# Sign Regulations in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/inver-grove-heights
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-19

## At a glance

Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota regulates 21 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Fire Lane Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at At least 5 feet tall, 12 inches x 18 inches (216 square inches), and 12 inches wide (Sec. 6-2-2A, 6-2-2B). Most commercial signs in Inver Grove Heights require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (11 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | At least 5 feet | 240 square feet | — |
| A District, E District, R District, R-1, R-2 | 6 | — | 64 square feet per surface | — |
| R-3A, R-3B, R-3C | 4 | — | 32 square feet in surface area | — |
| B-1 | 2 | — | 50 square feet (individual sign surface) | — |
| B-2 | 2 | — | 100 square feet (individual sign surface) | — |
| B-3 | 3 | — | 100 square feet (individual sign surface). One wall sign may be up to 350 sq ft if building has at least 50,000 sq ft of gross floor area | — |
| B-4 | 2 | — | 240 square feet (individual sign surface), except one wall sign for buildings with 50,000+ sq ft gross area may be up to 350 sqft and must be static. | — |
| I-1, I-2 | 3 | — | 100 square feet (individual sign surface). One wall sign may be up to 350 sq ft if building has at least 50,000 sq ft GFA (static only) | — |
| B District, I District, P District | 2 | Principal structure height + 10 feet (except billboards) | — | — |
| P District | 2 | — | 75 square feet (individual sign surface) | — |
| Billboard Overlay District | 1 | 40 feet from established grade | 672 square feet per sign surface (max 10% extensions) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 11 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Fire Lane Sign | At least 5 feet | 12 inches x 18 inches (216 square inches) | 12 inches | — | Signs posted at each end and at least every 100' interval within fire lane | On posts adjacent to fire lanes, at each end of the fire lane, and at least every 100' interval within the fire lane. | — | 6-2-2A, 6-2-2B |
| Advertising Bench Sign | — | — | — | — | — | At public transit stops | — | 10-15E-3C |
| Development Sign | — | 240 square feet | — | — | 1 per qualifying project | On project site | — | 10-15E-3E |
| Flashing or Revolving Sign (General Prohibition, see zone details) | — | — | — | Not in front yard or within 125' of intersection or residential use district | — | May NOT be in E, R, or B-1 districts. Not permitted in any front yard or within 125' of a street intersection or residential use district in any zone. | — | 10-15E-3F |
| Real Estate Sign (General) | — | 64 sqft (multi-family, business, industrial) / 25 sqft (single family, agricultural, estate) | — | At least 10' from right-of-way unless flat against structure | — | Within front yard of property to be sold or leased | — | 10-15E-3I |
| Sign in Public Right of Way | — | — | — | — | — | Public right-of-way | — | 10-15E-3J |
| Temporary Portable Sign | — | — | — | Min. 10' from any property line | 1 per permit at a time (max 60 days/year per business) | — | — | 10-15E-5 |
| Election Sign | — | — | — | No setback from property line required; must not obstruct sight lines. | — | On private property or affixed to fences. Not on vacant buildings. Not within right-of-way. Must not obstruct safe view from driveways or be on outside corner of corner lot (within 30' from the lot corner along property line). | — | 10-15E-4 |

### A District, E District, R District, R-1, R-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign (Dwelling) | — | 2 square feet per surface (max 2 surfaces) | — | — | 1 per dwelling | At each dwelling | — | 10-15E-7A |
| Nameplate Sign (Dwelling Group 6+ units) | — | 6 square feet per surface (max 2 surfaces) | — | — | 1 per dwelling group | At each dwelling group (6+ units) | — | 10-15E-7B |
| Nameplate Sign (Permitted/Conditional Non-Residential Use) | — | 12 square feet per surface | — | — | 1 per use | At each permitted or conditionally permitted non-residential use | — | 10-15E-7C |
| Business Sign (Agricultural Stand - A Zone only) | — | 64 square feet per surface | — | — | 1 per stand | At agricultural product stand in A zone | — | 10-15E-7D |
| Off-site Directional Sign (Agricultural Stand - A Zone only) | — | Size determined by City Council | — | At least 10' from property lines, outside right-of-way | Up to 2 per stand | Located outside public right-of-way and at least 10' from all property lines | — | 10-15E-7D |
| Development Identification Sign (R-1 & R-2) | — | 32 square feet per surface | — | — | 1 per entrance | Per entrance from public street to development (min 25 dwelling units) | — | 10-15E-7H |

### R-3A, R-3B, R-3C

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign (Dwelling) | — | 2 square feet per surface (max 2 surfaces) | — | — | 1 per dwelling | At each dwelling | — | 10-15E-7A |
| Nameplate Sign (Dwelling Group 6+ units) | — | 6 square feet per surface (max 2 surfaces) | — | — | 1 per dwelling group | At each dwelling group (6+ units) | — | 10-15E-7B |
| Nameplate Sign (Permitted/Conditional Non-Residential Use) | — | 12 square feet per surface | — | — | 1 per use | At each permitted or conditionally permitted non-residential use | — | 10-15E-7C |
| Development Identification Sign (R-3A, R-3B, R-3C) | — | 32 square feet in surface area | — | — | 1 per entrance | Per entrance from public street to development (min 1 principal structure with at least 3 units) | — | 10-15E-7F |

## Prohibited signs in Inver Grove Heights

- It is unlawful to erect, alter, relocate, lease, repaint, construct, maintain or use signs or billboards, or to cause others to do so, or to lease or rent lands for such purposes within the city, except as specifically provided in the ordinance.
- Signs, billboards and other advertising structures must be designed and constructed to withstand at least thirty (30) pounds per square foot wind pressure and be securely fastened and safe.
- No use of revolving beacons, beamed lights, or similar devices that would distract automobile or air traffic as to constitute a safety hazard.
- Flashing and revolving signs are not permitted within the E, R, and B-1 districts. No flashing or revolving sign in the front yard of any district or within 125 feet of a street intersection or of a residential use district.
- Signs must not be painted directly on the outside wall of a building, or on a fence, rocks, or similar structure or feature in any district. Paper and similar signs shall not be attached to a building wall by adhesive or similar means.
- Private signs are prohibited within the public right of way or easements except by temporary permit from the council, not to exceed 60 days.
- No sign or advertising structure shall be erected at an intersection of any streets in such a manner as to obstruct vision, or in a location where, by reason of its position, shape, or color, it would interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device.
- No sign or advertising structure may use the words 'STOP', 'LOOK', 'DRIVE-IN', 'DANGER', or any other word, phrase, symbol, or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.
- Obsolete signs (no longer advertising a bona fide business or product) must be taken down and removed by the property owner within 10 days after notification.
- Signs not adequately maintained in a safe, secure, and attractive manner shall be removed by the property owner.
- Whenever a use is discontinued for over 12 consecutive months, associated signs must be removed, blanked out, or covered as specified.
- Dynamic display billboards are prohibited in all districts except the billboard overlay district.
- Dynamic display billboards shall not be erected if, by reason of position, shape, movement or color, they interfere with the proper functioning of a traffic signal or constitute a traffic hazard.
- Nonconforming signs or billboards may not be expanded, enlarged, intensified, or moved to a new location except as specifically provided.

## Signs exempt from permit in Inver Grove Heights

- Temporary real estate signs not exceeding 25 square feet advertising sale, rental, or lease of the premises on which they are located.
- Single or double faced nameplate signs not exceeding 2 square feet per surface and not having more than two surfaces.
- Construction signs denoting architect, engineer, or contractor, not exceeding 100 square feet, on the premises under construction; must be removed upon completion.
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection cut into masonry surface or constructed with bronze or other noncombustible materials.
- Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger signs, and such temporary emergency or nonadvertising signs as may be approved by the Council.
- Official court or public office notices.
- Signs located completely within an enclosed building.
- Temporary employment signs not greater than 25 square feet intended to advertise for employment opportunities on the premises.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A written permit application and city approval is required for each sign or billboard permitted by the article except those exempted under section 10-15E-11.
- Permit applications for signs or billboards are submitted to the building official, who grants the permit if requirements are met and proper fees are paid.
- No permit for a dynamic display billboard or conversion of any portion of a nondynamic display billboard to dynamic display will be granted until the city council has approved an agreement for community and public service messaging.
- Temporary portable signs require a permit.
- Council may grant a temporary sign permit to locate signs and decorations on or within the right of way for a specified time not to exceed 60 days.

## 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 11 zoning districts in Inver Grove Heights — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Inver+Grove+Heights+MN&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-inver-grove-heights

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