# Sign Regulations in Beloit, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Beloit, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/beloit
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/WI/Beloit/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CH30OUSIRERERE3236)

## At a glance

Beloit, Wisconsin regulates 60 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Construction Signs in the Residential Zoning District (R-1A, R-1B, R-2, R-3, R-4) zoning district are capped at Limited only by maximum sign area tall and 32 sq ft, with a At least 15' from each lot line; not in vision triangle setback (Sec. §30.14). Most commercial signs in Beloit require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Zoning District (R-1A, R-1B, R-2, R-3, R-4) | 18 | 15 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Zoning District (C-1, C-2, C-3, CBD1, CBD2) | 38 | 50 ft | 300 sq ft | — |
| Manufacturing Zoning District (M-1, M-2) | 28 | 50 ft | 300 sq ft | — |
| PLI | 7 | 10 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| DH | 8 | 10 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| CBD | 2 | — | 50 sq ft | — |
| Riverfront Conservation District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Business Improvement District | 1 | — | 10 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | No limit | No limit | — |
| Planned Unit Developments | 1 | As determined by City Council | As determined by City Council | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### Residential Zoning District (R-1A, R-1B, R-2, R-3, R-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign | Limited only by maximum sign area | 32 sq ft | — | At least 15' from each lot line; not in vision triangle | 1 or 2 (corner lot) | On construction site (on premises) | — | §30.14 |
| Directional Sign | 6 ft | 5 sq ft | — | At least 15' from each lot line | Limited by total allowed sign area | On-premises | — | §30.16 |
| Flag | No limit | No limit | — | As per zoning code (not in vision triangle) | Unlimited | On-premises | — | §30.18 |
| Garage Sale Sign | 5 ft | 4 sq ft | — | As per zoning code. Not in public right-of-way or vision triangle | 5 | On-premises | — | §30.20 |
| Large-Scale Development Sign (Permanent) | 5 ft | 50 sq ft | — | Per zoning code, not in vision triangle | No specific limit | At major entryways to development | — | §30.24(2)(a) |
| Large-Scale Development Sign (Temporary) | 15 ft | 100 sq ft (20-49 acres), 200 sq ft (50-100 acres), 300 sq ft (100+ acres) | — | Per zoning code, not in vision triangle | 2 | At major entrances, while construction underway | — | §30.24(2)(b) |
| Multiple-Family Dwelling Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | At least 10' from lot line, not in vision triangle | 1 or 2 (corner lots) | On premises of multiple-family building (R-3 & R-4 only) | — | §30.26 |
| Nameplate Sign | 1 ft | 2 sq ft | — | No setback limits | 2 | Attached to building | — | §30.27 |

### Commercial Zoning District (C-1, C-2, C-3, CBD1, CBD2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Banner Sign | 10 ft | 100 sq ft or 20% of maximum allowed area, whichever is less | — | As per code; not in vision triangle | 1 | On-premises | — | §30.13 |
| Construction Sign | Limited only by sign area | 60 sq ft | — | 15' minimum from all lot lines | 1 or 2 (corner lot) | On construction site | — | §30.14 |
| Directional Sign (C-1) | 8 ft | 5 sq ft | — | 15' minimum | Limited by allowed area | On-premises | — | §30.16 |
| Directional Sign (C-2, C-3, CBD1, CBD2) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 15' minimum | Limited by allowed area | On-premises | — | §30.16 |
| EVM Sign (Time & Temp) | Limited by allowed sign area | 32 sq ft | — | Min 15' from lot line | 1 | Secondary, on-premises, attached to primary sign | — | §30.17 |
| Portable Sign (C-2, C-3, CBD) | 5 ft | 60 sq ft | — | As per code; not in right-of-way/vision triangle | 1 | On-premises | — | §30.34 |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 4 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Setback 2' from curb | 1 | On private property or public sidewalk (with easement) | — | §30.39 |
| Secondary, On-Premises Sign | 10 ft | 30 sq ft or 10% of primary sign, unless granted bonus (see §30.31(3)) | — | Min 10' from lot lines | 3 | On-premises | — | §30.40 |

### Manufacturing Zoning District (M-1, M-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Banner Sign | 10 ft | 100 sq ft or 20% max allowed area (whichever less) | — | Not in vision triangle, as per code | 1 | On premises | — | §30.13 |
| Construction Sign | Limited by sign area | 60 sq ft | — | 15' minimum | 1 or 2 (corner lot) | On construction site | — | §30.14 |
| Directional Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 15' minimum | Limited by allowed sign area | On-premises | — | §30.16 |
| EVM Sign (Time & Temp) | Limited by sign area | 32 sq ft | — | 15' minimum | 1 | Secondary, on-premises, attached to primary sign | — | §30.17 |
| Secondary, On-Premises Sign | 10 ft | 30 sq ft or 10% of primary sign, unless bonus | — | 10' minimum | 3 | On-premises | — | §30.40 |
| Office Complex Directory Sign | 8 ft | 64 sq ft | — | Per zoning code | 1 | On office complex premises | — | §30.28 |
| Real Estate Sign (M-1) | 6 ft | 60 sq ft | — | Per zoning code | 1 or 2 (corner lot) | On premises for sale/lease | — | §30.38 |
| Real Estate Sign (M-2) | 6 ft | 60 sq ft | — | Per zoning code | 1 or 2 (corner lot) | On premises for sale/lease | — | §30.38 |

## Prohibited signs in Beloit

- Abandoned signs are prohibited everywhere in the City.
- Animated signs (any sign displaying a message which moves or simulates movement) are prohibited.
- Signs containing festoon lighting are prohibited.
- Flashing signs are prohibited.
- Glaring signs (signs with light source or reflected light of such brightness or intensity as to constitute a safety hazard or public nuisance) are prohibited.
- Indexing signs are prohibited.
- Moving signs (signs which change the direction they face) are prohibited.
- Neon signs with exposed tubing are prohibited.
- Roof signs (painted, mounted or erected on the roof or extending above the roofline of a building) are prohibited.
- Search lights are prohibited.
- Unlawful signs (violating any local, state, or federal law, except legal nonconforming signs) are prohibited.
- Unsafe signs are prohibited.
- Signs painted directly on the wall of a building, fence, or other structure are prohibited, except signs painted on walls or fences of recreational facilities for viewing by persons inside.
- Signs which constitute a traffic hazard are prohibited.
- Signs located in the public right-of-way without permission are prohibited.
- Signs which simulate official signs but are not authorized by the appropriate government body or official are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited in the Riverfront Conservation District and historic districts.
- A sign which advertises a business, product, or service that has been discontinued for 6 months or longer is prohibited.
- No outdoor sign shall be erected or maintained in a vision triangle in violation of §8.4 of the Zoning Ordinance.
- No outdoor sign shall be erected or maintained in a manner that obstructs the view of an official traffic sign.
- No outdoor sign shall be erected that obstructs the traveling public's view of other traffic.
- All outdoor signs must comply with applicable electrical, construction, and safety standards.
- No outdoor sign may be erected that obstructs required windows, intake or exhaust pipes, or access to fire escapes or exits.
- Lighting for outdoor signs cannot exceed stated intensity standards, may not be glaring, may not use prohibited types such as festoon lighting, incandescent lamps over 15 watts, search lights, flashing lighting, or neon lighting from exposed tubing.
- Sign support structures (except certain poles) must be concealed from public view by the sign face.
- Signs must be maintained in a neat, safe and attractive condition.
- Legal nonconforming signs may not be enlarged, extended, reconstructed or altered in any manner except for routine maintenance or minor repairs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Beloit

- Address signs do not require a permit or fee, are permitted in all zones, and are not counted toward sign area or number limits.
- Construction signs do not require a permit or fee.
- Door signs (name and address on exterior glass door) are not regulated by the chapter.
- Historic plaques do not require a permit or fee and are not regulated by the chapter.
- Interior signs not visible from the exterior are not regulated by the chapter.
- Memorial signs do not require a permit or fee.
- Nameplate signs do not require a permit or fee.
- Official signs do not require a permit or fee.
- Playfield signage (scoreboards or wall signs erected within a playfield and for viewing by participants and spectators) is not regulated by this chapter.
- Political signs do not require a permit or fee.
- Private regulatory signs do not require a permit or fee.
- Railroad signs erected by a railroad for warning are not regulated by the chapter.
- Real estate signs do not require a permit or fee.
- Scoreboards at athletic fields are not regulated by the chapter.
- Temporary, large-scale development signs do not require a permit or fee.
- Window displays are not regulated as signs.
- Window signs do not require a permit or fee.
- Routine maintenance or minor repairs to a sign (such as replacing light bulbs, changing copy, repainting sign, or similar) does not require a sign permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A site plan showing the location and proposed position of the sign is required as part of any sign permit application.
- Two copies of plans and specifications for sign construction must be submitted with the permit application.
- An application for a sign permit must include an elevation sketch to scale.
- Before a permit can be issued for a permanent sign, an application for an architectural review certificate must be submitted to the Community Development Department for review in accordance with the site plan review process. No sign permit shall be issued until this certificate has been issued.
- The owner of the premises, if not the applicant, must grant written permission to erect the sign.
- If a sign will project over the public right-of-way, the sign owner must sign an indemnification agreement as specified.
- Application for exceptions (dimensional variances) requires a specific process with a hearing by the Plan Commission and possible appeal to City Council.
- The Plan Commission, upon receipt of a dimensional exception application, will hold a public hearing and notify nearby property owners.
- Planned Unit Developments require City Council determination of all sign regulations, and the chapter's standards serve only as guidelines; a separate review and approval process applies.

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

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