Sign Regulations in Hobart, Wisconsin
Hobart, Wisconsin has specific sign regulations covering 9 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Freestanding Ground Sign, Awning, Canopy, and Marquee Sign, Window Sign - Neon. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 28, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Hobart, Wisconsin
Sample Sign Requirements in Hobart
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | 20 feet | 300 square feet | — |
| Freestanding Ground Sign | 10 feet | 50 square feet | Not closer than 10 feet to any property line, right-of-way or driveway |
| Awning, Canopy, and Marquee Sign | — | 30 square feet | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for HobartFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
9
- Freestanding Ground Sign
- Awning, Canopy, and Marquee Sign
- Window Sign - Neon
- Changeable Letter and Electronic Message Center Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
3
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Hobart
Municipal Code1 permit application link available
Other Cities in Wisconsin
Frequently Asked Questions
In Hobart, wall signs can be up to 20 feet and monument signs are limited to 10 feet. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Hobart, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Hobart, regulated sign types include Freestanding Ground Sign, Awning, Canopy, and Marquee Sign, Window Sign - Neon, Changeable Letter and Electronic Message Center Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In Hobart, monument signs typically require a Not closer than 10 feet to any property line, right-of-way or driveway setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in Hobart are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Hobart has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
AI-Powered Research
Ready to Research Hobart Sign Permits?
Stop spending hours searching through municipal codes. Get instant access to Hobart, Wisconsin sign regulations with PermitPal's AI-powered platform.
No credit card required · Get results in seconds
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Hobart, Wisconsin
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Hobart (3 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 20 feet | 300 square feet | — |
| B-1, C-1, I-1, I-2 | 7 | 20 feet | 300 square feet | — |
| B-2 (office) | 1 | 6 feet | 25 square feet | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Hobart
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | 20 feet | 300 square feet | — | — | Not more than one wall sign per tenant | Outermost wall of any principal building | — | Unlock | 295-361H(3)(a) |
| Freestanding Ground Sign | 10 feet | 50 square feet | 20 feet | Not closer than 10 feet to any property line, right-of-way or driveway | Not more than one freestanding ground sign per principal building | Street yard fronting State Highway 29 | — | Unlock | 295-361H(3)(b) |
| Awning, Canopy, and Marquee Sign | — | 30 square feet | — | — | Not more than one awning, canopy, or marquee sign per principal building | Affixed to or located upon any awning, canopy, or marquee | — | Unlock | 295-361H(3)(c) |
| Window Sign - Neon | — | 5 square feet | — | — | One neon sign per business tenant | Each public street it fronts | — | Unlock | 295-361H(3)(d) |
| Changeable Letter and Electronic Message Center Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | — | One per ground sign | Part of a permanent ground sign | — | Unlock | 295-361H(3)(e) |
| Temporary Sign | 12 feet | 50 square feet | — | Not closer than 10 feet to any property line, right-of-way, or driveway | Two signs per lot | Not closer than 10 feet to any property line, right-of-way, or driveway | — | Unlock | 295-361H(3)(h) |
B-1, C-1, I-1, I-2
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign - Single Tenant | 20 feet | 300 square feet | — | — | Not more than one wall sign per tenant | Outermost wall of any principal building | — | Unlock | 295-361H(3)(a) |
| Wall Sign - Multitenant | 20 feet | 60 square feet | — | — | Not more than one wall sign per tenant | Outermost wall of any principal building | — | Unlock | 295-361H(3)(a) |
| Freestanding Ground Sign | 10 feet | 50 square feet | 20 feet | Not closer than 10 feet to any property line, right-of-way or driveway | Not more than one freestanding ground sign per principal building | Street yard fronting State Highway 29 | — | Unlock | 295-361H(3)(b) |
| Awning, Canopy, and Marquee Sign | — | 30 square feet | — | — | Not more than one awning, canopy, or marquee sign per principal building | Affixed to or located upon any awning, canopy, or marquee | — | Unlock | 295-361H(3)(c) |
| Window Sign - Neon | — | 5 square feet | — | — | One neon sign per business tenant | Each public street it fronts | — | Unlock | 295-361H(3)(d) |
| Changeable Letter and Electronic Message Center Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | — | One per ground sign | Part of a permanent ground sign | — | Unlock | 295-361H(3)(e) |
| Temporary Sign | 12 feet | 50 square feet | — | Not closer than 10 feet to any property line, right-of-way, or driveway | Two signs per lot | Not closer than 10 feet to any property line, right-of-way, or driveway | — | Unlock | 295-361H(3)(h) |
B-2 (office)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenant Board Sign | 6 feet | 25 square feet | — | — | One multitenant board sign per building | In front of each individual building | — | Unlock | 295-361H(3)(f) |
Illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type in Hobart are available with a free PermitPal account.
Start freeProhibited Signs in Hobart
- Roof signs.
- Signs placed on or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers excepting properly permitted mobile mounted signs, which are parked on a public right-of-way, public property, or private property so as to be visible from a public right-of-way where the apparent purpose is to advertise a product or direct people to a business or activity.
- Signs which are attached or otherwise affixed to rocks, trees, or other living vegetation.
- Signs which imitate, interfere with, obstruct the view of, or can be confused with any authorized traffic control sign, signal, or other device.
- Flashing or rotating signs, signs containing moving parts, and signs containing reflective elements which sparkle or twinkle in the sunlight are not permitted.
- A-frame, sandwich board, sidewalk, or curb signs, except as a temporary sign, as may be provided for in the exemptions of this chapter.
- Banners, pennants, streamers, balloons, and other gas-filled figures, except as a temporary sign, as may be provided for in exemptions of this chapter.
- Billboards and off-premises signs, except Village-approved as temporary off-premises signs to identify businesses during road construction.
- Any sign advertising or identifying a business or organization which is either defunct or no longer located on the premises is not permitted.
- Any sign larger than 50 square feet in area except as may otherwise be permitted under the terms of this chapter and subject to review and approval by the Site Review Committee if the sign is proposed to be located within a Village-owned park or preserve.
- Projecting signs.
- Portable and wheeled signs.
- Signs or other advertising painted directly on walls unless specifically approved by the Site Review Committee if the sign is proposed to be located within a Village-owned park or preserve.
- Inflatable signs and tethered balloons.
- Signs attached to, erected or maintained on any standpipe, exterior stairway, fire escape, tower, or balcony so as to interfere with the use thereof.
- Signs erected at or near the intersection of any streets in such manner as to obstruct free and clear vision.
- Signs at any location where, by reason of the position, shape or color, may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.
- Signs which make use of the words 'STOP,' 'LOOK,' 'DANGER' or any other word, phrase, symbol, or character in such manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.
- Signs erected, constructed or maintained so as to obstruct any exit or any window opening necessary for required light or ventilation.
- Signs extending above the top or beyond the side of the exterior wall to which such sign is attached.
- Signs with associated lighting fixtures which project more than 10 inches from the exterior wall to which they are attached.
- Signs entirely supported by a parapet wall.
- Signs, cards, banners, pictures, handbills, sign posters, advertising, or notice of any kind on public ground, public waterway or upon any structure projecting over any public thoroughfare, public ground or public waterway within the Village except by Site Review Committee authorization.
- Except as may otherwise be permitted by this chapter, the placement, creation, or use of outdoor advertising devices such as banners, decorative displays or other advertising devices of cloth, paper, or other nonrigid materials.
Exempt Signs in Hobart
- One wall sign not to exceed three square feet in size maintained by the owner or occupant of any residential building for the purpose of displaying the name of the owner or occupant. Home occupation signs shall not be permitted.
- Bulletin boards not over 15 square feet in size for public, charitable or religious institutions when the same are located on the premises of said institutions.
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials grave markers, statutory, or other remembrances of persons or events that are noncommercial in nature.
- Traffic signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger and such temporary emergency or nonadvertising signs as may be erected for the public safety.
- One sign, not to exceed 15 square feet in area, identifying farm operations on all agricultural parcels of land.
- Flag poles 25 feet or less.
- Special decorative displays or signs in public right-of-way when authorized by the Village Board.
- Up to four Village authorized and constructed directional signs for any single business or organization, provided such signs do not exceed three square feet in area or four feet in height.
- Signs which are located within the interior of any building and which are not visible from the exterior of the building.
- Yard sale signs, provided that no person shall attach posters, notices or advertisements to utility poles, meter posts, or trees in or along any street right-of-way within the Village.
- Nonilluminated window signs, including but not necessarily limited to paper signs, box signs, and painted window signs, covering less than 25% or 10 square feet, whichever is less, of the individual window area.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Hobart
- It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, alter, or relocate any sign or other advertising structure as defined in this chapter without first obtaining approval from the Site Review Committee.
- All applications for signs will be reviewed for compliance with the Village of Hobart sign ordinance by the Site Review Committee.
- The Zoning Administrator/Building Inspector and/or Site Review Committee may approve, deny, or request changes to a proposed sign, based on the architectural design of that sign.
- Prior to the issuance of a permit for an electronic message center sign, the applicant shall provide written certification from the sign manufacturer that the light intensity has been factory pre-set not to exceed the levels specified in this section, and the intensity level is protected from being manipulated or altered by other than the manufacturer through the use of password-protected software or other method as deemed appropriate by the Zoning Administrator.
- Prior to issuance of a permit for an electronic message center sign, the owner of the sign shall provide a signed authorization permitting the Village to contact the sign manufacturer and/or successors having authority to adjust the light intensity, at any time in the future, to verify the settings for the light intensity.
Source: ecode360 municipal code