The following signs shall not require a permit. These exemptions, however, shall not be construed as relieving the owner of the sign from the responsibility of its erection and maintenance, and its compliance with the provisions of this subchapter or any other law or ordinance regulating the same:
(A) Display surface. The changing of the display surface on a painted or printed sign only. This exemption, however, shall apply only to poster replacement and/or on-site changes involving sign painting elsewhere than directly on a building;
(B) Signs less than six square feet. Signs six square feet or less in size, approved by the Zoning Officer;
(C) Political signs. Free-standing political signs, not exceeding a sign surface area of 12 square feet each, displayed consistent with the times allowed by M.S. § 211.045, as it may be amended from time to time;
(D) Residential identification sign. Sign must not exceed a sign surface area of four square feet;
(E) Garbage sale signs. Free-standing signs for garage sales or similar events occurring within the corporate limits of the city, erected on private property with permission of the landowner. Garage sale signs must be removed immediately after the sale is complete;
(F) Signs at construction sites. Signs denoting the architect, engineer, or contractor, when placed upon work under construction, provided that the total sign surface area of all such signs does not exceed 32 square feet in a district zoned for commercial uses or six square feet in a district zoned for residential uses, and provided that the sign is removed upon completion of construction or prior to a date six months after the sign is first placed on the property, whichever is earlier;
(G) Temporary event signs. Temporary signs (other than political signs) pertaining to drives or events of civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious organizations, provided permission of the City Zoning Officer must be obtained to erect such signs upon or over streets or other public property, and provided further that such signs must not be erected or posted for a period of more than 30 days prior to the date of the event and must be removed within three days after the event;
(H) Real estate signs. Real estate signs, provided the total sign surface area for real estate signs on a property is not greater than six square feet. Directional real estate signs off the property to be leased or sold are allowed with the property owner’s permission and cannot be located within the right-of-way;
(I) Vacation rental signs. Signs advertising property for vacation rental cannot be more than six square feet;
(J) Business identification signs. One business identification sign which is designed to replace an existing business identification sign for which a valid sign permit exists, so long as the new sign has the same dimensions and is in the same location as the existing sign, and is neither a lighted sign or a prohibited sign under this section; and
(K) Official signs.
(Ord. passed 4-13-2021)