Burnsville City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 10

12 SIGNS

Purpose: Signs have an impact on the character and quality of the environment as a prominent part of the scenery; they attract or repel the viewing public and affect the safety of vehicular traffic. Their suitability or appropriateness helps to set the tone of the neighborhood. The purpose of this section shall be to regulate the placement, erection and maintenance of signs in the City so as to promote the health, safety, aesthetics, economic welfare and general welfare of the community. The following standards in this chapter are, therefore, adopted to regulate signs.
General Provisions:
1. Hazard To Traffic: No sign permitted by this title shall, by reason of its location, color or intensity, create a hazard to the safe, efficient movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. No private sign shall contain words which might be construed as traffic controls, such as "Stop", "Caution", "Warning", etc., unless such sign is needed to direct traffic on the premises.
2. Maintenance: All signs and sign structures shall be properly maintained in a safe, orderly condition at all times, including the replacement of defective parts, cleaning and other items required for maintenance of the sign. Vegetation around, in front of, behind, and underneath the base of ground signs for a distance of ten feet (10') shall be neatly trimmed and free of weeds, and no rubbish or debris that would constitute a fire or health hazard shall be permitted under or near the sign.
3. Construction: All signs shall be constructed in accordance with the Minnesota State Building Code and the National Electrical Code. No changeable copy, illuminated architectural feature or dynamic display billboard sign shall exceed five hundred (500) nits (candelas per square meter) at night or seven thousand five hundred (7,500) nits during the day.
4. Location: No sign shall be erected, placed or maintained on, fences, trees, power and light poles or the supports thereof, except as allowed at special events or as a temporary banner. Signs on rocks shall be allowed if they use metal letters and numbers or the commercial message is etched into the surface of the rock.
5. Electricity: All signs utilizing electricity shall be subject to the State's Electrical Code and electrical service wiring shall be buried or concealed.
6. Placement In Right-Of-Way: No signs other than governmental signs shall be erected or temporarily placed within any street rights-of-way or upon any public lands or easements or rights-of-way, except by conditional use permit or otherwise provided in this chapter.
7. Obstruction: No sign or sign structure shall be erected or maintained if it prevents free ingress or egress from any door, window or fire escape. No sign or sign structure shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
8. Address Signs: A minimum of one address sign identifying the correct property number as assigned by the City shall be required on each principal building in all districts. Such sign shall be of sufficient size to be legible from the nearest street yet shall not exceed nine (9) square feet in area. The numbers shall be metal, glass, plastic or durable material and the numbers shall not be less than four inches (4") in height, in a contrasting color to the base or made of some reflective material and so placed to be easily seen from the street.
9. Seasonal Decoration: No seasonal/holiday decoration shall be allowed on or within the right-of-way.
10. Message: Commercial message of the sign shall be neat and orderly and not obscene. The signs shall be professionally prepared.
11. Illumination In B-1 And B-2: Signs in all B-1 and B-2 Districts may only be illuminated during business hours, or until eleven o'clock (11:00) P.M., whichever is later.
12. External Lighting: Signs with external lighting shall have no exposed light sources or fixtures unless decorative fixtures are utilized and the light source is fully concealed and diffused. If a wall sign is mounted above the first floor of a building, the illumination, if any, shall be internal. Dynamic display billboards shall be exempt from this section and shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10-12-8(P) of this chapter.
13. Angle Between Faces: The maximum angle permitted between faces of a double face freestanding sign is sixty degrees (60°), anything less is one sign, anything more is two (2) signs.
14. Illuminated Architectural Features: Illuminated architectural features or portions thereof, not defined as signage or a canopy sign, shall be applied at the rate of one-third (1/3) the architectural feature area toward the maximum allowable sign area permitted in Section 10-12-14, table A of this chapter. Illuminated architectural features shall include, but not be limited to, wall, roof and window mounted linear lighting, the wall surface between multiple rows of linear lighting, illuminated sign bands, backlit canopies, awnings or wall banding features, strings of light bulbs, etc. The color, illumination or intensity of these features shall not change more frequently than one time for every thirty (30) second interval. No scrolling, flashing, continuous movement or other motion shall be permitted. Each illuminated architectural feature must have a light sensing device that will adjust the brightness of the display as the natural ambient light conditions change.
15. Banner Sign Standards: All temporary banner signs allowed within this chapter for more than ten (10) days shall meet the following design standards:
  1. Banners shall be constructed with top and bottom ropes seamed into the banner.
  2. Minimum twelve (12) ounce weight vinyl material.
  3. Minimum two hundred forty (240) pounds per square yard of tensile strength.
  4. Minimum one hundred ten (110) pounds per square yard of tear strength.
  5. Banner signs located on buildings shall be stretched taut and securely attached.

Allowable And Prohibited Signs

Allowable Signs: The following signs are allowed without a permit unless otherwise specified. These signs, if placed in accordance with the following standards, will not apply toward the maximum allowable sign area, but shall comply with all other applicable provisions of this title:
1. Governmental Signs: Signs of a public, noncommercial nature including safety signs, danger signs, trespassing signs, traffic signs, directional signs, public transit signs, signs indicating scenic or historical points of interest, memorial plaques and temporary signs and banners, when these signs are erected by or on order of a public officer or employee in the performance of official duty. These may be on or off premises.
2. On Premises Directional Signs: Shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area.
3. Integral Signs: Shall not exceed nine (9) square feet in area.
4. Campaign Signs: Shall not be placed upon public right-of-way or property. Campaign signs erected on private property should be erected with permission of the property owner or lessee. Those installing campaign signs shall comply with the Fair Campaign Practices Act contained in State of Minnesota Statutes Chapter 211B.
5. Window Signs: Window signs shall not cover more than thirty five percent (35%) of the window area on each elevation of a building. All window signs shall be placed on the inside surface of the glass, except for a window sign of paint or decal application applied directly to the glass surface.
6. Informational Signs: Shall not exceed six (6) square feet.
7. Sandwich Board Signs: Sandwich board signs may be no more than three feet (3') in width and four feet (4') in height and must be located within twenty feet (20') of the main entrance to the business they advertise. Sandwich board signs must be placed upon private property, leaving a minimum of four feet (4') of clearance for pedestrian access. Sandwich board signs may not be placed upon the public sidewalk. Sandwich board signs may be used only during business hours and must be removed daily.
8. Original Art Murals: Original art murals.
9. Non-Commercial Signs: Non-commercial signs.
Allowable Temporary Banners: The following signs are allowed with a permit unless otherwise specified. These signs if placed in accordance with the following standards, will not apply toward the maximum allowable sign area, but shall comply with all other applicable provisions of this title:
1. A permit is required and shall be valid for ninety (90) days. A maximum of two (2) permits are allowed per year. One permit is allowed per street frontage per property or in the case of a multi-tenant property one permit per tenant.
2. Temporary banner signs shall be securely attached to the building or fence in such a manner that no portion of the sign will be allowed to blow around freely in the wind. Temporary banner signs shall not cover or block ingress or egress from any door, window or fire escape. Shall not be located in required yards.
3. Temporary banner signs shall not be used in place of permanent signage.
4. There shall be no additional sign lighting allowed in addition to that which has been approved for the building.
5. Temporary banner wall signs shall comply with the performance standards of Section 10-12-3(O) of this chapter.
6. The size and location of these types of signs shall be determined as if the sign were a permanent wall sign as regulated in this chapter or no greater than three hundred (300) square feet, whichever is less.
7. Special event banners that are subject to the requirements of Title 3, Chapter 32 of this Code are exempt from these requirements.

Temporary Freestanding Signs: The following signs are allowed with a permit unless otherwise specified. These signs, if placed in accordance with the following standards, will not apply toward the maximum allowable sign area for permanent signs, but shall comply with all other applicable provisions of this title:

A permit is required and shall be valid for ninety (90) consecutive days. A permit may be renewed once every ninety (90) days. A maximum of two (2) permits are allowed per year. One permit is allowed per property or in the case of a multi-tenant property one permit per tenant.

One sign is allowed per street frontage with a maximum total square footage according to the chart below:

Zoning Districts	Property Size	Temporary Freestanding Sign Square Footage	Height	Permit Required
R1, RR-1, R2, R-5	N/A	12 square foot maximum	6 feet	No
Conditional uses in the R1, RR-1, R-2, and R-5	N/A	100 square foot maximum	8 feet	Yes
R-3, R-4, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, CRD, I-1, I-2, I-3, GIM, GHM and MIX	0 - 2 acres	100 square foot maximum	8 feet	Yes
R-3, R-4, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, CRD, I-1, I-2, I-3, GIM, GHM and MIX	2 - 10 acres	200 square foot maximum	12 feet	Yes
R-3, R-4, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, CRD, I-1, I-2, I-3, GIM, GHM and MIX	10 or more acres	300 square foot maximum	12 feet	Yes

The sign(s) shall be located on private property.
Such signs shall be professionally designed and painted on all sides, including support posts. Freestanding signs shall be properly anchored into the ground using posts with minimum dimensions of four inches (4") square or three inches (3") in diameter.
The sign shall be set back from the front property line no less than one foot (1') per one foot (1') of sign height.
Special event signs that are subject to the requirements of Title 3, Chapter 32 of this Code are exempt from these requirements.

Prohibited Signs: The following signs are prohibited in all zoning districts:
1. Any sign which obstructs or impairs the vision of drivers or pedestrians or detracts from the visibility of any official traffic control device.
2. Any sign which contains or imitates an official traffic sign or signal, except for private, on premises directional signs.
3. Off premises advertising and directional signs except as permitted in Sections 10-12-4, 10-12-8 of this chapter and Section 3-32-4 of this Code.
4. Business signs on or attached to equipment, such as semitruck trailers, being used in such a manner that advertising is a principal use of the equipment.
5. Animated signs.
6. Projecting signs.
7. Roof signs.
8. Any sign which contains or consists of banners, bannerettes, pennants, ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, balloons and hot or cold air inflatable devices, spinners or similar outdoor advertising devices, except as otherwise permitted in this chapter or may be approved by a special event permit in accordance with the provisions as set forth in Title 3, Chapter 32 of this Code.
9. Wall graphics, except for original art murals.
10. Beacons.
11. Multifaced signs.
12. Signs supported by guywires.
13. Cabinet signs on buildings, except as allowed in Section 10-12-6(E) of this chapter.
14. Portable signs, except for sandwich board signs and community event signs.

Signs Allowed by Permit: Signs will be allowed by permit in R-1, RR-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 Districts and residential uses in a MIX District.
1. Nameplate Signs: Any nameplate signs over two (2) square feet shall be set back at least ten feet (10') from any property line. No sign shall exceed twelve (12) square feet in area or ten feet (10') in height above the average grade level. Signs may be illuminated, but such lighting shall be diffused or indirect and not illuminate beyond any lot line.
  1. Approved home occupations or in home daycare facilities shall be permitted one non-illuminated nameplate sign provided:
    1. The sign shall not exceed two (2) square feet in area.
    2. The sign is affixed to the dwelling immediately adjacent to the entrance used for business access.
2. Ground Or Monument Signs: Ground or monument signs shall be allowed for the purpose of permanent identification of residential areas. Signs shall be set back a minimum of five feet (5') from all property lines. At each principal entrance to such an area, a maximum of two (2) signs, not to exceed twenty (20) square feet per sign (of actual sign area exclusive of walls or supports), shall be allowed. Larger signs may be allowed as part of a planned unit development or conditional use permit.
3. Freestanding And Wall Signs: Freestanding and wall signs shall be allowed for conditional uses and subject to the following requirements:
  1. The cumulative total wall sign area, when added to the gross sign area of all freestanding signs on the site, except for wall and freestanding signs that do not count toward the maximum allowable sign area pursuant to Section 10-12-4(A) of this chapter, shall not exceed the maximum allowable sign area set forth in Section 10-12-14, table A of this chapter.
  2. The gross area and total height of a freestanding sign shall be limited by the formula and regulations set forth in Section 10-12-14, table B of this chapter.
  3. Freestanding signs up to six feet (6') in height shall be located no closer than five feet (5') from a street right-of-way.
  4. Freestanding signs over six feet (6') in height shall be located no closer than twenty feet (20') from the front street right-of-way. In the case of a corner lot, all sides fronting on a public right-of-way shall be deemed the front.
  5. No part of a freestanding sign, except for an on premises directional sign, shall be located closer than five feet (5') from any driveway or parking space.
  6. All or portions of the permitted freestanding sign area may be comprised of changeable copy signage. Color, illumination or intensity shall not change more frequently than one time for every eight (8) second interval. No scrolling, flashing, continuous movement or other motion shall be permitted.
Wall Signs Allowed by Permit: Wall signs will be allowed by permit in B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, CRD, I-1, I-2, I-3, GIM, GHM Districts and commercial uses in a MIX District.
1. Maximum Number; Placement: The maximum number of wall signs for any business in a single occupancy or multiple occupancy building shall be between zero (0) and two (2) signs. On a single occupancy building, the signs shall be placed on a separate building facade, with or without street frontage. The number and placement of wall signs may exceed two (2) provided a Comprehensive Sign Plan is approved meeting the requirements of subsection (B) of this section.
2. Comprehensive Sign Plan: Multiple occupancy buildings and single occupancy with more than two (2) signs shall submit and receive City approval of a Comprehensive Sign Plan that illustrates the number, size and location of all wall signs and awning signs for the building. The Comprehensive Sign Plan shall be current within five (5) years and meet the following standards:
  1. Through an approved Comprehensive Sign Plan, the site may have building identification wall signs, individual tenant wall signs, awning signs, and freestanding signs. The cumulative total sign area per site shall not exceed the maximum allowable sign area in subsection (C) of this section.
  2. Within multiple occupancy buildings, individual tenant signs shall meet the following standards:
    1. Tenants having a separate exterior entrance shall be eligible for exterior wall signs. The property owner may identify up to four (4) tenants per building through the Comprehensive Sign Plan that may be eligible for additional exterior wall signs.
    2. The total wall, awning, and banner sign areas for individual tenant bays shall not exceed the maximum allowable sign area as identified in Section 10-12-14, table A of this chapter, as applied to the front exterior facade of the individual tenant bay. No individual wall sign shall exceed three hundred (300) square feet.
    3. Except for subsection (B)2d of this section, tenant wall, awning, and banner signs shall be located on or above the building facades of the tenant bay occupied by the business.
    4. The property owner may identify through a Comprehensive Sign Plan up to four (4) tenants per building within the multiple occupancy building that will be eligible to locate wall signs on the building at locations beyond their occupied tenant bays.
  3. The location of all wall signs and awning signs shall be established through an approved Comprehensive Sign Plan. No illuminated wall signs shall be located on the side of a building, where the lot directly abuts a Residential Zoning District. Illuminated wall signs located on the side of a building directly across the street from a Residential Zoning District require a light sensing device that will adjust the brightness of the display as the natural ambient light conditions change.
  4. All wall signs shall be constructed in a manner that meets the standards of subsections (E) and (F) of this section. Installation of wall signs shall comply with all Building and Electrical Code requirements of this Code.
  5. Individual sign permits shall be required prior to the installation of any wall signs or awning signs.
  6. Awning signs shall meet the performance standards of subsection (N) of this section.
  7. Multiple-story/multiple occupancy buildings with tenants served by a common building entrance may have, in addition to the wall signs, one tenant directory sign as either a wall sign or freestanding sign located at each common entrance provided the tenant directory sign meets the following standards:
    1. Individual tenant directory sign shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet in area.
    2. The cumulative total sign area for the entire site shall not exceed the provisions of subsection (C) of this section.
    3. The tenant directory sign shall be located within fifty feet (50') of the common building entrance.
    4. A freestanding tenant directory sign shall not exceed ten feet (10') in height. Wall tenant directory signs shall not be located above the building floor where the common entrance is located.
3. Sign Area: The cumulative total wall, awning, and banner sign areas, when added to gross sign area of all freestanding signs on the site, except for wall and freestanding signs that do not count toward the maximum allowable sign area pursuant to Section 10-12-4(A) of this chapter, shall not exceed the maximum allowable sign area in Section 10-12-14, table A of this chapter.
4. Sign Area Calculation: The total sign area shall be calculated by applying the percentages of Section 10-12-14, table A of this chapter to the building facades that front on public streets.
5. Construction: Wall signs shall be constructed as individual raised mounted letter signs, and may be mounted on exposed raceways that are painted to match the sign band area. Raised letters shall have a depth from the wall or background surface not less than one inch (1"). No cabinet signs are allowed except for logo signs and descriptive tag lines. The logo and tag line shall be subordinate to the individual letters. The descriptive tag line may be constructed in a cabinet form with a maximum height of eight inches (8"). Stand alone cabinet signs are prohibited except as architecturally integrated into the building design and approved through a conditional use permit.
6. Materials: Wall signs shall be constructed with a maintenance free/permanent finish material. Wall signs shall not be painted.
7. Signs On Building Facing Two Or More Streets: Signs may be placed on the side of a building or tenant bay not facing a street. No building side may have signage in excess of the signage allowed for that side of the building based upon the maximum allowable sign area of that building facade. No illuminated wall signs shall be located on the side of the building where the lot directly abuts a Residential Zoning District.
8. Parapet Wall Signs: A sign that is above the highest roofline of a building but on a parapet wall that does not extend all the way around the building shall be architecturally integrated into the building design and comply with applicable architectural performance standards of Sections 10-19-1 and 10-23-1 of this title. This type of sign shall not be considered a roof sign.
9. Maximum Size: The maximum size for any one wall sign shall be three hundred (300) square feet.
10. Changeable Copy Signs: Changeable copy signs shall not be allowed as a wall sign, except as may be approved by a conditional use permit.
11. Transient Merchant Signage: Signage for transient merchants as defined and regulated in title 3 of this Code, shall be limited to one (1) 32-square foot temporary sign.
12. Temporary/Seasonal Outdoor Sales Uses: Shall be subject to the requirements of Section 10-7-48 of this title.
13. Awning/Canopy Signs: Awning/canopy signs may be allowed in addition to wall signs allowed in subsection (A) or (B) of this section provided they meet the following standards:
  1. The lowest part of the awning/canopy shall be not less than eight feet (8') above the sidewalk or above the centerline of the adjacent street or drive aisle.
  2. Awnings/canopies shall be located over a window or door feature.
  3. No awning/canopy signs shall be permitted on windows above the first floor.
  4. Awning/canopy signs shall count against the total allowable sign area per Section 10-12-14, table A of this chapter.
  5. Awning and canopy signs shall require a sign or building permit prior to installation.
Permanent Freestanding Signs Allowed by Permit: Freestanding signs will be allowed by permit in B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, CRD, I-1, I-2, I-3, GIM, GHM Districts and commercial uses in a MIX District.
1. Freestanding Signs Within B-2 District: Within the B-2 Neighborhood Business District, freestanding signs shall be limited to monument signs not to exceed six feet (6') in height.
2. Monument Sign Street Setback: Monument signs up to six feet (6') in height shall be located no closer than five feet (5') from a street right-of-way.
3. Freestanding Signs: Freestanding signs over six feet (6') in height shall be located no closer than twenty feet (20') from the front street right-of-way; however, the freestanding sign front setback limitation of twenty feet (20') may be decreased where a corresponding decrease in the sign height occurs. The formula for determining the height and setback variation shall be established at or below a diagonal plane beginning at the point twenty feet (20') back from the front property line and rising to the corresponding height limitation set forth in Section 10-12-14, table B of this chapter. From that point, the plane descends to a second point five feet (5') back from the front property line at a height of six feet (6'). In the case of a corner lot, all sides fronting on a public right-of-way shall be deemed the front.
4. Freestanding Sign Locations: Freestanding signs except for an on premises directional sign and signs accessory to drive-through service lanes, shall be located no closer than five feet (5') from any driveway or parking space.
5. Pylon Signs: Pylon signs shall be located no closer than fifteen feet (15') to the front property line.
6. Pylon Sign Height: The minimum pylon sign height clearance to the bottom of the sign, including the cross bracing, framing or sign enclosure shall be eight feet (8').
7. Number Of Freestanding Signs: One freestanding sign is allowed upon any single lot. Additional freestanding signs may be allowed provided they are in compliance with the following standards:
  1. The signs are constructed as a monument sign and shall not exceed a height of six feet (6').
  2. Within the B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4 Districts up to two (2) monument signs shall be allowed for lots under ten (10) acres in lot size. Up to four (4) monument signs shall be allowed for lots over ten (10) acres in lot size.
  3. Within the B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4 Districts a maximum of four (4) freestanding signs, which include monument signs, shall be allowed per property. Additional signs may be allowed with approval of a CUP or PUD.
  4. Within the B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4 Districts in no case shall any freestanding sign, monument sign or pylon sign be closer than three hundred feet (300') to any other freestanding sign, monument sign or pylon sign. The distance between signs shall be measured from the edge of the sign face via a straight line. Menu boards and directional signs are exempt from this requirement.
  5. Decorative shrubbery and flowers must be incorporated as a part of the monument design and are maintained on a regular basis.
  6. The signs, if illuminated, may be either internally or externally lighted in accordance with these regulations.
  7. The gross area of the signs, when added together with all other freestanding and wall sign areas, does not exceed the maximum allowable sign area established for the lot.
  8. Monument signs may incorporate additional berming on a slope of three to one (3:1) where the berming is incorporated into an overall landscaping design plan. Landscaping shall be provided on the slopes of the berm in an interesting and varied appearance. Where a planter box is incorporated, the landscaping shall occur in and around the planter with a similar attractive design. In both cases, the height of the sign, including the planter box shall not exceed six feet (6').
  9. Signs allowed pursuant to Section 10-12-4(A) of this chapter.
8. Freestanding Sign Area And Height: The gross area and total height of a freestanding sign shall be limited to the maximums prescribed in Section 10-12-14, table B of this chapter. The maximum size and height of each sign shall be determined by the classification of the street toward which the sign is oriented, provided that the property on which the sign is to be located either fronts on the street or is part of a planned unit development that fronts on the street.
9. Signs For Multiple Occupancy Buildings: In the case of a multiple occupancy building, which is a center for industrial, commercial or retail purposes on properties over ten (10) acres, a freestanding sign larger than that provided for in Section 10-12-14, table B of this chapter may be approved by conditional use permit.
10. Monument Signs: For monument signs, the copy and graphic area shall not exceed the maximum square feet permitted under Section 10-12-14, table B of this chapter.
11. Cumulative Gross Sign Area: The cumulative gross sign area of all freestanding signs, except as provided for in Section 10-12-4 of this chapter, when added to the total wall sign area, shall not exceed the maximum allowable sign area under Section 10-12-14, table A of this chapter.
12. Changeable Copy Signs: In all Commercial, CRD and MIX Districts and approved retail businesses and retail showroom businesses in Industrial Districts, one changeable copy sign per street frontage may be incorporated as part of a freestanding sign. Changeable copy sign approvals will be granted only upon the elimination of all existing illegal temporary signage. Changeable copy signs may not exceed the brightness or illumination set forth in Section 10-12-3(C) of this chapter. The following criteria will be applied when reviewing changeable copy sign applications:
  1. The signs shall be attached to the pylon sign beneath the business name or incorporated into an alternative freestanding sign proposal. The design of the sign shall complement other existing signage on the site.
  2. The background color shall complement other existing signage on the site.
  3. Changeable copy signs on the same lot shall maintain a separation between signs equal to one-half (1/2) the required lot width within the respective district.
  4. The gross area of the changeable copy sign shall be limited to the maximums prescribed for freestanding signs under Section 10-12-14, table B of this chapter and the maximum allowable sign areas specified in Section 10-12-14, table A of this chapter.
  5. The lower portion of the changeable copy sign shall meet the eight foot (8') minimum height clearance requirement. If the bottom of a changeable copy sign is proposed at a height below eight feet (8'), the message board shall be enclosed within a vandalproof encasement and shall be designed as a ground sign.
  6. Color, illumination or intensity shall not change more frequently than one time for every eight (8) second interval. No scrolling, flashing, continuous movement or other motion shall be permitted.
  7. Changeable copy signs may not operate at brightness levels that exceed five-tenths (0.5) foot-candle measured on the property line when adjoining Residential Zones and one (1.0) foot-candle measured on the property line when such line adjoins a similar zone and land use.
  8. Each changeable copy sign must have a light sensing device that will adjust the brightness of the display as the natural ambient light conditions change.
13. Grade Difference: Where there is a grade difference of more than four feet (4') between the proposed location of a freestanding sign and the higher grade of the street frontage toward which the sign is oriented, the sign height base elevation may be established at the centerline of the street, provided that the property on which the sign is to be located either fronts on the street or is part of a planned unit development that fronts on the street.
14. Drive-Through Signs: Signs accessory to drive-through service lanes are permitted in addition as allowed wall signs or freestanding signs provided the following conditions are met:
  1. One sign is allowed per approved drive-through service lane.
  2. No sign shall exceed thirty two (32) square feet in area.
  3. No sign shall exceed eight feet (8') in height.
  4. Signs with speakers or intercoms shall be designed and located in a manner to direct noise away from adjoining properties.
  5. One additional sign per approved drive-through service lane may be allowed provided the sign shall not exceed twenty-four (24) square feet in area.
15. Off Premises Freestanding Signs: In a multiple lot planned unit development (PUD) that includes shared driveways and parking areas among the lots, a sign directing traffic from one lot of the PUD to a business on another lot in the same PUD shall not be considered to be an off premises directional sign. Each such sign shall not exceed ten (10) square feet in area, shall be included in the total allowable sign area for the building to which the traffic is being directed, and shall be compatible with the other signs in the PUD.
Billboards:
1. Billboards are permitted only in I-1 and I-2 Districts and only where the adjacent streets are intermediate arterial or interstate freeway roadways, as shown in the Burnsville comprehensive plan.
2. A conditional use permit shall be required for approval of a billboard pursuant to Section 10-5-5 of this title.
3. Upon obtaining a conditional use permit for a billboard, the company or person obtaining the permit shall file with the City a letter of credit in the minimum amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) to guarantee compliance with the terms and conditions of the permit. The ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) shall cover one through five (5) signs.
4. The maximum sign size shall be seven hundred fifty (750) square feet. Billboards may incorporate cutouts protruding beyond the framed perimeter of the sign face providing the total sign area not exceed seven hundred fifty (750) square feet.
5. The maximum sign height to the uppermost portion shall be forty five feet (45'). The building setback limitation for the zoning district in which the sign is located shall apply to principal structure setbacks for billboards.
6. The minimum radius distance between billboards shall be two thousand feet (2,000').
7. No billboard shall be constructed within two thousand feet (2,000') of the City's corporate limits.
8. No billboard shall be constructed within one hundred fifty feet (150') of the point of tangency of the entrance or exit ramp on any intermediate arterial or interstate freeway or within one hundred fifty feet (150') of the intersection of the nearest right-of-way lines of any other class of street. The point of tangency shall be measured from the point where the off ramp meets the adjacent traffic lane. No billboard shall be constructed between ramps of an interchange.
9. Billboards shall be a single support, metal structure free of any supports or guywires. The metal shall be either painted or treated in such a manner as to prevent deterioration.
10. Billboards shall have a maximum of two (2) faces.
11. Billboard signs or portions thereof shall not change in content, color, illumination or intensity more frequently than eight (8) times per day, except as allowed in subsection (P) of this section. No scrolling, flashing, or continuous movement is permitted.
12. All electrical wiring shall be underground and concealed.
13. The lot on which a billboard is located shall be improved by landscaping and must be maintained in an acceptable manner.
14. Billboards are a principal use of property. Notwithstanding Section 10-7-3(B) of this title, a billboard shall not be erected on the same lot with a building, and billboards shall be removed from a lot before any other building or structure is erected on the lot.
15. In B-3 Districts, a billboard or off premises advertising sign may be proposed as a second principal use of a lot only pursuant to a planned unit development plan which is consistent with the comprehensive plan, meets the requirements of this title, and is approved by the City Council in compliance with the following additional standards:
  1. The billboard or sign must be a preexisting, nonconforming use.
  2. The owner of the billboard or sign must hold an ownership interest or easement in the underlying real estate where the billboard or sign is located.
  3. The billboard or sign must be located adjacent to a minor arterial or principal arterial roadway.
16. The following standards shall apply to converted dynamic display billboards, as defined in Section 10-12-2 of this chapter, unless otherwise noted:
  1. Message Standards:
    1. Displays shall contain static messages only, and shall not have movement, or the appearance or optical illusion of movement during the static display period, of any part of the sign structure. Each static message shall not include flashing, scintillating lighting or the varying of light intensity. No scrolling, flashing, or continuous movement is permitted. Each image and message shall be displayed with minimum time duration of eight (8) seconds before changing to the next image and message.
    2. The change of message shall appear to be instant to the human eye.
  2. Design Requirements:
    1. All visible sign support columns shall be concealed with an architectural treatment approved by the City DRC, primarily consisting of natural stone, manufactured stone, brick, masonry panels, stucco, architectural metal or other materials.
    2. Ground equipment and facilities shall be screened from public view utilizing planting screens outlined in Section 10-7-18(B) of this title.
    3. Any dynamic display billboard may include the name or logo of the City of Burnsville on the sign frame or support column as a City gateway amenity. The introduction of the City name or logo to a dynamic display billboard shall not count against the maximum allowed sign size outlined in subsection (D) of this section. The City shall approve the size, configuration, and design of the City name or logo included on any dynamic display billboard.
  3. Brightness Requirements:
    1. All dynamic display billboards shall be equipped and operated with an ambient light monitor or a mechanism that automatically adjusts the brightness level of the sign in response to light conditions. Dynamic display billboards shall be equipped with a means to immediately turn off the display or lighting in the event of a sign malfunction. The dynamic display billboard sign and all associated lighting shall be turned off within one hour or as soon as reasonably possible after receiving notification by the City that the sign does not meet the standards of this section.
    2. No dynamic display billboard sign shall exceed five hundred (500) nits (candelas per square meter) at night or seven thousand five hundred (7,500) nits (candelas per square meter) during the day.
    3. Dynamic display billboards shall not operate at brightness levels of more than three-tenths (0.3) foot-candle above ambient light, as measured using a foot-candle meter at a preset horizontal distance of two hundred fifty feet (250') from the nominal size (14 feet x 48 feet) sign face.
  4. Conversions Of Existing Billboards: A person may only obtain a permit for a dynamic display billboard for an existing lawful nonconforming off premises billboard provided the following requirements are met:
    1. The applicant will into an agreement regarding the design and operation of the new dynamic display billboard which shall include the requirement for use of the billboard for public service announcements as provided in subsection (P)5 of this section.
    2. Provided the applicant complies with the permit requirements of this chapter, a dynamic display billboard sign permit for the designated off premises sign will be issued. Said permit will allow a dynamic display billboard to occupy one hundred percent (100%) of the potential copy and graphic area and to change not more frequently than one time for every eight (8) second period. The dynamic display billboard sign shall meet all other requirements of this chapter.
    3. Provided the applicant complies with the permit requirements of this chapter the applicant is permitted 2 dynamic display signs, 1 on each face on the same billboard structure.
  5. Public Service Announcements:
    1. Dynamic display billboard owners shall display public service announcements on behalf of the City, if the City chooses to participate (at no cost to the City) under the following parameters:
      1. No more than two thousand two hundred fifty (2,250) 8-second public service messages shall be utilized per month per face.
    2. Dynamic display billboards shall be part of the State of Minnesota's public safety alert system. Owners of dynamic display billboards shall coordinate with law enforcement and emergency management authorities to display, when appropriate, regional emergency information important to the traveling public including, but not limited to, "Amber alerts" or emergency management information.
    3. Regional emergency information shall be displayed in accordance with the established protocols of local and State authorities. Emergency communications shall travel through established protocols set up by the division of emergency management or first responders.
17. Existing legal nonconforming billboards are subject to the general requirements of Section 10-12-12, "Nonconforming Signs", of this chapter.
Temporary Deval Installation: Temporary Decal Installations shall be allowed by permit in B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, CRD, I-1, I-2, I-3, GIM, GHM Districts, commercial uses in a MIX or TOD District and conditional uses in R Districts.
1. Wall Type And Composition: Temporary decal installations shall be allowed on permitted major exterior materials as referenced in Sections 10-19-1-(A)3 and 10-23-1-(A)3 as applicable.
  1. 1. Proof of manufacturer's specifications shall be supplied prior to issuance of a sign permit.
2. Temporary Decal Installation Standards: These signs if placed in accordance with the following standards, will not apply toward the maximum allowable sign area, but shall comply with all other applicable provisions of this title:
  1. A permit is required and shall be valid for three (3) years. A maximum of one (1) permit is allowed per street frontage per property. In the case of multiple buildings on one (1) lot, the frontage standard shall apply to each separate structure.
  2. Temporary decal Installations shall not be used in place of permanent signage.
  3. When a temporary decal installation is used to wrap the façade of a structure, the window signage allowance referenced in Section 10-12-4-(A)5 shall not apply.
Permit and Fee Required: Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no sign or structure shall be erected, constructed, altered, rebuilt or relocated until the required fee as determined by City policy has been paid and a permit has been issued by the City.
Removal Of Unsafe And Illegal Signs: If the City finds that any sign or sign structure is unsafe or in violation of the provisions of this chapter, the chief building official, or his/her designee, shall give written notice to the owner and/or party responsible for the sign to comply with the standards required by this chapter in a prescribed time frame and manner. The removal of the signs shall be done in the following manner:
1. Permanent Illegal Signs: The chief building official, or his/her designee, shall order the removal of any permanent sign erected or maintained in violation of this title. Thirty (30) days' notice in writing shall be given to the owner of such sign, or of the building, structure or premises on which such sign is located, to either comply with this title or remove the sign. The owner of the sign, building, structure, or premises shall also, upon removal of any sign, be fully responsible for repairing, replacing and returning the ground, building wall or other mounting surface to its original condition or to a proper condition consistent with the present appearance of the area, building wall or surface.
2. Temporary Or Illegal Signs: The City may impound signs which have been illegally installed upon public property or within public right-of-way or easement. The sign owner may retrieve the signs according to the following:
  1. Fee Payment: For impounded signs there shall be an impoundment and storage fee as may be approved from time to time by Council resolution.
  2. Retrieval Of Sign: The sign shall be retrieved from a designated impound area during routine business hours and within fifteen (15) days from the date of impounding. After fifteen (15) days, the City will dispose of the sign.
  3. Liability: The City shall not be held liable for any damage to impounded signs.
3. Closed Business Signs: Signs not used for signing when a business closes or leaves the tenant space for twelve (12) consecutive months shall be addressed in the following manner:
  1. Wall signs (individual letters): Shall be removed.
  2. Wall signs (cabinet): A blank face shall be inserted in the cabinet.
  3. Freestanding signs: The sign area shall be totally covered.
Nonconforming Signs: Any sign legally existing on the effective date of this chapter which does not conform to the requirements set forth in this chapter shall become a legal nonconforming use. Except as specified elsewhere, legal nonconforming on premises signs shall be allowed to be maintained, repaired and refaced, but shall not be expanded without being brought into compliance with all the requirements of this chapter. No maintenance, repair, refacing or alteration of any nonconforming sign is permitted if the maintenance, repair, refacing or alteration involves a change that incorporates any element or display prohibited by this chapter. The addition of any changeable copy technology to an existing fixed sign shall be considered an expansion of the use and function of the sign. A sign may not be changed, maintained, repaired or altered from one type of nonconformity to any other type of nonconformity.
Banners on Light Poles:
1. In order to provide unity and identity for multiple building planned unit developments, decorative banners may be installed for year round or seasonal display on privately owned light poles in any zoning district by a sign permit, provided that the banners comply with the following standards and requirements:
  1. Banners may be approved only for developments with multiple principal buildings and multiple businesses, such as a multi-building retail or service center, a mixed use campus, or an office/industrial park. In no case shall banners be approved for a single principal building development, a single business development, or a residential development that is not part of a mixed use commercial development.
  2. All banners shall be constructed of high quality, durable, fade resistant cloth.
  3. The banners may be of various colors and designs, provided that the banners are consistent with an approved Comprehensive Design Plan. The banners may contain the name and logo of the development and seasonal or special event greetings. In no case shall a banner advertise a business name, a product name, or a service.
  4. The top and bottom of each banner shall be mounted to the light pole by appropriate brackets. Banners may be mounted only on light poles owned by the applicant, and shall be mounted to provide a minimum of fifteen feet (15') of clearance between the bottom of the banner and the ground adjacent to the light pole. No more than two (2) banners, on opposing sides, may be mounted to each light pole, and banners shall not be attached to more than seventy five percent (75%) of the light poles on the site.
  5. Each banner shall not exceed a maximum size of two and one-half feet (2 1/2') in width and five feet (5') in length.
  6. The banners shall be included in the total allowable sign area for the buildings in the development, consistent with Section 10-12-14, table A of this chapter.
2. The applicant for a sign permit shall provide to the City a color drawing of the proposed banner design or designs, fabric samples, a site plan showing all light poles and noting the proposed banner locations, and mounting details.
3. A banner that has become torn, faded, loose, or otherwise in disrepair shall be promptly replaced or removed.

Sign Tables

TABLE A: MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SIGN AREA

In the table below column A is the allowable sign area regardless of building facade.

In the table below column B is the maximum allowable sign area based on percentage area of building facade.

	A		B
B-1 and TOD Districts	50 sq. ft.	or	10%
CUPs in R Districts	50 sq. ft.	or	12%
CUPs in R Districts	50 sq. ft.	or	14%
B-3 and CRD Districts and commercial uses in a MIX District	100 sq. ft.	or	16%
B-4, I-1, I-2 and GHM Districts	125 sq. ft.	or	18%

TABLE B: FREESTANDING SIGN STANDARDS EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
1. Street classifications are defined by the official Comprehensive Plan as adopted and amended. Signs on directly adjoining frontage roads may use the standards for the adjoining street classification.
  Street Classification
  Speed (mph)
  Area (Sq. Ft.)
  Height (Ft.)
  City
  30
  20
  6
  Collector
  30
  25
  16
  35
  50
  20
  40
  100
  24
  Principal and Minor Arterials
  30
  50
  18
  35
  100
  22
  40
  125
  24
  45
  150
  26
  50+
  175
  28
  65
  200
  32

Substitution Clause: The owner of any sign which is otherwise allowed by this chapter may substitute noncommercial speech in lieu of any other commercial speech or noncommercial speech. 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 noncommercial speech, or favoring of any particular noncommercial speech over any other noncommercial speech. This provision prevails over any more specific provision to the contrary.

HISTORY
Adopted by Ord. 1648 on 6/12/2026

1648

Burnsville City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 10

12 SIGNS

Purpose: Signs have an impact on the character and quality of the environment as a prominent part of the scenery; they attract or repel the viewing public and affect the safety of vehicular traffic. Their suitability or appropriateness helps to set the tone of the neighborhood. The purpose of this section shall be to regulate the placement, erection and maintenance of signs in the City so as to promote the health, safety, aesthetics, economic welfare and general welfare of the community. The following standards in this chapter are, therefore, adopted to regulate signs.
General Provisions:
1. Hazard To Traffic: No sign permitted by this title shall, by reason of its location, color or intensity, create a hazard to the safe, efficient movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. No private sign shall contain words which might be construed as traffic controls, such as "Stop", "Caution", "Warning", etc., unless such sign is needed to direct traffic on the premises.
2. Maintenance: All signs and sign structures shall be properly maintained in a safe, orderly condition at all times, including the replacement of defective parts, cleaning and other items required for maintenance of the sign. Vegetation around, in front of, behind, and underneath the base of ground signs for a distance of ten feet (10') shall be neatly trimmed and free of weeds, and no rubbish or debris that would constitute a fire or health hazard shall be permitted under or near the sign.
3. Construction: All signs shall be constructed in accordance with the Minnesota State Building Code and the National Electrical Code. No changeable copy, illuminated architectural feature or dynamic display billboard sign shall exceed five hundred (500) nits (candelas per square meter) at night or seven thousand five hundred (7,500) nits during the day.
4. Location: No sign shall be erected, placed or maintained on, fences, trees, power and light poles or the supports thereof, except as allowed at special events or as a temporary banner. Signs on rocks shall be allowed if they use metal letters and numbers or the commercial message is etched into the surface of the rock.
5. Electricity: All signs utilizing electricity shall be subject to the State's Electrical Code and electrical service wiring shall be buried or concealed.
6. Placement In Right-Of-Way: No signs other than governmental signs shall be erected or temporarily placed within any street rights-of-way or upon any public lands or easements or rights-of-way, except by conditional use permit or otherwise provided in this chapter.
7. Obstruction: No sign or sign structure shall be erected or maintained if it prevents free ingress or egress from any door, window or fire escape. No sign or sign structure shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
8. Address Signs: A minimum of one address sign identifying the correct property number as assigned by the City shall be required on each principal building in all districts. Such sign shall be of sufficient size to be legible from the nearest street yet shall not exceed nine (9) square feet in area. The numbers shall be metal, glass, plastic or durable material and the numbers shall not be less than four inches (4") in height, in a contrasting color to the base or made of some reflective material and so placed to be easily seen from the street.
9. Seasonal Decoration: No seasonal/holiday decoration shall be allowed on or within the right-of-way.
10. Message: Commercial message of the sign shall be neat and orderly and not obscene. The signs shall be professionally prepared.
11. Illumination In B-1 And B-2: Signs in all B-1 and B-2 Districts may only be illuminated during business hours, or until eleven o'clock (11:00) P.M., whichever is later.
12. External Lighting: Signs with external lighting shall have no exposed light sources or fixtures unless decorative fixtures are utilized and the light source is fully concealed and diffused. If a wall sign is mounted above the first floor of a building, the illumination, if any, shall be internal. Dynamic display billboards shall be exempt from this section and shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10-12-8(P) of this chapter.
13. Angle Between Faces: The maximum angle permitted between faces of a double face freestanding sign is sixty degrees (60°), anything less is one sign, anything more is two (2) signs.
14. Illuminated Architectural Features: Illuminated architectural features or portions thereof, not defined as signage or a canopy sign, shall be applied at the rate of one-third (1/3) the architectural feature area toward the maximum allowable sign area permitted in Section 10-12-14, table A of this chapter. Illuminated architectural features shall include, but not be limited to, wall, roof and window mounted linear lighting, the wall surface between multiple rows of linear lighting, illuminated sign bands, backlit canopies, awnings or wall banding features, strings of light bulbs, etc. The color, illumination or intensity of these features shall not change more frequently than one time for every thirty (30) second interval. No scrolling, flashing, continuous movement or other motion shall be permitted. Each illuminated architectural feature must have a light sensing device that will adjust the brightness of the display as the natural ambient light conditions change.
15. Banner Sign Standards: All temporary banner signs allowed within this chapter for more than ten (10) days shall meet the following design standards:
  1. Banners shall be constructed with top and bottom ropes seamed into the banner.
  2. Minimum twelve (12) ounce weight vinyl material.
  3. Minimum two hundred forty (240) pounds per square yard of tensile strength.
  4. Minimum one hundred ten (110) pounds per square yard of tear strength.
  5. Banner signs located on buildings shall be stretched taut and securely attached.

Allowable And Prohibited Signs

Allowable Signs: The following signs are allowed without a permit unless otherwise specified. These signs, if placed in accordance with the following standards, will not apply toward the maximum allowable sign area, but shall comply with all other applicable provisions of this title:
1. Governmental Signs: Signs of a public, noncommercial nature including safety signs, danger signs, trespassing signs, traffic signs, directional signs, public transit signs, signs indicating scenic or historical points of interest, memorial plaques and temporary signs and banners, when these signs are erected by or on order of a public officer or employee in the performance of official duty. These may be on or off premises.
2. On Premises Directional Signs: Shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area.
3. Integral Signs: Shall not exceed nine (9) square feet in area.
4. Campaign Signs: Shall not be placed upon public right-of-way or property. Campaign signs erected on private property should be erected with permission of the property owner or lessee. Those installing campaign signs shall comply with the Fair Campaign Practices Act contained in State of Minnesota Statutes Chapter 211B.
5. Window Signs: Window signs shall not cover more than thirty five percent (35%) of the window area on each elevation of a building. All window signs shall be placed on the inside surface of the glass, except for a window sign of paint or decal application applied directly to the glass surface.
6. Informational Signs: Shall not exceed six (6) square feet.
7. Sandwich Board Signs: Sandwich board signs may be no more than three feet (3') in width and four feet (4') in height and must be located within twenty feet (20') of the main entrance to the business they advertise. Sandwich board signs must be placed upon private property, leaving a minimum of four feet (4') of clearance for pedestrian access. Sandwich board signs may not be placed upon the public sidewalk. Sandwich board signs may be used only during business hours and must be removed daily.
8. Original Art Murals: Original art murals.
9. Non-Commercial Signs: Non-commercial signs.
Allowable Temporary Banners: The following signs are allowed with a permit unless otherwise specified. These signs if placed in accordance with the following standards, will not apply toward the maximum allowable sign area, but shall comply with all other applicable provisions of this title:
1. A permit is required and shall be valid for ninety (90) days. A maximum of two (2) permits are allowed per year. One permit is allowed per street frontage per property or in the case of a multi-tenant property one permit per tenant.
2. Temporary banner signs shall be securely attached to the building or fence in such a manner that no portion of the sign will be allowed to blow around freely in the wind. Temporary banner signs shall not cover or block ingress or egress from any door, window or fire escape. Shall not be located in required yards.
3. Temporary banner signs shall not be used in place of permanent signage.
4. There shall be no additional sign lighting allowed in addition to that which has been approved for the building.
5. Temporary banner wall signs shall comply with the performance standards of Section 10-12-3(O) of this chapter.
6. The size and location of these types of signs shall be determined as if the sign were a permanent wall sign as regulated in this chapter or no greater than three hundred (300) square feet, whichever is less.
7. Special event banners that are subject to the requirements of Title 3, Chapter 32 of this Code are exempt from these requirements.

A permit is required and shall be valid for ninety (90) consecutive days. A permit may be renewed once every ninety (90) days. A maximum of two (2) permits are allowed per year. One permit is allowed per property or in the case of a multi-tenant property one permit per tenant.

One sign is allowed per street frontage with a maximum total square footage according to the chart below:

Zoning Districts	Property Size	Temporary Freestanding Sign Square Footage	Height	Permit Required
R1, RR-1, R2, R-5	N/A	12 square foot maximum	6 feet	No
Conditional uses in the R1, RR-1, R-2, and R-5	N/A	100 square foot maximum	8 feet	Yes
R-3, R-4, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, CRD, I-1, I-2, I-3, GIM, GHM and MIX	0 - 2 acres	100 square foot maximum	8 feet	Yes
R-3, R-4, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, CRD, I-1, I-2, I-3, GIM, GHM and MIX	2 - 10 acres	200 square foot maximum	12 feet	Yes
R-3, R-4, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, CRD, I-1, I-2, I-3, GIM, GHM and MIX	10 or more acres	300 square foot maximum	12 feet	Yes

The sign(s) shall be located on private property.
Such signs shall be professionally designed and painted on all sides, including support posts. Freestanding signs shall be properly anchored into the ground using posts with minimum dimensions of four inches (4") square or three inches (3") in diameter.
The sign shall be set back from the front property line no less than one foot (1') per one foot (1') of sign height.
Special event signs that are subject to the requirements of Title 3, Chapter 32 of this Code are exempt from these requirements.

Prohibited Signs: The following signs are prohibited in all zoning districts:
1. Any sign which obstructs or impairs the vision of drivers or pedestrians or detracts from the visibility of any official traffic control device.
2. Any sign which contains or imitates an official traffic sign or signal, except for private, on premises directional signs.
3. Off premises advertising and directional signs except as permitted in Sections 10-12-4, 10-12-8 of this chapter and Section 3-32-4 of this Code.
4. Business signs on or attached to equipment, such as semitruck trailers, being used in such a manner that advertising is a principal use of the equipment.
5. Animated signs.
6. Projecting signs.
7. Roof signs.
8. Any sign which contains or consists of banners, bannerettes, pennants, ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, balloons and hot or cold air inflatable devices, spinners or similar outdoor advertising devices, except as otherwise permitted in this chapter or may be approved by a special event permit in accordance with the provisions as set forth in Title 3, Chapter 32 of this Code.
9. Wall graphics, except for original art murals.
10. Beacons.
11. Multifaced signs.
12. Signs supported by guywires.
13. Cabinet signs on buildings, except as allowed in Section 10-12-6(E) of this chapter.
14. Portable signs, except for sandwich board signs and community event signs.

Signs Allowed by Permit: Signs will be allowed by permit in R-1, RR-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 Districts and residential uses in a MIX District.
1. Nameplate Signs: Any nameplate signs over two (2) square feet shall be set back at least ten feet (10') from any property line. No sign shall exceed twelve (12) square feet in area or ten feet (10') in height above the average grade level. Signs may be illuminated, but such lighting shall be diffused or indirect and not illuminate beyond any lot line.
  1. Approved home occupations or in home daycare facilities shall be permitted one non-illuminated nameplate sign provided:
    1. The sign shall not exceed two (2) square feet in area.
    2. The sign is affixed to the dwelling immediately adjacent to the entrance used for business access.
2. Ground Or Monument Signs: Ground or monument signs shall be allowed for the purpose of permanent identification of residential areas. Signs shall be set back a minimum of five feet (5') from all property lines. At each principal entrance to such an area, a maximum of two (2) signs, not to exceed twenty (20) square feet per sign (of actual sign area exclusive of walls or supports), shall be allowed. Larger signs may be allowed as part of a planned unit development or conditional use permit.
3. Freestanding And Wall Signs: Freestanding and wall signs shall be allowed for conditional uses and subject to the following requirements:
  1. The cumulative total wall sign area, when added to the gross sign area of all freestanding signs on the site, except for wall and freestanding signs that do not count toward the maximum allowable sign area pursuant to Section 10-12-4(A) of this chapter, shall not exceed the maximum allowable sign area set forth in Section 10-12-14, table A of this chapter.
  2. The gross area and total height of a freestanding sign shall be limited by the formula and regulations set forth in Section 10-12-14, table B of this chapter.
  3. Freestanding signs up to six feet (6') in height shall be located no closer than five feet (5') from a street right-of-way.
  4. Freestanding signs over six feet (6') in height shall be located no closer than twenty feet (20') from the front street right-of-way. In the case of a corner lot, all sides fronting on a public right-of-way shall be deemed the front.
  5. No part of a freestanding sign, except for an on premises directional sign, shall be located closer than five feet (5') from any driveway or parking space.
  6. All or portions of the permitted freestanding sign area may be comprised of changeable copy signage. Color, illumination or intensity shall not change more frequently than one time for every eight (8) second interval. No scrolling, flashing, continuous movement or other motion shall be permitted.
Wall Signs Allowed by Permit: Wall signs will be allowed by permit in B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, CRD, I-1, I-2, I-3, GIM, GHM Districts and commercial uses in a MIX District.
1. Maximum Number; Placement: The maximum number of wall signs for any business in a single occupancy or multiple occupancy building shall be between zero (0) and two (2) signs. On a single occupancy building, the signs shall be placed on a separate building facade, with or without street frontage. The number and placement of wall signs may exceed two (2) provided a Comprehensive Sign Plan is approved meeting the requirements of subsection (B) of this section.
2. Comprehensive Sign Plan: Multiple occupancy buildings and single occupancy with more than two (2) signs shall submit and receive City approval of a Comprehensive Sign Plan that illustrates the number, size and location of all wall signs and awning signs for the building. The Comprehensive Sign Plan shall be current within five (5) years and meet the following standards:
  1. Through an approved Comprehensive Sign Plan, the site may have building identification wall signs, individual tenant wall signs, awning signs, and freestanding signs. The cumulative total sign area per site shall not exceed the maximum allowable sign area in subsection (C) of this section.
  2. Within multiple occupancy buildings, individual tenant signs shall meet the following standards:
    1. Tenants having a separate exterior entrance shall be eligible for exterior wall signs. The property owner may identify up to four (4) tenants per building through the Comprehensive Sign Plan that may be eligible for additional exterior wall signs.
    2. The total wall, awning, and banner sign areas for individual tenant bays shall not exceed the maximum allowable sign area as identified in Section 10-12-14, table A of this chapter, as applied to the front exterior facade of the individual tenant bay. No individual wall sign shall exceed three hundred (300) square feet.
    3. Except for subsection (B)2d of this section, tenant wall, awning, and banner signs shall be located on or above the building facades of the tenant bay occupied by the business.
    4. The property owner may identify through a Comprehensive Sign Plan up to four (4) tenants per building within the multiple occupancy building that will be eligible to locate wall signs on the building at locations beyond their occupied tenant bays.
  3. The location of all wall signs and awning signs shall be established through an approved Comprehensive Sign Plan. No illuminated wall signs shall be located on the side of a building, where the lot directly abuts a Residential Zoning District. Illuminated wall signs located on the side of a building directly across the street from a Residential Zoning District require a light sensing device that will adjust the brightness of the display as the natural ambient light conditions change.
  4. All wall signs shall be constructed in a manner that meets the standards of subsections (E) and (F) of this section. Installation of wall signs shall comply with all Building and Electrical Code requirements of this Code.
  5. Individual sign permits shall be required prior to the installation of any wall signs or awning signs.
  6. Awning signs shall meet the performance standards of subsection (N) of this section.
  7. Multiple-story/multiple occupancy buildings with tenants served by a common building entrance may have, in addition to the wall signs, one tenant directory sign as either a wall sign or freestanding sign located at each common entrance provided the tenant directory sign meets the following standards:
    1. Individual tenant directory sign shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet in area.
    2. The cumulative total sign area for the entire site shall not exceed the provisions of subsection (C) of this section.
    3. The tenant directory sign shall be located within fifty feet (50') of the common building entrance.
    4. A freestanding tenant directory sign shall not exceed ten feet (10') in height. Wall tenant directory signs shall not be located above the building floor where the common entrance is located.
3. Sign Area: The cumulative total wall, awning, and banner sign areas, when added to gross sign area of all freestanding signs on the site, except for wall and freestanding signs that do not count toward the maximum allowable sign area pursuant to Section 10-12-4(A) of this chapter, shall not exceed the maximum allowable sign area in Section 10-12-14, table A of this chapter.
4. Sign Area Calculation: The total sign area shall be calculated by applying the percentages of Section 10-12-14, table A of this chapter to the building facades that front on public streets.
5. Construction: Wall signs shall be constructed as individual raised mounted letter signs, and may be mounted on exposed raceways that are painted to match the sign band area. Raised letters shall have a depth from the wall or background surface not less than one inch (1"). No cabinet signs are allowed except for logo signs and descriptive tag lines. The logo and tag line shall be subordinate to the individual letters. The descriptive tag line may be constructed in a cabinet form with a maximum height of eight inches (8"). Stand alone cabinet signs are prohibited except as architecturally integrated into the building design and approved through a conditional use permit.
6. Materials: Wall signs shall be constructed with a maintenance free/permanent finish material. Wall signs shall not be painted.
7. Signs On Building Facing Two Or More Streets: Signs may be placed on the side of a building or tenant bay not facing a street. No building side may have signage in excess of the signage allowed for that side of the building based upon the maximum allowable sign area of that building facade. No illuminated wall signs shall be located on the side of the building where the lot directly abuts a Residential Zoning District.
8. Parapet Wall Signs: A sign that is above the highest roofline of a building but on a parapet wall that does not extend all the way around the building shall be architecturally integrated into the building design and comply with applicable architectural performance standards of Sections 10-19-1 and 10-23-1 of this title. This type of sign shall not be considered a roof sign.
9. Maximum Size: The maximum size for any one wall sign shall be three hundred (300) square feet.
10. Changeable Copy Signs: Changeable copy signs shall not be allowed as a wall sign, except as may be approved by a conditional use permit.
11. Transient Merchant Signage: Signage for transient merchants as defined and regulated in title 3 of this Code, shall be limited to one (1) 32-square foot temporary sign.
12. Temporary/Seasonal Outdoor Sales Uses: Shall be subject to the requirements of Section 10-7-48 of this title.
13. Awning/Canopy Signs: Awning/canopy signs may be allowed in addition to wall signs allowed in subsection (A) or (B) of this section provided they meet the following standards:
  1. The lowest part of the awning/canopy shall be not less than eight feet (8') above the sidewalk or above the centerline of the adjacent street or drive aisle.
  2. Awnings/canopies shall be located over a window or door feature.
  3. No awning/canopy signs shall be permitted on windows above the first floor.
  4. Awning/canopy signs shall count against the total allowable sign area per Section 10-12-14, table A of this chapter.
  5. Awning and canopy signs shall require a sign or building permit prior to installation.
Permanent Freestanding Signs Allowed by Permit: Freestanding signs will be allowed by permit in B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, CRD, I-1, I-2, I-3, GIM, GHM Districts and commercial uses in a MIX District.
1. Freestanding Signs Within B-2 District: Within the B-2 Neighborhood Business District, freestanding signs shall be limited to monument signs not to exceed six feet (6') in height.
2. Monument Sign Street Setback: Monument signs up to six feet (6') in height shall be located no closer than five feet (5') from a street right-of-way.
3. Freestanding Signs: Freestanding signs over six feet (6') in height shall be located no closer than twenty feet (20') from the front street right-of-way; however, the freestanding sign front setback limitation of twenty feet (20') may be decreased where a corresponding decrease in the sign height occurs. The formula for determining the height and setback variation shall be established at or below a diagonal plane beginning at the point twenty feet (20') back from the front property line and rising to the corresponding height limitation set forth in Section 10-12-14, table B of this chapter. From that point, the plane descends to a second point five feet (5') back from the front property line at a height of six feet (6'). In the case of a corner lot, all sides fronting on a public right-of-way shall be deemed the front.
4. Freestanding Sign Locations: Freestanding signs except for an on premises directional sign and signs accessory to drive-through service lanes, shall be located no closer than five feet (5') from any driveway or parking space.
5. Pylon Signs: Pylon signs shall be located no closer than fifteen feet (15') to the front property line.
6. Pylon Sign Height: The minimum pylon sign height clearance to the bottom of the sign, including the cross bracing, framing or sign enclosure shall be eight feet (8').
7. Number Of Freestanding Signs: One freestanding sign is allowed upon any single lot. Additional freestanding signs may be allowed provided they are in compliance with the following standards:
  1. The signs are constructed as a monument sign and shall not exceed a height of six feet (6').
  2. Within the B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4 Districts up to two (2) monument signs shall be allowed for lots under ten (10) acres in lot size. Up to four (4) monument signs shall be allowed for lots over ten (10) acres in lot size.
  3. Within the B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4 Districts a maximum of four (4) freestanding signs, which include monument signs, shall be allowed per property. Additional signs may be allowed with approval of a CUP or PUD.
  4. Within the B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4 Districts in no case shall any freestanding sign, monument sign or pylon sign be closer than three hundred feet (300') to any other freestanding sign, monument sign or pylon sign. The distance between signs shall be measured from the edge of the sign face via a straight line. Menu boards and directional signs are exempt from this requirement.
  5. Decorative shrubbery and flowers must be incorporated as a part of the monument design and are maintained on a regular basis.
  6. The signs, if illuminated, may be either internally or externally lighted in accordance with these regulations.
  7. The gross area of the signs, when added together with all other freestanding and wall sign areas, does not exceed the maximum allowable sign area established for the lot.
  8. Monument signs may incorporate additional berming on a slope of three to one (3:1) where the berming is incorporated into an overall landscaping design plan. Landscaping shall be provided on the slopes of the berm in an interesting and varied appearance. Where a planter box is incorporated, the landscaping shall occur in and around the planter with a similar attractive design. In both cases, the height of the sign, including the planter box shall not exceed six feet (6').
  9. Signs allowed pursuant to Section 10-12-4(A) of this chapter.
8. Freestanding Sign Area And Height: The gross area and total height of a freestanding sign shall be limited to the maximums prescribed in Section 10-12-14, table B of this chapter. The maximum size and height of each sign shall be determined by the classification of the street toward which the sign is oriented, provided that the property on which the sign is to be located either fronts on the street or is part of a planned unit development that fronts on the street.
9. Signs For Multiple Occupancy Buildings: In the case of a multiple occupancy building, which is a center for industrial, commercial or retail purposes on properties over ten (10) acres, a freestanding sign larger than that provided for in Section 10-12-14, table B of this chapter may be approved by conditional use permit.
10. Monument Signs: For monument signs, the copy and graphic area shall not exceed the maximum square feet permitted under Section 10-12-14, table B of this chapter.
11. Cumulative Gross Sign Area: The cumulative gross sign area of all freestanding signs, except as provided for in Section 10-12-4 of this chapter, when added to the total wall sign area, shall not exceed the maximum allowable sign area under Section 10-12-14, table A of this chapter.
12. Changeable Copy Signs: In all Commercial, CRD and MIX Districts and approved retail businesses and retail showroom businesses in Industrial Districts, one changeable copy sign per street frontage may be incorporated as part of a freestanding sign. Changeable copy sign approvals will be granted only upon the elimination of all existing illegal temporary signage. Changeable copy signs may not exceed the brightness or illumination set forth in Section 10-12-3(C) of this chapter. The following criteria will be applied when reviewing changeable copy sign applications:
  1. The signs shall be attached to the pylon sign beneath the business name or incorporated into an alternative freestanding sign proposal. The design of the sign shall complement other existing signage on the site.
  2. The background color shall complement other existing signage on the site.
  3. Changeable copy signs on the same lot shall maintain a separation between signs equal to one-half (1/2) the required lot width within the respective district.
  4. The gross area of the changeable copy sign shall be limited to the maximums prescribed for freestanding signs under Section 10-12-14, table B of this chapter and the maximum allowable sign areas specified in Section 10-12-14, table A of this chapter.
  5. The lower portion of the changeable copy sign shall meet the eight foot (8') minimum height clearance requirement. If the bottom of a changeable copy sign is proposed at a height below eight feet (8'), the message board shall be enclosed within a vandalproof encasement and shall be designed as a ground sign.
  6. Color, illumination or intensity shall not change more frequently than one time for every eight (8) second interval. No scrolling, flashing, continuous movement or other motion shall be permitted.
  7. Changeable copy signs may not operate at brightness levels that exceed five-tenths (0.5) foot-candle measured on the property line when adjoining Residential Zones and one (1.0) foot-candle measured on the property line when such line adjoins a similar zone and land use.
  8. Each changeable copy sign must have a light sensing device that will adjust the brightness of the display as the natural ambient light conditions change.
13. Grade Difference: Where there is a grade difference of more than four feet (4') between the proposed location of a freestanding sign and the higher grade of the street frontage toward which the sign is oriented, the sign height base elevation may be established at the centerline of the street, provided that the property on which the sign is to be located either fronts on the street or is part of a planned unit development that fronts on the street.
14. Drive-Through Signs: Signs accessory to drive-through service lanes are permitted in addition as allowed wall signs or freestanding signs provided the following conditions are met:
  1. One sign is allowed per approved drive-through service lane.
  2. No sign shall exceed thirty two (32) square feet in area.
  3. No sign shall exceed eight feet (8') in height.
  4. Signs with speakers or intercoms shall be designed and located in a manner to direct noise away from adjoining properties.
  5. One additional sign per approved drive-through service lane may be allowed provided the sign shall not exceed twenty-four (24) square feet in area.
15. Off Premises Freestanding Signs: In a multiple lot planned unit development (PUD) that includes shared driveways and parking areas among the lots, a sign directing traffic from one lot of the PUD to a business on another lot in the same PUD shall not be considered to be an off premises directional sign. Each such sign shall not exceed ten (10) square feet in area, shall be included in the total allowable sign area for the building to which the traffic is being directed, and shall be compatible with the other signs in the PUD.
Billboards:
1. Billboards are permitted only in I-1 and I-2 Districts and only where the adjacent streets are intermediate arterial or interstate freeway roadways, as shown in the Burnsville comprehensive plan.
2. A conditional use permit shall be required for approval of a billboard pursuant to Section 10-5-5 of this title.
3. Upon obtaining a conditional use permit for a billboard, the company or person obtaining the permit shall file with the City a letter of credit in the minimum amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) to guarantee compliance with the terms and conditions of the permit. The ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) shall cover one through five (5) signs.
4. The maximum sign size shall be seven hundred fifty (750) square feet. Billboards may incorporate cutouts protruding beyond the framed perimeter of the sign face providing the total sign area not exceed seven hundred fifty (750) square feet.
5. The maximum sign height to the uppermost portion shall be forty five feet (45'). The building setback limitation for the zoning district in which the sign is located shall apply to principal structure setbacks for billboards.
6. The minimum radius distance between billboards shall be two thousand feet (2,000').
7. No billboard shall be constructed within two thousand feet (2,000') of the City's corporate limits.
8. No billboard shall be constructed within one hundred fifty feet (150') of the point of tangency of the entrance or exit ramp on any intermediate arterial or interstate freeway or within one hundred fifty feet (150') of the intersection of the nearest right-of-way lines of any other class of street. The point of tangency shall be measured from the point where the off ramp meets the adjacent traffic lane. No billboard shall be constructed between ramps of an interchange.
9. Billboards shall be a single support, metal structure free of any supports or guywires. The metal shall be either painted or treated in such a manner as to prevent deterioration.
10. Billboards shall have a maximum of two (2) faces.
11. Billboard signs or portions thereof shall not change in content, color, illumination or intensity more frequently than eight (8) times per day, except as allowed in subsection (P) of this section. No scrolling, flashing, or continuous movement is permitted.
12. All electrical wiring shall be underground and concealed.
13. The lot on which a billboard is located shall be improved by landscaping and must be maintained in an acceptable manner.
14. Billboards are a principal use of property. Notwithstanding Section 10-7-3(B) of this title, a billboard shall not be erected on the same lot with a building, and billboards shall be removed from a lot before any other building or structure is erected on the lot.
15. In B-3 Districts, a billboard or off premises advertising sign may be proposed as a second principal use of a lot only pursuant to a planned unit development plan which is consistent with the comprehensive plan, meets the requirements of this title, and is approved by the City Council in compliance with the following additional standards:
  1. The billboard or sign must be a preexisting, nonconforming use.
  2. The owner of the billboard or sign must hold an ownership interest or easement in the underlying real estate where the billboard or sign is located.
  3. The billboard or sign must be located adjacent to a minor arterial or principal arterial roadway.
16. The following standards shall apply to converted dynamic display billboards, as defined in Section 10-12-2 of this chapter, unless otherwise noted:
  1. Message Standards:
    1. Displays shall contain static messages only, and shall not have movement, or the appearance or optical illusion of movement during the static display period, of any part of the sign structure. Each static message shall not include flashing, scintillating lighting or the varying of light intensity. No scrolling, flashing, or continuous movement is permitted. Each image and message shall be displayed with minimum time duration of eight (8) seconds before changing to the next image and message.
    2. The change of message shall appear to be instant to the human eye.
  2. Design Requirements:
    1. All visible sign support columns shall be concealed with an architectural treatment approved by the City DRC, primarily consisting of natural stone, manufactured stone, brick, masonry panels, stucco, architectural metal or other materials.
    2. Ground equipment and facilities shall be screened from public view utilizing planting screens outlined in Section 10-7-18(B) of this title.
    3. Any dynamic display billboard may include the name or logo of the City of Burnsville on the sign frame or support column as a City gateway amenity. The introduction of the City name or logo to a dynamic display billboard shall not count against the maximum allowed sign size outlined in subsection (D) of this section. The City shall approve the size, configuration, and design of the City name or logo included on any dynamic display billboard.
  3. Brightness Requirements:
    1. All dynamic display billboards shall be equipped and operated with an ambient light monitor or a mechanism that automatically adjusts the brightness level of the sign in response to light conditions. Dynamic display billboards shall be equipped with a means to immediately turn off the display or lighting in the event of a sign malfunction. The dynamic display billboard sign and all associated lighting shall be turned off within one hour or as soon as reasonably possible after receiving notification by the City that the sign does not meet the standards of this section.
    2. No dynamic display billboard sign shall exceed five hundred (500) nits (candelas per square meter) at night or seven thousand five hundred (7,500) nits (candelas per square meter) during the day.
    3. Dynamic display billboards shall not operate at brightness levels of more than three-tenths (0.3) foot-candle above ambient light, as measured using a foot-candle meter at a preset horizontal distance of two hundred fifty feet (250') from the nominal size (14 feet x 48 feet) sign face.
  4. Conversions Of Existing Billboards: A person may only obtain a permit for a dynamic display billboard for an existing lawful nonconforming off premises billboard provided the following requirements are met:
    1. The applicant will into an agreement regarding the design and operation of the new dynamic display billboard which shall include the requirement for use of the billboard for public service announcements as provided in subsection (P)5 of this section.
    2. Provided the applicant complies with the permit requirements of this chapter, a dynamic display billboard sign permit for the designated off premises sign will be issued. Said permit will allow a dynamic display billboard to occupy one hundred percent (100%) of the potential copy and graphic area and to change not more frequently than one time for every eight (8) second period. The dynamic display billboard sign shall meet all other requirements of this chapter.
    3. Provided the applicant complies with the permit requirements of this chapter the applicant is permitted 2 dynamic display signs, 1 on each face on the same billboard structure.
  5. Public Service Announcements:
    1. Dynamic display billboard owners shall display public service announcements on behalf of the City, if the City chooses to participate (at no cost to the City) under the following parameters:
      1. No more than two thousand two hundred fifty (2,250) 8-second public service messages shall be utilized per month per face.
    2. Dynamic display billboards shall be part of the State of Minnesota's public safety alert system. Owners of dynamic display billboards shall coordinate with law enforcement and emergency management authorities to display, when appropriate, regional emergency information important to the traveling public including, but not limited to, "Amber alerts" or emergency management information.
    3. Regional emergency information shall be displayed in accordance with the established protocols of local and State authorities. Emergency communications shall travel through established protocols set up by the division of emergency management or first responders.
17. Existing legal nonconforming billboards are subject to the general requirements of Section 10-12-12, "Nonconforming Signs", of this chapter.
Temporary Deval Installation: Temporary Decal Installations shall be allowed by permit in B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, CRD, I-1, I-2, I-3, GIM, GHM Districts, commercial uses in a MIX or TOD District and conditional uses in R Districts.
1. Wall Type And Composition: Temporary decal installations shall be allowed on permitted major exterior materials as referenced in Sections 10-19-1-(A)3 and 10-23-1-(A)3 as applicable.
  1. 1. Proof of manufacturer's specifications shall be supplied prior to issuance of a sign permit.
2. Temporary Decal Installation Standards: These signs if placed in accordance with the following standards, will not apply toward the maximum allowable sign area, but shall comply with all other applicable provisions of this title:
  1. A permit is required and shall be valid for three (3) years. A maximum of one (1) permit is allowed per street frontage per property. In the case of multiple buildings on one (1) lot, the frontage standard shall apply to each separate structure.
  2. Temporary decal Installations shall not be used in place of permanent signage.
  3. When a temporary decal installation is used to wrap the façade of a structure, the window signage allowance referenced in Section 10-12-4-(A)5 shall not apply.
Permit and Fee Required: Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no sign or structure shall be erected, constructed, altered, rebuilt or relocated until the required fee as determined by City policy has been paid and a permit has been issued by the City.
Removal Of Unsafe And Illegal Signs: If the City finds that any sign or sign structure is unsafe or in violation of the provisions of this chapter, the chief building official, or his/her designee, shall give written notice to the owner and/or party responsible for the sign to comply with the standards required by this chapter in a prescribed time frame and manner. The removal of the signs shall be done in the following manner:
1. Permanent Illegal Signs: The chief building official, or his/her designee, shall order the removal of any permanent sign erected or maintained in violation of this title. Thirty (30) days' notice in writing shall be given to the owner of such sign, or of the building, structure or premises on which such sign is located, to either comply with this title or remove the sign. The owner of the sign, building, structure, or premises shall also, upon removal of any sign, be fully responsible for repairing, replacing and returning the ground, building wall or other mounting surface to its original condition or to a proper condition consistent with the present appearance of the area, building wall or surface.
2. Temporary Or Illegal Signs: The City may impound signs which have been illegally installed upon public property or within public right-of-way or easement. The sign owner may retrieve the signs according to the following:
  1. Fee Payment: For impounded signs there shall be an impoundment and storage fee as may be approved from time to time by Council resolution.
  2. Retrieval Of Sign: The sign shall be retrieved from a designated impound area during routine business hours and within fifteen (15) days from the date of impounding. After fifteen (15) days, the City will dispose of the sign.
  3. Liability: The City shall not be held liable for any damage to impounded signs.
3. Closed Business Signs: Signs not used for signing when a business closes or leaves the tenant space for twelve (12) consecutive months shall be addressed in the following manner:
  1. Wall signs (individual letters): Shall be removed.
  2. Wall signs (cabinet): A blank face shall be inserted in the cabinet.
  3. Freestanding signs: The sign area shall be totally covered.
Nonconforming Signs: Any sign legally existing on the effective date of this chapter which does not conform to the requirements set forth in this chapter shall become a legal nonconforming use. Except as specified elsewhere, legal nonconforming on premises signs shall be allowed to be maintained, repaired and refaced, but shall not be expanded without being brought into compliance with all the requirements of this chapter. No maintenance, repair, refacing or alteration of any nonconforming sign is permitted if the maintenance, repair, refacing or alteration involves a change that incorporates any element or display prohibited by this chapter. The addition of any changeable copy technology to an existing fixed sign shall be considered an expansion of the use and function of the sign. A sign may not be changed, maintained, repaired or altered from one type of nonconformity to any other type of nonconformity.
Banners on Light Poles:
1. In order to provide unity and identity for multiple building planned unit developments, decorative banners may be installed for year round or seasonal display on privately owned light poles in any zoning district by a sign permit, provided that the banners comply with the following standards and requirements:
  1. Banners may be approved only for developments with multiple principal buildings and multiple businesses, such as a multi-building retail or service center, a mixed use campus, or an office/industrial park. In no case shall banners be approved for a single principal building development, a single business development, or a residential development that is not part of a mixed use commercial development.
  2. All banners shall be constructed of high quality, durable, fade resistant cloth.
  3. The banners may be of various colors and designs, provided that the banners are consistent with an approved Comprehensive Design Plan. The banners may contain the name and logo of the development and seasonal or special event greetings. In no case shall a banner advertise a business name, a product name, or a service.
  4. The top and bottom of each banner shall be mounted to the light pole by appropriate brackets. Banners may be mounted only on light poles owned by the applicant, and shall be mounted to provide a minimum of fifteen feet (15') of clearance between the bottom of the banner and the ground adjacent to the light pole. No more than two (2) banners, on opposing sides, may be mounted to each light pole, and banners shall not be attached to more than seventy five percent (75%) of the light poles on the site.
  5. Each banner shall not exceed a maximum size of two and one-half feet (2 1/2') in width and five feet (5') in length.
  6. The banners shall be included in the total allowable sign area for the buildings in the development, consistent with Section 10-12-14, table A of this chapter.
2. The applicant for a sign permit shall provide to the City a color drawing of the proposed banner design or designs, fabric samples, a site plan showing all light poles and noting the proposed banner locations, and mounting details.
3. A banner that has become torn, faded, loose, or otherwise in disrepair shall be promptly replaced or removed.

Sign Tables

TABLE A: MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SIGN AREA

In the table below column A is the allowable sign area regardless of building facade.

In the table below column B is the maximum allowable sign area based on percentage area of building facade.

	A		B
B-1 and TOD Districts	50 sq. ft.	or	10%
CUPs in R Districts	50 sq. ft.	or	12%
CUPs in R Districts	50 sq. ft.	or	14%
B-3 and CRD Districts and commercial uses in a MIX District	100 sq. ft.	or	16%
B-4, I-1, I-2 and GHM Districts	125 sq. ft.	or	18%

TABLE B: FREESTANDING SIGN STANDARDS EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
1. Street classifications are defined by the official Comprehensive Plan as adopted and amended. Signs on directly adjoining frontage roads may use the standards for the adjoining street classification.
  Street Classification
  Speed (mph)
  Area (Sq. Ft.)
  Height (Ft.)
  City
  30
  20
  6
  Collector
  30
  25
  16
  35
  50
  20
  40
  100
  24
  Principal and Minor Arterials
  30
  50
  18
  35
  100
  22
  40
  125
  24
  45
  150
  26
  50+
  175
  28
  65
  200
  32

Substitution Clause: The owner of any sign which is otherwise allowed by this chapter may substitute noncommercial speech in lieu of any other commercial speech or noncommercial speech. 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 noncommercial speech, or favoring of any particular noncommercial speech over any other noncommercial speech. This provision prevails over any more specific provision to the contrary.

HISTORY
Adopted by Ord. 1648 on 6/12/2026

1648

Burnsville City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 10

12 SIGNS

Purpose: Signs have an impact on the character and quality of the environment as a prominent part of the scenery; they attract or repel the viewing public and affect the safety of vehicular traffic. Their suitability or appropriateness helps to set the tone of the neighborhood. The purpose of this section shall be to regulate the placement, erection and maintenance of signs in the City so as to promote the health, safety, aesthetics, economic welfare and general welfare of the community. The following standards in this chapter are, therefore, adopted to regulate signs.
General Provisions:
1. Hazard To Traffic: No sign permitted by this title shall, by reason of its location, color or intensity, create a hazard to the safe, efficient movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. No private sign shall contain words which might be construed as traffic controls, such as "Stop", "Caution", "Warning", etc., unless such sign is needed to direct traffic on the premises.
2. Maintenance: All signs and sign structures shall be properly maintained in a safe, orderly condition at all times, including the replacement of defective parts, cleaning and other items required for maintenance of the sign. Vegetation around, in front of, behind, and underneath the base of ground signs for a distance of ten feet (10') shall be neatly trimmed and free of weeds, and no rubbish or debris that would constitute a fire or health hazard shall be permitted under or near the sign.
3. Construction: All signs shall be constructed in accordance with the Minnesota State Building Code and the National Electrical Code. No changeable copy, illuminated architectural feature or dynamic display billboard sign shall exceed five hundred (500) nits (candelas per square meter) at night or seven thousand five hundred (7,500) nits during the day.
4. Location: No sign shall be erected, placed or maintained on, fences, trees, power and light poles or the supports thereof, except as allowed at special events or as a temporary banner. Signs on rocks shall be allowed if they use metal letters and numbers or the commercial message is etched into the surface of the rock.
5. Electricity: All signs utilizing electricity shall be subject to the State's Electrical Code and electrical service wiring shall be buried or concealed.
6. Placement In Right-Of-Way: No signs other than governmental signs shall be erected or temporarily placed within any street rights-of-way or upon any public lands or easements or rights-of-way, except by conditional use permit or otherwise provided in this chapter.
7. Obstruction: No sign or sign structure shall be erected or maintained if it prevents free ingress or egress from any door, window or fire escape. No sign or sign structure shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
8. Address Signs: A minimum of one address sign identifying the correct property number as assigned by the City shall be required on each principal building in all districts. Such sign shall be of sufficient size to be legible from the nearest street yet shall not exceed nine (9) square feet in area. The numbers shall be metal, glass, plastic or durable material and the numbers shall not be less than four inches (4") in height, in a contrasting color to the base or made of some reflective material and so placed to be easily seen from the street.
9. Seasonal Decoration: No seasonal/holiday decoration shall be allowed on or within the right-of-way.
10. Message: Commercial message of the sign shall be neat and orderly and not obscene. The signs shall be professionally prepared.
11. Illumination In B-1 And B-2: Signs in all B-1 and B-2 Districts may only be illuminated during business hours, or until eleven o'clock (11:00) P.M., whichever is later.
12. External Lighting: Signs with external lighting shall have no exposed light sources or fixtures unless decorative fixtures are utilized and the light source is fully concealed and diffused. If a wall sign is mounted above the first floor of a building, the illumination, if any, shall be internal. Dynamic display billboards shall be exempt from this section and shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10-12-8(P) of this chapter.
13. Angle Between Faces: The maximum angle permitted between faces of a double face freestanding sign is sixty degrees (60°), anything less is one sign, anything more is two (2) signs.
14. Illuminated Architectural Features: Illuminated architectural features or portions thereof, not defined as signage or a canopy sign, shall be applied at the rate of one-third (1/3) the architectural feature area toward the maximum allowable sign area permitted in Section 10-12-14, table A of this chapter. Illuminated architectural features shall include, but not be limited to, wall, roof and window mounted linear lighting, the wall surface between multiple rows of linear lighting, illuminated sign bands, backlit canopies, awnings or wall banding features, strings of light bulbs, etc. The color, illumination or intensity of these features shall not change more frequently than one time for every thirty (30) second interval. No scrolling, flashing, continuous movement or other motion shall be permitted. Each illuminated architectural feature must have a light sensing device that will adjust the brightness of the display as the natural ambient light conditions change.
15. Banner Sign Standards: All temporary banner signs allowed within this chapter for more than ten (10) days shall meet the following design standards:
  1. Banners shall be constructed with top and bottom ropes seamed into the banner.
  2. Minimum twelve (12) ounce weight vinyl material.
  3. Minimum two hundred forty (240) pounds per square yard of tensile strength.
  4. Minimum one hundred ten (110) pounds per square yard of tear strength.
  5. Banner signs located on buildings shall be stretched taut and securely attached.

Allowable And Prohibited Signs

Allowable Signs: The following signs are allowed without a permit unless otherwise specified. These signs, if placed in accordance with the following standards, will not apply toward the maximum allowable sign area, but shall comply with all other applicable provisions of this title:
1. Governmental Signs: Signs of a public, noncommercial nature including safety signs, danger signs, trespassing signs, traffic signs, directional signs, public transit signs, signs indicating scenic or historical points of interest, memorial plaques and temporary signs and banners, when these signs are erected by or on order of a public officer or employee in the performance of official duty. These may be on or off premises.
2. On Premises Directional Signs: Shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area.
3. Integral Signs: Shall not exceed nine (9) square feet in area.
4. Campaign Signs: Shall not be placed upon public right-of-way or property. Campaign signs erected on private property should be erected with permission of the property owner or lessee. Those installing campaign signs shall comply with the Fair Campaign Practices Act contained in State of Minnesota Statutes Chapter 211B.
5. Window Signs: Window signs shall not cover more than thirty five percent (35%) of the window area on each elevation of a building. All window signs shall be placed on the inside surface of the glass, except for a window sign of paint or decal application applied directly to the glass surface.
6. Informational Signs: Shall not exceed six (6) square feet.
7. Sandwich Board Signs: Sandwich board signs may be no more than three feet (3') in width and four feet (4') in height and must be located within twenty feet (20') of the main entrance to the business they advertise. Sandwich board signs must be placed upon private property, leaving a minimum of four feet (4') of clearance for pedestrian access. Sandwich board signs may not be placed upon the public sidewalk. Sandwich board signs may be used only during business hours and must be removed daily.
8. Original Art Murals: Original art murals.
9. Non-Commercial Signs: Non-commercial signs.
Allowable Temporary Banners: The following signs are allowed with a permit unless otherwise specified. These signs if placed in accordance with the following standards, will not apply toward the maximum allowable sign area, but shall comply with all other applicable provisions of this title:
1. A permit is required and shall be valid for ninety (90) days. A maximum of two (2) permits are allowed per year. One permit is allowed per street frontage per property or in the case of a multi-tenant property one permit per tenant.
2. Temporary banner signs shall be securely attached to the building or fence in such a manner that no portion of the sign will be allowed to blow around freely in the wind. Temporary banner signs shall not cover or block ingress or egress from any door, window or fire escape. Shall not be located in required yards.
3. Temporary banner signs shall not be used in place of permanent signage.
4. There shall be no additional sign lighting allowed in addition to that which has been approved for the building.
5. Temporary banner wall signs shall comply with the performance standards of Section 10-12-3(O) of this chapter.
6. The size and location of these types of signs shall be determined as if the sign were a permanent wall sign as regulated in this chapter or no greater than three hundred (300) square feet, whichever is less.
7. Special event banners that are subject to the requirements of Title 3, Chapter 32 of this Code are exempt from these requirements.

A permit is required and shall be valid for ninety (90) consecutive days. A permit may be renewed once every ninety (90) days. A maximum of two (2) permits are allowed per year. One permit is allowed per property or in the case of a multi-tenant property one permit per tenant.

One sign is allowed per street frontage with a maximum total square footage according to the chart below:

Zoning Districts	Property Size	Temporary Freestanding Sign Square Footage	Height	Permit Required
R1, RR-1, R2, R-5	N/A	12 square foot maximum	6 feet	No
Conditional uses in the R1, RR-1, R-2, and R-5	N/A	100 square foot maximum	8 feet	Yes
R-3, R-4, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, CRD, I-1, I-2, I-3, GIM, GHM and MIX	0 - 2 acres	100 square foot maximum	8 feet	Yes
R-3, R-4, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, CRD, I-1, I-2, I-3, GIM, GHM and MIX	2 - 10 acres	200 square foot maximum	12 feet	Yes
R-3, R-4, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, CRD, I-1, I-2, I-3, GIM, GHM and MIX	10 or more acres	300 square foot maximum	12 feet	Yes

The sign(s) shall be located on private property.
Such signs shall be professionally designed and painted on all sides, including support posts. Freestanding signs shall be properly anchored into the ground using posts with minimum dimensions of four inches (4") square or three inches (3") in diameter.
The sign shall be set back from the front property line no less than one foot (1') per one foot (1') of sign height.
Special event signs that are subject to the requirements of Title 3, Chapter 32 of this Code are exempt from these requirements.

Prohibited Signs: The following signs are prohibited in all zoning districts:
1. Any sign which obstructs or impairs the vision of drivers or pedestrians or detracts from the visibility of any official traffic control device.
2. Any sign which contains or imitates an official traffic sign or signal, except for private, on premises directional signs.
3. Off premises advertising and directional signs except as permitted in Sections 10-12-4, 10-12-8 of this chapter and Section 3-32-4 of this Code.
4. Business signs on or attached to equipment, such as semitruck trailers, being used in such a manner that advertising is a principal use of the equipment.
5. Animated signs.
6. Projecting signs.
7. Roof signs.
8. Any sign which contains or consists of banners, bannerettes, pennants, ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, balloons and hot or cold air inflatable devices, spinners or similar outdoor advertising devices, except as otherwise permitted in this chapter or may be approved by a special event permit in accordance with the provisions as set forth in Title 3, Chapter 32 of this Code.
9. Wall graphics, except for original art murals.
10. Beacons.
11. Multifaced signs.
12. Signs supported by guywires.
13. Cabinet signs on buildings, except as allowed in Section 10-12-6(E) of this chapter.
14. Portable signs, except for sandwich board signs and community event signs.

Signs Allowed by Permit: Signs will be allowed by permit in R-1, RR-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 Districts and residential uses in a MIX District.
1. Nameplate Signs: Any nameplate signs over two (2) square feet shall be set back at least ten feet (10') from any property line. No sign shall exceed twelve (12) square feet in area or ten feet (10') in height above the average grade level. Signs may be illuminated, but such lighting shall be diffused or indirect and not illuminate beyond any lot line.
  1. Approved home occupations or in home daycare facilities shall be permitted one non-illuminated nameplate sign provided:
    1. The sign shall not exceed two (2) square feet in area.
    2. The sign is affixed to the dwelling immediately adjacent to the entrance used for business access.
2. Ground Or Monument Signs: Ground or monument signs shall be allowed for the purpose of permanent identification of residential areas. Signs shall be set back a minimum of five feet (5') from all property lines. At each principal entrance to such an area, a maximum of two (2) signs, not to exceed twenty (20) square feet per sign (of actual sign area exclusive of walls or supports), shall be allowed. Larger signs may be allowed as part of a planned unit development or conditional use permit.
3. Freestanding And Wall Signs: Freestanding and wall signs shall be allowed for conditional uses and subject to the following requirements:
  1. The cumulative total wall sign area, when added to the gross sign area of all freestanding signs on the site, except for wall and freestanding signs that do not count toward the maximum allowable sign area pursuant to Section 10-12-4(A) of this chapter, shall not exceed the maximum allowable sign area set forth in Section 10-12-14, table A of this chapter.
  2. The gross area and total height of a freestanding sign shall be limited by the formula and regulations set forth in Section 10-12-14, table B of this chapter.
  3. Freestanding signs up to six feet (6') in height shall be located no closer than five feet (5') from a street right-of-way.
  4. Freestanding signs over six feet (6') in height shall be located no closer than twenty feet (20') from the front street right-of-way. In the case of a corner lot, all sides fronting on a public right-of-way shall be deemed the front.
  5. No part of a freestanding sign, except for an on premises directional sign, shall be located closer than five feet (5') from any driveway or parking space.
  6. All or portions of the permitted freestanding sign area may be comprised of changeable copy signage. Color, illumination or intensity shall not change more frequently than one time for every eight (8) second interval. No scrolling, flashing, continuous movement or other motion shall be permitted.
Wall Signs Allowed by Permit: Wall signs will be allowed by permit in B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, CRD, I-1, I-2, I-3, GIM, GHM Districts and commercial uses in a MIX District.
1. Maximum Number; Placement: The maximum number of wall signs for any business in a single occupancy or multiple occupancy building shall be between zero (0) and two (2) signs. On a single occupancy building, the signs shall be placed on a separate building facade, with or without street frontage. The number and placement of wall signs may exceed two (2) provided a Comprehensive Sign Plan is approved meeting the requirements of subsection (B) of this section.
2. Comprehensive Sign Plan: Multiple occupancy buildings and single occupancy with more than two (2) signs shall submit and receive City approval of a Comprehensive Sign Plan that illustrates the number, size and location of all wall signs and awning signs for the building. The Comprehensive Sign Plan shall be current within five (5) years and meet the following standards:
  1. Through an approved Comprehensive Sign Plan, the site may have building identification wall signs, individual tenant wall signs, awning signs, and freestanding signs. The cumulative total sign area per site shall not exceed the maximum allowable sign area in subsection (C) of this section.
  2. Within multiple occupancy buildings, individual tenant signs shall meet the following standards:
    1. Tenants having a separate exterior entrance shall be eligible for exterior wall signs. The property owner may identify up to four (4) tenants per building through the Comprehensive Sign Plan that may be eligible for additional exterior wall signs.
    2. The total wall, awning, and banner sign areas for individual tenant bays shall not exceed the maximum allowable sign area as identified in Section 10-12-14, table A of this chapter, as applied to the front exterior facade of the individual tenant bay. No individual wall sign shall exceed three hundred (300) square feet.
    3. Except for subsection (B)2d of this section, tenant wall, awning, and banner signs shall be located on or above the building facades of the tenant bay occupied by the business.
    4. The property owner may identify through a Comprehensive Sign Plan up to four (4) tenants per building within the multiple occupancy building that will be eligible to locate wall signs on the building at locations beyond their occupied tenant bays.
  3. The location of all wall signs and awning signs shall be established through an approved Comprehensive Sign Plan. No illuminated wall signs shall be located on the side of a building, where the lot directly abuts a Residential Zoning District. Illuminated wall signs located on the side of a building directly across the street from a Residential Zoning District require a light sensing device that will adjust the brightness of the display as the natural ambient light conditions change.
  4. All wall signs shall be constructed in a manner that meets the standards of subsections (E) and (F) of this section. Installation of wall signs shall comply with all Building and Electrical Code requirements of this Code.
  5. Individual sign permits shall be required prior to the installation of any wall signs or awning signs.
  6. Awning signs shall meet the performance standards of subsection (N) of this section.
  7. Multiple-story/multiple occupancy buildings with tenants served by a common building entrance may have, in addition to the wall signs, one tenant directory sign as either a wall sign or freestanding sign located at each common entrance provided the tenant directory sign meets the following standards:
    1. Individual tenant directory sign shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet in area.
    2. The cumulative total sign area for the entire site shall not exceed the provisions of subsection (C) of this section.
    3. The tenant directory sign shall be located within fifty feet (50') of the common building entrance.
    4. A freestanding tenant directory sign shall not exceed ten feet (10') in height. Wall tenant directory signs shall not be located above the building floor where the common entrance is located.
3. Sign Area: The cumulative total wall, awning, and banner sign areas, when added to gross sign area of all freestanding signs on the site, except for wall and freestanding signs that do not count toward the maximum allowable sign area pursuant to Section 10-12-4(A) of this chapter, shall not exceed the maximum allowable sign area in Section 10-12-14, table A of this chapter.
4. Sign Area Calculation: The total sign area shall be calculated by applying the percentages of Section 10-12-14, table A of this chapter to the building facades that front on public streets.
5. Construction: Wall signs shall be constructed as individual raised mounted letter signs, and may be mounted on exposed raceways that are painted to match the sign band area. Raised letters shall have a depth from the wall or background surface not less than one inch (1"). No cabinet signs are allowed except for logo signs and descriptive tag lines. The logo and tag line shall be subordinate to the individual letters. The descriptive tag line may be constructed in a cabinet form with a maximum height of eight inches (8"). Stand alone cabinet signs are prohibited except as architecturally integrated into the building design and approved through a conditional use permit.
6. Materials: Wall signs shall be constructed with a maintenance free/permanent finish material. Wall signs shall not be painted.
7. Signs On Building Facing Two Or More Streets: Signs may be placed on the side of a building or tenant bay not facing a street. No building side may have signage in excess of the signage allowed for that side of the building based upon the maximum allowable sign area of that building facade. No illuminated wall signs shall be located on the side of the building where the lot directly abuts a Residential Zoning District.
8. Parapet Wall Signs: A sign that is above the highest roofline of a building but on a parapet wall that does not extend all the way around the building shall be architecturally integrated into the building design and comply with applicable architectural performance standards of Sections 10-19-1 and 10-23-1 of this title. This type of sign shall not be considered a roof sign.
9. Maximum Size: The maximum size for any one wall sign shall be three hundred (300) square feet.
10. Changeable Copy Signs: Changeable copy signs shall not be allowed as a wall sign, except as may be approved by a conditional use permit.
11. Transient Merchant Signage: Signage for transient merchants as defined and regulated in title 3 of this Code, shall be limited to one (1) 32-square foot temporary sign.
12. Temporary/Seasonal Outdoor Sales Uses: Shall be subject to the requirements of Section 10-7-48 of this title.
13. Awning/Canopy Signs: Awning/canopy signs may be allowed in addition to wall signs allowed in subsection (A) or (B) of this section provided they meet the following standards:
  1. The lowest part of the awning/canopy shall be not less than eight feet (8') above the sidewalk or above the centerline of the adjacent street or drive aisle.
  2. Awnings/canopies shall be located over a window or door feature.
  3. No awning/canopy signs shall be permitted on windows above the first floor.
  4. Awning/canopy signs shall count against the total allowable sign area per Section 10-12-14, table A of this chapter.
  5. Awning and canopy signs shall require a sign or building permit prior to installation.
Permanent Freestanding Signs Allowed by Permit: Freestanding signs will be allowed by permit in B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, CRD, I-1, I-2, I-3, GIM, GHM Districts and commercial uses in a MIX District.
1. Freestanding Signs Within B-2 District: Within the B-2 Neighborhood Business District, freestanding signs shall be limited to monument signs not to exceed six feet (6') in height.
2. Monument Sign Street Setback: Monument signs up to six feet (6') in height shall be located no closer than five feet (5') from a street right-of-way.
3. Freestanding Signs: Freestanding signs over six feet (6') in height shall be located no closer than twenty feet (20') from the front street right-of-way; however, the freestanding sign front setback limitation of twenty feet (20') may be decreased where a corresponding decrease in the sign height occurs. The formula for determining the height and setback variation shall be established at or below a diagonal plane beginning at the point twenty feet (20') back from the front property line and rising to the corresponding height limitation set forth in Section 10-12-14, table B of this chapter. From that point, the plane descends to a second point five feet (5') back from the front property line at a height of six feet (6'). In the case of a corner lot, all sides fronting on a public right-of-way shall be deemed the front.
4. Freestanding Sign Locations: Freestanding signs except for an on premises directional sign and signs accessory to drive-through service lanes, shall be located no closer than five feet (5') from any driveway or parking space.
5. Pylon Signs: Pylon signs shall be located no closer than fifteen feet (15') to the front property line.
6. Pylon Sign Height: The minimum pylon sign height clearance to the bottom of the sign, including the cross bracing, framing or sign enclosure shall be eight feet (8').
7. Number Of Freestanding Signs: One freestanding sign is allowed upon any single lot. Additional freestanding signs may be allowed provided they are in compliance with the following standards:
  1. The signs are constructed as a monument sign and shall not exceed a height of six feet (6').
  2. Within the B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4 Districts up to two (2) monument signs shall be allowed for lots under ten (10) acres in lot size. Up to four (4) monument signs shall be allowed for lots over ten (10) acres in lot size.
  3. Within the B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4 Districts a maximum of four (4) freestanding signs, which include monument signs, shall be allowed per property. Additional signs may be allowed with approval of a CUP or PUD.
  4. Within the B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4 Districts in no case shall any freestanding sign, monument sign or pylon sign be closer than three hundred feet (300') to any other freestanding sign, monument sign or pylon sign. The distance between signs shall be measured from the edge of the sign face via a straight line. Menu boards and directional signs are exempt from this requirement.
  5. Decorative shrubbery and flowers must be incorporated as a part of the monument design and are maintained on a regular basis.
  6. The signs, if illuminated, may be either internally or externally lighted in accordance with these regulations.
  7. The gross area of the signs, when added together with all other freestanding and wall sign areas, does not exceed the maximum allowable sign area established for the lot.
  8. Monument signs may incorporate additional berming on a slope of three to one (3:1) where the berming is incorporated into an overall landscaping design plan. Landscaping shall be provided on the slopes of the berm in an interesting and varied appearance. Where a planter box is incorporated, the landscaping shall occur in and around the planter with a similar attractive design. In both cases, the height of the sign, including the planter box shall not exceed six feet (6').
  9. Signs allowed pursuant to Section 10-12-4(A) of this chapter.
8. Freestanding Sign Area And Height: The gross area and total height of a freestanding sign shall be limited to the maximums prescribed in Section 10-12-14, table B of this chapter. The maximum size and height of each sign shall be determined by the classification of the street toward which the sign is oriented, provided that the property on which the sign is to be located either fronts on the street or is part of a planned unit development that fronts on the street.
9. Signs For Multiple Occupancy Buildings: In the case of a multiple occupancy building, which is a center for industrial, commercial or retail purposes on properties over ten (10) acres, a freestanding sign larger than that provided for in Section 10-12-14, table B of this chapter may be approved by conditional use permit.
10. Monument Signs: For monument signs, the copy and graphic area shall not exceed the maximum square feet permitted under Section 10-12-14, table B of this chapter.
11. Cumulative Gross Sign Area: The cumulative gross sign area of all freestanding signs, except as provided for in Section 10-12-4 of this chapter, when added to the total wall sign area, shall not exceed the maximum allowable sign area under Section 10-12-14, table A of this chapter.
12. Changeable Copy Signs: In all Commercial, CRD and MIX Districts and approved retail businesses and retail showroom businesses in Industrial Districts, one changeable copy sign per street frontage may be incorporated as part of a freestanding sign. Changeable copy sign approvals will be granted only upon the elimination of all existing illegal temporary signage. Changeable copy signs may not exceed the brightness or illumination set forth in Section 10-12-3(C) of this chapter. The following criteria will be applied when reviewing changeable copy sign applications:
  1. The signs shall be attached to the pylon sign beneath the business name or incorporated into an alternative freestanding sign proposal. The design of the sign shall complement other existing signage on the site.
  2. The background color shall complement other existing signage on the site.
  3. Changeable copy signs on the same lot shall maintain a separation between signs equal to one-half (1/2) the required lot width within the respective district.
  4. The gross area of the changeable copy sign shall be limited to the maximums prescribed for freestanding signs under Section 10-12-14, table B of this chapter and the maximum allowable sign areas specified in Section 10-12-14, table A of this chapter.
  5. The lower portion of the changeable copy sign shall meet the eight foot (8') minimum height clearance requirement. If the bottom of a changeable copy sign is proposed at a height below eight feet (8'), the message board shall be enclosed within a vandalproof encasement and shall be designed as a ground sign.
  6. Color, illumination or intensity shall not change more frequently than one time for every eight (8) second interval. No scrolling, flashing, continuous movement or other motion shall be permitted.
  7. Changeable copy signs may not operate at brightness levels that exceed five-tenths (0.5) foot-candle measured on the property line when adjoining Residential Zones and one (1.0) foot-candle measured on the property line when such line adjoins a similar zone and land use.
  8. Each changeable copy sign must have a light sensing device that will adjust the brightness of the display as the natural ambient light conditions change.
13. Grade Difference: Where there is a grade difference of more than four feet (4') between the proposed location of a freestanding sign and the higher grade of the street frontage toward which the sign is oriented, the sign height base elevation may be established at the centerline of the street, provided that the property on which the sign is to be located either fronts on the street or is part of a planned unit development that fronts on the street.
14. Drive-Through Signs: Signs accessory to drive-through service lanes are permitted in addition as allowed wall signs or freestanding signs provided the following conditions are met:
  1. One sign is allowed per approved drive-through service lane.
  2. No sign shall exceed thirty two (32) square feet in area.
  3. No sign shall exceed eight feet (8') in height.
  4. Signs with speakers or intercoms shall be designed and located in a manner to direct noise away from adjoining properties.
  5. One additional sign per approved drive-through service lane may be allowed provided the sign shall not exceed twenty-four (24) square feet in area.
15. Off Premises Freestanding Signs: In a multiple lot planned unit development (PUD) that includes shared driveways and parking areas among the lots, a sign directing traffic from one lot of the PUD to a business on another lot in the same PUD shall not be considered to be an off premises directional sign. Each such sign shall not exceed ten (10) square feet in area, shall be included in the total allowable sign area for the building to which the traffic is being directed, and shall be compatible with the other signs in the PUD.
Billboards:
1. Billboards are permitted only in I-1 and I-2 Districts and only where the adjacent streets are intermediate arterial or interstate freeway roadways, as shown in the Burnsville comprehensive plan.
2. A conditional use permit shall be required for approval of a billboard pursuant to Section 10-5-5 of this title.
3. Upon obtaining a conditional use permit for a billboard, the company or person obtaining the permit shall file with the City a letter of credit in the minimum amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) to guarantee compliance with the terms and conditions of the permit. The ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) shall cover one through five (5) signs.
4. The maximum sign size shall be seven hundred fifty (750) square feet. Billboards may incorporate cutouts protruding beyond the framed perimeter of the sign face providing the total sign area not exceed seven hundred fifty (750) square feet.
5. The maximum sign height to the uppermost portion shall be forty five feet (45'). The building setback limitation for the zoning district in which the sign is located shall apply to principal structure setbacks for billboards.
6. The minimum radius distance between billboards shall be two thousand feet (2,000').
7. No billboard shall be constructed within two thousand feet (2,000') of the City's corporate limits.
8. No billboard shall be constructed within one hundred fifty feet (150') of the point of tangency of the entrance or exit ramp on any intermediate arterial or interstate freeway or within one hundred fifty feet (150') of the intersection of the nearest right-of-way lines of any other class of street. The point of tangency shall be measured from the point where the off ramp meets the adjacent traffic lane. No billboard shall be constructed between ramps of an interchange.
9. Billboards shall be a single support, metal structure free of any supports or guywires. The metal shall be either painted or treated in such a manner as to prevent deterioration.
10. Billboards shall have a maximum of two (2) faces.
11. Billboard signs or portions thereof shall not change in content, color, illumination or intensity more frequently than eight (8) times per day, except as allowed in subsection (P) of this section. No scrolling, flashing, or continuous movement is permitted.
12. All electrical wiring shall be underground and concealed.
13. The lot on which a billboard is located shall be improved by landscaping and must be maintained in an acceptable manner.
14. Billboards are a principal use of property. Notwithstanding Section 10-7-3(B) of this title, a billboard shall not be erected on the same lot with a building, and billboards shall be removed from a lot before any other building or structure is erected on the lot.
15. In B-3 Districts, a billboard or off premises advertising sign may be proposed as a second principal use of a lot only pursuant to a planned unit development plan which is consistent with the comprehensive plan, meets the requirements of this title, and is approved by the City Council in compliance with the following additional standards:
  1. The billboard or sign must be a preexisting, nonconforming use.
  2. The owner of the billboard or sign must hold an ownership interest or easement in the underlying real estate where the billboard or sign is located.
  3. The billboard or sign must be located adjacent to a minor arterial or principal arterial roadway.
16. The following standards shall apply to converted dynamic display billboards, as defined in Section 10-12-2 of this chapter, unless otherwise noted:
  1. Message Standards:
    1. Displays shall contain static messages only, and shall not have movement, or the appearance or optical illusion of movement during the static display period, of any part of the sign structure. Each static message shall not include flashing, scintillating lighting or the varying of light intensity. No scrolling, flashing, or continuous movement is permitted. Each image and message shall be displayed with minimum time duration of eight (8) seconds before changing to the next image and message.
    2. The change of message shall appear to be instant to the human eye.
  2. Design Requirements:
    1. All visible sign support columns shall be concealed with an architectural treatment approved by the City DRC, primarily consisting of natural stone, manufactured stone, brick, masonry panels, stucco, architectural metal or other materials.
    2. Ground equipment and facilities shall be screened from public view utilizing planting screens outlined in Section 10-7-18(B) of this title.
    3. Any dynamic display billboard may include the name or logo of the City of Burnsville on the sign frame or support column as a City gateway amenity. The introduction of the City name or logo to a dynamic display billboard shall not count against the maximum allowed sign size outlined in subsection (D) of this section. The City shall approve the size, configuration, and design of the City name or logo included on any dynamic display billboard.
  3. Brightness Requirements:
    1. All dynamic display billboards shall be equipped and operated with an ambient light monitor or a mechanism that automatically adjusts the brightness level of the sign in response to light conditions. Dynamic display billboards shall be equipped with a means to immediately turn off the display or lighting in the event of a sign malfunction. The dynamic display billboard sign and all associated lighting shall be turned off within one hour or as soon as reasonably possible after receiving notification by the City that the sign does not meet the standards of this section.
    2. No dynamic display billboard sign shall exceed five hundred (500) nits (candelas per square meter) at night or seven thousand five hundred (7,500) nits (candelas per square meter) during the day.
    3. Dynamic display billboards shall not operate at brightness levels of more than three-tenths (0.3) foot-candle above ambient light, as measured using a foot-candle meter at a preset horizontal distance of two hundred fifty feet (250') from the nominal size (14 feet x 48 feet) sign face.
  4. Conversions Of Existing Billboards: A person may only obtain a permit for a dynamic display billboard for an existing lawful nonconforming off premises billboard provided the following requirements are met:
    1. The applicant will into an agreement regarding the design and operation of the new dynamic display billboard which shall include the requirement for use of the billboard for public service announcements as provided in subsection (P)5 of this section.
    2. Provided the applicant complies with the permit requirements of this chapter, a dynamic display billboard sign permit for the designated off premises sign will be issued. Said permit will allow a dynamic display billboard to occupy one hundred percent (100%) of the potential copy and graphic area and to change not more frequently than one time for every eight (8) second period. The dynamic display billboard sign shall meet all other requirements of this chapter.
    3. Provided the applicant complies with the permit requirements of this chapter the applicant is permitted 2 dynamic display signs, 1 on each face on the same billboard structure.
  5. Public Service Announcements:
    1. Dynamic display billboard owners shall display public service announcements on behalf of the City, if the City chooses to participate (at no cost to the City) under the following parameters:
      1. No more than two thousand two hundred fifty (2,250) 8-second public service messages shall be utilized per month per face.
    2. Dynamic display billboards shall be part of the State of Minnesota's public safety alert system. Owners of dynamic display billboards shall coordinate with law enforcement and emergency management authorities to display, when appropriate, regional emergency information important to the traveling public including, but not limited to, "Amber alerts" or emergency management information.
    3. Regional emergency information shall be displayed in accordance with the established protocols of local and State authorities. Emergency communications shall travel through established protocols set up by the division of emergency management or first responders.
17. Existing legal nonconforming billboards are subject to the general requirements of Section 10-12-12, "Nonconforming Signs", of this chapter.
Temporary Deval Installation: Temporary Decal Installations shall be allowed by permit in B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, CRD, I-1, I-2, I-3, GIM, GHM Districts, commercial uses in a MIX or TOD District and conditional uses in R Districts.
1. Wall Type And Composition: Temporary decal installations shall be allowed on permitted major exterior materials as referenced in Sections 10-19-1-(A)3 and 10-23-1-(A)3 as applicable.
  1. 1. Proof of manufacturer's specifications shall be supplied prior to issuance of a sign permit.
2. Temporary Decal Installation Standards: These signs if placed in accordance with the following standards, will not apply toward the maximum allowable sign area, but shall comply with all other applicable provisions of this title:
  1. A permit is required and shall be valid for three (3) years. A maximum of one (1) permit is allowed per street frontage per property. In the case of multiple buildings on one (1) lot, the frontage standard shall apply to each separate structure.
  2. Temporary decal Installations shall not be used in place of permanent signage.
  3. When a temporary decal installation is used to wrap the façade of a structure, the window signage allowance referenced in Section 10-12-4-(A)5 shall not apply.
Permit and Fee Required: Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no sign or structure shall be erected, constructed, altered, rebuilt or relocated until the required fee as determined by City policy has been paid and a permit has been issued by the City.
Removal Of Unsafe And Illegal Signs: If the City finds that any sign or sign structure is unsafe or in violation of the provisions of this chapter, the chief building official, or his/her designee, shall give written notice to the owner and/or party responsible for the sign to comply with the standards required by this chapter in a prescribed time frame and manner. The removal of the signs shall be done in the following manner:
1. Permanent Illegal Signs: The chief building official, or his/her designee, shall order the removal of any permanent sign erected or maintained in violation of this title. Thirty (30) days' notice in writing shall be given to the owner of such sign, or of the building, structure or premises on which such sign is located, to either comply with this title or remove the sign. The owner of the sign, building, structure, or premises shall also, upon removal of any sign, be fully responsible for repairing, replacing and returning the ground, building wall or other mounting surface to its original condition or to a proper condition consistent with the present appearance of the area, building wall or surface.
2. Temporary Or Illegal Signs: The City may impound signs which have been illegally installed upon public property or within public right-of-way or easement. The sign owner may retrieve the signs according to the following:
  1. Fee Payment: For impounded signs there shall be an impoundment and storage fee as may be approved from time to time by Council resolution.
  2. Retrieval Of Sign: The sign shall be retrieved from a designated impound area during routine business hours and within fifteen (15) days from the date of impounding. After fifteen (15) days, the City will dispose of the sign.
  3. Liability: The City shall not be held liable for any damage to impounded signs.
3. Closed Business Signs: Signs not used for signing when a business closes or leaves the tenant space for twelve (12) consecutive months shall be addressed in the following manner:
  1. Wall signs (individual letters): Shall be removed.
  2. Wall signs (cabinet): A blank face shall be inserted in the cabinet.
  3. Freestanding signs: The sign area shall be totally covered.
Nonconforming Signs: Any sign legally existing on the effective date of this chapter which does not conform to the requirements set forth in this chapter shall become a legal nonconforming use. Except as specified elsewhere, legal nonconforming on premises signs shall be allowed to be maintained, repaired and refaced, but shall not be expanded without being brought into compliance with all the requirements of this chapter. No maintenance, repair, refacing or alteration of any nonconforming sign is permitted if the maintenance, repair, refacing or alteration involves a change that incorporates any element or display prohibited by this chapter. The addition of any changeable copy technology to an existing fixed sign shall be considered an expansion of the use and function of the sign. A sign may not be changed, maintained, repaired or altered from one type of nonconformity to any other type of nonconformity.
Banners on Light Poles:
1. In order to provide unity and identity for multiple building planned unit developments, decorative banners may be installed for year round or seasonal display on privately owned light poles in any zoning district by a sign permit, provided that the banners comply with the following standards and requirements:
  1. Banners may be approved only for developments with multiple principal buildings and multiple businesses, such as a multi-building retail or service center, a mixed use campus, or an office/industrial park. In no case shall banners be approved for a single principal building development, a single business development, or a residential development that is not part of a mixed use commercial development.
  2. All banners shall be constructed of high quality, durable, fade resistant cloth.
  3. The banners may be of various colors and designs, provided that the banners are consistent with an approved Comprehensive Design Plan. The banners may contain the name and logo of the development and seasonal or special event greetings. In no case shall a banner advertise a business name, a product name, or a service.
  4. The top and bottom of each banner shall be mounted to the light pole by appropriate brackets. Banners may be mounted only on light poles owned by the applicant, and shall be mounted to provide a minimum of fifteen feet (15') of clearance between the bottom of the banner and the ground adjacent to the light pole. No more than two (2) banners, on opposing sides, may be mounted to each light pole, and banners shall not be attached to more than seventy five percent (75%) of the light poles on the site.
  5. Each banner shall not exceed a maximum size of two and one-half feet (2 1/2') in width and five feet (5') in length.
  6. The banners shall be included in the total allowable sign area for the buildings in the development, consistent with Section 10-12-14, table A of this chapter.
2. The applicant for a sign permit shall provide to the City a color drawing of the proposed banner design or designs, fabric samples, a site plan showing all light poles and noting the proposed banner locations, and mounting details.
3. A banner that has become torn, faded, loose, or otherwise in disrepair shall be promptly replaced or removed.

Sign Tables

TABLE A: MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SIGN AREA

In the table below column A is the allowable sign area regardless of building facade.

In the table below column B is the maximum allowable sign area based on percentage area of building facade.

	A		B
B-1 and TOD Districts	50 sq. ft.	or	10%
CUPs in R Districts	50 sq. ft.	or	12%
CUPs in R Districts	50 sq. ft.	or	14%
B-3 and CRD Districts and commercial uses in a MIX District	100 sq. ft.	or	16%
B-4, I-1, I-2 and GHM Districts	125 sq. ft.	or	18%

TABLE B: FREESTANDING SIGN STANDARDS EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
1. Street classifications are defined by the official Comprehensive Plan as adopted and amended. Signs on directly adjoining frontage roads may use the standards for the adjoining street classification.
  Street Classification
  Speed (mph)
  Area (Sq. Ft.)
  Height (Ft.)
  City
  30
  20
  6
  Collector
  30
  25
  16
  35
  50
  20
  40
  100
  24
  Principal and Minor Arterials
  30
  50
  18
  35
  100
  22
  40
  125
  24
  45
  150
  26
  50+
  175
  28
  65
  200
  32

Substitution Clause: The owner of any sign which is otherwise allowed by this chapter may substitute noncommercial speech in lieu of any other commercial speech or noncommercial speech. 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 noncommercial speech, or favoring of any particular noncommercial speech over any other noncommercial speech. This provision prevails over any more specific provision to the contrary.

HISTORY
Adopted by Ord. 1648 on 6/12/2026

Street Classification	Speed (mph)	Area (Sq. Ft.)	Height (Ft.)
City	30	20	6
Collector	30	25	16
	35	50	20
	40	100	24
Principal and Minor Arterials	30	50	18
	35	100	22
	40	125	24
	45	150	26
	50+	175	28
	65	200	32