# Sign Regulations in Lancaster, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lancaster, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/lancaster
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-01
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/27380813#27380813)

## At a glance

Lancaster, Wisconsin regulates 8 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Business Identification Signs in the R-A Residential-Agriculture, R-1 Single-Family Residential, R-2 One- and Two-Family Residential, R-3 Multifamily Residential zoning district are capped at 6 feet for ground signs tall and 24 square feet for ground signs; wall signs not to exceed 1 square foot per linear foot of building facade, with a 10 feet from interior side or rear lot lines setback (Sec. § 455-62A(2)(a)). Most commercial signs in Lancaster require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-A Residential-Agriculture, R-1 Single-Family Residential, R-2 One- and Two-Family Residential, R-3 Multifamily Residential | 2 | 6 feet | 24 square feet for ground signs; wall signs not to exceed 1 square foot per linear foot of building facade | — |
| C-2 Central Business | 2 | 30 feet or the height of the building, whichever is less | 50 square feet per side for each ground sign, canopy sign, projecting sign, wall sign, and roof sign; combined total of 75 square feet per side for multiple signs on the same structure | — |
| C-1 General Business, I General Industry | 2 | 40 feet | 250 square feet | — |
| PUD Planned Unit Development | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 33% of the gross window area | — |
| U Utility and Government Use | 1 | — | — | — |
| CON Conservancy | 1 | — | 8 square feet | — |

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

### R-A Residential-Agriculture, R-1 Single-Family Residential, R-2 One- and Two-Family Residential, R-3 Multifamily Residential

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Off-Premises Directional Sign | 6 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | — | Directing patrons to a church, school, or similar nonprofit organization or historic sites | — | § 455-62A(1)(c) |
| Business Identification Sign | 6 feet for ground signs | 24 square feet for ground signs; wall signs not to exceed 1 square foot per linear foot of building facade | — | 10 feet from interior side or rear lot lines | One ground sign per street | Conditional uses or existing nonconforming uses | — | § 455-62A(2)(a) |

### C-2 Central Business

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Off-Premises Directional Sign | 6 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | — | Directing patrons to a church, school, or similar nonprofit organization or historic sites | — | § 455-62B(1)(c) |
| Business Identification Sign | 30 feet or the height of the building, whichever is less | 50 square feet per side for each ground sign, canopy sign, projecting sign, wall sign, and roof sign; combined total of 75 square feet per side for multiple signs on the same structure | — | 10 feet from interior side or rear lot lines | One ground sign per street | Permitted uses, conditional uses, or existing nonconforming uses | — | § 455-62B(1)(f) |

### C-1 General Business, I General Industry

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Off-Premises Directional Sign | 6 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | — | Directing patrons to a church, school, or similar nonprofit organization or historic sites | — | § 455-62C(1)(c) |
| Ground or Roof Sign | 40 feet | 250 square feet | — | — | One ground or roof sign per frontage road | Permitted, conditional, or legal nonconforming uses | — | § 455-62C(1)(d) |

## Prohibited signs in Lancaster

- Abandoned signs.
- Swinging signs over 50 square feet in area.
- Signs which bear or contain statements, words, or pictures of obscene, pornographic or immoral subjects.
- Signs which are an imitation of, or resemble in shape, size, copy, or color, an official traffic sign or signal.
- Portable signs that could endanger public safety.
- Flashing signs.
- Semitrailer or trailer signs.
- Signs lighted by a lighting of intermittent or varying intensity.
- Animated signs, or signs having moving parts, or signs which may be mistaken for traffic signal devices or which diminish the visibility or effectiveness of such traffic signal devices.
- Any sign with lighting detrimental to traffic visibility or safety.
- Advertising vehicles parked on public right-of-way property or on private properties so as to be seen from a public right-of-way.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lancaster

- Construction signs not exceeding 32 square feet in area each, confined to the site of construction.
- Direction and instructional non-electric signs not exceeding eight square feet each in area.
- Nonilluminated emblems or insignias of any nation or political subdivision or profit or nonprofit organization, less than 10 square feet in area.
- Government signs for control of traffic and other regulatory purposes.
- Home occupation signs that are nonilluminated and do not exceed eight square feet in area.
- House numbers and name plates not exceeding two square feet in area.
- Interior signs not visible from the public right-of-way.
- Memorial signs and plaques not exceeding four square feet in area.
- No trespassing or no dumping signs not to exceed four square feet in area.
- Public notices posted by public officers or employees.
- Public signs required for a public purpose by any law, statute or ordinance.
- Political signs displayed during election periods.
- Real estate signs not exceeding six square feet in residential districts and 32 square feet in other districts.
- Temporary window signs not exceeding 50% of the total window area.
- On-premises symbols or insignias.
- On-premises temporary signs not exceeding 32 square feet in area.
- Vehicular signs while operating in the normal course of business.
- Neighborhood identification signs approved by the Zoning Administrator.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A roof sign shall be a conditional use in the district in which it is requested and shall not be granted without Plan Commission approval.
- Abandoned signs must be removed within 60 days, or an extension may be requested by applying to the Plan Commission.
- Off-premises signs shall be approved by the Planning Commission.
- Signage in a planned unit development shall be controlled by the provisions in the plan for the business development, as adopted by the City Plan Commission.

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

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