Sign Regulations in Savage, Minnesota
Savage, Minnesota has specific sign regulations covering 22 sign types across 18 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Freestanding Sign, Freestanding Sign (Multi-tenant Development). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: December 30, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Savage, Minnesota
Sample Sign Requirements in Savage
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign - General Regulations | Measured from roadway grade or sign location grade; absolute maximum 30 feet above grade at base of sign (§ 152.466(A)) | — | Minimum 10 ft from property lines; minimum 5 ft from driveways/parking (§ 152.466(B)) |
| Temporary Sign (General) | — | 32 sq ft (§ 152.468(A)) | 10 ft from all property lines (§ 152.468(B)) |
| Development Project Sign - On-Premise | — | 48 sq ft per sign (§ 152.469(A)) | 10 ft from all property lines (§ 152.469(C)) |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for SavageFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
22
- Wall Sign
- Freestanding Sign
- Freestanding Sign (Multi-tenant Development)
- Monument Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
18
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Savage
Other Cities in Minnesota
Frequently Asked Questions
In Savage, monument signs are limited to Measured from roadway grade or sign location grade; absolute maximum 30 feet above grade at base of sign (§ 152.466(A)). Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Savage, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Savage, regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Freestanding Sign, Freestanding Sign (Multi-tenant Development), Monument Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In Savage, monument signs typically require a Minimum 10 ft from property lines; minimum 5 ft from driveways/parking (§ 152.466(B)) setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in Savage are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Savage has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
AI-Powered Research
Ready to Research Savage Sign Permits?
Stop spending hours searching through municipal codes. Get instant access to Savage, Minnesota sign regulations with PermitPal's AI-powered platform.
No credit card required · Get results in seconds
Savage, Minnesota Sign Rules at a Glance
Savage, Minnesota regulates 22 sign types across 18 zoning districts. Temporary On-Site Directional Sign (Exempt)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at If permitted increase to 64 sq ft (only available for districts with 40 sq ft base), max height 12 ft (§ 152.462(N)(4)(a)) tall and 12 sq ft in R-1, R-2, R-3, PRD and PMD; 40 sq ft in all other districts (§ 152.462(N)(4)), with a If permitted increase to 64 sq ft (only for districts with 40 sq ft base), minimum 10 ft from property line (§ 152.462(N)(4)(b)) setback (Sec. § 152.462(N)(1)-(4)). Most commercial signs in Savage require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Savage, Minnesota
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Savage (18 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | If permitted increase to 64 sq ft (only available for districts with 40 sq ft base), max height 12 ft (§ 152.462(N)(4)(a)) | 48 sq ft per sign (§ 152.469(A)) | — |
| Low Density Residence District (R-1) - Non-residential land uses, Medium Density Residence District (R-2) - Non-residential land uses, High Density Residence District (R-3) - Non-residential land uses, Planned Residential Development District (PRD) - Non-residential land uses | 2 | 8 ft (§ 152.470 table) | 50 sq ft per side (§ 152.470 table: R-1/R-2/R-3/PRD Non-residential land uses) | — |
| Low Density Residence District (R-1) - One- and two-family dwellings, Medium Density Residence District (R-2) - One- and two-family dwellings, High Density Residence District (R-3) - One- and two-family dwellings, Planned Residential Development District (PRD) - One- and two-family dwellings | 1 | — | 2 sq ft (§ 152.470 table: One- and two-family dwellings; see also § 152.462(A)) | — |
| Low Density Residence District (R-1) - Subdivision/ area identification, Medium Density Residence District (R-2) - Subdivision/ area identification, High Density Residence District (R-3) - Subdivision/ area identification, Planned Residential Development District (PRD) - Subdivision/ area identification | 1 | 6 ft (§ 152.470 table) | 40 sq ft per side (§ 152.470 table) | — |
| Limited Industrial District (I-1) - Individual businesses, Ports of Savage Industrial District (I-2) - Individual businesses | 2 | 20 ft (§ 152.470 table) | 100 sq ft per side (§ 152.470 table) | — |
| Limited Industrial District (I-1) - Multi-tenant, Ports of Savage Industrial District (I-2) - Multi-tenant | 2 | 25 ft (§ 152.470 table) | 200 sq ft per side (§ 152.470 table) | — |
| Neighborhood Service District (C-1) - Individual businesses, Downtown Development District (C-3) - Individual businesses, Preservation Open Space District (P-1) - Individual businesses | 2 | 20 ft (§ 152.470 table) | 100 sq ft per side (§ 152.470 table) | — |
| Neighborhood Service District (C-1) - Multi-tenant, Downtown Development District (C-3) - Multi-tenant | 2 | 30 ft (§ 152.470 table) | 200 sq ft per side (§ 152.470 table) | — |
| Public Buildings District (P-2) | 2 | 20 ft (§ 152.470 table) | 100 sq ft per side (§ 152.470 table) | — |
| General Commerce District (C-2) - Individual businesses | 2 | 25 ft (§ 152.470 table) | 150 sq ft per side (§ 152.470 table) | — |
| General Commerce District (C-2) - Multi-tenant | 2 | 30 ft (§ 152.470 table) | 200 sq ft per side (§ 152.470 table) | — |
| Business Park District (BP) - Individual businesses | 2 | 6 ft (§ 152.470 table) | 80 sq ft per side (§ 152.470 table) | — |
| Business Park District (BP) - Multi-tenant | 2 | 6 ft (§ 152.470 table) | 80 sq ft per side (§ 152.470 table) | — |
| Planned Mixed-Use Development District (PMD) - Temporary on-site directional signs | 1 | — | 12 sq ft per sign (§ 152.462(N)(4)) | — |
| Public Buildings District (P-2) - Athletic scoreboards | 1 | Up to 45 ft (§ 152.464(C)(1)) | Up to 1030 sq ft (§ 152.464(C)(1)) | — |
| Hamilton Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| CR 42 Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Planned Development Districts (PRD, PCD, PMD, PID) | 1 | — | — | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Savage(sample of 3 of 18 zones)
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign - General Regulations | Measured from roadway grade or sign location grade; absolute maximum 30 feet above grade at base of sign (§ 152.466(A)) | — | — | Minimum 10 ft from property lines; minimum 5 ft from driveways/parking (§ 152.466(B)) | — | Must be set back from property lines and driveways/parking; may be located on an adjacent parcel under common ownership per conditions | — | Unlock | § 152.466(A)-(C); § 152.475(A); § 152.463(O) |
| Temporary Sign (General) | — | 32 sq ft (§ 152.468(A)) | — | 10 ft from all property lines (§ 152.468(B)) | No more than one temporary sign per business at any one time (§ 152.468(C)) | On the lot where the business is conducted; banners must be attached to the principal building | — | Unlock | § 152.468(A)-(F); § 152.475(A) |
| Development Project Sign - On-Premise | — | 48 sq ft per sign (§ 152.469(A)) | — | 10 ft from all property lines (§ 152.469(C)) | Up to two on-premise signs under qualifying conditions (§ 152.469(A)) | On-premise at the development site | — | Unlock | § 152.469(A), (C) |
| Development Project Sign - Off-Premise | — | 32 sq ft per sign (§ 152.469(B)) | — | 10 ft from all property lines (§ 152.469(C)) | Maximum 2 off-premise signs per development (§ 152.469(B)) | Off-premise with property owner permission | — | Unlock | § 152.469(B)-(C) |
| Temporary On-Site Directional Sign (Exempt) | If permitted increase to 64 sq ft (only available for districts with 40 sq ft base), max height 12 ft (§ 152.462(N)(4)(a)) | 12 sq ft in R-1, R-2, R-3, PRD and PMD; 40 sq ft in all other districts (§ 152.462(N)(4)) | — | If permitted increase to 64 sq ft (only for districts with 40 sq ft base), minimum 10 ft from property line (§ 152.462(N)(4)(b)) | One per street frontage (§ 152.462(N)(2)) | On-premise; one per street frontage (§ 152.462(N)(2)) | — | Unlock | § 152.462(N)(1)-(4) |
| Dynamic Display (General) | — | Up to 40% of actual copy and graphic area of the sign face; only one contiguous dynamic display area per sign face (§ 152.471(E)(1)(a)) | — | — | — | Allowed only on non-accessory/advertising/billboard signs, monument signs, and pylon signs (§ 152.471(E)(1)(a)); note non-accessory signs are otherwise prohibited except as addressed in § 152.464(A) and incentives (§ 152.471(2)) | — | Unlock | § 152.471(E)(1)(a)-(h); § 152.471(2) |
| Illumination/Brightness Standards (All Signs) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 152.472(A)-(C) |
| Design, Construction and Maintenance (All Signs) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 152.473(A)-(F) |
Limited Industrial District (I-1) - Multi-tenant, Ports of Savage Industrial District (I-2) - Multi-tenant
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign (Multi-tenant Development) | 25 ft (§ 152.470 table) | 200 sq ft per side (§ 152.470 table) | — | Minimum 10 ft from property lines (§ 152.470 table; § 152.466(B)) | 1 freestanding sign per development (§ 152.470 table) | One freestanding sign per development | — | Unlock | § 152.470 (I-1/I-2 Multi-tenant) |
| Wall Sign (Per Tenant) | — | Up to 20% of the tenant’s individual wall area, not to exceed 150 sq ft per wall sign (§ 152.470 table) | — | — | Each tenant allowed wall signage (§ 152.470 table) | On the tenant’s building wall | — | Unlock | § 152.470 (I-1/I-2 Multi-tenant); § 152.465; § 152.461 (Wall Sign) |
Neighborhood Service District (C-1) - Multi-tenant, Downtown Development District (C-3) - Multi-tenant
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign (Multi-tenant Development) | 30 ft (§ 152.470 table) | 200 sq ft per side (§ 152.470 table) | — | Minimum 10 ft from property lines (§ 152.470 table; § 152.466(B)) | 1 freestanding sign per development (§ 152.470 table) | One freestanding sign per development | — | Unlock | § 152.470 (C-1/C-3 Multi-tenant) |
| Wall Sign (Per Store) | — | Up to 20% of wall area where sign(s) is/are located; not to exceed 150 sq ft per wall sign (§ 152.470 table) | — | — | Each store allowed wall signage (§ 152.470 table) | On the store’s building wall | — | Unlock | § 152.470 (C-1/C-3 Multi-tenant); § 152.465; § 152.461 (Wall Sign) |
PermitPal covers all 18 zoning districts in Savage — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 18 zones for Savage — start freeProhibited Signs in Savage
- Signs containing obscene, indecent, or immoral content likely to offend public morals or decency are prohibited.
- Painting signs directly on any exterior building surface is prohibited.
- Vehicle, trailer, or equipment signs used so that advertising is a principal use of the equipment are prohibited.
- Dynamic display signs are prohibited except as allowed in §§ 152.471 and 152.472.
- Banners are prohibited except as allowed in § 152.468(E).
- Signs that obstruct clear vision at intersections or mimic/interfere with traffic control devices, including use of words like STOP, LOOK, or DANGER in a confusing manner, are prohibited.
- Rooftop signs are prohibited.
- Signs identifying or advertising a use, business, industry, or service that has ceased for 90 days or more are prohibited and must be removed within 30 days after written notice.
- Off-premise signs are prohibited except as specifically permitted elsewhere in the code.
- Air-inflated devices, banners, pennants, whirling devices, or signs resembling the same are prohibited.
- Portable signs are prohibited unless expressly permitted in this subchapter.
- Multi-faced signs (sign faces oriented to more than two directions) are prohibited.
- Signs supported by guy wires are prohibited.
- Signs erected, placed, or maintained on fences, trees, mailboxes, utility poles, or their supports are prohibited.
- Illuminated signs that reflect direct rays of light onto adjacent property or public streets are prohibited, and signs using incandescent lamps on exterior surfaces exceeding 15 watts at night are prohibited.
- No sign may be placed on city/public property or within public road right-of-way unless otherwise noted (e.g., official traffic signs).
Exempt Signs in Savage
- Address/name identification signs up to 2 sq ft with non-commercial content.
- One nonilluminated home occupation sign up to 2 sq ft, mounted flat on the primary structure.
- Private property directional/parking signs up to 6 sq ft per driveway entrance or street frontage; reserved parking/related regulation signs up to 2 sq ft; non-contiguous parking lots may have one business-name sign up to 12 sq ft per street frontage.
- Nonilluminated construction signs at construction sites identifying project participants and basic project info; must be removed when the building is ready for occupancy.
- Open house signs allowed only on the day of the open house.
- Garage sale signs allowed one day prior and during the event; must be on private property with owner permission and removed immediately after the event.
- Memorial signs or tablets (e.g., building name/date) cut into masonry or constructed of bronze/noncombustible or treated heavy timber with routed letters, up to 10 sq ft.
- Official traffic signs may be located within the public right-of-way.
- With property owner consent, up to two non-commercial speech signs on private property with a total combined area not more than 32 sq ft.
- Temporary business window signs that are part of merchandise or sales displays for up to 30 consecutive days, not exceeding 25% of each individual window area.
- Display rack signs up to 4 sq ft, near the building, not intended to attract from the public right-of-way; must be weather resistant, securely attached, and maintained.
- Service station signs at pumps or canopy supports up to 4 sq ft, advertising special services or sales; must be weatherproof, securely attached, and maintained.
- Bench signs only at designated bus stops (not within shelters), up to 10 sq ft per bench sign, affixed to either/both sides of the backrest.
- Temporary on-site directional signs for selling/leasing property: professionally designed; limited to one per street frontage; content related to sale/lease; size up to 12 sq ft in R-1, R-2, R-3, PRD, PMD and up to 40 sq ft in other districts; may increase to 64 sq ft with a permit if specified standards are met; removal required within 10 days after sale/lease closing.
- Temporary off-premise signs for organized showcase events promoting new construction model homes, up to 5 sq ft, allowed for up to 30 days from event start.
- Up to three flags containing only non-commercial speech per lot, each up to 100 sq ft; flagpole height must meet district height limits.
- Interior signs not visible from outside a building are exempt and require no permits or fees.
- All signs with non-commercial speech may be posted of any size from 46 days before the state primary until 10 days after the general election, and 13 weeks before any special election until 10 days after.
- Non-commercial speech signs are permitted in all districts and are subject only to § 152.470 and applicable district setback and height regulations; non-commercial copy may be substituted for any legally allowed sign copy without additional approval or permitting.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Savage
- A master signage plan is required for any non-residential development, site plan/building permit review, exterior remodel, or non-residential planned development with more than one business or tenant; no individual sign permit will be issued for a multi-tenant commercial/industrial property until the master signage plan is approved (§ 152.465).
- Master signage plan is required for multi-tenant developments in I-1 and I-2 districts (§ 152.470).
- Master signage plan is required for multi-tenant developments in C-1 and C-3 districts (§ 152.470).
- Master signage plan is required for multi-tenant developments in C-2 district (§ 152.470).
- Master signage plan is required for multi-tenant developments in BP district (§ 152.470).
- Signs allowed only by conditional use permit require a Planning Commission public hearing and City Council approval (e.g., certain off-premise directional signs; athletic scoreboards) (§ 152.464, § 152.478).
- Variances from sign regulations follow the variance procedures in § 152.033 (§ 152.478).
- In Planned Development Districts, sign regulations may be set by PUD approval; subsequent sign applications are reviewed for compliance with the PUD sign standards (§ 152.474).
Source: other municipal code