# Sign Regulations in Hortonville, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Hortonville, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/hortonville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/WI/Hortonville/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH4AN_ARTIVDAAN_DIV2STREKE_S4-123WASI)

## At a glance

Hortonville, Wisconsin regulates 25 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Announcement / Identification Sign (for churches, schools, libraries, hospitals, water storage facilities, cemeteries, professional offices and related structures)s in the Single-family residence (R1), Two-family residence (R2), Multiple-family residence (R3) zoning district are capped at 5 ft tall and 24 sq ft, with a At least 15 feet from nearest sidewalk or street setback (Sec. Sec. 44-65(b)(6)). Most commercial signs in Hortonville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (11 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single-family residence (R1), Two-family residence (R2), Multiple-family residence (R3) | 2 | 5 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| General commercial (C1) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Highway commercial (C2) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Light industrial (I1) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General industrial (I2) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Agricultural district (A), Agri-Business District (A1) | 1 | — | 8 sq ft | — |
| Conservancy district (W) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Downtown zoning district (D) | 19 | 20 ft | 32 sq ft per face | — |
| Public institutional district (PI) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Planned unit development district (PD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Groundwater protection district (GW) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 11 zones)

### Single-family residence (R1), Two-family residence (R2), Multiple-family residence (R3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | At least 15 feet from the nearest sidewalk or street | Up to one sign per property | On the premises involved | — | Sec. 44-65(b)(6) |
| Announcement / Identification Sign (for churches, schools, libraries, hospitals, water storage facilities, cemeteries, professional offices and related structures) | 5 ft | 24 sq ft | — | At least 15 feet from nearest sidewalk or street | Limit of one such (24 sq ft) sign per property, or multiple signs each no more than 4 sq ft if additional signage is needed | Directly on the premises involved | — | Sec. 44-65(b)(6) |

### Agricultural district (A), Agri-Business District (A1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Roadside Stand Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | Up to two | On the premises, for in-season roadside stands | — | Sec. 44-72(b)(3), Sec. 44-73(b)(2) |

### Downtown zoning district (D)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning/canopy sign | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On awning or canopy; lowest part at least 80 inches above sidewalk | — | Sec. 44-185(1)-(2), 44-182, 44-189 |
| Marquee | — | 32 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per building | Marquee structure; lowest part at least 80 inches above sidewalk | — | Sec. 44-185(1)-(2), 44-182 |
| Menu sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tenant | On building for pedestrian use | — | Sec. 44-185(1)-(2), 44-182 |
| Projecting sign | — | 20 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per tenant | Affixed to building; must be at least 10 ft above sidewalk or 15 ft above a driveway/alley | — | Sec. 44-185, 44-182 |
| Monument Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage (monument or pylon) | Freestanding monument sign, incorporated into landscape/base | — | Sec. 44-185 |
| Pole/Pylon Sign | 20 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage (monument or pylon) | Pole or pylon with stone or professional material wrap | — | Sec. 44-185 |
| Directory Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | Centrally located on premises | — | Sec. 44-185 |
| Nameplate | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tenant | On or near entry to tenant space | — | Sec. 44-185 |

## Prohibited signs in Hortonville

- Private signs are prohibited within the public right-of-way or easements, except for awning, projecting, marquee, and sidewalk signs that comply with location requirements (Downtown district).
- Signs requiring a permit may not be installed without a permit.
- No sign may be erected that, by reason of position, shape, or color, would interfere in any way with the proper functioning or purpose of a traffic sign or signal.
- Revolving beacons, beamed lights, or similar devices that would so distract automobile traffic as to constitute a safety hazard are prohibited.
- No flashing or revolving sign in the front setback area or within 125 feet of a street intersection. No flashing or revolving signs are permitted in windows.
- No sign shall be hand painted in a non-professional or 'amateur' manner.
- Signs on motor vehicles, trailers, farm implements, or other mobile equipment, which are parked in a position visible to traffic on a public road for a period longer than six days in a 60-calendar-day period, are prohibited.
- Any sign that, because of its location, animation, or other action, is deemed to jeopardize public safety is prohibited.
- Any sign that is similar to or attempts to replicate police, fire, or other emergency services is prohibited.
- Any sign that is similar to or attempts to replicate traffic signs is prohibited.
- Abandoned signs (not well maintained or not fully supported for 120 calendar days) are prohibited.
- Air-activated/inflatable signs are prohibited.
- Billboards are prohibited.
- Electronic message center signs are prohibited.
- Signs must be kept in good maintenance; faded, damaged, or disrepaired signs must be repaired within 15 calendar days of notice.

## Signs exempt from permit in Hortonville

- Construction signs: Allowed for the duration of work; must be removed within 5 calendar days of work ending. Up to 32 square feet. Permit not required.
- Governmental signs erected and maintained by or on behalf of the United States, state, county, or village for regulating traffic or civic purposes. Permit not required.
- Political signs: Regulated by state statute (Wis. Stats. § 12.04). Permit not required.
- Real estate signs: One per property, up to 32 square feet. Permit not required.
- Yard signs: One per property, up to 3 square feet. Permit not required.
- Warning signs: As needed, up to 3 square feet. Permit not required.
- Window signs and decals placed on the interior of the window, not exceeding 25% of the window area on street frontage. Permit not required.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Applicants for permanent and temporary signs in the downtown district must submit a sign permit application, which includes dimensions, location, materials, and, if lighted, electrical details.
- All new sign permits in Public Institutional District (PI) go through the conditional use process.
- Master sign plan or comprehensive sign plan requirements are NOT expressly mentioned in this text, but in planned unit developments (PUD), detailed elevation drawings of all signs are required as part of preliminary and final development plans subject to village board approval.
- Final development plans for Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) must include scaled elevations of all signs and are subject to public hearing and formal approval.
- If a site plan is required for a use or structure (e.g., PI district), the sign application is tied to the site plan process.

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

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