Sign Regulations in Burlington, Wisconsin
Burlington, Wisconsin has specific sign regulations covering 5 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Freestanding Sign, Wall Sign, Sandwich Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 1, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Burlington, Wisconsin
Sample Sign Requirements in Burlington
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | No higher than the maximum permitted building height | — | — |
| Sandwich Sign | — | 6 square feet per sign face | — |
| Projecting Sign | Minimum height of 8 feet | — | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
5
- Freestanding Sign
- Wall Sign
- Sandwich Sign
- Projecting Sign
- +1 more types
Zoning Districts
6
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Burlington
Other Cities in Wisconsin
Frequently Asked Questions
In Burlington, wall signs can be up to No higher than the maximum permitted building height. 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 Burlington, 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 Burlington, regulated sign types include Freestanding Sign, Wall Sign, Sandwich Sign, Projecting Sign, and 1 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Burlington vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Burlington are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Burlington has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
Ready to Research Burlington Sign Permits?
Stop spending hours searching through municipal codes. Get instant access to Burlington, Wisconsin sign regulations with PermitPal's AI-powered platform.
No credit card required · Get results in seconds
Burlington, Wisconsin Sign Rules at a Glance
Burlington, Wisconsin regulates 5 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Projecting Signs in the HPO Historic Preservation Overlay District zoning district are capped at Minimum height of 8 feet tall and 7% of the upper building facade area (Sec. § 315-75C). Most commercial signs in Burlington require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Burlington, Wisconsin
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Burlington (6 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | No higher than the maximum permitted building height | 6 square feet per sign face | — |
| B-2 Central Business District | 1 | Minimum height of 8 feet | — | — |
| P-1 District | 1 | — | — | — |
| TN-R, Rm-1, Rm-2, Rm-3 | 1 | 8 feet | 64 square feet | — |
| B-1, B-2, B-2A, B-3, M-1, M-2, M-3, M-4, Q-1, I-1, PUD (Nonresidential) | 2 | 15 feet | Varies by district | — |
| HPO Historic Preservation Overlay District | 2 | Minimum height of 8 feet | 7% of the upper building facade area | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Burlington(sample of 3 of 6 zones)
General Regulations For All Zones
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Not allowed within public street right-of-way lines except government signs | — | Unlock | § 315-67A, § 315-73A(2) |
| Wall Sign | No higher than the maximum permitted building height | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 315-69C, § 315-73B(4) |
| Sandwich Sign | — | 6 square feet per sign face | — | — | 1 per property | Not allowed within public right-of-way | — | Unlock | § 315-65A(12) |
B-1, B-2, B-2A, B-3, M-1, M-2, M-3, M-4, Q-1, I-1, PUD (Nonresidential)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | 15 feet | Varies by district | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 315-72C, § 315-72E, § 315-73A(1), § 315-73A(4) |
| Wall Sign | No higher than the maximum permitted building height | Varies by district | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 315-72D, § 315-73B(1), § 315-73B(4) |
HPO Historic Preservation Overlay District
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandwich Sign | — | 6 square feet per sign face | — | — | 1 per business | Not allowed within public right-of-way | — | Unlock | § 315-75A(1) |
| Projecting Sign | Minimum height of 8 feet | 7% of the upper building facade area | — | — | 1 per business | Allowed to extend over public rights-of-way occupied by pedestrian sidewalks | — | Unlock | § 315-75C |
PermitPal covers all 6 zoning districts in Burlington — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 6 zones for Burlington — start freeProhibited Signs in Burlington
- Any sign displaying flashing or intermittent lights or lights of changing degrees of intensity, except a sign meeting the requirements of § 315-71F.
- Any sign that obscures or interferes with a sign displayed by public authority for the purpose of giving traffic instructions or direction or other public information.
- Any sign that obstructs a clear view to and from traffic along any public street right-of-way, entrance, or exit.
- Any sign that uses the word 'stop' or 'danger' or otherwise presents or implies the need or requirement of stopping or caution of the existence of danger or which is a copy or imitation of or which, for any reason, is likely to be confused with any sign displayed by public authority.
- Any sign that obstructs any window, door, fire escape, stairway, ladder, or opening intended to provide light, air, ingress or egress for any building, as required by law. No sign shall be attached to a standpipe.
- Any sign or illumination that causes any direct glare into or upon any building, other than the building to which the sign may be related.
- Off-site and off-premises signs which advertise businesses, establishments, activities, goods, products, facilities, or services or other message not made, produced, sold, or present on the premises or site where the sign is installed and maintained, other than those which are permitted under § 315-64 or 315-72 of this article.
- Inflatable advertising devices or signs exceeding 10 consecutive days in any one-month period.
- Portable trailer signs, either fixed or movable, exceeding 10 consecutive days in any one-month period.
- Off-premises directional signs except as provided for by § 315-72B of this article.
- Any sign that violates any provision of any law of the State of Wisconsin relative to outdoor advertising.
- Sandwich signs. In accordance with § 315-75A(1) and the table in § 315-70, one freestanding sandwich sign not exceeding a maximum of six square feet per sign face may be permitted per property when such sign does not constitute a public safety or traffic hazard as determined by the Zoning Administrator.
- Any sign located within a public right-of-way except as provided by this article.
- Wall signs which are painted directly upon walls except wall murals that have been reviewed and approved by the Common Council, Plan Commission and Zoning Administrator.
- Signs as a principal use in any zoning district except as otherwise provided for in this article.
- The posting of any signs on any permanent or temporary structure or building, pole or tree located in any public street right-of-way, public park, or other public way or place within the City of Burlington except as permitted under the provisions of this article.
- 'For sale' signs located within any public right-of-way.
- Signs mounted to fences except as permitted under the provisions of this article.
- Statues used for commercial purposes except as reviewed and approved by the Plan Commission.
- Temporary signs affixed to permanent signs.
- Signs painted or mounted on rocks or other natural features or affixed to trees.
- An off-premises sign on a motor vehicle or trailer parked on public or private property so as to be seen from the public right-of-way for more than three consecutive hours.
- Those signs which are prohibited by this article.
- Signs for which no permit has been issued, except for signs under § 315-64.
Exempt Signs in Burlington
- Memorial signs and tablets displayed on public property or in cemeteries.
- Address numerals and signs not exceeding one square foot in area and bearing the names of occupants of the premises.
- Legal notices.
- On-site traffic directional signs, traffic control signs, and parking signs that do not exceed three square feet in area and 48 inches in height.
- Home occupation sign not exceeding three square feet in area and mounted flush against the dwelling.
- Gasoline price signs as required by law and not larger than 10 square feet in surface area.
- 'No trespassing' and 'no dumping' signs, provided that no such sign shall exceed two square feet in surface area.
- Combined on-premises nameplates and addresses for residences, provided that no such combined nameplate and address sign shall exceed three square feet of combined area.
- No more than one 'open/closed' and one 'vacancy/no vacancy' sign, not exceeding two square feet in area each, displayed for each business.
- Window signs not exceeding 30% of the glass area of the glass areas that are used for exits/entrances or necessary for visibility to exits/entrances.
- Repainting, changing of parts, and preventive maintenance of signs located on the site without changing or altering sign design, logo, or wording.
- Signs related to events, activities, or elections sponsored or authorized by a governmental body.
- Signs erected and maintained pursuant to the discharge of governmental functions, or that are required by law, ordinance, government regulation, or that are required to be posted in order to effectuate a legal right.
- City of Burlington community identification, community welcome and/or community event signs owned or rented by the City of Burlington and reviewed and approved on an annual basis by the Common Council for design and placement.
- Signs in P-1 District. Advertising signs for athletic fields in the P-1 District and dog parks when approved as to park location by the Common Council after review and recommendation by the Park Board.
- An off-premises sign is allowed to identify a parking lot serving an associated principal use; one sign per entrance drive from a public right-of-way, not to exceed 60 inches in height and five square feet in area.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Burlington
- In a Nonresidential PUD Overlay District, one freestanding sign at each entrance to the PUD is allowed as part of the overall sign plan for the PUD regardless of the number of zoning lots included in the PUD.
- The maximum set forth in this section shall apply to each entrance sign.
- In the HPO Historic Preservation Overlay District, the requirements of § 315-75 shall apply.
- No signage shall be placed within the HPO Historic Preservation Overlay District without review and recommendation by the Historic Preservation Commission and final approval by the Building Inspector.
Source: ecode360 municipal code