# Sign Regulations in Savage, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Savage, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/savage
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-30
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://lfsrv2.cityofsavage.com/weblinkexternal/DocView.aspx?id=166969&searchid=83425fe0-61dc-4e5d-bbce-88c3ae999658&dbid=0)

## 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.

## Sign rules by zoning district (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 (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 | 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 | — | § 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 | — | § 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 | — | § 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 | — | § 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)) | — | § 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)) | — | § 152.471(E)(1)(a)-(h); § 152.471(2) |
| Illumination/Brightness Standards (All Signs) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 152.472(A)-(C) |
| Design, Construction and Maintenance (All Signs) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 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 | 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 | — | § 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 | — | § 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 | 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 | — | § 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 | — | § 152.470 (C-1/C-3 Multi-tenant); § 152.465; § 152.461 (Wall Sign) |

## Prohibited 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).

## Signs exempt from permit 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

- 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).

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

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