# Sign Regulations in Stewartville, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Stewartville, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/stewartville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-30
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://stewartvillemn.com/media/Stewartville-MN-Ordinance-Chapter13.pdf#page=107)

## At a glance

Stewartville, Minnesota regulates 49 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding (Ground) Sign (Single-Tenant; per street frontage)s in the B-1 Central Business District zoning district are capped at 20 ft tall and 25 sq ft, with a General freestanding siting rules apply (no projection into ROW; clearances per 1375.14(A)(7)). setback (Sec. Section 1375.14(D)(2)(b) and (f)1). Most commercial signs in Stewartville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 21 | 10 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| Agricultural District; Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3) | 6 | 8 ft | 30 sq ft | — |
| B-1 Central Business District | 12 | 20 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| B-2 Highway Commercial District | 12 | 20 ft | 300 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — |
| M-1 Light Manufacturing District | 8 | Freestanding: 25 ft | 300 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — |
| M-2 General Manufacturing District | 5 | Freestanding: 25 ft | Freestanding: 100 sq ft | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - General Siting Rules | — | — | — | Freestanding signs may be in required yards; must not be closer than 10 feet to any abutting lot zoned residential. | Base allowance per zone; plus 1 additional freestanding sign per additional 300 ft of street frontage or portion thereof. | Permitted anywhere on the lot subject to Subsection 1375.26; may be located within a required yard. | — | Section 1375.14(A)(7)-(9) |
| Portable Sign (≤ 2 days; All Districts) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per face; 64 sq ft total | — | — | 1 per legal parcel at a time | On private property; not within any public street right-of-way or easement. | — | Section 1375.14(A)(10) |
| Portable Sign (3–30 days; Commercial Districts only) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per face; 64 sq ft total | — | — | 1 per legal parcel at a time | On private property in commercial districts only; not within any public street right-of-way or easement. | — | Section 1375.14(A)(10) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential Properties) | 5 ft | 24 in x 36 in | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On the dwelling and/or lot advertised; erected only with written permission of the property owner. | — | Section 1375.14(B)(2) |
| Real Estate Sign (Commercial/Industrial Properties) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On the property advertised; erected only with written permission of the property owner. | — | Section 1375.14(B)(2) |
| Area Identification Sign (Residential neighborhoods/subdivisions/multi-residential complexes) | — | Total 32 sq ft for up to 2 signs combined | — | — | Maximum 2 per project/subdivision | At the entrance to the project or subdivision; often used at opposite corners to create a gateway effect. | — | Section 1375.14(B)(5) |
| No Trespassing/No Dumping Sign | — | 2 sq ft per sign | — | — | Up to 4 per lot | On property. | — | Section 1375.14(B)(12) |
| Subdivision/Housing Development Marketing Sign (Undeveloped; 6+ units) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dedicated street entrance | At a dedicated street entrance to the subdivision or development. | — | Section 1375.14(B)(14) |

### B-1 Central Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Single-Tenant Building) | — | — | — | — | 1 wall/fascia sign per single-tenant building | On building wall facing each street bounding the property. | — | Section 1375.14(D)(2)(b) and (f)2 |
| Projecting Sign (Single-Tenant Building) | — | 12 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — | — | 1 projecting or 1 ground sign per street frontage | Attached to wall facing a street bounding the property. | — | Section 1375.14(D)(2)(b) and (f)2.a |
| Freestanding (Ground) Sign (Single-Tenant; per street frontage) | 20 ft | 25 sq ft | — | General freestanding siting rules apply (no projection into ROW; clearances per 1375.14(A)(7)). | 1 per street frontage (projecting OR ground per frontage) | Fronting each street bounding the property. | — | Section 1375.14(D)(2)(b) and (f)1 |
| Freestanding Sign (Multi-Tenant; per occupant/business) | 20 ft | 25 sq ft | — | General freestanding siting rules apply. | 1 freestanding sign per occupant/business | On site; fronting bounding streets/areas as applicable. | — | Section 1375.14(D)(2)(c) and (f)1 |
| Wall Sign (Multi-Tenant; per occupant per frontage) | — | — | — | — | 1 per occupant per frontage (street, alley, or public park lot) | Fronting each street, alley or public park lot bounding the property. | — | Section 1375.14(D)(2)(c) and (f)2 |
| Projecting Sign (Multi-Tenant; per occupant per frontage) | — | 12 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — | — | 1 projecting sign per wall | On walls fronting each street, alley or public park lot. | — | Section 1375.14(D)(2)(c) and (f)2.a |
| Roof Sign (Multi-Tenant; per occupant per frontage) | — | — | — | — | 1 per occupant per frontage | On roof fronting each street, alley or public park lot bounding the property. | — | Section 1375.14(D)(2)(c) and (f)2 |
| Sandwich Board Sign (B-1) | 3 ft | 2 ft x 3 ft (face size) | 2 ft | — | 1 per business | Within sidewalk easement; no more than 10 ft from the business frontage; under no circumstance in Highway 63 right-of-way. | — | Section 1375.14(D)(2)(d) |

### B-2 Highway Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Single-Tenant Building) | — | — | — | — | 1 wall/fascia sign per single-tenant building | On building wall facing each street bounding the property. | — | Section 1375.14(D)(3)(b) and (i)(2) |
| Projecting Sign (Single-Tenant Building) | — | 12 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — | — | 1 projecting or 1 ground sign per street frontage | Attached to wall fronting a street bounding the property. | — | Section 1375.14(D)(3)(b) and (i)(3) |
| Freestanding (Ground) Sign (Single-Tenant; per street frontage) | 20 ft | 25 sq ft | — | General freestanding siting rules apply. | 1 per street frontage (projecting OR ground per frontage) | Fronting each street bounding the property. | — | Section 1375.14(D)(3)(b) and (i)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Multi-Tenant; per occupant/business) | 20 ft | 25 sq ft | — | General freestanding siting rules apply. | 1 freestanding sign per occupant/business | On site. | — | Section 1375.14(D)(3)(c) and (i)(1) |
| Wall/Canopy/Projecting/Roof/Awning Sign (Multi-Tenant; per occupant per frontage) | — | — | — | — | 1 per occupant per frontage | Fronting each street, alley or public park lot bounding the property. | — | Section 1375.14(D)(3)(c) and (i)(2)-(3) |
| Sandwich Board Sign (B-2) | 3 ft | 2 ft x 3 ft (face size) | 2 ft | — | 1 per business | No more than 10 ft from the business frontage to which it pertains. | — | Section 1375.14(D)(3)(d) |
| Shopping Center Sign (CUP) | — | Size at Planning Commission discretion | — | Minimum 10 ft from all property lines. | 1 per access road | Serving the shopping center entrances. | — | Section 1375.14(D)(3)(g) |
| Advertising Sign (Billboard) | As permitted for principal structures in the district | 300 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — | — | — | On-site; spacing from other billboards applies. | — | Section 1375.14(D)(3)(h)(1)-(4) |

## Prohibited signs in Stewartville

- Flashing, rotating, or revolving signs are prohibited; exceptions are limited to barber poles, changeable/electronic message signs that do not flash/strobe/chase, and highway safety signs erected by a governmental jurisdiction.
- Lighted signs may only illuminate the message and must not cast glare onto public streets or adjacent property.
- Non-governmental signs are prohibited within street rights-of-way, public lands, easements, or rights-of-way unless specifically authorized by the City Council or otherwise allowed in this subsection.
- Freestanding signs may not project beyond the property line into any public street or right-of-way.
- Portable signs are prohibited within any public street right-of-way or easement.
- Signs posted on public property (including utility poles, lighting fixtures, street signs, benches, and similar items) are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited, except billboard signs.
- Signs may not obstruct free and clear vision of streets, alleys, or driveways, nor be designed or positioned to interfere with or be confused with authorized traffic control devices, or otherwise mislead or confuse traffic.
- Signs that are not permanently anchored or secured to either a building or the ground are prohibited.
- Signs advertising a product, place, activity, person, service, institution, or business no longer conducted on the premises are prohibited; signs for businesses that have ceased operations must be removed within 60 days of closure.
- Nonconforming signs may not be altered, extended, enlarged, or moved in a way that increases nonconformity; if discontinued for 60 business days or destroyed beyond 50% of current replacement cost, they must be brought into conformity; changes in ownership or lessee designation require future signs to conform.

## Signs exempt from permit in Stewartville

- Official highway route number signs, street signs, and other official traffic signs.
- Real estate signs (one per street frontage) advertising the sale or rental of the dwelling and/or lot on which the sign is located, with written permission of the property owner; residential max 24 inches by 36 inches and 5 feet height; commercial/industrial max 32 square feet and 8 feet height.
- Temporary political campaign/election signs for informational and political purposes.
- Identification signs for farms, institutional uses, and membership organization uses.
- Area identification (entrance monument) signs for residential neighborhoods, subdivisions (including platted phases), and multi-residential complexes; located at project entrance; maximum two signs totaling 32 square feet.
- Flags, emblems, or insignia of any nation or political subdivision.
- Primarily decorative holiday signs incidental to national, local, or religious holidays.
- Signs required to be maintained or posted by law or governmental order, rule, or regulation.
- Announcements of general community interest (e.g., concerts, plays, lectures, church/club activities) placed in windows of consenting businesses or as a portable sign on private property within a commercial business district; may be displayed no more than one week before the event and must be removed no later than one week after; such portable signs do not count toward the 60-day portable sign limit.
- On-premises directional/instructional signs that do not advertise a business or product, located entirely on the property to which they pertain, not exceeding 4 square feet (e.g., bathrooms, public telephones, walkways, parking lot entrances/exits).
- Integral building signs (building names, erection dates, monumental citations, commemorative tablets, plaques) carved/incised/cast into permanent materials made an integral part of a structure.
- No trespassing and no dumping signs not exceeding 2 square feet per sign, up to four per lot.
- Construction signs announcing future construction, allowed when a building permit for the construction is obtained; must be removed upon expiration of the building permit if construction does not begin; if construction begins, may remain until 30 days after project completion (per occupancy permit); max area 40 square feet and max height 10 feet.
- Subdivision and housing development signs advertising an undeveloped subdivision or housing development of six or more units; located at a dedicated street entrance; removed when more than 75% of lots/units are sold/developed/occupied or one year after erection if no development occurs; max area 32 square feet and max height 8 feet.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit from the Zoning Administrator is required before erecting, constructing, altering, or maintaining any sign, unless the sign is permitted under Section 1375.14.B (Signs permitted in all districts) or otherwise exempt in this subsection.
- Temporary portable signs displayed for three or more days are only allowed in commercial districts by temporary permit issued by the City Administrator; permit durations are 15 or 30 days; maximum total of 60 calendar days per legal parcel per calendar year; only one portable sign per legal parcel at a time; portable sign faces may not exceed 32 square feet per face (64 square feet total) and 6 feet in height; portable signs may not be placed in public street rights-of-way or easements; temporary sign permit fees are set by City Council resolution.
- Placement of non-governmental signs within any street right-of-way or on public lands/easements/right-of-way requires City Council approval (unless otherwise allowed in this subsection).
- Freestanding signs are permitted anywhere on the lot but are subject to all requirements of Section 1375.26; if a freestanding sign projects over a vehicular traffic area (driveway or parking lot aisle), minimum ground clearance is 14 feet.
- Alterations/modifications to nonconforming signs that do not increase nonconformity are permitted subject to review by the Zoning Administrator; discontinued use (60 business days), destruction over 50% of replacement cost, or change in ownership/lessee triggers conformity requirements.
- In the B-2 Highway Commercial District and M-1 Light Manufacturing District, freeway-oriented ground signs located within 1,500 feet of the Interstate 90 right-of-way require a conditional use permit and must meet Minnesota Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, and Federal Aviation Administration requirements.
- In the B-2 Highway Commercial District, shopping center signs require a conditional use permit and a sign permit; Planning Commission approval is required; minimum setback from all property lines is 10 feet.
- In the M-1 Light Manufacturing District, industrial park signs require a sign permit approved by the Planning Commission; minimum setback from all property lines is 10 feet.
- In the M-2 General Manufacturing District, industrial park entrance signs require a conditional use permit and a sign permit; Planning Commission approval is required; minimum setback from all property lines is 10 feet.
- Special 'Impaired Child' signs (blind/deaf/autistic) within City street right-of-way require a revocable permit administered by the City Clerk; a $200 fee covers signs and installation (City Council may waive for hardship); placement is subject to not interfering with required signs; permittee must notify the City when moving or when signs are no longer required for removal.
- Construction signs are allowed only when a building permit for the construction has been obtained; removal is tied to the status of the building permit and project completion.
- No master sign plan requirement is identified in the provided text; no variance meeting requirement is specified for signage in the provided sections.

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

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