# Sign Regulations in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Cottage Grove, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/cottage-grove
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/9766227#9766227)

## At a glance

Cottage Grove, Wisconsin regulates 18 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Monument or Pylon)s in the RH, NO, PO, NB, PB, CB, PI, GI, HI zoning district are capped at 10 feet for monument; 25 feet for pylon tall and 100 square feet, with a 40 feet setback (Sec. § 325-106C(1)(a)). Most commercial signs in Cottage Grove require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 4 feet | 8 square feet | — |
| SR-4, TR-8, HR-9, MR-10, MR-12 | 5 | 4 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| RH, NO, PO, NB, PB, CB, PI, GI, HI | 4 | 10 feet for monument; 25 feet for pylon | 200 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Memorial Sign | N/A | N/A | N/A | — | — | Affixed flat against a structure | — | § 325-102B(1) |
| Bulletin Board | — | 8 square feet | — | Minimum of seven feet from any street right-of-way or easement | — | On the premises of public, charitable, or religious institutions | — | § 325-102B(2) |
| On-Premises Directional Sign | 4 feet | 4 square feet | — | — | — | On the premises | — | § 325-102B(3) |
| Official Sign | — | — | — | — | — | As required by law | — | § 325-102B(4) |
| Warning Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | — | On the premises | — | § 325-102B(5) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 8 square feet | — | — | — | On the premises | — | § 325-102B(6) |
| Political Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 325-102B(7) |
| Temporary Sign or Banner | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 325-102B(8) |

### SR-4, TR-8, HR-9, MR-10, MR-12

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (One-Family to Four-Family Dwelling) | — | 2 square feet | — | — | One per lot | On the premises | — | § 325-105B(1)(a) |
| Wall Sign, Canopy Sign, or Monument Sign (Multifamily or Institutional Use) | — | 24 square feet | — | — | One monument, plus one wall or canopy per lot | On the premises | — | § 325-105B(1)(b) |
| Wall Sign, Canopy Sign, or Monument Sign (Group Development or Subdivision) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | Per plat or conditional use | On the premises | — | § 325-105B(1)(c) |
| Wall Sign (Auxiliary) | — | 2 square feet | — | — | Two per lot | On the premises | — | § 325-105B(2) |
| Wall Sign or Monument Sign (On-Premises Directional) | 4 feet | 4 square feet | — | — | One per vehicular entrance, exit, and parking area conditions list | On the premises | — | § 325-105B(3) |

### RH, NO, PO, NB, PB, CB, PI, GI, HI

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| On-Building Sign (Wall or Awning) | — | 200 square feet | — | — | One per exposed side of the principal use building | On the premises | — | § 325-106C(1)(a) |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument or Pylon) | 10 feet for monument; 25 feet for pylon | 100 square feet | — | Minimum front setback: 3 feet; Maximum front setback: 40 feet | One per lot | On the premises | — | § 325-106C(1)(a) |
| Group Development Sign (On-Building) | — | 200 square feet | — | — | One per exposed side of the principal use building | On the premises | — | § 325-106C(1)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign (Group Development) | 10 feet for monument; 25 feet for pylon | 150 square feet | — | Minimum front setback: 3 feet; Maximum front setback: 40 feet | One per lot | On the premises | — | § 325-106C(1)(b) |

## Prohibited signs in Cottage Grove

- No sign shall use any word, phrase, symbol, shape, form, or character in such manner as to interfere with moving traffic.
- No fluttering, undulating, swinging, rotating, inflatable, or otherwise moving signs or other decorations shall be permitted.
- No signs shall emit sounds, including music or speech.
- No sign or advertising structure shall be illuminated by intermittent, rotating or flashing lights.
- No illuminated sign shall be permitted unless the illumination of the sign is so designed as to prevent glare.
- No mobile signs shall be permitted.
- Off-premises directional signs shall be permitted only for governmental uses.
- No inflatable signs shall be permitted.
- No advertising vehicle signs shall be permitted, except as temporary signs.
- No sign shall be placed so as to obstruct or interfere with traffic visibility.
- No off-premises advertising signs shall be permitted.
- No pylon signs shall be permitted.
- Window obstruction by interior signs shall not exceed more than 15% for all combined window areas on the same facade of the structure.
- No sign shall be attached to or painted on natural objects, such as trees or rocks.
- No sign shall be placed as to obstruct or be attached to any fire escape, window, door or opening used as a means of ingress or egress, for fire-fighting purposes, or placed so as to interfere with an opening required for legal ventilation.
- No sign shall be cluttered with colors or otherwise difficult to read as determined by the Zoning Administrator or Plan Commission.
- No sign shall be mounted to canopies or roof structures or any pole used for utilities or lighting or any column or support used as part of any structure on the premises.

## Signs exempt from permit in Cottage Grove

- Memorial signs, tablets, name of building and date of erection when cut into masonry surface or when constructed of metal and affixed flat against a structure.
- Bulletin boards for public, charitable or religious institutions not to exceed eight square feet and located on the premises.
- On-premises directional signs which bear no advertising if under four square feet and four feet or less in height.
- Official signs, such as traffic control, parking restrictions, information and notices.
- Warning signs not to exceed two square feet and located on the premises.
- Real estate signs not to exceed eight square feet in area which advertise the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which said signs are temporarily located.
- Political signs as permitted by § 325-107D.
- Temporary signs or banners when authorized by the Zoning Administrator or Plan Commission.
- Construction site fences, per § 325-103B(10).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Applicants seeking a variation from the regulations of this chapter may appeal to the Plan Commission for approval of the proposed variation.
- Application materials must be submitted to the Village no later than two weeks prior to the Plan Commission meeting, and the applicant shall attend the Plan Commission meeting.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Cottage Grove, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Cottage+Grove+WI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-cottage-grove

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