# Sign Regulations in Kewaskum, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Kewaskum, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/kewaskum
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/WI/Kewaskum/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIIMUCO_CH95ZO_ARTVISI)

## At a glance

Kewaskum, Wisconsin regulates 28 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Monument (Ground) Signs in the B-1 Limited Business District, B-2 Community Business District, B-4 General Business and Warehousing District, M-1 Limited Manufacturing District, M-2 General Manufacturing District, M-3 Extractive District zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 40 sq ft per side; 80 sq ft for all sides, with a 5 ft from street, side, or rear lot lines (except in B-3 District) setback (Sec. Sec. 95-95(d), Sec. 95-99). Most commercial signs in Kewaskum require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-1 Agricultural/Transitional District, RS-1 Single-Family Residential District, RS-2 Single-Family Residential District, RD-1 Two-Family Residential District, RM-1 Multifamily Residential District, C-2 Upland Conservancy District | 11 | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| B-1 Limited Business District, B-2 Community Business District, B-4 General Business and Warehousing District, M-1 Limited Manufacturing District, M-2 General Manufacturing District, M-3 Extractive District | 9 | Not to extend above roofline of building, nor above 20 ft above mean centerline street grade; B-3 district wall sign cannot extend above 2nd floor window nor 20 ft above street grade (whichever is lower) | 40 sq ft per side; 80 sq ft for all sides | — |
| B-3 Central Business District | 4 | Not above second floor window nor above 20 ft above street grade, whichever is lower | 40 sq ft per side, 80 sq ft total | — |
| I-1 Institutional District, P-1 Park and Recreation District | 2 | — | As approved by plan commission | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | Max size as specified by plan commission per case | — |
| RBT Residential/Business Transition Overlay District, PUD Planned Unit Development Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |

_1 additional zoning district is covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### A-1 Agricultural/Transitional District, RS-1 Single-Family Residential District, RS-2 Single-Family Residential District, RD-1 Two-Family Residential District, RM-1 Multifamily Residential District, C-2 Upland Conservancy District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises being sold/rented/leased | — | Sec. 95-93(a) |
| Personal Name and Warning Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises | — | Sec. 95-93(b) |
| Home Occupation and Professional Home Office Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Mounted flush against dwelling | — | Sec. 95-93(c) |
| Election Campaign Sign (Residential Districts) | — | 20 sq ft unless affixed to permanent structure; otherwise may be larger if not extending beyond perimeter of structure | — | — | — | On private property with permission | — | Sec. 95-93(d) |
| Temporary Rummage Sale and Garage Sale Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises | — | Sec. 95-93(e) |
| Bulletin Board for Public, Charitable, or Religious Institution | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises | — | Sec. 95-93(f) |
| Permanent Real Estate Development Sign | — | As determined by plan commission; no specific maximum | — | At least 5 ft from street right-of-way or side/rear lot line (may be closer by commission permission) | — | Entrance to subdivision or development | — | Sec. 95-94(a) |
| Temporary Development Sign | — | 32 sq ft on one side, 64 sq ft total on all sides | — | Not less than 5 ft from street right-of-way or lot line | — | At or near new development | — | Sec. 95-94(b) |

### B-1 Limited Business District, B-2 Community Business District, B-4 General Business and Warehousing District, M-1 Limited Manufacturing District, M-2 General Manufacturing District, M-3 Extractive District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Not to extend above roofline of building, nor above 20 ft above mean centerline street grade; B-3 district wall sign cannot extend above 2nd floor window nor 20 ft above street grade (whichever is lower) | — | — | — | 1 per principal building; additional for multi-tenant with plan commission approval | Against exterior walls | — | Sec. 95-95(a) |
| Projecting Sign | Max 20 ft above street grade; cannot extend above roofline or above 2nd floor window (lower of the two); minimum 10 ft above sidewalk, 15 ft above driveway/alley | 25 sq ft per face per premises (<3 businesses); 100 sq ft for 3+ tenants (shared sign) | — | — | 1 per premises | Affixed to building, can extend into public ROW | — | Sec. 95-95(b) |
| Marquee, Awning, or Canopy Sign | — | Sign face max height 2 ft, not to extend beyond limits of marquee/awning/canopy | — | — | — | Affixed flat to surface of marquee, awning, or canopy | — | Sec. 95-95(c) |
| Monument (Ground) Sign | 8 ft | 40 sq ft per side; 80 sq ft for all sides | — | 5 ft from street, side, or rear lot lines (except in B-3 District) | 1 per principal building/arterial street frontage | At least 5 ft from lot lines and ROWs (except B-3, see below) | — | Sec. 95-95(d), Sec. 95-99 |
| Freestanding Pole or Pylon Sign | 20 ft above base or street grade (whichever higher) | 40 sq ft per side, 80 sq ft total | — | At least 5 ft from ROW or side/rear lot line except in B-3 | 1 per principal building/arterial street frontage | Setback (see details), in B-3 sign face can extend into ROW up to 3 ft back from vertical curb plane | — | Sec. 95-95(e) |
| Electronic Message Center | — | May be added to wall, pole, or monument sign; does not reduce allowed sign size | — | — | Limit consistent with sign to which attached | As component of permitted sign | — | Sec. 95-95(g)9, Sec. 95-95(e) |
| Directional Sign | — | <6 sq ft | — | — | No limit | As approved by zoning administrator | — | Sec. 95-95(g)8 |
| Menu Board, Reader Board, Changeable Copy Sign | — | May be added to wall, pole, or monument sign without reducing size | — | — | — | As component of permitted sign | — | Sec. 95-95(g)9 |

### B-3 Central Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (B-3 District) | Not above second floor window nor above 20 ft above street grade, whichever is lower | — | — | — | 1 per principal building/arterial street frontage; more with plan commission approval for multi-tenant | Against exterior wall | — | Sec. 95-95(a), applicable to B-3 district |
| Freestanding Pole or Pylon Sign (B-3 District) | 20 ft above base or street grade, whichever is higher | 40 sq ft per side, 80 sq ft total | — | — | 1 per principal building/arterial street frontage | At building/lot frontage; see restrictions | — | Sec. 95-95(e), B-3 notes |
| Monument (Ground) Sign (B-3 District) | 8 ft | 40 sq ft per side, 80 sq ft for all sides | — | — | 1 per principal building/arterial street frontage | At building/lot frontage | — | Sec. 95-95(d) |
| Projecting Sign (B-3 District) | Max 20 ft; not above 2nd floor window or above roofline; min 10 ft above sidewalk, 15 ft above driveway/alley | 25 sq ft per face for up to 2 businesses; 100 sq ft for 3+ tenants (shared sign) | — | — | 1 per site | Affixed to building, extends into ROW | — | Sec. 95-95(b) |

## Prohibited signs in Kewaskum

- No sign shall be erected on or over the roof of a building.
- Outdoor billboard signs are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited, except as specifically allowed in certain sections.
- No sign, except those permitted in sections 95-93 and 95-94, shall be permitted to face a residential or park district within 100 feet of such district boundary.
- No sign shall hereafter be located, erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, converted, or structurally altered without first obtaining a permit reflecting conformity with the provisions of this Ordinance, except for those signs allowed without a permit under section 95-93.
- No signs shall be placed so as to obstruct or interfere with traffic visibility, and all signs shall comply with the traffic visibility requirements set forth in section 95-61.
- Signs shall not resemble, imitate, or approximate the shape, size, form, or color of railroad or traffic signs, signals, or devices.
- Signs shall not obstruct or interfere with the effectiveness of railroad or traffic signs, signals, or devices.
- Signs shall not be placed in such a way as to cause glare or impair driver visibility upon public ways.
- Signs other than public traffic control signs shall have no elements that are flashing, blinking, moving, rotating, or pulsating.
- Signs in residential districts shall not be internally illuminated.
- All signs and other advertising structures shall be designed and constructed to withstand wind pressure of not less than 40 pounds per square foot of area.
- No signs or any part thereof or sign anchors, braces, or guide rods shall be attached, fastened, or anchored to any fire escape, fire ladder, or standpipe.
- No sign or any part of any such sign or any anchor, brace, or guide rod shall be erected, put up, or maintained 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 building by the fire department of the village.
- No sign shall be maintained in a condition which is dilapidated or beyond repair, and signs relating to a business no longer conducted must be removed after due notice.

## Signs exempt from permit in Kewaskum

- Real estate signs not to exceed eight square feet in area which advertise the sale, rental, or lease of the premises upon which said signs are temporarily located.
- Personal name and warning signs not to exceed two square feet in area and located on the premises.
- Home occupation and professional home office signs not to exceed two square feet in area; not internally illuminated, and mounted flush against the dwelling.
- Election campaign signs within defined area and time limitations.
- Temporary rummage sale and garage sale signs not exceeding eight square feet in area, subject to time and location limits.
- Bulletin boards for public, charitable, or religious institutions not to exceed 32 square feet in area and located on the premises.
- Memorial signs, tablets, names of buildings, and date of erection when cut into masonry surface or constructed of metal affixed flat against a structure.
- Official signs, such as traffic control, parking restrictions, information, and notices.
- Driveway ingress/egress and direction signs to identify parking lot entrances and exits, or direct customer to drive-in windows, provided size and location requirements are met.
- Certain temporary signs as set forth in section 95-97 (by Plan Commission approval for portable, banner, or searchlight signs for a limited time, unless otherwise regulated).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit is required for all signs except those specifically allowed without a permit under section 95-93.
- All sign permit applications must contain the information specified in Sec. 95-104, including site plans showing proposed sign locations and related details.
- Wall, canopy, or fascia signs for multitenant buildings or shopping centers may require submission of an overall coordinated sign plan for the center, subject to review and approval by the plan commission (Sec. 95-95(g)4).
- Large developments containing a floor area of 25,000 square feet or greater and multiple street frontages may have an additional wall, monument, or pole/pylon sign to identify the development, upon plan commission review and approval (Sec. 95-95(g)6).
- Portable signs and certain temporary signs (e.g., banners exceeding 25 square feet, large advertising balloons, searchlights) require plan commission approval and a permit as described in Sec. 95-97.
- Directional/information/incidental signs under six square feet require zoning administrator approval.
- Design and location of sponsor/contributor signs at athletic venues, parks, memorials, and other institutionally zoned facilities require a sign permit and plan commission approval (see prohibition exception 95-98(c)1.c).
- Menu boards, changeable copy reader boards and electronic message centers (video display screens) require plan commission review and approval when added to a wall sign, pole sign, or monument sign.
- Applications for sign permits must be made on forms provided by the zoning administrator or village clerk and include specific application materials with fees (see Sec. 95-104).

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/kewaskum