09.c1 Draft UDC Amendment for Dynamic Displays - CC Packet
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Date of Meeting: August 19, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: T.J. Hofer, Consultant City Planner
Re: Draft UDC Amendment for Dynamic Displays
City staff have prepared draft a draft ordinance as directed by the City Council based on the
request received from Federated Co-op.
BACKGROUND
The City Council received a request from Federated Co-op to allow for dynamic displays in the
city as they are currently prohibited. Staff has drafted the below standards based on this request
and the discussion at the City Council meeting on June 17, 2025.
Dynamic displays are considered animated signs within the Unified Development Code (UDC)
and defined as:
Sign, Animated (also called Dynamic Display signs): Any characteristics of a sign that
appear to have movement or that appear to change, caused by any method other than
physically removing and replacing the sign or its components, whether the apparent
movement or change is in the display, the sign structure itself, or any other component of
the sign. This includes a display that incorporates a technology or method allowing the
sign fact to change the image without having to physically or mechanically replace the
sign face or its components. This also includes any rotating, revolving, moving, flashing,
blinking or animated display, and any display that incorporates rotating panels, LED
lights manipulated through digital input, “digital ink,” or any other method or technology
that allows the sign face to represent a series of images or displays.
SUMMARY OF DRAFT ORDINANCE
153.400.100 SIGNS
Subd. 1. Summary and Intent. The sign standards within this Section are established to
allow for the appropriate types, scale and size of signs based on the Character Area and
Zoning District where the sign is located.
Subd. 2. Applicability. The regulations contained herein do not apply to signs painted,
attached by adhesive or otherwise attached directly to or visible through windows and
glass portions of doors.
(A) Permit Required. Except as otherwise provided in this UDC, no sign shall be
erected, constructed, altered, rebuilt or relocated until an Administrative Permit or
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Conditional Use Permit as may be required for the sign has been issued.
Application for the applicable permit shall be accompanied by the established fee.
II. General Standards.
a. Flashing signs and animated signs (also called Dynamic Display signs)
are prohibited, except where allowed by this section.
IV. Business and Village Signs. Signs in the V-C, V-HC, R-C and I-P Zoning
District must meet the following standards.
a. The total square footage of permanent sign area for each lot may not
exceed one (1) square feet of sign area for each lineal foot of building
front, up to a maximum of 200 square feet.
b. Each business or organization may display one temporary or portable
sign (including sandwich-board signs) in addition to the area of
permanent signs permitted. The temporary sign shall not exceed forty
(40) square feet in size, and shall be permitted for a period of no more
than thirty-four (34) consecutive days. No permit is required for one
temporary or portable sign.
c. The top of a monument sign may not exceed eight (8) feet above the
average grade.
d. Dynamic Displays. Dynamic displays are allowed through a conditional
use permit provided the following criteria are met:
i. The property must be located along an arterial street.
ii. Dynamic displays shall not exceed 24 square feet.
iii. The images and messages displayed on dynamic display signs
must be static, and the transition from one static display to
another must be instantaneous without any special effects with
the exception of a scrolling monochromatic message on a single
color dark background.
iv. A dynamic display sign may not change its message more than
once every 10 seconds.
v. The images and messages cannot be changed between the hours
of ten o'clock (10:00) P.M. and six o'clock (6:00) A.M.
vi. All dynamic display signs shall be equipped with automatic
dimming devices. Light cast upon adjacent rights of way (as
measured from the curb line) or residential uses (as measured
from the property line) shall not exceed five-tenths (0.5) foot-
candle (meter reading) above ambient light.
vii. Dynamic displays signs shall not be permitted as window signs.
The above proposed standards are informed by standards observed in other communities and
standards added to control for the location of dynamic displays within Scandia. The City Council
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should discuss the various standards and provide feedback to staff regarding any desired changes
or additions.
COUNCIL ACTION
The City Council can choose to have the language move forward through the amendment process
by recommending the ordinance amendment to the Planning Commission, or, have staff continue
to work on the amendments before beginning the process.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommend the Council recommend the ordinance amendment to the Planning Commission
to be heard at a public hearing at the next possible meeting.
Attachments
A. Draft 153.400.110 Standards for Dynamic Displays
B. Zoning Map
C. Functional Classification Map
153.400.010 SIGNS
Subd. 1. Summary and Intent. The sign standards within this Section are established to allow for the appropriate
types, scale and size of signs based on the Character Area and Zoning District where the sign is located.
Subd. 2. Applicability. The regulations contained herein do not apply to signs painted, attached by adhesive or
otherwise attached directly to or visible through windows and glass portions of doors.
(A) No Permit is required for the following signs:
I. Signs, except those specifically defined within this Section, up to ten (10) square feet in area.
II. Noncommercial Signs, will be regulated consistent with Minnesota Statutes 211B.045 or successor
statutes, for time and duration. During years without a general state election signs must comply with
the standards stated within this Section.
III. Signs placed on parcels that are currently offered for sale providing such signs are not closer than 10
feet to any property line and shall not exceed ten (10) square feet in area. One sign shall be
permitted for each street frontage.
IV. Signs erected on parcels that are currently under construction for single-family or multiple-family
residences that are intended to promote the construction, sale or leasing of the project. The plat of
the development must be recorded with the Washington County Recorder prior to the erection of a
sign. Signs are subject to the following standards.
a. Such signs may not exceed one hundred (100) square feet in area.
b. Only one (1) sign is permitted per each road frontage with a maximum of three (3) signs per
project.
c. Such signs shall be removed when the project is eighty percent (80%) completed, sold or
leased.
d. Such sign must be located on the property which is for sale. Off-site development project
signs are prohibited.
e. One sign for each street entrance to a parcel currently under construction is permitted. The
maximum sign area is thirty-two (32) square feet per surface and no sign may have more than
two surfaces. The sign must not exceed eight (8) feet in height.
f. If the work authorized under a sign permit has not been completed within six (6) months
after the date of issuance, the permit will become null and void.
(B) Permit Required. Except as otherwise provided in this UDC, no sign shall be erected, constructed, altered,
rebuilt or relocated until an Administrative Permit or Conditional Use Permit as may be required for the
sign has been issued. Application for the applicable permit shall be accompanied by the established fee.
I. Signs by Conditional Use Permit. Where a use is permitted in a Zoning District by Conditional Use
Permit, the sign for that use is required to obtain a separate Conditional Use Permit unless the sign is
otherwise provided for within the CUP or is permitted within the Base Zoning District.
II. General Standards.
a. Signs located in the V-N, V-C, V-HC and R-C Zoning Districts must be consistent with
Section [153.400.040].
b. Pylon/pedestal signs are prohibited in all districts, with the following exceptions:
i. Motor Vehicle Service Station uses in all districts
ii. Uses where a pylon/pedestal sign is considered historically accurate or appropriate
based on the City’s Architectural Design Guidelines.
c. No sign may be erected that, by reason of position, shape, movement, color or any other
characteristic, interferes with the proper functioning of a traffic sign or signal or otherwise
constitutes a traffic hazard; nor shall signs be permitted which would otherwise interfere with
traffic control.
d. All signs, other than public utility warning signs, are prohibited within a public right-of-way.
e. When permitted, backlit or illuminated signs must be diffused or indirect so as not to direct
rays of light onto any public right-of-way or adjacent residential property. No backlit or
illuminated signs or their support structures may be located closer than twenty-five (25) feet
to any roadway surface or closer than ten (10) feet to a road right-of-way line,
notwithstanding more restrictive portions of this Section.
f. LED (light-emitting diode) luminaires, or other energy-saving luminaires, may be used in
backlit signs, illuminated signs or other signs permitted by this ordinance.
g. Flashing signs and animated signs (also called Dynamic Display signs) are prohibited., except
where allowed by this section.
h. Signs giving off intermittent, rotating, or direct light, which may be confused with traffic,
aviation, or emergency signaling, are prohibited.
i. One (1) wall sign is allowed for each street frontage on a building for each use located within
such building. The maximum total area of all wall signs affixed to a building wall is twenty
percent (20%) of the total area of that wall. No individual wall sign shall exceed one hundred
and fifty (150) square feet.
j. A wall sign must not project more than eighteen (18) inches from the wall to which the sign is
affixed. Wall mounted signs must not exceed the roof line on any building.
k. The City Council may approve the placement of murals on building walls that exceed the
standards for wall signs.
i. Signs must not be painted on a fence, tree, or other object in any district.
ii. Roof signs are prohibited in all Zoning Districts.
iii. All signs and displays using electric power must have a cutoff switch on the outside of
the sign and on the outside of the building or structure to which the sign is attached.
iv. Multi-faced signs must not exceed two (2) times the allowed square footage of single
faced signs.
v. Except for more restrictive parts of this Section, no sign that exceeds one hundred
(100) square feet in area shall be erected or maintained:
1. Which would prevent any traveler on any road from obtaining a clear view of
approaching vehicles on the same road for a distance of five hundred (500)
feet.
2. Which would be closer than one thousand three hundred fifty (1,350) feet to a
national, state or local park, or historic site.
3. Which would obstruct more than fifty (50) percent of the view of a lake, river,
rocks, wooded, area, stream or other point of natural and scenic beauty.
4. Any sign that requires a permit, but no permit has been issued, must be taken
down and removed by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of
the building, or land upon which the sign may be found within thirty (30) days
after written notice from the Zoning Administrator.
vi. Any sign which is abandoned or becomes structurally unsafe or endangers the safety
of a building or premises or endangers the public safety, must be taken down and
removed or structurally improved by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial
use of the building, structure or land upon which the sign is located within ten (10)
days after written notification from the Zoning Administrator.
vii. If the work authorized under a sign permit has not been completed within six (6)
months after the date of issuance, the permit shall become null and void.
III. Agriculture and Rural Residential Signs. Signs in A-P, AG-C, RR-G, and RR-N Zoning Districts ),
Agriculture Preserves (AP), General Rural (GR) and Village Neighborhood (VN) Districts must
meet the following standards.
a. The maximum area permitted for a single sign is 10 square feet per surface. Up to three signs
that meet this requirement are allowed per parcel.
b. No sign may be constructed to have more than two (2) surfaces.
c. The top of the display may not exceed ten (10) feet above grade.
d. Any sign over two (2) square feet must be setback at least ten (10) feet from any property
line. In no case shall any part of the sign be closer than two (2) feet to a vertical line drawn at
the property line.
e. The following types of signs are not permitted in the AP, AG-C, RR-G, and RR-N Zoning
Districts:
i. Animated signs
ii. Awning signs
iii. Canopy signs
iv. Flashing signs
v. Portable signs
vi. Pennants
IV. Business and Village Signs. Signs in the V-C, V-HC, R-C and I-P Zoning District must meet the
following standards.
a. The total square footage of permanent sign area for each lot may not exceed one (1) square
feet of sign area for each lineal foot of building front, up to a maximum of 200 square feet.
b. Each business or organization may display one temporary or portable sign (including
sandwich-board signs) in addition to the area of permanent signs permitted. The temporary
sign shall not exceed forty (40) square feet in size, and shall be permitted for a period of no
more than thirty-four (34) consecutive days. No permit is required for one temporary or
portable sign.
c. The top of a monument sign may not exceed eight (8) feet above the average grade.
d. Dynamic Displays. Dynamic displays are allowed through a conditional use permit provided
the following criteria are met:
i. The property must be located along an arterial street.
ii. Dynamic displays shall not exceed 24 square feet.
iii. The images and messages displayed on dynamic display signs must be static, and the
transition from one static display to another must be instantaneous without any special
effects with the exception of a scrolling monochromatic message on a single color
dark background.
iv. A dynamic display sign may not change its message more than once every 10 seconds.
v. The images and messages cannot be changed between the hours of ten o'clock (10:00)
P.M. and six o'clock (6:00) A.M.
vi. All dynamic display signs shall be equipped with automatic dimming devices. Light
cast upon adjacent rights of way (as measured from the curb line) or residential uses
(as measured from the property line) shall not exceed five-tenths (0.5) foot-candle
(meter reading) above ambient light.
c. Dynamic displays signs shall not be permitted as window signs.
V. Any sign over six (6) square feet must be setback at least ten (10) feet from any property line. In no
case may any part of a sign be closer than two (2) feet to a vertical line drawn at the property line.
VI. Shopping Center Signs.
a. Shopping Centers or buildings containing more than one (1) tenant are allowed one (1)
monument sign which may contain the names of all tenants in the project. Individual tenants
may be identified by individual signs attached to the building. The total square footage of sign
area may not exceed the limits set forth in this Section as determined by the Base Zoning
District in which the property is located.
b. Signs must not project from a building or structure to any point within two (2) feet of a line
drawn perpendicularly upward from a curb line. A projecting sign must be a minimum of
nine (9) feet above the sidewalk or the ground level. All projecting signs that require a permit
must be constructed entirely of fire-resistant material.
VII. Off-Premises Signs.
a. Up to two multi-tenant off-premises signs (one for each roadway direction) may be permitted
near the intersections of Olinda Trail North and TH 97, Oakhill Road North and TH 97,
Manning Trail North and TH 97, TH 95 and TH 97, and Oakhill Road North and TH 95,
within the V-C and V-HC Zoning Districts. The sign may be a monument sign or
freestanding directional sign.
b. A Conditional Use Permit is required for any off-premises sign. When the applicant is any
person other than the owner of the property, the owner of the property must also sign the
application. The application must contain the information contained in Section 153.500 of
this UDC, and the following additional information:
i. Name, address and telephone number of the property owner, sign owner, and erector.
ii. Proposed location of the sign structure, including property identification number and
address.
iii. Scaled drawing showing the position of the sign structure in relation to the property
lines, nearest buildings, structures, public streets, and rights-of-way.
iv. Plans, specifications, materials, and method of construction or attachment to the
ground or a structure, including all dimensions, all construction materials, a
description of al light sources, wattage, types and color of lights, and details of light
shields.
v. Any electrical permit required for the sign.
vi. If the sign is proposed within the right-of-way of a state or county highway, the
applicant must obtain any required permits and provide a copy of the approved permit
to the City.
vii. Other information as required by the City.
c. Off-premise signs must comply with the requirements and standards stated within Section
153.400.040.
d. In addition to the above application, an agreement must be entered into with the city which
will authorize and direct the city to remove, at the expense of the owner, the sign and sign
structure, where maintenance is required, but has not been furnished. The agreement will
stipulate the terms under which removal may be taken and will include a required hearing and
10-day notice that clearly specifies the maintenance required by the City.
VIII. Institutional Signs.
a. Signs for Institutional Uses are subject only to the provisions in this section. The follow
standards shall apply:
i. One sign not to exceed 32 square feet per surface, limited to two surfaces is permitted.
ii. The sign must be setback a minimum of ten feet from any property line.
iii. In the case of multiple structure on one parcel, a second institutional sign may be
installed provided there is a minimum distance of 25 feet between the two signs.
Scandia 2040 Comprehensive Plan Transportation
Prepared by: Bolton & Menk, Inc. Page 78
Figure VIII-C – Functional Classification