# Sign Regulations in Algoma, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Algoma, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/algoma
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/WI/Algoma/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIILAUSLADEOR_CH113ZO_ARTVISUZOREDEST_DIV2SI)

## At a glance

Algoma, Wisconsin regulates 36 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Home Occupation/Professional Home Office Signs in the Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5) zoning district are capped at 48 inches at the top tall and 6 sq ft per dwelling unit, with a 5 ft from inside sidewalk OR 10 ft from curb setback (Sec. Sec. 113-231(2)).

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 17 | — | 100 sq ft per sign | — |
| Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5) | 4 | 48 inches at the top | 15 sq ft | — |
| Agricultural District (A) | 3 | 15 ft | 32 sq ft per sign | — |
| Commercial District (C-1, C-2) | 1 | Ground sign: 20 ft | — | — |
| Highway Commercial District (C-3), Commercial Waterfront (C-4) | 3 | Ground/projecting signs: 35 ft; Wall sign not above roofline | 100 sq ft | — |
| Light Industrial District (M-1), Heavy Industrial District (M-2) | 1 | Ground and projecting signs: 35 ft; wall signs do not exceed roofline | 600 sq ft (max total per premises) | — |
| Industrial Park District (M-3) | 6 | 4 ft above grade (general ground sign); see also location restrictions | 200 sq ft per face; 1 per street frontage | — |
| Public and Semi-public District (P) | 1 | 12 ft | 8 sq ft (main sign) plus 1 reader board up to 15 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign (Residential Districts) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per construction site | Confined to site of construction, only during active construction | — | Sec. 113-229(a) |
| Construction Sign (All Other Districts) | — | 100 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 per construction site | Confined to site of construction, only during active construction | — | Sec. 113-229(a) |
| Directional or Instructional Non-Electric Sign | — | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | — | On the property to which they pertain | — | Sec. 113-229(b) |
| House Numbers and Nameplates | — | 2 sq ft per unit | — | — | — | For each residential dwelling unit, commercial or industrial building | — | Sec. 113-229(e) |
| Memorial Signs/Plaques | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Integrated into building | — | Sec. 113-229(g) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential Districts) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Located entirely within the property to which the sign applies | — | Sec. 113-229(k) |
| Real Estate Sign (All Other Districts) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Located entirely within the property to which the sign applies | — | Sec. 113-229(k) |
| Temporary Window Sign (Commercial/Industrial Districts) | — | 25% of gross window area of facade | — | — | — | Interior window surface, ground floor | — | Sec. 113-229(l) |

### Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation/Professional Home Office Sign | 48 inches at the top | 6 sq ft per dwelling unit | — | 5 ft from inside sidewalk OR 10 ft from curb | 1 per dwelling unit | On-premises | — | Sec. 113-231(2) |
| Conditional/Nonconforming/Public/Educational/Religious Institution Sign (Wall Sign Option) | 12 ft | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On-premises; building wall | — | Sec. 113-232(1)-(3) |
| Conditional/Nonconforming/Public/Educational/Religious Institution Sign (Ground Sign Option) | 12 ft | 8 sq ft | — | 15 ft from side/rear lot lines, 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 (plus 1 reader board, max 15 sq ft) | On-premises; ground | — | Sec. 113-232(1), (4)-(5) |
| Reader Board Sign (Public/Educational/Religious) | 12 ft (same as main sign) | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On-premises | — | Sec. 113-232(5) |

### Industrial Park District (M-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flush Mounted Wall Sign | — | 200 sq ft per face; 1 per street frontage | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Attached to building; flush-mounted; small (4 sq ft) perpendicular signs for areas of building usage (e.g., office, loading dock) allowed | — | Sec. 113-140(6)(a)-(c), (d) |
| Ground Sign (On-Premises) | 4 ft above grade (general ground sign); see also location restrictions | 200 sq ft per face (per street frontage); sign advertising sale/lease max 32 sq ft | — | No sign above 100 sq ft in first 10 ft of setback area; must be within property and outside setbacks. | 1 per street frontage | Within building setback lines; not exceeding height/location restrictions | — | Sec. 113-140(6)(d),(f) |
| Sign for Sale/Lease | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 113-140(6)(e) |
| Construction Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per construction commencement | — | — | Sec. 113-140(6)(h) |
| Future Tenant Identification Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 113-140(6)(i) |
| Entrance/Exit/Directions Sign | — | 2 sq ft each (entrance/exit), 9 sq ft for parking area condition/identity sign | — | — | — | Entrance or exit or in parking area | — | Sec. 113-140(6)(j) |

## Prohibited signs in Algoma

- Abandoned signs are prohibited.
- Flashing or moving signs are prohibited, including signs animated by means of flashing, scintillating, blinking or traveling light of over 15 watts per lamp, and animated signs located within 300 feet of any illuminated traffic control or warning light.
- Physically moving signs visible from the public right-of-way are not permitted except those which revolve around a vertical axis at speeds less than seven revolutions per minute.
- Swinging signs are prohibited.
- Floodlighted signs are prohibited except where no significant direct light or significant glare from the sign projects onto an adjacent lot.
- No person shall park any vehicle on a public right-of-way or public property, or on private properties so as to be seen from a public right-of-way, which has attached thereto or located thereon any sign or advertising device for the basic purpose of providing advertisement of products or directing people to a business activity located on the same or nearby property or any other premises for more than 30 days annually.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs that bear or contain statements, words or pictures of obscene, pornographic or immoral subjects are prohibited.
- Signs that imitate or resemble an official traffic sign or signal are prohibited.
- Hazardous signs, or those that are a threat to health, safety or public welfare, are prohibited.
- No sign or sign structure shall be located in the right-of-way. No sign or sign structure except projecting signs shall extend into the public right-of-way.
- No advertising device of any type shall be attached to any utility, sign or other municipal poles or structures located in the public right-of-way.
- No sign shall be suspended by chains or other devices that will allow the sign to swing due to wind action. Signs must be anchored to prevent lateral movement that could cause wear on supporting members or connections.
- No sign or any part thereof, or anchor, brace or guy rod, shall be attached, fastened or anchored to any fire escape, fire ladder or standpipe, nor shall any sign or any part thereof, or anchor, brace or guy rod cover or obstruct any door, doorway or window of any building and hinder ingress or egress, or prevent the raising or placing of ladders against such building in the event of fire.
- No sign facing a residential district shall be closer than 25 feet to that district line.
- All signs must comply with the city building code and additional construction standards.
- No sign erected, altered, moved or structurally modified without a permit or altered with a permit but in violation of the provisions shall be permitted; such sign must be removed or brought into compliance within ten days of written notification by the building inspector.
- No sign shall be constructed or installed in such a manner as to endanger public safety or traffic safety.
- No sign shall be installed or maintained using inadequate or unsafe equipment.
- Any sign maintained in a manner not conforming to safe, presentable, and good structural condition may be required to be removed by the building inspector.
- No sign shall obstruct visibility at intersections or required sight triangles per general city visibility regulations.

## Signs exempt from permit in Algoma

- Construction signs (limited in size and number) are exempt from permit requirements.
- Directional or instructional non-electric signs located entirely on the subject property, not exceeding six square feet each and not advertising a business, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Non-illuminated emblems or insignia of any nation or political subdivision, profit or nonprofit organization, up to 32 square feet, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Government signs for traffic control, regulatory, danger, railroad crossings, and public utilities, installed by or on order of a public officer, are exempt from permit requirements.
- House numbers and nameplates not exceeding two square feet per unit/building are exempt from permit requirements.
- Signs located entirely within the interior of a building or structure and not visible from the public right-of-way are exempt from permit requirements.
- Memorial signs, plaques, building names and dates inlaid in masonry or made of bronze or non-combustible material up to four square feet are exempt from permit requirements.
- No trespassing or no dumping signs not exceeding 1.5 square feet per sign are exempt from permit requirements.
- Official public notices posted by public officers/employers and signs required/authorized for a public purpose by law or ordinance are exempt from permit requirements.
- Political and campaign signs (subject to regulations on timing and size) are exempt from permit requirements.
- Real estate sales signs (subject to area limits and removal deadlines) are exempt from permit requirements.
- Temporary window signs (within display time, area, and location limits) are exempt from permit requirements.
- On-premises religious symbols, historic identification emblems, or plaques up to 32 square feet are exempt from permit requirements.
- On-premises temporary signs for civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organizations, not exceeding four square feet, posted up to 45 days before and removed within five days after the event, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Vehicular signs on vehicles operating in the normal course of business, not primarily displaying signs, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Awning signs consisting of one line of copy and/or logo upon the border of awnings are exempt from permit requirements.
- Neighborhood or subdivision identification signs, masonry walls or landscape features, legend up to 32 square feet, are exempt from permit requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit is required for erection, construction, enlargement or structural modification of most signs or awnings, unless exempted in the ordinance; permit applications require plans and a site plan showing existing and proposed signs.
- Applications for sign permits must be accompanied by clear and legible drawings, construction details, and site plan showing proposed and existing signage.
- The building inspector may require calculations or additional information for permit review to ensure compliance with ordinance and structural/safety requirements.
- Sign permit applications require a fee established by city council.
- If a sign permit is denied, the applicant may appeal to the planning commission.
- Installation or modification of signs within a public right-of-way or encroaching upon public property requires additional indemnification and compliance.
- Shopping centers: Wall and window signs may be permitted if placed on a shared wall in lieu of individual wall signs, and shopping center identification signs may require city review; see also area restrictions.
- Any shopping center or planned development group may have specific sign plan or design guidelines reviewed and approved during development approval.
- Industrial park district (M-3): Signs must follow the requirements of the industrial park covenants, which may include a master sign plan.
- Planned development groups: Sign and lighting devices must be properly arranged with respect to traffic control devices and adjacent districts, and details are to be included in the planned development group application.
- Permanent window signs, wall signs, ground signs, and other permitted sign types are subject to area, height, and setback restrictions by district and typically require a permit; a site plan indicating all relevant dimensions and existing signs is part of the permit application.
- Subdivision development signs, banners, portable signs, and other temporary signs require special permits and may require documentation of location and duration of the planned temporary sign.
- Variance from the sign code requires application to and approval by the Board of Zoning Appeals, including possible review of site/sign plans at a public meeting.
- Nonconforming signs must be brought into compliance or removed under certain circumstances such as alteration, message change, or disrepair, and may require submission of sign plans to ensure compliance.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 8 zoning districts in Algoma — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Algoma+WI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-algoma

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