# Sign Regulations in White Bear Lake, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** White Bear Lake, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/white-bear-lake
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-12
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.whitebearlakemn.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif13396/files/media/communitydevelopment/file/35511/wblsigncode_final_effective_08.20.2025-2.pdf)

## At a glance

White Bear Lake, Minnesota regulates 47 sign types across 14 zoning districts. Freestanding Monument Signs in the Mixed-Use Zones (MX) zoning district are capped at 10 ft tall and 35 sq ft/side, with a ≥ 10 ft from all property lines and driveways setback (Sec. 1202.040.3(a)). Most commercial signs in White Bear Lake require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (14 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | ≤ 70% of sign area | — |
| Residential Zones (R) | 6 | 6 ft | ≤ 70% of sign area | — |
| Mixed-Use Zones (MX) | 13 | 10 ft | Under 5,000 sf GFA: 80 sf; 5,000–10,000 sf: 100 sf; 10,001–20,000 sf: 150 sf; >20,000 sf: 200 sf (total for all wall signs) | — |
| Mixed-Use Zones (MX-D) | 8 | 15 ft (min 8 ft above grade) | Under 5,000 sf GFA: 80 sf; 5,000–10,000 sf: 100 sf; 10,001–20,000 sf: 150 sf; >20,000 sf: 200 sf | — |
| Mixed-Use Zones (MX-S) | 7 | ≤ 50 ft (or above physical barrier with approved variance) | Under 5,000 sf GFA: 80 sf; 5,000–10,000 sf: 100 sf; 10,001–20,000 sf: 150 sf; >20,000 sf: 200 sf | — |
| General Mix Zones (GX) | 8 | 10 ft | Under 5,000 sf GFA: 80 sf; 5,000–10,000 sf: 100 sf; 10,001–20,000 sf: 150 sf; >20,000 sf: 200 sf | — |
| General Mix Zones (GX-D) | 4 | 10 ft | 35 sq ft/side | — |
| General Mix Zones (GX-C) | 3 | 15 ft (min 8 ft above grade) | 35 sq ft/side | — |
| General Mix Zones (GX-N) | 4 | — | Under 5,000 sf GFA: 80 sf; 5,000–10,000 sf: 100 sf; 10,001–20,000 sf: 150 sf; >20,000 sf: 200 sf | — |
| Employment Zones | 6 | 10 ft | Under 5,000 sf GFA: 80 sf; 5,000–10,000 sf: 100 sf; 10,001–20,000 sf: 150 sf; >20,000 sf: 200 sf | — |
| Employment Zones (IX) | 3 | ≤ 50 ft (or above physical barrier with variance) | ≤ 700 sq ft per face | — |
| Employment Zones (I) | 3 | ≤ 50 ft (or above physical barrier with variance) | ≤ 700 sq ft per face | — |
| Employment Zones (BP) | 4 | Monument ≤ 10 ft | Under 5,000 sf GFA: 80 sf; 5,000–10,000 sf: 100 sf; 10,001–20,000 sf: 150 sf; >20,000 sf: 200 sf | — |
| Public and Institutional Zones (P) | 8 | ≤ 50 ft (or above physical barrier with variance) | Not specified in 1202.020.2(m)(3); general banner area limit of 32 sq ft applies unless otherwise specified. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 14 zones)

### Mixed-Use Zones (MX)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Single Tenant Buildings | — | Under 5,000 sf GFA: 80 sf; 5,000–10,000 sf: 100 sf; 10,001–20,000 sf: 150 sf; >20,000 sf: 200 sf (total for all wall signs) | — | — | Up to 2 signs per facade | Front, side, or rear building walls | — | 1202.040.2(a); table under 1202.040.2(a) |
| Wall Sign - Multi-Tenant (Private Entrances) | — | 30 sq ft (per tenant’s wall sign) | — | — | 1 per tenant with private entrance | On the wall directly abutting the tenant’s space | — | 1202.040.2(b)(1) and (3) |
| Wall Sign - Multi-Tenant Endcap Secondary | — | 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 secondary endcap wall sign per eligible tenant | Side building frontage facing a street | — | 1202.040.2(b)(2) |
| Canopy Sign | — | 20% of canopy face area | — | — | Up to 2 per canopy | On business canopies (e.g., gas station canopies) | — | 1202.040.2(c) |
| Freestanding Monument Sign | 10 ft | 35 sq ft/side | — | ≥ 10 ft from all property lines and driveways | 1 per property or development | On-site; set back from property lines and driveways | — | 1202.040.3(a) |
| Drive-through Sign | 6 ft (if freestanding) | 32 sq ft | — | ≥ 10 ft from all property lines | 1 per drive-through lane | At drive-through lanes | — | 1202.040.6 |
| Miscellaneous Nonexempt Signs (Temporary – construction or temporary sales lot only) | 10 ft | 50 sq ft per sign; 100 sq ft maximum total sign area | — | — | Governed by total area cap | On-site | — | 1202.040.7 (Temporary row in table) |
| Miscellaneous Nonexempt Signs (Permanent) | 6 ft | 10 sq ft per sign; 30 sq ft maximum total sign area | — | — | Governed by total area cap | On-site | — | 1202.040.7 (Permanent row in table) |

### Mixed-Use Zones (MX-S)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Single Tenant Buildings | — | Under 5,000 sf GFA: 80 sf; 5,000–10,000 sf: 100 sf; 10,001–20,000 sf: 150 sf; >20,000 sf: 200 sf | — | — | Up to 2 per facade | Front/side/rear walls | — | 1202.040.2(a) |
| Wall Sign - Multi-Tenant (Private Entrances) | — | 30 sq ft (per tenant); endcap secondary ≤ 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tenant (+ 1 secondary for eligible endcaps) | Tenant’s abutting wall; endcap secondary on side frontage facing street | — | 1202.040.2(b)(1–3) |
| Freestanding Monument Sign (Multi-tenant buildings with private entrances – MX-S only) | 15 ft | 100 sq ft/side | — | ≥ 10 ft from all property lines and driveways | 1 per property/development | On-site; set back from property lines and driveways | — | 1202.040.3(d) (size/height); 1202.040.3(a) (design/landscape) |
| Dynamic Display Component (Monument Sign) | — | ≤ 25 sq ft per side OR ≤ 70% of sign face area (whichever is less) | — | ≥ 100 ft from nearest dwelling unit unless not visible | 1 dynamic area per sign face | Integrated into freestanding monument sign | — | 1202.040.3(e)(1–12) |
| Drive-through Sign | 6 ft (if freestanding) | 32 sq ft | — | ≥ 10 ft from all property lines | 1 per drive-through lane | At drive-through lanes | — | 1202.040.6 |
| Billboard (CUP) | ≤ 50 ft (or above physical barrier with approved variance) | ≤ 700 sq ft per sign face | — | ≥ 10 ft and ≤ 150 ft from Interstate ROW | Citywide cap per 1202.060.2; max 2 faces per billboard | On MX-S-zoned lots abutting I-35E or I-694 ROW (subject to CUP) | — | 1202.060.1; 1202.060.3(a–h); 1202.060.4(a–f) |
| Zone-Specific Prohibited Signs (MX-S) | — | — | — | — | — | MX-S zone | — | 1202.040.8(a) |

### Public and Institutional Zones (P)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | ≤ 10% of main wall area (total of all wall signs) | — | — | 1 per facade | On building facades | — | 1202.050.2 |
| Freestanding Monument Sign | 10 ft | Properties <1 acre: 35 sq ft/side; ≥1 acre: 50 sq ft/side | — | ≥ 10 ft from all property lines | 1 per development (<20 acres); 2 for properties ≥ 20 acres | On-site; set back from property lines | — | 1202.050.3(a–b) |
| Changeable Copy Message Board | — | ≤ 70% of sign area | — | — | — | On wall or freestanding sign | — | 1202.050.4 |
| Miscellaneous Nonexempt Signs (Permanent) | 10 ft | 10 sq ft per sign; 30 sq ft cumulative per property/site | — | — | Governed by cumulative area cap | On-site | — | 1202.050.5(a–c) |
| Temporary Banner (Exempt – P zone) | — | Not specified in 1202.020.2(m)(3); general banner area limit of 32 sq ft applies unless otherwise specified. | — | — | — | On buildings or permanent structures on P-zoned properties | — | 1202.020.2(m)(3) |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Temporary – P zone) | — | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per business | On private property | — | 1202.020.2(n) |
| Billboard (CUP) | ≤ 50 ft (or above physical barrier with variance) | ≤ 700 sq ft per face | — | ≥ 10 ft and ≤ 150 ft from Interstate ROW | Citywide cap applies; max 2 faces per billboard | On P-zoned lots abutting I-35E or I-694 ROW (subject to CUP) | — | 1202.060.1; 1202.060.3; 1202.060.4 |
| Zone-Specific Prohibited Signs (P) | — | — | — | — | — | P zones | — | 1202.050.6(a–d) |

## Prohibited signs in White Bear Lake

- Any sign not identified as permitted or allowed by the sign code is prohibited.
- Any sign, signal, marking or device that imitates or interferes with any official traffic control device, railroad sign/signal, or emergency vehicle signal is prohibited.
- Changeable copy message signs may not comprise more than 70% of a sign’s area.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs affixed to public utility poles, bridges, towers, streetlights, or similar public structures, or to trees, rocks or other natural features are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs or signs over 300 square feet are prohibited, except billboards regulated under section 1202.060.
- Flashing signs are prohibited.
- Shimmering signs are prohibited.
- Portable signs are prohibited, except A-frame signs that are expressly allowed by the sign code.
- Signs erected or maintained at any angle to a building or structure that extend over a street or highway are prohibited.
- Signs erected or maintained at any angle to a building or structure that extend more than 4 feet over any sidewalk or that provide less than 8 feet of vertical clearance above a sidewalk or driveway are prohibited.
- Exposed wiring or conduit on electric signs is prohibited.
- External illumination sources for signs may not be visible from the public right-of-way or R-zoned property; illumination must be constant and steady and arranged to deflect light away from adjoining residential areas or public streets.
- Signs with greater than 4 polyhedron faces are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in White Bear Lake

- Owner may substitute noncommercial copy on any otherwise allowed sign without additional approval or permitting (substitution clause).
- Noncommercial speech exemption per Minnesota Statutes section 211B.045 applies (13 weeks before any election until 10 days after).
- Individual signs not exceeding 0.5 square feet in any zone (not counted against overall property sign area).
- Individual signs in any zone located at least 100 feet from the edge or curb of any public road right-of-way, limited to either: up to 6 feet height and 3 square feet area with letters/numbers no more than 6 inches tall; or up to 6 feet height and 6 square feet area with letters/numbers no more than 3 inches tall.
- Signs within a public road right-of-way approved by the agency with jurisdiction over the right-of-way.
- Changing or replacing the display surface/face on a previously approved and erected sign when consistent with the prior permit or legal nonconformity and not requiring building code compliance (unless the sign is deemed abandoned).
- Flags up to specified area limits (residential-zoned properties up to 40 square feet; all other zones up to 150 square feet); larger flags are regulated as signs.
- Interior signs.
- Signs integrally attached to or part of waste roll-offs, dumpsters, garbage cans, vending/dispensing machines, portable storage units or similar equipment; personal property or motor vehicles; or construction materials/equipment.
- Signs affixed on city-owned property.
- Murals on buildings used primarily for commercial or industrial purposes that are maintained by the property owner or designee.
- Signs affixed on property owned by a county, state or federal governmental body or a public school district unless specifically prohibited by the sign code.
- Signs required by law.
- Headstones, gravestones, grave markers or similar signs at or adjacent to burial plots, columbaria, mausoleums, etc.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permit applications may be submitted for specific signs or as an overall signage plan for the property (1202.070.1).
- For multi-tenant buildings, sign type, materials, design and colors must be coordinated to ensure a consistent display format across the building; subsequent signs must conform to the established display format or obtain special approval from the zoning administrator (1202.040.2(b)(3)).
- Billboards require approval through the conditional use permit process and are only allowed on MX-S, IX, I, or P zoned lots abutting I-35E or I-694 (1202.060.1).
- Billboard heights above 50 feet or above any physical barrier require a height variance under zoning variance procedures (1202.060.3(c)).
- Dynamic display signs require the property owner to sign an acknowledgement of compliance with dynamic display standards prior to permit issuance (1202.040.3e(10)).
- Certain monument signs in MX and GX zones require a landscaping plan around the base of the sign to be approved by city staff (1202.040.3(a)).
- If a proposed sign is along a state trunk highway, county road, or interstate, proof of necessary approvals from the responsible unit of government may be required with the permit application (1202.070.2(a)(8)).

## 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 14 zoning districts in White Bear Lake — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=White+Bear+Lake+MN&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-white-bear-lake

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