Sign Regulations in Kaukauna, Wisconsin
Kaukauna, Wisconsin has specific sign regulations covering 25 sign types across 14 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Subdivision Identification Sign, Temporary Real Estate / Development Sign, Institution Identification Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: November 24, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Kaukauna, Wisconsin
Sample Sign Requirements in Kaukauna
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subdivision Identification Sign | — | 25 sq ft | — |
| Temporary Real Estate / Development Sign | — | — | No temporary sign shall be erected within 10 feet of any adjacent side yard. |
| Institution Identification Sign | — | 25 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for KaukaunaFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
25
- Subdivision Identification Sign
- Temporary Real Estate / Development Sign
- Institution Identification Sign
- Institution Bulletin Board
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
14
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Kaukauna
Other Cities in Wisconsin
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Kaukauna vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Kaukauna, 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 Kaukauna, regulated sign types include Subdivision Identification Sign, Temporary Real Estate / Development Sign, Institution Identification Sign, Institution Bulletin Board, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Kaukauna vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Kaukauna are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Kaukauna has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Kaukauna, Wisconsin Sign Rules at a Glance
Kaukauna, Wisconsin regulates 25 sign types across 14 zoning districts. Detached (Freestanding) Signs in the CCD Commercial Core District zoning district are capped at 25 ft tall and 50 sq ft per face (max 2 faces, total 100 sq ft) for each 100 ft of lot frontage, with a Building must be set back at least 35 ft from street curb for such a sign to be allowed. setback (Sec. §17.20(6)(e)). Most commercial signs in Kaukauna require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Kaukauna, Wisconsin
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Kaukauna (14 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RSF Residential Single-Family District | 5 | — | 30 sq ft combined for up to two signs/banners | — |
| RTF Residential Two-Family District | 5 | — | 30 sq ft combined for up to two signs/banners | — |
| RMF Residential Multifamily District | 5 | — | 30 sq ft combined for up to two signs/banners | — |
| CCD Commercial Core District | 7 | 25 ft | 50 sq ft per face (max 2 faces, total 100 sq ft) for each 100 ft of lot frontage | — |
| BD Business District | 1 | — | 30 sq ft per 10 linear ft of frontage (permitted to be aggregated into fewer signs) | — |
| CHD Commercial Highway District | 1 | — | 30 sq ft per 10 linear ft of frontage (may be combined into fewer signs) | — |
| CSD Commercial Shopping Center District | 4 | — | 200 sq ft total if single sign mounted approximately parallel to right-of-way | — |
| IT Institutional District | 2 | — | 32 sq ft per sign | — |
| IND Industrial District | 3 | 30 ft | 200 sq ft per face (limit 2 faces; total 400 sq ft) | — |
| IPD Industrial Park District | 1 | — | — | — |
| CH Conservancy District | 1 | — | 200 sq ft aggregate area | — |
| MH Mobile Home District | 1 | — | — | — |
| GWP Groundwater Protection Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Kaukauna(sample of 3 of 14 zones)
RSF Residential Single-Family District
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subdivision Identification Sign | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 per subdivision | Accessory sign for a subdivision serving RSF lots (location not otherwise specified). | — | Unlock | §17.16(5)(a) |
| Temporary Real Estate / Development Sign | — | — | — | No temporary sign shall be erected within 10 feet of any adjacent side yard. | 1 sale/lease sign per street frontage + 1 development sign per lot | On each street frontage of the lot being sold, leased, or developed. | — | Unlock | §17.16(5)(b) |
| Institution Identification Sign | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 per institution | On-site, in connection with a public or semipublic institution located in the RSF district. | — | Unlock | §17.16(5)(c)1 |
| Institution Bulletin Board | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per institution | On-site, in connection with a public or semipublic institution in RSF. | — | Unlock | §17.16(5)(c)2 |
| Institution Temporary Event Signs/Banners | — | 30 sq ft combined for up to two signs/banners | — | — | Maximum 2 per institution at any given event | On the premises of the related public or semipublic institution in RSF. | — | Unlock | §17.16(5)(c)3 |
RTF Residential Two-Family District
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subdivision Identification Sign | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 per subdivision | Accessory sign for a subdivision serving RTF lots (location not otherwise specified). | — | Unlock | §17.18(5)(a) |
| Temporary Real Estate / Development Sign | — | — | — | No temporary sign shall be erected within 10 feet of any adjacent side yard. | 1 sale/lease sign per street frontage + 1 development sign per lot | On each street frontage of the lot being sold, leased, or developed. | — | Unlock | §17.18(5)(b) |
| Institution Identification Sign | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 per institution | On-site in connection with a public or semipublic institution located in the RTF district. | — | Unlock | §17.18(5)(c)1 |
| Institution Bulletin Board | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per institution | On-site in connection with a public or semipublic institution in RTF. | — | Unlock | §17.18(5)(c)2 |
| Institution Temporary Event Signs/Banners | — | 30 sq ft combined for up to two signs/banners | — | — | Maximum 2 per institution at any given event | On the premises of the related public or semipublic institution in RTF. | — | Unlock | §17.18(5)(c)3 |
CCD Commercial Core District
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flat Wall Sign | — | 15% of applicable wall area (per building facade) | — | — | No explicit numeric limit; constrained by 15% wall-area cap per facade | On building facades fronting a street or public way, within the defined signable area of the facade. | — | Unlock | §17.20(6); §17.20(6)(a)1–4 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | Min. 3 ft from side property line; bottom of sign at least 9 ft above grade | 1 per street frontage | Mounted on building facade fronting a street; projection at 90 degrees to building face. | — | Unlock | §17.20(6)(b)1–10 |
| Awning Sign | — | Portion of awning signage over 15 sq ft must be counted toward the building’s total exterior sign area allowance | — | — | — | On flameproofed fabric awnings attached to the building. | — | Unlock | §17.20(6)(c) |
| Window Sign | — | Not more than 30% of the total area of the window in which the sign is located (for window signs subject to area limits). Certain minimal informational decals/lettering are exempt from this computation. | — | — | — | On or within windows facing public ways. | — | Unlock | §17.20(6)(d) |
| Detached (Freestanding) Sign | 25 ft | 50 sq ft per face (max 2 faces, total 100 sq ft) for each 100 ft of lot frontage | — | Building must be set back at least 35 ft from street curb for such a sign to be allowed. | 1 per 100 ft of lot frontage | On the lot, near street frontage. Allowed only where the building is set back at least 35 ft from the street curb. | — | Unlock | §17.20(6)(e) |
| Nonpermanent Sign (Temporary Promotion/Event Sign) | — | 20 sq ft per face (back-to-back permitted) | — | — | — | On premises of business in CCD. | — | Unlock | §17.20(6)(f) |
| Roof Street Sign | — | ≤40% of signable area (as defined for the building) | — | — | — | On or above the roof but within the designated signable area of the building (still subject to prohibition on extending above roofline for sign structures; primarily applies to roofline treatments). | — | Unlock | §17.20(6)(g) |
PermitPal covers all 14 zoning districts in Kaukauna — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 14 zones for Kaukauna — start freeProhibited Signs in Kaukauna
- In the CCD Commercial Core District, no sign or any part of a sign structure may extend above the roofline of buildings.
- In the CCD Commercial Core District, signs are not permitted on sidewalls unless the sidewall fronts on a street or public way.
- In the CCD Commercial Core District, no sign may be painted directly onto the surface of a building.
- In the CCD Commercial Core District, flat signs may not project more than 18 inches beyond the primary surface of the building.
- In the CCD Commercial Core District, flat signs may not use blinking, flashing, or alternating lighting.
- In the CCD Commercial Core District, projecting signs may project no more than five feet from the face of a building.
- In the CCD Commercial Core District, projecting signs must maintain a minimum distance of three feet from a side property line.
- In the CCD Commercial Core District, projecting signs must maintain a minimum vertical clearance of nine feet above the grade of the right-of-way.
- In the CCD Commercial Core District, each window sign may not occupy more than 30 percent of the total window area in which it is located.
- In the CCD Commercial Core District, nonpermanent (temporary promotional) signs may be used on any premises for no more than 14 consecutive days at a time, not more than four times per calendar year, and with at least 30 days between display periods.
- In the CCD Commercial Core District, a permit is required each time a nonpermanent (temporary) sign is placed on a premises.
- In the RSF Residential Single-Family, RTF Residential Two-Family, and RMF Residential Multifamily Districts, temporary real estate and development signs may not be erected within ten feet of any adjacent side yard and must be removed after the sale, lease, or development of the property.
- In the BD Business District, permitted accessory signs may not be erected within five feet of any lot line.
- In the CHD Commercial Highway District, permitted accessory signs may not be erected within five feet of any lot line.
- In the IT Institutional District, no sign may be erected within ten feet of any side or rear lot line.
- In the CSD Commercial Shopping Center District, signs for individual establishments must be mounted flat against the wall of the building and may refer only to the name and nature of the business conducted in the building and to goods and services offered.
- In the CSD Commercial Shopping Center District, signs for individual establishments must, insofar as practicable, be oriented away from surrounding residential areas.
- In the CH Conservancy District, only one identification sign is allowed per permissible principal use or structure, with an aggregate area not exceeding 200 square feet.
- In the RSF, RTF, and RMF districts, the number and maximum area limits specified (e.g., one subdivision identification sign of up to 25 square feet; one institutional identification sign of up to 25 square feet; one bulletin board of up to 20 square feet; no more than two institutional temporary signs or banners with a combined area of 30 square feet and displayed for no more than two weeks) function as caps that prohibit additional or larger signs of those types in those districts.
- In the IT Institutional District, any single temporary advertisement sign inside fences of athletic fields or dog parks may not exceed 32 square feet in area and may not create a traffic view obstruction; sign placement must not allow the message to be visible to passersby outside the park or athletic field and may not be placed at points of ingress or egress.
Exempt Signs in Kaukauna
- In the CCD Commercial Core District, certain small window-lettering/decals are exempt from the overall computation of allowable signage: name, monogram, logo, address, and telephone number of the occupant; descriptions of products or services offered; address, hours of business, entrance or exit information, professional or security affiliations or memberships, and accepted credit card decals on doors or windows.
- In the CCD Commercial Core District, the surface area of the exempt window-lettering and decals described above is not counted toward the maximum window-sign area and is not included in the overall computation of allowable signage.
- In the CCD Commercial Core District, the surface area of permanently affixed window signs consisting solely of the name, monogram, logo, address, telephone number, and a description of products or services offered is not included in the overall computation of allowable signage.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Kaukauna
- Section 17.15(4) states that all sign requirements for all districts are subject to section 17.32 (Supplementary District Regulations). Any master sign plan, consolidated sign review, or special sign approval procedures would be located in section 17.32, which governs signs citywide.
- Section 17.32 is explicitly referenced in 17.15(4) as applying to 'sign' requirements in all districts, indicating that general, citywide sign standards or plan requirements (if any) are consolidated there rather than in the individual district sections.
- Several non-sign site plan requirements appear in the district regulations (e.g., RTF single-family attached developments, RMF multifamily developments, CSD shopping centers, IPD Industrial Park District, MH mobile home subdivisions and parks), but these are building/site development plans, not sign plans or master sign plans.
- The provided text does not contain any explicit requirement for a master sign plan, overall sign plan, or sign-specific variance/plan review beyond the normal sign permit references (e.g., nonpermanent sign permits in CCD), so any master sign plan requirements must be inferred to exist, if at all, in section 17.32 or in other parts of the code not included in this excerpt.
Source: other municipal code