# Sign Regulations in Two Harbors, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Two Harbors, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/two-harbors
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-20

## At a glance

Two Harbors, Minnesota regulates 16 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the B1-A District zoning district are capped at 10 ft tall and 25 sq ft (Sec. Subd.11.E.2/5/10). Most commercial signs in Two Harbors require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | 125 sq ft | — |
| R1, R2, R3 | 4 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Parks and Recreation District (PR), Park Preserve District (PP) | 2 | — | — | — |
| Industrial District (I1, I2) | 3 | 8 ft | 75 sq ft | — |
| IW District | 1 | — | — | — |
| B1-A District | 5 | 10 ft | 25 sq ft | — |
| B-1 District (Frontage on 7th Ave) | 5 | 20 ft | 80 sq ft | — |
| B-1 District (No Frontage on 7th Ave) | 5 | 10 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| B-2 District, MUW District | 5 | 10 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| MA District | 2 | 8 ft | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### B1-A District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall, Canopy, or Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | 2 per property (more allowed with review) | On building wall, canopy, or marquee | — | Subd.11.E.2/4/7/8/10 |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 ft | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | On property | — | Subd.11.E.2/5/10 |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft | 25 sq ft | — | — | — | On property | — | Subd.11.E.2 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | On building | — | Subd.11.E.6 |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Awning on building | — | Subd.11.E.7 |

### B-1 District (Frontage on 7th Ave)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall, Canopy, or Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | 2 per property | On building | — | Subd.11.F.1 |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft | 80 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On property | — | Subd.11.F.1/4 |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft | 80 sq ft | — | — | — | On property | — | Subd.11.F.1 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | On building | — | Subd.11.F.2 |
| On-premise Electronic Message Center | — | 40 sq ft or 50% of total signage, whichever is less | — | — | — | On property | — | Subd.11.F.7 |

### B-1 District (No Frontage on 7th Ave)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall, Canopy, or Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | 2 per property | On building | — | Subd.11.F.1 |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 ft | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On property | — | Subd.11.F.1/4 |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | — | On property | — | Subd.11.F.1 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | On building | — | Subd.11.F.2 |
| On-premise Electronic Message Center | — | 40 sq ft or 50% of total signage, whichever is less | — | — | — | On property | — | Subd.11.F.7 |

## Prohibited signs in Two Harbors

- Signs located in such a manner as to obstruct or otherwise interfere with an official traffic sign, signal or device or obstruct or interfere with a driver's view of approaching, merging, or intersecting traffic.
- Private signs encroaching upon or overhanging public right-of-way, except as provided elsewhere; no sign shall be attached to any utility pole, light standard, street tree or other public facility located within the public right-of-way.
- Signs that blink, flash, or are animated by lighting in any fashion that would cause such signs to have the appearance of traffic safety signs and lights, or municipal vehicle warnings from a distance.
- Portable signs except as allowed for temporary signs.
- Any sign attached to, or placed on, a vehicle or trailer parked on public or private property, unless the primary purpose of the vehicle or trailer is not the display of signs, signs are magnetic/decals/painted as part of original design, and vehicle is operable/licensed and used in business.
- Vehicles and trailers used primarily as static displays, advertising a product or service, or utilized as storage, shelter, or distribution points for commercial products or services for the public.
- Inflatable or flying devices such as, but not limited to, balloons, streamers, or pinwheels except those that are permitted temporary signs.
- Signs erected, painted, or drawn upon sidewalks, rocks, trees, or natural features.
- Signs that are structurally unsafe or in disrepair or which create a hazard by their condition, location, or lighting.
- Permanent signs or placards of any size attached or added to any sign beyond that included in application and permit.
- Abandoned signs.
- Rotating signs.
- A sign that violates any provision of any law of the State relative to off-premises signs.
- Temporary signs that advertise a business, product, or service which is not produced or conducted on the zoning lot upon which the sign is located.
- No sign shall be erected, constructed, or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape, required exits, window or door openings used for egress, or passages on roof or ventilations.
- No cloth, paper, or advertising matter shall be permitted to hang loose from any sign.
- Signs not effectively shielded to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed at any portion of the traveled way, causing glare or negative impacts on adjacent properties.
- Signs that are not maintained in good repair and safety.
- No sign shall obstruct free and clear vision at intersections or locations where it could interfere with or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device.

## Signs exempt from permit in Two Harbors

- Official notices authorized by a court, public body, or public safety official.
- Interior window signs in commercial and industrial districts (subject to limitations on size and percentage of window area).
- Directional, warning, or information signs authorized by Federal, State, or Municipal governments not exceeding forty-eight (48) square feet.
- Pedestrian, vehicular traffic, and parking directional signs in parking lots or on buildings (max 8 sq. ft. in area and 6 ft. in height, one per access/egress point, no advertising message).
- Memorial signs on buildings.
- The flag of a government or noncommercial institution, such as a school.
- Seasonal decorations within the right-of-way during the appropriate public holiday season.
- Street address signs and combination nameplate and street address signs which contain no advertising copy and do not exceed six (6) square feet in area.
- Temporary signs for garage and similar sales or events, not more than four (4) square feet and in place no longer than four (4) days (not on public rights-of-way or attached to trees or utility poles).
- Signs denoting the architect, engineer, or contractor working upon a work site and real estate signs pertaining to the sale, development, or rental of the property, with size and quantity limitations, and removed within 10 days after completion/sale/lease/development.
- Campaign and political signs (any size and number) from August 1 in a state general election year, thirty days before a primary or special election, until ten days following the election, must be at least five feet away from property lines.
- Home occupation signs, non-illuminated, attached to the wall of a dwelling, and not exceeding one (1) square foot in area.
- Signs temporarily displayed to advertise community events for nonresidential uses in residential districts, and all commercial/industrial districts, subject to number, area, and time limits.
- Government signs in all districts.
- Signs not visible beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel upon which they are located.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign plan (program) is required for all development complexes consisting of three (3) or more tenant spaces, to be filed with the project application to construct the center and processed concurrently.
- The sign program must integrate signs with building and landscaping design to form a unified architectural statement (same type of cabinet supports, mounting, construction materials, form of illumination, uniform sign positioning).
- In certain districts (e.g., B1-A), signage proposals such as three or more wall signs, signs exceeding 10% of facade, rooftop signage, or murals may require review and approval by the Planning Commission before a permit is issued.
- Any applicant whose permit is denied has a right to appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals (see permit and variance sections).
- Any variance from sign regulations must follow the Board of Zoning Appeals process and be in accordance with established standards and procedures.
- Certain signs (referenced under Subd. 11, Subsection E.7 and 8) require design review by the Planning Commission prior to Zoning Administrator approval.

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

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