which advertise an activity, business, product, or service no longer produced or conducted on the premises upon which the sign is located are prohibited unless owner or lessor is seeking a new tenant, in which case such signs may remain for not more than 30 days from the date of vacancy.
- Temporary window signs used for the purpose of advertising goods and/or services, which signs occupy more than 25 percent of the window space of the premises displaying the sign are prohibited.
- Signs with unshielded light that directly illuminate the night sky are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited.
- Billboard signs are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in East Bethel

- All signs under two square feet are exempt from the requirements of this chapter.
- Temporary political campaign signs do not require a permit.
- Temporary construction signs identifying the parties involved in construction (meeting specified criteria) do not require a permit.
- Temporary window signs (up to 25% of window area) do not require a permit.
- No trespass/no hunting signs and similar warning or restrictive signs, not to exceed two square feet, may be placed upon private property by the owner without a permit.
- Public event signs (ground signs up to 32 sq. ft., displayed no more than 30 days before and removed immediately after the event) do not require a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A comprehensive sign plan shall be required for multitenant buildings and shopping centers, to be submitted for city approval and must determine and have approved the specific individual tenant sign requirements.
- In B-1 district: For buildings with more than one principal use, the owner must submit a comprehensive sign plan for total building signage for approval by the planning commission.
- In B-2 district: For buildings with more than one principal use, the owner must submit a comprehensive sign plan for total building signage for approval by the planning commission.
- In B-3 and I districts: For buildings with more than one principal use, the owner must submit a comprehensive sign plan for total building signage for approval by the planning commission.
- In the city center (CC) and planned business district (PBD), a developer or owner of a development project shall submit a comprehensive sign plan, which must be approved by the city council—this sign plan may adopt portions of the chapter by reference but must result in a more integrated sign design.
- Any signs erected under a comprehensive sign plan approved by city council shall not be considered nonconforming.
- Variance from the literal provisions of this chapter must be processed through a formal variance process as prescribed by the city's zoning ordinance; applicant must demonstrate undue hardship and attend a meeting.

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

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