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The following words and terms, when used in this sign chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
BANNER. A temporary sign made of cloth, flexible plastic or other fabric, except that flags shall not be considered BANNERS.
COMMERCIAL SPEECH. Speech advertising a business, profession, commodity, service or entertainment.
DIRECTIONAL SIGNS. A sign providing directional information about the use or uses on the property where the sign is located.
DYNAMIC DISPLAY. Any characteristics of a sign that appear to have movement or that appear to change, however frequently, caused by any method other than physically removing and replacing the sign or its components, whether the apparent movement or change is in the display, the sign structure itself or any other component of the sign. This includes, but is not limited to, a sign display that incorporates a technology or method allowing the image on the sign face to change without having to physically or mechanically replace the sign face or its components. This also includes, but is not limited to, any rotating, revolving, moving, flashing, blinking or animated display, and any display that incorporates rotating panels, LED lights manipulated through digital input, “digital ink,” or any other method or technology that allows the sign face to present a series of images or displays. This does not include digital signs with fixed content that changes less than once per hour, provided that none of the content displayed appears to have movement or to otherwise change during the minimum one-hour display period.
FACADE. That portion of any exterior elevation on a building from grade to top of the parapet, wall, or eaves and the entire width of the building elevation.
FLAG. Any cloth, flexible plastic or fabric containing distinctive colors, patterns or symbols that is attached along one side to one pole or attached to a rope on one pole that allows for raising and lowering the flag.
FLASHING SIGN. An illuminated sign on which the illumination is not kept constant in intensity or color at all times, when the sign is in use.
GROUND SIGN. Any freestanding sign supported by or upon standards, poles, beams or other supports or foundation directly affixed to the ground.
IDENTIFICATION OR NAMEPLATE SIGN. A sign that bears the name or address or both of the business or the occupant of the building on which it is located.
ILLUMINATED SIGN. A sign which has artificial light source directed upon it or that has an interior light source.
MARQUEE AND CANOPY SIGNS. Any message or identification which is permanently affixed to a projection or extension of a building or structure, erected in a manner as to provide shelter or cover over the approach to any entrance of a store, building or place of public assembly.
NONCOMMERCIAL SPEECH. Dissemination of messages not classified as commercial speech which include, but are not limited to, messages concerning political, religious, social, ideological, public service and informational topics.
OFF-PREMISE SIGN. A sign which directs attention to a business, profession, commodity, service or entertainment not exclusively related to the premises where a sign is located or to which it is affixed.
ON-PREMISE SIGN. A sign that directs attention to a business or profession or to a commodity, service, or entertainment sold or offered upon the premises where such a sign is located.
PENNANT. Any lightweight plastic, fabric or other material, whether or not containing a message of any kind, suspended from a rope, wire or string, usually in series, designed to move in the wind. Sometimes called STRINGER.
PORTABLE SIGN. A temporary sign that is designed or intended to be moved or transported that is parked or placed for the primary purpose of displaying the sign to a public right-of-way. Examples of portable signs include:
(1) Signs on trailers or on wheels, with or without text and/or graphics;
(2) Commercial signs mounted on a vehicle when the vehicle is parked and visible from a public right-of-way, except signs that are one square foot in area or less.
PROJECTING SIGN. A permanent sign affixed to an exterior wall or roof of a building and which is perpendicular to the building wall.
PYLON SIGN. A permanent, free standing ground sign erected upon a post or posts.
SANDWICH BOARD. A temporary on-premise sign constructed to form an “A” or a tent-like shape, placed in front of a business.
SIGN. Any writing, pictorial presentation, number, illustration or decoration, or other communication device, whether painted, posted, printed, affixed or constructed, including associated brackets, braces, supports, wires and structures, that is used to announce, direct attention to, identify, inform, communicate, or otherwise make anything known and that is visible from off the property on which the sign is located.
SIGN AREA. The entire area of a temporary or permanent sign within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of the actual sign surface, but excluding any structural or supporting elements such as uprights, aprons, poles, beams or standards. For double-faced signs, the sign area shall be computed on the basis of one face of the sign.
SIGN HEIGHT. Height shall be measured from grade to the uppermost points or level of sign structure.
TEMPORARY SIGNS. A sign which is designed or intended to be displayed for a short period of time and is not permanently installed. This includes items such as banners, beacons, sandwich signs, balloons, or other air or gas filled figures.
WALL SIGN. A permanent sign attached to or erected against the wall of a building or structure with the exposed face to the sign in a plane approximately parallel to the face of the wall and extending not more than 15 inches from the building wall face.
(Am. Ord. 09-14, passed 11-10-2014; Am. Ord. 01-23, passed 3-27-2023)
(1) Permit required. No temporary or permanent sign shall be erected, altered, reconstructed, or moved in the city without first securing a permit from the city, unless this chapter specifically states otherwise. The permit holder shall be responsible for all of the requirements of this chapter, including the liability for expense of removal and maintenance incurred by the city.
(2) Sign permit fees shall be as specified in the city fee schedule. Double permit fees shall be assessed if the permit is pulled after the sign is placed.
(3) Repairs.
(a) All signs shall be maintained in good condition and the areas around them kept free from debris, bushes, high weeds and from anything else which would be an eyesore or nuisance. All signs must be maintained to prevent the sign from becoming unkempt in appearance. When any ground sign is removed, the entire surrounding area shall be cleared of all debris and unsightly projections and protrusions.
(b) Any sign located in the city which may now be or hereafter become out of order, rotten or unsafe and every sign which shall hereafter be erected, altered, resurfaced, reconstructed or moved contrary to the provisions of this sign chapter, shall be removed or otherwise properly secured in accordance with the terms of this sign chapter by the owners of the sign or by the owners of the property on which the sign is located, upon receipt of notice from the city to do so. No rotten or other unsafe sign shall be repaired or rebuilt except in accordance with the provisions of this sign chapter and upon proper permit issued by the issuing authority.
(4) Removal. In the event of the failure of the owner or person or entity having control of any sign or the owner of the property on which the sign is located to remove or repair the sign within 60 days after the use is terminated, a notice shall be given and the sign may be removed by the city at the expense of the owner or manager of the sign or the owner of the property upon which the sign stands.
(5) Violations. Any violation of this chapter shall constitute a misdemeanor. Each day of the violation shall constitute a separate offense.
(Am. Ord. 09-14, passed 11-10-2014; Am. Ord. 01-23, passed 3-27-2023)
Cross-reference:
City fee schedule, see § 218.01
(1) Nonconforming signs. It is recognized that signs exist within the zoning districts that were lawful before this sign chapter was enacted, which would be prohibited, regulated or restricted under the terms of this chapter or future amendments. It is the intention of this sign chapter that nonconforming signs shall be allowed to continue to exist, but they shall not be enlarged upon, expanded or extended, nor be used as the grounds for adding other signs or uses prohibited elsewhere in the same district. It is further the intent of this sign chapter to permit legal nonconforming signs existing on the effective date of this sign chapter, or amendments thereto, to continue as legal nonconforming signs provided the signs are safe, are maintained so as not to be unsightly, and have not been abandoned or removed subject to the following provisions:
(a) No sign shall be enlarged or altered in a way which increases its nonconformity;
(b) Should the sign or sign structure be destroyed by any means to an extent greater than 50% of its replacement cost and no building permit has been applied for within 180 days of when the property was damaged, it shall not be reconstructed except in conformity with the provisions of this chapter;
(c) Should the sign or sign structure be moved for any reason for any distance whatsoever, it shall thereafter conform to the regulations for the zoning district in which it is located after it is moved;
(d) No existing sign devoted to a use not permitted by the zoning code in the zoning district in which it is located shall be enlarged, extended or moved except in changing the sign to a sign permitted in the zoning district in which is it located; and
(e) When a structure loses its nonconforming status, all signs devoted to the structure shall be removed and all signs painted directly on the structure shall be repainted in a neutral color or a color which will harmonize with the structure.
(Am. Ord. 09-14, passed 11-10-2014; Am. Ord. 01-23, passed 3-27-2023)
The following types of signs are prohibited in all districts:
(2) Signs within public right-of-way, affixed to public structures or public utility poles or boxes or other public equipment, or on other public property except signs erected or placed by a government entity with proper authority or control. A special exception may be granted by the City Council if road improvements or other public projects include the elimination of an access to a private property. In these cases, a sign giving directions to the new access may be allowed in the right-of-way.
(3) Signs painted on, attached to or affixed to any trees, rocks or other similar organic or inorganic natural matter.
(4) Any sign, signal, marking or device which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles any official traffic control device or railroad sign or signal, or emergency vehicle signal, or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic or which hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of any official traffic-control device or railroad sign or signal. Further, no sign shall be installed, which by reason of position, shape or color would conflict with proper function or interpretation of any traffic sign or signal.
(5) Signs with revolving beacons, flashing signs, zip flashers or similar lighted devices.
(6) Signs that obstruct any door, fire escape, stairway or other access of any building or structure.
(7) Portable signs, except as otherwise permitted in § 1010.007.
(8) Projecting signs that extend over public property, except with an encroachment agreement, which the city may agree to at the city’s discretion.
(9) Roof signs including signs mounted on a roof surface or projecting above the roof line of a structure if either attached to the structure or cantilevered over the structure.
(10) Abandoned signs or signs, other than temporary off-premise signs, that advertise an activity, business, product or service no longer available on the premises on which the sign is located.
(11) Pennants or stringers.
(12) Any sign displaying obscene, indecent, immoral, or offensive content.
(13) Any signs not specifically allowed by this chapter.
(Am. Ord. 09-14, passed 11-10-2014; Am. Ord. 01-23, passed 3-27-2023)
(1) Signs erected or placed by a government entity with proper authority or control within a public right-of-way, affixed to public structures or public utility poles or boxes or other public equipment, or on other public property are allowed in all zoning districts without a permit and are not subject to the limits or restrictions stated in this sign chapter.
(2) All permanent signs shall be constructed in conformance with the provisions of the Minnesota State Building Code, as amended, and Chapter 1003 of City Code.
(3) Signs in windows in the interior of buildings are exempt from this chapter, except that no more than 75% of any window may be covered by signage and no dynamic display signs shall be allowed to be displayed in windows. No signs may be attached to the exterior of windows.
(4) "No hunting” and "No trespassing" signs are allowed as regulated by M.S. § 97B.001, as it may be amended from time to time. No permit is required.
(5) Illuminated signs are allowed in all zoning districts. The source of light for any illuminated sign must be controlled so as not to shine directly upon or light adjacent property or public right-of-way. Signs that are not internally illuminated shall have light fixtures and sources screened from view.
(6) Dynamic display signs. No more than 32 square feet of the allowable sign area provided for in § 1010.008 shall be used for dynamic display signs, except that in Rural and Residential zoning districts dynamic display signs shall only be allowed for non-residential uses. The minimum display period for any message shall be eight seconds. No dynamic display signs may be placed in windows.
(7) Signs, including individual letters and symbols, must be detachable from the building and attached to the exterior building surface by adhesive or mechanical fasteners. Signs shall not be painted directly on any exterior building surface.
(8) Signs in election years. In state general election years, the provisions of M.S. § 211B.045, as amended, shall apply. Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter regulating the allowed size or number of signs, in city election years all temporary noncommercial signs of any size may be posted in any number without a permit from 30 days before the city election until ten days following the city election. Other requirements of this chapter, including those regarding the location of signs, shall continue to apply.
(9) Directional signs up to four square feet are allowed up to six feet above grade without a permit.
(10) The exposed uprights, superstructure or back side of all signs must be a neutral color such as light blues, grays, greens or browns, unless the part of the sign is integral to the overall design of the sign.
(11) Multi-occupancy business and industrial buildings. When a single principle building is devoted to three or more businesses or industrial tenants, a comprehensive sign plan for the entire structure shall be submitted and shall be of sufficient scope and detail to permit a determination as to whether or not the plan is consistent with the following regulations. The plan shall be subject to the approval of the City Council. No permit shall be issued for an individual tenant except upon a determination that it is consistent with the approved comprehensive sign plan.
(a) The maximum individual tenant sign sizes shall not exceed the maximum provisions for single occupancy structures in the same zoning district.
(b) Multiple occupancy structures may display a unified ground sign consistent with the applicable district provisions. At least 25% of the ground sign must identify the entire site to assist with navigation to the site. Individual tenants shall not display ground signs.
(c) Except as provided in this chapter, individual tenants of multiple occupancy structures shall not display separate wall signs unless the tenants' business has an exclusive exterior entrance. The number of signs shall be limited to one per building facade that the tenant occupies, and each sign shall be limited to the maximum wall size sign permitted per building facade for single occupancy structures in the same zoning district.
(d) In any multiple occupancy structure qualifying as a mall type shopping center, one sign not exceeding 50 square feet shall be permitted for each common public entrance and shall be located within 50 feet of the common public entrance being served.
(12) Street addresses required to comply with address ordinances or building codes do not require a sign permit.
(13) Flags.
(a) Non-commercial flags are not regulated by this sign chapter.
(b) One commercial flag is allowed per property without a permit. Additional commercial flags shall be regulated as permanent signage, subject to the permitting requirements and sign area limits set by this chapter.
(Am. Ord. 09-14, passed 11-10-2014; Am. Ord. 01-23, passed 3-27-2023)
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