# Sign Regulations in Medford, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Medford, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/medford
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-24
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://cdn.townweb.com/medfordwi.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/A.Zoning-Code.pdf#page=37)

## At a glance

Medford, Wisconsin regulates 26 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Ground Sign (General)s in the Commercial Districts (C-1, C-2) zoning district are capped at 20 ft above mean centerline street grade tall and 200 sq ft (per premises), with a at least 50 ft from any other ground sign structure; at least 15 ft from side or rear yard property lines; front yard setbacks per zoning district. setback (Sec. §5.3(1)(c)(i), (iii)-(vii); Ord. 970 (10-4-11); Ordinance 1000 (6/16/2015)). Most commercial signs in Medford require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3) | 13 | 2 ft | 8 sq ft (unless Plan Commission approves otherwise case-by-case) | — |
| Commercial Districts (C-1, C-2) | 20 | 30 ft above mean centerline street grade | 500 sq ft (per premises) | — |
| Industrial Districts (I-1, I-2) | 20 | 30 ft above mean centerline street grade | 500 sq ft (per premises) | — |
| Agricultural Districts (A-1) | 13 | 2 ft | 8 sq ft (unless Plan Commission approves otherwise case-by-case) | — |
| G-1 | 2 | — | 8 sq ft (unless Plan Commission approves otherwise case-by-case) | — |
| W-1 | 2 | — | 8 sq ft (unless Plan Commission approves otherwise case-by-case) | — |

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

### Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nonconforming Business Over-Door/Window Sign | 2 ft | — | 10 ft | — | — | Over show windows or doors of a nonconforming business establishment. | — | §5.2(1)(a) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential Districts) | — | 8 sq ft (unless Plan Commission approves otherwise case-by-case) | — | — | — | On the premises; temporary. | — | §5.2(1)(b)(i) |
| Name/Occupation/Warning Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On the premises. | — | §5.2(1)(c) |
| Bulletin Board (Public/Charitable/Religious Institution) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | On the premises of the institution. | — | §5.2(1)(d) |
| Memorial/Building Name/Date Plaque | — | — | — | — | — | Affixed flat to structure or cut into masonry. | — | §5.2(1)(e) |
| Temporary Sign - Contractor | — | — | — | — | — | On the premises where the work was done. | — | §5.2(1)(g) (Contractor signs) |
| Athletic Field Sign | — | — | — | — | — | At athletic fields. | — | §5.2(1)(g) |
| Information Sign (Public Events/Activities/Resources/Services) | — | — | — | — | — | Private property only. | — | §5.2 (Information signs), Ord. 1107 (8/20/23) |

### Commercial Districts (C-1, C-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nonconforming Business Over-Door/Window Sign | 2 ft | — | 10 ft | — | — | Over show windows or doors of a nonconforming business establishment. | — | §5.2(1)(a) |
| Real Estate Sign (Commercial Districts) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On the premises; temporary. | — | §5.2(1)(b)(ii) |
| Wall Sign | 20 ft above mean centerline street grade | 500 sq ft (per premises) | — | — | — | Placed against, painted on, or applied to the exterior walls of buildings. | — | §5.3(1)(a) |
| Projecting Sign | 20 ft above mean centerline street grade | 100 sq ft (per premises) | — | — | — | Fastened to, suspended from, or supported by structures. | — | §5.3(1)(b); §5.8 |
| Ground Sign (General) | 20 ft above mean centerline street grade | 200 sq ft (per premises) | — | Spacing: at least 50 ft from any other ground sign structure; at least 15 ft from side or rear yard property lines; front yard setbacks per zoning district. | 1 per premises (except as specified for State Highway 13/64 multi-tenant cases) | On-premises. | — | §5.3(1)(c)(i), (iii)-(vii); Ord. 970 (10-4-11); Ordinance 1000 (6/16/2015) |
| Ground Sign (Adjoining State Highways 13 or 64 — General) | 30 ft above mean centerline street grade | 200 sq ft (per premises) | — | Spacing: at least 50 ft from any other ground sign structure; at least 15 ft from side or rear yard property lines; front yard setbacks per zoning district. | 1 per premises unless multi-tenant exceptions apply | On-premises adjoining State Highways 13 or 64. | — | §5.3(1)(c)(i), (iv)-(vii); Ord. 970 (10-4-11); Ordinance 1000 (6/16/2015) |
| Ground Sign (Adjoining State Highways 13 or 64 — 4+ Tenants, ≥300 ft Frontage) | 30 ft above mean centerline street grade | Total signage not more than 350 sq ft on two signs | — | Spacing: at least 50 ft from any other ground sign structure; at least 15 ft from side or rear yard property lines; front yard setbacks per zoning district. | Up to 2 signs per premises (total signage ≤350 sq ft) | On-premises adjoining State Highways 13 or 64. | — | §5.3(1)(c)(iii); Ord. 970 (10-4-11); Ordinance 1000 (6/16/2015) |
| Ground Sign (Adjoining State Highways 13 or 64 — 4+ Tenants, <300 ft Frontage) | 30 ft above mean centerline street grade | Up to 350 sq ft of signage on a single structure | — | Spacing: at least 50 ft from any other ground sign structure; at least 15 ft from side or rear yard property lines; front yard setbacks per zoning district. | 1 sign structure (total signage ≤350 sq ft) | On-premises adjoining State Highways 13 or 64. | — | §5.3(1)(c)(iii); Ord. 970 (10-4-11); Ordinance 1000 (6/16/2015) |

### Industrial Districts (I-1, I-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nonconforming Business Over-Door/Window Sign | 2 ft | — | 10 ft | — | — | Over show windows or doors of a nonconforming business establishment. | — | §5.2(1)(a) |
| Real Estate Sign (Industrial Districts) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On the premises; temporary. | — | §5.2(1)(b)(ii) |
| Wall Sign | 20 ft above mean centerline street grade | 500 sq ft (per premises) | — | — | — | Placed against, painted on, or applied to the exterior walls of buildings. | — | §5.3(1)(a) |
| Projecting Sign | 20 ft above mean centerline street grade | 100 sq ft (per premises) | — | — | — | Fastened to, suspended from, or supported by structures. | — | §5.3(1)(b); §5.8 |
| Ground Sign (General) | 20 ft above mean centerline street grade | 200 sq ft (per premises) | — | Spacing: at least 50 ft from any other ground sign structure; at least 15 ft from side or rear yard property lines; front yard setbacks per zoning district. | 1 per premises (except as specified for State Highway 13/64 multi-tenant cases) | On-premises. | — | §5.3(1)(c)(i), (iii)-(vii); Ord. 970 (10-4-11); Ordinance 1000 (6/16/2015) |
| Ground Sign (Adjoining State Highways 13 or 64 — General) | 30 ft above mean centerline street grade | 200 sq ft (per premises) | — | Spacing: at least 50 ft from any other ground sign structure; at least 15 ft from side or rear yard property lines; front yard setbacks per zoning district. | 1 per premises unless multi-tenant exceptions apply | On-premises adjoining State Highways 13 or 64. | — | §5.3(1)(c)(i), (iv)-(vii); Ord. 970 (10-4-11); Ordinance 1000 (6/16/2015) |
| Ground Sign (Adjoining State Highways 13 or 64 — 4+ Tenants, ≥300 ft Frontage) | 30 ft above mean centerline street grade | Total signage not more than 350 sq ft on two signs | — | Spacing: at least 50 ft from any other ground sign structure; at least 15 ft from side or rear yard property lines; front yard setbacks per zoning district. | Up to 2 signs per premises (total signage ≤350 sq ft) | On-premises adjoining State Highways 13 or 64. | — | §5.3(1)(c)(iii); Ord. 970 (10-4-11); Ordinance 1000 (6/16/2015) |
| Ground Sign (Adjoining State Highways 13 or 64 — 4+ Tenants, <300 ft Frontage) | 30 ft above mean centerline street grade | Up to 350 sq ft of signage on a single structure | — | Spacing: at least 50 ft from any other ground sign structure; at least 15 ft from side or rear yard property lines; front yard setbacks per zoning district. | 1 sign structure (total signage ≤350 sq ft) | On-premises adjoining State Highways 13 or 64. | — | §5.3(1)(c)(iii); Ord. 970 (10-4-11); Ordinance 1000 (6/16/2015) |

## Prohibited signs in Medford

- No sign may be located, erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, converted, or structurally altered without a Zoning Permit, except signs exempted in Section 5.2; all signs must conform to this Code and meet Building Code structural requirements.
- No sign (except those permitted in Section 5.2) shall be permitted to face the residential district within 100 feet of such district boundary.
- 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.
- No sign shall be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window, or fire escape.
- No sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- No sign shall be placed so as to obstruct or interfere with traffic visibility.

## Signs exempt from permit in Medford

- Nonconforming business establishment identification signs over show windows or doors announcing only the name and occupation of the proprietor; maximum 2 feet in height and 10 feet in length.
- Real estate signs in R-1, R-2, R-3, G-1, A-1, and W-1 districts: up to 8 square feet advertising the sale, rental, or lease of the premises; larger sizes only if the Plan Commission approves on a case-by-case basis.
- Real estate signs in C-1, C-2, I-1, and I-2 districts: up to 32 square feet advertising the sale, rental, or lease of the premises.
- Name, occupation, and warning signs up to 2 square feet located on the premises.
- Bulletin boards for public, charitable, or religious institutions up to 8 square feet located on the premises.
- Memorial signs, tablets, names of buildings, and date of erection when cut into masonry or constructed from metal and affixed flat against a structure.
- Official signs, such as traffic control, parking restrictions, information, and notices.
- Temporary signs or banners for nonprofit or service organizations and for-profit organizations, including construction signs.
- Contractor signs located on the premises where the work was done; must be removed within two weeks after onsite work is completed.
- Temporary signs for business openings, grand openings, or other special events; must be removed one day after the event is over.
- Athletic field signs.
- Information signs of community interest regarding scheduled public events, public activities, public resources, or public services; must be located on private property (Amended by Ordinance 1107, dated 8/20/23).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan or sign plan requirement is specified in the provided ordinance sections.
- Plan Commission approval on a case-by-case basis may allow real estate signs in R-1, R-2, R-3, G-1, A-1, and W-1 districts to exceed 8 square feet.
- Local information signs are allowed only as a conditional use; a conditional use permit is required (see Section 8.0).

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

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