# Sign Regulations in Cedarburg, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Cedarburg, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/cedarburg
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/WI/Cedarburg/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT15BUCO_CH5RESI)

## At a glance

Cedarburg, Wisconsin regulates 26 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Pylon Signs in the Business Districts (B-2, B-5, B-6) zoning district are capped at 20 feet tall and 32 square feet per face, with a One foot per foot of height setback (Sec. Sec. 15-5-14(d)(4)(f)). Most commercial signs in Cedarburg require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 20 feet | 32 square feet per building side | — |
| Historic Preservation District | 2 | — | — | — |
| Residential Districts (RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, RS-4, RS-5, RS-6, RS-7, RS-8, Rd-1, RM-1, RM-2, RM-3) | 2 | 7 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| Neighborhood Business and Professional Business District (B-1, B-4) | 7 | 20 feet | 32 square feet per surface | — |
| Business District (B-3) | 8 | Less than 8 feet | 32 square feet per building facade | — |
| Business Districts (B-2, B-5, B-6) | 7 | 20 feet | 32 square feet per surface area | — |
| Manufacturing Districts (M-1, M-2, M-3) | 2 | 8 feet (for ground/freestanding) | 36 square feet per surface area | — |
| Park and Recreation Districts (P-1) | 1 | — | 24 square feet | — |
| Institutional and Public Service Districts (I-1) | 4 | 8 feet (for ground/freestanding) | 32 square feet per surface area | — |
| Evergreen Business Park | 3 | 8 feet | 100 square feet (total per premises); in multi-tenant, share among tenants. On corner lots, each exterior wall may have up to a share of 100 sq ft. | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pylon Sign | 20 feet | — | — | One (1) foot from the property line for each foot of the sign's height | — | Located entirely on private property; setback one foot from the property line for each one foot of the sign's height. | — | Sec. 15-5-7(a) |
| Wall Sign | — | 32 square feet per building side | — | — | One per building side | On building side facing/contiguous to a public street or alley right-of-way. | — | Sec. 15-5-7(b) |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | Minimum five feet from curb | — | Minimum five feet from curb, minimum eight feet clearance from grade to bottom of sign. | — | Sec. 15-5-7(c) |
| Freestanding/Ground Sign | 8 feet | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 15-5-7(d) |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Canopies over public right-of-way must be approved by plan commission. Landmark commission also required if in Historic District. | — | Sec. 15-5-7(e) |
| Signs Above Roofs | — | — | — | — | — | No sign shall be located on nor extend above the roof, wall, mansard or parapet. | — | Sec. 15-5-7(f) |
| Directional Sign (Non-electric) | — | 8 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 15-5-7(n) |
| Directional Sign (Nonprofit Organizations) | — | 12 inches x 18 inches | — | — | No more than two intersections | — | — | Sec. 15-5-7(l) |

### Business District (B-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Projecting Sign | — | 24 square feet | — | See above; may project up to 5 ft over lot line, but never closer than 5 ft to curb. | 1 per building | May extend no more than five feet over the lot line, not to within 5 feet of the street curb line. | — | Sec. 15-5-14(d)(3)(2), (11) |
| Wall Sign | — | 32 square feet per building facade | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 15-5-14(d)(3)(4), (11) |
| Ground/Freestanding Sign | Less than 8 feet | 32 square feet per sign face | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 15-5-14(d)(3)(6), (11) |
| Permanent Window Sign | — | 25% of total window area per window | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 15-5-14(d)(3)(5) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 4 feet | 8 square feet per side | — | — | 1 per business | Sidewalk in front of business. Should be placed on private property when possible. | — | Sec. 15-5-14(d)(3)(8) |
| Awning Sign (with Lettering) | — | Lettering: no more than 25% of awning area | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 15-5-14(d)(3)(9) |
| Directory Sign | — | 10 square feet | — | — | 1 per side, max 2 | — | — | Sec. 15-5-14(d)(3)(10) |
| Memo Board | — | 18 x 24 inches | — | — | 1 per business | — | — | Sec. 15-5-14(d)(3)(12) |

### Business Districts (B-2, B-5, B-6)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Projecting Sign | — | 32 square feet per surface area | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 15-5-14(d)(4)(b) |
| Ground/Freestanding Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per building | — | — | Sec. 15-5-14(d)(4)(e) |
| Pylon Sign | 20 feet | 32 square feet per face | — | One foot per foot of height | 1 per building | — | — | Sec. 15-5-14(d)(4)(f) |
| Awning Sign (with Lettering) | — | Lettering: ≤ 25% of awning area | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 15-5-14(d)(4)(g) |
| Wall Sign | — | 32 square feet per building facade | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 15-5-14(d)(4)(h) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 4 feet | 8 square feet per side | — | — | 1 per business | — | — | Sec. 15-5-14(d)(4)(i) |
| Memo Board | — | 18 x 24 inches | — | — | 1 per business | — | — | Sec. 15-5-14(d)(4)(j) |

## Prohibited signs in Cedarburg

- No sign shall obstruct or interfere with the effectiveness of railroad or traffic signs, signals or devices.
- No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained to prevent free ingress to and egress from any door, window or fire escape, nor shall any sign be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- No sign shall be attached or otherwise affixed to rocks, trees or other living vegetation.
- No sign may be located in the public right-of-way, unless specifically permitted.
- No sign shall be installed, constructed, or maintained so as to endanger public safety or traffic safety.
- No sign may cover any major architectural detail.
- No sign resembling, imitating, or approximating the shape, size, form or color of railroad or traffic signals, signs, or devices is permitted.
- No flashing, alternating, rotating or swinging signs or devices, whether illuminated or not, visible from the public right-of-way.
- No changeable copy and electronic message signs, except for schools, churches, public service, gas stations and theater.
- No floodlighted signs or reflection-illuminated signs whose light source is visible from a public right-of-way by vehicular traffic or whose light source is visible from adjoining property.
- No signs bearing statements, words or pictures of obscene, pornographic or immoral subjects.
- No signs that are a hazard or dangerous distraction to vehicular traffic or a nuisance to adjoining residential property.
- No signs that imitate or resemble in shape, size, copy or color an official traffic sign or signal.
- No off-premise signs which advertise goods, products, facilities or services not located on the premises where the sign is installed and maintained.
- No billboards or signs larger than 100 square feet per face.
- Painted wall signs painted directly on the surface of the building are not allowed.
- Business signs displaying telephone numbers or web addresses are not allowed, except for real estate developments (temporarily until development lots are sold), residential rental properties, and storage rental properties (only when units are available for rent).
- No advertising vehicles may be used (signs placed on or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers for the primary purpose of advertising when parked so as to be visible from a public right-of-way), except where the sign is incidental to the primary use of the vehicle.
- No strobes and lasers are allowed.
- No flags that advertise any product.
- No use of searchlights or balloons (exceeding a diameter of two feet) on a permanent basis. Temporary permit required.
- No sign shall be located on nor extend above the roof, wall, mansard or parapet of the building or structure to which it is attached.
- Use of unshielded lighting, including exposed light bulbs hung or strung on poles, wires or any other type of support intended to illuminate a sign or other advertising device is expressly prohibited.
- No signs or any part thereof or sign anchors, braces or guide rods shall be attached, fastened or anchored to any fire escape, fire ladder or standpipe, nor erected so as to hinder ingress or egress, or prevent the raising or placing of ladders by the fire department.
- No temporary signs are allowed on public right-of-way except for official street signs and signs used during construction to warn motorists and pedestrians.
- All signs must comply with design requirements, including following the color scheme and using primary building materials of the principal structure.
- No sign may be erected without first obtaining a permit unless specifically exempted.

## Signs exempt from permit in Cedarburg

- Governmental signs for control of traffic, regulatory purposes, danger signs, railroad crossing signs, and signs of public utilities indicating danger, and aids to service or safety which are erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance of public duty.
- House numbers and nameplates indicating the occupant name and/or address not exceeding two square feet in area for each residential, commercial or industrial building.
- Interior signs located within the interior of any building or structure which are not visible from the public right-of-way.
- Memorial signs and tablets, names of buildings and date of erection, which are cut into masonry surface or inlaid so as to be part of a building or when constructed of bronze or other noncombustible material not more than four square feet in area.
- No trespassing and no dumping signs, standard 18 inches by 24 inches.
- Official notices posted by public officers or employees in the performance of their duties.
- Signs required as specifically authorized for public purpose by any law, statute or ordinance.
- Political and campaign signs per requirements (size, duration, on private property, and non-electrical/mechanical/audio).
- Real estate signs: one per lot, unilluminated, in residential and commercial districts not exceeding eight square feet, removed within 30 days after completion of sale/rental/lease.
- Temporary bulletin/event signs not exceeding four square feet, posted no more than 15 days before and removed within 15 days after the event.
- Decorative awnings without lettering or imagery.
- Professional and business name plate signs limited to two square feet per sign, located on the premises being served, one per business.
- Rummage sale signs posted only on the day(s) of the sale, only on property hosting the sale or with property owner's permission, not attached to or displayed on traffic/regulatory signs, light poles, trees, or public right-of-way.
- Governmental entity flags which are the official flags of the United States, State of Wisconsin or City of Cedarburg and which are properly displayed.
- Gasoline price signs as required by law, not larger than 20 square feet total surface area.
- Red, white and blue patriotic buntings tastefully displayed, subject to maintenance standards.
- Contractor signs less than eight square feet and posted no longer than one week after completion.
- Historical signs, plaques, or monuments less than eight square feet do not require a permit, but design review is required if in the Historic Preservation District.
- Park and Recreation Districts: government entity, public, directional signs and plaques of not more than 24 square feet, reviewed and approved but do not require a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit application is required for all signs unless specifically exempted in Section 15-5-12.
- For signs in the Historic Preservation District, sign permit applications are reviewed by the landmarks commission.
- Applications must include detailed plans, including scale drawings showing dimensions, materials, colors, type of illumination, and method of construction and attachment.
- Scale site drawings indicating location, photographs, and color chips must be submitted as part of the application.
- Plans must be filed with the building inspector for footings for signs eight feet to 20 feet in height, methods of attachment for projecting signs, and engineering specifications/calculations as required.
- Changes or alterations to previously approved signs (colors, type-style, shape, size) require new approval from the building inspector or landmarks commission.
- Multi-tenant/use buildings are regulated by specific signage plans as described in section 15-5-14(c).
- Subdivision identification signs require plan commission approval.
- Permanent signs for subdivisions and residential district entrances require plan commission approval and compliance with specified criteria.
- Signs removed for maintenance/repair for over 30 days require reapplication for a permit unless an extension is granted.
- All applications must include evidence of insurance or bond as required.
- A sign plan or master design (for customer parking and some other special sign types) may be required.
- Abandoned, altered, or relocated signs must be brought into compliance with current code and require a new permit.
- Temporary signs require a temporary sign permit and review by the building inspector (landmarks commission approval not required in all cases).

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

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