# Sign Regulations in Brown Deer, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Brown Deer, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/brown-deer
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/WI/Brown_Deer/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=SPBLADERE_CH121ZO_ARTXISIOTGR)

## At a glance

Brown Deer, Wisconsin regulates 35 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Temporary Real Estate Signs in the R1 single-family detached residence district (R1), R2 single-family detached residence district (R2), R3 single-family detached residence district (R3), R3-A single-family detached residence district (R3-A), R5 single-family detached and two-family detached and semi-attached residence district (R5) zoning district are capped at 8 feet tall and 12 square feet, with a Min 5 ft from any lot line setback (Sec. Sec. 121-327(2)e). Most commercial signs in Brown Deer require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R1 single-family detached residence district (R1), R2 single-family detached residence district (R2), R3 single-family detached residence district (R3), R3-A single-family detached residence district (R3-A), R5 single-family detached and two-family detached and semi-attached residence district (R5) | 9 | 8 feet | 50 square feet | — |
| R4 single-family attached and multiple-family residence district (R4) | 5 | 8 feet | Up to 50% of awning/canopy/marquee area, not to exceed 30 square feet | — |
| B1 planned local shopping center district (B1), B3 commercial district (B3), B4 commercial district (B4), Commercial overlay | 7 | 14 feet | See formula, 200 sq ft total for all wall signs | — |
| M manufacturing district (M) | 4 | 14 feet | 120 square feet | — |
| PD planned development district (PD), RPD residential planned development district (RPD), BPD business planned development district (BPD), OVPD original village planned development district (OVPD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| I institutional district (I) | 4 | 10 feet | 100 square feet | — |
| P park district (P) | 4 | 10 feet | 100 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 8 feet (ground) | 32 square feet (ground)/10 square feet (wall) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### R1 single-family detached residence district (R1), R2 single-family detached residence district (R2), R3 single-family detached residence district (R3), R3-A single-family detached residence district (R3-A), R5 single-family detached and two-family detached and semi-attached residence district (R5)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 121-326(1), Table, Wall signs: Single-family dwelling NOT PERMITTED. |
| Home Occupation Sign (Nameplate) | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 per home occupation | Affixed to building | — | Sec. 121-155(a)(2); Sec. 121-327(1)c,d. |
| Residential Nameplate | — | 6 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 121-327(1)c |
| Professional Nameplate | — | 6 square feet (individual) / 20 square feet (multiple listings) | — | — | — | Attached to building | — | Sec. 121-327(1)d |
| Temporary Political Sign | — | 12 square feet (residential) | — | — | — | Residential property only | — | Sec. 121-327(2)c |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | 8 feet | 12 square feet | — | Min 5 ft from any lot line | 1 per property (or 1 per frontage) | Minimum 5 feet from lot line | — | Sec. 121-327(2)e |
| Temporary Construction Sign | 8 feet | 50 square feet | — | Min 5 ft from any lot line | 1 per project (or 1 per frontage) | Minimum 5 feet from lot line | — | Sec. 121-327(2)f |
| Temporary Residential Sale Sign | 5 feet | 10 square feet | — | Min 5 ft from any lot line | — | Minimum 5 feet from lot line, not attached to buildings, structures, trees, public right-of-way, etc. | — | Sec. 121-327(2)g |

### R4 single-family attached and multiple-family residence district (R4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Multiple-family dwelling) | — | 24 square feet | — | — | 1 (or 2 on corner lot) | — | — | Sec. 121-326(1), Table (Multiple-family dwelling) |
| Ground Sign (Multiple-family dwelling) | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | Min 5 ft from any lot line, Min 50 ft from any other ground sign | 1 (2 on corner lot) | No less than five feet from any lot line, minimum 50 feet from any other ground sign | — | Sec. 121-326(2), Table (Multiple-family dwelling) |
| Projecting Sign (Multiple-family dwelling) | — | 24 square feet | — | — | 1 (2 on corner lot) | — | — | Sec. 121-326(3), Table (Multiple-family dwelling) |
| Awning, Canopy, or Marquee Sign (Multiple-family dwelling) | — | Up to 50% of awning/canopy/marquee area, not to exceed 30 square feet | — | — | 1 | Awning or canopy | — | Sec. 121-326(4), Table (Multiple-family dwelling) |
| Subdivision Sign | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | Min 5 ft from any lot line | Max two per entrance | Min 5 ft from any lot line | — | Sec. 121-326(6) |

### B1 planned local shopping center district (B1), B3 commercial district (B3), B4 commercial district (B4), Commercial overlay

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Business, office, and mixed use) | — | See formula, 200 sq ft total for all wall signs | — | — | Max 3 per business/tenant space | Building elevation (front or other - measurement based on front wall length) | — | Sec. 121-326(1), Table (Business, office and mixed use) |
| Ground Sign (Business, office, and mixed use) (lot line ≤300 ft) | 10 feet | 50 square feet | — | Min 5 ft from any lot line, min 50 ft from any other ground sign | 1 (2 if on corner lot) | Min 5 ft from any lot line, min 50 ft from any other ground sign | — | Sec. 121-326(2), Table (Business, office and mixed use) |
| Ground Sign (Business, office, and mixed use) (lot line >300 ft) | 14 feet | 70 square feet | — | Min 5 ft from any lot line, min 50 ft from any other ground sign | — | Min 5 ft from any lot line, min 50 ft from any other ground sign | — | Sec. 121-326(2), Table (Business, office and mixed use) |
| Projecting Sign (Business, office and mixed use) | — | 24 square feet | — | — | 1 (2 on corner lot) | Max projection 6 ft, min clearance 8 ft | — | Sec. 121-326(3), Table (Business, office and mixed use) |
| Awning/Canopy/Marquee Sign (Business, office and mixed use) | — | No more than 50% of awning/canopy/marquee area to a maximum of 35 square feet | — | — | 2 | Awning/canopy/marquee only | — | Sec. 121-326(4), Table (Business, office and mixed use) |
| Multiple-Tenant Sign (Business, office and mixed use) (lot line ≤300 ft) | 10 feet | 70 square feet | — | Min 5 ft from any lot line, min 50 ft from any other ground sign | 1 (2 on corner lot) | Min 5 ft from any lot line, min 50 ft from any other ground sign | — | Sec. 121-326(5), Table (Business, office and mixed use) |
| Multiple-Tenant Sign (Business, office and mixed use) (lot line >300 ft) | 14 feet | 100 square feet | — | Min 5 ft from any lot line, min 50 ft from any other ground sign | — | Min 5 ft from any lot line, min 50 ft from any other ground sign | — | Sec. 121-326(5), Table (Business, office and mixed use) |

## Prohibited signs in Brown Deer

- Roof signs are prohibited in the village.
- Pole signs are prohibited in the village, except signs provided in section 121-327(1) and (2).
- Portable and wheeled signs are prohibited in the village.
- Sandwich board signs are prohibited in the village.
- Banners are prohibited except as may be provided in section 121-326(7) and as municipal signs as provided in section 121-327(1).
- Pennants, streamers, balloons or other inflatable figures are prohibited.
- More than one flag per business or lot used for advertising purposes or to attract attention to commercial activity is prohibited.
- Off-premises signs and billboards are prohibited except municipal signs as provided in section 121-327.
- Permanent window signs where more than 20 percent of the area of the windows are covered are prohibited.
- Any sign advertising or identifying a business or organization which is either defunct or no longer located on the premises is prohibited.
- On corner lots, ground signs within 25 feet of the intersection point of the two right-of-way lines are prohibited.
- Signs or sign structures that by position, shape, or color interfere or obstruct the view of any authorized traffic sign, signal or device are prohibited.
- Signs painted on walls are prohibited.
- Signs extending above the top or beyond the side of the exterior wall to which such sign is attached are prohibited.
- Signs with flashing or alternating illumination, moving parts, searchlights or those similar to traffic signals are prohibited.
- Signs placed on or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers, which are parked so as to be visible from a public right-of-way where the apparent purpose is to advertise, are prohibited (with some exceptions for incidental business signage).
- Signs which are attached or otherwise affixed to rocks, trees, or other living vegetation are prohibited.
- Signs erected in the right-of-way and signs on public property are prohibited, except for government or emergency signs or certain projecting/awning/canopy signs as specified.
- No sign advertising or identifying a business or organization which is defunct or no longer located on the premises.
- Signs must not impair public health, safety, welfare, or the natural or urban environment.
- Illuminated signs must have lights extinguished between close of business and sunrise.
- All sign lighting shall be shielded or hooded to prevent casting glare or direct light upon adjacent roadways, properties or into the sky.
- All signs except those attached flat against the wall of a building must withstand wind loads of at least 30 pounds per square foot.
- All ground signs requiring electricity must be provided with electricity through underground wiring.

## Signs exempt from permit in Brown Deer

- Memorial signs are permitted without the need for a sign permit in all zoning districts.
- Traffic and municipal signs authorized by the village are permitted without the need for a sign permit in all zoning districts.
- Residential nameplates not exceeding six square feet in gross surface area are permitted without a sign permit.
- Professional and occupational nameplates attached to a building not exceeding six square feet for individuals and 20 square feet for multiple listings are permitted without a sign permit.
- Driveway traffic signs not higher than five feet and not exceeding six square feet in gross surface area and not containing any commercial message or logo are permitted without a sign permit.
- Menu board signs: no more than two per building, as wall or ground sign, meeting specified size and placement limits, are permitted without a sign permit.
- On-site operational signs (parking, access, shipping, receiving, ATM, etc.), not over six square feet in area and five feet in height, without commercial message or logo are permitted without a sign permit.
- Neon window signs not exceeding two per elevation, 300 square inches in size or 50% of window area (whichever is less), emitting steady light and only illuminated during business hours are permitted without a sign permit.
- Temporary emergency or warning signs to protect public health and safety are permitted without a sign permit.
- Temporary political signs (meeting specified criteria) are permitted on residential and nonresidential property without a sign permit.
- Temporary real estate signs (meeting specified criteria for quantity, size, setback, duration, and illumination) are permitted on any property without a sign permit.
- Temporary construction signs (meeting specified criteria for quantity, size, setback, location, and duration) are permitted without a sign permit.
- Temporary residential sale signs (meeting specified criteria for location, size, duration, setback, and illumination) are permitted without a sign permit.
- Temporary window signs (meeting size, duration, and location restrictions) are permitted without a sign permit.
- Signs required by law or government agency are exempt from permit requirements.
- Municipal signs are exempt from permit requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No sign for which a permit is required may be erected, altered or changed until the sign is approved by the village and a permit is issued therefore.
- Application for a permit must include drawings, site plans, and photographs to assist the building board in aesthetic review.
- All signs requiring a permit must be approved by the building board (except special event signs/banners and minor sign modifications).
- Special event signs or banners require review by the building inspector and the issuance of a sign permit.
- Sign permits are required for: wall signs, ground signs, projecting signs, awning/canopy/marquee signs, multiple-tenant signs, subdivision signs, and special event signs/banners.
- Before issuing a permit, the village shall determine if the use of such sign impairs public health, safety, welfare, or the natural or urban environment.
- Permits may be suspended or revoked after notice and hearing if sign is found to impair public safety/welfare/environment.
- Applications for sign permits are subject to architectural and aesthetic review by the building board.
- Sign plans must include compatibility with related buildings regarding materials, colors, and shapes.
- All sign materials, colors, shapes must be compatible with related buildings and are subject to village building board approval.
- Variance requests regarding sign regulations are heard by the board of appeals.
- Master sign plan is not explicitly referenced, but all multiple-tenant and complex signage displays are subject to building board review and permit approval.
- Minor modifications to signs (as defined) may be approved administratively.

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/brown-deer