# Sign Regulations in Jackson, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Jackson, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/jackson
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/WI/Jackson/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH42TRVE_ARTIISISISTUSDE)

## At a glance

Jackson, Wisconsin regulates 18 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Projecting/Awning/Canopy/Marquee Signs in the B-1 Community Business District, B-2 Downtown Business District, M-1 Limited Manufacturing District, M-2 General Manufacturing District zoning district are capped at 20 ft above mean centerline street grade; 10 ft minimum above sidewalk; 15 ft above driveway/alley tall and 100 sq ft (per premises), with a 10 ft from all side lot lines; other yard requirements as above setback (Sec. Sec. 48-301(3), 48-306, 48-309). Most commercial signs in Jackson require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-1 Agricultural District | 1 | 35 feet (structure height limit) | — | — |
| R-1 Single-Family Residential District, R-2 Single-Family Residential District, R-3 Single-Family Residential District, R-4 Single-Family Residential District, R-5 Single-Family Residential District, R-6 Two-Family Residential District, R-8 Multiple-Family Residential District, R-9 Mobile Home Park District, RT-10 Single-Family Residential District, RT-11 Single-Family Residential District, P-1 Park and Recreation District, I-1 Institutional and Public Service District | 6 | — | 50 sq ft | — |
| B-1 Community Business District, B-2 Downtown Business District, M-1 Limited Manufacturing District, M-2 General Manufacturing District | 8 | 20 ft above mean centerline street grade; 10 ft minimum above sidewalk; 15 ft above driveway/alley | 400 sq ft or 60% of signable area, whichever less (excluding window signs) | — |
| PUD Planned Unit Development District, PUD-01 Miller Mixed-Use Planned Unit Development District, PUD-02 Sysco Planned Unit Development District, PUD-03 KARM Planned Unit Development District, PUD-04 Oaks of Jackson Planned Unit Development District, PUD-04 District III, PUD-05 Morning Meadows Planned Unit Development District, PUD-05 Laurel Springs Villas Planned Unit Development District | 1 | — | — | — |
| FW Floodway District, FC Floodplain-Conservancy District, FF Flood Fringe District, GFD General Floodplain District | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### A-1 Agricultural District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Signs (General Regulations) | 35 feet (structure height limit) | — | — | Accessory structures: Not closer than 10 feet to principal structure, 3 feet to any lot line, and 5 feet to alley ROW. Signs must also meet setback as per use district. | — | — | — | Sec. 48-136, 48-108, 48-300, 48-309 |

### R-1 Single-Family Residential District, R-2 Single-Family Residential District, R-3 Single-Family Residential District, R-4 Single-Family Residential District, R-5 Single-Family Residential District, R-6 Two-Family Residential District, R-8 Multiple-Family Residential District, R-9 Mobile Home Park District, RT-10 Single-Family Residential District, RT-11 Single-Family Residential District, P-1 Park and Recreation District, I-1 Institutional and Public Service District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Ground or Wall Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | Not in right-of-way | — | On the premises being advertised; not in ROW | — | Sec. 48-300(1) |
| Ground Sign - Resident Name/Address | — | 2 sq ft | — | At right-of-way line permitted | — | On premises; at right-of-way line permitted | — | Sec. 48-300(2) |
| Home Occupation/Professional Home Office Wall Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On dwelling | — | Sec. 48-300(3) |
| Bulletin Board (Ground or Wall Sign) for Public, Charitable, Religious Institution | — | 50 sq ft | — | Must meet setback requirement of district | — | On institution premises | — | Sec. 48-300(4) |
| Memorial Sign/Tablet/Name/Date of Erection (Flat or Masonry/Metal) | — | — | — | — | — | On structure | — | Sec. 48-300(5) |
| Window Sign, Official Ground Sign & Help Wanted Sign | — | Window: Not specified, Help Wanted: 32 sq ft | — | — | — | Per use (window, curb, etc.) | — | Sec. 48-300(6)-(8) |

### B-1 Community Business District, B-2 Downtown Business District, M-1 Limited Manufacturing District, M-2 General Manufacturing District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Not above top floor ceiling level | 300 sq ft or 30% of signable area (lesser) | — | — | — | Building wall | — | Sec. 48-301(2), 48-306, 48-309 |
| Projecting/Awning/Canopy/Marquee Sign | 20 ft above mean centerline street grade; 10 ft minimum above sidewalk; 15 ft above driveway/alley | 100 sq ft (per premises) | — | 10 ft from all side lot lines; other yard requirements as above | — | On or projecting from structure; may project as stated | — | Sec. 48-301(3), 48-306, 48-309 |
| Ground Sign | 20 ft above mean centerline street grade | 80 sq ft per side; 160 sq ft total | — | — | Per spacing rule | Ground | — | Sec. 48-301(4), 48-302, 48-306, 48-309 |
| Ground Sign - Conditional Use (Arterial/40 mph+) | May exceed 20 ft | May exceed 80/160 sq ft | — | — | — | Only on property adjacent to arterial/40mph+ | — | Sec. 48-302 |
| Roof Sign | 10 ft above roof; must not exceed district height limit | 300 sq ft (total all sides) | — | — | — | On or above roof | — | Sec. 48-301(5), 48-306, 48-309 |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of glass area of pane | — | — | — | Window surface | — | Sec. 48-301(6), 48-309 |
| Total Sign Area (All non-window signs) | — | 400 sq ft or 60% of signable area, whichever less (excluding window signs) | — | — | — | Building | — | Sec. 48-301(7) |
| Temporary Sign (Banner or Similar) | — | — | — | — | One per tax parcel/tenant | As specified on permit | — | Sec. 48-301(1) |

## Prohibited signs in Jackson

- No sign shall resemble, imitate, or approximate the shape, size, form, or color of railroad or traffic signs, signals, or devices.
- No sign shall obstruct or interfere with the effectiveness of railroad or traffic signs, signals, or devices.
- No sign shall be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window, or fire escape.
- No sign shall be placed so as to obstruct or interfere with traffic visibility upon public ways.
- No sign or any part thereof, anchor, brace, or guide rod shall be attached, fastened, or anchored to any fire escape, fire ladder, or stand pipe.
- No sign or any part thereof or any anchor, brace, or guide rod shall be erected, put up, or maintained so as to hinder or prevent ingress or egress through a door, doorway, or window, or to hinder or prevent the raising or placing of ladders by the fire department as required.
- No sign except those permitted in section 48-301 shall be permitted to face a residential district within 100 feet of such district boundary.
- No sign shall be located, erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, converted, or structurally altered without a permit, except those signs exempted in section 48-300.
- All signs shall fully conform to the requirements of this chapter.
- Signs may be illuminated but shall not be flashing.

## Signs exempt from permit in Jackson

- Real estate ground or wall signs not to exceed eight square feet in area advertising sale, rental, or lease of the premises (not in the right-of-way).
- Ground signs identifying name and address of the resident not to exceed two square feet in area when located on the premises (may be placed at right-of-way line).
- Home occupation and professional home office wall signs not exceeding two square feet and mounted flush against the dwelling.
- Bulletin boards on ground or wall signs for public, charitable, or religious institutions not exceeding 50 square feet and located on the premises.
- Memorial signs, tablets, names of buildings, and date of erection when cut into masonry surface or constructed of metal and affixed flat against a structure.
- Official ground signs such as traffic control, parking restrictions, information, and notices; may be placed at the curb line or pavement edge.
- A singular 'help wanted' or similar employment advertisement not exceeding 32 square feet in display area.
- Any official sign of the village or village affiliate displayed for municipal business or activity.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Signs which meet the definition of a non-permanent sign but are anticipated to be displayed for a period exceeding 90 days, shall be approved as a conditional use or a planned unit development site plan amendment.
- The village may permit the erection of a ground sign or total signage square footage in excess of specified requirements through the granting of a conditional use permit; the application must include scaled drawings or renderings.
- The sign permit application may require additional information as may be required by the building inspector, zoning officer, or village plan commission.
- For planned unit developments (PUD), signage not conforming with the current sign code may be considered as an amenity or condition and is subject to development plan/site plan review and approval.

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

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