# Sign Regulations in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Milwaukee, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/milwaukee
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-13
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://city.milwaukee.gov/Designguidelines/UrbanDesignComponents/Signage-Regulations)

## At a glance

Milwaukee, Wisconsin regulates 34 sign types across 16 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Single-Family Residential (RS1, RS2, RS3, RS4, RS5, RS6), Two-Family Residential (RT1, RT2, RT3, RT4, RT5), Multi-Family Residential (RM1, RM2, RM3, RM4, RM5, RM6, RM7), Residential and Office (RO1, RO2) zoning district are capped at 6 ft. tall, 24 sq. ft. (All other permitted uses except elementary/secondary school, college, religious), and Not specified wide, with a See size/placement; subject to vision triangles (295-405-3), must comply with setback regulations of Table 295-505-5. setback (Sec. 295-505-5, Table 295-505-5, 244-2, 244-7, 244-15, 244-3, 244-4, 244-5, 244-6, 295-407-2, 295-407-5, 295-407-2-a-2, 295-407-2-a-5). Most commercial signs in Milwaukee require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (16 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single-Family Residential (RS1, RS2, RS3, RS4, RS5, RS6), Two-Family Residential (RT1, RT2, RT3, RT4, RT5), Multi-Family Residential (RM1, RM2, RM3, RM4, RM5, RM6, RM7), Residential and Office (RO1, RO2) | 7 | Applicable only with permitted use: maximum height not to exceed 50% of district building height limit and never more than 50 ft (244-8-3) | 36 sq. ft. (RS1-RS6, RT1-RT5, RM1-RM3, RO1); 48 sq ft (RM4-6); 72 sq. ft. (RM7, RO2) (295-505-5-g) | — |
| Neighborhood Shopping (NS1, NS2), Local Business (LB1, LB2, LB3), Regional Business (RB1, RB2), Commercial Service (CS) | 7 | 35-40 ft above grade | 300-672 sq ft (depending on district); see Table 295-605-5 | — |
| Downtown Districts (C9A: High-Density Residential, C9B: Residential and Specialty Use, C9C: Neighborhood Retail, C9D: Civic Activity, C9E: Major Retail, C9F: Office and Service, C9G: Mixed Activity, C9H: Warehousing and Light Manufacturing) | 7 | Varies, see zone; typically 8-14 ft for monument/freestanding signs, 10-14 ft for projecting signs, 50 ft for roof | See Master Table (Table 295-705-7, Table 295-1015-3-c-4-e for Lakefront Overlay Zone) — generally 12 sq ft (awning height), 25-75 sq ft wall/projecting/marquee, 40-150 sq ft freestanding, 50-100 sq ft roof (Type A, if permitted), 300 sq ft off-premise (subject to special use permit) | Yes |
| Industrial-Office (IO1, IO2), Industrial-Light (IL1, IL2), Industrial-Commercial (IC), Industrial-Mixed (IM), Industrial-Heavy (IH) | 7 | 40 ft (IL1/IL2), 35 ft (IC/IM/IO1/IO2/IH); roof sign up to 25 ft above roof | 300-672 sq ft | — |
| Parks District (PK) | 5 | 10 ft above grade min | 60 sq ft (A), 32 sq ft (B); 1 per principal building | — |
| Institutional District (TL) | 4 | 14 ft | 100 sq ft (A), 40 sq ft (B); 60 sq ft (B) if on/in base constructed of masonry | — |
| Planned Development/Detail Planned Development District (PD, DPD) | 3 | Not specified; most similar to monument base signs per Table 295-903-3-d-5 | 48 sq ft (for construction or vacant land); other temporary 18 sq ft or 36 sq ft | — |
| Redevelopment District (RED) | 1 | As indicated in plan | As indicated in the approved redevelopment plan for the district; not specified in general code | — |
| Neighborhood Conservation Overlay Zone (NC) | 1 | As allowed by base district; overlay may further restrict | As allowed/limited by the underlying base zoning district, except as modified by the overlay plan | — |
| Interim Study Overlay Zone (IS) | 1 | As allowed by underlying zoning, unless overlay says otherwise | As allowed/limited by the underlying zoning, unless IS overlay study plan states otherwise | — |
| Development Incentive Overlay Zone (DIZ) | 1 | As specified in the DIZ standards (may supersede underlying code) | As specified in DIZ performance standards and permitted by the underlying zoning; flexibility for sign size/number/freestanding/wall/other by DIZ approval | — |
| Site Plan Review Overlay Zone (SP) | 1 | As specified in design standards | As specified in approved design standards (can supersede underlying code); otherwise underlying code applies | — |
| Lakefront Overlay Zone (LF) | 1 | Freestanding: 14 ft; others as per overlay table/code | Generally 40-50 sq ft for freestanding signs; wall/projecting 24/24 (see Table 295-1015-3-c-4-e) | — |
| Master Sign Program Overlay Zone (MSP) | 1 | As specified in master sign program | As specified in master sign program (may exceed or modify underlying code per approval) | — |
| Floodplain Overlay Zones (FW, FF, FSD, GFP, CFP, WL, CFP, FF, FW, FSD, GFP, WL) | 1 | Per base/overlay district unless stricter DNR/federal, board-ordered floodproofing | Must comply with federal, state, DNR, and city floodplain restrictions; otherwise by underlying zoning/overlay district | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | As specified in ch. 244 and for each zoning/overlay district | As specified in ch. 244 and for each zoning/overlay district | Yes |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 16 zones)

### Single-Family Residential (RS1, RS2, RS3, RS4, RS5, RS6), Two-Family Residential (RT1, RT2, RT3, RT4, RT5), Multi-Family Residential (RM1, RM2, RM3, RM4, RM5, RM6, RM7), Residential and Office (RO1, RO2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 ft. | 24 sq. ft. (All other permitted uses except elementary/secondary school, college, religious) | Not specified | See size/placement; subject to vision triangles (295-405-3), must comply with setback regulations of Table 295-505-5. | 1 per principal building or street frontage with qualifying lot size | On site only | — | 295-505-5, Table 295-505-5, 244-2, 244-7, 244-15, 244-3, 244-4, 244-5, 244-6, 295-407-2, 295-407-5, 295-407-2-a-2, 295-407-2-a-5 |
| Wall Sign | Not specified; Type A limited to not more than half its height above the top of the exterior wall. No part shall exceed 30 ft above established grade immediately below (combustible signs). | 24 sq. ft. (All other permitted uses except elementary/secondary school, college, religious); Type B up to 12 sq. ft. | Not specified | On building, not projecting more than 12" from face of wall (244-9-3) | 1 per principal building | On wall of principal building | — | 295-505-5, Table 295-505-5, 244-2, 244-9, 244-15; 295-407-2-b-2; 295-407-2-b-2-e, 295-407-2-b-2-f |
| Projecting Sign | No part lower than 10 ft above grade (except 8.5 ft in Historic Third Ward); max display area per Table 295-505-5 | 24 sq. ft. (Type A); Type B not permitted | Not specified | Must be at least 10 ft above grade (8.5 ft Historic Third Ward, 244-10-2-c, -d); no more than 4 ft projection | 1 per principal building | Projecting from principal building toward street | — | 295-505-5, Table 295-505-5, 244-2, 244-10, 295-407-2 |
| Awning Sign | Not specified in this section. Sign area applies to face of awning. | 24 sq. ft. | Not specified | Projections per ch. 245, 244-12, 245-7 | 1 per principal building | Applied to or integral with awning on principal building; must meet ch. 245 and ch. 244 for projections over street line. | — | 295-505-5, Table 295-505-5, 244-12, 295-407-2-b-3; 244-14 |
| Canopy or Hood Sign | Not specified; can extend up to 18 in. above canopy/hood top (244-12-2, 244-13-2) | 24 sq. ft. (Type A); Type B not permitted | Not specified | Projections per ch. 245, 244-12, -13, 245-7, 245-8, 245-9 | 1 per principal building | On face or roof of canopy/hood, within width/length limits | — | 295-505-5, Table 295-505-5, 244-12, 244-13, 295-407-2-b-5 |
| Roof Sign | Applicable only with permitted use: maximum height not to exceed 50% of district building height limit and never more than 50 ft (244-8-3) | Not permitted in RS, RT, RM, RO; permitted only for other permitted uses: maximum 24 sq. ft. (Type A); Type B not permitted | Not specified | See roof sign location/setback requirements; must comply with ch. 295, ch. 244. | 1 per principal building | On or above roof of principal building | — | 295-505-5, Table 295-505-5, 244-2, 244-8, 295-407-2-b-6 |
| Temporary Signs (e.g., for construction or real estate) | Not to exceed 6ft | 36 sq. ft. (RS1-RS6, RT1-RT5, RM1-RM3, RO1); 48 sq ft (RM4-6); 72 sq. ft. (RM7, RO2) (295-505-5-g) | Not specified | Must not be in right-of-way | 1 per site | On site of construction/project | — | 295-505-5-g, -h; 244-2, 295-407-8-e-2, -g; 244-20 |

### Neighborhood Shopping (NS1, NS2), Local Business (LB1, LB2, LB3), Regional Business (RB1, RB2), Commercial Service (CS)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Type A/B) | 14 ft (NS1); 20 ft (NS2/LB1/RB1/CS); 14 ft (LB2); 20 ft (LB3/RB2) | NS1: 75 sq. ft. (Type A); 32 sq. ft (Type B); NS2: 100 sq ft (A), 32 sq ft (B); LB1: 100 sq ft (A), 40 sq ft (B); LB2: 100 sq ft (A), 40 sq ft (B); LB3/RB1/CS: 150 sq ft (A); 50 sq ft (B) | Not specified | See setback regulations of district, must comply with vision triangles (295-405-3) | 1 per site/street frontage (see bonus for 2 if on 2 streets or 180+ frontage) | On site, not projecting over lot line; monument signs preferred | — | 295-605-5/Table 295-605-5, 295-407-2-b-1, 244-2, 244-7, 244-15 |
| Wall Sign (Type A/B) | Not specified; Type A less than half its height above wall top; Type B as in table. | Varies, typically 50-100 sq ft (A), 25-32 sq ft (B) per 25 ft segment of façade. See Table 295-605-5. | Not specified | Must be placed as per district setbacks, not projecting more than 12" from wall (244-9) | 1 per 25 lineal ft segment | Flat, opaque wall surface, not covering facade details or windows (295-407-2-b-2) | — | 295-605-5/Table 295-605-5, 295-407-2-b-2, 244-2, 244-9, 244-15 |
| Projecting Sign (Type A/B) | Must be at least 10 ft above grade; may not project more than 4ft (244-10-2-a, -b, -c). See district table for clarification. | Varies by district, typically 50 sq ft (A), 25 sq ft (B) per 25 lineal ft (see Table 295-605-5) | Not specified | At least 10 ft above grade (8.5 ft Historic Third Ward), may not project >4 ft from building face (244-10) | 1 per 25 lineal ft segment | Projecting not more than 4 ft from building; meets clearance and placement criteria for ROW (244-10) | — | 295-605-5/Table 295-605-5, 244-10, 295-407-2-b-4, 244-2 |
| Awning Sign (Type A only) | Not specified; area applies to face of awning | Varies by district, per Table 295-605-5, typically 50 sq ft | Not specified | As per ch. 245, projections over street line allowed only by permit | 1 per 25 lineal feet segment | On awning, must be in compliance with chs. 244 and 245 | — | 295-605-5/Table 295-605-5, 244-12, 244-14, 295-407-2-b-3; 244-2 |
| Canopy or Hood Sign (Type A only) | Not specified; canopy signs may go up to 18 in above canopy/hop top (244-12) | Varies by district and sign type; usually 50 sq ft (A type) per 25 lineal feet segment | Not specified | As per ch. 245, projections over street line allowed only by permit | 1 per 25 lineal feet segment | On canopy or hood, on face or roof, within width/length of structure | — | 295-605-5/Table 295-605-5, 244-12, 244-13, 244-14, 295-407-2-b-5; 244-2 |
| Roof Sign | 25 ft above roof (max wall sign height per district) | Varies by district and sign type; usually 100-150 sq ft (Type A max 100, Type B max 32) (see Table 295-605-5) | Not specified | See roof sign location/setback in 244-8, Table 295-605-5 | 1 per building | On or above roof of building | — | 295-605-5/Table 295-605-5, 244-8, 295-407-2, 295-407-2-b-6, 244-2 |
| Off-Premise Sign (Billboard) | 35-40 ft above grade | 300-672 sq ft (depending on district); see Table 295-605-5 | Not specified | 30 ft or sign height, whichever is greater, from street line; buffer from residential lines (295-407-7-b-7, -b-8) | 1 per site | On site only, must meet setback and buffer requirements (see 295-407-7) | — | 295-605-5/Table 295-605-5, 295-407-7 |

### Industrial-Office (IO1, IO2), Industrial-Light (IL1, IL2), Industrial-Commercial (IC), Industrial-Mixed (IM), Industrial-Heavy (IH)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Type A/B) | 40 ft (IL1/IL2), 35 ft (IC/IM/IO1/IO2/IH); roof sign up to 25 ft above roof | 100 sq ft (Type A per street frontage or site); 40-50 sq ft (Type B) | Not specified | As per district/setback regs for street frontages; monument sign may relax setback | 1 per street frontage or site | On site; monument sign preferred | — | 295-805-5, Table 295-805-5, 244-7, 244-2, 244-15, 295-407-7 |
| Wall Sign (Type A/B) | Not specified; Type A may not be more than half height above top of exterior wall; must follow other height rules | 32-120 sq ft per 25 lineal ft of facade (see Table 295-805-5) | Not specified | Within wall/building; not more than 12" projection, not beyond lot line | 1 per 25 lineal ft segment | On building; see detailed wall sign requirements | — | 295-805-5/Table 295-805-5, 244-9, 244-2, 295-407-2-b-2, 244-15 |
| Projecting Sign | At least 10 ft above grade (8.5 ft in Historic Third Ward); not to project more than 4 ft from building face; roof sign max 25 ft above roof | 25-50 sq ft per district (see Table 295-805-5) | Not specified | 10 ft above grade min, 8.5 ft in Historic Third Ward; 4 ft projection | 1 per 25 lineal ft segment | Building, projecting not more than 4 ft; meets 244-10 criteria, vision triangle, clearance | — | 295-805-5/Table 295-805-5, 244-10, 244-2, 295-407-2-b-4, 244-15 |
| Awning Sign (Type A only) | Area applies to face only | 20-60 sq ft per table; see Table 295-805-5 by district | Not specified | See ch. 244/245 for projections | 1 per 25 lineal ft segment | On awning attached to principal building; must comply with ch. 245/244 if projecting | — | 295-805-5/Table 295-805-5, 244-12, 244-14, 244-2 |
| Canopy Hood Sign (Type A only) | Not specified; may extend up to 18" above top of structure | 25-60 sq ft per table; see Table 295-805-5 by district | Not specified | As above | 1 per 25 lineal ft segment | On canopy/hood, within face/roof as indicated; comply with ch. 244/245 | — | 295-805-5/Table 295-805-5, 244-12, 244-13, 244-2 |
| Roof Sign, Type A | 25 ft above roof | 100 sq ft (I01/IO2/IL1/IL2/IM/IH); type B (where permitted) | Not specified | See table and 244-8-4 for setbacks | 1 per building | On roof of principal building; per other sign rules | — | 295-805-5/Table 295-805-5, 244-8, 295-407-2, 295-407-2-b-6, 244-2 |
| Off-Premise Sign (Billboard) | 35-40 ft (generally); 60 ft (IH/IM for wall sign); 25 ft above roof possible | 300-672 sq ft | Not specified | 30 ft or sign height, whichever is greater; residential buffer required (see 295-407-7) | 1 per site | See setback, buffer, separation rules (295-407-7) | — | 295-805-5, Table 295-805-5, 295-407-7 |

## Prohibited signs in Milwaukee

- No person shall erect, construct, enlarge, move, relocate or maintain any sign or billboard regulated in this chapter or ch. 295 without first obtaining a permit from the commissioner of city development and paying the prescribed fee, except for specific exemptions provided.
- No sign or billboard or any part thereof shall be erected, constructed or maintained so as to obstruct any exit, any window opening necessary for required light or ventilation, or any other opening of a building, so as to prevent free passage from one part of a roof to any other part thereof.
- No sign or billboard shall be attached to, or erected and maintained on any fire escape, standpipe, exterior stairway, smokeproof stair tower balcony, or balcony serving as a horizontal exit, or so as to interfere with the use thereof.
- No outdoor sign, advertising structure or device shall be rebuilt or relocated except in conformity with the regulations of this chapter and ch. 295.
- Any outdoor sign, advertising structure or device blown down, destroyed, taken down, or removed for any purpose shall not be re-erected, reconstructed, rebuilt or relocated except in conformity with the regulations of this chapter.
- Where the standards of this chapter conflict with those found elsewhere in this code, in ordinances, or in state statutes or laws of other governmental units, the most restrictive regulations shall apply.
- No sign or billboard may be placed upon a designated historic building or structure without prior approval from the city's historic preservation commission.
- No sign or billboard may be placed on a building, structure or site within the historic third ward without approval of the architectural review board as provided in s. 200-61.
- The display area of any sign or billboard shall not be designed to move mechanically.
- No sign shall be permitted to project into a public thoroughfare having a width less than 30 feet.
- No swinging or revolving sign or device shall be constructed or maintained over a public thoroughfare.
- No person may maintain, place, erect, paint, paste, print, nail, tack, or otherwise fasten any card, banner, picture, handbill, sign, poster, advertising or notice of any kind, or cause the same to be done, on any curb, streetwalk, or public thoroughfare surface, fence, board, barrel, box, case, railing, pole, post, tree, barricade, material, bridge, bridge fender, dock, pile, building or structure of any kind on public ground or waterway, except as permitted.
- It shall be unlawful to place, erect, paint, paste, print, nail, tack, or otherwise fasten or maintain any snipe advertising or deface any exterior wall or surface of any building, board, barrel, box, case, railing, pole, post, tree, barricade, material, dock, pile, or structure of any kind with advertising or notice of any kind.
- It shall be unlawful to place, erect, tack, or otherwise fasten, use, or maintain any outdoor advertising such as banners, decorative displays or other advertising devices of cloth, paper or other nonrigid materials, except as permitted by this chapter or s. 295-407.
- No person, firm or corporation, or officer, member, agent, servant, or employee thereof, may distribute or place, or cause to be distributed or placed, any commercial advertising material in or upon any automobile, steps, lawn, yard, driveway, or porch of any private building or residence, unless the advertising material is securely fastened so it will not be scattered or blown.
- It shall be unlawful to distribute any commercial advertising material at a residential building or dwelling unit where the owner or occupant has placed a sign or given written notification prohibiting placement of advertising material.
- Distribution of advertising materials in plastic bags over 4 inches in diameter is unlawful unless the container is ventilated and is of at least 1 mill thickness.
- No abandoned sign or billboard (as defined) is permitted; such signs must be removed by the owner of the sign or the owner of the premises.

## Signs exempt from permit in Milwaukee

- No permit is required for signs listed in s. 295-407-8.
- No permit is required for permanent and temporary window signs as regulated under s. 295-407-2-b-7 and 8.
- No permit is required for entrance and exit signs which are in compliance with s. 295-407-3-e.
- The regulations set forth do not prohibit the maintenance of the structural supports of any existing sign provided the size of the display area remains unchanged.
- Removal of the advertising facing of an existing sign for the purpose of changing the advertising facing is permitted, provided the display area is not increased.
- The provisions of the section prohibiting signs on public property do not apply to Milwaukee county transit system transit shelters that are authorized by common council resolution.
- City buildings, facilities or assets identified by the Milwaukee civic partnership initiative under s. 310-21 are exempt if authorized by common council resolution.
- The provisions prohibiting distribution of advertising material do not apply to distribution via mail or newspaper.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- For sign permits, applications must be made as regulated in s. 200-26 (general permit process), but the commissioner of city development may, at their option, modify or waive requirements for submitting plans, data, specifications, and plot plans if the sign or billboard is sufficiently described.
- Permit applications for signs or billboards using plastic materials must identify the material and certify its combustibility.
- Applications for permits for off-premise signs visible from an expressway must provide evidence of a state permit.
- Permit applications for off-premises signs must include data identifying the specific location of the sign.
- Sign permits are required for signs permitted by variance or standards and appeals commission approval.
- If the commissioner requires, photographs of existing and proposed signs on the premises may be required for a sign permit application.
- Removal orders, repair/maintenance orders, and sign/billboard removal orders are issued by the commissioner, may be appealed to the standards and appeals commission, and failure to comply allows the city to remove the sign and assess costs as a special charge.
- No permit shall be issued to authorize or maintain any sign in contradiction of any zoning regulation in ch. 295.
- For master sign program (overlay zone), see s. 295-1017 for separate and more flexible sign plan rules applicable to large multi-tenant sites.
- Certain modifications or relocations of existing non-conforming signs require permits and must follow zoning chapter requirements.

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

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