# Sign Regulations in Hales Corners, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Hales Corners, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/hales-corners
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/32332377#32332377)

## At a glance

Hales Corners, Wisconsin regulates 5 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Business District zoning district are capped at 8 feet tall and 35 square feet, with a 10 feet from front property line setback (Sec. § 445-11.9A(4)(a)). Most commercial signs in Hales Corners require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business District | 2 | 8 feet | 60 square feet | — |
| Manufacturing District | 2 | 8 feet | 60 square feet | — |
| Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4) | 1 | 8 feet | 24 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | 35 square feet | — |
| Planned Unit Development Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 60 square feet | — | — | One per business | On building facade | — | § 445-11.9A(4)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 feet | 35 square feet | — | 10 feet from front property line | One per business | Ground-mounted | — | § 445-11.9A(4)(a) |

### Manufacturing District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 60 square feet | — | — | One per business | On building facade | — | § 445-11.9A(4)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 feet | 35 square feet | — | 10 feet from front property line | One per business | Ground-mounted | — | § 445-11.9A(4)(a) |

### Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 8 feet | 24 square feet | — | 10 feet from front property line | One per complex | Ground-mounted | — | § 445-11.9F(1)(a) |

## Prohibited signs in Hales Corners

- No person shall erect, maintain, or allow to exist on premises owned by the person any sign within the Village which is defective or dangerous or otherwise not in conformity with this article.
- No sign, or any part of such sign, or any anchor, brace or guy rod shall be attached, fastened or anchored to any fire escape, fire ladder or standpipe.
- No sign or any part of a sign or any anchor, brace, or guy rod shall be erected or maintained so as to cover or obstruct any door, doorway or window of any building so as to hinder or prevent ingress or egress through such door, doorway, or window or so as to hinder or prevent the raising or placing of ladders against such buildings by the Fire Department as necessity may require.
- Directly illuminated signs, including but not limited to exposed or bare neon, fluorescent, incandescent, and mercury sodium halogen bulbs, are prohibited unless specifically approved by the Plan Commission in business and manufacturing districts.
- Illuminated signs located within residential districts are prohibited.
- Floodlighting of residences offered for sale shall not be permitted between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
- No signs shall be allowed which create a hazard or dangerous distraction to vehicular traffic or which create a nuisance.
- No sign advertising intoxicating beverages or an establishment for the sale thereof shall be permitted within 300 feet of the property line of a school or church.
- Nonaccessory signs are prohibited, except on premises immediately abutting the premises supporting the principal use to which the sign directs attention, if both premises are identically zoned.
- Roof signs are prohibited except as would be approved by appeal.
- Signs painted on any wall of a building are prohibited, except where permitted.
- Only nonilluminated signs permitted by specific sections are allowed in residential districts.
- No advertising display of balloons, flags, and streamers is permitted unless approved.
- No banners, flags, streamers, balloons, or signs of any type shall be placed on the right-of-way of any street or attached to any pole, tree, lamppost, street sign, or railing within said right-of-way unless specifically approved.
- The use of neon and other types of lighting to outline, enclose, or draw attention to a window or doorway is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Hales Corners

- Memorial signs, tablets, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface of a building or when constructed of metal and affixed flat against the structure of a building.
- A sign not exceeding 1 1/2 square feet in area, stating only the name and business or profession of the occupant or the character of the use of the premises on which the sign is maintained.
- Signs used for directional purposes not in excess of two square feet when located off the premises.
- Utility signs, if necessary for the safety or convenience of premises invitees, frequenters, or the public, as approved by the Building Inspector.
- A sign not exceeding 40 square feet in area, pertaining to the construction of a building on the premises, placed entirely on the premises with a minimum of at least five feet from the lot lines and maintained only during the construction of the building, but not to exceed 18 months in any instance.
- A sign not exceeding 16 square feet in the area pertaining to contractual work being performed on a property. Allowed only during the duration of the work activity.
- Signs completely within the interior of a mercantile establishment, except as otherwise specifically set forth, shall not be subject to a permit requirement or the other provisions of this article.
- One sign advertising only the premises upon which the sign is located for sale or for rent, constructed in a neat and workmanlike manner.
- Signs required by federal, state, county, Administrative Code or local ordinance which include, but are not limited to, traffic signs, street signs, civil defense signs and notices required by law.
- Election and political campaign signs.
- Rummage sale signs.
- A sign located behind the window area for the purpose of being viewed from the outside of the building, provided it does not exceed 25% of the total window area, including all windows and doors on each side of the building.
- Signs not exceeding one square foot in area and bearing only property numbers, postbox numbers, or names of occupants or premises.
- Flags and insignia of any government, except when displayed in connection with business promotion, not exceeding 60 square feet in area.
- 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 product or message advertising matter.
- The temporary use of searchlights for advertising purposes may be permitted by the Building Inspector in commercially zoned districts.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All electronic changeable copy and electronic graphic display signs require Plan Commission review and approval.
- Roof signs are prohibited except as would be approved by appeal.
- The Plan Commission may approve an application upon expressed findings that such sign meets all of the following requirements: it conforms to the construction standards, it has aesthetic appeal, it will not constitute a traffic hazard, and it will not create a nuisance to any owner of abutting lands.
- The Plan Commission may, in its judgment, waive or modify the provisions of this article where it would further the public interest and uphold the purposes of this article.

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

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