# Sign Regulations in Manitowoc, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Manitowoc, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/manitowoc
- **Data last verified:** 2025-06-10
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.codepublishing.com/WI/Manitowoc/#!/Manitowoc31/Manitowoc31.html)

## At a glance

Manitowoc, Wisconsin regulates 17 sign types across 17 zoning districts. Monument Signs in the SD-03 Washington Street Corridor zoning district are capped at 6 ft (9 ft if 4+ tenants) tall and 32 sq ft (48 sq ft if 4+ tenants), with a 5 ft from ROW, 15 ft from access drive setback (Sec. Appendix A SD-03; MMC 31.420, 31.230, 15.790). Most commercial signs in Manitowoc require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (17 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| SD-01 Industrial Parks | 4 | 1.5:1 length-to-height ratio | 40 sq ft | — |
| SD-02 Calumet Avenue Corridor | 8 | 20 ft (up to 50 ft if within 600 ft of I-43 and meets special setback) | 200 sq ft max | — |
| SD-03 Washington Street Corridor | 10 | 16 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| SD-04 Downtown Core | 9 | 6/9 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| SD-05 Memorial Drive Corridor | 6 | 12/18 ft | 200 sq ft (min 50 sq ft) | — |
| SD-06 Neighborhood Commercial | 7 | 6/9 ft | 100 sq ft (min 50 sq ft) | — |
| SD-07 Institutional | 4 | 6 ft | 50-200 sq ft | — |
| SD-08 General Industrial | 6 | 20 ft | 200 sq ft, min 50 sq ft | — |
| SD-09 Multi-Family Residential | 3 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| SD-10 General Residential | 1 | — | 16 sq ft | — |
| SD-11 Public Park and Open Space | 3 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| SD-12 Harbor Town Center PUD | 7 | 12 ft | 400 sq ft (min 50 sq ft) | — |
| SD-13 Meijer PUD | 7 | 25 ft (fuel), 75 ft (store) | 200 sq ft per side, max 400 sq ft | — |
| SD-14 Cinema Square PUD | 4 | 75 ft | 500 sq ft | — |
| SD-15 River Point PUD | 9 | 6 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Design Review Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | See district rules | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 17 zones)

### SD-03 Washington Street Corridor

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Marquee Sign | — | 200 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Marquee, typically over entrance | — | Appendix A SD-03; MMC 31.410; MMC 15.790 |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft (9 ft if 4+ tenants) | 32 sq ft (48 sq ft if 4+ tenants) | — | 5 ft from ROW, 15 ft from access drive | 1 per street frontage exceeding 100 ft | At least 5 ft from ROW, 15 ft from access drive | — | Appendix A SD-03; MMC 31.420, 31.230, 15.790 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | On building face; must meet projection and clearance rules (MMC 31.430) | — | Appendix A SD-03; MMC 31.430, 15.790 |
| Pylon Sign | 16 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 5 ft from ROW, 15 ft from access drive | 1 per street frontage exceeding 100 ft | At least 5 ft from ROW, 15 ft from access drive | — | Appendix A SD-03; MMC 31.440, 15.790 |
| Sidewalk Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | 2 ft | — | 1 per frontage with primary entry door | Within 10 ft of entry on public sidewalk; must maintain 5 ft clear sidewalk width | — | Appendix A SD-03; MMC 31.450 |
| Suspended Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per primary entry door | Above entry door, perpendicular to exterior wall | — | Appendix A SD-03; MMC 31.460, 15.790 |
| Wall Sign | — | 200 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage per business | On exterior wall, one per street frontage per business | — | Appendix A SD-03; MMC 31.470, 15.790 |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of glass area | — | — | Unlimited by count, subject to area | Windows — ground floor | — | Appendix A SD-03; MMC 31.480 |

### SD-04 Downtown Core

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | — | 8 inches x 60% of valance length | — | — | — | Valance; above public access | — | Appendix A SD-04; MMC 31.400; MMC 15.790 |
| Marquee Sign | — | 200 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Above entrance; location dictated by historic evidence/new construction | — | Appendix A SD-04; MMC 31.410; 15.790 |
| Monument Sign | 6/9 ft | 32/48 sq ft | — | 5 ft from ROW, 15 ft from access drive | 1 per eligible frontage | At least 5 ft from ROW; 15 ft from drive | — | Appendix A SD-04; MMC 31.420; 15.790 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | Mounted to facade; not to cover obscure/damage historic details; decorative brackets encouraged | — | Appendix A SD-04; MMC 31.430; 15.790 |
| Sidewalk Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | 2 ft | — | 1 per entry frontage | Within 10 ft of business entrance; on public sidewalk if min 5 ft width kept clear | — | Appendix A SD-04; MMC 31.450 |
| Suspended Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per primary entry | Above entry, perpendicular to facade | — | Appendix A SD-04; MMC 31.460; 15.790 |
| Wall Sign | — | 200 sq ft (guaranteed 75 sq ft); see Option 1 above | — | — | 1 per street frontage per business | Mounted on facade; architectural compatibility & placement required | — | Appendix A SD-04; MMC 31.470; 15.790 |
| Window Sign | — | 35% of ground floor glass | — | — | Unlimited subject to max area | On window glass and doors at ground floor | — | Appendix A SD-04; MMC 31.480; 15.790 |

### SD-15 River Point PUD

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | — | 8 in x 60% of valance | — | — | — | On valance above public entry or trail frontage per design guidelines | — | Appendix A SD-15; MMC 31.400; 15.790 |
| Marquee Sign | — | 200 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Above entrance, or on river lot if design guidelines permit | — | Appendix A SD-15; MMC 31.410; 15.790 |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft from ROW, 15 ft from drive | 1 per eligible frontage | At least 5 ft from ROW, 15 ft from drive | — | Appendix A SD-15; MMC 31.420; 15.790 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | Mounted on facade, possibly on river lot trail side | — | Appendix A SD-15; MMC 31.430; 15.790 |
| Sidewalk Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | 2 ft | — | 1 per entry frontage | Within 10 ft of door; leave 5 ft clear space on sidewalk | — | Appendix A SD-15; MMC 31.450 |
| Suspended Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per primary entry | Above entry, perpendicular to wall | — | Appendix A SD-15; MMC 31.460; 15.790 |
| Wall Sign | — | 200 sq ft (min 75 sq ft) | — | — | 1 per frontage per business | Facade or river lot frontage as permitted in design guidelines | — | Appendix A SD-15; MMC 31.470; 15.790 |
| Window Sign | — | 35% of glass area | — | — | Unlimited within area | On windows including along river frontage | — | Appendix A SD-15; MMC 31.480; 15.790 |

## Prohibited signs in Manitowoc

- Signs not specifically allowed in the sign code are prohibited.
- Signs located on public property, including public right-of-way, are prohibited unless specifically approved by the appropriate jurisdiction.
- Vehicle signs (signs mounted, painted, or otherwise placed on a trailer, truck, automobile, or other vehicle that are parked to be visible from the right-of-way) are prohibited.
- Inflatable signs (signs inflated with air/gas including 'dancing man' inflatables) are prohibited.
- Roof signs (signs erected upon, against, or above a roof) are prohibited.
- Projected/holographic signs are prohibited.
- Any sign that does not comply with State law, including Wis. Stat. § 944.21, is prohibited.
- A sign shall not resemble, imitate, or approximate traffic or railroad signs, signals, or devices.
- A sign shall not obstruct or interfere with traffic or railroad signs, signals, or devices.
- A sign shall not cause glare, mislead or confuse traffic, or impair driver visibility on public or private ways, or adjoining properties.
- A sign shall not be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window, stairway, fire escape, or driveway.
- A sign shall not be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- A sign shall not be attached to a tree or painted on rocks.
- Balloons, ribbons, or other attention-getting devices attached to signs may be prohibited at the discretion of the Building Inspector.
- A sign shall not flash, blink, strobe, or be animated, except as specifically allowed.
- A sign shall not oscillate, rotate, or move in any manner.
- A sign shall not emit any sound, odor, or visible matter (such as bubbles or steam).
- A sign must comply with State and local building codes.
- Electric wires providing power to signs or light fixtures must be placed underground.
- A sign shall not be placed on a telecommunications tower, except as required or permitted by zoning.
- A sign must comply with State law, including Wis. Stat. § 944.21 (obscene material).
- A freestanding, double-faced sign's angle between faces may not exceed 30 degrees, or both faces count toward area.
- A sign shall not be placed within the vision clearance area, except as allowed elsewhere in the code.
- Feather signs (freestanding, vertical, nonrigid, cloth/vinyl signs) are limited to one per parcel, cannot be placed on vacant property, must not exceed size or location limits, and must not create hazards (general prohibition by design for most areas).
- Temporary signs cannot be placed within the public right-of-way or so close to a pedestrian way as to hinder or endanger safe passage.
- Temporary signs must be maintained and are considered in disrepair after 90 days.
- Abandoned signs (where the business no longer operates) must be removed within 60 days by the property owner or lessee.
- Sign copy changes on nonconforming signs cannot increase area, height, or otherwise increase nonconformity.
- A nonconforming sign shall not be relocated, enlarged, or brought to electronic message display if it was originally static.
- A nonconforming sign that is temporarily abandoned for more than 60 days loses nonconforming status and must be removed or made compliant.

## Signs exempt from permit in Manitowoc

- Traffic control and regulatory signs located on public property and installed by or authorized by governmental authority.
- Signs inside of a building that do not meet the definition of a window sign.
- Legal notices posted as required or authorized by law.
- Scoreboards at outdoor athletic fields reviewed as part of a site plan.
- Temporary sports league sponsor signs affixed to a fence at an athletic field, per separate council regulations.
- Signs not visible from a public right-of-way.
- Murals approved as public art under applicable City code.
- Directional signs under two square feet used for on-site traffic movement.
- Building addresses consistent with City addressing standards and door identification.
- Building Inspector may at their discretion exempt/suspend rules for balloons, ribbons, or attention-getting devices, with notice.
- Menu boards for drive-through and drive-in restaurants within stated square footage, location, and design limits (subject to staff approval; no permit required if standards met).
- Staff review only is allowed (with no permit required) for certain small business directory signs, menu boards, fuel canopy face signage, and theater placard signage, provided dimensional, area, or static-copy standards are met.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Any campus in sign districts SD-01, SD-02, SD-07, or SD-08, with over five acres and more than 100,000 square feet of building area, may apply for a Campus Sign Plan reviewed administratively by staff (Building Inspector, Community Development Director, Public Infrastructure Director), allowing an overall sign package to exceed normal maximums if deemed appropriate (MMC 31.620(9)).
- If signage is proposed for parcels in certain Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) or River Point PUD, a master sign document may be submitted for review and approval with exceptions allowed if intent/character is preserved.
- For properties within the Downtown Design Review Overlay District (MMC 15.790), any sign (including temporary signs) requires a certificate of appropriateness in addition to a sign permit and may be subject to an additional design review process. The review is handled by the Community Development Authority (CDA) or, in some instances, by the Community Development Department.
- All signs require a permit from the Building Inspector unless specifically exempted (per MMC 31.800) or listed as subject to staff-only review.
- Special sign plan accommodations/exceptions may be granted by the Building Inspector under MMC 31.850(5) when safety is not at issue.
- Murals require approval as public art (not as ordinary signage).
- If a proposed project (including signage) is within a PUD or TND (Traditional Neighborhood Development), sign plans and documentation may be required as part of the required overall site development plan or conditional use process for the development.
- Variances to sign requirements (for signage not strictly permitted) may be sought through the Board of Appeals process if justified by circumstances.

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

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