The City of Saint Paul allows temporary banners to be placed on light poles. Not all street lights in Saint Paul are capable of holding banners. The following items must be included in the permit application package in order for it to be considered.
Follow these steps:
- If the banners are going to be placed downtown, please review the city's map of downtown street lights that are potentially available for banners. Please note not all street lights are capable of holding banners.
- Complete the online banner permit application form.
Send the following items to banners@stpaul.gov:
2. A copy of your certificate of insurance.
3. Electronic sample file of the banner to be displayed, to scale.
4. Detailed list and/or map of the specific locations for the banners.
Upon approval of your banner permit, submit payment of $79 non-refundable permit fee for the Department of Safety and Inspections.
- OPTION 1: Pay by phone with credit* by calling the DSI main line at 651-266-8989. Ask to speak with one of our clerks regarding a sign permit payment.
- OPTION 2: Pay in person with cash, check, or credit card* at the Department of Safety and Inspections (address listed below).
- OPTION 3: Pay by mail with a check. Address envelope as follows:
Attention: Sign Permit Payment
Department of Safety and Inspections
375 Jackson St., Suite 220
St. Paul, MN 55105
*Please note that all credit and debit card transactions are charged a 2.49% service fee. This charge will appear as a separate charge on your statement.
Process of Temporary Banner Permit Reviews
Requests should be submitted at least 10 business days before the requested date to install the banners. Failure to do so and incomplete information in request materials may result in delays. For the most current information on banner requests, please check this page each time you apply for a banner permit.
Step 1: After you complete and submit the banner request application and submit the required supporting documents to banners@stpaul.gov, you will be contacted via email or by phone from a representative of the Mayor's Office to inform you of your permit request status within 5-7 business days. The representative may discuss the purpose of your event related to the banners.
Step 2: Shortly after submitting your requests, a representative from the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) will verify if sponsorship advertisement on the banner design meets ordinance code (no more than 15 % of the banner) and verify the liability insurance provided is in good standing.
Step 3: If both criteria above are satisfactory, your request will be approved, and you will be instructed to work directly with Public Works Traffic Operations Division for the installation. If arrangements are not made to pick up banners after they are taken down, the banners will be disposed of.
Note: Final determination to complete the banner installation will be at the discretion of Public Works.
Current Rates & Payment
PERMIT FEE: $79. Payable by cash, check or credit card to DSI if approved. Mail payment to Department of Safety and Inspections, 375 Jackson St., Suite #220, Saint Paul, MN 55101. Please note that all credit and debit card transactions are charged a 2.49% service fee.
BANNER INSTALLATION/TAKE DOWN: $84 per light pole banner. The total due for installation and removal upon delivery of banners to Public Works
LIGHT POLE BRACKET EQUIPMENT: $339 per light pole. An additional equipment fee (per street light) may be required if the street light requires a set of banner brackets to be installed. Payment is due to Public Works at the time of banner delivery.
If you are interested in putting up other types of signs or not sure what your permit request requires, please visit the Department of Safety & Inspections (DSI) permit page.
