# Sign Regulations in Elkhorn, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Elkhorn, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/elkhorn
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/WI/Elkhorn/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CH8PUWO_ART8.04SI)

## At a glance

Elkhorn, Wisconsin regulates 24 sign types across 7 zoning districts. A or T Frame (Sandwich Board) Sign (B-1, B-2, B-3, T-1)s in the B-1 Central Business District, B-2 Community Business District, B-3 Neighborhood Business District, T-1 Downtown Transition District zoning district are capped at 42 inches tall and 30 inches wide, with a at least 1 foot from curb line. setback (Sec. 17.8-5(2)). Most commercial signs in Elkhorn require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | — | 20 sq ft | — |
| Manufacturing and Business Districts (other than B-1), B-5 Highway Business District, B-6 Commercial Business District, B-2 Community Business District, B-3 Neighborhood Business District, B-4 Office District, M-1 Light Manufacturing District, M-2 General Manufacturing District, E-1 Employment District, I-1 Institutional District, Institutional District | 2 | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| B-1 Central Business District, B-2 Community Business District, B-3 Neighborhood Business District, T-1 Downtown Transition District | 5 | 42 inches | 100 sq ft for any one premises | — |
| B-1 Central Business District, B-2 Community Business District, B-3 Neighborhood Business District, B-4 Office District, B-5 Highway Business District, B-6 Commercial Business District, M-1 Light Manufacturing District, M-2 General Manufacturing District, T-1 Downtown Transition District, I-1 Institutional District, E-1 Employment District, Institutional District | 5 | 16 ft | No more than 30% of window area, maximum any single sign: 25 sq ft | — |
| B-5 Highway Business District, M-1 Light Manufacturing District, M-2 General Manufacturing District | 1 | 65 ft | 300 sq ft per side; 600 sq ft total per premises | — |
| I-1 Institutional District, P-1 Park District, Institutional District | 1 | — | 200 sq ft | — |
| Residential District | 2 | — | 8 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign - Real Estate (Residential) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per road frontage; 2 during open house | On residential property; one per road frontage abutting property | — | 17.8-3(1) |
| Historic Designation Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On-site | — | 17.8-3(2) |
| Home-Based Business Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Not specified | — | 17.8-3(3) |
| Government Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Placed by City, state, or federal authorities, temporary or permanent | — | 17.8-3(4) |
| Temporary Election/Referendum Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | Not specified; must not constitute traffic hazard | — | 17.8-3(5),(b),(c),(d) |
| Temporary Sign (General, one per parcel, with permission) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 | One per parcel | — | 17.8-3(6) |
| Temporary Sign - Special Events (All Zones) | — | — | — | — | — | Any district, specifics per type of event/approval | — | 17.8-5(11) |
| Temporary Search Light for Advertising | — | — | — | 10' from adjacent property | — | Any district except public right-of-way; must be 10' from property line | — | 17.8-5(11)(a)3. |

### B-1 Central Business District, B-2 Community Business District, B-3 Neighborhood Business District, T-1 Downtown Transition District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A or T Frame (Sandwich Board) Sign (B-1, B-2, B-3, T-1) | 42 inches | — | 30 inches | On sidewalk: at least 1 foot from curb line. | See additional requirements | On private property or on sidewalk in public right-of-way (subject to min. 1 ft from curb and directly in front of business); also permitted in doorway if not interfering with safety codes. | — | 17.8-5(2) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | No closer than 1' from curb line. | — | Projecting from wall of building (lowest portion at least 7' above sidewalk); may not extend beyond structure to less than 1' from curb line. | — | 17.8-5(3) |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | No closer than 2' from curb line. | — | On canopies attached to or connected with building and extending into setback or over public sidewalk (lowest point at least 8' above sidewalk; no closer than 2' from curb line). | — | 17.8-5(4) |
| Projecting Sign (B-1) | 20 ft above centerline street grade; minimum 10 ft above sidewalk | 25 sq ft per side, 50 sq ft total | — | — | — | Attached to exterior wall, not extend into ROW more than 3'. | — | 17.8-5(9) |
| Projecting Sign (B-2 Option, requires site plan approval) | 20 ft above centerline street grade; minimum 10 ft above sidewalk | 100 sq ft for any one premises | — | — | — | Attached to exterior wall, not extend into ROW more than 3'. | — | 17.8-5(9) |

### B-1 Central Business District, B-2 Community Business District, B-3 Neighborhood Business District, B-4 Office District, B-5 Highway Business District, B-6 Commercial Business District, M-1 Light Manufacturing District, M-2 General Manufacturing District, T-1 Downtown Transition District, I-1 Institutional District, E-1 Employment District, Institutional District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Changeable Copy Sign | — | Must adhere to requirements of the relevant sign type it is part of (Monument, Pole, Wall, A&T Frame but not electronic). | — | — | — | — | — | 17.8-5(5) |
| Window Sign | — | No more than 30% of window area, maximum any single sign: 25 sq ft | — | — | — | On or within 4' of a window, visible from outside. | — | 17.8-5(6) |
| Monument Sign | 16 ft | — | 12 ft | — | — | Within landscaped planter (area at least equal to sign area) | — | 17.8-5(7) |
| Monument Sign - Low Profile | 6 ft | — | 10 ft | — | — | Within landscaped area (area at least equal to sign area) | — | 17.8-5(7)(e) |
| Wall Sign | Not higher than bottom of second story window or top of wall of one-story building | — | — | — | — | Affixed to or painted on exterior wall | — | 17.8-5(10) |

## Prohibited signs in Elkhorn

- Any sign not otherwise permitted in this chapter is prohibited.
- Off-premises signs (including billboards) are prohibited.
- Pennant banner flags are prohibited.
- Feather signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Any sign in the public right-of-way except for a government purpose (including but not limited to traffic control, parking and directional signs) and as otherwise specified in this chapter is prohibited.
- Any sign that resembles, imitates, or is approximately the shape, size, form or color of railroad or traffic signs, signals or devices is prohibited.
- Any sign which obstructs or interferes with the effectiveness of railroad or traffic signs, signals, or devices is prohibited.
- Signs and appurtenances which prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape; and any sign attached to a standpipe or fire escape are prohibited.
- Signs that obstruct or interfere with traffic visibility or are lighted in such a way as to cause glare or impair driver visibility upon public ways are prohibited.
- Flashing signs are prohibited.
- Any sign that contains any matter, in writing or in a depiction, which predominantly appeals to prurient interests is prohibited.
- Exposed light bulbs, flashing, blinking or traveling and similar illumination are prohibited.
- No temporary sign shall be illuminated.

## Signs exempt from permit in Elkhorn

- Temporary signs notifying the public that a residential property or premises is for sale or rent that do not exceed 8 square feet in area, with other restrictions as described, are exempt from permit requirements.
- A single on-site information sign notifying of a state or federal historic designation (not to exceed 2 square feet in area) is exempt from permit requirements.
- A single sign notifying patrons of the existence of a home-based business (not to exceed 2 square feet in area) is exempt from permit requirements.
- Any sign placed by the City or state or federal authorities, whether temporary or permanent, is exempt from permit requirements.
- Temporary signs erected during an election campaign period or referendum, with owner permission and subject to size, duration, and other restrictions, are exempt from permit requirements.
- No more than one temporary sign per parcel, provided permission has been obtained from the property owner, renter, or lessee, not to exceed 8 square feet and without flashing lights or moving parts, is exempt from permit requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No sign shall be located, erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, converted or structurally altered without a sign permit except those specifically exempted in Section 17.8-3.
- Permit applications must include a scale drawing and a plat of survey or other map drawn to scale, showing the location of the sign.
- In the case of illuminated signs, awnings or canopies, all plans and specifications, wiring, and connections must comply with the City Electrical Code.
- A landscape plan for monument signs and low profile monument signs must be approved by the Zoning Administrator.
- Exceptions to the regulations may be allowed only by the Plan Commission at a public hearing, based on specified criteria.
- If not satisfied with the decision of the Zoning Administrator on a permit application, the applicant may submit an appeal to the Plan Commission.
- Signs allowed as set forth in a development agreement negotiated with the City may be permitted per Article 17.8-4(3).

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

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