# Sign Regulations in Maplewood, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Maplewood, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/maplewood
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MN/Maplewood/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH44ZO_ARTIIISIMURE)

## At a glance

Maplewood, Minnesota regulates 42 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Temporary Freestanding Sign (On-site)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 3 ft. tall and 3 sq. ft., with a 5 ft. from street pavement, 1 ft. from sidewalk/trail setback (Sec. Sec. 44-737(a)(i)(1)). Most commercial signs in Maplewood require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 10 ft. | 64 sq. ft. | — |
| Park (Maplewood Comprehensive Plan Designation) | 4 | 6 ft. | 64 sq. ft. | — |
| Residential District, R-3 | 8 | 8 ft. | No more than 70% of total sign area | — |
| LBC (limited business commercial), CO (commercial office), SC (shopping center), NC (neighborhood commercial) | 9 | 10 ft. | No more than 70% of total sign area | — |
| BC (business commercial), BC-M (business commercial modified), M-1 (light manufacturing), M-2 (heavy manufacturing) | 17 | 35 ft. | 450 sq. ft. (per face) | — |
| Mixed-Use (MU), North End (NE) | 7 | 8 ft. | 50 sq. ft. (entire sign); Digital portion max 50% of sign area | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Freestanding Sign (On-site) | 3 ft. | 3 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft. from street pavement, 1 ft. from sidewalk/trail | 1 per property | Private property, not in public right-of-way. Not closer than 5 feet to street pavement or 1 foot to sidewalk/trail; not between street and sidewalk/trail. | — | Sec. 44-737(a)(i)(1) |
| Temporary Sign or Display (On-site, under 12 sq. ft.) | — | 12 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per property or tenant; up to 3 total per property at a time | On private property | — | Sec. 44-737(a)(i)(2) |
| Temporary Construction Sign (Open Building Permit) | 10 ft. | 64 sq. ft. | — | — | More than one | On property with open building permit | — | Sec. 44-737(a)(i)(3) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Single/Double Dwelling) | — | 9 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | One per street of property frontage | — | Sec. 44-737(a)(i)(4)a.i |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Other Properties) | 10 ft. | 64 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | One per street of property frontage | — | Sec. 44-737(a)(i)(4)a.ii |
| Noncommercial Sign (Temporary) | 6 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | On property; for multiple unit, on or near dwelling | — | Sec. 44-737(a)(i)(5) |
| Temporary Off-site Sign (Private Property) | — | 3 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per development | On private property (off-site) | — | Sec. 44-737(a)(ii)(1) |
| Temporary Off-site Sign (Public Right-of-Way) | 3 ft. | 3 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft. from street pavement, 1 ft. from sidewalk/trail | — | Public right-of-way | — | Sec. 44-737(a)(ii)(2) |

### LBC (limited business commercial), CO (commercial office), SC (shopping center), NC (neighborhood commercial)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent Wall Sign | — | 32 sq. ft. minimum; may be more if 20% of wall surface exceeds 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage per occupant; may increase for departments | On occupant's wall, awning, or canopy | — | Sec. 44-738(c)(i)(1) |
| Permanent Window Sign (Substitution) | — | Must not cover more than 1/3 of window or door area | — | — | — | On window or door, as substitute for permitted wall sign area | — | Sec. 44-738(c)(i)(1)d |
| Permanent Freestanding Sign | 10 ft. | 64 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage, on different streets, separated >100 feet | One per street frontage; must be on different streets and >100 ft. apart | — | Sec. 44-738(c)(i)(2) |
| Changeable Copy Message Board (Freestanding/Wall Sign) | — | No more than 70% of total sign area | — | — | — | As part of permanent freestanding or wall sign | — | Sec. 44-738(c)(i)(3) |
| On-site Dynamic Display Sign (Institutional/Public Use) (Monument Sign) | 8 ft. | 50 sq. ft.; Digital display max 50% of sign area | — | 10 ft. from lot line (20 ft. if adjacent to residential) | 1 per property | As part of monument sign; min 10 ft. setback from any lot line, not in right-of-way; 20 ft. setback if adjacent to residential | — | Sec. 44-739(b)(i) |
| Temporary Banner | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per property/tenant at a time | Attached to building or permanent structure | — | Sec. 44-737(d)(i) |
| Temporary Sign or Display (over 12 sq. ft.) | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business | — | — | Sec. 44-737(d)(iii) |
| Temporary Ground Banner Sign | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | One per 150 ft. street frontage | One per every 150 ft. of street frontage | — | Sec. 44-737(d)(iv) |

### BC (business commercial), BC-M (business commercial modified), M-1 (light manufacturing), M-2 (heavy manufacturing)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent Wall Sign (Single-Tenant, <10,000 sq. ft.) | — | 80 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage (+ for departments) | On structure's wall or overhanging awning/canopy | — | Sec. 44-738(c)(ii)(2); Table |
| Permanent Wall Sign (Single-Tenant, 10,000-20,000 sq. ft.) | — | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage (+ for departments) | On structure's wall or overhanging awning/canopy | — | Sec. 44-738(c)(ii)(2); Table |
| Permanent Wall Sign (Single-Tenant, 20,000-100,000 sq. ft.) | — | 150 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage (+ for departments) | On structure's wall or overhanging awning/canopy | — | Sec. 44-738(c)(ii)(2); Table |
| Permanent Freestanding Sign (Principal Arterial) | 25 ft. (pylon); 12 ft. (monument) | 180 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage (+ on different streets, >100 ft. apart) | Abutting principal arterial street | — | Sec. 44-738(c)(ii)(3); Table |
| Permanent Freestanding Sign (Minor Arterial) | 20 ft. (pylon); 12 ft. (monument) | 140 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage (+ on different streets, >100 ft. apart) | Abutting minor arterial street | — | Sec. 44-738(c)(ii)(3); Table |
| Permanent Freestanding Sign (Collector Street) | 15 ft. (pylon); 10 ft. (monument) | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage (+ on different streets, >100 ft. apart) | Abutting collector street | — | Sec. 44-738(c)(ii)(3); Table |
| Permanent Freestanding Sign (Local Street) | 12 ft. (pylon); 10 ft. (monument) | 80 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage (+ on different streets, >100 ft. apart) | Abutting local street | — | Sec. 44-738(c)(ii)(3); Table |
| Billboard | 35 ft. | 450 sq. ft. (per face) | — | See above (multiple requirements) | — | Off-site, adjacent to principal arterial street, in SC/BC/M-1/M-2 zones | — | Sec. 44-738(c)(ii)(6) |

## Prohibited signs in Maplewood

- Signs or sign structures attached or supported on balconies, fences, or other non-permanent structures.
- Signs attached or supported on a permanently parked vehicle or semi-trailers, except for signs painted directly on a parked vehicle or semi-trailer used in the business or facility or on site.
- Signs on rocks, trees, or other natural features or public utility poles.
- Permanent or temporary signs that have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights, or that make noise.
- Signs or sign structures that obstruct any part of a fire escape, doorway, standpipe, or opening intended to provide ingress or egress for any building structures.
- Signs that by reason of location, color, or intensity create a hazard to the safe, efficient movement of vehicles or pedestrian traffic. No sign on private property shall contain words which might be construed as traffic controls such as 'stop,' 'caution,' 'warning,' etc., unless such sign is intended to direct traffic on the site.
- Painted wall signs.
- Roof signs.
- Off-site signs except for where specifically permitted in this article.
- Signs having features or incorporating parts of any sign prohibited in this article.
- Signs must be constructed safely, of suitable materials, and compliant with the relevant building and electrical codes.
- Signs must not block or obstruct the view of driveways.
- Signs must not project over a property line or a public right-of-way, except as allowed.
- Signs attached to a building must be placed flat against the building and not project more than 18 inches except where specifically allowed.
- All illuminated signs must have constant and steady illumination (no flash/blink).

## Signs exempt from permit in Maplewood

- Any public notice or warning sign required to be maintained or posted by law or governmental order, rule, or regulation.
- Flags and emblems that are political or ideological.
- Any sign inside a building that is not attached to an exterior window or not legible from a distance of more than ten feet from outside the building.
- Any sign located within a multi-tenant building, such as a mall or an office building, that is only viewable from inside the building.
- Traffic control signs as defined by state law.
- Property identification sign.
- One wall sign of not more than two square feet for a residence with a permitted home occupation.
- Temporary displays of lights and decorations.
- Signs not exceeding nine square feet, located upon private property, and directed towards the prevention of trespassing.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A comprehensive sign or mural plan is required for any non-residential property with five or more tenants on the site or any multiple-story buildings with two or more tenants.
- A comprehensive sign or mural plan is required for all permitted institutional or public uses.
- A comprehensive sign or mural plan is required for all developments approved as a planned unit development.
- A comprehensive sign or mural plan is required for large campuses consisting of buildings and land of ten or more acres.
- A comprehensive sign or mural plan is required for shared signs that serve both the parcel on which they are placed and an adjacent parcel.
- A comprehensive sign or mural plan is required for murals.
- A comprehensive sign or mural plan is required for dynamic display wall signs.
- A comprehensive sign plan is needed for long-term exemptions (longer than 3 months) for temporary window or banner signs that exceed standard size, number, or time display limits.
- A comprehensive sign plan is required for temporary signs on park designated land in the comprehensive plan in certain circumstances.
- Dynamic display signs in certain zones or uses require approval of a comprehensive sign plan.
- Murals require a comprehensive mural plan and must be reviewed by the community design review board.
- Comprehensive sign or mural plans shall be reviewed by the community design review board, with appeal available to the city council.

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

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