# Sign Regulations in Benton, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Benton, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/benton
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/15755732#15755732)

## At a glance

Benton, Wisconsin regulates 9 sign types across 3 zoning districts. For Sale/To Rent Signs in the Residential District, Conservancy District, Agricultural District, Planned Unit Development (Residential) zoning district are capped at One story or 15 feet above curb level, whichever is lower tall and 8 square feet, with a Not closer than eight feet to any other zoning lot setback (Sec. § 390-54B). Most commercial signs in Benton require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercial District, Industrial District, Planned Unit Development (Commercial/Industrial) | 4 | 45 feet in districts fronting federal aid primary highways, 30 feet in other districts | 250 square feet or 20% of wall surface | — |
| Residential District, Conservancy District, Agricultural District, Planned Unit Development (Residential) | 3 | One story or 15 feet above curb level, whichever is lower | 32 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Commercial District, Industrial District, Planned Unit Development (Commercial/Industrial)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 45 feet in districts fronting federal aid primary highways, 30 feet in other districts | 250 square feet or 20% of wall surface | — | — | — | Exterior walls of buildings | — | § 390-53A(1) |
| Projecting Sign | Not more than 20 feet above a driveway or alley | 32 square feet | — | — | — | Fastened to, suspended from or supported by structures | — | § 390-53A(2) |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 feet above the center line of the grade of the street | 120 square feet on all sides | — | — | — | Commercial and industrial districts | — | § 390-53A(3) |
| Directory Sign | 20 feet above the mean center-line street grade | 100 square feet for shopping center/industrial park name, 16 square feet for individual store/business name | — | — | — | Shopping centers or industrial parks | — | § 390-53A(6) |

### Residential District, Conservancy District, Agricultural District, Planned Unit Development (Residential)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign | One story or 15 feet above curb level, whichever is lower | 3 square feet for residential, 16 square feet for nonresidential | — | — | One per dwelling unit, two on corner lots | On premises | — | § 390-54A |
| For Sale/To Rent Sign | One story or 15 feet above curb level, whichever is lower | 8 square feet | — | Not closer than eight feet to any other zoning lot | One per zoning lot, two on corner lots | On premises | — | § 390-54B |
| Subdivision Identification Sign | 12 feet above curb level | 32 square feet | — | — | One at each entrance | At subdivision entrances | — | § 390-54F |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Electronic Message Unit Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On premises | — | § 390-60A |
| Portable Sign/Message Board | — | — | — | — | — | On premises | — | § 390-60B |

## Prohibited signs in Benton

- Signs shall not resemble, imitate or approximate the shape, size, form or color of railroad or traffic signs or devices.
- Signs, canopies and awnings shall not 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 so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape.
- No sign, awning or canopy shall be placed so as to obstruct or interfere with traffic visibility.
- No sign shall be erected which has any flashing, rotating or brilliant intermittent parts or lights or bare reflecting-type bulbs, except those giving public service information such as time, date, temperature, weather or similar information or where allowed by conditional use permit.
- No signs, billboards or other advertising media which creates a hazard or dangerous distraction to vehicular traffic or a nuisance to adjoining residential property shall be allowed in any district.
- No more than two signs of any type shall be located at any business, except that premises occupied by a shopping center may have one detached sign plus one flat sign illuminated or otherwise for each place of business located in said shopping center.
- Signs shall not be placed on public rights-of-way, except for municipal traffic control, parking and directional signs and as otherwise specified in this chapter.
- Signs shall not be located within five feet of a property line.
- The distance between freestanding signs shall be a minimum of 75 feet between freestanding signs throughout the street frontage.

## Signs exempt from permit in Benton

- Real estate signs not to exceed eight square feet in area which advertise the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which said signs are temporarily located.
- Name, occupation and warning signs not to exceed four square feet located on the premises.
- Bulletin boards for public, charitable or religious institutions not to exceed 35 square feet in area located on the premises.
- 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 eight square feet in area, but use of this type of sign shall be limited to 72 hours per sale.
- Signs designating entrances, exits, service areas, parking areas, rest rooms and other such signs relating to functional operation of the building or premises shall be allowed without limitation other than reasonable size and necessity.
- Signs not exceeding two square feet in area and bearing only property numbers, post box numbers or names of occupants of 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.
- Integral 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.
- Political signs may be posted 60 days before an election and must be removed with 10 days after said election. Said sign may be a maximum of 32 square feet.
- Window signs are allowed with no permits.
- Bills, posters and banners shall be allowed with no permits.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Variances or exceptions to these sign regulations may be granted by the Board of Appeals, following a recommendation from the Building Inspector, pursuant to the standards of the Village Zoning Code.

## Full detail

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

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