# Sign Regulations in Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/arbor-vitae
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-16
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/32716812)

## At a glance

Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin regulates 29 sign types across 1 zoning district. Freestanding Sign (0 - 100 ft Setback) (0 - 34 mph)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 18 ft above natural existing grade (if road grade is higher, adjacent road grade is considered natural existing grade) tall and 38 sq ft per sign face, with a Size tier applies when placed 0–100 ft from roadway setback (Sec. § 263-3(2)(a); § 263-3(2)(b); Exceptions [2] Table; § 263-10 (Double-faced sign); § 263-4(C) (ID tag); § 263-9(B) (review timeline)). Most commercial signs in Arbor Vitae require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (1 zone)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 29 | 18 ft above natural existing grade (if road grade is higher, adjacent road grade is considered natural existing grade) | 108 sq ft per sign face | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (0 - 100 ft Setback) (0 - 34 mph) | 18 ft above natural existing grade (if road grade is higher, adjacent road grade is considered natural existing grade) | 38 sq ft per sign face | — | Size tier applies when placed 0–100 ft from roadway | 1 freestanding on-premises sign per premises | On-premises only | — | § 263-3(2)(a); § 263-3(2)(b); Exceptions [2] Table; § 263-10 (Double-faced sign); § 263-4(C) (ID tag); § 263-9(B) (review timeline) |
| Freestanding Sign (0 - 100 ft Setback) (35 - 55 mph) | 18 ft above natural existing grade (if road grade is higher, adjacent road grade is considered natural existing grade) | 60 sq ft per sign face | — | Size tier applies when placed 0–100 ft from roadway | 1 freestanding on-premises sign per premises | On-premises only | — | § 263-3(2)(a); § 263-3(2)(b); Exceptions [2] Table; § 263-10 (Double-faced sign); § 263-4(C) (ID tag); § 263-9(B) |
| Freestanding Sign (101 - 200 ft Setback) (0 - 34 mph) | 18 ft above natural existing grade (if road grade is higher, adjacent road grade is considered natural existing grade) | 60 sq ft per sign face | — | Size tier applies when placed 101–200 ft from roadway | 1 freestanding on-premises sign per premises | On-premises only | — | § 263-3(2)(a); § 263-3(2)(b); Exceptions [2] Table; § 263-10 (Double-faced sign); § 263-4(C); § 263-9(B) |
| Freestanding Sign (101 - 200 ft Setback) (35 - 55 mph) | 18 ft above natural existing grade (if road grade is higher, adjacent road grade is considered natural existing grade) | 90 sq ft per sign face | — | Size tier applies when placed 101–200 ft from roadway | 1 freestanding on-premises sign per premises | On-premises only | — | § 263-3(2)(a); § 263-3(2)(b); Exceptions [2] Table; § 263-10 (Double-faced sign); § 263-4(C); § 263-9(B) |
| Freestanding Sign (201+ ft Setback) | 18 ft above natural existing grade (if road grade is higher, adjacent road grade is considered natural existing grade) | 108 sq ft per sign face | — | Size tier applies when placed 201 ft or more from roadway | 1 freestanding on-premises sign per premises | On-premises only | — | § 263-3(2)(a); § 263-3(2)(b); Exceptions [2] Table; § 263-10 (Double-faced sign); § 263-4(C); § 263-9(B) |
| Monument Sign (Landscaped Base) | 10 ft | 20% increase over base freestanding max area (e.g., 46 sq ft at 0–100 ft/0–34 mph; 72 sq ft at 0–100 ft/35–55 mph; 72 sq ft at 101–200 ft/0–34 mph; 108 sq ft at 101–200 ft/35–55 mph; 129.6 sq ft at 201+ ft) | — | Area increase applies across the setback/speed tiers | Counts toward the one freestanding sign allowance per premises | On-premises only | — | § 263-3(2) (Encourages monument-style); § 263-3(2)(b) Exceptions [1]; § 263-4(C); § 263-9(B) |
| Directory Sign (Freestanding - Building Name Panel) (0 - 100 ft Setback) (0 - 34 mph) | 18 ft (freestanding sign height limit unless monument sign exception applies) | 38 sq ft | — | Size tier applies when placed 0–100 ft from roadway | 1 directory sign for the entire building complex | On-premises only | — | § 263-3(3)(a)–(b) and table |
| Directory Sign (Freestanding - Building Name Panel) (0 - 100 ft Setback) (35 - 55 mph) | 18 ft (freestanding sign height limit unless monument sign exception applies) | 60 sq ft | — | Size tier applies when placed 0–100 ft from roadway | 1 directory sign for the entire building complex | On-premises only | — | § 263-3(3)(a)–(b) and table |

## Prohibited signs in Arbor Vitae

- Signs that revolve or flash, or use lighting that revolves or flashes, are prohibited, except devices that display time and/or temperature.
- Beacon lights and illumination by open flame are prohibited.
- Sign lighting must not be directed toward a neighboring residence or a highway.
- Signs that imitate an official traffic sign or signal, or that contain words such as 'stop,' 'go slow,' 'caution,' 'danger,' 'warning' or similar words, are not permitted.
- Signs whose size, location, movement, content, coloring, or illumination may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device are not permitted.
- Signs that hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal are not permitted.
- Signs that obstruct the view in any direction at a street or road intersection are prohibited.
- Signs graphically designed to detract from driver alertness through brilliant colors, glare, motion, patterns, or other devices are not permitted.
- Posting bills, posters, placards, and circulars on utility poles is prohibited.
- No bills, posters, or signs may be placed on private property without the express written consent of the property owner; a copy of such consent must be attached to the sign permit application.
- No bunting or similar flagging, street banners, or portable signs may be displayed on the exterior of premises, except for a business grand opening or special event for up to one week before and one week after the event; protective flagging for health, safety, or general welfare is exempt.
- Posting bills, posters, placards, and circulars on trees is prohibited; trees may not be used as sign supports except for 'no trespassing' signs conforming to Wisconsin Statute § 943.13 and official snowmobile and cross-country ski trail markers.
- No sign advertising a business or product may be located within 150 feet of a residential building unless the owners of that building are notified by registered mail and the receipt is attached to the permit application.
- Off-premises signs are not allowed.
- Ice shanty signage is limited to the DNR-required name and address in letters not exceeding four inches in height; any other signage on ice shanties is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Arbor Vitae

- Real estate signs not exceeding 12 square feet that advertise the sale, rental, or lease of the premises on which they are located, provided they are removed upon sale, rental, or lease of the property.
- Occupational and directory signs denoting only the name and profession or business use of an occupant in a dwelling, commercial, or institutional building, not exceeding six square feet.
- Traffic or other governmental signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger and temporary emergency signs, and construction signs located within public rights-of-way.
- Temporary construction identification signs less than 24 square feet denoting owners, occupants, architects, engineers, or contractors of improvements under construction, provided they are removed upon completion of construction; if 24 to 32 square feet, a permit is required (valid for 180 days, renewable at no additional cost).
- Seasonal holiday decorations, provided they are removed within 60 days of the holiday or event.
- Political signs not exceeding 12 square feet, provided they are removed within 10 days following the election; a sign erected before a primary may remain until seven days after the next general election if it concerns a candidate, party, or referendum that appears in both elections.
- Signs required by Section 5.7 of the Vilas County Ordinance No. 85 for posting shooting ranges for firearms.
- Black and white residential directional signs measuring no greater than 8 inches by 5 feet on 4x4 supports on all Town and county roads.
- Local nonprofit organizations may promote a local event with signs no more than two weeks prior to the event; signs must be removed within 24 hours after the event; sandwich boards may be up to 8 square feet per side.
- The American flag (fabric device following the design of the official national flag of the United States), displayed in accordance with applicable federal and state regulations, is exempt; any graphical representation of the American flag is subject to all applicable provisions of the chapter.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A common signage plan is required before any permit is issued for an individual sign that requires a permit; it must be submitted to the Plan Commission.
- Signage plan content must include: an accurate plot plan (to a scale required by the Plan Commission); locations of buildings, parking lots, driveways, and landscaped areas; the maximum area and height of each sign; computation of the maximum total sign area; and the location of each existing sign on the plot plan.
- Variance requests are referred to the Plan Commission; a variance may be approved for signs with exceptional design, style, size, circumstance, or distance; the applicant may appeal the Plan Commission decision to the Town Board, which may overturn by majority vote.

## Full detail

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

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