# Sign Regulations in Granite Quarry, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Granite Quarry, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/granite-quarry
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-10
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.granitequarrync.gov/Portals/0/Departments/Planner/GQDO%202023/Granite%20Quarry%20-%20Article%2017%20-%20Sign%20Regulations_1.pdf)

## At a glance

Granite Quarry, Minnesota regulates 23 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Monument Sign (Freestanding – Non‑residential)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 48 sq ft sign copy area, with a Minimum 5 ft from property lines setback (Sec. Table (Permanent Freestanding Signs – General and Special Purpose), Section 17.7‑2, Granite Quarry Development Ordinance – Article 17 – Pages 10–11). Most commercial signs in Granite Quarry require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 15 | 10 ft | 48 sq ft sign copy area | — |
| Agriculture (AG) | 3 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft sign copy area | — |
| Single Family Residential (SFR) | 3 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft sign copy area | — |
| Residential Main Street Transition (RMST) | 2 | — | 4 sq ft | — |
| Main Street (MS) | 5 | 4 ft (48 in) | Up to 60 sq ft of banner/flag materials per occupancy | — |
| Civic (CIV) | 4 | 4 ft (48 in) | Up to 60 sq ft of banner/flag materials per occupancy | — |
| Mixed Use (MU) | 6 | 4 ft (48 in) | Up to 60 sq ft of banner/flag materials per occupancy | — |
| NC Highway 52 Commercial District (C-52), C-85 | 4 | 4 ft (48 in) | Up to 60 sq ft of banner/flag materials per occupancy | — |
| Vehicle Service and Repair (VSR), Industrial (IND) | 2 | 4 ft (48 in) | Up to 32 sq ft per property street frontage | — |
| Local Historic Districts | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Blade Sign (Projecting) - Option 1 | — | 32 sq ft sign copy area | — | — | One per street or parking frontage per occupancy | Attached to building; may encroach into adjoining street right-of-way in MS and MU pursuant to encroachment agreement; must maintain vertical clearance: 7 ft over sidewalks and 14 ft over paved vehicular areas | — | Article 17, Section 17.7‑1(A), Table 17.1 (Permanent Attached Signs – General), footnote; Section 17.7‑1(J) (clearance), Granite Quarry Development Ordinance – Article 17 – Page 8 |
| V‑type Sign - Option 2 | — | 32 sq ft sign copy area | — | — | One per street or parking frontage per occupancy | Attached to building; may encroach into adjoining street right-of-way in MS and MU pursuant to encroachment agreement; must maintain vertical clearance: 7 ft over sidewalks and 14 ft over paved vehicular areas | — | Article 17, Section 17.7‑1(A), Table 17.1 (Permanent Attached Signs – General), footnote; Section 17.7‑1(J) (clearance), Granite Quarry Development Ordinance – Article 17 – Page 8 |
| Flat (Wall) Sign - Option 3 | — | 32 sq ft sign copy area | — | — | One per street or parking frontage per occupancy | Attached to building; may encroach into adjoining street right-of-way in MS and MU pursuant to encroachment agreement; must maintain vertical clearance: 7 ft over sidewalks and 14 ft over paved vehicular areas for any encroachment | — | Article 17, Section 17.7‑1(A), Table 17.1 (Permanent Attached Signs – General), footnote; Section 17.7‑1(J), Granite Quarry Development Ordinance – Article 17 – Page 8 |
| Monument Sign (Freestanding – Non‑residential) | 8 ft | 48 sq ft sign copy area | — | Minimum 5 ft from property lines | One per street frontage having access to the site | On site, freestanding | — | Table (Permanent Freestanding Signs – General and Special Purpose), Section 17.7‑2, Granite Quarry Development Ordinance – Article 17 – Pages 10–11 |
| Pole Sign (Freestanding – Non‑residential) | 10 ft | 12 sq ft sign copy area | — | Minimum 4 ft from property lines | One per street frontage providing access to the site | On site, freestanding | — | Table (Permanent Freestanding Signs – General and Special Purpose), Section 17.7‑3, Granite Quarry Development Ordinance – Article 17 – Pages 10–12 |
| Monument Sign (Freestanding – Residential) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft sign copy area | — | Minimum 0 ft (may be at property line) provided compliance with other codes | One per each gateway or primary entrance | At gateways or primary entrances to residential developments | — | Table (Permanent Freestanding Signs – General and Special Purpose), Section 17.7‑2; Granite Quarry Development Ordinance – Article 17 – Page 10–11 |
| Directory Sign (Freestanding – Non‑residential) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft sign copy area | — | Minimum 25 ft from property lines | One per street frontage having access to the site | On site for multi‑building sites | — | Table (Permanent Freestanding Signs – General and Special Purpose), Granite Quarry Development Ordinance – Article 17 – Page 10 |
| Directional Sign (Freestanding – Non‑residential) | 2.5 ft | 3 sq ft sign copy area | — | Minimum 0 ft (may be at property line) provided compliance with other codes | Two per each driveway access to the site | At driveway access points and internal site circulation locations | — | Table (Permanent Freestanding Signs – General and Special Purpose), Granite Quarry Development Ordinance – Article 17 – Page 10 |

### Main Street (MS)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | One per approved Home Occupation | On lot with approved home occupation | — | Section 17.7‑1(D), Granite Quarry Development Ordinance – Article 17 – Page 6 |
| Attached Signs Encroaching Right‑of‑Way (Blade/V‑type/Flat/Awning/Canopy) | — | Per applicable attached sign type (e.g., 32 sq ft for Blade/V/Flat; 6 sq ft Awning; 16 sq ft Canopy) | — | — | Per applicable sign type limits | May encroach into adjoining street right‑of‑way pursuant to an encroachment agreement; must maintain clearances (7 ft over sidewalks; 14 ft over vehicular areas) | — | Table 17.1 footnote; Sections 17.5(G), 17.7‑1(J), Granite Quarry Development Ordinance – Article 17 – Pages 8–10 |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Temporary – Sidewalk) | 4 ft (48 in) | — | 30 in | — | One per occupancy with direct sidewalk access | On sidewalks serving the establishment; only where the occupancy has direct access (public entrance immediately from the sidewalk where the sign is placed) | — | Section 17.8‑1 (table) and 17.8‑2(A)–(G), Granite Quarry Development Ordinance – Article 17 – Pages 13–14 |
| Banners and Flags (Temporary) | — | Up to 60 sq ft of banner/flag materials per occupancy | — | — | Per occupancy allowance; total area cap 60 sq ft | On property; banners must remain tethered/anchored to resist movement | — | Section 17.8‑1 (table), Granite Quarry Development Ordinance – Article 17 – Page 13 |
| Temporary Sign (Exempt – per frontage) | — | Up to 16 sq ft per property street frontage | — | — | One per property street frontage | On property; per street frontage | — | Section 17.6(P), Granite Quarry Development Ordinance – Article 17 – Page 4–5 |

### Mixed Use (MU)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | One per approved Home Occupation | On lot with approved home occupation | — | Section 17.7‑1(D), Granite Quarry Development Ordinance – Article 17 – Page 6 |
| Attached Signs Encroaching Right‑of‑Way (Blade/V‑type/Flat/Awning/Canopy) | — | Per applicable attached sign type (e.g., 32 sq ft for Blade/V/Flat; 6 sq ft Awning; 16 sq ft Canopy) | — | — | Per applicable sign type limits | May encroach into adjoining street right‑of‑way pursuant to an encroachment agreement; must maintain clearances (7 ft over sidewalks; 14 ft over vehicular areas) | — | Table 17.1 footnote; Sections 17.5(G), 17.7‑1(J), Granite Quarry Development Ordinance – Article 17 – Pages 8–10 |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Temporary – Sidewalk) | 4 ft (48 in) | — | 30 in | — | One per occupancy with direct sidewalk access | On sidewalks serving the establishment; only where the occupancy has direct access (public entrance immediately from the sidewalk where the sign is placed) | — | Section 17.8‑1 (table) and 17.8‑2(A)–(G), Granite Quarry Development Ordinance – Article 17 – Pages 13–14 |
| Banners and Flags (Temporary) | — | Up to 60 sq ft of banner/flag materials per occupancy | — | — | Per occupancy allowance; total area cap 60 sq ft | On property; banners must remain tethered/anchored | — | Section 17.8‑1 (table), Granite Quarry Development Ordinance – Article 17 – Page 13 |
| Digitally Changing Sign (Attached or Freestanding Component) | — | — | — | — | Not more than one per occupancy | On properties zoned MU with posted speed limit 45 MPH or less | — | Section 17.7‑1(H), 17.7‑1(G), Granite Quarry Development Ordinance – Article 17 – Page 6 |
| Temporary Sign (Exempt – per frontage) | — | Up to 16 sq ft per property street frontage | — | — | One per property street frontage | On property; per street frontage | — | Section 17.6(P), Granite Quarry Development Ordinance – Article 17 – Page 4–5 |

## Prohibited signs in Granite Quarry

- Snipe signs
- Signs attached to light fixtures, curbs, sidewalks, gutters, streets, utility poles, public buildings, fences, railings, public telephone poles, or trees
- Windblown signs (including pennants, streamers, spinners, balloons, inflatable figures, and similar signs) unless specifically permitted in Section 17.8
- Signs that prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window, or fire escape
- Signs erected or displayed in a manner that obstructs free and unobstructed vision at any street, intersection, or driveway
- Any sign that interferes with vehicular or pedestrian traffic due to position, size, shape, movement, color, manner, or intensity of illumination, including signs that could be confused with an authorized traffic sign, signal, or device
- Signs erected or displayed on or over public street rights-of-way, except governmental signs or signs installed under an executed encroachment agreement; signs protected by G.S. 136-32(b) are not prohibited if requirements are met
- Portable signs, except as specifically permitted by this Article
- Signs that mechanically alter their height, location, or size; signs that revolve; signs that strobe; or any other similarly constructed signs
- Signs attached to roofs, located above roofs, or that are part of roofing finish or materials
- Off-premises billboard signs (outdoor advertising signs), except those placed by governmental agencies for public purposes

## Signs exempt from permit in Granite Quarry

- Warning and security signs placed by a public utility for public safety, welfare, or convenience (e.g., fire department connections, high voltage, public telephone, underground cables, gas pipelines)
- Government signs and signs for non-profit organizations sponsored by governments including insignia, legal notices, informational, directional, way-finding, and traffic safety signs; may include signs or flags commemorating public holidays recognized by Council; does not include permanent and temporary signs covered in Section 17.8
- Warning and security signs placed by private property owners restricting activity (e.g., No Dumping, No Hunting, No Trespassing) with less than two square feet of copy area per sign face
- Signs placed inside ball fields and outdoor amphitheaters that face the interior and are visible primarily to attendees
- Accent lighting (not more than two architectural elements accented per occupancy)
- Signs associated with short-duration events for a nonprofit or charitable organization posted for 14 days or less, with a total of not more than 24 square feet of signage per property per street frontage, removed within two days after the event
- Incidental signs affixed to windows with no more than two square feet of copy area per sign and not more than six square feet total per occupancy; may flash if located within a building and only one such flashing sign per occupancy
- Machine signs with no more than eight square feet of copy area; drive-through menu and/or kiosk machine signs may have up to twelve square feet, with the logo/business name portion not exceeding six square feet
- Menus and kiosks displayed outdoors at restaurants with no more than six square feet of copy area
- Signs attached to collection bins with no more than six square feet of copy area
- Any sign, public notice, or warning required by a valid and applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation, approved development plan, or ordinance (including traffic control signs on private property)
- Address signs no greater than four square feet in copy area
- Retail store window displays of merchandise
- Signs attached to licensed roadworthy vehicles, provided the vehicles are not parked unattended in a manner that creates the effect of additional signage (see Section 17.5)
- Signs attached to umbrellas provided no more than 25% of the umbrella’s surface area is devoted to signage
- One temporary sign per property street frontage, with maximum copy area by district (SRF and RMST: 4 sq ft; MS, CIV, MU: 16 sq ft; AG, C-52, C-85, VSR, IND: 32 sq ft) and a display duration limited to not more than six consecutive months in any calendar year (see Section 17.8 for temporary signs requiring a permit)
- Flags of the United States, North Carolina, Rowan County, or Town of Granite Quarry not exceeding 50 square feet in area on flagpoles not exceeding 48 feet in height, with quantity limits (≤3 flags on lots <1 acre; ≤5 flags on lots ≥1 acre); flagpoles may be roof- or wall-mounted if size, height, and setback requirements are met
- Holiday, sports, and goodwill decorations with non-promotional messages if lights are not illuminated and decorations are not displayed for more than a total of 60 days per calendar year on nonresidential property
- Signs for temporary businesses (e.g., produce stands, street vendors, vendors at special events) operating for a specified time not to exceed seven consecutive days; recurring operations must comply with this Article, except the Administrator may permit banners and temporary signage that meet the standards and intent of this Article
- Fence wraps displaying signage affixed to perimeter fencing at a construction site until the final certificate of occupancy is issued or up to 24 months from installation, provided content is only advertising sponsored by parties directly involved in the construction project and compliant with G.S. 160D-908

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Master sign plan: Council may approve a master sign plan for specified areas of Town or certain development projects, allowing signs with different sizes, types, locations, placement, and height than otherwise permitted
- Master sign plan eligibility: Traditional Neighborhood Development (TNDO) projects; commercial, institutional, industrial, or mixed-use developments of three or more acres; areas governed by a corridor or area plan that includes sign guidelines
- Master sign plan submittal: May be submitted with the original development application or separately; must include owner/contact info and signatures, a plan illustrating proposed signs, locations, and purposes with a statement explaining why the existing sign code cannot or should not be followed, and an analysis of how the proposal differs from the code; additional info may be required by the Administrator
- Master sign plan review procedure: Scheduled for Planning Board and Council consideration with notice and public hearing per Article 5 (zoning map amendments); Planning Board recommends approval/denial (in part or total) and may recommend conditions; Council may approve/deny (in part or total) and impose conditions; if denied, reapplication for a substantially similar plan must wait at least 90 days
- Local historic districts: Signs located in local historic districts are governed by applicable district design guidelines and review processes regardless of other dimensional provisions

## 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 10 zoning districts in Granite Quarry — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Granite+Quarry+MN&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-granite-quarry

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