# Sign Regulations in Clayton, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Clayton, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/clayton
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/15552071#15552071)

## At a glance

Clayton, Wisconsin regulates 22 sign types across 4 zoning districts. For Sale and To Rent Signs in the Residential District, Planned Unit Development (Residential) zoning district are capped at One story or 15 feet above curb level, whichever is lower; 4 feet for freestanding signs tall and 8 square feet, with a No closer than 12 feet to any other zoning lot setback (Sec. § 510-56B). Most commercial signs in Clayton require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercial District, Industrial District, Planned Unit Development (Commercial/Industrial) | 5 | 20 feet above the mean center-line street grade | 300 square feet | — |
| Residential District, Planned Unit Development (Residential) | 7 | One story or 15 feet above curb level, whichever is lower | 50 square feet | — |
| Conservancy District, Agricultural District | 7 | 2 feet in height | 16 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | 10 square feet on each face, back-to-back | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Commercial District, Industrial District, Planned Unit Development (Commercial/Industrial)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 20 feet above the mean center-line street grade | 300 square feet | — | — | — | Exterior walls of buildings | — | § 510-55A(1) |
| Projecting Sign | Not less than 10 feet above the sidewalk nor 15 feet above a driveway or an alley | 100 square feet | — | — | — | Fastened to, suspended from, or supported by structures | — | § 510-55A(2) |
| Ground Sign | 20 feet above the mean center-line street grade | 200 square feet on one side | — | Meet all yard requirements for the district | — | Meet all yard requirements for the district | — | § 510-55A(3) |
| Roof Sign | 10 feet above the roof | 300 square feet on all sides | — | Meet all the yard and height requirements for the district | — | Meet all the yard and height requirements for the district | — | § 510-55A(4) |
| Canopy Sign | At least 10 feet above ground level | 5 square feet | — | — | One sign per business | Hang from canopies or covered walks | — | § 510-55E |

### Residential District, Planned Unit Development (Residential)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate and Identification Sign | One story or 15 feet above curb level, whichever is lower | 2 square feet for residential; 9 square feet for nonresidential | — | — | One per dwelling unit; two on corner lots | Residential and nonresidential buildings | — | § 510-56A |
| For Sale and To Rent Sign | One story or 15 feet above curb level, whichever is lower; 4 feet for freestanding signs | 8 square feet | — | No closer than 12 feet to any other zoning lot | One per zoning lot; two on corner lots | Zoning lot | — | § 510-56B |
| Signs Accessory to Parking Area | 7 feet above curb level | 2 square feet for entrance/exit signs; 9 square feet for conditions of use signs | — | — | One per entrance/exit; one per parking area | Parking area | — | § 510-56C |
| Signs Accessory to Roadside Stands | 15 feet above curb level | 12 square feet | — | No closer than 50 feet to any other zoning lot | Two per lot | Same zoning lot as the roadside stand | — | § 510-56D |
| Temporary Signs Accessory to Subdivision Developments | 8 feet above curb level | 50 square feet | — | Observe the front yard requirement of the principal use; located at least 50 feet from all other boundaries of the site | Two per subdivision | Subdivision under construction | — | § 510-56E |
| Subdivision Identification Sign | 12 feet above curb level | 32 square feet | — | — | Two per entrance | Entrance to a subdivision | — | § 510-56F |
| Nonflashing, Illuminated Church Bulletin | One story or 15 feet above curb level, whichever is lower | 16 square feet | — | No closer than eight feet to any other zoning lot | One per lot; two on corner lots | Church premises | — | § 510-56G |

### Conservancy District, Agricultural District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Signs Over Show Windows or Doors | 2 feet in height | 10 feet in length | — | — | — | Nonconforming business establishment | — | § 510-54B(1) |
| Memorial Signs | — | — | — | — | — | Buildings | — | § 510-54B(2) |
| Official Signs | — | — | — | — | — | Traffic control, parking restrictions, information and notices | — | § 510-54B(3) |
| Awnings or Canopies | — | — | — | — | — | Single-family dwelling unit | — | § 510-54B(4) |
| House Numbers or Signs Identifying Parks or Country Clubs | — | — | — | — | — | Parks or country clubs | — | § 510-54B(5) |
| Political Message Signs | — | 16 square feet | — | — | Three per premises | Premises | — | § 510-54B(6) |
| Rummage or Garage Sale Signs | — | 8 square feet | — | — | — | Premises | — | § 510-54B(7) |

## Prohibited signs in Clayton

- Signs shall not resemble, imitate or approximate the shape, size, form or color of railroad or traffic signs or devices.
- Signs, canopies and awnings shall not obstruct or interfere with the effectiveness of railroad or traffic signs, signals or devices or the safe flow of traffic.
- No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape.
- No sign, awning or canopy shall be placed so as to obstruct or interfere with traffic visibility.
- No sign shall be erected which has any flashing, rotating or brilliant intermittent parts or lights or bare reflecting-type bulbs, except those giving public service information such as time, date, temperature, weather or similar information or where allowed by conditional use permit.
- No signs, billboards or other advertising media which creates a hazard or dangerous distraction to vehicular traffic or a nuisance to adjoining residential property shall be permitted in any district.
- Signs shall not be permitted on public rights-of-way, except for municipal traffic control, parking and directional signs and as otherwise specified in this chapter, or be located within five feet of a property line.
- All billboards, other than a municipal business directory sign, which advertise goods, products, facilities or services not located on the premises where the sign is located or direct persons to a different location from where the sign is located are prohibited in all zoning districts in the Village of Clayton.
- No signs shall be painted on, attached to or affixed to any trees, rocks, or other similar organic or inorganic natural matter, including utility poles or apparatus.
- Blanketing of signs on buildings shall not be allowed.

## Signs exempt from permit in Clayton

- Warning signs, not to exceed four square feet, located on the premises.
- Memorial signs, tablets, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of metal and affixed flat against the structure.
- Official signs, such as traffic control, parking restriction, information and notices.
- Rummage or garage sale signs not to exceed eight square feet in area, but use of this type of sign shall be limited to 72 hours per sale.
- Signs designating entrances, exits, service areas, parking areas, restrooms and other such signs relating to functional operation of the building or premises shall be permitted without limitation other than reasonable size and necessity.
- Signs not exceeding two square feet in area and bearing only property numbers, post box numbers or names of occupants of premises.
- Flags and insignia of any government, except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.
- Legal notices, identification, information, warning, public utility, or directional signs erected by governmental bodies. Included within this definition are off-premises institutional signs.
- Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings, except letters, trademarks, moving parts or moving lights.
- Signs directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property (but bearing no advertising matter) limited to three square feet per side and not more than one sign permitted per entrance, exit, service area, parking area, or restroom.
- Political message signs during an election campaign, as defined in § 12.04(1), Wis. Stats., limited to three per premises, and subject to the Village Board's authority to regulate size, shape and placement for the public safety. Political signs may be posted beginning on the first day of the election campaign period as defined in § 12.04(1)(a), Wis. Stats., and must be removed within 10 days after said election. Said sign shall be a maximum of 32 square feet.
- Window signs are allowed with no permits.
- Bills, posters and banners may be allowed with no permits, provided that they shall not be posted or displayed for longer than 30 days.
- Real estate signs not to exceed 10 square feet in area which advertise the sale, rental, or lease of the premises upon which said signs are temporarily located, provided they are removed within 30 days of sale, rental, or lease of the property.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Variances or exceptions to these sign regulations may be granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals as provided under Article XIV of this chapter.

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

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