Sign Regulations in Duluth, MN (2026)
4 verified sign regulations for Duluth, Minnesota, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Political Signs
In the City of Duluth, political signs are treated as noncommercial message signs under the Unified Development Chapter. Election signs of any size can go up without a zoning permit starting 46 days before the state primary in a general election year and must come down within 10 days after the general election, with no city limit on size, height, setback or count during that window.
Political Signs in Duluth's Sign Code
Light RestrictionsDuluth Legislative Code § 50-27.6.D, Tables 50-27-2 & 50-27-3
TABLE 50-27-2: ... EXEMPT TEMPORARY SIGN PERMITTED DISPLAY PERIOD SIGN PERMITTED DISPLAY PERIOD ... Non-Commercial Message Sign General: No display period limitation Election: Signs of any size related to an election or referendum may be posted in any number from 46 days before the state primary in a state general election year until 10 days following the state general election ... TABLE 50-27-...
Digital Billboards
Electronic billboards are allowed only in Duluth's MU-C, MU-B and I-G zoning districts, and only if the owner offsets the new sign with exception credits or removed nonconforming billboard square footage worth three times its size. Each message must hold static for at least eight seconds, and scrolling or flashing displays are banned.
Digital Billboard Rules in Duluth
Significant RestrictionsDuluth Legislative Code § 50-27.7.E.6(a)-(b)
6. Electronic billboards are permitted only in the MU-C, MU-B, and I-G districts. Electronic billboards are subject to the following regulations: (a) An electronic billboard may only be erected if one of the following criteria is met: (i) The electronic billboard is constructed using exception credits. The number of exception credits, in square footage, must equal three times the square footage...
Window Signs
In the City of Duluth, no exterior sign may cover a window or door, and a window sign printed on transparent film is measured only by the area of its individual letters or logos, so long as the film around each letter keeps the window 100 percent see-through, under § 50-27.3.
Duluth Window Sign Transparency Rule
Some RestrictionsDuluth Legislative Code § 50-27.3(A)(7), (B)(1)(d)
7. No sign may be erected on the exterior of a building to cover any windows or doors; ... (d) Window signs printed on a transparent film and affixed to the interior or exterior of a windowpane are calculated as individual letters or logos, provided that the portion of the transparent film around the perimeter of the individual letters or logos maintains 100 percent transparency of the window. ...
Freeway-Facing Signs
Billboards along Interstate 35 and Interstate 535 in Duluth must be spaced at least 800 feet apart, tighter than the standard 500-foot spacing that applies to billboards on other roads, unless the sign is built using an exception credit, which drops the requirement back to 500 feet.
Freeway Billboard Spacing in Duluth
Some RestrictionsDuluth Legislative Code § 50-27.7.E.5(a)
5. Billboards are required to be spaced 500 feet apart, subject to the following: (a) Billboards located along Interstate Highway No. 35 and Interstate Highway No. 535 must be spaced 800 feet apart, unless erected under an exception credit in which case only the 500 foot spacing is required;
Looking for St. Louis County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Duluth city rules.
Sign Regulations in St. Louis County →