# Sign Regulations in Baraboo, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Baraboo, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/baraboo
- **Data last verified:** 2025-02-11
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://baraboowi.gov/vertical/Sites/%7BD06131C5-F452-44C7-954E-97BD998BCA20%7D/uploads/CHAPTER_17(1).pdf)

## At a glance

Baraboo, Wisconsin regulates 71 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, MH, MHP) zoning district are capped at 8 feet tall and 500 square feet (Sec. §(6)(a)). Most commercial signs in Baraboo require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, MH, MHP) | 5 | 8 feet | 500 square feet | Yes |
| Business Districts (B-1) | 16 | 8 feet | 500 square feet | Yes |
| Business Districts (B-2, B-3) | 17 | 8 feet | 500 square feet | Yes |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 52 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, MH, MHP)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Signs | 8 feet | 500 square feet | — | — | One freestanding sign per lot or parcel | Entirely on the subject property | Yes | §(6)(a) |
| Wall Signs | — | — | — | — | — | Building facades facing a public street or with a distinct customer entrance | Yes | §(6)(b) |
| On-Premises Informational Signs | — | 1 square foot for business name, logo, or other information | — | — | — | — | Yes | §(6)(c) |
| Development Area Identification Signs | 6 feet | 50 square feet | — | — | — | — | Yes | §(6)(c)(4) |
| Residential Name Plate | — | 2 square feet | — | — | One per residential building | On the lot being served | No | §(11)(n) |

### Business Districts (B-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| On-premises Freestanding Signs | — | — | — | — | One freestanding sign per lot or parcel | Entirely on the subject property | Yes | §(6)(a) |
| Ground Signs | 8 feet | 500 square feet | — | — | One freestanding sign per lot or parcel | Entirely on the subject property | Yes | §(6)(a) |
| Freestanding Canopy Signs | — | 60 square feet | — | — | — | Limited to the canopy fascia | Yes | §(6)(a)(3) |
| On-premises Electronic and Non-Electronic Variable Message Signs | — | 12 square feet | — | — | One per lot for each public street frontage | May be placed at the right-of-way line of the highway or street | Yes | §(6)(c)(3) |
| Development Area Identification Signs | 6 feet | 50 square feet | — | — | — | — | Yes | §(6)(c)(4) |
| Temporary Window Signs | — | 25% of the area of any single windowpane | — | — | — | Inside surfaces of any window | No | §(11)(i) |
| Professional and Business Name Plate Signs | — | 4 square feet | — | — | One per business | On the lot being served | No | §(11)(k) |
| Contractor/Architect Signs | — | 16 square feet | — | — | One per construction site | Construction site | No | §(11)(m) |

### Business Districts (B-2, B-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| On-premises Freestanding Signs | — | — | — | — | One freestanding sign per lot or parcel | Entirely on the subject property | Yes | §(6)(a) |
| Ground Signs | 8 feet | 500 square feet | — | — | One freestanding sign per lot or parcel | Entirely on the subject property | Yes | §(6)(a) |
| Freestanding Canopy Signs | — | 60 square feet | — | — | — | Limited to the canopy fascia | Yes | §(6)(a)(3) |
| On-premises Electronic and Non-Electronic Variable Message Signs | — | 12 square feet | — | — | One per lot for each public street frontage | May be placed at the right-of-way line of the highway or street | Yes | §(6)(c)(3) |
| Development Area Identification Signs | 6 feet | 50 square feet | — | — | — | — | Yes | §(6)(c)(4) |
| Professional and Business Name Plate Signs | — | 4 square feet | — | — | One per business | On the lot being served | No | §(11)(k) |
| Contractor/Architect Signs | — | 16 square feet | — | — | One per construction site | Construction site | No | §(11)(m) |
| Temporary Ground Signs | 4 feet | 10 square feet | — | — | — | Entirely on private property | Yes | §(12)(a)(3) |

## Prohibited signs in Baraboo

- Abandoned Signs.
- Flashing, Animated, Alternating, Rotating or Swinging Signs.
- Floodlighted Signs whose light source is visible from a public right-of-way or adjoining property.
- Off-premise signs or signs advertising a business, person, activity, goods, products, facilities, or services not located on the lot, or an adjoining lot, upon which the sign is located.
- Inflatable Advertising Devices or Signs used off premises.
- Billboards.
- Unsafe Signs that constitute a hazard to safety or health.
- Obscene Signs.
- Signs which are a hazard or a nuisance due to intensity, brilliance, glare or other annoying characteristics.
- Signs erected or maintained upon trees or utility poles or painted or drawn upon rocks or other natural features.
- Signs more than 100 square feet in gross surface area on any facing side.
- Signs with more than two faces visible at one time.
- Portable or movable signs.
- Signs painted on or attached to a semi-trailer parked for advertising purposes for more than 30 consecutive days.
- Swinging signs.
- Pylon Signs after December 1, 2000.
- Roof Signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Baraboo

- Flags, emblems or insignia of any nation, political subdivision, college or university or corporate flags.
- Governmental Signs for control of traffic and other regulatory purposes, danger signs, warning signs, railroad crossing signs, and signs of public utilities indicating danger.
- Memorial Signs and Plaques, names of buildings and date of erection, which are cut into masonry surface or inlaid so as to be part of a building or when constructed of bronze or other non-combustible material not more than four (4) square feet in gross surface area.
- No Trespassing and No Dumping Signs.
- Public Notices posted by public officers or employees in the performance of their duties.
- Public Signs required as specifically authorized for public purpose by any law, statute or ordinance.
- Political Message Signs on behalf of candidates for public office or issues on election ballots.
- Real Estate Signs.
- Temporary Window Signs.
- Bulletins for events of civic, philanthropic, educational and religious organizations.
- Professional and Business Name Plate Signs.
- Garage/Yard/Rummage Sale Signs.
- Contractor/Architect Signs.
- House Numbers and Residential Name Plates.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit application shall be filed with the Building Inspector.
- A permit may be taken out on behalf of the sign owner by a sign contractor.
- A temporary sign permit for an on-premise sign less than twelve (12) square feet may be issued by the Building Inspector.
- A current and valid sign permit shall be freely assignable to a successor as owner of the lot or premises or holder of a business license for the same premises.
- The Building Inspector may require written plans for footings for sign supports, method of sign attachment, and engineering specifications and calculations.
- A special exception is granted for the Baraboo School District for sporting stadiums and outdoor athletic facilities for four (4) off-premise advertising signs.

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

---

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