# Sign Regulations in La Crosse, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** La Crosse, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/la-crosse
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/WI/La_Crosse/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIILADEOR_CH111SI)

## At a glance

La Crosse, Wisconsin regulates 28 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Residential Signs in the Residential Districts, All Residential Zoning Districts, Residential TND, Washburn Residential (WR), PDD (Residential) zoning district are capped at 3.5 ft tall and 2 sq ft, with a 10 ft from all property lines setback (Sec. Sec. 111-91; Table 111-78). Most commercial signs in La Crosse require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts, All Residential Zoning Districts, Residential TND, Washburn Residential (WR), PDD (Residential) | 19 | 16 ft | 60 sq ft | — |
| Public-semi-public District | 2 | Subject to monument/wall sign regulations in public-semi-public | 12 sq ft | — |
| Nonresidential Districts, Business Districts, Commercial Districts, Commercial (C-2), Community Business (C-3), Mixed Land Use Area | 18 | 16 ft | 500 sq ft, not taller than wall | — |
| Light Industrial, Heavy Industrial, Industrial Districts | 15 | 16 ft | 64 sq ft | — |
| Downtown La Crosse (C1, C2, C3, P-SP) | 1 | — | Max face 35% of 60 sq ft per side, 44 sq ft total;b must be within a monument sign not exceeding 60 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 40 ft (from natural grade at base) | 32 sq ft | — |

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

### Residential Districts, All Residential Zoning Districts, Residential TND, Washburn Residential (WR), PDD (Residential)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 14 ft | 60 sq ft | — | — | See formula | — | — | Sec. 111-84; Table 111-78 |
| Building Marker | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | Attached to building | — | Sec. 111-80(a); Table 111-78 |
| Awning Sign | — | 50% of awning area | — | — | N/A | Awning over door/window | — | Sec. 111-79; Table 111-78 |
| Identification Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building entrance | Integral to building, attached | — | Sec. 111-85(a); Table 111-78 |
| Institutional Sign | 7 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | — | — | Sec. 111-87; Table 111-78 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building entrance | Projecting from building, 9 ft clearance above pedestrian areas, 14 ft above vehicular areas | — | Sec. 111-90; Table 111-78 |
| Residential Sign | 3.5 ft | 2 sq ft | — | 10 ft from all property lines | 1 per lot | Freestanding allowed | — | Sec. 111-91; Table 111-78 |
| Residential Entrance Sign | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | 10 ft from all ROW | 1 per entrance | At street entrance of subdivision or multifamily with 12+ units | — | Sec. 111-92; Table 111-78 |

### Nonresidential Districts, Business Districts, Commercial Districts, Commercial (C-2), Community Business (C-3), Mixed Land Use Area

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 14 ft | 60 sq ft | — | — | Per formula | — | — | Sec. 111-84; Table 111-78 |
| Awning Sign | — | 50% of awning area | — | — | N/A | Awning over door/window | — | Sec. 111-79; Table 111-78 |
| Building Marker | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 2 per building | Attached to building | — | Sec. 111-80(b); Table 111-78 |
| Identification Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building entrance | Integral to building, attached | — | Sec. 111-85(b); Table 111-78 |
| Institutional Sign | Subject to regulations applying to monument/wall signs (public-semi-public) | Subject to monument/wall sign regulations in public-semi-public district | — | — | 1 per street frontage | — | — | Sec. 111-87; Table 111-78 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building entrance | Projecting from building, 9 ft clearance above pedestrian areas, 14 ft above vehicular areas | — | Sec. 111-90; Table 111-78 |
| Suspended Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building entrance | Hanging/suspended from ceiling, 9 ft clearance above pedestrian areas, 14 ft above vehicular areas | — | Sec. 111-90; Table 111-78 |
| Wall Sign | — | Lesser of 25% of wall area (up to 30 ft high) or 10% for buildings over 75 ft tall; max 672 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 walls | Walls facing street/parking | — | Sec. 111-94; Table 111-78 |

### Light Industrial, Heavy Industrial, Industrial Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 14 ft | 60 sq ft | — | — | Per formula | — | — | Sec. 111-84; Table 111-78 |
| Awning Sign | — | 50% of awning area | — | — | N/A | Awning over door/window | — | Sec. 111-79; Table 111-78 |
| Building Marker | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 2 per building | Attached to building | — | Sec. 111-80(b); Table 111-78 |
| Identification Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building entrance | Integral to building, attached | — | Sec. 111-85(b); Table 111-78 |
| Institutional Sign | Subject to monument/wall sign regulations | Subject to monument/wall sign regulations in public-semi-public district | — | — | 1 per street frontage | — | — | Sec. 111-87; Table 111-78 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building entrance | Projecting from building, 9 ft clearance above pedestrian areas, 14 ft above vehicular areas | — | Sec. 111-90; Table 111-78 |
| Suspended Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building entrance | Hanging/suspended from ceiling, 9 ft clearance above pedestrian areas, 14 ft above vehicular areas | — | Sec. 111-90; Table 111-78 |
| Wall Sign | — | Lesser of 25% of wall area (up to 30 ft high) or 10% for buildings over 75 ft tall; max 672 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 walls | Walls facing street/parking | — | Sec. 111-94; Table 111-78 |

## Prohibited signs in La Crosse

- Signs which contain, include or are illuminated by any flashing, intermittent, or moving lights or lights are prohibited.
- Signs which are not effectively shielded as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed at any portion of the traveled way of the interstate or Federal Aid Primary Highway and which are of such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or to impair the vision of the driver of any motor vehicle, or which otherwise interfere with any driver's operation of a motor vehicle, are prohibited.
- No sign shall be illuminated so that it interferes with the effectiveness of, or obscures an official traffic sign, device, or signal.
- The use of traveling or scrolling or segmented messages on electronic signs is prohibited.
- Electronic message unit signs are prohibited in all residential zoning districts, the TND District, Residential Planned Development Districts, and Historic Districts.
- Portable electronic message unit signs (including commander boards) are prohibited within the City.
- Off-premises signs, billboards, and outdoor advertising signs shall not be permitted; a cap without replacement on new, extended or expanded static off-premises signs is established.
- Outdoor illuminated vending machine signs shall not be allowed in residential zoned districts.
- No political or campaign signs may be constructed, erected or placed so as to adversely affect traffic or pedestrian safety.
- Open house signs shall not be placed in the public right-of-way.
- Portable signs are allowed on public rights-of-way only when approved and issued a street privilege permit.
- No more than one Banner can be used for seven days in a 12 month period.
- Signs may not interfere with surrounding properties or traffic.

## Signs exempt from permit in La Crosse

- Electronic scoreboards are exempted from this chapter only during the course of regulated events.
- The following temporary signs do not require a temporary sign permit: Balloons; Banners both attached to a single functioning light pole and not exceeding 30 square feet and banners for public property, charitable, or religious institutions not exceeding 48 square feet in aggregate located on the premises; Construction signs; 'Crittergram' signs; Merchandise display signs; Pennants; Real estate signs that are nine square feet or less; Real estate open house signs; Rummage sale signs; Streamers; Temporary merchandise display signs; Umbrellas; Vehicle signs; Vending machine signs; Window signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Monument signs shall first be reviewed and approved by the City's Design Review Committee prior to issuance of a sign permit and are required to include the architectural elements of the principal building and shall contain landscaping surrounding the base of the sign.
- Prior to issuance of a sign permit, all electronic message unit (EMU) signs shall first be reviewed and approved by the City's Design Review Committee.
- Approval for single-family subdivision entrance signs shall be a part of the plat approval process.
- A temporary special event wall sign to commemorate a significant anniversary requires the approval of the design by the City Plan Commission.
- Off-premises advertising signs require a sign structure permit from the Fire Department - Division of Fire Prevention and Building Safety.

## 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 La Crosse — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=La+Crosse+WI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-la-crosse

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