City of Minneapolis

Campaign Sign Information for the 2009 election year

References:

Minnesota Statutes (MS)

Minneapolis Ordinances

In addition to state law and city ordinances, the city will take action to

• Promote life safety

• Assure traffic visibility

• Prevent traffic obstruction

In 2009 the City of Minneapolis conducts elections for Mayor, City Council, Board of Estimate and Taxation, and Park and Recreation Board.

Because 2009 is not a State of Minnesota general election year, MS 211B.045 does not apply. Campaign signs for the 2009 election season can go up as of now, but still must be removed within 10 days after the election.

July 2009

The City Council adopted Minneapolis Ordinance 543.380, which changes former Minneapolis Ordinance 543.260.

Topic	Regulated by	Contact for Complaint
Content of a sign	MS 211B	Office of Administrative Hearings 651-361-7837 or www.oah.state.mn.us Choose: Information – Scroll down to Fair Campaign Process
Location of signs: In CITY streets and/or right of ways, on city boulevards, on boulevard trees or utility poles	Minneapolis Ordinance 543.380	Minneapolis 311 or 612-673-3000, or email Minneapolis311@ci.minneapolis.mn.us In the subject line enter “Campaign Sign Complaint”
Location of signs: In STATE or FEDERAL street and/or right of ways	MS 173.15 and MS 160.27	Minnesota Department of Transportation Metropolitan District Office 651-234-7500 – ask for “Permits”
Location of signs: On CORPORATE property	MS 211B.15	Office of Administrative Hearings 651-361-7837 www.oah.state.mn.us Choose: Information – Scroll down to Fair Campaign Process page
Size, placement or height of placement of signs	Minneapolis Ordinance 543.380	Call Minneapolis 311 or email Minneapolis311@ci.minneapolis.mn.us In the subject line enter “Campaign Sign Complaint”
On Election Day: • Signs within 100 feet of a building that is a polling place • On the public property of a building that is a polling place (park, school, library, public housing)	MS 211B.11	Minneapolis 311 or 612-673-3000, or email Minneapolis311@ci.minneapolis.mn.us Add “Campaign Sign Complaint” in the subject line
Signs up past 10 days of an election including the candidate’s name	Minneapolis Ordinance 543.380 MS 211B.045	Call Minneapolis 311 or email Minneapolis311@ci.minneapolis.mn.us In the subject line enter “Campaign Sign Complaint”

Note: MS 211B.045 applies only in a state general election year.

543.380.  Political signs.  (a) Location.  Political signs are allowed as a permitted encroachment in the required front yard. No political sign shall be closer than eight (8) feet from any other zoning lot. No political sign shall be placed on the public right-of-way, including boulevard trees and utility poles.

            (b)  Maximum number of signs.  No limit within size allocation.

            (c)  Size.

(1)        Residence and OR1 Districts.  Maximum of eight (8) square feet in area, shall be permitted per street frontage. A larger political sign may be allowed, provided such sign shall be included in the calculation of the total permitted sign area of the site and shall be regulated as such.

(2)        All other districts.  Maximum of thirty-two (32) square feet in area, shall be permitted per street frontage. A larger political sign may be allowed, provided such sign shall be included in the calculation of the total permitted sign area of the site and shall be regulated as such.

            (d)  Height.

(1)        Residence and OR1 Districts.  The height of a freestanding political sign shall not exceed six (6) feet. A political sign mounted on a wall shall not exceed the height requirements of the district in which the sign is located.

(2)        All other districts.  The height of a freestanding political sign shall not exceed fourteen (14) feet. A political sign mounted on a wall shall not exceed the height requirements of the district in which the sign is located.

            (e)  Sign removal.  Signs sponsoring candidates for public office shall be removed within ten (10) days after an election has been held unless the candidate is one (1) who qualifies as a candidate to be named on the ballot at a general election after a primary election. In that case, signs erected prior to the primary election may be left in place until ten (10) days after the general election.