# Sign Regulations in Marinette, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Marinette, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/marinette
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-01
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/42041195#42041195)

## At a glance

Marinette, Wisconsin regulates 6 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Business District zoning district are capped at 25 feet tall, 140 square feet, and 15 feet wide, with a Supports must be a minimum of five feet from the lot line setback (Sec. § 465-253). Most commercial signs in Marinette require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business District | 2 | 25 feet | 140 square feet | — |
| Historical District | 1 | — | 32 square feet | — |
| Planned Development | 1 | — | 32 square feet | — |
| Residential District (R-1, R-2, RM-1, RM-2) | 2 | 6 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 4 feet (within 50 feet of property line) | 36 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | — | One per business premises | On the wall of the structure which the business occupies | — | § 465-242B(1) |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 feet | 140 square feet | 15 feet | Supports must be a minimum of five feet from the lot line | One per business site | At lot line but must be a minimum of eight feet above grade | — | § 465-253 |

### Residential District (R-1, R-2, RM-1, RM-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign | 6 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | One per event | On residential property | — | § 465-239A |
| Permanent Identification Sign | 6 feet | 32 square feet | — | Minimum of five feet from front or side lot line | One per building | At churches, schools, or City facilities | — | § 465-251 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Banner | — | 36 square feet | — | — | One per street frontage | Attached to a building | — | § 465-243 |
| Directional Sign | 4 feet (within 50 feet of property line) | 6 square feet | — | — | One per driveway or 5,000 square feet of lot area | On business premises | — | § 465-252 |

## Prohibited signs in Marinette

- Signs not expressly permitted as being allowed by right or by permit under this article, by specific requirements in another portion of this Code or other applicable law, or otherwise expressly allowed by the Common Council or other authorizing body, are prohibited.
- Bare light bulbs shall not be permitted.
- No flashing, blinking or rotating lights shall be permitted for either permanent or temporary signs, except for holiday lights on holiday displays, which are permitted as long as they contain no reference to goods or services.
- No sign shall be permitted which moves by any means, except flags.
- Billboards are prohibited.
- Marquees are prohibited.
- Signs overhanging City right-of-way are prohibited, except as provided pursuant to § 465-223C and D.
- Portable signs are prohibited, except as provided pursuant to § 465-261.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Window signs in excess of 20% net window area are prohibited.
- Pennants or streamers are prohibited, except as provided in § 465-260.
- No sign shall be constructed or maintained so as to obstruct any door, window, stairway or fire escape of any building.
- No sign shall be erected, placed, located or maintained within the limits of any street or highway.

## Signs exempt from permit in Marinette

- Signs erected, maintained or otherwise posted, owned or leased by, on behalf of, or as specifically directed or ordered by federal, state or local governments and government agencies in the furtherance of authorized government operations or activities within the public right-of-way are exempt.
- Nameplate signs for single-family residence are exempt from permit requirements.
- Relocation of signs if required by the City is exempt from permit requirements.
- Election signs as permitted herein are exempt from permit requirements.
- Window signs are exempt from permit requirements.
- Address markers/signs on a wall or awning sign are exempt from permit requirements.
- Flags are exempt from permit requirements.
- Signs located in the interior of any building are exempt from permit requirements.
- Historic preservation signs are exempt from permit requirements, but must be approved by the Historic Preservation Commission.
- Directional signs are exempt from permit requirements.
- Temporary signs not exceeding six feet in height and six square feet in area in residential districts are exempt from permit requirements.
- Official traffic, fire and police signs, signals, devices and markings of the state and the City or other public authorities, or the posting of notices required by law are exempt.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- The City of Marinette Plan Commission shall review the aesthetics of all structurally modified new monument and freestanding signs.
- At least 14 sets of plans or drawings shall be submitted to the City of Marinette Plan Commission for examination at the time the application is filed.

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

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