GENERAL PROVISIONS

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances tit. 20, ch. 560, art. I

in effect

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 560.10 Findings, purpose and intent.

560.10. - Findings, purpose and intent. (a) Findings. The city council hereby finds as follows: (1) Exterior signs have a substantial impact on the character and quality of the environment. (2) Signs provide an important medium through which individuals may convey a variety of messages. (3) Signs can create traffic hazards, aesthetic concerns, and be potentially detrimental to property values, thereby adversely affecting the public health, safety and welfare. (4) The regulation of signs within the city has had a positive impact on traffic safety and the appearance of the community. (b) Purpose and intent. (1) Regulations governing on-premises signs are established to allow effective signage appropriate to the planned character of each zoning district, to promote an attractive environment by minimizing visual clutter and confusion, to minimize adverse effects on nearby property, and to protect the public health, safety and welfare. (2) Regulations governing off-premises advertising signs and billboards are established to minimize the visual blighting effects caused by off-premises advertising signs and billboards by regulating their location, size, height and spacing, luminance and frequency of image change; to encourage the removal of signs and billboards that do not conform to the regulations of this chapter; and to protect the public health, safety and welfare.

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 560.20 Severability.

560.20. - Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of these sign regulations are for any reason held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of the regulations. The city council hereby declares that it would have adopted the sign regulations in each section, subsection, sentence, or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one (1) or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, or phrases be declared invalid.

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 560.30 Substitution clause.

560.30. - Substitution clause. The owner of any sign which is otherwise allowed by this sign ordinance may substitute non-commercial copy in lieu of any other commercial or non-commercial copy. This substitution of copy may be made without any additional approval or permitting. The purpose of this provision is to prevent any inadvertent favoring of commercial speech over non-commercial speech, or favoring of any particular non-commercial message over any other non-commercial message. This provision prevails over any more specific provision to the contrary.

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 560.40 Scope of regulations.

560.40. - Scope of regulations. The sign regulations set forth in this chapter shall apply to all structures and all land uses, except as otherwise provided in this zoning ordinance. When a sign is subject to more than one (1) classification of sign type, all regulations governing the various classifications shall be applicable to such sign.

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 560.50 Compliance with standards.

560.50. - Compliance with standards. No person shall place, erect or maintain a sign, nor shall a lessee or owner permit property under their control to be used for such sign, which does not conform to the requirements of this chapter, Chapter 95, Projections and Encroachments of the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances, and all other applicable regulations.

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 560.60 Exempt signs.

560.60. - Exempt signs. (a) On-premises. The following on-premises signs shall be exempt from the regulations of this chapter: (1) Official public notices or signs required by local, state or federal regulations. (2) Governmental signs, including but not limited to traffic control and other regulatory purpose signs, street signs, informational signs, danger signs and railroad crossing signs. (3) Official government flags and emblems, provided such signs shall not be placed or maintained in the public right-of-way. (4) Incidental notification signs, provided each sign shall not exceed three (3) square feet in area, not more than two (2) such signs shall be located on a zoning lot, and such signs shall not be placed or maintained in the public right-of-way and shall not be illuminated. (5) Historic plaques placed by recognized historical agencies, provided such signs shall not be placed or maintained in the public right-of-way, shall not be illuminated, and shall not exceed four (4) square feet in area. (6) Religious symbols attached to institutional and civic buildings, provided such symbols shall not be placed or maintained in the public right-of-way and shall not be illuminated. (7) Interior signs. (8) Murals. (9) Address signs less than one (1) square foot in area, not to exceed two (2) such signs per zoning lot. (10) Directory signs, provided such sign shall be attached to a structure as a wall sign or window sign or shall be a monument sign, and shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height and twenty-four (24) square feet in area, and shall be located within fifteen (15) feet of a principal building entrance with skyway access within the downtown skyway system. (11) Painted wall signs located on primary and non-primary building walls in the commercial mixed-use, downtown, production, and transportation districts, provided the painted wall shall comply with the following regulations: a. Painted wall signs shall comply with the maximum height of wall signs for the district where the sign is located as specified in: 1. Table 560-2, Specific Standards for Signs in the RM2, RM3, and Commercial Mixed-Use Districts; 2. Table 560-3, Specific Standards for Signs in the Downtown Districts; and 3. Table 560-4, Specific Standards for Signs in the Production and Transportation Districts. b. Painted wall signs shall not obscure visibility into and out of a structure through windows. c. Painted wall signs located on landmarks, nominated properties under interim protection, or on structures located within historic districts, shall be subject to all applicable requirements of Chapter 599 of this Code. (b) Off-premises. The following off-premises signs shall be exempt from the regulations of this chapter: (1) Temporary signs relating to civic, cultural, and sports organizations, and events associated with such organizations, provided the temporary sign shall comply with the following regulations: a. Temporary signs related to civic, cultural, and sports organizations, and events associated with such organizations, shall be located in the downtown districts. b. Temporary signs related to civic, cultural, and sports organizations, and events associated with such organizations, shall be allowed for ninety (90) days maximum. c. Temporary signs related to civic, cultural, and sports organizations, and events associated with such organizations, shall be subject to the city engineer's authority over the right-of-way, in accordance with Chapters 95, 427, 429, and 430 of this Code, as applicable. d. Temporary signs related to civic, cultural, and sports organizations, and events associated with such organizations, located on landmarks, nominated properties under interim protection, or on structures located within historic districts, shall be subject to all applicable requirements of Chapter 599 of this Code. (2) Off-premises signs located on city-owned properties in the downtown districts or Opportunity Billboard Districts, constructed pursuant to an explicit agreement with the City. (Ord. No. 2025-054, § 3, 11-20-2025)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 560.70 Prohibited signs.

560.70. - Prohibited signs. The following signs shall be prohibited in all zoning districts, except as otherwise specified in this chapter: (1) A mural that does not have permission of the owner of the property on which it is located or is graffiti. (2) Audible signs. (3) Any sign not listed as either permitted or conditional or any sign not determined by the zoning administrator to be substantially similar to a sign listed as permitted or conditional in the manner provided for in Chapter 525, Administration and Procedures, governing determination of substantially similar uses. (4) Any sign relating to sexually oriented uses and prohibited by the regulations governing such uses in this ordinance. (5) Backlit awning or canopy signs. (6) Balloon signs. (7) Dynamic and dynamic changeable copy roof signs, on-premises. (8) Freestanding flag signs. (9) Off-premises roof signs that project beyond the face of any wall of the building on which they are mounted. (10) Off-premises signs painted on the exterior of a building. (11) Off-premises signs that do not comply with the regulations of this chapter. (12) On-premises signs with moving or swinging parts or elements, except in the downtown districts and CM4 District or as a window sign. (13) Searchlights and strobe lights, except as allowed in section 545.720, Permitted temporary uses and structures. (14) Signs attached to skyway bridges and intended to be read from the public right-of-way, except the following: a. Temporary on-premises signs in the downtown districts as allowed in Chapter 550, Article XV of this Code, for all permitted skyways. b. Temporary off-premises signs relating to civic, cultural, and sports events, as allowed in section 560.60 of this Code. (15) Signs placed on or painted on a motor vehicle or trailer and parked with the primary purpose of providing signage. (16) Signs placed or maintained on natural features. (17) Snipe signs. (18) Stringer signs. (Ord. No. 2025-054, § 4, 11-20-2025)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 560.80 Nonconforming signs.

560.80. - Nonconforming signs. (a) Relocation. Signs and sign structures which are moved shall be brought into compliance with all applicable regulations of this chapter. (b) Reconstruction. Nonconformities that are completely or substantially reconstructed that include changes to building placement or design shall be subject to the findings and procedures for expansion or alteration of nonconforming uses and structures as specified in Chapter 545, Use Regulations. (c) On-premises signs. A nonconforming on-premises sign shall be subject to the provisions of section 560.170, Maintenance and repair. (d) Off-premises signs. The following provisions shall apply to nonconforming signs: (1) Off-premises signs lawfully existing at the time of adoption of this chapter which do not conform to the regulations of this chapter may continue to exist, but shall not be enlarged, relocated, or altered to include electronic lighting devices, except in compliance with this chapter. (2) Maintenance and repair, including replacement, restoration, improvement, and changing of off-premises sign messages is allowed. Conversion of an existing non-conforming off-premises sign to include digital or electronic elements or animation shall be subject to provisions of this chapter. (3) Following damage or destruction, replacement of a nonconformity shall mean that the off-premises sign face or sign structure, if reinstated with a nonconformity as allowed under the terms of this chapter, shall be reconstructed to match the conditions that preceded damage or destruction. Nonconformities that are completely or substantially reconstructed that include changes to the placement or design, including use of electronic elements or animation, of the off-premises sign face or sign structure shall be subject to section 545.940, Expansion or alteration of nonconforming uses and structures. (4) A nonconforming off-premises sign which is damaged or destroyed by any cause or means to the extent that the cost of restoration exceeds one-half (½) of its replacement cost and no building permit for reconstruction or replacement of the nonconforming structure is applied for within one hundred eighty (180) days of date the property is damaged or destroyed, shall not be reconstructed except in conformity with all applicable regulations of this chapter. When a building permit to reconstruct or replace the nonconforming off-premises sign face or sign structure in its pre-existing design and not enlarge, relocate or expand the nonconforming off-premises sign face or sign structure is applied for within one hundred eighty (180) days of the date the property is damaged or destroyed, such permit shall be approved notwithstanding the cost of the restoration and its relationship to the market value of the structure. Use of digital or electronic elements or animation for reconstruction or replacement of a nonconforming off-premises sign shall be subject to all applicable regulations of this chapter. Reasonable conditions may be imposed by the zoning administrator to mitigate any newly created impact on adjacent property. (5) A nonconforming off-premises sign which is discontinued for a continuous period of one (1) year shall be deemed to be abandoned and may not thereafter be reestablished or resumed except in conformity with all applicable regulations of this chapter. (6) A painted wall sign with changed advertising copy or graphics painted over an existing nonconforming painted wall sign shall be prohibited. (Ord. No. 2025-054, § 5, 11-20-2025)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 560.90 Illumination of signs.

560.90. - Illumination of signs. (a) On-premises, in general. All on-premises lighted signs shall comply with the performance standards governing lighting contained in Chapter 550, Development Standards, and may be illuminated as follows where allowed by Table 560-1, Specific Standards for Signs in the Urban Neighborhood and RM1 Districts, Table 560-2, Specific Standards for Signs in the RM2, RM3 and Commercial Mixed-Use Districts, Table 560-3, Specific Standards for Signs in the Downtown Districts, and Table 560-4, Specific Standards for Signs in the Production Districts, and subject to all other applicable regulations of this chapter: (1) Backlit. A light source contained within the sign element or sign cabinet that illuminates by shining through a translucent surface or sign face, except where only the letters, numbers or logos of the sign copy are illuminated. (2) External. A light source outside the sign element or sign cabinet that illuminates by directing light onto the sign surface, such as by floodlight or spotlight. (3) Internal. A light source contained within the sign cabinet that illuminates by directing light onto the sign surface, or that illuminates only the letters, numbers or logos of the sign copy, and which is not backlit. (b) Lighted on-premises signs in the urban neighborhood or residential mixed-use districts. Lighted signs in the urban neighborhood or residential mixed-use districts shall not be backlit, shall be no closer than twenty (20) feet from the nearest urban neighborhood district or residential mixed-use district property line, and shall be illuminated only by white or amber light. (c) Lighted on-premises signs in all other districts. Lighted signs facing and on property adjacent to or across a street or alley from an urban neighborhood or residential mixed-use district shall not be backlit, and shall be no closer than twenty (20) feet from the nearest urban neighborhood district or residential mixed-use district boundary. (d) Off-premises lighted signs. All off-premises lighted signs shall comply with the performance standards governing lighting contained in Chapter 550, Development Standards. Off-premises signs that employ electronic devices shall be subject to the applicable provisions of the billboard district where the sign is located, as established by Table 560-5, General Billboard District Standards, Table 560-6, Opportunity Billboard District Standards, or Table 560-7, Downtown East or Downtown West Entertainment Billboard District Standards. Illuminated off-premises signs shall not exceed the maximum luminance standard provided in the applicable billboard district in which it is located. (e) Flashing or animated off-premises signs. Flashing or animated off-premises signs shall be subject to the applicable provisions of the district where the sign is located and subject to all other applicable regulations of this chapter. (1) Downtown East or Downtown West Entertainment Billboard District. Flashing, blinking, and/or animated off-premises signs, including but not limited to traveling lights or other means not providing constant illumination, shall be permitted in the Downtown Entertainment Billboard District. (2) Downtown Entertainment Area. Flashing off-premises signs shall be permitted in this area provided the messages and/or imagery are displayed in a static manner for a minimum of eight (8) seconds. Animated off-premises signs shall be prohibited in the Downtown Entertainment Area. (3) Downtown Opportunity Billboard District. Flashing and/or blinking off-premises signs shall be permitted in the Downtown Opportunity Billboard District provided that outside the Downtown Entertainment Billboard Districts and Downtown Entertainment Area flashing signs containing changing written messages shall be limited to the news, weather, time or other public service message with a vertical dimension that shall not exceed two (2) feet. (4) Limited Access Roadway Opportunity Billboard District. a. Flashing off-premises signs shall only be permitted on Interstate 94 and on Interstate 35-W north of 31st Street East, subject to the following: 1. The messages and/or imagery shall be displayed in a static manner for a minimum of eight (8) seconds. 2. Flashing signs shall be a minimum of two thousand five hundred (2,500) feet from any other off-premises flashing sign reading to the same directional traffic. b. Flashing off-premises shall comply with all applicable provisions of this ordinance, except that existing nonconforming off-premises signs shall be allowed to be converted to flashing off-premises signs and shall not be subject to section 545.940, expansion or alteration of nonconforming uses and structures, for the conversion, provided the dimensions, height and orientation of the sign match the conditions that preceded the conversion, and the sign meets the requirements of this section. (Ord. No. 2025-023, § 85, 5-15-2025; Ord. No. 2025-054, § 6, 11-20-2025)

Source: City of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Code of Ordinances, City Charter and Park and Recreation Board Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mn/minneapolis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=MICOOR_TIT20ZOCO_CH560SI_ARTIGEPRFetched: 11/2/2026