# Sign Regulations in Hastings, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Hastings, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/hastings
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://hastingsmn.municipalcodeonline.com/book?type=ordinances#name=155.08_Signs)

## At a glance

Hastings, Minnesota regulates 26 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Monument Signs in the C-2 zoning district are capped at 6 ft (base may increase overall height by up to 3 ft if base height equals sign height) tall and 50 sq ft, with a 0 ft if no ROW encroachment; observe 25-ft vision triangle. setback (Sec. §155.08(D)(1)(a),(e) Table (C-2 Monument); §155.08(D)(4)(a)-(b); Notes to Table a.). Most commercial signs in Hastings require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 10 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| A, R | 4 | 5 ft (base may increase overall height by up to 3 ft if base height equals sign height) | 50 sq ft | — |
| PI | 4 | 5 ft (base may increase overall height by up to 3 ft if base height equals sign height) | 50 sq ft | — |
| C-1, O-1 | 6 | Clearance above grade minimum 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| C-2 | 8 | Clearance above grade minimum 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| C-3 | 7 | 10 ft (base may increase overall height by up to 3 ft if base height equals sign height) | 100 sq ft | — |
| C-4 | 10 | 20 ft (base may increase overall height by up to 5 ft if base height equals sign height) | 100 sq ft | — |
| I-1, I-2 | 8 | 20 ft (base may increase overall height by up to 5 ft if base height equals sign height) | 100 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Core (DC); East 2nd Street Historic District | 6 | Bottom of sign min 8 ft above grade; top of sign max 11 ft; bracket max 12 ft | ≤8 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### C-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft (base may increase overall height by up to 3 ft if base height equals sign height) | 50 sq ft | — | 0 ft if no ROW encroachment; observe 25-ft vision triangle. | 1 per principal structure/parcel (plus per frontage; secondary sign limits apply) | Freestanding monument at site frontage(s). | — | §155.08(D)(1)(a),(e) Table (C-2 Monument); §155.08(D)(4)(a)-(b); Notes to Table a. |
| Monument Sign (Auto Dealership - Pre-owned inventory) | 6 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On premises of automobile dealership, for advertisement of sale of pre-owned automobiles. | — | §155.08(D)(4)(c)1. |
| Monument Sign (Auto Dealership - Additional New Product Lines) | 6 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per additional new automobile product line | On premises of automobile dealership, one for each additional new automobile product line (make). | — | §155.08(D)(4)(c)2. |
| Wall Sign | Not above top of parapet or eave | Greater of 40 sq ft or 5% of wall area | — | — | — | Attached to building wall. | — | §155.08(D)(1)(b),(e) Table (Wall C-2 column) |
| Projecting Sign | Clearance above grade minimum 8 ft | — | May project max 4 ft from building | — | — | Perpendicular to building face. | — | §155.08(D)(1)(e) Table (Projecting C-2) |
| On-Site Directional Sign | 4 ft | 2 sq ft | — | — | As approved through permit | On-site to direct traffic. | — | §155.08(D)(1)(c),(e) Table (Directionals C-2) |
| Electronic Graphic Display (EGD) Sign | — | Counts toward sign area limits for the district | — | ≥60 ft to abutting residential district. | — | Permitted in C-2; must be ≥60 ft from an abutting residential district. | — | §155.08(D)(1)(d)(1)-(6) |
| Portable Sign (Sandwich Board/A-frame or similar) | ≤6 ft | ≤16 sq ft (permit not required at or below this area; larger signs require permit) | — | Outside public street ROW/easement unless zero front setback. | 1 per business | On private property in commercial districts; not within public street ROW/easement unless building has zero front yard setback. | — | §155.08(A)(3)(h)(2); §155.08(4) |

### C-4

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (Single - under 100,000 sq ft) | 6 ft (base may increase overall height by up to 3 ft if base height equals sign height) | 50 sq ft | — | General setbacks apply; no ROW encroachment; 25-ft vision triangle. | 1 (plus per frontage; secondary sign limits apply) | Freestanding monument for single-occupant site under 100,000 sq ft. | — | §155.08(D)(1)(a); §155.08(D)(6)(a)-(b); §155.08(D)(1)(e) Table (I-1, I-2, C-4 Single - under 100,000 sq ft Monument); Notes to Table a. |
| Monument Sign (Single - over 100,000 sq ft) | 15 ft (base may increase overall height by up to 5 ft if base height equals sign height) | 75 sq ft | — | General setbacks apply; no ROW encroachment; 25-ft vision triangle. | 1 (plus per frontage; secondary sign limits apply) | Freestanding monument for single-occupant site over 100,000 sq ft. | — | §155.08(D)(1)(a); §155.08(D)(6)(a)-(b); §155.08(D)(1)(e) Table (I-1, I-2, C-4 Single - over 100,000 sq ft Monument); Notes to Table b. |
| Monument Sign (Multiple Occupant Building) | 20 ft (base may increase overall height by up to 5 ft if base height equals sign height) | 100 sq ft | — | General setbacks apply; no ROW encroachment; 25-ft vision triangle. | 1 (plus per frontage; secondary sign limits apply) | Freestanding monument for multi-tenant building. | — | §155.08(D)(1)(a); §155.08(D)(6)(a)-(b); §155.08(D)(1)(e) Table (I-1, I-2, C-4 Multiple Occupant Building Monument); Notes to Table b. |
| Wall Sign | Not above top of parapet or eave | Greater of 40 sq ft or 5% of wall area | — | — | — | Attached to building wall. | — | §155.08(D)(1)(b),(e) Table (Wall I-1, I-2, C-4) |
| Wall Sign (Movie Theaters - Primary) | Not above top of parapet or eave | 10% of building facade area (primary facade) | — | — | — | Primary wall/facade of movie theater building in C-4. | — | §155.08(D)(6)(c) |
| Wall Sign (Movie Theaters - Secondary Facades) | Not above top of parapet or eave | Greater of 5% of that facade or 40 sq ft | — | — | — | Secondary facades of movie theater buildings in C-4. | — | §155.08(D)(6)(c) |
| On-Site Directional Sign | 4 ft | 2 sq ft | — | — | As approved through permit | On-site directional. | — | §155.08(D)(1)(c),(e) Table (Directionals I-1, I-2, C-4) |
| Portable Sign (Sandwich Board/A-frame or similar) | ≤6 ft | ≤16 sq ft (permit not required at or below this area; larger signs require permit) | — | Outside public ROW/easement unless zero front setback. | 1 per business | On private property; not in public street ROW/easement unless building has zero front yard setback. | — | §155.08(A)(3)(h)(2); §155.08(4) |

### I-1, I-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (Single - under 100,000 sq ft) | 6 ft (base may increase overall height by up to 3 ft if base height equals sign height) | 50 sq ft | — | General setbacks apply; no ROW encroachment; 25-ft vision triangle. | 1 (plus per frontage; secondary sign limits apply) | Freestanding monument for single-occupant site under 100,000 sq ft. | — | §155.08(D)(1)(a); §155.08(D)(7); §155.08(D)(1)(e) Table (I-1, I-2, C-4 Single - under 100,000 sq ft Monument); Notes to Table a. |
| Monument Sign (Single - over 100,000 sq ft) | 15 ft (base may increase overall height by up to 5 ft if base height equals sign height) | 75 sq ft | — | General setbacks apply; no ROW encroachment; 25-ft vision triangle. | 1 (plus per frontage; secondary sign limits apply) | Freestanding monument for single-occupant site over 100,000 sq ft. | — | §155.08(D)(1)(a); §155.08(D)(7); §155.08(D)(1)(e) Table (I-1, I-2, C-4 Single - over 100,000 sq ft Monument); Notes to Table b. |
| Monument Sign (Multiple Occupant Building) | 20 ft (base may increase overall height by up to 5 ft if base height equals sign height) | 100 sq ft | — | General setbacks apply; no ROW encroachment; 25-ft vision triangle. | 1 (plus per frontage; secondary sign limits apply) | Freestanding monument for multi-tenant building. | — | §155.08(D)(1)(a); §155.08(D)(7); §155.08(D)(1)(e) Table (I-1, I-2, C-4 Multiple Occupant Building Monument); Notes to Table b. |
| Wall Sign | Not above top of parapet or eave | Greater of 40 sq ft or 5% of wall area | — | — | — | On the wall to which the sign is attached. | — | §155.08(D)(1)(b),(e) Table (Wall I-1, I-2, C-4) |
| Projecting Sign | Clearance above grade minimum 8 ft | — | May project max 4 ft from building | — | — | Perpendicular to building facade. | — | §155.08(D)(1)(e) Table (Projecting I-1, I-2, C-4) |
| On-Site Directional Sign | 4 ft | 2 sq ft | — | — | As approved through permit | On-site directional. | — | §155.08(D)(1)(c),(e) Table (Directionals I-1, I-2, C-4) |
| Electronic Graphic Display (EGD) Sign | — | Counts toward sign area limits for the district | — | ≥60 ft to abutting residential district. | — | Permitted in I-1 and I-2; must be ≥60 ft from abutting residential district. | — | §155.08(D)(1)(d)(1)-(6) |
| Portable Sign (Sandwich Board/A-frame or similar) | ≤6 ft | ≤16 sq ft (permit not required at or below this area; larger signs require permit) | — | Outside public street ROW/easement unless zero front setback. | 1 per business | On private property; not in public street ROW/easement unless building has zero front yard setback. | — | §155.08(A)(3)(h)(2); §155.08(4) |

## Prohibited signs in Hastings

- No sign shall be located within or over a public right-of-way unless specifically permitted by this section or approved by the City Council.
- No portion of any sign may extend into a public right-of-way, and no sign may extend into a Minnesota Department of Transportation right-of-way.
- Signs above 30 inches in height may not be placed within the vision triangle (25 feet in either direction of an intersection at the edge of the street) or within any easement.
- No illuminated flashing or revolving signs are permitted, except electronic graphic display signs and movie theaters’ time and temperature signs; movie theaters with illuminated flashing or revolving signs must use bulbs 25 watts or less and may not operate between 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained in a way that obstructs, obscures, or physically interferes with an official traffic sign, signal/device, or a driver's view of approaching, merging, or intersecting traffic.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained which imitates or resembles any official traffic sign, signal, or device, or contains wording (including but not limited to “stop,” “warning,” or “caution”) that may be confused with traffic signing or controls unless approved by the city.
- No sign shall be painted or placed on a utility pole, tree, or similar structure, except signs that provide public information concerning a school, city, county, state, or federal event.
- No sign shall be made of any nondurable material and attached directly to a building.
- No sign or structure shall be placed where it will obstruct safe access to doors, windows, or fire escapes.
- No sign shall be supported by guy wires.
- No sign shall be placed on a rooftop or project above the roof line when attached to a structure, except as may be permitted by the City Council.
- Any sign not expressly permitted by the provisions of this section is prohibited.
- Video display signs are prohibited.
- Signs affixed to vehicles are prohibited except Vehicle Signs.
- Portable signage may not be situated within any public street right-of-way or easement, unless the building has a zero front yard setback.

## Signs exempt from permit in Hastings

- Traffic signs as approved by the Public Works Director are permitted without a permit.
- Public signs as approved by the City of Hastings are permitted without a permit.
- All signs of any size containing noncommercial speech may be posted from August 1 in any general election year until 10 days following the general election and 13 weeks prior to any special election until 10 days following the special election, notwithstanding other provisions.
- Vehicle Signs are permitted without a permit.
- Any otherwise allowed sign may substitute noncommercial copy without additional approval or permitting (Substitution Clause).
- Signage placed on public property as part of a City Council designated “Special Event” is exempt from temporary sign regulations.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required unless a sign is specifically allowed without a permit; applications must include dimensions, height, colors, construction materials, method of anchoring, location, a sketch or photograph, a site plan illustrating the location, and the location and size of all other signs at the property/development.
- The content of the sign is not reviewed or considered in determining whether to approve or deny a sign permit.
- The number and location of on-site directional signs will be determined through sign permit review.
- City Council approval is required to allow roof signs as an exception when practical difficulties in using a wall or freestanding sign are demonstrated; approved roof sign area counts toward allowable freestanding and/or wall signage and may not exceed district freestanding sign size limits.
- For properties designated as Heritage Preservation Sites or within a Historic District, all signs are subject to approval by the Heritage Preservation Commission; projecting signs in the Historic District require submission of plans showing how the sign will be anchored to the building and masonry.
- Temporary signs in commercial, industrial, and public institution districts require submission of a sign notification form to the City.
- Signs erected without a required permit are subject to payment of twice the established sign permit fee.

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

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