# Sign Regulations in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Vadnais Heights, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/vadnais-heights
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MN/Vadnais_Heights/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH38ZOPLDE_ARTVISI)

## At a glance

Vadnais Heights, Minnesota regulates 30 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Boutique Sale Signs in the Residential Districts zoning district are capped at 3 ft tall and 6 sq ft, with a 10 ft from curb/roadway setback (Sec. Sec. 38-693(d), 38-694(a)). Most commercial signs in Vadnais Heights require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts | 15 | 12 ft above highest outside wall | 32 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial District (C-1, C-1A) | 8 | 16 ft | 50 sq ft per side | — |
| Community Commercial District (C-2, C-2A) | 7 | 18 ft | 75 sq ft per face | — |
| City Center District (CC) | 7 | 12 ft (Monument, not abutting I-35E); 65 ft and 180 sq ft/face (pole or pylon, abutting I-35E, within 600 ft of exit ramp) | Up to 50% of window area on a wall | — |
| Highway Business District (C-3) | 4 | 40 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| Office District, Office-Business District, Industrial District | 6 | 40 ft above freeway elevation | 255 sq ft per face (max 100 sq ft per business) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Area Identification Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 38-693(bb), 38-694(a) |
| Boutique Sale Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 10 ft from curb/roadway | 1 | On property having the sale | — | Sec. 38-693(d), 38-694(a) |
| Directional Sign (On-site) | 4 ft | 8 sq ft | — | 10 ft from curbline or edge of roadway, 5 ft from other property line | — | On private property, 10 ft from curb/roadway, 5 ft from property line | — | Sec. 38-693(h), 38-694(a) |
| Flags (Noncommercial) | 12 ft above highest outside wall | — | — | 10 ft from curb or edge of roadway | — | On flagpoles, 10 ft from curb or edge of roadway | — | Sec. 38-693(k), 38-694(a) |
| Garage Sale Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 10 ft from curb/roadway | 4 | At or near property of sale | — | Sec. 38-693(m), 38-694(a) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Mounted on house wall | — | Sec. 38-693(p), 38-694(a) |
| Real Estate Sign (Single or Two-Family Residential) | 6 ft | 10 sq ft | — | 20 ft from curbline or edge of paved roadway | 1 per frontage, max 2 | On lot for sale/lease, at least 20 ft from curbline or edge of paved roadway | — | Sec. 38-693(z), 38-694(a) |
| Real Estate Sign (Other Uses) - Option 2 | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | 20 ft from curbline or edge of roadway | 1 per frontage, max 2 | On site for sale or lease, minimum 20 ft from curb or edge of paved roadway | — | Sec. 38-693(aa)(3)(a)2, 38-694(a) |

### Neighborhood Commercial District (C-1, C-1A)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On awnings | — | Sec. 38-693(c), Sec. 38-695(a)(1) |
| Bulletin Sign | Non-portable: 8 ft to ground (freestanding) | Non-portable: up to 25 sq ft or 50% of ID sign face area, whichever is less; Portable: 40 sq ft per face | — | Portable: 10 ft from curbline/edge of roadway | — | Non-portable: On wall or free-standing; Portable: On private property, at least 10 ft from curb/edge of roadway | — | Sec. 38-693(e), Sec. 38-695(a)(2) |
| Commercial Promotion Temporary Sign - Banner | — | — | — | — | — | Firmly attached to wall surface of business | — | Sec. 38-693(f)(1), Sec. 38-695(a)(3) |
| Freestanding Sign | 16 ft | 50 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per isolated commercial establishment | 1 per isolated commercial establishment | — | Sec. 38-695(a)(10) |
| Wall Sign | — | 40 sq ft (individual), 10% of wall area (total) | — | — | — | On wall | — | Sec. 38-693(dd), Sec. 38-695(a)(20) |
| Dynamic Sign | — | — | — | — | — | As allowed by underlying district and 38-693(i) | — | Sec. 38-693(i), 38-695(a)(7) |
| Text Message Board Sign, Moving or Streaming | — | — | — | — | — | Freestanding signs only | — | Sec. 38-693(cc), Sec. 38-695(a)(19) |
| Window Sign | — | Up to 50% of window area on a wall | — | — | — | Inside window | — | Sec. 38-693(ff), Sec. 38-695(a)(22) |

### Office District, Office-Business District, Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft | 80 sq ft | — | — | One per principal building (+1 for highway proximity cases) | One per principal building | — | Sec. 38-699(a)(10) |
| Area Identification Sign | 24 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per public road serving office or industrial park | One for each public road serving office/industrial park | — | Sec. 38-699(a)(10)b |
| Wall Sign | — | 10% of wall area or 80 sq ft, whichever is less | — | — | One per building. Plus one per tenant with private external entrance. | On wall | — | Sec. 38-699(a)(21) |
| Wall Sign (Tenant Listing Option) | — | 10% of wall area or 60 sq ft, whichever is less | — | — | One per building | On wall | — | Sec. 38-699(a)(21)c |
| Off-Premises Freestanding Monument Sign (City-Owned Property) | 40 ft above freeway elevation | 255 sq ft per face (max 100 sq ft per business) | — | — | One per 300 ft of roadway frontage | City-owned property, along roadway frontage | — | Sec. 38-693(u), 38-699(a)(15) |
| Dynamic Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 38-693(i), 38-699(a)(7) |

## Prohibited signs in Vadnais Heights

- Dynamic signs, except as allowed under sections 38-693(i) and 38-699.
- Temporary or permanent illuminated flashing signs, moving or swinging signs, illuminated revolving beacons, zip flashers, or similar devices.
- Inflatable signs.
- Off-premises permanent or temporary advertising signs, except highway billboards, certain off-premises monument signs on city-owned property, and specific off-premises wall signs for sponsors of sports arenas or similar public facilities.
- Rooftop signs, including signs on mansard roofs.
- Pennants, balloons and banners, except banners as regulated under commercial promotion temporary signs.
- Portable signs except as allowed in section 38-693.
- Projecting signs.
- Signs that include off-premises sponsor advertising (such as a soft-drink or beer brand on a restaurant sign).
- Signs attached to or painted on a fence, tree, or stone.
- Signs attached to a public sign.
- Signs closer to a public road than allowed by this article.
- Signs that contain vulgarity or an indecent picture or message.
- Signs held or worn by humans in the public street right-of-way.
- Abandoned signs (must be removed by owner within 30 days after notification).
- Signs on public property or within public road rights-of-way, unless specifically allowed.
- Signs that may interfere with traffic safety, including those erected in the clear view triangle, or that confuse or distract drivers, or purport to be official street name signs.
- Signs that are unsafe, insecure, a menace to the public, or improperly maintained.

## Signs exempt from permit in Vadnais Heights

- Address signs.
- Boutique sale signs.
- Building markers.
- Campaign (political) signs.
- Construction or future development signs.
- Cornerstones and building date markers.
- Employment signs.
- Flags, noncommercial.
- Garage sale signs.
- Government, public school and public utility signs.
- Home improvement, construction or remodeling signs.
- Home security signs.
- Home occupation signs.
- Interior signs.
- Real estate signs for single- or two-family residential dwellings or lots.
- Real estate signs for uses other than single-family dwellings or lots.
- Residential name plates.
- Special event signs at public or semi-public places.
- Window signs.
- Name change signs when the new sign is substantially the same area, height and style as the sign it is replacing and the new sign conforms to the regulations.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit (i.e. a sign plan) is required for all new, existing, relocated, modified, or redesigned signs unless exempted in section 38-692. The application must include a complete description of the sign and a sketch showing its size, location, manner of construction, and other necessary information.
- Signs for which the requirements of section 38-692 (permit exemptions) are not met must request a permit.
- Certain dynamic text signs (e.g., moving or streaming text message board signs) that do not meet spacing requirements may request a variance.
- Approval for murals is required from the city council.
- The city council must approve guidelines for off-premises freestanding monument freeway signage on city-owned property.
- Any request for variance or appeal of staff decision can be made to the city council for a hearing.

## 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 7 zoning districts in Vadnais Heights — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Vadnais+Heights+MN&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-vadnais-heights

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