Sign Regulations in Berlin, Wisconsin
Berlin, Wisconsin has specific sign regulations covering 36 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Board Sign (Temporary), Address Sign, Stake Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 7, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Berlin, Wisconsin
Sample Sign Requirements in Berlin
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dual Post Sign | 6 ft | 100 sq ft per side | Front lot line: no setback. Side/rear lot: 10 ft. |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft | 100 sq ft per side | Front lot line: no setback. Side/rear lot: 10 ft. |
| Board Sign (Temporary) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for BerlinFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
36
- Board Sign (Temporary)
- Address Sign
- Stake Sign
- Frame Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
9
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Berlin
Other Cities in Wisconsin
Frequently Asked Questions
In Berlin, monument signs are limited to 6 ft. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Berlin, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Berlin, regulated sign types include Board Sign (Temporary), Address Sign, Stake Sign, Frame Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In Berlin, monument signs typically require a Front lot line: no setback. Side/rear lot: 10 ft. setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in Berlin are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Berlin has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Berlin, Wisconsin Sign Rules at a Glance
Berlin, Wisconsin regulates 36 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Dual Post Signs in the B-1 Business District (B-1), B-2 Business District (B-2) zoning district are capped at 10 ft tall and 100/150 sq ft or 150/200 sq ft (see additional), with a 10 ft setback (Sec. Figure 82-800a, 82-800b, 82-800d). Most commercial signs in Berlin require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Berlin, Wisconsin
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Berlin (9 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 Agricultural District (A-1), A-2 Agricultural District (A-2) | 13 | 6 ft | 100 sq ft per side | — |
| B-1 Business District (B-1), B-2 Business District (B-2) | 31 | 25 ft (<=1 acre), 40 ft (>1 acre) | 100/150 sq ft or 150/200 sq ft (see additional) | — |
| C-1 Conservancy District (C-1), C-2 Conservancy District (C-2) | 13 | 6 ft | 50 sq ft per side | — |
| R-1 Residential District (R-1), R-2 Residential District (R-2) | 12 | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| R-3 Residential District (R-3) | 13 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| M-1 Light Manufacturing District (M-1), M-2 Medium Manufacturing District (M-2), M-3 Heavy Manufacturing District (M-3) | 24 | 25 ft (<=1 acre), 40 ft (>1 acre) | 100/150 sq ft or 150/200 sq ft (see additional) | — |
| PUD Planned Unit Development District (PUD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Institutional Uses (INS) | 12 | 12 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 6 ft | 8 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Berlin(sample of 3 of 9 zones)
B-1 Business District (B-1), B-2 Business District (B-2)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dual Post Sign | 10 ft | 100/150 sq ft or 150/200 sq ft (see additional) | — | Front: none, Side/Rear: 10 ft | Lots <= 1 acre: 1; >1 acre: 2 per lot | On private property | — | Unlock | Figure 82-800a, 82-800b, 82-800d |
| Monument Sign | 10 ft | 100/150 sq ft or 150/200 sq ft (see additional) | — | Front: none, Side/Rear: 10 ft | Lots <= 1 acre: 1; >1 acre: 2 per lot | On private property | — | Unlock | Figure 82-800a, 82-800b, 82-800d |
| Pylon Sign | 25 ft (<=1 acre), 40 ft (>1 acre) | 100/150 sq ft or 150/200 sq ft (see additional) | — | Front: none, Side/Rear: 10 ft | Lots <=1 acre: 1; >1 acre: 2 per lot | On private property | — | Unlock | Figure 82-800a, 82-800b, 82-800d |
| Bulletin Board Sign (Daily Notice) | 8 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | Freestanding | — | Unlock | Figure 82-800a, 82-800b, 82-800d |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 4 ft | 8 sq ft per side | 3 ft | — | — | Ground, typically sidewalk or immediate front of business | — | Unlock | Figure 82-800a, 82-800b, 82-800d, Sec. 82-797(b)(4)d. |
| Board Sign (Temporary) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On-site only | — | Unlock | Figure 82-800a, 82-800c |
| Active Building Board Sign (Temporary Development) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Site under construction; only during valid building permit | — | Unlock | Figure 82-800a, 82-800c |
| Active Plat Board Sign (Temporary Development) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per intersection | At public street intersection at perimeter of plat phase (<75% lots sold) | — | Unlock | Figure 82-800a, 82-800c |
C-1 Conservancy District (C-1), C-2 Conservancy District (C-2)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dual Post Sign | 6 ft | 50 sq ft per side | — | Front: none, Side/Rear: 10 ft | — | On private property | — | Unlock | Figure 82-800a, Figure 82-800b, Figure 82-800d |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft | 50 sq ft per side | — | Front: none, Side/Rear: 10 ft | — | On private property | — | Unlock | Figure 82-800a, Figure 82-800b, Figure 82-800d |
| Board Sign (Temporary) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On-site only | — | Unlock | Figure 82-800a, Figure 82-800c |
| Active Building Board Sign (Temporary Development) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On site under construction, only during valid building permit | — | Unlock | Figure 82-800a, Figure 82-800c |
| Address Sign | 6 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per address | On building, visible from public street | — | Unlock | Figure 82-800a, Figure 82-800c, Figure 82-800d |
| Building Management Identification Sign | 6 ft | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | On building | — | Unlock | Figure 82-800a, Figure 82-800c, Figure 82-800d |
| On-Site Warning Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | As needed | Freestanding or on-building | — | Unlock | Figure 82-800a, Figure 82-800c, Figure 82-800d |
| On-Site Directional Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 2 per vehicular entrance/exit, 1 per parking area | Freestanding or on-building | — | Unlock | Figure 82-800a; Figure 82-800c, Figure 82-800d |
M-1 Light Manufacturing District (M-1), M-2 Medium Manufacturing District (M-2), M-3 Heavy Manufacturing District (M-3)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dual Post Sign | 10 ft | 100/150 sq ft or 150/200 sq ft (see additional) | — | Front: none, Side/Rear: 10 ft | 1 per lot <= 1 acre; 2 per lot >1 acre | On private property | — | Unlock | Figure 82-800a, 82-800b, 82-800d |
| Monument Sign | 10 ft | 100/150 sq ft or 150/200 sq ft | — | Front: none, Side/Rear: 10 ft | 1 per lot <= 1 acre; 2 per lot >1 acre | On private property | — | Unlock | Figure 82-800a, 82-800b, 82-800d |
| Pylon Sign | 25 ft (<=1 acre), 40 ft (>1 acre) | 100/150 sq ft or 150/200 sq ft | — | Front: none, Side/Rear: 10 ft | 1 per lot <= 1 acre; 2 per lot >1 acre | On private property | — | Unlock | Figure 82-800a, 82-800b, 82-800d |
| Bulletin Board Sign (Daily Notice) | 8 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | Freestanding on site | — | Unlock | Figure 82-800a, 82-800b, 82-800d |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 4 ft | 8 sq ft per side | 3 ft | — | — | On ground, typically sidewalk or in front of business | — | Unlock | Figure 82-800a, 82-800b, 82-800d, Sec. 82-797(b)(4)d. |
| Board Sign (Temporary) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On-site only | — | Unlock | Figure 82-800a, 82-800c |
| Address Sign | 6 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per address | On building, visible from street | — | Unlock | Figure 82-800a, Figure 82-800c, Figure 82-800d |
| Building Management Identification Sign | 6 ft | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | On building | — | Unlock | Figure 82-800a, Figure 82-800c, Figure 82-800d |
PermitPal covers all 9 zoning districts in Berlin — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 9 zones for Berlin — start freeProhibited Signs in Berlin
- Any sign type not addressed by this article shall be construed to be prohibited.
- No sign shall be erected at any location where it may, by reason of its position, shape, color or design, interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device, nor shall such sign make use of words such as 'stop,' 'look,' 'danger,' or any other word, phrase, symbol, or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse users of streets or highways, as determined by the superintendent of streets.
- Signs shall not interfere with street trees, street lights, traffic devices, or any city streetscaping installed in the right-of-way.
- No fluttering, undulating, swinging, rotating, or otherwise moving signs, such as windsocks, motorized signs, pennants, and streamers, shall be permitted. This shall not apply to banner signs or waving signs as defined by the ordinance.
- No signs shall project above the building parapet or eave.
- No flashing, scrolling, or animated signs shall be permitted. (Electronic message boards meeting the ordinance requirements are exempt from this prohibition.)
- No signs shall be mounted to an unlicensed trailer or other unlicensed vehicle.
- No billboards or off-premise advertising signs shall be permitted. (Community information signs are not considered billboards or off-premise advertising signs. Existing legal off-premise advertising signs made nonconforming may continue as legal, nonconforming signs, subject to requirements.)
- No abandoned signs shall be permitted.
- No sign shall be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window, or fire escape, and no sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- No sign shall be placed in a manner that would impede vehicular or pedestrian safety, or impede access or visibility.
- No private sign shall be attached to or painted on any natural feature (e.g., tree or rock), fence, public utility pole, public light pole or traffic regulatory structure.
- Unless explicitly allowed for the sign type, only ambient lighting shall be permitted.
- All illuminated signs shall comply with the lighting requirements of section 82-560.
- No sign shall be permitted to extend into a public right-of-way, except for permitted projecting, awning, marquee, suspending, waving, and sandwich board signs; or as may be specifically authorized as part of an approved development plan in a PUD zoning district.
- Abandoned signs (signs remaining on a site or portion of a site that has been vacant, closed, or unoccupied for 365 days) are prohibited.
- Advertising vehicle signs (vehicles, trailers, or equipment displaying signage with the principal purpose of advertising) are prohibited, with exceptions specified for certain business vehicles.
- Billboards are prohibited.
- Flashing, scrolling, or animated signs are prohibited (with exceptions for electronic message boards as defined).
- Off-premise advertising signs are prohibited (with specified exceptions and allowances for legal nonconforming signs).
- Roof signs are prohibited.
Exempt Signs in Berlin
- Traffic control and other public agency messages located within a right-of-way.
- Decorations incidentally and customarily associated with any national holiday or religious holiday, or with any community festival or similar event holding a permit under the referenced code sections.
- Flags that do not contain a commercial message, logo, or colors.
- Merchandise, pictures, or models of products or services incorporated in a window display.
- Works of art which do not identify a currently offered product.
- Building colors and lighting that do not convey a logo or message specific to the use therein.
- Scoreboards located on athletic fields, including any non-commercial messaging attached thereto.
- Signs located on the interior of or on the grounds of lands being used for: (i) passive outdoor recreational activities, (ii) active outdoor recreational activities, or (iii) outdoor open space institutional uses, where such signs are primarily oriented to persons within the grounds.
- Signs located on the interior of a building and not attached to a window, which are oriented to persons within the building.
- No permit is required for changes of words, letters, figures, designs, logos, symbols, fixtures, colors, illumination, or images on permitted electronic message boards so long as the structure, dimensions, and location of the electronic message board does not change.
- No permit is required for changes of words, letters, figures, designs, logos, symbols, fixtures, colors or images on a sign for which the same owner received a permit for that sign within 180 days prior to the change(s) made and so long as the structure, dimensions, location, and illumination of the sign does not change.
- No permit is required for repainting or re-facing with the same sign copy, cleaning, repair, or other normal maintenance of the sign or sign structure.
- No permit is required for signs which are legally in place as of the effective date of the article and such signs may remain as legal nonconforming signs (until altered or relocated).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Berlin
- Any sign permit application must be accompanied by a signage plan, drawn to a recognizable scale, showing the location, type, height, width, and area of proposed and existing signs on the property, as well as property lines, buildings, structures, paved areas, parking areas, driveways, public roads, method of attachment, structural support, method of illumination, sign materials, and height of adjacent grade for height-limited signs.
- All signs are permitted in a PUD district only as expressly allowed as part of an authorized development plan pursuant to Chapter 82, Article II, Division 15.
- For PUD Districts, all sign characteristics may further be restricted as part of an authorized development plan.
- For drive-through signs: location requirements may be established by the site plan approved by the plan commission pursuant to subsection 14-12(c).
Source: municode municipal code