# Sign Regulations in La Crescent, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** La Crescent, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/la-crescent
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-20

## At a glance

La Crescent, Minnesota regulates 32 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Single Tenant Building)s in the Central Business District zoning district are capped at 15 ft. tall and 48 sq. ft., with a Must follow front, rear and side setbacks setback (Sec. § 152.22(A)(1)). Most commercial signs in La Crescent require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 18 | Low profile (<4 ft. high) | 36 sq. ft. per face | — |
| Central Business District | 8 | 15 ft. | 75% of canopy/awning exterior (and 25% of wall area including other signage if attached) | — |
| Commercial and Industrial Districts | 8 | 25 ft. | 300 sq. ft. per facing, max two facings (must be back to back or form an interior angle <= 30 deg) | — |
| Residential | 3 | 5 ft. (freestanding) | 10 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Governmental Sign | As per Central Business District limits | As per Central Business District limits | — | As required for the district | — | City or governmental buildings; per location described | — | § 152.21(A) |
| House/Name/Address Sign | — | 2 sq. ft. per dwelling unit | — | — | — | On home/building, clearly visible from street. | — | § 152.21(B) |
| Noncommercial Opinion or Expression Sign | — | 4 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | Any property (with owner consent) | — | § 152.21(D) |
| Outdoor Product Price Sign | Low profile (<4 ft. high) | 1 sq. ft. per sign | — | — | — | Outdoor sales/dispensing locations on private property | — | § 152.21(G) |
| Temporary Sign (Construction) | — | 16 sq. ft. (single residential lot); 30 sq. ft. (multi-lot/subdivision) | — | — | — | On property with valid building permit | — | § 152.21(H)(2) |
| Temporary Sign (Real Estate - Single Residential) | — | 9 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | Freestanding or wall sign on property for sale/lease | — | § 152.21(H)(5) |
| Temporary Sign (Real Estate - Multi Residential/Commercial/Industrial) | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | Freestanding or wall sign on property | — | § 152.21(H)(5) |
| Sidewalk Sign | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business | On sidewalk at business location (not in residential districts) | — | § 152.21(H)(6) |

### Central Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Single Tenant Building) | 15 ft. | 48 sq. ft. | — | Must follow front, rear and side setbacks | 1 | On-premises; not on public property | — | § 152.22(A)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Multiple Tenant Building) | 15 ft. | 60 sq. ft. | — | Must follow front, rear, and side setbacks | 1 | On-premises; not on public property | — | § 152.22(A)(1) |
| Wall or Fascia Sign (Street Frontage) | — | 25% of wall area per frontage | — | — | — | On wall facing street or alley | — | § 152.22(A)(2) |
| Wall or Fascia Sign (Parking Lot Frontage) | — | 10% of wall area (for parking lot frontage) | — | — | — | Frontage abutting large public parking lot | — | § 152.22(A)(2) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Affixed to building wall (CBD) | — | § 152.22(A)(3) |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of window area; limits may be further capped by 25% of wall area | — | — | — | Inside window; doors and primary windows | — | § 152.22(A)(4) |
| Canopy or Awning Sign | — | 75% of canopy/awning exterior (and 25% of wall area including other signage if attached) | — | — | — | On canopy/awning, attached or freestanding | — | § 152.22(A)(5) |
| Off-Premises/Billboard Sign | — | — | — | — | — | CBD only, under special replacement rules | — | § 152.22(A)(6) |

### Commercial and Industrial Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (On-Premises) | 25 ft. | 150 sq. ft. | — | Min. 10 ft. from street right-of-way; follow other setback requirements | 1 | On premises | — | § 152.22(B)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (On-Premises, Off-Premises Advertising) | 25 ft. | 150 sq. ft. | — | Min. 10 ft. from street right-of-way; follow other setback requirements | 1 | On premises | — | § 152.22(B)(1) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 24 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Affixed to building | — | § 152.22(B)(2) |
| Wall or Fascia Sign (Street Frontage) | — | 25% of wall area per frontage | — | — | — | On street/alley frontage wall | — | § 152.22(B)(3) |
| Wall or Fascia Sign (Parking Lot Frontage) | — | 10% of wall area (for parking lot frontage) | — | — | — | Building frontage abutting parking lot with 25+ cars, all sides abutting public ROW or commercial zone | — | § 152.22(B)(3) |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of window area (additional wall/fascia limits may apply) | — | — | — | Inside window; doors and primary windows | — | § 152.22(B)(4) |
| Canopy or Awning Sign | — | 75% of canopy/awning exterior (capped by 25% of wall area if attached, including other signage) | — | — | — | On canopy/awning, attached or freestanding | — | § 152.22(B)(5) |
| Off-Premises/Billboard Sign (Replacement) | 20 ft. above roadway centerline | 300 sq. ft. per facing, max two facings (must be back to back or form an interior angle <= 30 deg) | — | Specific highway placement only | Limited to existing inventoried billboards | Highway 14/61 (see specific sections) | — | § 152.22(B)(6) |

## Prohibited signs in La Crescent

- Signs may not violate general sign standards with regard to construction, maintenance, size, setbacks, illumination, obsolescence, placement, content, and labeling.
- Animated signs are prohibited except as allowed for under § 152.21(H).
- Portable signs are prohibited except as allowed for under § 152.21(H).
- Signs not expressly permitted by the chapter are prohibited.
- Signs shall not obscure any traffic-control signal from the vision of any motorist in a moving traffic lane or be placed within 150 feet of such signal.
- Signs shall not be attached to public utility poles, fences, or other vertical surfaces not intended to be signboards.
- No signs shall be placed within the public right-of-way.
- No sign shall obstruct access to fire escapes, required windows, doors, exits, or standpipes.
- Signs erected or affixed on roofs are prohibited, as are wall signs that project more than 12 inches above the building soffit or eave height.
- Signs and/or logos shall not be painted directly upon any natural surface such as rocks or trees, nor painted directly on the roof or walls of a building.
- No sign visible from the street shall use words, phrases, symbols, or characters with the intent of simulating a public safety warning or traffic sign.
- No signs shall contain images, profanity, or other language that is considered obscene or offensive to the general public.
- Signs with light sources or reflective qualities of such brightness that constitute a hazard or nuisance as determined by the building official are prohibited.
- Revolving beams or beacons shall not be used on any sign.
- Continuous scrolling, traveling, flashing, spinning, rotating, similar moving effects, dynamic frame effects, patterns of illusory movement, or simulating movement on electronic message centers are prohibited.
- Full motion video or film display via an electronic file imported into EMC software or streamed in real time is prohibited on electronic message centers.

## Signs exempt from permit in La Crescent

- Governmental signs erected by the city or other governmental agency identifying/informing of locations of municipal/public buildings and city advertising are exempt from permit requirements if they comply with general standards and dimensional limits.
- Identification (house name/address) signs up to 2 square feet for each dwelling unit are exempt from permit requirements.
- Legal notices, danger, and other such temporary, emergency, or non-advertising signs as approved by the Building Official are exempt from permit requirements.
- One noncommercial opinion or expression sign per property (not illuminated, max 4 sq ft, erected and maintained in accordance with §152.20, not otherwise prohibited) is exempt from permit requirements.
- Religious, civic, or patriotic holiday decorations are exempt from permit requirements.
- Incidental signs (informational, less than 4 sq ft in area) are exempt from permit requirements.
- Outdoor product price signs matching specified restrictions are exempt from permit requirements.
- Temporary signs such as garage/rummage sale signs (on day of sale only, removed within 24 hours after sale), construction signs during building permit period, political signs as regulated by state law, portable signs (up to 20 days/location, with size and illumination restrictions), temporary real estate signs (size & location restrictions), sidewalk signs (restrictions apply), and special promotion/event signs under §152.21(H) are exempt from permit requirements.
- Seasonal lighting and displays are exempt from permit requirements.
- Official traffic signs legally erected consistent with federal/state/city regulations are exempt from permit requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required prior to the construction, placement, erection, or structural modification of any sign requiring a permit. This applies to all signs except those specifically listed as exempt under §152.21.
- Permit applications must be made on forms approved by the City Council and must include detailed information about the sign, including plans and specifications (two blueprints or ink drawings), dimensions, placement, illumination, and, where required, evidence of MNDOT approval.
- Applications for variances must be made when a modification or relaxation of sign requirements is sought due to unique circumstances. Variance procedures follow those of the Zoning Ordinance.
- There is no mention in the ordinance of a 'master sign plan' requirement or process.

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

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