# Sign Regulations in Antigo, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Antigo, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/antigo
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/WI/Antigo/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH38TRVE_ARTIITRSC_DIV6SLSI)

## At a glance

Antigo, Wisconsin regulates 26 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Temporary Subdivision Development Signs in the R-1 single-family residence district (R-1), R-2 single-family residence district (R-2), R-3 two-family residence district (R-3), R-4 general residence district (R-4) zoning district are capped at 15 feet tall and 32 sq ft per sign, with a Front yard per principal use; 50 feet from boundaries setback (Sec. Sec. 14-821(5)). Most commercial signs in Antigo require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (11 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1 single-family residence district (R-1), R-2 single-family residence district (R-2), R-3 two-family residence district (R-3), R-4 general residence district (R-4) | 7 | 15 feet | 32 sq ft per sign | — |
| B-1 neighborhood shopping district (B-1) | 4 | 30 feet above ground level | 16 sq ft per side | — |
| B-2 community service district (B-2), B-3 general commercial district (B-3) | 3 | 50 feet above ground level | 16 sq ft per side | — |
| B-4 central business district (B-4) | 2 | 50 feet above ground level | 16 sq ft per side | — |
| I-1 limited industrial district (I-1) | 3 | 50 feet above ground (higher possible by conditional use permit) | 16 sq ft per side | — |
| I-2 general industrial district (I-2) | 3 | 50 feet max (higher by conditional use) | 16 sq ft per side | — |
| VP valley plain district (VP) | 3 | 15 ft | 12 sq ft | — |
| Floodplain overlay district | 1 | — | — | — |
| Shoreland-wetland district | 1 | — | — | — |
| Planned unit development district (residential and commercial/industrial subdivisions) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | 35 sq ft per face (back to back) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 11 zones)

### R-1 single-family residence district (R-1), R-2 single-family residence district (R-2), R-3 two-family residence district (R-3), R-4 general residence district (R-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign (Residential Use) | 1 story or 15 feet above ground level, whichever is lower | 2 sq ft per dwelling unit | — | — | One per dwelling unit (two on corner lot, one per frontage) | Affixed flat against the wall of the building | — | Sec. 14-821(1) |
| For Sale or For Rent Sign (Residential Use) | 1 story or 15 feet above ground if attached; 7 feet if freestanding | 8 sq ft | — | — | One per lot (two on corner lots) | On premises | — | Sec. 14-821(2) |
| Parking Area Sign (Residential Use) | 7 feet above ground | 2 sq ft (entrance/exit), 9 sq ft (identification/condition) | — | — | As stipulated | Accessory to parking areas | — | Sec. 14-821(3) |
| Roadside Stand Sign (Accessory to Agricultural Use) | 15 feet | 12 sq ft per sign | — | — | Two per lot | On same lot as roadside stand | — | Sec. 14-821(4) |
| Temporary Subdivision Development Sign | 15 feet | 32 sq ft per sign | — | Front yard per principal use; 50 feet from boundaries | Max two per subdivision | On subdivision under construction | — | Sec. 14-821(5) |
| Subdivision Identification Sign | 15 feet (greater height may be authorized for up to two years) | 24 sq ft | — | — | One per entrance | Each entrance to subdivision | — | Sec. 14-821(6) |
| Church Bulletin Sign (Illuminated, Nonflashing) | 8 feet (greater only by variance) | 16 sq ft | — | — | One per lot (two on corner lots) | On church lot | — | Sec. 14-821(7) |

### B-1 neighborhood shopping district (B-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall, Freestanding, or Other Permanent Business Sign (Illuminated - General Commercial) | 30 feet above ground level | Nonilluminated: 3 × linear frontage (sq ft); Illuminated: 1.5 × linear frontage (sq ft) | — | No projection into public way | — | On premises | — | Sec. 14-820(g)(2)a |
| Freestanding Additional Integrated Center Sign (150 ft frontage or more) | 30 feet above ground level | See formula | — | 15 feet minimum from front lot line | One additional per frontage | 15 feet setback from front lot line | — | Sec. 14-820(g)(2)b |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Portable, Temporary) | — | 16 sq ft per side | — | — | — | At right-of-way line, in sidewalk/terrace area in front of the business | — | Sec. 14-819(1)c |
| Temporary Real Estate/Rummage Sign | — | 8 sq ft (real estate), 4 sq ft (rummage) | — | — | — | On premises | — | Sec. 14-819(1)a, f |

### VP valley plain district (VP)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate or Identification Sign (Agricultural or Nonresidential use) | 15 ft | 9 sq ft | — | — | One per building (two on corner lot) | Affixed to wall | — | Sec. 14-821(1), as incorporated in all residential/conservancy |
| Roadside Stand Sign (Accessory – Agricultural) | 15 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | Two per lot | On same lot as stand | — | Sec. 14-821(4) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | 7 ft (if freestanding) | 8 sq ft | — | — | One per lot, two on corner lot | On premises | — | Sec. 14-819(2)a |

## Prohibited signs in Antigo

- No sign shall resemble, imitate or approximate the shape, size, form or color of railroad or traffic signs or devices.
- No sign, canopy, or awning shall obstruct or interfere with the effectiveness of railroad or traffic signs, signals, or devices or the safe flow of traffic.
- No sign shall be erected, relocated, or maintained to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window, or fire escape.
- No sign, awning, or canopy shall be placed to obstruct or interfere with traffic visibility.
- No sign shall be erected which has any flashing, rotating, or brilliant intermittent parts, lights, or bare reflecting-type bulbs, except those giving public service information such as time, date, temperature, weather, or similar information.
- No signs, billboards, or other advertising media which create a hazard or dangerous distraction to vehicular traffic or a nuisance to adjoining residential property shall be permitted.
- Signs shall not be permitted on public rights-of-way, except for municipal traffic control, parking and directional signs and as otherwise specified, or be located within five feet of a property line.
- The distance between freestanding signs shall be a minimum of 75 feet throughout the city street frontage in order to prevent congestion and maintain traffic visibility.
- Any sign erected, constructed, or maintained to obstruct or be attached to any fire escape, window, door, or opening used as means of ingress or egress or for firefighting purposes or placed to interfere with any opening required for legal ventilation is prohibited.
- No sign or advertising device shall be erected or maintained at the intersection of streets in such a manner to obstruct clear vision of the intersection.
- Animated signs or signs having moving parts or signs which may be mistaken for traffic signal devices or which diminish the visibility or effectiveness of traffic signal devices are prohibited.
- No sign may be lighted by an intermittent or varying intensity source.
- No signs shall be painted on, attached to, or affixed to any trees, rocks, or other similar organic or inorganic natural matter, including utility poles or apparatus.
- Blanketing of signs shall not be allowed.
- No form of advertising or identification sign or mural is allowed on a signal receiving antenna other than the customary manufacturer's identification plates.
- No portable or trailer-mounted signal receiving antenna shall be allowed except for temporary installation for on-site testing and demonstration purposes for periods not exceeding five days.
- All signs constructed or maintained in violation of any of the sections of the sign ordinance are declared public nuisances within the meaning of this Code.
- All signs, including supports and attachments, shall be properly maintained and shall have an appearance that is neat, clean, and in good structural condition at all times.
- All illuminated signs shall not interfere with surrounding properties or traffic.

## Signs exempt from permit in Antigo

- The following signs do not require a sign permit, provided that they are not located over a public road right-of-way or in, on, or over public water, unless specifically excepted:
- Real estate signs not to exceed eight square feet in area which advertise the sale, rental, or lease of the premises upon which such signs are temporarily located.
- Name, occupation, and warning signs not to exceed four square feet located on the premises (commercial, industrial, and planned unit development districts).
- Sandwich-style portable signs used only for the purpose of identification of a business and advertising the products for sale therein, not to exceed 16 square feet in gross area per side, placed at the right-of-way line, only in front of the business, and not to unreasonably obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic; must be removed at the end of each business day.
- Memorial signs, tablets, names of buildings, and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of metal and affixed flat against the structure.
- Official signs, such as traffic control, parking restriction, information, and notices.
- Rummage or garage sale signs not to exceed four square feet in area, use limited to 72 hours per sale; not attached to traffic control signs or utility poles; to be removed within 24 hours after sale.
- Signs designating entrances, exits, service areas, parking areas, restrooms, and other such signs relating to the functional operation of the building or premises, provided they are of reasonable size and necessity.
- Signs not exceeding two square feet in area and bearing only property numbers, post office box numbers, or names of occupants of the premises.
- Flags and insignia of any government, except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.
- Legal notices; identification, information or directional signs erected by governmental bodies.
- Decorative or architectural features of buildings, except letters, trademarks, moving parts, or moving lights.
- Signs directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property, but bearing no advertising matter.
- In residential and conservancy districts (and agricultural uses): Real estate signs not to exceed eight square feet in area; nameplate signs not to exceed two square feet; memorial signs, tablets, names of buildings, date of erection when cut into masonry or constructed of metal and affixed flat against a structure; official signs; house numbers (as installed in accordance with local code).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for most signs except those specifically exempted (Sec. 14-818, 14-819).
- Application for a sign permit requires submission of certain details and information, including dimensions, materials, illumination, height above grade, distance from lot lines, and the person erecting or altering the sign.
- A permit is not required for copy change when no change in the business name is involved.
- Appeals for permit denial, or for variance or exception to sign requirements, may be submitted to the zoning board of appeals (Sec. 14-825, see also variance procedures in Sec. 14-139).
- Signs for conditional uses, or those that exceed standard height or area, may require review and approval as part of the conditional use process (Sec. 14-820, see also district regulations for signs allowed by conditional use).
- For Planned Unit Developments, all plans submitted and conditions imposed, including signage, must be approved and are enforceable (Sec. 14-654 and 14-655). Any changes require plan commission approval (minor) and public hearing (major).
- Subdivision identification signs, and temporary signs for subdivision development, require a permit and must have the specific design, appearance, and location approved by the zoning administrator. These are only permitted for a limited time and/or size as specified.
- Variance or exception from sign regulations may be granted by the board of appeals pursuant to the zoning variance procedures (Sec. 14-825, see variance procedures in Sec. 14-139).

## 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 11 zoning districts in Antigo — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Antigo+WI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-antigo

---

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