# Sign Regulations in Winona, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Winona, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/winona
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://lf.winonamn.gov/WebLink/PDF10/610774ae-0361-4320-a394-1b731f72d2fc/639732#page=138)

## At a glance

Winona, Minnesota regulates 18 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Real Estate Sign (Residential Zoning District)s in the Residential District zoning district are capped at 6 feet above ground tall and 6 sq. ft. per sign face, 12 sq. ft. total (Sec. Residential District Exempt Signs Table 43-20). Most commercial signs in Winona require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Downtown District (MU-DC, MU-DF) | 4 | 24 feet | 250 sq. ft. per display | — |
| Highway District | 2 | 40 feet | 300 sq. ft. per display | — |
| Neighborhood Retail District (MU-N, B-1, B-2, B-3) | 4 | 24 feet | 250 sq. ft. per display | — |
| Industrial District (I-1, I-2) | 5 | 24 feet | 350 sq. ft. | — |
| Residential District | 5 | 12 feet above ground | 18 sq. ft. per sign face, 36 sq. ft. total | — |
| Dynamic Display Overlay District | 2 | — | 50% of allowed sign copy/graphic area | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 48 inches | 50% of permitted aggregate sign area | — |

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

### Downtown District (MU-DC, MU-DF)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Off-Premise Sign | — | 250 sq. ft. per display | — | — | — | No projection over public streets or alleys. Not within 200 feet of any residential or agricultural district, park, school, or religious facility. Not within historic districts. | — | Downtown District Off-Premise Signs |
| Wall Sign | 24 feet | 2 sq. ft. per linear foot of street frontage (aggregate for all signs) | — | — | — | Outermost wall | — | Downtown District Wall Signs |
| Projecting Sign | 24 feet; Not less than 8 feet above finished grade | Included in total aggregate area | — | — | — | — | — | Downtown District Projecting Signs |
| Ground Sign | 24 feet | Included in total aggregate area | — | — | — | Within any yard | — | Downtown District Ground Signs |

### Industrial District (I-1, I-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Off-Premise Sign | — | 250 sq. ft. per display | — | — | — | No projection over public streets or alleys. Not within 200 feet of any residential or agricultural district, park, school, or religious facility. Not within historic districts. | — | Industrial District Off-Premise Signs (Same as Downtown District) |
| Wall Sign | 24 feet | 2 sq. ft. per linear foot of street frontage (aggregate for all wall signs) | — | — | — | Outermost wall | — | Industrial District Wall Signs (Same as Downtown District) |
| Projecting Sign | 24 feet; Not less than 8 feet above finished grade | Included in total aggregate area | — | — | — | — | — | Industrial District Projecting Signs (Same as Downtown District) |
| Ground Sign | 24 feet | Included in total aggregate area | — | — | — | Within any yard | — | Industrial District Ground Signs (Same as Downtown District) |
| Industrial Park Sign | — | 350 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per industrial park | — | — | Industrial District Industrial Park Sign |

### Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Name/Address/Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Attached flat to building | — | Residential District Exempt Signs Table 43-20 |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential Zoning District) | 6 feet above ground | 6 sq. ft. per sign face, 12 sq. ft. total | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Maximum of one sign per street frontage | — | Residential District Exempt Signs Table 43-20 |
| Real Estate Sign (Non-Residential Zoning District, allowed in Residential for nonconforming uses) | 12 feet above ground | 18 sq. ft. per sign face, 36 sq. ft. total | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Maximum of one sign per street frontage | — | Residential District Exempt Signs Table 43-20 |
| Subdivision Identification Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Residential District Subdivision Identification Signs |
| Multi-Family Residential Complex Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Residential District Multi-Family Residential Complex Signs |

## Prohibited signs in Winona

- It is unlawful to erect, alter, relocate, or keep any sign without a permit, except as exempted.
- Signs imitating official highway signs.
- Signs with continuous flashing or intermittent beams of light, except as provided.
- Signs obstructing windows, doors, or egress openings.
- Signs in the public right-of-way unless authorized.
- Signs causing direct glare into buildings.
- Signs violating state laws.
- Temporary signs like 'A' frames or sandwich boards, except as provided.
- Signs on abandoned or inoperative vehicles.
- Roof signs.
- Mobile signs for off-premise commercial advertising.
- No sign shall be illuminated by other than electrical means and must comply with the State of Minnesota Electrical Code.
- Sign illumination shall not adversely affect surrounding residential districts or safe vision of vehicle operators.
- All signs must be constructed to withstand a wind pressure of at least 30 pounds per square foot and comply with local building codes.
- Any sign that is unsafe, insecure, abandoned, or maintained in a dilapidated condition shall be declared a nuisance and abated.

## Signs exempt from permit in Winona

- Awning, canopy, marquee signs without advertising material and up to 4 square feet.
- Directional or instructional signs without advertising material and up to 4 square feet.
- Governmental or warning directional signs.
- Holiday decorations (to be removed upon holiday termination).
- Memorial plaques/marquees without advertising material and up to 2 square feet.
- Residential district name/address/home occupation signs attached flat to a building and up to 2 square feet.
- Business name/address signs in commercial districts, 1 per street frontage and up to 6 square feet, without commercial advertising.
- No trespassing, parking, towing, private property signs: 2 per zoning lot, max 2 sq ft in R, 4 sq ft in non-R districts.
- Parking lot directional (4 sq ft, 1 per entrance, 5 ft max height) and instructional (16 sq ft, specific height limits) signs.
- Vehicle signs accessory to the primary use of a vehicle.
- Symbols and insignia for noncommercial purposes.
- Vending machine signs up to 4 square feet.
- Garage sale signs up to 6 square feet (remove upon sale termination).
- Temporary construction or subdivision signs up to 32 square feet (unlit, remove upon project completion).
- Banners (as regulated elsewhere).
- Municipal, State or Federal flags (flown according to protocol).
- Real estate signs in residential zoning districts (max 12 sq ft, max 1 per street frontage, unlit, max 6 ft height).
- Real estate signs in non-residential zoning districts (max 36 sq ft, max 1 per street frontage, unlit, max 12 ft height).
- Maintenance of existing signs.
- Election campaign signs (remove within 10 days after election).
- Time and temperature signs (no commercial advertising).
- Interior signs (inside buildings).
- Window signs not exceeding 10% of glass surface.
- Volunteer organization signs (no commercial advertising).
- Utility service signs (to be removed upon completion of utility work).
- Religious signs up to 30 square feet.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Applicants for a sign permit must submit two blueprints, photocopies, or ink drawings of the plans and specifications.
- Other information as required by the City Planner may be requested as part of the sign permit application.
- A permit is required to erect, alter, relocate, or keep any sign unless exempted under specific ordinance sections.
- Sidewalk sign applicants must provide evidence of liability insurance and apply for a permit.
- Temporary or seasonal signs require notice to the UDC Administrator prior to display.
- Applications and plan submissions are reviewed by the Community Development Department for compliance before permit issuance.

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

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