# Sign Regulations in Dane, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Dane, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/dane
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/15279839#15279839)

## At a glance

Dane, Wisconsin regulates 10 sign types across 3 zoning districts. For Sale/To Rent Signs in the Residential District, Conservancy District, Agricultural District, Planned Unit Development (Residential) zoning district are capped at One story or 15 feet above curb level, whichever is lower tall and 8 square feet, with a Not closer than 8 feet to any other zoning lot setback (Sec. § 520-64B). Most commercial signs in Dane require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercial District, Industrial District, Planned Unit Development (Commercial/Industrial) | 5 | 45 feet in districts fronting FAP highways, 30 feet in other districts | 300 square feet or 40% of wall surface | — |
| Residential District, Conservancy District, Agricultural District, Planned Unit Development (Residential) | 3 | One story or 15 feet above curb level, whichever is lower | 32 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 25 square feet on each face | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### 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 | 45 feet in districts fronting FAP highways, 30 feet in other districts | 300 square feet or 40% of wall surface | — | — | — | Exterior walls of buildings | — | § 520-63A(1) |
| Projecting Sign | 20 feet above mean center-line street grade | 100 square feet | — | — | — | Fastened to, suspended from or supported by structures | — | § 520-63A(2) |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 feet above center line of street grade | 100 square feet on one side, 200 square feet on all sides | — | 10 feet from property line | — | Commercial and industrial districts | — | § 520-63A(3) |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of glass area of the pane | — | — | — | Inside of commercial buildings | — | § 520-63A(5) |
| Directory Sign | 30 feet above mean center-line street grade | 90 square feet for shopping center/industrial park name, 15 square feet for individual store/business name | — | Meet all yard requirements for zoning district | — | Shopping centers or industrial parks | — | § 520-63A(7) |

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

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign | One story or 15 feet above curb level, whichever is lower | 3 square feet for residential, 9 square feet for nonresidential | — | — | One per dwelling unit, two on corner lots | On premises | — | § 520-64A |
| For Sale/To Rent Sign | One story or 15 feet above curb level, whichever is lower | 8 square feet | — | Not closer than 8 feet to any other zoning lot | One per zoning lot, two on corner lots | On premises | — | § 520-64B |
| Subdivision Identification Sign | 6 feet above curb level | 32 square feet | — | — | One per entrance to subdivision | At entrance to subdivision | — | § 520-64F |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Electronic Message Unit Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On premises | — | § 520-70A |
| Portable Sign/Message Board | — | 25 square feet on each face | — | — | — | On premises | — | § 520-70B |

## Prohibited signs in Dane

- 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.
- Signs shall not be located within five feet of a property line.
- The distance between freestanding signs shall be a minimum of 75 feet between freestanding signs throughout the street frontage in order to prevent congestion and maintain traffic visibility.
- 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 Dane

- 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.
- Name, occupation and warning signs, not to exceed four square feet, located on the premises.
- Bulletin boards for public, charitable or religious institutions, not to exceed 35 square feet in area, 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, rest rooms 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 or directional signs erected by governmental bodies.
- 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.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Variances or exceptions to these sign regulations may be granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals, following a recommendation from the Building Inspector, pursuant to the standards of this chapter.

## Full detail

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

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