# Sign Regulations in Virginia, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Virginia, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/virginia
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-18
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/virginia/latest/virginia_mn/0-0-0-3610)

## At a glance

Virginia, Minnesota regulates 10 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Identification Sign (Residential)s in the Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5) zoning district are capped at 6 ft above curb level tall and 1.5 sq ft, with a Setback ≥ 5 ft from any property line if sign area exceeds 1.5 sq ft. setback (Sec. §11.40(L)(1)(a)-(g)). Most commercial signs in Virginia require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5) | 1 | 6 ft above curb level | 1.5 sq ft | — |
| Central Business District (B-1), Community Business District (B-2), Light Industrial District (I-1), Heavy Industrial District (I-2), Mining Open Space District (M-O) | 5 | 25 ft (measured from adjacent ground to top of sign) | 64 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | 300 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign (Residential) | 6 ft above curb level | 1.5 sq ft | — | Setback ≥ 5 ft from any property line if sign area exceeds 1.5 sq ft. | 1 per dwelling | — | — | §11.40(L)(1)(a)-(g) |

### Central Business District (B-1), Community Business District (B-2), Light Industrial District (I-1), Heavy Industrial District (I-2), Mining Open Space District (M-O)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Attached to Building) | Top of sign no more than 7 ft above roof | 64 sq ft | — | Within 3 ft of street right-of-way; no overhang of the public right-of-way. | 1 per principal entrance + 1 additional for the whole shopping center or highway business | To be within 3 ft of street right-of-way (no overhang into public right-of-way). | — | §11.40(L)(2)(a)-(f) |
| Freestanding Sign (Pedestal) | 25 ft (measured from adjacent ground to top of sign) | 64 sq ft | — | Within 3 ft of street right-of-way; no overhang of the public right-of-way. | 1 per principal entrance + 1 additional for the whole shopping center or highway business | To be within 3 ft of street right-of-way (no overhang into public right-of-way). | — | §11.40(L)(2)(c)-(f) |
| Outdoor Advertising Sign | If attached: top of sign no more than 7 ft above roof; if pedestal: no more than 25 ft | 64 sq ft | — | Within 3 ft of street right-of-way; no overhang of the public right-of-way. | — | To be within 3 ft of street right-of-way (no overhang into public right-of-way). | — | §11.40(L)(2)(a)-(g)(6) |
| Electronic Sign | If attached: top of sign ≤ 7 ft above roof; if pedestal: ≤ 25 ft | 64 sq ft (applies to signs in these districts unless otherwise approved) | — | Within 3 ft of street right-of-way; no overhang of the public right-of-way. | Counts toward business sign allowance: 1 per principal entrance + 1 additional for the whole shopping center or highway business | Projection from building face ≤ 18 inches. To be within 3 ft of street right-of-way (no overhang). | — | §11.40(L)(2)(g)(1)-(15) |
| Electronic Sign (B-2 - Adjacent to Highway 53 Right-of-Way) | If attached: top of sign ≤ 7 ft above roof; if pedestal: ≤ 25 ft | 64 sq ft (applies to signs in these districts unless otherwise approved) | — | Within 3 ft of street right-of-way; no overhang of the public right-of-way. | Counts toward business sign allowance: 1 per principal entrance + 1 additional for the whole shopping center or highway business | Projection from building face ≤ 18 inches. To be within 3 ft of street right-of-way (no overhang). | — | §11.40(L)(2)(g)(1) and (4)-(15); special restriction in §11.40(L)(2)(g)(1) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| For Rent/For Sale Sign (Residential Districts) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | — | May be placed in any front yard. | — | §11.40(L)(3)(c) |
| For Rent/For Sale Sign (Non-Residential Districts) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | May be placed in any front yard. | — | §11.40(L)(3)(c) |
| New Home Development Advertising Sign | — | 300 sq ft | — | ≥ 200 ft from any occupied home. | — | — | — | §11.40(L)(3)(d) |
| Portable Sign | — | 32 sq ft (4 ft x 8 ft maximum) | 8 ft | — | — | — | — | §11.40(L)(3)(j) |

## Prohibited signs in Virginia

- Within 125 feet of a traffic signal, flashing signs and signs illuminated in red, green, or amber are prohibited; no sign may be erected that interferes with the functioning of a traffic sign or signal.
- No sign shall overhang the public right-of-way (except traffic control signs).
- The light source for any illuminated sign shall not be directed into any street or onto property used or zoned for residential purposes.
- Revolving beacons, zip flashers, or similar devices that distract automobile traffic and create a safety hazard are prohibited.
- Portable signs are prohibited except as expressly allowed (maximum size 4 ft by 8 ft; cumulative use not to exceed three weeks in any six-month period; other location/use provisions apply).
- Any lighting used to illuminate a sign must be arranged to deflect light away from adjoining residential zones and public streets; direct or sky-reflected glare shall not be directed onto adjoining property.
- Bare incandescent light bulbs are not permitted in view of adjacent property or the public right-of-way.
- Illumination spilling onto a public street in excess of 1 footcandle at the street centerline is prohibited; illumination spilling onto residential property in excess of 0.4 footcandles at the property line is prohibited.
- Electronic billboards are prohibited in any district.

## Signs exempt from permit in Virginia

- For Rent and For Sale signs are allowed in any front yard in any district, limited to 10 sq ft in residential districts and 32 sq ft in other districts.
- Signs advertising new home developments are allowed in any district if not over 300 sq ft, located at least 200 feet from any occupied home, and removed within two years.
- Traffic control signs are exempt from the prohibition on overhanging the public right-of-way.
- Street lighting provided by public utilities is exempt from the footcandle limits that apply to lighting casting onto public streets.
- Temporary signs are exempt from the refurbishment requirement for painted signs on buildings and fences.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan requirement is stated in the provided text.
- The Building Inspector, with Planning Commission approval, may approve exceptions allowing signs to exceed number, size, or height limits where consistent with the intent of the regulations.
- Electronic signs require approval from the City Engineering Department (as stated under Business District standards).
- Users of permitted portable signs must notify the City's Engineering Department at the start of use with the intended duration and removal date.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Virginia, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Virginia+MN&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-virginia

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