# Sign Regulations in Mora, Minnesota

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

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

## At a glance

Mora, Minnesota regulates 31 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Monument Signs in the B-1 (Central Business) zoning district are capped at As defined in definitions: Monument sign max 6 ft tall and 35 sq ft per face, with a 20 ft required) setback (Sec. § 150.219 (A)(2)(b); § 150.212 (Definitions)). Most commercial signs in Mora require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 13 | Must project at least 18 inches above top of grass line | 32 sq ft | — |
| R-1 (Single Family Residential), R-4 (Low Density Residential) | 5 | 6 ft | 36 sq ft per face | — |
| R-2 (Manufactured Home Park) | 2 | Monument: 6 ft; Freestanding: 12 ft | Monument: 36 sq ft; Freestanding: 35 sq ft per face | — |
| R-3 (Multiple Dwelling) | 6 | 6 ft | 36 sq ft per face | — |
| B-1 (Central Business) | 9 | 12 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| B-2 (General Business) | 10 | 35 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| I-1 (Limited Industrial), I-2 (General Industrial) | 7 | 35 ft | 200 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address Sign | — | — | — | — | One per principal building | Each principal building. | — | § 150.212 (Definitions); §150.218 (A)(1); §150.219 (A)(1); §150.220 (A) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential Districts) | — | 16 sq ft | — | 5 ft from right-of-way unless flat against structure | 1 per premise or 2 if multiple street frontages | On land or building being advertised. | — | § 150.217 (F) |
| Real Estate Sign (Non-residential Districts) | — | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft from right-of-way unless flat against structure | 1 per premise or 2 if multiple street frontages | On land or building being advertised. | — | § 150.217 (F) |
| Non-Commercial Speech Sign | — | — | — | — | No limit during specified election periods; 1 at other times | On private property with owner/lessee permission. | — | § 150.217 (A) |
| Construction Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per major street abutting project | At construction site. | — | § 150.217 (C) |
| Integral Sign | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | — | Affixed to building. | — | § 150.217 (D); § 150.216 (H) |
| Directional Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On, above, or beside entrances/exits to buildings or driveways. | — | § 150.217 (B) |
| Warning Sign for Pesticide Application | Must project at least 18 inches above top of grass line | — | — | 2 to 5 feet from sidewalk/street | As needed for coverage | On property treated, 2 to 5 feet from sidewalk/street, or adjacent to/near entrances in parks etc. | — | § 92.02 |

### B-1 (Central Business)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address Sign | — | — | — | — | One per principal building | Each principal building. | — | § 150.219 (A)(1) |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | No more than 4 per business | On principal building | — | § 150.219 (A)(2),(3),(4),(6) |
| Monument Sign | As defined in definitions: Monument sign max 6 ft | 35 sq ft per face | — | 0 ft (unless abutting R district: 20 ft required) | One per street frontage per property | 0-foot setback except 20-ft from R district | — | § 150.219 (A)(2)(b); § 150.212 (Definitions) |
| Freestanding Sign | 12 ft | 35 sq ft per face | — | 0 ft (unless abutting R district: 20 ft required) | One per street frontage per property | 0-foot setback except 20-ft from R district | — | § 150.219 (A)(2)(b); § 150.212 (Definitions) |
| Roof Sign | — | 50 sq ft per face, 2 faces maximum | — | — | One per building | On building roof | — | § 150.219 (A)(2)(d); § 150.212 (Definitions); § 150.216 (E) |
| Sandwich Board/Sidewalk Sign | — | 10 sq ft per side, max 2 sides | — | — | One per business | On sidewalk, immediately in front of business, at least 4 ft from curb, may not obstruct pedestrian passage. | — | § 150.219 (A)(8) |
| Canopy Sign (Gasoline Pump Island Canopy) | — | 20 sq ft, 10 ft length per sign, max 3 signs | 10 ft (length per sign) | — | Up to 3 per canopy | On gasoline pump canopy | — | § 150.219 (A)(7) |
| Wall Sign (Dynamic Display) | — | Within wall sign limits | — | — | — | Wall, monument, or freestanding | — | § 150.219 (A)(9) |

### B-2 (General Business)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address Sign | — | — | — | — | One per principal building | Each principal building. | — | § 150.219 (B)(1) |
| Wall Sign | — | 200 sq ft | — | — | 4 (max 5 with multiple street frontages) | Principal building. | — | § 150.219 (B)(2)(a), (3), (6) |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft (by definition) | 35 sq ft per face | — | 3 ft from all property lines | One per street frontage per property | Setback at least 3 ft from all property lines. | — | § 150.219 (B)(2)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign | 12 ft | 35 sq ft per face | — | 3 ft from all property lines | One per street frontage per property | Setback at least 3 ft from all property lines. | — | § 150.219 (B)(2)(b); § 150.212 (Definitions) |
| Pylon Sign | 35 ft | 200 sq ft per face | — | 3 ft from property lines | One per street frontage | Setback at least 3 ft from all property lines. | — | § 150.219 (B)(2)(b); § 150.212 (Definitions) |
| Canopy Sign (Gasoline Pump Island Canopy) | — | 20 sq ft, 10 ft length per sign, max 3 per canopy | 10 ft length | — | Up to 3 per canopy | On gasoline pump canopy | — | § 150.219 (B)(7) |
| Menu Board (Drive-through) | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | 2 per establishment with drive-through | On-site at drive-thru | — | § 150.219 (B)(8) |
| Shopping Center Identification Sign | 35 ft | 200 sq ft | — | — | One per shopping center | At major entrance abutting arterial street. | — | § 150.219 (B)(9); § 150.212 (Definitions) |

## Prohibited signs in Mora

- Signs that by reason of position, shape or color would interfere with the proper function of a traffic sign, signal or be misleading to vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
- Signs within a public right-of-way or easement, except for signs installed by governmental units or as otherwise permitted by this subchapter.
- Signs that resemble any official marker erected by a governmental agency or that display such words as “stop” or “danger” which are not erected by legal authority.
- Signs tacked, posted, or otherwise affixed to trees, fences, poles or other structures not considered to be sign structures.
- Roof signs, except in the B-1 (Central Business) District.
- Signs painted or attached to vehicles where the vehicle is parked on public or private property and not intended to be moved.
- Portable signs, except by temporary permit granted by the Zoning Administrator.
- Memorial signs or tablets, integral signs, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface, or when constructed of bronze or other noncombustible material and attached to the building, that are larger than nine (9) square feet in area.
- Lighter than air, inflatable devices, other than balloons, utilized primarily to draw attention to an object, product, place, activity, person, institution, organization or business are prohibited within all zoning districts, except for the B-2 (General Business) District.

## Signs exempt from permit in Mora

- Non-commercial speech signs as defined in the ordinance.
- Directional signs located on, above or beside entrances or exits to buildings or driveways, which direct pedestrians, such as 'Employees Entrance', 'Exit Only', 'Rest Rooms', provided that such signs are no more than four (4) square feet in area.
- Temporary signs denoting the architect, engineer or contractor, when placed upon work under construction, provided each such sign is not more than thirty-two (32) square feet in area, and removed upon completion of construction, subject to specific conditions.
- Integral signs as defined in the ordinance.
- Informational signs as defined in the ordinance.
- Real estate signs that comply with area and placement restrictions and are removed within fourteen (14) days of closing or rental of property.
- Flags, badges or insignias of any government, governmental agency or any civic, religious, fraternal or similar organization.
- Rummage/garage sale signs.
- Window signs as defined in the ordinance.
- Public signs, street signs, warning signs or signs of public service companies for the purpose of safety.
- Lighter than air, inflatable devices utilized primarily to draw attention to an object, product, place, activity, person, institution, organization or business are only allowed in the B-2 (General Business) District.
- Bench signs as defined in the ordinance; City Council approval required if on public right-of-way or easement.
- Ball field, score board, and park advertising signs, subject to specific conditions and City Council approval.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Each application for a sign permit must be submitted to the Zoning Administrator and must include specific information about the proposed sign, including drawings, construction details, and location. The Zoning Administrator/Building Official may request additional plans and specifications if deemed necessary.
- If a permit application is denied or contested, the applicant may appeal to the Planning Commission and City Council for a hearing and decision.
- Requests for variances from the sign ordinance are decided by the City Council following recommendation from the Planning Commission. These meetings may function as a variance or special review for sign plans.
- City administrative approval is required for the location of certain types of area identification and monument signs in residential zones.
- City Council approval is required for ball field, score board, and park advertising signage, as well as for placing certain types of signs (e.g., portable or temporary signs) on public property or right-of-way.

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

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