# Sign Regulations in Brooklyn, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Brooklyn, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/brooklyn
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/WI/Brooklyn/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIILADECO_CH115SI)

## 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.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit 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 district | 1 | — | 4 sq ft | — |
| B-G, General business district, B-N, Neighborhood business district, LC light commercial district | 2 | 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. | — |
| B-P, Business park district | 2 | 6-8 ft typical (see Ch. 115) | 32 sq ft (see Ch. 115) | — |
| I, Industrial district | 2 | 6-8 ft typical (per Ch. 115) | Up to 32 sq ft per sign, per Ch. 115 | — |
| AE Adult entertainment district | 1 | — | Per Ch. 115 (generally 32 sq ft single wall sign unless otherwise approved) | — |
| AG Agriculture district | 1 | 6-8 ft typical (per Ch. 115) | Up to 32 sq ft (see Ch. 115) | — |
| Conservancy district | 1 | 4-6 ft | As needed for function, no larger than 9 sq ft unless otherwise approved. | — |
| P-G, Public grounds district, P-R, Public recreation district | 1 | 6-8 ft for main sign, 4-6 ft for smaller signs | No larger than 32 sq ft for public facility identification; 9 sq ft for trail/park/wayfinding. | — |
| WPO, Wellhead protection overlay district | 1 | 6 ft | Up to 9 sq ft unless otherwise approved | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | 6 ft | Per sign code (often 4-16 sq ft depending on property type) | — |

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

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

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Business Identification) | — | 10% of wall height for letters, 25% of wall length for total sign | — | — | One 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. | — | Sec. 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 Commission | On-premises at main entrance or street frontage. Not in public right-of-way. Not in vision clearance/traffic safety area. | — | Sec. 117-897(d)(14-a), 117-1015, Ch. 115 |

### B-P, Business park district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | 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. | — | Sec. 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 frontage | On premises within approved landscape plan. Not in buffer yard or vision triangle. | — | Sec. 117-897(e)(14); Ch. 115 |

### I, Industrial district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | 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 frontage | On building façade only. Not above roofline. | — | Sec. 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. 115 | — | Outside of buffer strip (if abutting residential), outside vision triangle. | 1 per street frontage | On-premises frontage, outside vision clearance areas and buffer strips. | — | Sec. 117-898(d); 117-897(d),(e); Ch. 115 |

## 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.

## Signs exempt from permit 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

- 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.

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

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