# Sign Regulations in Orono, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Orono, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/orono
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MN/Orono/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TITVILAUS_CH78ZORE_ARTXSURERE_DIV4ORSICO)

## At a glance

Orono, Minnesota regulates 10 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Monument)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 8 ft (Districts 1, 2), 18 ft (District 3), 20 ft (District 4), 10 ft (District 5) tall and 6 sf (District 1), 32 sf (District 2), 60 sf (District 3), 60 sf (District 4), 45 sf (District 5), with a At least five feet from property lines, not in public right-of-way or clear vision area. setback (Sec. Sec. 78-1478 Table 1; Sec. 78-1469, 78-1470.). Most commercial signs in Orono 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 | 9 | 8 ft (Districts 1, 2), 18 ft (District 3), 20 ft (District 4), 10 ft (District 5) | Half the area of permanent sign type in corresponding district (see Sec. 78-1481) | — |
| R-1A, R-1B, LR-1A, LR-1B, LR-1C, LR-1C-1, RR-1A, RR-1B, RR-1B-1, M-6, RS, PRD, RPUD | 7 | 8 ft | 8 sf | — |
| B-1, B-2, B-4, B-5 | 8 | 18 ft | 60 sf | — |
| B-3 | 7 | 20 ft | 100 sf | — |
| B-6 | 7 | 10 ft | 50 sf | — |
| I, PID | 7 | 10 ft | 50 sf | — |
| Shoreland Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Floodway District (FW), Flood Fringe District (FFD), General Floodplain District (GFP) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Stormwater Quality Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Wall height | 6 sf (District 1), 20 sf (District 2), 60 sf (District 3), 100 sf (District 4), 45 sf (District 5) | — | — | — | Attached to building wall, not to extend over property lines. | — | Sec. 78-1478. Table 1; Sec. 78-1469, 78-1470, 78-1471. |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument) | 8 ft (Districts 1, 2), 18 ft (District 3), 20 ft (District 4), 10 ft (District 5) | 6 sf (District 1), 32 sf (District 2), 60 sf (District 3), 60 sf (District 4), 45 sf (District 5) | — | At least five feet from property lines, not in public right-of-way or clear vision area. | 1 per site; possible additional for sites fronting more than one street. | Must be set back at least five feet from property lines; not to encroach on clear vision area. | — | Sec. 78-1478 Table 1; Sec. 78-1469, 78-1470. |
| Graphic Sign | Wall height | 8 sf (District 1), 20 sf (District 2), 60 sf (Districts 3, 4), 45 sf (District 5) | — | — | — | On wall or as permitted (same as wall sign) | — | Sec. 78-1478 Table 1. |
| Window Sign | — | 35% of window area (Districts 3, 4, 5) | — | — | — | Inside building windows | — | Sec. 78-1475(7), Sec. 78-1478 Table 1. |
| Auxiliary Sign | 4 ft (freestanding, Districts 1,2), 6 ft (District 3,4), 8 ft (District 5) | 8 sf per sign | — | — | — | On wall or free-standing as per limits | — | Sec. 78-1478 Table 1. |
| Portable Sign (A-frame, T-frame, Sandwich Board) | — | 6 sf | — | — | 2 per business | Within 15 feet of business entrance, not in right-of-way | — | Sec. 78-1475(5) |
| Temporary Signs | Not to exceed the permanent sign height limit in the district | Half the area of permanent sign type in corresponding district (see Sec. 78-1481) | — | Same as permanent sign type in district | 1 per occasion per site (special multi-tenant standards) | On property only, location subject to admin approval for safety, not in right-of-way | — | Sec. 78-1481 |
| Service Area Canopy Sign | Canopy height | 50 sf street-facing edge | — | — | — | On canopy, street-facing side | — | Sec. 78-1478(3) |

### B-1, B-2, B-4, B-5

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Wall height | 60 sf | — | — | No explicit limit, but total area limited by street frontage | On building wall | — | Sec. 78-1478 Table 1, District 3; Sec. 78-1480 |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument) | 18 ft | 60 sf (copy area, may be larger with structure up to 1.5x for design) | — | At least 5 ft from property line | 1 per site; 1 additional (1/2 area) if fronting second street | At least 5 ft from property line (not in right-of-way/clear vision) | — | Sec. 78-1478 Table 1, District 3; 78-1478(2)a; 78-1470 |
| Service Area Canopy Sign | Canopy height | 50 sf (per face) | — | — | — | Street-facing side of canopy | — | Sec. 78-1478(3) |
| Window Sign | — | 35% of window area per window | — | — | — | Interior of building | — | Sec. 78-1478 Table 1, District 3; 78-1475(7) |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | 8–12 ft above grade | — | — | — | — | Awning/canopy above walkway or entry | — | 78-1478(4) |
| Auxiliary Sign | 6 ft (freestanding), 6 ft (wall) | 8 sf per sign | — | — | — | Wall sign or freestanding | — | Sec. 78-1478 Table 1, District 3 |
| Graphic Sign | Wall height | 60 sf | — | — | — | On wall or as permitted (symbology only) | — | Sec. 78-1478 Table 1, District 3 |
| Temporary Signs | Not exceed permanent type max | Max ½ of allowed permanent sign area for type; for-sale/lease: 32 sf; dev promo: 48 sf | — | Same as corresponding permanent type | See general—multi-tenant details | On property; not in right-of-way; site admin may alter for safety; temporary sales may get up to 30 days (grand opening); see area above | — | Sec. 78-1481, 78-1475 |

### B-3

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Wall height | 100 sf | — | — | Limited by area/max per tenant | On building wall, primary level/entrance | — | Sec. 78-1478 Table 1, District 4; Sec. 78-1480 |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument) | 20 ft | 60 sf (copy area, structure total may be up to 1.5x this) | — | 5 ft from property line, not in right-of-way | 1 per site or frontage (with limits) | At least 5 ft from property line | — | Sec. 78-1478 Table 1, District 4; 78-1478(2)a |
| Window Sign | — | 35% of window pane/section | — | — | — | Inside window, visible from exterior | — | Sec. 78-1478 Table 1, District 4; 78-1475(7) |
| Service Area Canopy Sign | Canopy height | 50 sf per street-facing canopy edge | — | — | — | Street side of canopy | — | Sec. 78-1478(3) |
| Graphic Sign | Wall height | 60 sf | — | — | — | Wall or as permitted | — | Sec. 78-1478 Table 1, District 4 |
| Auxiliary Sign | 6 ft freestanding (wall height for wall) | 8 sf per sign | — | — | — | Wall, freestanding, per district allocation | — | Sec. 78-1478 Table 1, District 4 |
| Temporary Signs | Not exceed permanent type | Max ½ allowed area; dev/lease/spec as coded | — | Same as corresponding permanent | See General | On property as approved, not in ROW, see citation | — | Sec. 78-1481 |

## Prohibited signs in Orono

- Signs with moving, swinging, revolving, or rotating parts are prohibited in all sign districts.
- Freestanding pole signs are prohibited in all sign districts.
- Roof signs are prohibited in all sign districts.
- Projecting signs are prohibited in all sign districts.
- Any sign not constructed, wired, assembled, attached, or supported in conformance with applicable building or other codes and regulations is prohibited.
- Signs in the public right-of-way are prohibited except as provided for by Minnesota Statutes or allowed by the agency regulating the right-of-way.
- Outdoor advertising signs, including billboards, are prohibited in all sign districts.
- Portable signs are prohibited except for specific types listed (A-frame, T-frame, sandwich, or similar signs not exceeding six square feet in size).
- Signs in the clear vision area are prohibited.
- Signs that are designed to resemble official traffic signs (except those used to control traffic on private property) are prohibited.
- Any sign, sign type, sign lighting, or sign technology not specifically listed as permitted in this division is prohibited.
- No person, property owner, or lessee shall place, erect, alter, modify, enhance, or change in any way a sign that does not conform to the requirements of this division and all other applicable regulations.

## Signs exempt from permit in Orono

- Regulatory or directional signs, including traffic control, street signs, identification signs, informational signs, danger signs, and railroad crossing signs, are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Non-commercial signs of any size containing non-commercial speech may be posted in any number beginning 46 days before the state primary in a general election year until ten days following the general election, and 13 weeks prior to any special election until ten days following the special election, provided the signs are in compliance with Minnesota Statutes.
- Address identification signs not exceeding four square feet in area for each structure or portion of a structure with an assigned address are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Properties in residential sign district 1 are allowed up to eight square feet of signage provided that a single sign is no larger than six square feet, the signs are not illuminated, and freestanding signs are at least five feet from any property line.
- Portable signs (A-frame, T-frame, sandwich, or similar) that do not exceed six square feet, are not illuminated, are within 15 feet of the primary entrance, and are displayed only during business hours, are exempt (maximum two at any time).
- Incidental signs are exempt from sign permits.
- Interior window signs are exempt from permit requirements but must comply with standards for window signs (Note: window signs not allowed in residential sign district 1 or 2; up to 35% window area allowed in others).
- Any sign display or device allowed under this section may contain any otherwise lawful noncommercial message that does not direct attention to a business operated for profit or to a commodity/service for sale, as long as it complies with size, height, and lighting requirements.
- No permit is required to change the text of a sign, provided the sign structure and face is not otherwise enlarged, modified, enhanced, or altered.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Adjustments to requirements and standards of sign height, number, type, lighting, area, and/or location may be approved as part of a site plan review or planned unit development process (see § 78-1482 and cross-referenced site plan/PUD sections).
- A sign plan (uniform sign plan) is required and must be approved for multi-tenant buildings or parcels, planned unit developments (PUDs), and in the RPUD zoning district; such plans may be regulated by permanent covenants (see RPUD/PRD and Sign Code provisions).
- In the RPUD zoning district, signs are restricted to those permitted in a sign plan approved by the city and regulated by covenants.
- In multi-tenant buildings, the permitted sign area and sign types (excluding freestanding) shall be installed by individual businesses with exclusive use of street/primary level and direct outside access. A site or sign plan may be required for allocation among tenants.
- Freestanding sign allocation (for multi-tenant parcels or sites) must be determined by the site or sign plan and property owner; only one monument sign per site is generally allowed (exceptions for corner/rear/dual frontage with size limitations on additional signs).
- Permanent signs in a PUD or PRD may only be installed according to an approved site or sign plan reviewed as part of the planned development process.
- Sign standard adjustments (variances to sign requirements) may only be permitted via the site plan, PUD, or variance procedures as specified in the Sign Code and related zoning articles.

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

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