Sign Regulations in Brooklyn, Wisconsin

Brooklyn, Wisconsin has specific sign regulations covering 13 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign (Home Occupation), Wall Sign (Business Identification), Freestanding Ground Sign (Business Park/Commercial). 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 Brooklyn, Wisconsin

Sample Sign Requirements in Brooklyn

Sign TypeMax HeightMax AreaSetback
Wall Sign (Home Occupation)4 sq ft
Wall Sign (Business Identification)10% of wall height for letters, 25% of wall length for total sign
Freestanding Ground Sign (Business Park/Commercial)Per sign code, typically 6-8 ft, subject to Plan Commission approval.Limit set in Ch. 115, typically not exceeding 32 sq ft for ground sign.Not in setback or required buffer yards. Outside vision triangle per Sec. 117-1050.

* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.

PermitPal Coverage for BrooklynFull Coverage

Sign Types Covered

13

  • Wall Sign (Home Occupation)
  • Wall Sign (Business Identification)
  • Freestanding Ground Sign (Business Park/Commercial)
  • Wall Sign (Business Identity)
  • +2 more types

Zoning Districts

10

Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations

Data Includes

  • Permit requirements
  • Height restrictions
  • Illumination rules

Official Resources for Brooklyn

City WebsiteMunicipal Code4 permit application links available

Frequently Asked Questions

In Brooklyn, monument signs are limited to Per sign code, typically 6-8 ft, subject to Plan Commission approval.. 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 Brooklyn, 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 Brooklyn, regulated sign types include Wall Sign (Home Occupation), Wall Sign (Business Identification), Freestanding Ground Sign (Business Park/Commercial), Wall Sign (Business Identity), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.

In Brooklyn, monument signs typically require a Not in setback or required buffer yards. Outside vision triangle per Sec. 117-1050. 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 Brooklyn are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Brooklyn has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.

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Brooklyn, Wisconsin Sign Rules at a Glance

Brooklyn, Wisconsin regulates 13 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Freestanding Ground Sign (Business Park/Commercial)s in the B-G, General business district, B-N, Neighborhood business district, LC light commercial district zoning district are capped at Per sign code, typically 6-8 ft, subject to Plan Commission approval. tall and Limit set in Ch. 115, typically not exceeding 32 sq ft for ground sign., with a Not in setback or required buffer yards. Outside vision triangle per Sec. 117-1050. setback (Sec. Sec. 117-897(d)(14-a), 117-1015, Ch. 115). Most commercial signs in Brooklyn require a permit.

Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Brooklyn, Wisconsin

Sign Rules by Zoning District in Brooklyn (10 zones)

Zoning DistrictSign Types RegulatedMax HeightMax AreaPermit Required
R-SL, Single-family residential low-density district, R-SM, Single-family residential medium-density district, R-SH, Single-family residential high-density district, R-T, Two-family residential district, R-M, Multifamily residential district14 sq ft
B-G, General business district, B-N, Neighborhood business district, LC light commercial district2Per sign code, typically 6-8 ft, subject to Plan Commission approval.Limit set in Ch. 115, typically not exceeding 32 sq ft for ground sign.
B-P, Business park district26-8 ft typical (see Ch. 115)32 sq ft (see Ch. 115)
I, Industrial district26-8 ft typical (per Ch. 115)Up to 32 sq ft per sign, per Ch. 115
AE Adult entertainment district1Per Ch. 115 (generally 32 sq ft single wall sign unless otherwise approved)
AG Agriculture district16-8 ft typical (per Ch. 115)Up to 32 sq ft (see Ch. 115)
Conservancy district14-6 ftAs needed for function, no larger than 9 sq ft unless otherwise approved.
P-G, Public grounds district, P-R, Public recreation district16-8 ft for main sign, 4-6 ft for smaller signsNo larger than 32 sq ft for public facility identification; 9 sq ft for trail/park/wayfinding.
WPO, Wellhead protection overlay district16 ftUp to 9 sq ft unless otherwise approved
General Regulations For All Zones16 ftPer sign code (often 4-16 sq ft depending on property type)

Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Brooklyn(sample of 3 of 10 zones)

B-G, General business district, B-N, Neighborhood business district, LC light commercial district

Sign TypeMax HeightMax AreaMax WidthSetbackSigns AllowedLocationPermit RequiredPremium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account)Ordinance Citation
Wall Sign (Business Identification)10% of wall height for letters, 25% of wall length for total signOne per building face per street frontage unless otherwise approved (see double frontage)Building façade only. One sign per street frontage (not corner lot). No signs on roof or projecting above roofline.UnlockSec. 117-897(d)(14) and (14)(b-b) and 117-1015 / Ch. 115 (Sign Code)
Freestanding Ground Sign (Business Park/Commercial)Per sign code, typically 6-8 ft, subject to Plan Commission approval.Limit set in Ch. 115, typically not exceeding 32 sq ft for ground sign.Not in setback or required buffer yards. Outside vision triangle per Sec. 117-1050.1 per street frontage unless otherwise allowed by Plan CommissionOn-premises at main entrance or street frontage. Not in public right-of-way. Not in vision clearance/traffic safety area.UnlockSec. 117-897(d)(14-a), 117-1015, Ch. 115

B-P, Business park district

Sign TypeMax HeightMax AreaMax WidthSetbackSigns AllowedLocationPermit RequiredPremium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account)Ordinance Citation
Wall Sign (Business Identity)10% of wall height (letters); 25% of wall length (graphics)On building; not past roof; outside buffer yards as required.1 per building face abutting a street, up to 2 per building if double frontage (not corner lot)Building façade only. See site plan for location.UnlockSec. 117-897(d)(14), 117-897(e)(14), Ch. 115
Freestanding Ground Sign (Business Park)6-8 ft typical (see Ch. 115)32 sq ft (see Ch. 115)Outside vision clearance (traffic), within approved landscape/setback areas. Not in buffer yard abutting residential.1 per street frontageOn premises within approved landscape plan. Not in buffer yard or vision triangle.UnlockSec. 117-897(e)(14); Ch. 115

I, Industrial district

Sign TypeMax HeightMax AreaMax WidthSetbackSigns AllowedLocationPermit RequiredPremium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account)Ordinance Citation
Wall Sign (Industrial Use)10% of wall height (letters); 25% of wall length (graphics)Building façade only. Outside required buffer strips (if any).1 per building face per street frontageOn building façade only. Not above roofline.UnlockSec. 117-898, 117-897(e), Ch. 115
Freestanding Ground Sign (Industrial Use)6-8 ft typical (per Ch. 115)Up to 32 sq ft per sign, per Ch. 115Outside of buffer strip (if abutting residential), outside vision triangle.1 per street frontageOn-premises frontage, outside vision clearance areas and buffer strips.UnlockSec. 117-898(d); 117-897(d),(e); Ch. 115

PermitPal covers all 10 zoning districts in Brooklyn — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.

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Prohibited Signs in Brooklyn

  • No structure, land or water shall be used or structurally altered without full compliance with the provisions of this chapter and all other applicable regulations.
  • No development or use shall cause overcrowding, undue concentration of population, or facilitate unsafe traffic conditions.
  • No structure, land or water use shall proceed on a parcel that is in violation of this chapter, except to correct the violation.
  • No sign, structure, or device may be erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, converted or structurally altered unless authorized by this chapter.
  • No part of any lot, yard, parking area, or other space required for a structure or use shall be used for any other structure or use.
  • No structure shall be built that would alter the existing drainage or topography in a way as to adversely affect adjoining property.
  • No person shall construct, use, build or locate any wireless communication system or satellite dish in violation of code provisions.
  • No person shall park, keep, or maintain on properties zoned as residential or multiple residential dwellings, vehicles such as semi-tractors, semi-trailers, dump trucks, auto wreckers and road machinery, except for unloading or servicing.
  • No building or structure shall be erected or altered to a height in excess of that specified by the regulations for that district, except as specifically exempted.
  • No fence, wall, hedge, planting or structure shall be erected, placed, planted or allowed to grow in such a manner as to obstruct vision between 2.5 and 10 feet in corner lots within specified clearance triangles.
  • No accessory use or structure may be established prior to the principal use or structure being present or under construction.
  • No new accessory structures are permitted on premises with a nonconforming use.
  • No signs, other than product or company identification signs and directional signs, shall be permitted in certain business park areas (see district-specific rules).
  • No structure or device shall be used to display advertising, including streamers, pennants, spinners, ribbons, tinsel, balloons and similar materials, except as permitted under sign regulations.
  • No activity or operation shall cause emission of air pollution, noise, glare, heat, solid/liquid waste, vibration, odors, radioactivity, or electrical disturbance beyond the premises in violation of the performance standards.

Exempt Signs in Brooklyn

  • Architectural projections such as spires, belfries, parapet walls, cupolas, domes, flues and chimneys are exempt from structural height limitations provided total height does not exceed its distance from the nearest lot line.
  • Essential services/utilities (water towers, electric power and communication transmission lines, utilities, etc.) are exempt from certain height and yard requirements, subject to review/permit where specified.
  • Sirens, whistles, and bells maintained and used solely to serve a public purpose are exempt from sound level standards.
  • Swimming or wading pools that are disassembled for storage are exempt from pool fencing and permit requirements.
  • Roof-mounted solar panels and small (less than 10 sq ft/panel, up to three panels) ground/wall-mounted solar installations are exempt from permit requirements if mounted on principal or accessory structure for non-solar purposes.
  • Temporary fences for planting protection, construction hazards, or similar purposes may be erected up to 45 days without permit.
  • Temporary or emergency parking of mobile homes and recreational vehicles for up to one hour on streets or up to 72 hours on a property with prior village board approval.
  • Landscaping, decorative structures, and certain vegetation are permitted in any required yard area unless interfering with vision triangle or easement.
  • Accessibility accommodations, egress wells, accessibility parking for persons with disabilities, and certain encroachments into required setbacks as explicitly listed in Table 117-1019-1.

Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Brooklyn

  • Site plan approval is required for any construction, reconstruction, expansion or conversion (except one- or two-family homes in residential districts) under Sec. 117-400.
  • A general signage plan is required as a component of a Planned Development District (PDD) general development plan application (Sec. 117-494(2)b.4).
  • All signage in the B-P Business Park District must comply with restrictive covenants and the requirements found in chapter 115 (the village sign code), and project signage plans must be reviewed and approved as part of site plan review.
  • Ground or wall-mounted solar installations exceeding certain size thresholds require plan commission review/approval, which may include signoff as component of site plan or CUP.
  • Applications for conditional uses and Planned Development Districts may require submission of a sign plan as part of the site plan packet.
  • Where amendments or alterations to a site include signage, those additions must be submitted for review as part of the site plan process (Sec. 117-897(f)(5)).
  • No roof-mounted signs are permitted within the B-P (Business Park) District.
  • Signage by a home occupation is governed by chapter 115 (sign code), and only one attached sign (max 4 sq ft, not lighted) is permitted for home occupation uses.

Source: municode municipal code