St. Cloud Updates Sign Ordinance to Align with State Guidance, Clarifies Rules for Political Signs

(KNSI) – The St. Cloud Planning Commission is doing some rewriting of its sign ordinance to fall in line with state recommendations.

The city is looking to define signs as commercial and non-commercial, with political signs falling into the non-commercial category. Community Development Director Matt Glaesman explained to KNSI News that multiple court decisions around the country are ruling on content, and they wanted to get ahead of any issues. “So this says that you get to say what your opinion is. You get to say it in one sign, five square feet, just as a realtor would have had that same opportunity to market your property for sale. Now you get to say whatever your opinion is in that same size, shape, and location.”

He called it more of a clarification, rather than an ordinance change, but there is one exception to the rule. “In the State of Minnesota, there is an exemption from local control during that window before an election and after an election. Cities aren’t allowed to regulate the number, location, or size of those signs. So this does not compromise that in any way. It still acknowledges, in fact, that exemption of local control during election season.”

The election season is 46 days before a primary election and ten days after a general election. Otherwise, any sign larger than five square feet or placing more than one on a property would require a permit.

No one spoke at a public hearing on the plan. The commission approved the change unanimously. The plan will go before the city council for final approval.

___