# Sign Regulations in North Branch, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** North Branch, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/north-branch
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-10
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://northbranch.municipalcodeonline.com/book?type=code#name=ARTICLE_VI_SIGNS)

## At a glance

North Branch, Minnesota regulates 48 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Public/Semipublic - Church/Synagogue/Temple Freestanding Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 10 ft (single sign); 15 ft (single sign in lieu of two) tall and 36 sq ft (single sign); or 72 sq ft (single sign in lieu of two, when eligible), with a General freestanding setbacks apply per Sec 66-824(a)(4)-(6),(11)-(12) setback (Sec. Sec 66-824(c)(3)a.1). Most commercial signs in North Branch require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 25 | No greater than 15 ft or ground floor height, whichever is less | May not exceed area of a freestanding sign permitted under Sec 66-824(c)(1)b.1 | — |
| Central Business District (CBD) | 14 | 35 ft (above 1st floor) | 140–350 sq ft depending on building area | — |
| B, Limited Business (B-2), Regional Business (B-3) | 15 | Up to 50 ft for shared freestanding signs located east of Falcon Avenue plain and west of 12th Avenue plain (B-2 and B-3 only); otherwise 35 ft | Up to 600 sq ft per sign face; up to 1,200 sq ft total for a multi-sided sign | — |
| Industrial (I-1, I-2, I-3) | 12 | 35 ft (above 1st floor) | 140–350 sq ft depending on building area | — |
| Industrial (I2, I4) | 6 | 35 ft (above 1st floor) | Up to 600 sq ft per sign face; up to 1,200 sq ft total for a multi-sided sign | — |
| Rural Residential (RR) | 7 | 16 ft | Up to 90 sq ft | — |
| Agricultural (AG-1, AG-2) | 8 | 35 ft (measured from grade at base) | Up to 600 sq ft per sign face; up to 1,200 sq ft total for a multi-sided sign | — |
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3) | 5 | 10 ft above ground level | Up to 90 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Planned Unit Developments (PUD's) | 1 | — | Up to 50 sq ft (or ≤50% of sign face) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Projecting Sign - General Limits | May not extend above the roof line | May not exceed area of a freestanding sign permitted under Sec 66-824(c)(1)b.1 | May not project more than 48 inches from wall | — | — | Attached to building wall; cannot project over/beyond property line | — | Sec 66-824(a)(1)-(2),(5),(7)-(8) |
| Freestanding Sign - General Setbacks and Visibility | Minimum vertical clearance of 10 feet above centerline grade of intersecting streets | — | — | At least 10 ft from perimeter lot lines; at least 10 ft from side lot line; at least 3 ft from any building unless parallel to building side; not within a 30-ft sight triangle at street intersections | — | On private property; no part may project beyond property line | — | Sec 66-824(a)(1),(3)-(6),(10)-(14); Sec 66-823(d) |
| Directional/Traffic/Parking/Wayfinding Signs (No Permit) | No greater than 15 ft or ground floor height, whichever is less | Less than 16 sq ft | — | — | — | As approved by Planning Director | — | Sec 66-824(b)(2) |
| Campaign Signs (Portable and Freestanding) (No Permit) | — | Any size | — | — | Any number permitted within the time window | Only on private property with owner permission | — | Sec 66-824(b)(6) |
| Real Estate Sign - On-Site (Residential Property) (No Permit) | — | Up to 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | On-site | — | Sec 66-824(b)(11)a |
| Real Estate Development Project Sign (Temporary) (No Permit) | — | 48 sq ft (project <20 acres); 200 sq ft (project >20 acres) | — | At least 130 ft from any preexisting structure | 1 per major thoroughfare the project abuts | On project development property; at least 130 ft from any preexisting structure | — | Sec 66-824(b)(11)c |
| Public/Semipublic - Church/Synagogue/Temple Freestanding Sign | 10 ft (single sign); 15 ft (single sign in lieu of two) | 36 sq ft (single sign); or 72 sq ft (single sign in lieu of two, when eligible) | — | General freestanding setbacks apply per Sec 66-824(a)(4)-(6),(11)-(12) | 1; second allowed if site abuts two or more streets, or 1 larger sign in lieu of two | On-site | — | Sec 66-824(c)(3)a.1 |
| Public/Semipublic - Private Clubs/Lodges Signs | Freestanding per church limits (10 ft or 15 ft for single larger sign) | Freestanding signs as for churches; wall sign up to 36 sq ft | — | General freestanding setbacks apply per Sec 66-824(a) | — | On-site | — | Sec 66-824(c)(3)b |

### Central Business District (CBD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Individual Establishments | — | 10% of wall area | — | — | On each wall, subject to aggregate area limit | On building walls | — | Sec 66-824(c)(1)a.1 |
| Wall/Projecting Sign - Clustered Establishments (Shopping Center/Multi-tenant) | — | 10% of wall area (per establishment or per collective sign) | — | — | Per wall per establishment; or single collective sign per wall | On exterior walls | — | Sec 66-824(c)(1)a.2 |
| Wall/Projecting Sign - Multistory Office Buildings | — | 10% of wall area | — | — | 1 per wall | On building walls | — | Sec 66-824(c)(1)a.3; Sec 66-824(a)(8) |
| Freestanding Sign - Individual Detached Establishment | 35 ft (above 1st floor) | 140–350 sq ft depending on building area | — | General freestanding setbacks apply per Sec 66-824(a)(4)-(6),(11)-(12) | 1; up to 2 if meeting multi-frontage abutment criteria | On-site; along street frontage(s). If abutting two or more collector/arterial streets with abutment on each >400 ft, one sign may be erected along each such street | — | Sec 66-824(c)(1)b.1 (table) |
| Freestanding Sign - Clustered Establishments (Shopping Center/Multi-tenant) | 35 ft | Per table based on aggregate floor area | — | General freestanding setbacks apply per Sec 66-824(a) | 1 per qualifying street frontage | On-site at shopping center/multi-tenant complex | — | Sec 66-824(c)(1)b.2 |
| Freestanding Sign - Outdoor Sales/Display Second Sign | 35 ft | 125 sq ft | — | General freestanding setbacks apply per Sec 66-824(a) | Second freestanding sign allowed under conditions | On-site | — | Sec 66-824(c)(1)b.3 |
| Freestanding Sign - Wall/Freestanding Tradeoff (Additional Identification Sign) | Masonry wall structure no higher than 6 ft above ground | Area of individual letters/cutouts ≤ one-third of permitted freestanding sign allowed per Sec 66-824(c)(1)b.1 | — | — | 1 additional identification sign under tradeoff | Within 50 ft of one of the walls of the principal building; not in required greenstrip or parking lot | — | Sec 66-824(c)(1)b.4 |
| Shared Freestanding Sign (Off-Premises Advertising via Shared Structure) | 35 ft (general freestanding height in table applies; no special CBD height allowance) | Per table for respective business | — | General freestanding setbacks apply per Sec 66-824(a) | Shared structure replaces individual freestanding signs | On adjoining parcel or parcel within 75-ft radius of perimeter of the property (CBD zone) | — | Sec 66-824(c)(1)b.5 |

### B, Limited Business (B-2), Regional Business (B-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Individual Establishments | — | 10% of wall area | — | — | On each wall, subject to aggregate area limit | On building walls | — | Sec 66-824(c)(1)a.1 |
| Wall/Projecting Sign - Clustered Establishments (Shopping Center/Multi-tenant) | — | 10% of wall area (per establishment or per collective sign) | — | — | Per wall per establishment; or single collective sign per wall | On exterior walls | — | Sec 66-824(c)(1)a.2 |
| Wall/Projecting Sign - Multistory Office Buildings | — | 10% of wall area | — | — | 1 per wall | On building walls | — | Sec 66-824(c)(1)a.3; Sec 66-824(a)(8) |
| Freestanding Sign - Individual Detached Establishment | 35 ft (above 1st floor) | 140–350 sq ft depending on building area | — | General freestanding setbacks apply per Sec 66-824(a)(4)-(6),(11)-(12) | 1; up to 2 if meeting multi-frontage abutment criteria | On-site; along street frontage(s). If abutting two or more collector/arterial streets with abutment on each >400 ft, one sign may be erected along each such street | — | Sec 66-824(c)(1)b.1 (table) |
| Freestanding Sign - Clustered Establishments (Shopping Center/Multi-tenant) | 35 ft | Per table based on aggregate floor area | — | General freestanding setbacks apply per Sec 66-824(a) | 1 per qualifying street frontage | On-site at shopping center/multi-tenant complex | — | Sec 66-824(c)(1)b.2 |
| Freestanding Sign - Outdoor Sales/Display Second Sign | 35 ft | 125 sq ft | — | General freestanding setbacks apply per Sec 66-824(a) | Second freestanding sign allowed under conditions | On-site | — | Sec 66-824(c)(1)b.3 |
| Freestanding Sign - Wall/Freestanding Tradeoff (Additional Identification Sign) | Masonry wall structure no higher than 6 ft above ground | Area of individual letters/cutouts ≤ one-third of permitted freestanding sign allowed per Sec 66-824(c)(1)b.1 | — | — | 1 additional identification sign under tradeoff | Within 50 ft of one of the walls of the principal building; not in required greenstrip or parking lot | — | Sec 66-824(c)(1)b.4 |
| Shared Freestanding Sign (Off-Premises Advertising via Shared Structure) | Up to 50 ft for shared freestanding signs located east of Falcon Avenue plain and west of 12th Avenue plain (B-2 and B-3 only); otherwise 35 ft | Per table for respective business | — | General freestanding setbacks apply per Sec 66-824(a) | Shared structure replaces individual freestanding signs | On adjoining parcel or parcel within 75-ft radius of perimeter of the property (B-2/B-3 zones) | — | Sec 66-824(c)(1)b.5 |

## Prohibited signs in North Branch

- Signs that, by reason of position, shape, or color, interfere with the proper function of a traffic sign or signal.
- Signs within the public right-of-way or easement, except government-installed signs.
- Signs that resemble any official marker erected by a governmental agency or that display words such as "stop" or "danger."
- Flashing, blinking, or fluttering signs, including indoor signs visible from public streets.
- Rotating beams, beacons, or flashing illumination in connection with any display (except searchlights approved by an administrative permit).
- Signs or sign structures that obstruct any window, door, fire escape, stairway, or opening intended to provide ingress or egress for any building (exception: signs painted on the inside glass of windows/doors in commercial and industrial districts).
- Sign posters tacked or posted on trees, fences, utility poles, or similar supports.
- Portable signs, except as allowed for campaign signs or when approved by an administrative permit for up to 21 days, four times per year.
- Roof signs, except as otherwise provided in section 66-824(c)(1)a.
- Off-premises advertising signs, including billboards, except as otherwise permitted in section 66-824; signs advertising a business no longer operating on the premises are deemed off-premises and must be removed within 30 days of closing.
- Signs painted directly on building walls.
- Any signs not expressly permitted by the article.
- Signs painted on a commercial vehicle parked so as to constitute a static advertising display when the vehicle is not making a pickup/delivery or appropriately stored on the premises.
- Temporary freestanding off-site directional real estate development signs.
- Illuminated signs where the beam of light shines directly upon any part of a residence or into the street.
- Any part of a sign projecting over or beyond the property line of the property on which the sign is located.
- Projecting signs that extend above the roof line, project more than 48 inches from the wall, exceed permitted area, or extend into the public right-of-way.
- Signs located so as to obstruct the sign face of any existing permitted sign.

## Signs exempt from permit in North Branch

- Noncommercial substitution: Any otherwise allowed sign may substitute noncommercial copy in place of any commercial or noncommercial copy without additional city approval or permit.
- Normal maintenance and repair activities (no sign or building permit): replacing or repairing lamps, ballasts, transformers, trim, sign fasteners, nuts or washers; painting poles/supports of freestanding signs; painting the cabinet of freestanding or building signs.
- One- and two-family dwelling identification signs less than 2 sq ft.
- Directional/site circulation signs (site, pedestrian, vehicular, parking) approved by the planning director that are less than 16 sq ft and no taller than 15 ft or the ground-floor height, whichever is less.
- Traffic control signs, noncommercial governmental signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, and temporary nonadvertising safety or emergency signs.
- Worksite identification signs denoting the architect, engineer, contractor, or owner at a job site, not exceeding 48 sq ft aggregate, removed within 10 days after completion of construction.
- Copy or message changes on a permitted printed or painted sign.
- Portable and freestanding campaign signs of any size and number from 46 days before the state primary in a state general election year until 10 days after the state general election; must be on private property with owner permission.
- Signs or posters painted on or attached to the inside of a display window (including illuminated, but not flashing).
- Flags, badges, or insignia of any government or governmental agency, or of civic, religious, fraternal, or professional organizations; commercial/industrial establishments may display a sign flag of the official corporate seal/insignia as identification (advertising specific products/services requires an administrative permit).
- Emergency signs required by other governmental agencies.
- Temporary displays erected to celebrate, commemorate, or observe a civil or religious holiday.
- Real estate signs: on-site temporary signs for selling/leasing individual lots or entire buildings (max 6 sq ft for residential property; 32 sq ft for other property; one per property; remove within 10 days after lease/sale).
- Real estate open house off-site signs: temporary freestanding signs up to 3 sq ft on privately owned residential property with permission; displayed only during the open house/showing or a maximum of 3 consecutive days; not in the public right-of-way.
- Real estate project development signs: temporary freestanding signs on the project site for qualifying developments (≥6 dwellings/lots); one per major thoroughfare; at least 130 ft from any preexisting structure; removed within two years after signing the final plat or when 75% sold/rented, whichever occurs first; size max 48 sq ft for projects under 20 acres, 200 sq ft for projects over 20 acres.
- Real estate leasing/sales in multi-unit or commercial/industrial buildings: temporary wall signs only on walls facing public streets when vacancies exist; size limits based on wall area and distance from right-of-way (10 sq ft for ≤1,000 sq ft wall; 16 sq ft for >1,000 sq ft wall; area may increase by 50% if building is >100 ft from ROW or by 100% if >300 ft).
- In lieu of other real estate signs, use up to 10 sq ft or 50% (whichever is less) of an existing freestanding identification sign area.
- Rummage/garage sale on-site signs up to 6 sq ft; may include banners, pennants, streamers, balloons, stringers or similar devices on the sale property during the sale; must be removed at the sale's end.
- Rummage/garage sale off-site signs up to 3 sq ft on other residential property with permission; displayed only for the sale; must be removed at the sale's end.
- Noncommercial opinion or expression signs: one sign up to 6 sq ft on private residentially zoned/used property (with owner consent), not illuminated and otherwise compliant; on commercial/industrial sites, any single allowed sign/signable area may be used for noncommercial opinion/expression in lieu of other permitted signage.
- Banners, pennants, streamers, balloons, stringers, or similar attention-attracting devices.
- Nonprofit signage for special events (e.g., craft sales, concerts, activity registration, farmers market).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan requirement is stated in the ordinance.
- A sign permit is required for any sign unless it is exempt under section 66-824(b).
- Electrical permits are required for all electric signs (section 66-825(a)).
- Administrative permits are used for limited exceptions and temporary displays (e.g., searchlights; portable signs may be allowed up to 21 days, four times per year; flags advertising specific products/services) and must be applied for on city forms (section 66-825(c)).
- If a proposed sign does not conform to this article, the applicant must obtain a variance; no permit for a nonconforming sign will be issued without an approved variance (section 66-827(b)).
- Planning director approval is required for directional/site circulation signs that are exempt from permits (section 66-824(b)(2)).
- The planning director may require plans or other information with a permit application to ensure compliance (section 66-825(b)).
- Building permits may also be required for construction or changes to signs/sign structures or electrical connections (section 66-828(f)).
- Noncommercial copy may be substituted on any otherwise allowed sign without additional city approval or permit (section 66-821.5).

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

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