# Sign Regulations in Madison, Minnesota

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

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

## At a glance

Madison, Minnesota regulates 14 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Identification Sign - Multiple-family Dwellings in the Residential Districts zoning district are capped at 16 square feet, with a Not closer than 10 feet to any other zoning lot. setback (Sec. § 151.203(E)(1)). Most commercial signs in Madison 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 | 5 | Must not extend 5 feet above the roof line. | — | — |
| Residential Districts | 7 | 6 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| B-1 District, B-2 District, I-1 District | 4 | — | 20% of wall area per fascia | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Attached to the wall of a building. | — | § 151.203(C), (D), (B)(6) |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Erected on a freestanding framework supported and affixed by one or more uprights or braces in or upon the ground. | — | § 151.203(C), (D), (B)(3) |
| Roof Sign | Must not extend 5 feet above the roof line. | — | — | — | — | Attached to the roof of a building. | — | § 151.203(D)(8), (B)(4) |
| Billboard | — | — | — | Not within 1 city block of any residential district. | — | Permitted along state highways. Prohibited in residential districts and within 1 city block of any residential district. | — | § 151.203(D)(9), (E)(7), (B)(1) |
| Informational and Directional Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 151.203(D)(11)(b) |

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign - Multiple-family Dwelling | — | 16 square feet | — | Not closer than 10 feet to any other zoning lot. | One per dwelling, or one per street on corner lots | For each multiple-family dwelling. Minimum 10 feet from any other zoning lot. | — | § 151.203(E)(1) |
| Project Identification Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | Not closer than 16 feet to any other zoning lot. | One additional sign at the major entry | At the major entry to a residential project with multiple buildings. Must be at least 16 feet from any other zoning lot. | — | § 151.203(E)(2) |
| Identification Sign - Church, Cemetery, School, Social Facility | — | 32 square feet | — | — | One per use, or two for corner lots (one per street) | For church bulletins, cemetery signs, educational institutions, social facilities, and similar uses. One sign per use, or two at corner lots. | — | § 151.203(E)(3) |
| Parking Area Entrance/Exit Sign | — | 3 square feet per sign face for entrance/exit; 9 square feet for conditions sign | — | — | One per entrance/exit; one additional for conditions | Designating parking area entrances and exits. | — | § 151.203(E)(4) |
| Free-standing Sign (Residential) | 6 feet | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 151.203(E)(5) |
| Roof Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 151.203(E)(6) |
| Billboard | — | — | — | Not within 1 city block of a residential district. | — | Not permitted in residential districts or within 1 city block of any residential district. | — | § 151.203(E)(7) |

### B-1 District, B-2 District, I-1 District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Business) | — | 20% of wall area per fascia | — | — | — | On exterior wall (fascia) of business. | — | § 151.203(F)(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Business) | — | 1 square foot per lineal foot of frontage | — | See additional requirements: may project over sidewalk under certain conditions | — | Ground-mounted, free-standing on business lot frontage. | — | § 151.203(F)(3), (F)(4) |
| Freestanding Sign (Sidewalk Projection) | — | — | — | — | — | Allowed to extend over sidewalk only if buildings have no setbacks. Minimum height above ground: 13 feet, 6 inches. | — | § 151.203(F)(4) |
| Business Sign (Signs permitted in Residential Districts) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 151.203(F)(1) |

## Prohibited signs in Madison

- The use of any portion of a wireless telecommunication tower for signs other than warning or equipment information sign is prohibited.
- No illuminated sign shall be of excessive brightness or shall flash, scintillate, or move. Time and temperature or message signs not otherwise prohibited are allowed provided they do not create hazardous or annoying glare.
- No sign shall be so located as to hide from view or so illuminated as to interfere with the effectiveness of any traffic-control device or signal.
- No business sign or sign structure shall be located in such a manner as to materially impede the motorist’s view at any street or highway intersection.
- No sign shall be permitted to be placed on any wall, fence, or standard facing the side of any adjoining lot which shares a lot line and is located in a residential district, except for those signs permitted in residential districts.
- All signs shall be maintained in good and safe structural condition.
- No sign or part thereof shall be located on any private property without the consent of the owner, holder, lessee, agent, or trustee.
- No sign shall contain any indecent, offensive picture, or immoral in character or written manner.
- Roof signs must not extend 5 feet above the roof line.
- Searchlights and beacon lights are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Madison

- Signs used exclusively for the posting or display of official notices by a public agency or official, or by a person giving legal notice and signs erected or maintained by a public agency or official, or required by law to be displayed by a public utility for directional warning or informational purposes, are not subject to the regulations of this chapter.
- Informational and directional signs (which may include a corporate identity symbol) are exempt from this regulation.
- Residential nameplate signs of not more than 2 square feet, one per dwelling except for corner lots which may have one nameplate sign facing each street.
- Temporary special event signs, portable signs and banners for commercial, community and non-profit sponsored events, providing they are in use for no more than 14 days.
- Temporary garage sale, house sale, or real estate sale and construction project signs providing they are removed after the sale or completion of the construction project.
- Temporary child operated refreshment stand sign.
- All campaign signs of any size provided they are removed within 10 days following the election.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A zoning permit is required for erection, construction, placement, or replacement of any sign to be permanently attached to a building or to be permanently erected as a free-standing sign.
- No sign, outdoor advertising structure, or display of any character shall be permitted except in conformity with these regulations; permit required.
- An applicant for a sign permit may request a variance from the requirements of this chapter by following the variance process outlined in § 151.237.
- An applicant for a sign permit or a permit holder may appeal any decision by filing an application for appeal with the Administrator.

## Full detail

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

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