# Sign Regulations in Shakopee, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Shakopee, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/shakopee
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-10
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://cms2.revize.com/revize/shakopee/Documents/Government/Department/Building%20Inspections/Sign%20Ordinance_ADA.pdf?t=202505291012470&t=202505291012470)

## At a glance

Shakopee, Minnesota regulates 37 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Highway Signs in the Major Recreation (MR) zoning district are capped at Up to 40 ft overall height permitted tall, 175 sq ft per face (face length ≤25 ft; face height ≤12 ft excluding foundation/supports), and Face length ≤25 ft wide, with a Not within 20 ft of right-of-way; not within 10 ft of any lot line; not within easements setback (Sec. § 151.191(B)(5)(a)-(c); § 151.191(D)(3)). Most commercial signs in Shakopee require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (11 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 13 | Flagpole up to 50 ft but no higher than highest point of nearest principal building roof on the premises | 72 sq ft per façade | — |
| Planned Residential Development (PRD), Low-Density Residential (R1A), Urban Residential (R1B), Old Shakopee Residential (R1C), Medium-Density Residential (R2), Multiple-Family Residential (R3), High-Density Residential (R4), Rural Residential (RR), Sewer Rural Residential (SRR) | 8 | 8 ft | Total area of all signs ≤96 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial (NC) | 7 | 30 ft | Not permitted in NC (per 151.191(C)(4) – permitted only in B3 and MR) | — |
| Community Commercial (CC) | 7 | 30 ft | Permitted (per Table 151.196 indicates permitted in NC/CC); however § 151.191(C)(4) permits marquee/projecting only in B3 and MR. Follow § 151.191(C)(4): Not permitted in CC. | — |
| Highway Business (B1) | 6 | Up to 40 ft overall height permitted | 175 sq ft per face (face length ≤25 ft; face height ≤12 ft excluding foundation/supports) | — |
| Central Business District (B3) | 7 | Minimum clearance 8 ft above grade; vertical dimension limited by height above grade | Vertical dimension limited by clearance height (see additional requirements); area per face not explicitly specified in § 151.191; follow dimensional limits | — |
| Major Recreation (MR) | 7 | Up to 40 ft overall height permitted | 175 sq ft per face (face length ≤25 ft; face height ≤12 ft excluding foundation/supports) | — |
| Office (B2), Business Park (BP) | 7 | 12 ft | 150 sq ft per face per sign | — |
| Light Industry (I1), Heavy Industry (I2) | 7 | 12 ft | 150 sq ft per face per sign | — |
| Agricultural Preservation (AG) | 1 | — | 48 sq ft per sign | — |
| Planned Unit Development (PUD) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 11 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (General) | Up to 4 ft for freestanding temporary signs without permit | Up to 4 sq ft per sign face; total up to 32 sq ft per parcel without permit | — | Not within any right-of-way; must be on owner’s property; no placement on utility poles, street lights, or public property. | Total sign area capped at 32 sq ft per parcel without permit | On private property only; not within any public right-of-way or easement; on property owned by the person placing the sign. | — | § 151.188(B)(1)-(3); § 151.194(A) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 8 sq ft in Residential Districts; 32 sq ft in Non-Residential Districts | — | — | One temporary real estate sign per property | On the property being offered for sale by owner or licensed agent | — | § 151.188(B)(4) |
| Project Sign (Construction Site) | — | 32 sq ft | — | Must comply with district lot/setback requirements | One per construction site | At construction site in any district | — | § 151.188(G) |
| Directional Sign (Permanent) | 4 ft | 8 sq ft per sign face | — | — | One per curb-cut | One sign per curb-cut on a parcel | — | § 151.188(H) |
| Nameplate | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | One per parcel; one per occupant in multi-tenant buildings | On parcel/building | — | § 151.188(I) |
| Flag (Residential Districts) | Flagpole up to 25 ft or no higher than highest point of principal building roof, whichever is lower | 15 sq ft per flag | — | Minimum 10 ft from public right-of-way; not in easements | Up to 2 flags and 1 flag pole per premises | On premises; flag poles must not be in any easement | — | § 151.188(F)(1) |
| Flag (Nonresidential Districts) | Flagpole up to 50 ft but no higher than highest point of nearest principal building roof on the premises | 24 sq ft per flag | — | Minimum yard setback for principal building or 10 ft (whichever more restrictive) | Up to 6 flags and 6 flag poles per premises, with one flag per 25 ft of frontage | On premises | — | § 151.188(F)(2) |
| Original Art Display / Mural | Projects no more than 6 inches from wall plane | 60 sq ft per parcel | — | — | — | Allowed only in B1, CC, NC, MR zoning districts | — | § 151.194(D) |

### Planned Residential Development (PRD), Low-Density Residential (R1A), Urban Residential (R1B), Old Shakopee Residential (R1C), Medium-Density Residential (R2), Multiple-Family Residential (R3), High-Density Residential (R4), Rural Residential (RR), Sewer Rural Residential (SRR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Residential Use) | Shall be flush mounted and shall not project above roof line | 4 sq ft | — | — | Total area capped at 32 sq ft per parcel or per structure (attached dwellings) | On building wall; must face right-of-way if institutional/recreational per separate entry | — | § 151.190(B)(1), (C)(2); § 151.187(D); § 151.194(E)(3)(a) |
| Freestanding Sign (Residential Use - Temporary Only) | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | Included within total temporary signage limits (≤32 sq ft per parcel without permit) | On residential property | — | Table 151.196 (Freestanding Signs – Residential: Permitted (Temporary only), 4 sq ft, 4 ft, External); § 151.187(E)(6) |
| Window Sign (Residential Use - Temporary) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Interior/exterior of window intended for exterior viewing | — | Table 151.196 (Window Signs – Residential: Permitted, 4 sq ft, External); § 151.188(B)(1)(b) |
| Area Identification Sign (Residential Development ≤4 acres) | Top shall not exceed 6 ft above ground (area identification) | Total area of all signs ≤32 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from street right-of-way | Total area cap applies; number not specified aside from total area | At residential development entrances / on premises | — | § 151.190(B)(2)(a), (C)(2); § 151.194(E)(3)(a); § 151.195(D) |
| Area Identification Sign (Residential Development >4 acres and <40 acres) | Top shall not exceed 6 ft above ground | Total area of all signs ≤48 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from street right-of-way | Total area cap applies | At residential development entrances / on premises | — | § 151.190(B)(2)(b), (C)(2); § 151.194(E)(3)(a) |
| Area Identification Sign (Residential Development ≥40 acres) | Top shall not exceed 6 ft above ground | Total area of all signs ≤96 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from street right-of-way | Total area cap applies | At residential development entrances / on premises | — | § 151.190(B)(2)(c), (C)(2); § 151.194(E)(3)(a) |
| Wall Sign (Institutional/Recreational Use in Residential Districts) | Shall not project above roofline | 48 sq ft per façade | — | — | — | On building façade of place of worship, government facility, public institution or recreation facility | — | § 151.190(F)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Institutional/Recreational Use in Residential Districts) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Setback at least 10 ft from any property line | One per driveway entrance, up to maximum two per structure | On premises, minimum setback from property lines | — | § 151.190(F)(2) |

### Major Recreation (MR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Shall not extend above roof line | 5% of wall area | — | — | — | Front and non-front walls | — | Table 151.196 (Wall Signs – MR: Permitted, 5% of wall area); § 151.191(B)(4)(b)1-3; § 151.191(C)(1)(a) |
| Freestanding Sign | 35 ft | 125 sq ft per face | — | Minimum 10 ft from right-of-way; minimum 5 ft from any lot line; not within easement | One per lot/parcel (plus one monument Area Identification sign per § 151.191(B)(7)) | Anywhere on premises except not within 10 ft of right-of-way; 5 ft from any lot line; not within easement | — | Table 151.196 (Freestanding Signs – MR: 125 sq ft per face); § 151.191(C)(2)-(3)(a); § 151.191(D)(2) (height 35 ft in MR) |
| Ground-Mounted Monument Sign (Area Identification – Commercial) | 10 ft | 60 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from right-of-way | One (in addition to freestanding signage) | Primary entrance to project area | — | § 151.191(B)(7) |
| Window Sign | — | Not permitted | — | — | — | — | — | Table 151.196 (Window Signs – MR: Not Permitted) |
| Electronic Message Board | Per standards for wall or freestanding signs in district | 32 sq ft (standalone or integrated portion of larger sign up to 32 sq ft counted toward total permitted area) | — | Per wall/freestanding standards; and ≥250 ft separation from qualifying residential property lines | — | On premises; may be part of wall or freestanding sign where permitted | — | § 151.191(C)(7); § 151.194(E)(4) |
| Highway Sign | Up to 40 ft overall height permitted | 175 sq ft per face (face length ≤25 ft; face height ≤12 ft excluding foundation/supports) | Face length ≤25 ft | Not within 20 ft of right-of-way; not within 10 ft of any lot line; not within easements | Spacing and parcel eligibility control number; one sign considered even if double-faced/V-type/multiple on one pole | On parcels directly abutting principal arterial ROW, within 500 ft of such ROW, or within 750 ft where an interchange is present; may be freestanding or façade mounted oriented toward designated ROW | — | § 151.191(B)(5)(a)-(c); § 151.191(D)(3) |
| Marquee/Projecting Sign | Minimum clearance 8 ft above grade; vertical dimension limited by height above grade | Vertical dimension limited by clearance height (see additional requirements) | — | — | — | Projecting from and attached to building | — | § 151.191(C)(4)(a)-(b) |

## Prohibited signs in Shakopee

- Signs are prohibited unless constructed pursuant to a valid sign permit when required or otherwise authorized under the Code (151.187(A)).
- A property owner may not accept a fee for posting or maintaining temporary signs allowed under 151.188(B); any sign posted or maintained in violation of this provision is prohibited (151.187(B)).
- All signs within the public right-of-way are prohibited except those erected by the State, federal government, or the City (151.187(C)).
- Signs that may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device, or that hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal, are prohibited (151.187(E)(1)).
- Signs that contain or consist of banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, spinners, or similar moving devices, or signs that may move or swing as a result of wind pressure, are prohibited unless specifically permitted by other legislation (151.187(E)(2)).
- Signs with blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights or other illuminating devices that exhibit movement are prohibited, except electronic message boards as permitted by the Code (151.187(E)(3)).
- Roof signs are prohibited (151.187(E)(4)).
- Freeway-oriented signs are prohibited except as allowed as highway signs (151.187(E)(5)).
- Displays that would be an Original Art Display but lack the property owner’s permission or are graffiti are prohibited (151.187(E)(6)).
- Portable signs that do not comply with the location, size, or use restrictions of the Code are prohibited (151.187(E)(6)).
- Projecting signs are prohibited except in the Downtown Business (B3) and Major Recreation (MR) Districts (151.187(E)(7)).
- Outdoor advertising signs are prohibited (151.187(E)(8)).
- Signs that obstruct the vision of pedestrians, cyclists, or motorists traveling on or entering public streets are prohibited (151.187(E)(9)).
- No sign may be erected or maintained which, by use of lights or illumination, creates a distracting or hazardous condition to a motorist, pedestrian, or the public (151.194(E)).
- No exposed reflective type bulb, par spot or incandescent lamp exceeding 25 watts may be exposed to direct view from a public street or highway (151.194(E)(1)).
- Neon tubing capacity is limited to 300 mA for white tubing and 100 mA for colored tubing (151.194(E)(2)).

## Signs exempt from permit in Shakopee

- Government signs are allowed in every zoning district when erected and maintained pursuant to law; this includes traffic control devices, address signs, and legally required warning or access prohibition signs (151.188(A)(1)–(3)).
- Flags adopted by the federal, state, or local government may be displayed as provided under the law that adopts or regulates their use and as provided in 151.188(F) (151.188(A)(4), 151.188(F)).
- Signs located completely within an enclosed building and not exposed to view from a street are not considered signs and are not regulated (151.186, definition of Sign).
- Signs not visible from a public right-of-way, public place, or other property are authorized (151.188(D)).
- Temporary signs allowed at any time without a permit: up to 4 square feet and 4 feet tall on the property, with a maximum of 32 square feet per parcel; and up to 4 square feet in any window (151.188(B)(1)).
- Additional temporary signs may be placed 46 days before and up to 10 days after an election for each ballot issue and/or candidate (151.188(B)(3)).
- One temporary real estate sign is allowed when the property is for sale (unilluminated; limited to 8 sq ft in Residential Districts and 32 sq ft in non-Residential Districts; duration conditions apply) (151.188(B)(4)).
- Project signs (temporary construction signs) are allowed in any district during construction only, do not require a temporary sign permit, must not exceed 32 sq ft, and must be removed within 7 days after issuance of a certificate of occupancy (151.188(G)).
- Permanent directional signs are authorized in all districts subject to limits (one per curb cut; at least 50% of the face devoted to the directional message; max 8 sq ft and 4 ft high) (151.188(H)).
- Nameplate signs are permitted (one per parcel, max 2 sq ft; multi-tenant buildings: one nameplate per occupant) (151.188(I)).
- No sign permit is required for signs described in Section 151.188 with a sign area up to 4 sq ft and a maximum height of 4 ft for freestanding signs, unless specifically noted (151.189(E)(1)).
- Official notices or advertisements posted or displayed by or under the direction of any public or court officer in the performance of official duties do not require a sign permit; they must be removed within 10 days after their purpose is accomplished (151.189(E)(2)).
- Traffic control devices must comply with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) when on private or public property (151.188(A)(1)).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A signage plan is required as part of a Planned Unit Development (PUD) rezoning and final development plan; departures from conventional zoning signage standards must be submitted and considered as part of the PUD approval (151.195(E)).
- Variances from the sign Code may be requested; applications are reviewed by the Board of Adjustment and Appeals under criteria in 151.015(B) and additional sign-specific criteria in 151.195(D) (151.195(D)).
- If the Zoning Administrator denies a sign permit, the applicant may appeal to the Board of Adjustment and Appeals (151.189(F)).

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

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