Campaign Sign Information for the 2010 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

Minneapolis City Ordinance 543.260 which covers Political Signs allows signage up to 8 square feet on residential property year-round, subject to other regulations in 543.260.

MS 211B.045 allows any non-commercial signs of any size and quantity to be posted on residential properties beginning June 25, 2010 (46 days before the Primary) until ten days after the state general election.

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”

Quantity of signs in a state general election year beginning 46 days before the state primary until 10 days after the general election

MS 211B.045

Call Minneapolis 311 or email

Minneapolis311@ci.minneapolis.mn.us

In the subject line enter “Campaign Sign Complaint”

On Election Day:

• Signs on public property 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

A Panel of the Office of Administrative Hearing ruled MS 211B.11 applies only to public property, and not to private property.

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”

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances

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.

MS 211B.045 – amended by 2010 legislature in SF 2251

In any municipality, whether or not the municipality has an ordinance that regulates
the size or number of noncommercial signs, all noncommercial signs of any size may be
posted in any number from August 1 46 days before the state primary in a state general
election year until ten days following the state general election.