# Sign Regulations in Forest Lake, Minnesota

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

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

## At a glance

Forest Lake, Minnesota regulates 21 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Home Occupation Signs in the Residential Districts, Agricultural Districts zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 6 sq ft, with a 10 ft from ROW, 5 ft from side; must meet traffic visibility requirements setback (Sec. § 153.164(C)). Most commercial signs in Forest Lake require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | Varies by underlying freestanding sign allowance in zone and may not exceed % cap as indicated for changeable copy in each district. (E.g. 50% of sign area in commercial/industrial districts.) | — |
| Residential Districts, Agricultural Districts | 7 | 6 ft | 200 sq ft per individual sign; total for all wall signs ≤ 15% building wall area | — |
| Commercial Districts, Mixed Use Commercial Districts, Industrial Districts | 8 | — | 200 sq ft per individual wall sign; total area for all wall signs per frontage ≤ 15% wall area | — |
| B-1 Zoning District, NC Zoning District | 2 | To lowest point of roof or parapet of the principal building | 80 sq ft (up to 50% changeable copy) | — |
| MU-1 Zoning District | 1 | — | — | — |
| MU-2 Zoning District, B-2 Zoning District, B-3 Zoning District, BP Zoning District, I Zoning District | 3 | 30 ft | 100 sq ft (up to 50% changeable copy) | — |
| B-2 Zoning District, B-3 Zoning District | 1 | 40 ft above grade | 672 sq ft per face | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### Residential Districts, Agricultural Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address/Building Name Wall Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | Wall of principal building | — | § 153.164(A) |
| Wall Sign (Existing Nonconforming Commercial Use) | — | 200 sq ft per individual sign; total for all wall signs ≤ 15% building wall area | — | — | Max 2 per improved public road frontage | Wall of principal building on improved public road | — | § 153.164(B) |
| Home Occupation Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 10 ft from ROW, 5 ft from side; must meet traffic visibility requirements | 1 per property | Required front yard only | — | § 153.164(C) |
| Agricultural Business Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 20 ft from side/front property line | 1 per property | Within required front yard; at least 20 ft from front/side property line | — | § 153.164(D) |
| Freestanding Neighborhood Identification Monument Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per surface | — | 10 ft from ROW, 5 ft from other property lines | 1 per residential development | Minimum 10 ft from right-of-way, 5 ft from other property lines | — | § 153.164(E) |
| Freestanding Sign (Non-Residential Use, Minor Connector Roadway) | To lowest point of roof or parapet of principal building | 80 sq ft (up to 50% changeable copy) | — | 10 ft from ROW, 5 ft from lot lines, traffic visibility | 1 per use | On permitted non-residential use or nonconforming commercial use site fronting on minor connector | — | § 153.164(F)(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Non-Residential Use, Local Street) | To lowest point of roof or parapet of principal building | 40 sq ft (up to 50% changeable copy) | — | 10 ft from ROW, 5 ft from lot lines, traffic visibility | 1 per use | On permitted non-residential use or nonconforming commercial use site fronting on local street | — | § 153.164(F)(3) |

### Commercial Districts, Mixed Use Commercial Districts, Industrial Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address/Building Name Wall Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | Wall of commercial building | — | § 153.165(A) |
| Wall Sign (Commercial/Industrial Uses) | — | 200 sq ft per individual wall sign; total area for all wall signs per frontage ≤ 15% wall area | — | — | Max 2 per improved public road frontage per business | Wall of principal building fronting improved public road | — | § 153.165(B) |
| Projecting Wall Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | ≥8 ft clear above sidewalk; setback per zone/setback rules | — | On building wall; must be ≥8 ft above sidewalk | — | § 153.165(G) |
| Awning/Canopy/Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Awning/canopy of building | — | § 153.165(H) |
| Individual Letter/Channel-Raceway Letter Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Wall of building | — | § 153.165(C) |
| Outline Cabinet Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Wall of building | — | § 153.165(D) |
| Flatpanel Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Wall of building | — | § 153.165(E) |
| Logo as Part of a Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Wall sign | — | § 153.165(F) |

### MU-2 Zoning District, B-2 Zoning District, B-3 Zoning District, BP Zoning District, I Zoning District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | To lowest point of roof or parapet of the principal building (except signs along I-35, see below) | 100 sq ft (up to 50% changeable copy) | — | 10 ft from ROW, 5 ft from lot lines | 1 per building | — | — | § 153.165(M)(1), (5)-(9) |
| Freestanding Sign (Parcels fronting on I-35) | 30 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 20 ft from I-35 ROW | 1 additional secondary sign per parcel with I-35 frontage | Between principal building and I-35, set back 20 ft from the I-35 ROW | — | § 153.165(M)(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (B-2 District - West Broadway/1st Ave NW) | 4 ft | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 second sign per eligible parcel | Secondary road frontage on 1st Ave NW west of 8th St NW (B-2 District) | — | § 153.165(M)(3) |

## Prohibited signs in Forest Lake

- Any sign that 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 or public nuisance.
- Balloon signs or standard balloons greater than 18 inches in size.
- Pennants, ribbons, streamers, festoons, flying banners.
- Flashing signs.
- Portable signs.
- Roof signs, including those mounted on a roof surface or projecting above the roofline or wall of a structure, except as allowed by § 153.165(J).
- Signs painted on or attached to trees, rocks, other natural surfaces, public utility poles, bridges, or similar public structures.
- Signs painted on buildings or fences in any district, except for murals or artwork approved by the City Council.
- Search lights, strobe lights, or projection signs.
- Signs in the public right-of-way or easements of any type unless otherwise approved by this subchapter.
- Temporary or permanent off-premise signs, except as provided in § 153.166 and § 153.167(C)(3).
- No sign shall be placed, erected, or maintained, nor permitted on property, unless conforming to the requirements of this subchapter.
- No sign may be posted on public or private property without the permission of the underlying property owner.
- No signs shall be constructed on any lot prior to the construction of the principal building to which it is accessory (excluding billboards).
- Signs in or on roundabouts are not allowed.
- No sign or structure shall interfere with the free use of any fire escape, exit, standpipe, or obstruct any window.
- Signs must be located to maintain required clearances from overhead power and service lines.

## Signs exempt from permit in Forest Lake

- Official public notices or signs required by local, state, or federal regulations.
- Governmental signs, including traffic control signs, street signs, informational signs, danger signs, local government park/building signs, and railroad crossings.
- Home security signs, 'no trespassing,' and 'no parking' signs (not exceeding 2 square feet per zoning lot, not in public right-of-way, not illuminated).
- Historical plaques by recognized historical agencies (not in public right-of-way, not illuminated, max 4 square feet in area).
- Permanent or temporary interior signs not visible from the exterior of a structure.
- Informational signs for public convenience (e.g., restrooms, waste receptacles, addresses, doorbells, mailboxes, building entrances).
- Permanent window signs occupying no more than 25% of the window area in commercial, mixed use commercial, industrial districts, and existing nonconforming commercial uses fronting on a minor connector roadway as shown in the adopted Comprehensive Plan.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A master wall sign plan may be proposed for existing or new multi-tenant buildings, shopping centers, and commercial and residential Planned Unit Developments (PUDs).
- A master sign plan is required for commercial multi-story buildings.
- City approval is required for the master sign plan for sufficient scope and detail to determine compliance with regulations.
- Building owner written approval is required for all signs in a multi-tenant building and shall be submitted with the sign permit application.
- Variances from sign size, number of signs, and setback requirements may be requested via the established variance procedure (§ 153.036).

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

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