# Sign Regulations in Shoreview, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Shoreview, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/shoreview
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MN/Shoreview/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIILAUSDE_CH113SI)

## At a glance

Shoreview, Minnesota regulates 21 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the RE, R1, R1A zoning district are capped at 12 ft (for residential developments of 20 or more units) tall and Residential developments of 20 or more units: 32 sq. ft., with a At least 5 ft from all property lines. setback (Sec. Sec. 113-32, Sec. 113-58, Sec. 113-59). Most commercial signs in Shoreview require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| RE, R1, R1A | 7 | 12 ft (for residential developments of 20 or more units) | 32 sq. ft. (for residential developments 20+ units) | — |
| R2, R3, T | 7 | 12 ft (for residential developments of 20 or more units) | See Table 113-58-1 and Table 113-58-2 for signage associated with institutional or residential developments. Residential developments of 20 or more units: up to 32 sq. ft. | — |
| R4 | 7 | 12 ft. | 12 sq. ft. | — |
| C1, C1A, C2, OFC, BPK, I | 13 | Gross floor area <20,000 sq. ft.: 12 ft.; 20,000-49,999 sq. ft.: 16 ft.; 50,000-100,000 sq. ft.: 20 ft. | Single-tenant/multitenant <50,000 sq. ft.: 32 sq. ft.; ≥50,000 sq. ft.: 64 sq. ft. | — |
| PUD (C2 base district) | 3 | 50-70 ft. as needed (per approval) | 700 sq. ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | Flagpoles: 35 ft.; 50 ft. if structure at least 30 ft. tall | 8.5 in x 11 in | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### RE, R1, R1A

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | One wall sign per principal structure; second allowed if facing second arterial roadway. | Affixed to the exterior wall of a building, parallel to the building wall, not projecting more than 12 inches from the wall. | — | Sec. 113-32, Sec. 113-57 |
| Freestanding Sign | 12 ft (for residential developments of 20 or more units) | Residential developments of 20 or more units: 32 sq. ft. | — | At least 5 ft from all property lines. | One per principal structure; second allowed if adjoining two arterial roads. | Outside street, utility, drainage, trail/sidewalk easements; at least 5 ft from property line (Sec. 113-27, 113-58(c)). | — | Sec. 113-32, Sec. 113-58, Sec. 113-59 |
| Entrance Sign | 12 ft. (for residential developments 20+ units) | 32 sq. ft. (for residential developments 20+ units) | — | — | One per development site; second with comprehensive sign plan. | At entrance to a development or neighborhood. | — | Sec. 113-32, Sec. 113-59 |
| Changeable Copy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Integrated into a freestanding sign. | — | Sec. 113-32, Sec. 113-60 |
| Incidental Sign | — | 3 sq. ft. (6 sq. ft. if integral to and permanently included within the architectural perimeter of approved wall or freestanding sign) | — | — | — | Displayed outside on premises or in window/door visible from outside. | — | Sec. 113-32, Sec. 113-62, Sec. 113-4(6) |
| Transit Amenity Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 113-32, Sec. 113-64 |
| Temporary Sign | 12 ft. | 12 sq. ft. | — | 2 ft from sidewalks/roadways (6 ft during election period) | 4 per property (unlimited during election period) | Must be placed solely on private property; minimum two-foot setback from public sidewalks/roadways. | — | Sec. 113-87 |

### R2, R3, T

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | One per principal structure; two if two arterial frontages. | Affixed to the exterior wall of a building, parallel to the building wall, not projecting more than 12 inches from the wall. | — | Sec. 113-32, Sec. 113-57 |
| Freestanding Sign | 12 ft (for residential developments of 20 or more units) | See Table 113-58-1 and Table 113-58-2 for signage associated with institutional or residential developments. Residential developments of 20 or more units: up to 32 sq. ft. | — | At least 5 ft from property line. | One per principal structure; two if two arterial frontages. | Outside easements; at least 5 ft from any property line. | — | Sec. 113-32, Sec. 113-58, Sec. 113-59 |
| Entrance Sign | 12 ft. (for residential developments 20+ units) | 32 sq. ft. (for residential developments 20+ units) | — | — | One per development site; two with comprehensive sign plan. | At entrance to a development or neighborhood. | — | Sec. 113-32, Sec. 113-59 |
| Changeable Copy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Integrated into a freestanding sign. | — | Sec. 113-32, Sec. 113-60 |
| Incidental Sign | — | 3 sq. ft. (6 sq. ft. if integral to permanent sign) | — | — | — | Displayed outside on premises or in window/door visible from outside. | — | Sec. 113-32, Sec. 113-62, Sec. 113-4(6) |
| Transit Amenity Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 113-32, Sec. 113-64 |
| Temporary Sign | 12 ft. | 12 sq. ft. | — | 2 ft from sidewalks/roadways (6 ft during election period) | 4 per property (unlimited during election period) | Must be placed solely on private property; minimum two-foot setback from public sidewalks/roadways. | — | Sec. 113-87 |

### C1, C1A, C2, OFC, BPK, I

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 10% or 5% of building elevation as applicable; minimum and maximum as noted. | — | — | One per principal structure; two if two arterial frontages. | Affixed to the exterior wall of a building, parallel to the wall, not projecting more than 12 inches. | — | Sec. 113-32, Sec. 113-57 |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument) | Gross floor area <20,000 sq. ft.: 12 ft.; 20,000-49,999 sq. ft.: 16 ft.; 50,000-100,000 sq. ft.: 20 ft. | Gross floor area <20,000 sq. ft.: 60 sq. ft.; 20,000-49,999 sq. ft.: 80 sq. ft.; 50,000-100,000 sq. ft.: 100-150 sq. ft. (see table) | — | At least 5 ft from property line. | One per principal structure; two if two arterial frontages. | Outside all easements; at least 5 ft from property line. | — | Sec. 113-32, Sec. 113-58, Table 113-58-1/113-58-2 |
| Freestanding Sign (Pylon) | Gross floor area <20,000 sq. ft.: 20 ft.; 20,000-49,999 sq. ft.: 20-25 ft. | See Table 113-58-1 and 113-58-2 for area by gross floor area. | — | At least 5 ft from property line. | One per principal structure; two if two arterial frontages. | Outside all easements; at least 5 ft from property line. | — | Sec. 113-58, Table 113-58-1 |
| Entrance Sign | — | See Table 113-58-2 for area/height; for gross floor area, area is for development site. | — | — | One per site; two with comprehensive sign plan. | At entrance to development or site. | — | Sec. 113-59 |
| Message Center Sign | — | Max 50% of the total sign area on which displayed or 50 sq. ft., whichever is less. Minimum area is 20 sq. ft. | — | — | One per principal structure (not including those as part of incidental sign). | Integrated into a freestanding monument or ground style sign. | — | Sec. 113-61 |
| Dynamic Display Billboard | 50 ft. above I-694 grade elevation; up to 70 ft. if required to overcome obstructions with city approval. | 700 sq. ft. per face | — | 10 ft. from property line | — | Max 150 ft. from I-694 right-of-way; must be oriented to be read from interstate; on vacant property only. | — | Sec. 113-63 |
| Temporary Sign - Sandwich Board | 3 ft. | 6 sq. ft. (2 ft. wide x 3 ft. high) | 2 ft. | — | One sandwich board per business. | In front of and within 12 ft of main entrance of business it advertises. | — | Sec. 113-88(3) |
| Temporary Sign - Banner | — | Single-tenant/multitenant <50,000 sq. ft.: 32 sq. ft.; ≥50,000 sq. ft.: 64 sq. ft. | — | — | One per building. | Affixed to the principal structure; one per building. | — | Sec. 113-88(3) |

## Prohibited signs in Shoreview

- Rotating signs.
- Roof signs.
- Projecting signs.
- Portable signs that do not meet the requirements in section 113-4.
- Ground flag signs.
- Obsolete signs.
- Multi-vision signs.
- Shimmering signs.
- Video display signs.
- Static billboard signs.
- Signs which are attached to trees, fences, utility poles or other similar objects.
- Signs painted directly on buildings, walls or fences.
- Flashing, blinking or animated signs, including, but not limited to, traveling lights or any other means not providing constant illumination, except approved message center signs.
- Pennants, whirling devices, balloons, inflatable devices and/or other apparatus resembling the same.
- Signs that obstruct any window, door, fire escape, stairway, or opening intended to provide light, air, ingress or egress for any structure.
- Signs placed on vehicles or trailers which are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying the sign, except such signs attached to buses, taxis or other vehicles operating during the normal course of business.
- Signs which constitute public nuisance, as defined by chapter 22, or signs erected without the permission of the property owner.
- Signs located within the public right-of-way unless specifically permitted elsewhere in this section.
- Signs that interfere with the proper functioning of a traffic sign or signal, obstruct the vision of pedestrians, cyclists, or motorists or otherwise constitutes a public hazard.

## Signs exempt from permit in Shoreview

- Property identification numerals and occupant's name as long as they are visible from the street and not larger than ten square feet for nonresidential or two square feet for residential.
- Flags, provided all flagpoles are set back at least 20 feet from property lines and flagpoles do not exceed height limits (35 feet, with exceptions as noted); additional displays require approval of a comprehensive sign plan.
- Traffic directional signs authorized by a government entity.
- Traffic directional signs within a private development or center, provided uniform design, compliance with right-of-way rules, minimal size and number.
- Official notices authorized by a court, public body, or public safety official.
- "No Trespassing" and "No Hunting" and similar warning/restrictive signs, not to exceed two square feet in area.
- One portable sign with a sign face no larger than four square feet.
- One window sign no larger than 8.5 inches by 11 inches.
- Temporary signs in residential zoning districts.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A comprehensive sign plan is required when deviations are proposed from the design and dimensional standards set forth in the ordinance. Sign permits will not be issued for multiple signs of a single type until a comprehensive sign plan is approved.
- A comprehensive sign plan is required for multi-tenant buildings with more than one wall sign (or, if building has frontage on two arterial roadways, more than two wall signs).
- Approval of a comprehensive sign plan is required to construct an entrance sign if there will be any other freestanding signs on the site, including a second entrance sign.
- If any other display of flags beyond specified limits is proposed, approval of a comprehensive sign plan is required.
- A comprehensive sign plan is required for the installation of a message center sign when the property abuts or is adjacent to property established with residential land uses.

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/shoreview