# Sign Regulations in Grafton, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Grafton, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/grafton
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/37785054#37785054)

## At a glance

Grafton, Wisconsin regulates 30 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Ground or Pole Signs (Parcels 5 acres or greater)s in the RMU Regional Mixed Use zoning district are capped at 20 feet tall and 200 square feet, with a Minimum 50 feet from public street right-of-way setback (Sec. § 20.09.010A.2, § 20.02.010). Most commercial signs in Grafton require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | — | — |
| RH-35 Rural Holding, SF-3 Single Family Residential, SF-4 Single Family Residential, SF-6 Single Family Residential, DU Duplex Residential, MH-9 Mobile Home Residential, MF-14 Multi-Family Residential, MF-20 Multi-Family Residential | 6 | 2 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| NMU Neighborhood Mixed Use, I Institutional, PR Park and Recreation | 6 | 9 feet | 48 square feet | — |
| SMU South Commercial Mixed Use | 7 | 24 feet | 250 square feet | — |
| RMU Regional Mixed Use | 9 | 36 inches | 200 square feet | — |
| DMU Downtown Mixed Use | 5 | 9 feet | 48 square feet | — |
| BP Business Park, LI Light Industrial | 3 | 9 feet | 150 square feet | — |
| HI Heavy Industrial, EX Extraction and Disposal, AE Adult Entertainment | 3 | 9 feet | 100 square feet | — |
| PUD Planned Unit Development | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### RH-35 Rural Holding, SF-3 Single Family Residential, SF-4 Single Family Residential, SF-6 Single Family Residential, DU Duplex Residential, MH-9 Mobile Home Residential, MF-14 Multi-Family Residential, MF-20 Multi-Family Residential

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Show Window or Door Signs | 2 feet | 20 square feet | 10 feet | — | — | Over show windows or doors | — | § 20.06.010A, § 20.02.010 |
| Subdivision Entrance Signs | — | 32 square feet | — | Minimum 10 feet from right-of-way | — | Main entrance(s) to subdivision | — | § 20.06.010B, § 20.02.010 |
| Name, Occupation and Warning Signs | — | 2 square feet | — | — | — | On premises | — | § 20.06.010C, § 20.02.010 |
| Bulletin Boards | — | 16 square feet | — | — | — | On premises | — | § 20.06.010D, § 20.02.010 |
| Memorial Signs | — | — | — | — | — | Affixed flat against a structure | — | § 20.06.010E, § 20.02.010 |
| Official Signs | — | 6 square feet | — | — | — | On premises | — | § 20.06.010F, § 20.02.010 |

### SMU South Commercial Mixed Use

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Signs | — | 250 square feet | — | — | — | Exterior walls of principal and accessory buildings | — | § 20.08.010A, § 20.02.010 |
| Projecting Signs | — | 50 square feet | — | Minimum 10 feet from side lot lines | — | Fastened to, suspended from, or supported by structures | — | § 20.08.010B, § 20.02.010 |
| Ground or Pole Signs | 24 feet | 100 square feet per side, 200 square feet for all sides | — | — | — | On premises | — | § 20.08.010C, § 20.02.010 |
| Directional Ground Signs | — | — | — | — | — | On premises | — | § 20.08.010D, § 20.02.010 |
| Permanent Window Signs | — | 25% of the window bank unbroken by architectural features | — | — | — | Inside of commercial buildings | — | § 20.08.010E, § 20.02.010 |
| ATM Signs | — | — | — | — | — | On premises | — | § 20.08.010F, § 20.02.010 |
| Changeable Copy Signs and Electronic Message Signs | — | — | — | — | — | On premises | — | § 20.08.010G, § 20.02.010 |

### RMU Regional Mixed Use

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Signs (Parcels 5 acres or greater) | 24 feet | 180 square feet | — | — | — | Exterior walls of principal and accessory buildings | — | § 20.09.010A.1, § 20.02.010 |
| Ground or Pole Signs (Parcels 5 acres or greater) | 20 feet | 200 square feet | — | Minimum 50 feet from public street right-of-way | One per premises | On premises | — | § 20.09.010A.2, § 20.02.010 |
| Wall Signs (Parcels less than 5 acres but greater than 2 acres) | 20 feet | 120 square feet | — | — | — | Exterior walls of principal and accessory buildings | — | § 20.09.010B.1, § 20.02.010 |
| Ground or Pole Signs (Parcels less than 5 acres but greater than 2 acres) | 20 feet | 140 square feet | — | Minimum 50 feet from public street right-of-way | One per premises | On premises | — | § 20.09.010B.2, § 20.02.010 |
| Wall Signs (Parcels less than 2 acres) | 20 feet | 80 square feet | — | — | — | Exterior walls of principal and accessory buildings | — | § 20.09.010C.1, § 20.02.010 |
| Ground or Pole Signs (Parcels less than 2 acres) | 20 feet | 100 square feet | — | Minimum 50 feet from public street right-of-way | One per premises | On premises | — | § 20.09.010C.2, § 20.02.010 |
| Directional Ground Signs | 36 inches | 3 square feet | — | — | — | On premises | — | § 20.09.010D, § 20.02.010 |
| Window Signs | — | 25% of the window bank, not to exceed 60 square feet | — | — | — | On premises | — | § 20.09.010E, § 20.02.010 |

## Prohibited signs in Grafton

- Any sign which is not permanently fastened, anchored on a permanent foundation or painted on another structure shall be considered a prohibited sign.
- Portable signs are specifically prohibited in all districts with the exception of Ch. 20.01 and signs allowed in other chapters of this title.
- Any sign or banner constructed, placed or painted in any residential, commercial or industrial district without first obtaining a required permit shall be considered a prohibited sign.
- Any sign or banner which is not removed within 90 days of the discontinuance of business operations or activities at the premises shall be considered a prohibited sign.
- Any sign or banner located within the public right-of-way shall be considered a prohibited sign.
- The use of flashing or revolving lights, other than traffic-control lights, is specifically prohibited in all districts.
- New or replacement signs projecting above the roofline of a building.
- Permanent inflatable, flags, or 'feather' signs that advertise any product or business shall be considered prohibited signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Grafton

- Traffic control signs or signs located in the right of way which are allowed by Municipal Code § 11.20.025, Private street banners.
- Signs or banners to advertise a public, civic or social event, of a charitable or not for profit organization which does not exceed four days in length.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Properties zoned PUD Planned Unit Development shall prepare a master sign plan to be reviewed and approved by the Plan Commission.
- A shopping center or multiple tenant commercial building may provide the signage outlined in this section.
- Changeable copy signs and electronic message signs shall be permitted by a special message reader board permit to be reviewed by the Plan Commission.

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

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