# Sign Regulations in Oak Grove, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Oak Grove, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/oak-grove
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MN/Oak_Grove/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COORPAI_CH14NU_S14-6POSI)

## At a glance

Oak Grove, Minnesota regulates 15 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Identification Signs in the Agriculture (A), Agriculture Preserve (AP), Single-Family Residential (SFR), MUSA—Urban Reserve District (MUSA), Lake George Residential (LG-1, LG-2, LG-3), Lake George High Density Residential (LG-HDR) zoning district are capped at 10 feet above grade (unless otherwise provided) tall and 1.5 sq ft per dwelling; 2.5 sq ft for interim use permit; 24 sq ft for nonresidential signs; 6 sq ft for real estate signs, with a Any sign over 1.5 sq ft set back at least 10 ft from any lot line setback (Sec. Sec. 109-479(c), Sec. 109-480 (Agricultural, Residential)). Most commercial signs in Oak Grove require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Agriculture (A), Agriculture Preserve (AP), Single-Family Residential (SFR), MUSA—Urban Reserve District (MUSA), Lake George Residential (LG-1, LG-2, LG-3), Lake George High Density Residential (LG-HDR) | 4 | 10 feet above grade (unless otherwise provided) | 24 sq ft for nonresidential signs; see also identification sign | — |
| General Business (GB) | 4 | 25 feet (ground/pedestal sign) | Single sign: 150 sq ft max; aggregate per lot: 4 sq ft per front foot of building + 1 sq ft per foot of unbuilt frontage | — |
| Limited Industry (LI) | 1 | 35 feet | 200 sq ft (single sign); aggregate area: 4 sq ft/front foot of building + 1 sq ft/front foot of property not occupied by building | — |
| Future Business Park (FBP) | 1 | 35 feet | 150 sq ft (if following GB standards), 200 sq ft (if following LI standards). See development agreement. | — |
| Public/Institutional (PI) | 1 | 35 feet | 150 sq ft (if following GB); 200 sq ft (if following LI) | — |
| Planned Unit Development Overlay District (PUD) | 1 | As per underlying district or as established by PUD, not to exceed 35 feet unless permitted by CUP | Per development plan—typically per underlying district: 150 sq ft (GB), 200 sq ft (LI), etc. | — |
| Closed Landfill Restricted (CLR) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Groundwater Protection Overlay District A, Groundwater Protection Overlay District B | 1 | As for underlying district | As for underlying district; see zone-specific standards | — |
| Shoreland District | 1 | 10 feet from ground (for commercial informational signs) | 32 sq ft (informational)—see commercial use, or as allowed in underlying zone for real estate or identification signs | — |
| Rum River Scenic Land Use District | 2 | — | — | — |
| Floodplain District | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | 64 sq ft (general maximum); election and temporary event signs—no max except must not obstruct sight lines or interfere with traffic | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### Agriculture (A), Agriculture Preserve (AP), Single-Family Residential (SFR), MUSA—Urban Reserve District (MUSA), Lake George Residential (LG-1, LG-2, LG-3), Lake George High Density Residential (LG-HDR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign | 10 feet above grade (unless otherwise provided) | 1.5 sq ft per dwelling; 2.5 sq ft for interim use permit; 24 sq ft for nonresidential signs; 6 sq ft for real estate signs | — | Any sign over 1.5 sq ft set back at least 10 ft from any lot line | One per lot frontage | Set back at least 10 feet from any lot line for signs over 1.5 sq ft; 15 feet from right-of-way for real estate signs unless flat against structure | — | Sec. 109-479(c), Sec. 109-480 (Agricultural, Residential) |
| Ground Sign | 10 feet | 24 sq ft for nonresidential signs; see also identification sign | — | 10 feet | One per lot frontage | Set back at least 10 feet from any lot line | — | Sec. 109-480 (Agricultural, Residential) |
| Wall Sign | 10 feet above grade (unless otherwise provided) | 24 sq ft for nonresidential signs | — | — | One per lot frontage | On building; shall not be painted directly on wall or fence, see 109-479(c)(7) | — | Sec. 109-480 (Agricultural, Residential); 109-479(c)(7) |
| Real Estate Sign | 10 feet | 6 sq ft per surface (single sale); up to 32 sq ft for residential project of 6+ dwellings, up to 48 sq ft for commercial area of 3+ acres or industrial area of 10+ acres | — | 15 feet from right-of-way unless against structure | — | Minimum 15 feet from right-of-way line unless flat against structure | — | Sec. 109-479(c)(4) |

### General Business (GB)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign | 25 feet (ground/pedestal sign) | Single sign: 150 sq ft max; aggregate per lot: 4 sq ft per front foot of building + 1 sq ft per foot of unbuilt frontage | — | 10 feet from any lot line | — | Setback at least 10 feet from any lot line | — | Sec. 109-480 (GB), 109-469 |
| Wall Sign | — | No single sign exceeding 150 sq ft; aggregate lot max as above | — | — | — | On building face | — | Sec. 109-480 (GB); Sec. 109-479(c)(7) |
| Ground Sign (Pedestal/Pylon) | 25 feet above grade | 150 sq ft | — | 10 feet from any lot line | — | Set back at least 10 feet from any lot line | — | Sec. 109-480 (GB) |
| Temporary Sign | 25 feet (permanent), up to 64 sq ft for temporary (no height specified, presume default max) | 64 sq ft (general), 150 sq ft (GB max for permanent ground/pedestal) | — | 10 feet | — | Set back at least 10 feet from any lot line | — | Sec. 109-479(c)(4), 109-480 (GB) |

### Shoreland District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Water-Oriented Accessory Structure Sign | 10 feet from ground (for commercial informational signs) | 32 sq ft (informational)—see commercial use, or as allowed in underlying zone for real estate or identification signs | — | At least 10 feet from ordinary high water level for water-oriented accessory structures; info sign in shore impact zone—no setback if informational only and size/height limits met | One informational sign per commercial establishment (Sec. 109-300(a)(3)b) | May be allowed within shore impact zone when necessary to convey needed info; not allowed in or on the water except by public authority. | — | Sec. 109-300(a)(3); 109-287 |

## Prohibited signs in Oak Grove

- No signs shall be erected, re-erected, constructed, altered, or maintained except as provided by this Code.
- Private signs are prohibited within the public right-of-way or easements except by conditional use permit for specified time (not to exceed 90 days in 24 months) (109-479(c)(1)).
- Illuminated flashing signs are not permitted in any district (109-479(c)(2)).
- Illuminated signs or devices giving off an intermittent, steady or rotating beam consisting of a collection or concentration of rays of light shall not be permitted in any district (109-479(c)(3)).
- No sign may be erected that, by reason of position, shape or color, would interfere with the proper functioning or purpose of a traffic sign or signal (109-479(c)(6)).
- Signs shall not be painted directly on the outside wall of a building, fence, rocks, or similar structure or feature in any district (109-479(c)(7)).
- No sign of any type is permitted to be located in a manner not conforming to required setbacks and height limitations (see 109-480: e.g., setback at least ten feet from any lot line for most signs, not over ten feet above grade in residential/agricultural districts, etc.).
- No sign may be placed on a lot or parcel for a period exceeding stated temporary allowances (e.g., temporary sign not exceeding 64 square feet, maximum 30 days in any 12-month period, 109-479(a)).
- Signs advertising activities or products not conducted on the premises are considered 'advertising signs' or billboards, which are not described as permitted in any district under 109-480.
- Election signs are to be removed within 30 days following the election, and not permitted in residential districts sooner than two months before the relevant election (109-479(c)(8)b.2.).

## Signs exempt from permit in Oak Grove

- Noncommercial speech may be substituted on any sign otherwise allowed (substitution clause) (109-481).
- Real estate signs for the purpose of selling, renting or leasing property are allowed up to six square feet per surface within the front yard, provided they are 15 feet from the right-of-way unless flat against the structure; for residential projects of six or more units, one sign not to exceed 32 square feet; for commercial area of three acres or more or industrial area of ten acres or more, one sign not to exceed 48 square feet; such signs shall not remain after 90% of the project is developed (109-479(c)(4)).
- Election signs of any size may be posted in any number from 46 days before the state primary in a state general election year until ten days following the election (109-479(c)(8)a).
- Signs existing on the date of adoption of the ordinance which do not conform to the regulations are considered a legal nonconforming use (109-479(c)(5)).
- Signs indicating areas that are available or not available for public use and signs approved by federal, state, or local government which are necessary for public health and safety are permitted (per River/Scenic District list, but applies generally to public purposes).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign plan shall be submitted with the site plan for new developments or when existing developments are being enlarged or extensively remodeled (109-469).
- In GB (General Business), LI (Limited Industry), and FBP (Future Business Park) districts, all uses are subject to the site plan review process, which requires sign details to be included (as cross-referenced in 109-479 and 109-469).
- Accessory uses in business and industrial districts expressly include 'Signage in conformance with section 109-479', with approval tied to compliance and site plan submission (see GB 109-98(c)(4), LI 109-99(c)(4), PI 109-101(e)(5)).
- For Planned Unit Developments (PUD), the development plan must specify all signage and the sign plan must be incorporated into the overall site plan as part of PUD approval (see 109-102).

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

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