# Sign Regulations in St James, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** St James, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/st-james
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-02
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/stjamesmn/latest/stjames_mn/0-0-0-5409)

## At a glance

St James, Minnesota regulates 38 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Monument Sign – Business and Industrial Districts in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Between 10 ft minimum and 15 ft maximum; numerically 10–15 ft, based on 10% of lot frontage (§156.033(N)(8)(b)). tall and Square foot area of the monument sign may not exceed the front lineal frontage of the zoning lot (§156.033(N)(8)(d)). Sign face must occupy at least 50% of monument sign area (§156.033(N)(8)(e))., with a Must observe setback regulations of each zoning district and not encroach on road right‑of‑way (§156.033(N)(8)(g)). setback (Sec. §156.033(N)(1),(5)-(8); §156.033(K)(10)). Most commercial signs in St James require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 23 | 45 ft max including supporting structure (§156.033(H)(3)). | 700 sq ft max total area, computed on basis of one side of any double‑faced sign (§156.033(H)(2)). | — |
| R-1: One- and Two-Family Residential District, R-2: Multiple Family Residential District, Residential districts (R-1, R-2), Residential zoning districts (R-1, R-2) | 4 | Freestanding signs in residential districts: max 15 ft height (§156.033(G)(3)). | May not exceed 50% of wall area on which located; also limited by 4 sq ft per‑lot maximum (§156.033(E)(2),(5)). | — |
| B-2: Service Business District, B-3: General Business District, B-4: Highway Commercial Business District, B-2, B-3, and B-4 Business Districts, Business districts (B-2, B-3, B-4) | 8 | Max 45 ft from ground level (§156.033(G)(3)). | 700 sq ft max per sign, computed on basis of one side of any double‑faced sign (§156.033(H)(2)). | — |
| I-1: Planned Industrial District, I-2: General Industrial District, Industrial districts (I-1, I-2), Business and industrial districts (B-2, B-3, B-4, I-1, I-2) | 4 | Freestanding signs: max 32 ft in both industrial districts (§156.033(G)(3)). | Minimum effective maximum 300 sq ft per lot, with potential higher based on frontage and building size (§156.033(E)(4)). | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Exempt Church Sign | — | 25 sq ft max per sign (§156.033(A)(7)) | — | — | Maximum 1 per abutting street (§156.033(A)(7)) | On church property; one per abutting street (§156.033(A)(7)). | — | §156.033(A)(7) |
| Exempt Non‑Commercial Message Sign | — | 16 sq ft max area (§156.033(A)(8)) | — | — | Maximum 1 per abutting street (§156.033(A)(8)) | On private property; one per abutting street (§156.033(A)(8)). | — | §156.033(A)(8) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 16 sq ft max (§156.033(B)(1)) | — | — | 1 per street frontage (§156.033(B)(1)) | On lot/building for sale, lease, or rent; one sign on each street frontage (§156.033(B)(1)). | — | §156.033(B)(1) |
| Temporary Construction Site Identification Sign | — | 32 sq ft max (§156.033(B)(2)) | — | — | Maximum 1 per site (§156.033(B)(2)) | On construction site (§156.033(B)(2)). | — | §156.033(B)(2) |
| Other Temporary Sign | — | 4 sq ft max surface area unless otherwise stated (§156.033(B)(5)(c)) | — | — | Maximum 1 per lot (§156.033(B)(5)(a)) | On a lot; may not be affixed to walls, trees, fences, or poles (§156.033(B)(5)(b)). | — | §156.033(B)(5)(a)-(d) |
| Freestanding Sign – General (All Districts) | Height limits by district: 15 ft in residential districts; 32 ft in B‑2 and B‑3 Business Districts and both industrial districts; 45 ft in B‑4 Highway Commercial Business District (§156.033(G)(3)). | — | — | Must observe setback requirements of the district and not encroach on any road right‑of‑way (§156.033(G)(1)). | Standard: max 1 per development; exceptions for qualifying corner or dual‑street‑frontage lots (§156.033(F)(1)-(3)). | Freestanding on a lot; must not encroach on any road right‑of‑way (§156.033(G)(1)). | — | §156.033(F)(1)-(3); §156.033(G)(1)-(4); §156.033(K)(10); §156.033(J)(3)-(4) |
| Off‑Premises Freestanding Sign (Billboard‑Type) – B‑4 Highway Commercial Business District | 45 ft max including supporting structure (§156.033(H)(3)). | 700 sq ft max total area, computed on basis of one side of any double‑faced sign (§156.033(H)(2)). | — | Must meet all setback standards of zoning district; may not encroach into road right‑of‑way (§156.033(H)(6); §156.033(G)(1)). | — | Only in B‑4 Highway Commercial Business District (§156.033(H)(1)); must not be within 100 ft of a residential zoning district park, playground, or school (§156.033(H)(4)). | — | §156.033(H)(1)-(3),(4)-(9),(10); §156.033(K)(10) |
| Monument Sign – Business and Industrial Districts | Between 10 ft minimum and 15 ft maximum; numerically 10–15 ft, based on 10% of lot frontage (§156.033(N)(8)(b)). | Square foot area of the monument sign may not exceed the front lineal frontage of the zoning lot (§156.033(N)(8)(d)). Sign face must occupy at least 50% of monument sign area (§156.033(N)(8)(e)). | — | Must observe setback regulations of each zoning district and not encroach on road right‑of‑way (§156.033(N)(8)(g)). | Max 1 monument sign per zoning lot (except through lots and joint identification signs for multi‑tenant centers) (§156.033(N)(8)(c),(h)) | On zoning lot in business or industrial districts (§156.033(N)(7),(8)). Must not encroach into any road right‑of‑way and must observe district setback regulations (§156.033(N)(8)(g)). | — | §156.033(N)(1),(5)-(8); §156.033(K)(10) |

### B-2: Service Business District, B-3: General Business District, B-4: Highway Commercial Business District, B-2, B-3, and B-4 Business Districts, Business districts (B-2, B-3, B-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General On‑Premises Signage – Business Districts (B‑2, B‑3, B‑4) | Freestanding: 32 ft max in B‑2 and B‑3; 45 ft max in B‑4 (§156.033(G)(3)). | Up to 200 sq ft per lot in business districts, unless otherwise specified (§156.033(E)(3)(c)). | — | Freestanding/monument signs must observe district setback requirements and not encroach on right‑of‑way (§156.033(G)(1); §156.033(N)(8)(g)). | — | On‑premises signs on lots in B‑2, B‑3, B‑4 (§156.033(E)(3)). | — | §156.033(E)(3),(5); §156.033(D)(3); §156.033(G)(3); §156.033(F)(1)-(3); §156.033(O); §156.033(C) |
| Freestanding Sign – B‑2 and B‑3 Business Districts | Max 32 ft from ground level in B‑2 and B‑3 (§156.033(G)(3)). | Counts against per‑lot maximum business district sign area (up to 200 sq ft) (§156.033(E)(3)). | — | Must observe B‑2/B‑3 setback requirements and not encroach upon any road right‑of‑way (§156.033(G)(1)). | Standard 1 per development with corner/dual‑frontage exceptions (§156.033(F)(1)-(3)). | Freestanding on lots in B‑2 and B‑3 (§156.033(G)(3)). | — | §156.033(E)(3); §156.033(F)(1)-(3); §156.033(G)(2)-(4); §156.033(K)(10),(15) |
| Freestanding Sign – B‑4 Highway Commercial Business District | Max 45 ft from ground level (§156.033(G)(3)). | Counts against per‑lot business sign maximum (up to 200 sq ft on‑premises) (§156.033(E)(3)(c)); separate larger limits apply only to off‑premises billboards (§156.033(H)(2)). | — | Must observe B‑4 setback requirements and not encroach upon road right‑of‑way (§156.033(G)(1)). | Standard 1 per development, with corner/dual‑frontage exceptions (§156.033(F)(1)-(3)). | Freestanding on lots in B‑4 (§156.033(G)(3)). | — | §156.033(E)(3); §156.033(F)(1)-(3); §156.033(G)(2)-(4); §156.033(K)(10),(15) |
| Wall Sign – B‑2, B‑3, B‑4 | — | May not exceed 50% of wall area on which located, and total sign area cannot exceed per‑lot business district maximum (up to 200 sq ft) (§156.033(E)(3),(5)). | — | — | — | On walls of buildings in B‑2, B‑3, B‑4 (§156.033(E)(5)). | — | §156.033(E)(3),(5); §156.033(G)(5); §156.033(K)(14)-(15); §156.033(O) |
| Monument Sign – Business Districts (B‑2, B‑3, B‑4) | 10–15 ft, based on 10% of frontage (§156.033(N)(8)(b)). | Monument sign area ≤ front lineal footage of zoning lot (§156.033(N)(8)(d)). Sign face must occupy at least 50% of monument sign area (§156.033(N)(8)(e)). | — | Must observe business district setbacks and stay out of right‑of‑way (§156.033(N)(8)(g)). | Max 1 monument sign per zoning lot, with through‑lot and joint identification exceptions (§156.033(N)(8)(c),(h)) | On zoning lots in B‑2, B‑3, B‑4 (§156.033(N)(7),(8)). | — | §156.033(N)(5)-(8); §156.033(K)(10) |
| Off‑Premises Sign – B‑4 Highway Commercial Business District (Billboard‑Type) | 45 ft max including supporting structure (§156.033(H)(3)). | 700 sq ft max per sign, computed on basis of one side of any double‑faced sign (§156.033(H)(2)). | — | Must meet B‑4 setback standards and not encroach on right‑of‑way (§156.033(H)(6); §156.033(G)(1)). | — | Only in B‑4 Highway Commercial Business District (§156.033(H)(1)). Must not be within 100 ft of residential zoning district park, playground or school (§156.033(H)(4)). | — | §156.033(H)(1)-(3),(4)-(9),(10); §156.033(K)(10) |
| Off‑Premises Wall‑Mounted Sign – B‑4 Highway Commercial Business District | — | ≤50% of wall occupied or 700 sq ft, whichever less (§156.033(H)(11)). | — | Must meet district setback standards and projection ≤12 inches from wall (§156.033(H)(6),(11)). | — | On building walls in B‑4 as off‑premises signage (§156.033(H)(11)). | — | §156.033(H)(1),(4)-(7),(9)-(11); §156.033(K)(10) |
| Permanent Sign Material Standard – B‑2, B‑3, B‑4 (All Permanent Types) | — | — | — | — | — | All permanent signs (wall, freestanding, etc.) in B‑2, B‑3, B‑4, excluding temporary, monument, and exempt signs (§156.033(O)(1)). | — | §156.033(O)(1)-(5) |

### I-1: Planned Industrial District, I-2: General Industrial District, Industrial districts (I-1, I-2), Business and industrial districts (B-2, B-3, B-4, I-1, I-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General On‑Premises Signage – Industrial Districts (I‑1, I‑2) | Freestanding signs: max 32 ft in both industrial districts (§156.033(G)(3)). | Minimum effective maximum 300 sq ft per lot, with potential higher based on frontage and building size (§156.033(E)(4)). | — | Freestanding and monument signs must meet industrial district setback requirements and not encroach on road right‑of‑way (§156.033(G)(1); §156.033(N)(8)(g)). | — | On‑premises signs in I‑1 and I‑2 (§156.033(E)(4)). | — | §156.033(E)(4)-(5); §156.033(G)(3); §156.033(D)(3); §156.033(H)(4); §156.033(C) |
| Freestanding Sign – Industrial Districts (I‑1, I‑2) | Max 32 ft from ground level (§156.033(G)(3)). | Counts toward industrial district per‑lot maximum calculated per §156.033(E)(4). | — | Must observe industrial district setbacks and not encroach on road right‑of‑way (§156.033(G)(1)). | Standard 1 per development with corner/dual‑frontage exceptions (§156.033(F)(1)-(3)). | Freestanding on industrial lots (§156.033(G)(3)). | — | §156.033(E)(4); §156.033(F)(1)-(3); §156.033(G)(1)-(4); §156.033(K)(10),(15) |
| Wall Sign – Industrial Districts (I‑1, I‑2) | — | May not exceed 50% of wall area; combined with other signs may not exceed industrial per‑lot max (§156.033(E)(4)-(5)). | — | — | — | On walls of buildings in I‑1, I‑2 (§156.033(E)(5)). | — | §156.033(E)(4)-(5); §156.033(G)(5); §156.033(K)(14)-(15) |
| Monument Sign – Industrial Districts (I‑1, I‑2) | 10–15 ft per 10% frontage rule (§156.033(N)(8)(b)). | ≤ front lineal frontage of zoning lot; sign face at least 50% of monument sign area (§156.033(N)(8)(d)-(e)). | — | Must observe industrial district setback regulations and avoid right‑of‑way (§156.033(N)(8)(g)). | Max 1 monument sign per lot; through lots and joint identification exception (§156.033(N)(8)(c),(h)) | On lots in industrial districts (§156.033(N)(7)). | — | §156.033(N)(5)-(8); §156.033(K)(10) |

## Prohibited signs in St James

- No sign may extend above any parapet or be placed upon any roof surface.
- No sign attached to a building may project more than 12 inches from the building wall.
- Illuminated tubings or strings of lights that outline property lines, sales areas, roof lines, doors, windows, or similar areas are prohibited.
- No sign may contain or be illuminated by flashing or intermittent lights or lights of changing degrees of intensity, except signs indicating the time, date, or weather conditions.
- No sign may be located so that it substantially interferes with the view necessary for motorists to proceed safely through intersections or to enter onto or exit from public streets or private roads for a distance of 500 feet.
- Signs that revolve are prohibited, including banners, streamers, animated display boards, pennants, and propellers, except signs that only move occasionally because of wind when such movement is not a primary design feature, not intended to attract attention, and not otherwise excluded.
- No sign may be erected so that by its location, color, size, shape, nature, or message it would tend to obstruct the view of or be confused with official traffic signs or other signs erected by governmental agencies.
- No sign may be affixed or painted on rocks, trees, or other perennial plants, or on any public utility pole.
- No sign may contain a rotating beam or beam of light resembling an emergency vehicle.
- No sign may simulate any official directional or warning sign typically erected or maintained by a governmental subdivision, nor incorporate or make use of lights simulating or resembling traffic signals or control signs.
- No sign may be erected which casts a distracting or confusing ray of light onto or visible from the public roadway.
- No sign may interfere with public facilities or the maintenance thereof.
- No sign may obstruct any window, door, fire escape, stairway, or opening essential to the provision of light, air, ingress, or egress from any building.
- No sign may contain more than two surface areas or facings.
- No sign is permitted within the right-of-way of any public road, except official government signs for traffic direction or necessary public information.
- Motion signs and flashing signs are prohibited, except time and temperature signs depicting a constant message.
- No private sign shall be erected that resembles any official marker or sign erected by a governmental agency or that displays words such as “Stop” or “Danger,” unless specifically authorized by this chapter or city code.
- Projecting signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs that advertise an activity, business, product, or service no longer produced or conducted on the premises must be removed immediately upon termination of use, except they may remain not more than 30 days from date of vacancy when a new tenant is being sought.
- Signs on or attached to equipment, such as semi‑truck trailers, where signing is a principal use of the equipment on a temporary or permanent basis, are prohibited.
- Signs must not be located so as to encroach upon any road right‑of‑way.
- Freestanding signs must be securely fastened so there is virtually no danger of movement by wind or other forces causing injury to persons or property.
- Off‑premises signs shall not be permitted on roof tops.
- Wall‑mounted off‑premises signs shall not extend more than 12 inches from the wall surface and shall not exceed 50% of the wall area they occupy or 700 square feet, whichever is less.
- Signs within a public right‑of‑way or easement are prohibited, except signs installed by governmental entities.
- Signs attached to rocks, trees, fences, or utility poles are prohibited, except safety‑hazard signs on fences.
- Signs of a rotating beam or flashing illumination are prohibited.
- Signs advertising by letters, words, or figures painted upon any sidewalk within the city are prohibited.
- Advertising signs painted on any exterior building surface are prohibited.
- Rotating signs are prohibited.
- Signs painted or attached to vehicles where the vehicle is parked on a property and not intended to be moved for 48 hours or more are prohibited; vehicles containing advertising or signage shall not be parked along the property frontage.
- Roof signs are prohibited (reiterated).
- Temporary signs which advertise a business, product, or service not produced or conducted on the zoning lot upon which the sign is located are prohibited.
- Signs which project over the public right‑of‑way are prohibited.
- Permanent signs in business districts may not be constructed of cardboard, paper, foam board, or similar temporary substrates.
- Permanent signs in business districts may not be constructed of plywood or raw wood that is not sealed or painted.
- Vinyl banners may not be used in place of a permanent sign in business districts.
- Permanent signs in business districts may not be constructed of plastic that is prone to fading, yellowing, warping, or cracking.
- Any sign material that poses a safety hazard due to poor structural integrity is prohibited for permanent signs in business districts.
- A non‑conforming sign may not be enlarged, altered to aggravate its non‑conforming condition, or have illumination added.
- A non‑conforming sign may not be moved or replaced except to bring the sign into conformity.
- If a non‑conforming sign is destroyed or damaged more than 50% of its value, it may not be repaired, reconstructed, or replaced except in conformity, and remnants must be cleared.
- Non‑conforming signs may not be repaired or renovated if the cost of the work would exceed 50% of the sign’s value within any 12‑month period.

## Signs exempt from permit in St James

- Signs not exceeding four square feet in area that are customarily associated with a residential use and are not of a commercial nature, including signs giving property identification names or numbers or names of occupants, signs on mailboxes or newspaper tubes, and non‑commercial private parking or no‑trespassing signs.
- Legal notices and other signs erected by or authorized by a governmental body, including legal notices, identification and informational signs, and traffic, directional, or regulatory signs.
- Non‑commercial identification and informational signs erected by service organizations, not exceeding 16 square feet in area.
- Official signs of a non‑commercial nature erected by public utilities.
- Flags, pennants, or insignia of any governmental or nonprofit organization when not displayed in connection with a commercial promotion or as an advertising device.
- Directional and traffic signs on private property that do not exceed four square feet each and bear no advertising matter.
- Church bulletin boards, church identification signs, and church directional signs (maximum one per abutting street, maximum 25 square feet in area, may be internally illuminated).
- Non‑commercial message signs proclaiming religious, political, or other non‑commercial messages (unless specifically regulated elsewhere), not exceeding one per abutting street, not exceeding 16 square feet in area, and not internally illuminated.
- Temporary real estate for sale, lease, or rent signs (including buildings), not exceeding 16 square feet in area, limited to one per street frontage, removed immediately after sale, lease, or rental.
- Temporary construction site identification signs (identifying project, owner, developer, etc., and may include sale/lease/rent information), limited to one per site, not exceeding 32 square feet, removed upon completion of construction and landscaping.
- Temporary election or political campaign signs permitted beginning 30 days prior to the election and removed within ten days after the election or campaign conclusion, not exceeding 16 square feet in surface area.
- Temporary signs indicating a special event (such as grand opening, fair, carnival, circus, festival) on the lot where the sign is located, erected no sooner than two weeks before the event and removed no later than three days after the event.
- Other temporary signs not covered in enumerated categories, provided no more than one such sign per lot, they are not affixed to buildings, trees, fences, or poles, do not exceed four square feet in surface area unless otherwise stated, and are not displayed longer than three consecutive days nor more than ten days in any 365‑day period unless otherwise stated.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit is required to erect any sign in the city unless specifically exempted under the listed exemptions; all non‑exempt signs require prior approval.
- No sign may be erected until the plan for the proposed sign has been received by the Planning and Zoning Commission and approved by the Council.
- Permit fees for signs are determined by the Council.
- If work on any sign requiring a permit is started without first securing the necessary permit, the applicant must pay double the normal permit fee when subsequently securing the permit or is subject to the penalty provisions of the code.
- The Planning and Zoning Commission may approve alternative sign materials in business districts when they determine the material is of equal or greater durability, weather resistance, and visual quality to listed permitted materials (an administrative review of materials).
- Off‑premises signs may only be established in the B‑4 Highway Commercial Business District through issuance of a special use permit.

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

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