# Sign Regulations in St Louis Park, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** St Louis Park, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/st-louis-park
- **Data last verified:** 2025-08-06
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.stlouisparkmn.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/28885/638790452236100000)

## At a glance

St Louis Park, Minnesota regulates 34 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Pedestrian Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 4 feet tall, As above, and 3 feet wide, with a Not in ROW, up to property line. setback (Sec. § 36-362(h)(3)(e)). Most commercial signs in St Louis Park 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 | 42 inches | 40 sq ft (portion in yard) | — |
| N-1 | 4 | 6 feet (per Table 36-362A) | 6 sq ft (per Table 36-362A) | — |
| N-2 | 4 | 6 feet | 6 sq ft | — |
| N-3 | 6 | 10 feet | 80 sq ft | — |
| N-4 | 7 | 15 feet | 100 sq ft | — |
| C-1 | 6 | 25 feet | 150 sq ft (individual sign), 200 sq ft (total) | — |
| C-2, MX-1, MX-2, PUD-10 | 8 | 25 feet | 300 sq ft (individual), 400 sq ft (total) | — |
| O | 8 | 25 feet | 300 sq ft (individual), 500 sq ft (total) | — |
| I-P, I-G, BP | 8 | 25 feet | 300 sq ft (individual), 300 sq ft (total) | — |
| POS | 7 | 25 feet | 150 sq ft (individual sign) | — |
| PUD | 2 | — | — | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | 10-foot minimum yard to property line except as specified. In C-1, C-2, BP, MX-1, MX-2, 5 feet for signs <200 sq ft. | No explicit maximum generally, but total area and aggregate per lot restrictions apply. | Must be attached to or erected against an exterior wall surface of a building or structure. May project up to 18 inches into required yard unless otherwise limited. | — | § 36-362(f)(1), (f)(6), (f)(8)-(15), (g)(4), (e)(4), Table 36-362A |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | 10-foot minimum yard unless in C-1, C-2, BP, MX-1, MX-2 (<200 sq ft: 5 feet); I-P: 20 feet front, 15 feet side abutting street. | 1 per street frontage or PUD site | Self-supporting, on ground, must meet respective zone yard/setback requirements. May not obstruct required parking/loading. | — | § 36-362(f)(7)-(15), (g)(1), (f)(3), (f)(2)(k), Table 36-362A |
| Blade Sign | — | 40 sq ft (portion in yard) | — | May project up to 5 feet into required yard if meeting above; no projection into public right-of-way. | — | May project into front yard up to 5 feet (not into public r.o.w.) if lowest portion ≥ 8 ft above ground and ≤ lowest window of 2nd story res unit in mixed-use. Must attach to wall per code. | — | § 36-362(f)(2)(b), (10)-(14) |
| Decorative Banner | Top of banner max 15 feet above ground | 8 sq ft (per banner) | — | Not allowed in required yard. | — | Fastened on structure (e.g. light pole), not in required yard. | — | § 36-362(h)(4) |
| Private Directional Sign - 4 sq ft or less, ≤42 inches high | 42 inches | 4 sq ft (per sign face) | — | Exempt from yard restrictions. | — | On property (or within approved PUD) of business served | — | § 36-362(h)(2) |
| Pedestrian Sign | 4 feet | As above | 3 feet | Not in ROW, up to property line. | 1 per business | Up to property line, not in ROW. Must not block movement/visibility. | — | § 36-362(h)(3)(e) |
| Real Estate Sign < 10 sq ft, ≤10 ft high | 10 feet | 10 sq ft | — | Exempt from yard restrictions. | — | On property for sale/lease/rent. | — | § 36-362(h)(1) |
| Real Estate Sign (other) | As Table 36-362A or up to 10 ft (if <10 sq ft) | Max per Table 36-362A; up to 200 sq ft for non-N districts, >6 stories or 65 ft, >55 ft agl | — | As required by zone. | — | On property for sale/lease/rent. | — | § 36-362(h)(1), (g)(3), Table 36-362A |

### C-2, MX-1, MX-2, PUD-10

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - 0-10,000 sq ft lot | 25 feet | 75 sq ft (individual), 100 sq ft (total) | — | 5-foot yard min (<200 sq ft total sign area) | — | Building wall | — | Table 36-362A |
| Wall Sign - 10,000-20,000 sq ft lot | 25 feet | 100 sq ft (individual), 200 sq ft (total) | — | 5-foot yard min (<200 sq ft total sign area) | — | Building wall | — | Table 36-362A |
| Wall Sign - 20,000-50,000 sq ft lot | 25 feet | 150 sq ft (individual), 250 sq ft (total) | — | 5-foot yard min (<200 sq ft total sign area) | — | Building wall | — | Table 36-362A |
| Wall Sign - 50,000-200,000 sq ft lot | 25 feet | 150 sq ft (individual), 300 sq ft (total) | — | 5-foot yard min (<200 sq ft total sign area) | — | Building wall | — | Table 36-362A |
| Wall Sign - Over 200,000 sq ft lot | 25 feet | 300 sq ft (individual), 400 sq ft (total) | — | 5-foot yard min (<200 sq ft total sign area) | — | Building wall | — | Table 36-362A |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 feet | As per lot size: 100/200/250/300/400 sq ft | — | 5-foot yard min for signs <200 sq ft | 1 per street frontage | On property | — | Table 36-362A |
| Temporary Sign | — | 80 sq ft | — | — | — | On property | — | Table 36-362A |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 80 sq ft | — | — | — | On property | — | Table 36-362A; §36-362(h)(1) |

### O

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - 0-20,000 sq ft lot | 25 feet | 100 sq ft (individual & total) | — | — | — | Building wall | — | Table 36-362A |
| Wall Sign - 20,000-50,000 sq ft lot | 25 feet | 100 sq ft (individual), 200 sq ft (total) | — | — | — | Building wall | — | Table 36-362A |
| Wall Sign - 50,000-100,000 sq ft lot | 25 feet | 150 sq ft (individual), 300 sq ft (total) | — | — | — | Building wall | — | Table 36-362A |
| Wall Sign - Over 100,000 sq ft lot | 25 feet | 300 sq ft (individual), 500 sq ft (total) | — | — | — | Building wall | — | Table 36-362A |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 feet | As per lot size: 100/200/300/500 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On property | — | Table 36-362A |
| Temporary Sign | — | 80 sq ft | — | — | — | On property | — | Table 36-362A |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 80 sq ft | — | — | — | On property | — | Table 36-362A; §36-362(h)(1) |
| Decorative Banner | 15 feet | 8 sq ft/banner | — | Not in required yard | — | Fastened to structure | — | §36-362(h)(4) |

## Prohibited signs in St Louis Park

- Flashing signs are prohibited in all use districts.
- Signs on or over the public rights-of-way are prohibited unless the city council grants permission for a temporary sign for a period not to exceed ten days.
- Searchlights, beacons, strobe lights, or other illuminated signs emitting a beam consisting of a collection or concentration of rays of light are prohibited.
- Rooftop signs are prohibited.
- Rotating signs are prohibited.
- Billboards are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited.
- Inflatable signs and tethered balloons are prohibited.
- Signs mounted on chimneys, rooftop equipment, observation towers, flagpoles, cooling towers, elevator penthouses, commercial antennas, communication towers, belfries, church spires, and cupolas are prohibited.
- Signs, including the sign structure or any other component of the sign, that rotate, revolve, scroll, move, flash, blink, fade, or are animated are prohibited.
- Illuminated signs at residential properties with four or fewer dwelling units are prohibited.
- No sign shall obstruct clear vision of persons using streets, interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device.
- No sign, other than public or project informational signs, shall be visible from a public street that makes use of the words 'Stop,' 'Look,' 'Danger,' or any other word, phrase, symbol, or character which may interfere with, mislead, or confuse persons using the public streets.
- Signs shall not be placed in or restrict access to required parking spaces or loading berths.
- No sign shall be anchored to another sign.
- Exposed wire, cable, and chain braces are prohibited.
- All permanent sign faces and supports shall be made of durable materials. Canvas, cloth, and similar materials such as flexible vinyl, are not allowed except for canopies and temporary signs other than pedestrian signs. Awning materials cannot be plastic, vinyl, or backlit awnings.
- Sign support structures shall not be constructed of wood.

## Signs exempt from permit in St Louis Park

- Public signs are exempt from the provisions of this section.
- The United States flag, other national flags, the flags of all the states of the United States, and the city flag are exempt.
- Supergraphics are exempt, except that a permit is required.
- A building address which does not exceed 12 inches in height is exempt.
- Signs on courtesy benches are exempt if they comply with the requirements of chapter 8 of this code.
- Signs on vehicles when the vehicle is being used in the normal day-to-day operation of a business are exempt.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit shall be issued prior to installation of any sign, except for real estate signs less than 10 square feet in area, political signs, and garage sale signs.
- Site plan and building elevations, if applicable, must be submitted prior to a sign permit being issued.
- A plan for project information signs may be initiated by either the affected businesses or city staff. If developed by city staff, the plan shall be reviewed by the affected businesses prior to transmitting the plan to the city council for consideration.
- If a project information sign is displayed on private property, it is the responsibility of the property owner to fabricate and install the sign according to the approved signage plan and to pay all costs, including sign permit fees, incident to the fabrication and placement of the project information signs.
- The property owner or the property owner's designee is responsible for allocating the allowable sign area among the tenants of a multi-tenant building. If the property owner does not allocate the sign area, the city may do so.
- Increases in maximum sign height for signs which advertise businesses on freeways and highways require submission of a sign plan showing compliance with specific criteria, and approval by the zoning administrator.

## 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 St Louis Park — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=St+Louis+Park+MN&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-st-louis-park

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