# Sign Regulations in Glendale, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Glendale, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/glendale
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/WI/Glendale/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT15BUCO_CH15.6RESIBIOTADME)

## At a glance

Glendale, Wisconsin regulates 6 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Drive-Through Facility Menu Board/Directional Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 32 sq ft per sign (Sec. 13.1.210(b)(12)). Most commercial signs in Glendale require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1 Residence District, R-2 Residence District, R-3 Residence District, R-4 Residence District, R-5 Residence District, R-6 Residence District, R-7 Residence District, R-7A Residence District, R-8 Residence District | 1 | — | 3 sq ft (typically 18" x 24") | — |
| P-1 Parking District | 1 | — | — | — |
| B-1 Local Business District | 1 | — | — | — |
| B-2 Community Business District, B-3 Shopping Center District, B-4 Office Research Service Business District, B-5 Business-office Zoning District, S-1 Special (Institutional) District, M-1 Commercial and Light Manufacturing District, M-2 Industrial District | 1 | — | — | — |
| C-1 Conservancy District | 1 | — | — | — |
| PD Planned Unit Development District | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per sign | — |

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

### R-1 Residence District, R-2 Residence District, R-3 Residence District, R-4 Residence District, R-5 Residence District, R-6 Residence District, R-7 Residence District, R-7A Residence District, R-8 Residence District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sign for Home Occupation (on vehicle) | — | 3 sq ft (typically 18" x 24") | — | — | Not specified | On vehicle licensed to the home occupation | — | 13.1.18(c)(13)(c) |

### P-1 Parking District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Traffic Directional/Informational Sign | — | — | — | — | As reasonably required for traffic | On premises for the purpose of indicating entrances and exits as required for the safe and expeditious movement of traffic | — | 13.1.33(c)(6)c |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Building/Construction Sign | — | — | — | — | 1, if applicable | Only where a temporary building is approved for construction purposes (all districts), not as a general signage allowance. | — | 13.1.12(h)(1) |
| Drive-Through Facility Menu Board/Directional Signs | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per sign | — | — | Up to 2 per drive-through, or more if approved by zoning administrator | On zoning lots with an approved drive-through facility (as specified under 13.1.210) | — | 13.1.210(b)(12) |

## Prohibited signs in Glendale

- Signs for home occupations shall be prohibited.
- No form of advertising or identification, sign or mural is allowed on the dish or framework of satellite television antennas other than the customary manufacturer's identification plates.
- No portable or trailer-mounted satellite earth station shall be allowed, except for temporary installation for on-site testing and demonstration purposes for periods not exceeding five days.
- Donation drop-off boxes are prohibited on all public and private property except under specific conditions for not-for-profit organizations.
- No chain link or coated chain link fence shall be erected within a residential district. Chain link shall not be erected in any front yard of industrial or commercial properties.

## Signs exempt from permit in Glendale

- Architectural projections, such as spires, belfries, parapet walls, cupolas, domes, flues and chimneys are exempt from the height limitations of this chapter.
- Special structures, such as elevator penthouses, manufacturing equipment and necessary mechanical appurtenances, cooling towers, fire towers and flagpoles are exempt from the height limitations of this chapter.
- Essential services, utilities, water towers, electric power and communication transmission lines are exempt from the height limitations of this chapter.
- Essential services, utility electric power and communication transmission lines are exempt from the yard and distance requirements of this chapter.
- Landscaping and vegetation are exempt from the yard requirements of this chapter, with the exception that any landscaping or vegetation shall be subject to the restrictions in section 13.1.90.
- Signs necessary for orderly operation of traffic movement in parking areas shall be permitted in addition to others permitted in this chapter.
- Satellite television antenna dishes less than 20 inches in diameter are only subject to review by the community development planner (rather than full plan commission).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign plan including, but not limited to, all ground and wall-mounted signs (color exhibit) is required as part of the application materials for development in the B-1, B-4, and B-5 districts.
- A comprehensive sign program is required for the entire traditional neighborhood development which establishes a uniform sign theme.
- Site plan approval by the plan commission is required for all applications for zoning permits for any construction, reconstruction, expansion or conversion, except for one and two family residences in residential districts, and site plans must include details on signs.
- For wind energy systems over 75 feet in height, plans must be submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and a copy of any FAA restrictions must be included as part of the conditional use permit application.
- All applications for conditional use permits, variance, or site plan approvals may require submittal of sign plans if signs are proposed as part of the development.

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

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