# Sign Regulations in Woodbury, Minnesota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Woodbury, Minnesota (MN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/minnesota/woodbury
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MN/Woodbury/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CICO_CH18.5SI)

## At a glance

Woodbury, Minnesota regulates 28 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Not Freeway)s in the Nonresidential zoning districts (All zoning districts except R-1, R-2, R-4 and R-4(MX)), Nonresidential zoning districts zoning district are capped at 20 ft tall and 80 sq ft (primary), 40 sq ft (other frontages), with a 15 ft from property line (all portions) setback (Sec. Sec. 18.5-56). Most commercial signs in Woodbury require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | — | 6 sq ft | — |
| Nonresidential zoning districts (All zoning districts except R-1, R-2, R-4 and R-4(MX)), Nonresidential zoning districts | 14 | Inflated devices: 40 ft; Flying signs: 100 ft above ground | 150 sq ft (freeway side), 80 sq ft (second frontage), 40 sq ft (other frontages) | — |
| Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-4, R-4(MX)), Residential zoning districts | 8 | 10 ft | Banners: 80 sq ft; Pennants: 200 lineal ft per string; 2 sign max/event | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address Sign (Residential) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per principal building | At each principal building | — | Sec. 18.5-37 |
| Address Sign (Nonresidential) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per principal building | At each principal building | — | Sec. 18.5-37 |
| Area Identification Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 18.5-38 |
| Auxiliary Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On auxiliary canopy | — | Sec. 18.5-39 |
| Double-Faced Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 18.5-41 |
| Reader Board or Electronic Display Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Where wall/freestanding signs allowed | — | Sec. 18.5-45 |

### Nonresidential zoning districts (All zoning districts except R-1, R-2, R-4 and R-4(MX)), Nonresidential zoning districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Not Freeway) | 20 ft | 80 sq ft (primary), 40 sq ft (other frontages) | — | 15 ft from property line (all portions) | 1 per street frontage | At least 15 feet from property lines, no closer than 3 feet to any building, not within clear vision triangle (>3 ft high), one per street frontage | — | Sec. 18.5-56 |
| Freestanding Sign (Freeway Frontage) | 30 ft (freeway sign), 20 ft (others) | 150 sq ft (freeway side), 80 sq ft (second frontage), 40 sq ft (other frontages) | — | 15 ft from property line; freeway signs not more than 100 ft from freeway line | 1 freeway, 1 second frontage, others per above | Maximum 100 ft from freeway property line; 15 ft setback otherwise | — | Sec. 18.5-56 |
| Wall Sign - Option 1 | — | 8% of wall area, max 60 sq ft | — | — | Any number per wall | On building wall, up to 3 walls (rectangular), or 75% of major walls (non-rectangular) | — | Sec. 18.5-57 |
| On-site Directional Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 5 ft min | 1 per one-way driveway, 1 per drive-through aisle, 1 per service/delivery entrance, additional allowed if need justified | At least 5 ft from any property line; shall not impair vision; at entries, drive-throughs, service entrances | — | Sec. 18.5-58 |
| Directory Sign | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | 15 ft from property line | 1 per primary entrance | Outside building; at least 15 ft from property line and within 10 ft of building; not to impair vision | — | Sec. 18.5-59 |
| Menu/Order Board Sign (Drive-Thru) | 6 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 15 ft from property line | 2 per drive-thru restaurant | At least 15 ft from property line; adjacent to drive-through aisle; not to impair driver visibility | — | Sec. 18.5-61 |
| Temporary Event Sign | Inflated devices: 40 ft; Flying signs: 100 ft above ground | Banners: 80 sq ft each; Pennants: 200 lineal ft/string; Flying sign: up to 100 ft above ground; Inflated devices: 40 ft high | — | 15 ft from back of curb/shoulder or sign height if internal/island/sidewalk | No more than 4 per event (any combination as listed) | On-site; not less than 15 ft from back of curb/shoulder | — | Sec. 18.5-96 |
| Commercial Leasing Sign (Temporary) | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage/development | Outside right-of-way; 1 per street frontage per development | — | Sec. 18.5-98 |

### Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-4, R-4(MX)), Residential zoning districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Institutional and Commercial Recreation) | 8 ft (minimum 2 ft high base) | 60 sq ft | — | 15 ft | 1 per street frontage | At least 15 ft from property line; 1 per street frontage | — | Sec. 18.5-86 |
| Wall Sign (Institutional and Commercial Recreation) | — | 8% of wall area, max 60 sq ft | — | — | Any number per wall | On walls facing street frontage only | — | Sec. 18.5-86 |
| Freestanding Sign (Historic Re-use) | 6 ft | 8 sq ft | — | 15 ft | 1 per historic re-use site | At least 15 ft from property line; 1 per historic re-use | — | Sec. 18.5-87 |
| Entrance Monument | 10 ft | 24 sq ft | — | 5 ft from curb (center island); 10 ft from property lines (non-island) | 1 per street frontage/addition | One per street frontage per addition. Center island monuments: min 5 ft from curb. Non-island: min 10 ft from all property lines. | — | Sec. 18.5-88 |
| Banner (Temporary - Institutional Use Site Only) | — | 32 sq ft (or ≤ 5% of wall area, max 80 sq ft) | — | — | 1 per building/tenant space | Securely fastened to building wall on institutional use sites | — | Sec. 18.5-97 |
| Temporary Event Sign (Institution/Nonprofit) | — | Banners: 80 sq ft; Pennants: 200 lineal ft per string; 2 sign max/event | — | 15 ft from curb/shoulder | No more than 2 per event | On-site, not less than 15 feet from back of curb/shoulder | — | Sec. 18.5-96 |
| Multiple Family Housing Leasing Sign (Temporary) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage/development | Outside right-of-way; 1 per street frontage per development | — | Sec. 18.5-98 |
| Residential Development Directional Sign (Temporary, Off-site) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 5 ft from curb | Max 8 per development, 2 per intersection | Off-site, minimum 5 ft from back of curb, max 2 per intersection, max 4 intersections, max 8 per development | — | Sec. 18.5-99 |

## Prohibited signs in Woodbury

- Signs shall not be placed on any property without approval of the property owner.
- No signs are allowed within the clear vision triangle that may interfere with driver visibility.
- Signs shall not be placed in any location causing site obstructions that will interfere with traffic or create a traffic hazard.
- All signs not specifically allowed by this chapter are prohibited except as allowed by section 18.5-96 for temporary special events.
- It is unlawful to erect, reconstruct, alter, maintain or place bench signs.
- It is unlawful to erect, reconstruct, alter, maintain or place bus shelter signs.
- It is unlawful to erect, reconstruct, alter, maintain or place flying signs, such as blimps or kites, designed to be kept aloft by mechanical, wind, chemical or hot air means.
- It is unlawful to erect, reconstruct, alter, maintain or place home occupation signs.
- It is unlawful to erect, reconstruct, alter, maintain or place inflatable signs, including but not limited to balloons.
- It is unlawful to erect, reconstruct, alter, maintain or place motion signs.
- It is unlawful to erect, reconstruct, alter, maintain or place signs which emit any odor, noise or visible matter other than light.
- It is unlawful to erect, reconstruct, alter, maintain or place off-site signs, except as specifically allowed by this chapter.
- It is unlawful to erect, reconstruct, alter, maintain or place painted signs directly on a building, fence, tree, stone or similar object.
- It is unlawful to erect, reconstruct, alter, maintain or place pennants.
- It is unlawful to erect, reconstruct, alter, maintain or place pornographic signs.
- It is unlawful to erect, reconstruct, alter, maintain or place portable signs.
- It is unlawful to erect, reconstruct, alter, maintain or place projecting signs.
- Signs are prohibited in public right-of-way except for governmental signs or other signs specifically allowed by this chapter.
- It is unlawful to erect, reconstruct, alter, maintain or place roof signs.
- It is unlawful to erect, reconstruct, alter, maintain or place signs bearing misleading or false information or information inconsistent with the zoning or other regulations.
- Signs are not allowed on utility poles.
- A vehicle may not be used as a sign or as the base for a sign where the primary purpose of the vehicle in that location is its use as a sign.
- No scrolling, flashing, continuous movement or other motion shall be permitted on reader board or electronic display signs.
- Signs shall be at least 15 feet from the property line unless specifically allowed a different setback.
- When any use is discontinued, all signs and sign supports relating to that use shall be removed.
- Signs installed in or encroaching upon the public road right-of-way or public property may be removed by the city.
- All signs, supports and accessories shall be structurally sound and safe and kept in good repair.
- The sign shall be properly surface coated and the display surfaces shall be properly painted, pasted and maintained.

## Signs exempt from permit in Woodbury

- Signs specifically allowed by this chapter are exempt from general prohibitions.
- Governmental signs are exempt from the prohibition within the public right-of-way.
- Signs allowed for temporary special events per section 18.5-96 are exempt from the general prohibition of signs not specifically allowed.
- Banners permitted through a temporary event sign permit and secured to a tent, inflatable device, or other temporary surface that may not allow a taut installation shall be acceptable provided all other banner requirements are in compliance.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Area identification signs are allowed with a comprehensive sign plan.
- Building complex signs must be in compliance with the comprehensive sign plan approved by the city.
- An interim conditional use permit shall be required for electronic display signs adjacent to residentially zoned property.

## Full detail

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

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