# Sign Regulations in Spring Lake Park, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Spring Lake Park, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/spring-lake-park
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-24
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://springlakepark.municipalcodeonline.com/book?type=ordinances#name=16.24_SIGNS_AND_BILLBOARDS)

## At a glance

Spring Lake Park, Minnesota regulates 28 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (On-Premises)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at ≤ 25 ft tall and On-premises: ≤ 30% of building front area (see formula)., with a ≥3 ft from public ROW; ≥5 ft from any other property line. setback (Sec. SLPC 16.24.020; 16.24.030; 16.24.040(1),(2),(4),(5),(6)(1),(7),(9); 16.24.080(3)). Most commercial signs in Spring Lake Park require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | ≤ 25 ft | Dynamic display portion: ≤ 35% of copy/graphic area | — |
| Residential District R-1, R-2, R-3, R-1-PUD, R-3-PUD | 10 | ≤ 10 ft (unless located on the building) | ≤ 40 sq ft (total surface area) | — |
| Commercial/Industrial Zoning Districts; Commercial; Light Industrial (C-1, C-1-PUD, C-2, C-3, C-3-PUD, I-1 | 14 | ≤ 25 ft | If allowed or existing: ≤ 750 sq ft (copy/graphic area) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (On-Premises) | ≤ 25 ft | On-premises: ≤ 30% of building front area (see formula). | — | On-premises: ≥3 ft from public ROW; ≥5 ft from any other property line. | — | On-premises; at least 3 ft from a public right-of-way and at least 5 ft from any other property line. | — | SLPC 16.24.020; 16.24.030; 16.24.040(1),(2),(4),(5),(6)(1),(7),(9); 16.24.080(3) |
| Projecting Sign | Top of sign may not extend more than 6 ft above the roof line | — | — | No part of any sign may project over or beyond the property line. | — | Affixed to a building wall. | — | SLPC 16.24.040(1),(3); 16.24.050(1)(8); 16.24.080(3); 16.24.020 |
| Window Sign | — | ≤ 30% of the window area | — | — | — | Painted upon or placed within the glass portions of doors and windows of a business. | — | SLPC 16.24.010 (SIGN, WINDOW); 16.24.050(1)(7); 16.24.020 |
| Dynamic Display (Monument/Pylon) - General | — | Dynamic display portion: ≤ 35% of copy/graphic area | — | — | — | Only on monument and pylon signs; allowed for conditionally permitted uses in residential districts and for all uses in other districts. | — | SLPC 16.24.080(1)(1)-(9); 16.24.080(2); 16.24.080(3); 16.24.020 |
| Temporary For Sale/Lease Sign (Residential Property) | ≤ 10 ft (unless located on the building) | < 10 sq ft (temporary sign without special permit) | — | — | One | On the premises of the lot or building being sold/leased. | — | SLPC 16.24.070(1)(2) |
| Temporary For Sale/Lease Sign (Other Property) | ≤ 10 ft (unless located on the building) | ≤ 32 sq ft | — | — | One | On the premises of the lot or building being sold/leased. | — | SLPC 16.24.070(1)(2) |
| Temporary Sign (Special Permit) | — | — | — | — | — | As approved by special permit. | — | SLPC 16.24.070(2) |
| Off-Premises Directional Sign | — | ≤ 32 sq ft | — | Exempt from 16.24.040(6)(2) and certain distance requirements referenced as Paragraphs F,2 and H, per 16.24.040(6)(3). | — | Off the premises of the advertised destination. | — | SLPC 16.24.040(6)(3) |

### Residential District R-1, R-2, R-3, R-1-PUD, R-3-PUD

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flag (On-Premises) | — | — | — | General setbacks apply to signs (on-premises: ≥3 ft from ROW; ≥5 ft from property lines). | — | On the premises. | — | SLPC 16.24.050(2)(1) |
| For Sale/Lease Sign (Residential) - Option 1 | — | ≤ 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On the premises advertising sale or lease of the property. | — | SLPC 16.24.050(2)(3) |
| Temporary For Sale/Lease Sign (Residential) - Option 2 | ≤ 10 ft (unless located on the building) | < 10 sq ft | — | — | One | On the premises advertising sale or lease of the property. | — | SLPC 16.24.070(1)(2) |
| Political Signs (State General Election Year) | — | — | — | Public ROW placement rules: ≥6 ft from curb where no sidewalk; on home side of sidewalk where sidewalk exists. | — | On premises; political signs may also be in the public right-of-way subject to placement rules (≥6 ft from curb where no sidewalk and on home side of sidewalk where sidewalk exists). | — | SLPC 16.24.050(1)(2); 16.24.050(2)(5) |
| Political Signs (Non-State General Election Year) | — | — | — | Public ROW placement rules apply per 16.24.050(1)(2). | — | On premises; public ROW subject to placement rules. | — | SLPC 16.24.050(1)(2); 16.24.050(2)(5) |
| Non-Commercial Opinion Sign | — | ≤ 6 sq ft | — | — | One | On premises. | — | SLPC 16.24.050(2)(6) |
| Monument Sign - Multiple Subdivision/Development Identification | — | ≤ 40 sq ft (total surface area) | — | General setbacks apply (on-premises: ≥3 ft from ROW; ≥5 ft from property lines). | One | On premises identifying a multiple subdivision or development. | — | SLPC 16.24.050(2)(7) |
| Dynamic Display (Monument/Pylon) - Residential (Conditionally Permitted Uses Only) | — | Dynamic portion: ≤ 35% of copy/graphic area | — | — | — | Only on monument and pylon signs; allowed only for conditionally permitted uses in residential districts. | — | SLPC 16.24.080(1)(1)-(9); 16.24.080(3); 16.24.020 |

### Commercial/Industrial Zoning Districts; Commercial; Light Industrial (C-1, C-1-PUD, C-2, C-3, C-3-PUD, I-1

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (On-Premises) | ≤ 25 ft | On-premises: ≤ 30% of building front area (see formula). | — | On-premises: ≥3 ft from ROW; ≥5 ft from property lines. | — | On-premises; at least 3 ft from public ROW and at least 5 ft from any other property line. | — | SLPC 16.24.020; 16.24.040(1),(2),(5),(6)(1),(7),(9); 16.24.080(3) |
| Projecting Sign | Top of sign may not extend more than 6 ft above the roof line | — | — | No part of any sign may project over or beyond the property line. | — | Affixed to a building wall. | — | SLPC 16.24.040(1),(3); 16.24.050(1)(8); 16.24.080(3); 16.24.020 |
| Window Sign | — | ≤ 30% of the window area | — | — | — | Painted upon or placed within the glass portions of doors and windows of a business. | — | SLPC 16.24.010 (SIGN, WINDOW); 16.24.050(1)(7); 16.24.020 |
| Dynamic Display (Monument/Pylon) - All Uses | — | Dynamic portion: ≤ 35% of copy/graphic area | — | — | — | Only on monument and pylon signs; allowed for all uses in these districts. | — | SLPC 16.24.080(1)(1)-(9); 16.24.080(2); 16.24.080(3); 16.24.020 |
| For Sale/Lease Sign (Commercial/Industrial) - Permit Exempt | — | ≤ 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On the premises advertising the sale or lease of the premises. | — | SLPC 16.24.060(3) |
| Political Signs (State General Election Year) - Permit Exempt | — | Any size | — | — | — | On premises; may also be placed subject to general safety requirements. | — | SLPC 16.24.060(5) (first sentence); 16.24.060(5) (primary removal requirement) |
| Off-Premises Directional Sign | — | ≤ 32 sq ft | — | Exempt from certain off-premises setbacks/distances per 16.24.040(6)(3). | — | Off the premises of the advertised destination. | — | SLPC 16.24.040(6)(3); 16.24.060 |
| Off-Premises Sign (Outdoor Advertising/Billboard) - Generally Prohibited | — | If allowed or existing: ≤ 750 sq ft (copy/graphic area) | — | If existing: ≥30 ft from front property line/ROW; ≥5 ft from side and rear property lines. | — | Permitted only on property zoned commercial or light industrial (if allowed), but generally prohibited citywide. | — | SLPC 16.24.050(1)(9); 16.24.080(B) (outdoor advertising signs no longer allowed); 16.24.040(6)(2)-(7),(8); 16.24.090 |

## Prohibited signs in Spring Lake Park

- Erecting, re-erecting, maintaining, posting, displaying, or altering any sign without first obtaining a sign permit is prohibited.
- Illumination or light from any illuminated or luminous sign may not shine directly upon any residence or onto public streets.
- Sign structures may not contain more than four exposed beams.
- Projecting signs may not extend more than 16 inches from any building wall nor more than six feet above the roof line.
- Maintaining any sign not in compliance with the Uniform Building Code, State Electrical Code, or city construction requirements, or not kept in good repair and safe condition, is prohibited.
- No part of any sign may project over or beyond the property line of the property upon which it is located.
- On-premises signs may not exceed 30% of the square footage of the front of the building.
- Free-standing signs may not be higher than 25 feet from ground level unless a variance is granted.
- Signs that interfere with traffic signs, signals, or other officially posted signs are prohibited.
- Signs within a public right-of-way or easement are prohibited except government-installed signs and political signs placed per the specified setback conditions.
- Signs that resemble official signs or markers or display warning words such as 'stop' or 'danger' are prohibited.
- Flashing signs (including indoor signs visible from public areas) are prohibited, except for temporary seasonal, holiday, or religious decorations. (Animated signs are not prohibited by this clause.)
- Signs affixed to or posted upon trees, fences, telephone or utility poles, or similar structures are prohibited.
- Portable signs or search light signs are prohibited unless a temporary permit has been issued.
- Signs or sign structures that obstruct windows, doors, fire escapes, stairways, or otherwise impair means of egress or ingress are prohibited. (Window signs are allowed only if they do not exceed 30% of window area and do not block views between 4 and 7 feet above adjacent grade.)
- Any sign painted upon the wall of a building is prohibited.
- Off-premise signs are prohibited.
- Animated signs are prohibited within 50 feet of an intersection with traffic semaphores.
- Brightness standards applicable to all signs: signs may not be brighter than necessary for clear visibility; may not be so intense as to impair drivers or interfere with driving; may not interfere with official traffic signs/devices/signals; and may not be located so close to residences as to constitute a lighting nuisance.

## Signs exempt from permit in Spring Lake Park

- Temporary displays erected to celebrate, commemorate, or observe a civil or religious holiday do not require a special temporary sign permit, provided they are removed within 30 days after the event or holiday.
- Temporary signs for selling or leasing individual lots or buildings do not require a special temporary sign permit if they are under 10 square feet for residential property and 32 square feet for other property, have a maximum height of 10 feet unless located on the building, are limited to one per property, and are removed within 10 days following the lease or sale.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan or sign plan requirement is referenced in the provided text.
- A variance is required to exceed the 25-foot height limit for free-standing signs; apply per SLPC 16.60.040.
- Special temporary sign permits may be granted by the City Council for limited use (two weeks at a time, maximum six weeks per year) upon showing of need; both the sign and apparatus must be removed after the authorized period.
- Permit applications may require plans, specifications, and scaled drawings showing sign details (sign, projections, setbacks, area, type, structure, and premises description).
- An enhanced dynamic display permit may be issued for one face of an outdoor advertising sign only if specified removal and agreement conditions are met; otherwise dynamic displays must meet general operational and brightness standards.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Spring Lake Park, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Spring+Lake+Park+MN&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-spring-lake-park

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