# Sign Regulations in Hawley, Minnesota

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

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

## At a glance

Hawley, Minnesota regulates 15 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Off Premises Sign (750 sq ft or less, set back <100' from property line)s in the Commercial Zoning District (C-1, C-2, C-3), Industrial Zoning District (I-1, I-2) zoning district are capped at 35 feet tall and 750 square feet, with a Must be at least 100' setback from residential district boundaries. When closer than 100' from a property line, max height is 35'. setback (Sec. 10-5-4 E.1-11). Most commercial signs in Hawley require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercial Zoning District (C-1, C-2, C-3), Industrial Zoning District (I-1, I-2) | 6 | 50 feet | 750 square feet | — |
| Residential Zoning District | 5 | 5 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | 32 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Commercial Zoning District (C-1, C-2, C-3), Industrial Zoning District (I-1, I-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| On Premises Sign | — | — | — | No part may protrude over public right-of-way within 6' of curb line. Signs, marquees, awnings, and similar projections may project a max of 6', provided no part is within 6' of curb line and it is over 8' above sidewalk or average grade at property line. No part of any sign or projection may be located within 25' of the intersecting curb line of an intersection if it shall impede vision between a height of 30” and 8’ (measured at a 45 degree angle). Foundation base and posts may not be on city property or rights of way unless approved by city council. | — | Located in commercial zoning district (C-1, C-2, C-3) or industrial zoning district (I-1, I-2) | — | 10-5-4 D.1,2 |
| Off Premises Sign (750 sq ft or less, set back <100' from property line) | 35 feet | 750 square feet | — | Must be at least 100' setback from residential district boundaries. When closer than 100' from a property line, max height is 35'. | — | Must be located in a commercial zoning district (C-1, C-2, C-3) or industrial zoning district (I-1, I-2). | — | 10-5-4 E.1-11 |
| Off Premises Sign (750 sq ft or less, set back >100' from property line) | 50 feet | 750 square feet | — | Must be at least 100' from residential district boundaries. Height not more than 50' when located more than 100' from property line. | — | Must be located in commercial or industrial zone, and more than 100' from property line. | — | 10-5-4 E.1-11 |
| Portable Sign (On Premises) | — | — | — | No part of the sign or projection may be located within 25' of the intersecting curb line of an intersection if it shall impede vision between a height of 30" and 8' (measured at a 45 degree angle). Foundation base and posts may not be on city property or rights of way unless approved in writing by city council. | 1 per parcel (2 for strip malls/office condos/etc.) | On premises in commercial or industrial zone | — | 10-5-4 F.1,7 |
| Portable Sign (Off Premises) | — | — | — | No part of any sign or projection may be located within 25' of the intersecting curb line of an intersection if it shall impede vision between a height of 30" and 8' (measured at a 45 degree angle). Foundation base and posts may not be on city property or rights of way unless approved in writing by city council. | — | Off premises in commercial or industrial zone | — | 10-5-4 F.2,6 |
| Advertising Sign for Lawful Nonconforming or Conditional Use | — | — | — | — | — | Allowed in connection with lawfully maintained nonconforming use or conditional use. | — | 10-5-4 C.4 |

### Residential Zoning District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| On Premises Sign (Subdivision/Tract Entrance) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per entrance | At each entrance to subdivision or tract | — | 10-5-4 C.7 |
| Exempt Sign - Property Identification | — | 2 square feet | — | — | — | Mounted on property | — | 10-5-4 C.1 |
| Exempt Sign - Home Occupation | — | 2 square feet | — | — | — | Flat against principal building | — | 10-5-4 C.2 |
| Exempt Sign - Sale, Rental, or Lease | 5 feet | 16 square feet | — | — | — | On premises | — | 10-5-4 C.6 |
| Exempt Sign - Temporary Political Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | — | — | On premises | — | 10-5-4 C.8 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| On Premises Sign (Public and Institutional Uses) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | — | On premises (nursing homes, assisted living centers, publicly owned governmental/cultural buildings, government/publicly regulated utility buildings and structures, religious institutions, and medical clinics) | — | 10-5-4 D.3 |
| On Premises Sign (Home Occupation) | — | 16 square feet | — | — | — | On premises for approved home occupations | — | 10-5-4 D.4 |
| Government Pinned, Legal, and Informational Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Where required by governmental bodies | — | 10-5-4 C.5 |
| Flag/Insignia (Non-Commercial) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10-5-4 C.3 |

## Prohibited signs in Hawley

- No sign may be maintained in an unsound structural condition or with a weathered appearance.
- No part of any sign or projection may be located within twenty five feet (25') of the intersecting curb line of an intersection if it shall impede vision between a height of thirty inches (30") and eight feet (8') (measured at a 45 degree angle).
- All sources of artificial light (other than streetlights) shall be fixed, directed, or designed so as not to measurably increase the amount of light to any abutting lot nor to confuse, distract, or be a hazard to vehicular traffic.
- The foundation base and posts of all signs may not be located upon city property or rights of way unless approved by the city council.
- No part of any sign or projection may protrude over the public right of way within six feet (6') of the actual or proposed curb line. Signs, marquees, awnings and similar projections may project over the right of way a maximum of six feet (6') provided no part is within six feet (6') of the curb line and that it is over eight feet (8') above the sidewalk or the average grade at property line when no sidewalk is in place.
- If the street is widened, the sign must be moved back at the owner's expense to maintain the six foot (6') distance from the curb.
- No portable sign may have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights or other illuminating devices which have a changing intensity, brightness, or color.
- It is prohibited to post or display any sign, banner or advertisement or write upon, cut, mutilate or deface or otherwise harm or disturb any building, bench, fence, railing, ornament, tree, shrub, flower or other property in any park, playground or swimming beach without an order of the City Council.

## Signs exempt from permit in Hawley

- Signs not exceeding two (2) square feet in area and bearing only property numbers, post box numbers and names of occupants of premises.
- A sign not exceeding two (2) square feet in area which is nonilluminated and mounted flat against the wall of the principal building for home occupations.
- Flags and insignias of any government except when displayed in connection with a commercial promotion.
- An advertising sign in connection with a lawfully maintained nonconforming use or conditional use, which complies with the conditions of approval, if any, and the applicable subsections.
- Legal notices, identification, informational or directional signs erected or required by governmental bodies.
- A sign advertising only the sale, rental or lease of the building or premises, not exceeding sixteen (16) square feet in area and five feet (5') in height.
- A sign not to exceed thirty two (32) square feet in area is permitted for each entrance to a subdivision or tract identifying the subdivision or tract name.
- Temporary signs measuring not more than thirty two (32) square feet in area connected with political elections.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit must be obtained prior to installation of any signs, with the exception of signs mounted flat against a building or listed uses under exempt signs.
- A sign permit must be obtained prior to installation of any off premises signs.
- An annual sign permit is required for any portable sign to verify location, safety, and visibility.
- All sign installations shall also conform to Minnesota department of transportation and federal aviation authorities wherever applicable.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Hawley, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Hawley+MN&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-hawley

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