# Sign Regulations in Dresser, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Dresser, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/dresser
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/16196155#16196155)

## At a glance

Dresser, Wisconsin regulates 12 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Projecting Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 20 feet above the mean center line street grade tall and 100 square feet, with a Shall not be less than 10 feet from all side lot lines setback (Sec. 17.25(6)(b)). Most commercial signs in Dresser require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 20 feet above the mean center line street grade | 200 square feet | — |
| Residential Districts | 8 | 2 feet | 100 square feet | — |
| Commercial Districts | 4 | 20 feet above the mean center line street grade | 200 square feet | — |
| Industrial Districts | 4 | 20 feet above the mean center line street grade | 200 square feet | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| 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 | 200 square feet | — | — | — | Exterior walls of buildings | — | 17.25(6)(a) |
| Projecting Sign | 20 feet above the mean center line street grade | 100 square feet | — | Shall not be less than 10 feet from all side lot lines | — | Fastened to, suspended from or supported by structures | — | 17.25(6)(b) |
| Ground Sign | 20 feet above the mean center line street grade | 200 square feet on all sides | — | — | — | On the ground, meeting all yard requirements | — | 17.25(6)(c) |
| Roof Sign | 10 feet above the roof | 200 square feet | — | — | — | Upon or over the roof or parapet of any building | — | 17.25(6)(d) |

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Show Window or Door Sign | 2 feet | — | 10 feet | — | — | Over show windows or doors of a nonconforming business establishment | — | 17.25(5)(a) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 8 square feet | — | — | — | Temporarily located on the premises | — | 17.25(5)(b) |
| Name, Occupation and Warning Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | — | On the premises | — | 17.25(5)(c) |
| Bulletin Board | — | 8 square feet | — | — | — | On the premises | — | 17.25(5)(d) |
| Memorial Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Affixed flat against a structure | — | 17.25(5)(e) |
| Official Sign | — | — | — | — | — | As required | — | 17.25(5)(f) |
| Temporary Sign | — | — | — | — | — | As authorized | — | 17.25(5)(g) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 100 square feet | — | Not closer than 100 feet from any residence | One per street frontage | On the development property premises | — | 17.25(5)(h) |

### Commercial Districts

| 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 | 200 square feet | — | — | — | Exterior walls of buildings | — | 17.25(6)(a) |
| Projecting Sign | 20 feet above the mean center line street grade | 100 square feet | — | Shall not be less than 10 feet from all side lot lines | — | Fastened to, suspended from or supported by structures | — | 17.25(6)(b) |
| Ground Sign | 20 feet above the mean center line street grade | 200 square feet on all sides | — | — | — | On the ground, meeting all yard requirements | — | 17.25(6)(c) |
| Roof Sign | 10 feet above the roof | 200 square feet | — | — | — | Upon or over the roof or parapet of any building | — | 17.25(6)(d) |

## Prohibited signs in Dresser

- No sign shall be located, erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged or structurally altered without a building permit.
- No sign shall be located, moved, erected, extended, enlarged or structurally altered without a sign permit.
- Signs shall not resemble, imitate or approximate the shape, size, form or color of railroad or traffic signs, signals or devices.
- Signs shall not obstruct or interfere with the effectiveness of railroad or traffic signs, signals or devices.
- No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window or fire escape.
- No sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- No sign shall be placed so as to obstruct or interfere with traffic visibility.
- Off-premises signs, including billboards and movable free standing signs, are prohibited.
- No sign shall be placed in any public right-of-way or publicly owned property except publicly owned signs such as traffic control signs and directional signs.
- Signs may not project into the public right-of-way or adjoining parcels.
- No sign shall be erected that has any flashing, rotating or brilliant intermittent parts or lights or bare reflecting bulbs except those giving public service information.
- Wind signs shall be prohibited.
- Portable trailer signs and signboards shall be prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Dresser

- Governmental signs erected and maintained pursuant to and in discharge of any governmental function or required by law, ordinance or governmental regulation are excluded.
- National, State or local government flags or the official flag of any institution or business shall not be considered as wind signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Signs promoting community, service, fraternal or youth organizations that are specifically approved by the Plan Commission are exceptions to the prohibition of signs in the public right-of-way.

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

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