# Sign Regulations in White Bear Township, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** White Bear Township, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/white-bear-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-01
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.ci.white-bear-township.mn.us/DocumentCenter/View/1746/33---Signs-PDF)

## At a glance

White Bear Township, Minnesota regulates 50 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Transit Bench Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 42 in tall, 12 sq ft, and 30 in wide, with a At least 3 ft from curb/sidewalk/trail; see above for surface requirements. setback (Sec. §3-14.2-3.14.4). Most commercial signs in White Bear Township 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 | 18 | 42 in | 100 sq ft | — |
| Residential Zoning Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3) | 8 | 10 ft | 16 sq ft | — |
| Business Zoning Districts (B-1, B-2) | 11 | 40 ft above ground (overall center sign); other signs max 2 ft above highest wall, or 6 ft above highest outside wall | 160 sq ft | — |
| Industrial Zoning District (I-1) | 11 | 40 ft (ground/pedestal sign); 2 ft above highest wall or 6 ft above highest outside wall; overall shopping center sign, 40 ft | 250 sq ft per pylon/monument; 400 sq ft total for building mounted and pylon/monument combined for >70,000 sq ft buildings adjacent to I-35E | — |
| Open Space District (OS) | 3 | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Advertising Sign Overlay Area | 1 | 40 ft (from grade at base or elevation of adjacent I-35E travel lane, whichever is greater) | 672 sq ft (base sign face); extensions/cutouts/top lettering may add up to 20% of base area (integral message only); max 2 faces, each for opposite directions. | — |

_1 additional zoning district is covered in PermitPal (free account)._

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (<8 sq ft, <30 days) | — | 8 sq ft | — | 10 ft from any property line for signs >1.5 sq ft | — | Anywhere except in public right-of-way or easement. Must not interfere with adjacent land or constitute a hazard. Setback: 10 ft from any property line for >1.5 sq ft signs. | — | §3-2; §6-3.3(h) |
| Grand Opening Sign | — | 50 sq ft | — | 15 ft from public right-of-way | — | Not within 15 ft of public right-of-way; Securely attached to new business/enterprise/structure | — | §3-2.3 |
| Real Estate Sign (On-premises) | — | 6 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft to front property line | 1 per front lot (2 on corner/through lots) | On premises advertised for sale/lease | — | §3-8.1; §6-3.3(b) |
| Real Estate Sign (Off-premises) | — | 32 sq ft | — | Minimum 20 ft to property line | — | Off premises (with owner consent if on residential property) | — | §3-8.2 |
| Real Estate Sign (Project Promotion, New Development) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per major thoroughfare | On project site | — | §3-8.3 (a-d) |
| Real Estate Sign (Multiple Dwelling Promotion) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | On premises of multiple dwelling advertised for sale, lease or rent | — | §3-8.4 |
| Area Identification Sign / Entrance Monument | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line | — | Minimum 10 ft from property line; Not on drainage/utility easement unless Town Board approved | — | §3-12 |
| Transit Bench Sign | 42 in | 12 sq ft | 30 in | At least 3 ft from curb/sidewalk/trail; see above for surface requirements. | — | Only on bench backrest, at bus stops in public right-of-way; parallel to curb/sidewalk/trail; set back at least 3 ft from curb/sidewalk/trail | — | §3-14.2-3.14.4 |

### Business Zoning Districts (B-1, B-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign (Business) | — | 100 sq ft | — | Signs may project max 2 ft into building setback. Not within 10 ft of lot line or in any public easement. | 1 per business | On business property/building | — | §5-2 |
| Overall Business or Identification Sign (Business Center) | 40 ft above ground (overall center sign); other signs max 2 ft above highest wall, or 6 ft above highest outside wall | 100 sq ft (total combined for monument/pylon) | — | 10 ft from lot line or public easement (for overall center sign) | 1 overall center sign | Shopping center property; any yard area except not within 10 ft of lot line/public easement. | — | §5-2 |
| Wall Sign (Business) | No more than 2 ft above highest wall; not more than 6 ft above highest outside wall | 100 sq ft | — | Can project max 2 ft into building setback | — | On building exterior wall | — | §5-2 |
| Roof Sign (Business) | No more than 2 ft above highest wall; not more than 6 ft above highest outside wall | 100 sq ft | — | Can project max 2 ft into building setback | — | Roof of building | — | §5-2 |
| Ground Sign (Business) | 40 ft (overall shopping center sign) | 100 sq ft | — | 10 ft from lot line or public easement | — | In any yard area, but not within 10 ft of lot line or in public easement | — | §5-2 |
| Pylon Sign (Monument) | 40 ft | 100 sq ft total for all faces | — | 10 ft from lot line/public easement | — | Shopping center property | — | §3-15; §5-2 |
| Temporary Sign (Business) | — | 8 sq ft | — | See general setback rules | — | Private property | — | §5-2; §3-2 |
| Employment Opportunity Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | Secured to ground at business site | — | §3-2.4 |

### Industrial Zoning District (I-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign (Industrial) | 40 ft (ground/pedestal sign); 2 ft above highest wall or 6 ft above highest outside wall; overall shopping center sign, 40 ft | 100 sq ft; buildings >50,000 sq ft: 250 sq ft each, max 2 per building (total 400 sq ft); buildings >70,000 sq ft near I-35E: 250 sq ft per pylon/monument, max 400 sq ft total for building mounted and pylon/monument | — | Not within 10 ft of street right-of-way/lot line/public easement; may project up to 2 ft into building setback area | Max 4 (varies by building type/size/adjacency) | On business property/building/lot | — | §5-3 |
| Wall Sign (Industrial) | 2 ft above highest wall, or 6 ft above highest outside wall | 100 sq ft; buildings >50,000 sq ft: 250 sq ft each, max 2 per building (400 total); buildings >70,000 sq ft near I-35E: see above | — | Can project up to 2 ft into building setback area | — | Exterior wall | — | §5-3 |
| Ground Sign (Industrial) | 40 ft | 100 sq ft; buildings >70,000 sq ft near I-35E: 250 sq ft pylon/monument | — | 10 ft from right-of-way/lot line/public easement | — | On property, not within 10 ft of right-of-way/lot line/public easement | — | §5-3 |
| Monument/Pylon Sign (Industrial) | 40 ft | 250 sq ft per pylon/monument; 400 sq ft total for building mounted and pylon/monument combined for >70,000 sq ft buildings adjacent to I-35E | — | 10 ft from right-of-way/lot line/public easement | See additional requirements | On property | — | §5-3 |
| Roof Sign (Industrial) | 2 ft above highest wall or 6 ft above highest outside wall; overall shopping center sign, 40 ft | 100 sq ft | — | Can project up to 2 ft into building setback area | — | Roof of building | — | §5-3 |
| Pedestal Sign (Industrial) | 40 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way/lot line/public easement | — | On property | — | §5-3 |
| Temporary Sign (Industrial) | — | 8 sq ft | — | Not within 10 ft of right-of-way/lot line/public easement | — | On property | — | §5-3; §3-2; §6-3.3(h) |
| Employment Opportunity Sign (Industrial) | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | On business site, secured but not permanently affixed | — | §3-2.4 |

## Prohibited signs in White Bear Township

- Signs that provide refuge from police surveillance.
- Signs that accumulate debris and present a fire hazard.
- Except for temporary signs, a sign which directs attention to a business or profession or to the commodity, service or entertainment not sold or offered upon the premises where such sign is located or to which it is attached.
- Flashing signs or revolving signs, except those with symbols or numerals indicating time and temperature and word changes, provided the words do not change more frequently than once every eight (8) seconds.
- Red, yellow or green lights that by position or color or in any other manner would cause confusion in the proper reading of traffic signs or signals.
- Revolving beacons, beamed lights or similar devices that would distract automobile traffic constituting a safety hazard.
- Any sign which obstructs the vision of drivers, obstructs or detracts from the visibility of any traffic sign or control device on public streets and roads by reason of the size, location, coloring or illumination of the sign.
- Signs which made use of words such as “stop”, “look”, “danger” or other similar words, phrases, symbols or characters or the existence of danger.
- Any sign containing obscene, indecent or immoral matter.
- Any sign now or hereafter existing which advertises a business, activity, campaign, service or product which no longer exists.
- Any sign unlawfully installed, erected or maintained.
- Any sign which obstructs free ingress to, or egress from a required door, window, fire escape, or other required exit way, or as required in the Town Code.

## Signs exempt from permit in White Bear Township

- A sign not to exceed two (2) square feet of display surface on residential property stating only the name, address, and profession of the occupant.
- Real estate signs under six (6) square feet of display surface.
- Street, hazard and other official non-advertising signs erected by a government body or others where regulated pursuant to a legal authority.
- Election signs.
- Temporary signs for use by civic groups.
- Church signs.
- Newspaper boxes.
- Temporary signs for any lawful purpose, under eight (8) square feet of display surface, may be erected for thirty (30) days or less without a permit.
- Exemptions apply only to the requirement of obtaining a permit; the owner is still responsible for safe erection and maintenance of the sign.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- For variance applications, the applicant must provide ten (10) copies of the site and sign plans together with all supporting data. The sign plan shall contain scale drawings, location of the site, adjacent land use, and a construction time schedule.
- For all permit applications, a site plan, sketch or drawing of the property showing the location of all buildings, roads, driveways, and the proposed site and position of the proposed sign is required.
- The Town Board may require additional information or waive requirements as necessary for variance review applications.
- If affected property owner consent is not provided for a variance, a public informational meeting shall be held regarding the variance application.

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

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