# Sign Regulations in Adams, Wisconsin

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Adams, Wisconsin, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Adams, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/adams
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-24
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.cityofadamswi.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Title-13-Zoning.pdf#page=48)

## At a glance

Adams, Wisconsin regulates 17 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Projecting Signs in the General Commercial (C-1); Highway Commercial (C-2); Extensive Commercial (C-3); Industrial (I); Industrial Park (IP) zoning district are capped at 20 ft above mean centerline street grade tall and 100 sq ft per premises, with a May extend ≤6 ft into any required yard; ≤3 ft into any public right-of-way; must be ≥10 ft from all side lot lines setback (Sec. SEC. 13-1-60(3)(b)). Most commercial signs in Adams require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single-Family Residence (R-1); Two-Family Residence (R-2); Multiple-Family Residence (R-3); Single-Family Residence-Mobile Home Allowed (R-4); Agriculture (A); Conservancy (CON) | 7 | 2 ft | 8 sq ft | — |
| General Commercial (C-1); Highway Commercial (C-2); Extensive Commercial (C-3); Industrial (I); Industrial Park (IP) | 6 | 20 ft above mean centerline street grade | 200 sq ft per premises | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Single-Family Residence (R-1); Two-Family Residence (R-2); Multiple-Family Residence (R-3); Single-Family Residence-Mobile Home Allowed (R-4); Agriculture (A); Conservancy (CON)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Over-Window/Door Sign (Nonconforming Business Establishment) | 2 ft | — | 10 ft | — | — | Over show windows or doors of a nonconforming business establishment on the premises | — | SEC. 13-1-60(2)(a) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On the premises being advertised; temporarily located | — | SEC. 13-1-60(2)(b) |
| Name/Occupation/Warning Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On the premises | — | SEC. 13-1-60(2)(c) |
| Bulletin Board (Public/Charitable/Religious Institution) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | On the premises of the institution | — | SEC. 13-1-60(2)(d) |
| Memorial Sign/Tablet (Flush-Mounted) | — | — | — | — | — | Affixed flat against a structure or cut into masonry | — | SEC. 13-1-60(2)(e) |
| Official Sign (Traffic/Parking/Information/Notices) | — | — | — | — | — | As required for traffic control, parking restrictions, information, and notices | — | SEC. 13-1-60(2)(f) |
| Temporary Sign or Banner (Plan Commission Authorized) | — | — | — | — | — | As authorized (may be on a fence, temporary or permanent structure, the ground or other location); placement and method of affixing considered by Plan Commission | — | SEC. 13-1-60(2)(g)(1)(aa–gg) and (2) |

### General Commercial (C-1); Highway Commercial (C-2); Extensive Commercial (C-3); Industrial (I); Industrial Park (IP)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 20 ft above mean centerline street grade | 200 sq ft per premises | — | — | — | Placed against exterior walls of buildings | — | SEC. 13-1-60(3)(a) |
| Projecting Sign | 20 ft above mean centerline street grade | 100 sq ft per premises | — | May extend ≤6 ft into any required yard; ≤3 ft into any public right-of-way; must be ≥10 ft from all side lot lines | — | Fastened to, suspended from, or supported by structures | — | SEC. 13-1-60(3)(b) |
| Ground Sign (Freestanding) | 20 ft above mean centerline street grade | 100 sq ft on one side; 200 sq ft total on all sides per premises | — | Must meet all yard requirements for the district in which located | — | On ground (freestanding) | — | SEC. 13-1-60(3)(c) |
| Roof Sign | 10 ft above roof | 200 sq ft total on all sides per premises | — | — | — | Mounted on roof | — | SEC. 13-1-60(3)(d) |
| Window Sign | — | ≤25% of the glass area of the pane | — | — | — | Only on the inside of commercial buildings | — | SEC. 13-1-60(3)(e) |
| Combination of Signs | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SEC. 13-1-60(3)(f) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Signs – Permit and Structural Compliance | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SEC. 13-1-60(1) |
| All Signs – Traffic Visibility and Imitation Restrictions | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SEC. 13-1-60(4) |
| Nonconforming Signs – Continuation | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SEC. 13-1-60(5) |
| Nonconforming Uses – Repair/Alteration Limits and Abandonment | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SEC. 13-1-70 |

## Prohibited signs in Adams

- Conducting any sign work (locating, erecting, moving, reconstructing, extending, enlarging, converting, or structurally altering) without a land use permit, unless specifically exempted
- Installing or maintaining any sign that is not in conformity with the provisions of the ordinance
- Installing or maintaining any sign that does not meet the structural requirements of the building code
- Signs that resemble, imitate, or approximate the shape, size, form, or color of railroad or traffic signs, signals, or devices
- Signs that obstruct or interfere with the effectiveness of railroad or traffic signs, signals, or devices
- Placing any sign so as to obstruct or interfere with traffic visibility

## Signs exempt from permit in Adams

- Lawfully existing signs at the time of adoption or amendment may be continued even if their use, size, or location does not conform to this ordinance (nonconforming signs may continue)

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A land use permit is required for any sign activity (location, erection, moving, reconstruction, extension, enlargement, conversion, or structural alteration), unless specifically exempted
- Temporary signs or banners require authorization by the Plan Commission
- Property owners with a temporary sign in place upon enactment must obtain a temporary sign permit from the Plan Commission
- No master sign plan requirement is stated in the provided text

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Adams, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Adams+WI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-adams

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/adams