# Sign Regulations in Lewiston, Minnesota

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

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

## At a glance

Lewiston, Minnesota regulates 22 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Temporary Freestanding Sign (Residential/New Project)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 48 sq ft, with a At least 130 ft from any pre-existing home setback (Sec. § 152.208(J)(3)). Most commercial signs in Lewiston require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | — | 48 sq ft | — |
| R-A, R-1, R-2 | 4 | 10 ft from landscaped ground level | 36 sq ft | — |
| B-1, B-2 | 8 | Max 10 ft above highest point of any building on lot | 100 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | 10 ft from side lot line; may not project over or beyond property line | — | Not affixed to a building; supported by posts or uprights in the ground | — | § 152.205, § 152.207(D),(E),(F),(H), § 152.208(J), § 152.209 |
| Name Identification Sign (One- and Two-Family Dwellings) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling | Dwelling wall | — | § 152.208(A) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | On residential property being sold/leased | — | § 152.208(J)(1) |
| Real Estate Sign (Non-Residential) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | On property being sold/leased | — | § 152.208(J)(1) |
| Real Estate Sign (Off-Site Temporary) | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | On privately owned residential property (with owner permission) | — | § 152.208(J)(2) |
| Temporary Freestanding Sign (Residential/New Project) | — | 48 sq ft | — | At least 130 ft from any pre-existing home | 1 per major thoroughfare abutting | For new residential, commercial or industrial developments (≥6 units/lots); at least 130 ft from pre-existing home | — | § 152.208(J)(3) |
| Rummage Sale Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On site of sale | — | § 152.208(K) |
| Political Sign (Freestanding/Portable) | — | 16 sq ft per sign | — | — | — | Private property with owner permission | — | § 152.208(E) |

### R-A, R-1, R-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Multiple-Family Dwelling) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | Building wall | — | R-A: § 152.080(B); R-1: § 152.102(B); R-2: § 152.123(B) |
| Freestanding Sign (Multiple-Family Dwelling) | 10 ft from landscaped ground level | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | On site of multiple-family dwelling | — | R-A: § 152.080(B); R-1: § 152.102(B); R-2: § 152.123(B) |
| Freestanding Sign (Religious Facility) | 10 ft from ground level | 36 sq ft | — | — | 1 per facility | Religious facility grounds | — | R-A: § 152.080(C); R-1: § 152.102(C); R-2: § 152.123(C) |
| Wall Sign (Religious Facility) | — | — | — | — | — | On building wall | — | R-A: § 152.080(C); R-1: § 152.102(C); R-2: § 152.123(C) |

### B-1, B-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Individual Establishment) | — | — | — | — | Per wall | On wall of detached enterprise | — | B-1: § 152.139(A)(1); B-2: § 152.155(A)(1) |
| Projecting Sign (Individual Establishment) | — | — | Projects up to 96 inches (8 ft) from wall | — | Per wall | Attached to building projecting up to 8 ft | — | B-1: § 152.139(A)(1); B-2: § 152.155(A)(1); General: §152.207(B) |
| Wall Sign (Clustered Establishment) | — | — | — | — | Per exterior wall | On exterior walls of enterprise | — | B-1: § 152.139(A)(2)(a); B-2: § 152.155(A)(2)(a) |
| Wall/Projecting Sign (Clustered Establishment, Alternative) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | One per wall | On wall of building; for collective tenant/complex identification | — | B-1: § 152.139(A)(2)(b); B-2: § 152.155(A)(2)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign | Max 10 ft above highest point of any building on lot | 80 sq ft | — | — | 1 per 100 ft lot frontage | On lot | — | B-1: § 152.139(B); B-2: § 152.155(B) |
| Roof Sign (Identification, In lieu of Freestanding Sign) | Extends no more than 6 ft above roof line | 80 sq ft | — | — | 1 per eligible lot | On roof of eligible lot (instead of freestanding sign) | — | B-1: § 152.139(C); B-2: § 152.155(C) |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On canopy | — | B-1: § 152.139(D); B-2: § 152.155(D) |
| Portable Sign (Conditional Use) | — | — | — | — | — | As approved | — | § 152.206(I) |

## Prohibited signs in Lewiston

- Signs that, by reason of position, shape or color would interfere with the proper function of a traffic sign or signal.
- Signs within the public right-of-way or easement, except for government installed signs.
- Signs that resemble any official marker erected by a governmental agency or that display such words as “stop” or “danger”.
- Flashing signs including indoor signs which are visible from the public streets.
- With the exception of search lights approved in conjunction with city-wide celebrations, no strobe, rotating beam, beacon or flashing illumination shall be used in connection with any display.
- Signs or sign structures that obstruct any window, door, fire escape, stairway or opening intended to provide ingress or egress for any building structure (except signs painted on inside glass portion of windows or doors in commercial and industrial districts).
- Banners, pennants, streamers, balloons, stringers or similar attention-attracting devices, unless approved in conjunction with a city-wide celebration or activity.
- Sign posters that are tacked or posted on trees, fences, utility poles or other such supports.
- Portable signs, except as a conditional use in B-1 or B-2 District and subject to annual review.
- No sign shall restrict the line of sight from streets, highways or access roads adjacent to the premises for public safety patrol and observation.
- No sign shall restrict or interfere with the line of sight from streets, highways or access roads to existing business signs on adjacent properties, provided such existing signs are otherwise in compliance.
- No sign shall be allowed which would create a traffic hazard at roads, streets or intersections adjacent to the lot on which the sign is located, or which attracts attention of drivers approaching busy or dangerous intersections.
- All other signs not expressly permitted by this chapter.
- Nothing contained in this or any other provisions regulating signs shall discriminate between different message content alone; all sign regulations shall be enforced equally regardless of content.
- Performance standards must be enforced to prevent nuisances caused by signs, including lighting visible in residential areas, traffic distraction or interference with access to solar energy.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lewiston

- Name identification signs for one- and two-family dwellings less than two square feet in area (excluding home occupation signs).
- Traffic-control signs, non-commercial governmental signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, and temporary non-advertising safety or emergency signs.
- Signs denoting architect, engineer, contractor, or owner when placed upon a respective worksite and not exceeding 48 square feet, to be removed ten days after construction completion.
- Copy or message changing on a printed or painted sign which is permitted by this chapter.
- Portable and freestanding political signs for up to 60 days before and ten days after an election, not exceeding 16 square feet, located only on private property with owner's permission.
- Signs or posters painted on or attached to the inside of a display window (not including illuminated or flashing signs in R-A, R-1 or R-2 Districts).
- Flags, badges or insignia of any government or governmental agency, or civic, religious, fraternal or professional organization; commercial/industrial establishments may display a single flag of corporate seal or insignia but not for advertising a product or service.
- Temporary displays erected to celebrate, commemorate, or observe a civil or religious holiday.
- Business I.D. signs as long as the name or designation does not cover more than 35% of the building's surface.
- Temporary freestanding or wall real estate signs for selling or leasing (one per property, size limits apply, must be removed within ten days after lease or sale).
- Temporary freestanding off-site real estate signs for open house or similar activity (location, size, and timing restrictions apply).
- Temporary freestanding signs announcing or promoting a new project development (restrictions on number, location, duration, and size).
- Temporary on-site rummage sale signs not exceeding six square feet, erected no more than 24 hours before and removed within 24 hours after the sale.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No generic requirement for a master sign plan, sign plan, or variance meeting is indicated in the provided ordinance text. Signs generally require a zoning permit unless specifically exempted in § 152.208. A written application is required for each sign permit. Conditional use or special review is required only for exceptions such as portable signs in B-1 or B-2 Districts.

## Full detail

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

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