# Sign Regulations in Plymouth, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Plymouth, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/plymouth
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/mn/plymouth/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CICO_CHXXIZOOR_S21155SIRE)

## At a glance

Plymouth, Minnesota regulates 40 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Temporary Real Estate Sign, Off-Premises in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall, 16 sq ft, and 8 ft wide, with a 10 ft from lot lines setback (Sec. 21155.06 Subd. 1(c)(2)). Most commercial signs in Plymouth require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | 70 ft from grade | 96 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts (FRD, RSF, RMF) | 9 | 10 ft | 50 sq ft or 5% of wall area, whichever is greater | — |
| O (Office) District | 9 | 16 ft | 96 sq ft | — |
| Other Commercial Districts (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, C-5, B-C) | 11 | 36 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| CC (City Center) Districts | 10 | 36 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Industrial Districts (I-1, I-2, I-3) | 10 | 36 ft | 160 sq ft | — |
| Public-Institutional District (P-I) | 4 | 10 ft | 64 sq ft | — |
| Planned Unit Development Districts (PUD) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| On-Site Directional Sign (Standard) | 8 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Approved off-street parking areas | — | 21155.06 Subd. 1(a) |
| On-Site Directional Sign (Building > 400,000 sq ft) | 8 ft | 14 sq ft | — | — | — | Approved off-street parking areas for buildings > 400,000 sq ft | — | 21155.06 Subd. 1(a)(1)a |
| Off-Site Directional Sign | 8 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business/apartment/institution/intersection corner | Private property abutting a minor arterial or major collector street, near major intersection | — | 21155.06 Subd. 1(b)(1) |
| Off-Site Directional Sign (Commercial/Industrial Exception) | 5 ft (unless otherwise approved) | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property in this context | On abutting premises providing access, arterial/collector roadway | — | 21155.06 Subd. 1(b)(2) |
| Temporary Construction Sign | 16 ft | 96 sq ft | — | 10 ft from lot lines | 1 per development | On subject property | — | 21155.06 Subd. 1(c)(1) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign, Off-Premises | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | 8 ft | 10 ft from lot lines | 1 per development (exceptions for large/incomplete projects) | On private property with consent of owner | — | 21155.06 Subd. 1(c)(2) |
| Temporary Public Announcement Sign | — | 32 sq ft per sign | — | 10 ft from lot lines | 1 per event unless city-wide/civic (up to 3) | Private property, at least 10 ft from lot lines | — | 21155.06 Subd. 1(c)(4) |
| Dynamic Display Billboard | 70 ft from grade | 14 ft high x 50 ft wide (700 sq ft max) | 50 ft | — | 1 per property | Properties abutting Interstate 494 or State Highway 169 | — | 21155.06 Subd. 1(d) |

### Other Commercial Districts (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, C-5, B-C)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Single Tenant) | — | 10% of wall area | — | — | 1 per eligible wall | One wall per business, or each wall with street frontage | — | 21155.06 Subd. 4(b)(1)b |
| Wall Sign (Multi-tenant) / Entrance Option | — | 10% of wall area/5% entry/4 sq ft service location | — | — | — | See description | — | 21155.06 Subd. 4(b)(1)c/d |
| Freestanding Sign | 36 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 10 ft | 1 per lot | 10 ft from lot lines | — | 21155.06 Subd. 4(c) |
| Drive-Through Menu Signs - Option | 8 ft | Combined 50 sq ft | — | — | Up to 2 per drive-through | Adjacent to drive through aisles | — | 21155.06 Subd. 4(d) |
| Area Identification Sign | 10 ft | 32 sq ft per sign | — | 10 ft | Up to 2 per development | Near entrance, at least 10 ft from lot lines; one may be along arterial/collector instead of entrance | — | 21155.06 Subd. 4(e) |
| Temporary Special Event Sign | — | 32 sq ft freestanding OR wall sign per wall sign allowance | — | — | See above | On subject property | — | 21155.06 Subd. 4(f)(1) |
| Temporary Transient Merchant Sign | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | 10 ft from lot lines | 1 per merchant | 10 ft from lot lines, only during permitted transient sales period | — | 21155.06 Subd. 4(f)(2) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign, On-Premises | — | 96 sq ft | — | 10 ft (if freestanding) | 1 per property | On subject property; if freestanding 10 ft from lot lines | — | 21155.06 Subd. 4(f)(3) |

### Industrial Districts (I-1, I-2, I-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Single Tenant) | — | 10% of wall area | — | — | 1 per eligible wall | On each eligible wall | — | 21155.06 Subd. 6(b)(1)b |
| Wall Sign (Multi-tenant/Entry/Service) | — | 10%/5%/4 sq ft | — | — | — | See description | — | 21155.06 Subd. 6(b)(1)c/d |
| Freestanding Sign (<20 acres) | 36 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 10 ft | 1 per lot | 10 ft from lot lines | — | 21155.06 Subd. 6(c) |
| Freestanding Sign (Industrial Development >20 acres) | 36 ft | 160 sq ft | — | 10 ft | 1 per lot | 10 ft from lot lines | — | 21155.06 Subd. 6(c) |
| Area Identification Sign | 10 ft | 32 sq ft per sign | — | 10 ft | Up to 2 per development | At entrance, minimum 10 ft from lot lines | — | 21155.06 Subd. 6(d) |
| Temporary Special Event Sign | — | 32 sq ft freestanding OR wall sign per wall sign limits | — | — | See above | On subject property | — | 21155.06 Subd. 6(e)(1) |
| Temporary Transient Merchant Sign | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | 10 ft from lot lines | 1 per merchant | 10 ft from lot lines; only during permitted sales | — | 21155.06 Subd. 6(e)(2) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign, On-Premises | — | 96 sq ft | — | 10 ft (if freestanding) | 1 per property | On subject property; if freestanding, 10 ft from lot lines | — | 21155.06 Subd. 6(e)(3) |

## Prohibited signs in Plymouth

- No sign shall be placed, erected, modified, or maintained unless it conforms to this ordinance and all other regulations.
- All signs must conform to City ordinances, all other applicable regulations, and (for highways) the Minnesota Outdoor Advertising Control Act.
- Signs are not permitted whose location, size, type, illumination or other physical characteristics negatively affect the environment when communication can be accomplished by other means with less impact.
- No illumination involving movement, by reason of the lighting arrangement, lighting source, changes in color or intensity, or other devices is permitted. Video display signs (except as specifically allowed), blinking, flashing, scrolling, shimmering, and rotating signs are prohibited except time and temperature signs.
- Sign illumination sources shall not be directly visible, cannot create confusion or hazards to traffic, or conflict with traffic signs, signals, or lights.
- Signs painted directly on building exteriors are not permitted.
- No wall sign or sign attached to building shall project above roofline or parapet or constitute a roof sign (with exceptions for perpendicular building columns as described).
- No sign shall resemble any official government marker or display words such as "stop" or "danger" (except as allowed for traffic use in shopping centers).
- No sign shall obstruct any window, door, fire escape, stairway, or other authorized or required building opening.
- No sign shall, by its position, shape, size, or color, interfere with functioning of a traffic sign or with reasonable visibility at a street intersection.
- Signs are not permitted within the public right-of-way or public easements except as specifically listed (e.g., specific temporary public event or governmental signs).
- Signs must be kept in good structural condition, clean, and free of debris and rubbish.
- Signs which have deteriorated and are unsafe or unsightly must be repaired or removed upon notice.
- No sign shall include content classified as "obscene" under Minnesota Statutes Section 617.241.
- No sign may be tacked or otherwise attached to accessory buildings, accessory structures, trees, fences, utility poles, light posts, or similar structures, unless expressly permitted.
- No multi-vision sign or any other sign which revolves, rotates, or has visible moving parts is allowed, except time/temperature signs or barber poles.
- No temporary or permanent sign is permitted in conjunction with any home occupation or licensed home occupation.
- No new static billboards are permitted (except as provided for scoreboards).
- Billboards may not be altered/expanded to allow an electronic graphic display, changeable copy sign, or electronic changeable copy sign if non-conforming by reason of height, area, or location.
- Signs are not permitted on bus benches.
- No mobile signs are permitted, except as specifically allowed.
- Banners are allowed as temporary signs only and require a separate permit unless part of an administrative permit.
- Accent lighting (neon or LED tubes) must be limited to façades where wall/canopy signage is allowed.
- Signs which are abandoned or in disrepair are prohibited and must be removed by the owner within 30 days after notification.
- Signs may not be located on the roof of any building, in the public right-of-way, within any required yard, or in any location that impairs parking, traffic circulation, or emergency access (for special promotional event signage).

## Signs exempt from permit in Plymouth

- Official and traffic signs located in the public right-of-way or erected by a governmental agency do not require a permit.
- Changing the copy or message of an allowed changeable copy sign or changing the display surface of any existing sign does not require a permit, unless a structural or electrical change is involved.
- Changing the copy or sign face of a billboard does not require a permit, unless a structural or electrical change is involved.
- Address letters and numerals required by City Code and related small identification signs (no more than 2 square feet) do not require a permit.
- Temporary real estate signs (on-premises) not exceeding eight square feet do not require a permit.
- Directional signs for city-wide and free or civic community events and community-wide annual events such as the "Parade of Homes" do not require a permit (per Section 21155.05).
- Temporary construction signs not exceeding eight square feet do not require a permit.
- Non-commercial signs not exceeding 32 square feet, and all non-commercial signs authorized by Section 21155.06, Subd. 1(c)(3) do not require a permit.
- Temporary signs in conjunction with an approved administrative permit do not require a separate sign permit.
- Flags do not require a permit.
- Window signage that complies with all regulations for window signage does not require a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A comprehensive sign plan is required for all non-residential Planned Unit Developments (PUDs).
- Sign requirements within PUD Districts that are the same as corresponding zoning district standards may be approved as part of the PUD final plan.
- Comprehensive sign plans for PUDs that require variances from zoning standards require a PUD amendment.
- A plan or plans drawn to scale showing location and design details must be submitted with all sign permit applications (except for exempted signs).
- Permit applications may require a certified survey or site plan, stress calculations, and other documentation at the discretion of the Zoning Administrator.
- Master or comprehensive sign plans may also be required as part of site plan or subdivision review for certain developments, as implied by administrative notes and by enforcement/removal of non-conforming billboards as a condition of subdivision/site plan/PUD approval.

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

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