# Sign Regulations in Bellevue, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Bellevue, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/bellevue
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/29767348#29767348)

## At a glance

Bellevue, Wisconsin regulates 12 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Subdivision Entrance Signs in the Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3) zoning district are capped at 6 feet tall and 50 square feet (25 per face) (Sec. Table 18-2. Signs in Residential and Agricultural Districts, R-1 and R-2 Districts.). Most commercial signs in Bellevue require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3) | 3 | 6 feet | 50 square feet (25 per face) | — |
| Agricultural Districts (A-1, A-2) | 1 | 8 feet | 32 square feet (16 per face) | — |
| B-1 Neighborhood Business District | 2 | 6 feet | 50 square feet (25 square feet per face) | — |
| B-2 General Business District | 3 | Freestanding: 20 feet, Monument: 8 feet | 240 square feet (120 square feet per face) | — |
| B-3 Intensive Business District | 3 | Freestanding: 20 feet, Monument: 8 feet | 240 square feet (120 square feet per face) | — |
| Industrial Districts | 3 | Freestanding: 20 feet, Monument: 8 feet | 240 square feet (120 square feet per face) | — |
| I-1 Institutional District | 3 | 6 feet | 100 square feet of all sides combined | — |
| P Public Use District | 3 | 6 feet | 100 square feet of all sides combined | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 8 feet | 100 square feet (both signs combined) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign | 6 feet | 50 square feet (25 per face) | — | — | 1 monument sign | Developments with 5 or more lots | — | Table 18-2. Signs in Residential and Agricultural Districts, R-1 and R-2 Districts. |
| Monument Sign | 6 feet | 50 square feet (25 per face) | — | — | 1 landscaped sign | R-3 District | — | Table 18-2. Signs in Residential and Agricultural Districts, R-3 District. |
| Wall Sign | — | 8 square feet | — | — | 1 | R-3 District | — | Table 18-2. Signs in Residential and Agricultural Districts, R-3 District. |

### B-2 General Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Single Tenant) | — | — | — | — | 1 or more provided total square footage does not exceed allowable sign area | Any side of the building | — | Table 18-4. Signs in B-2 and B-3 Districts. |
| Multi-Tenant Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 sign per qualified tenant | Each qualified tenant space | — | Table 18-4. Signs in B-2 and B-3 Districts. |
| Monument or Freestanding Sign | Freestanding: 20 feet, Monument: 8 feet | 240 square feet (120 square feet per face) | — | — | 1 per parcel | Per parcel | — | Table 18-4. Signs in B-2 and B-3 Districts. |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (Residential Districts) | — | 8 square feet (4 square feet per face) | — | — | — | — | — | Table 18-1. Temporary Signs. |
| Temporary Sign (Agricultural Districts) | — | 8 square feet (4 square feet per face) | — | — | — | — | — | Table 18-1. Temporary Signs. |
| Temporary Sign (Nonresidential Districts) | 8 feet | 32 square feet (16 square feet per face) | — | — | — | 1/street frontage (not to exceed 2 signs per year) | — | Table 18-1. Temporary Signs. |
| Temporary Business Sign | — | 100 square feet (both signs combined) | — | — | 2 signs/permit | — | — | Table 18-1. Temporary Signs. |
| Construction Site Sign | — | 100 square feet | — | — | 2 signs/construction site | Construction site | — | Table 18-1. Temporary Signs. |

## Prohibited signs in Bellevue

- No sign on private property shall be installed or changed in any manner without compliance with the regulations stated herein.
- No sign shall be suspended by chains or other devices that will allow the sign to swing, due to wind action.
- Uplighting is prohibited.
- There shall be no exposed neon or LED illumination resembling exposed neon used on signage unless it is shielded from direct view.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Animated signs, not including electronic messaging signs, are prohibited.
- Billboards are prohibited.
- "V" signs are prohibited.
- Signs located on a fence are prohibited.
- Off-premises commercial signs are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Bellevue

- Government signs for control of traffic and other regulatory purposes, danger signs, railroad crossing signs, and signs of public utilities indicating danger, and aids to service or safety which are erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance of his/her public duty.
- Interior signs located within the interior of any building or structure which are not visible from the public right-of-way.
- Public notices posted by public officers or employers in the performance of their duties.
- Public signs required as specifically authorized for a public purpose by any law, statute or ordinance.
- Temporary window signs in business, commercial and industrial districts, provided they do not exceed 40% of the total window area.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Electronic sign permit applications must include a certification from the owner or operator of the sign stating that the sign shall at all times be operated in accordance with Village codes and that the owner or operator shall provide proof of such conformance upon request of the Village.
- Electronic sign permit applications must include a copy of the manufacturer's operating manual, which includes the manufacturer's recommended standards for brightness, scrolling or traveling speed, and other display operations.

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

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