# Sign Regulations in Neenah, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Neenah, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/neenah
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/WI/Neenah/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=SPBLADERE_CH24SI)

## At a glance

Neenah, Wisconsin regulates 16 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Ground Sign (Single Tenant)s in the General Commercial District (C-1) zoning district are capped at 35 ft tall and 100 sq ft, with a 10 ft from street or highway right-of-way setback (Sec. Sec. 24-184(2), (4), (6)). Most commercial signs in Neenah require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single- and Two-Family Districts (R-1, R-2) | 4 | 12 ft | 20 sq ft | — |
| High Density Residence Districts (M-1, M-2) | 4 | 12 ft | 20 sq ft | — |
| General Commercial District (C-1) | 10 | 35 ft | 400 sq ft (aggregate) | — |
| Central Business District (C-2) | 9 | 35 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| Planned Business Center District (I-1) | 2 | 4 ft | 10 sq ft | — |
| General Industrial District (I-2) | 7 | 35 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 10 ft or top of fencing (whichever is less) | 50% of window area | — |

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

### General Commercial District (C-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Single Tenant) | — | — | — | — | — | On building face | — | Sec. 24-184(2) |
| Wall Sign (Multiple Tenants) | — | — | — | — | — | On building face | — | Sec. 24-184(3) |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building face | — | Sec. 24-184(2)-(3) |
| Ground Sign (Single Tenant) | 35 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 10 ft from street or highway right-of-way | 1 (with exceptions for double frontage/adjacent highway) | Front of property; second may be along divided highway; additional for second street frontage if vehicular access provided | — | Sec. 24-184(2), (4), (6) |
| Ground Sign (Multiple Tenants, <15,000 sq ft building) | 35 ft | 100 sq ft (aggregate) | — | 10 ft from street or highway right-of-way | 1 (or 2 with divided highway/double frontage, with area allocation restrictions) | Front of property; second may be along divided highway | — | Sec. 24-184(3), (4), (6) |
| Ground Sign (Multiple Tenants, >15,000 sq ft building) | 35 ft | 400 sq ft (aggregate) | — | 10 ft from street or highway right-of-way | 1 (or 2 with divided highway/double frontage, with area allocation restrictions) | Front of property; second may be along divided highway | — | Sec. 24-184(3), (4), (6) |
| Portable Yard Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | One per street frontage | — | Sec. 24-184(7) |
| On-site Directional Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | For use requiring special use permit or site plan review, as part of review | — | Sec. 24-184(8) |

### Central Business District (C-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Single Tenant) | — | — | — | — | — | On building face | — | Sec. 24-185(2) |
| Wall Sign (Multiple Tenants) | — | — | — | — | — | On building face | — | Sec. 24-185(3) |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building face | — | Sec. 24-185(2)-(3) |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On canopy | — | Sec. 24-185(2)-(3) |
| Ground Sign (Single Tenant) | 35 ft | 100 sq ft; 200 sq ft for second sign along divided highway | — | No front setback required | 1 (or 2 if along divided highway or double frontage, total area applies) | No setback; second sign may be along divided highway; additional for double frontage lots where vehicular access allowed | — | Sec. 24-185(2), (4), (5), (6) |
| Ground Sign (Multiple Tenants) | 35 ft | 200 sq ft | — | No front setback required | 1 (or 2 if along divided highway or double frontage, total area applies) | No setback; second sign may be along divided highway; additional for double frontage lots where vehicular access allowed | — | Sec. 24-185(3), (4), (5), (6) |
| Portable Yard Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | One per street frontage | — | Sec. 24-185(7) |
| On-site Directional Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | For use requiring special use permit or site plan review, as part of review | — | Sec. 24-185(8) |

### General Industrial District (I-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building face | — | Sec. 24-187(2) |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building face | — | Sec. 24-187(2) |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On canopy | — | Sec. 24-187(2) |
| Banner | — | — | — | — | — | On building or canopy | — | Sec. 24-187(2) |
| Ground Sign | 35 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 10 ft from front lot line | 1 | Front of property | — | Sec. 24-187(2)-(3) |
| Portable Yard Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | One per street frontage | — | Sec. 24-187(5) |
| On-site Directional Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | For use requiring special use permit or site plan review, as part of review | — | Sec. 24-187(6) |

## Prohibited signs in Neenah

- Abandoned signs are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited.
- Movable signs are prohibited.
- Swinging signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Animated signs are prohibited, including those using movement or change of lighting to depict action or create a special effect or scene.
- Flashing or motion signs are prohibited (except changeable message signs are exempt). Signs with motion components visible from the public right-of-way are not permitted except those revolving around a vertical axis at speeds less than seven revolutions per minute.
- Floodlighted (reflection illuminated) signs with a light source where 25% or more of the intensity is visible from public right-of-way or directed at residential property are prohibited.
- Unclassified signs that imitate or resemble any official traffic sign or signal are prohibited.
- No sign, except those specifically permitted by Municipal Ordinance, shall be placed in any public right-of-way, unless placed by the City of Neenah.
- Feather signs are prohibited.
- Banners not entirely attached to an exterior wall of a building are prohibited.
- No sign or sign structure shall be located within the vision clearance area or vision clearance triangle.
- No sign shall be located where, by reason of its position, size, shape or color, it may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of or be confused with any traffic control sign, signal or device, or where it may interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
- No sign shall be suspended by chains or devices that allow the sign to swing due to wind action.
- All sign structures must be self-supporting structures and permanently attached to sufficient foundations.
- All signs must be maintained in a safe, presentable, and good structural condition at all times.
- The penalties of the City of Neenah Municipal Code may be applicable to violations of the sign code.

## Signs exempt from permit in Neenah

- Nonilluminated emblems or insignia do not require a permit.
- Government signs for control of traffic or other regulatory purposes, danger signs, railroad crossing signs, and signs of public utilities indicating danger or safety are exempt when erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance of public duty.
- Signs associated with a home occupation as defined in the zoning code do not require a permit.
- House numbers and name plates not exceeding one square foot in area for each residential, commercial or industrial building do not require a permit.
- Signs located within the interior of any building or structure, and not visible from the public right-of-way, do not require a permit (but must comply with structural/electrical/material specifications).
- Memorial signs and plaques cut into masonry or inlaid as part of a building or constructed of bronze or other noncombustible material not more than four square feet in area do not require a permit.
- Signs required as specifically authorized for a public purpose by any law, statute or ordinance do not require a permit.
- In business, commercial, and industrial districts, window signs mounted on the inside surface of any ground floor window do not require a permit (as long as the total area does not exceed 50% of the window area and are not placed on door windows or windows needed for pedestrian safety).
- Permits are not required for change of copy, repainting, cleaning, and other normal maintenance of permitted signs.
- Individual signs less than one square foot in area are not regulated by this ordinance, unless combined to form a larger sign.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permit applications must include a scale drawing(s) of the proposed sign, with location and dimensions, materials, construction specs, other existing signs on the premises, and building face area if applicable.
- All permanent signs, including wall, ground, canopy, projecting, changeable message, and athletic field signs, require a permit prior to installation, erection, or modification.
- Athletic field signs: Prior to installation, a detailed plan sufficient to determine compliance with requirements must be submitted for review as outlined in the chapter.
- For signs denied a permit, the applicant is entitled to an appeal before the Zoning Board of Appeals, and variances are considered by that Board.
- On-site directional signs for special use permit or site plan review properties are to be reviewed as part of the site plan or special use permit review process or by the Zoning Administrator.
- All signs requiring a permit must receive inspection upon installation to confirm compliance.
- If a sign application is denied, a written statement of reasons must be provided; denial does not entitle the applicant to a reimbursement of fees.

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

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