# Sign Regulations in Oconto, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Oconto, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/oconto
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/WI/Oconto/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT13ZO_CH1ZOCO_ARTHSI)

## At a glance

Oconto, Wisconsin regulates 23 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding/Ground Signs in the CH Highway Commercial District, CG General Commercial District, CD Downtown Commercial District, IL Light Industrial District, IG General Industrial District, I-3 Industrial Park District zoning district are capped at 35 ft (general commercial/industrial); 35 ft above grade (Downtown, MSC) tall, As part of 4 sq ft per lineal foot of lot frontage (general commercial/industrial); 100 sq ft max (Downtown, MSC), and 12 ft (MSC/Downtown Commercial freestanding/ground signs) wide, with a Setback area (Downtown/MSC), must not encroach on right-of-way. setback (Sec. Sec. 13-1-153(a), 13-1-154(10), 13-1-143). Most commercial signs in Oconto require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1 Single-Family Residential District, R-2 Residential District, R-3 Multifamily Residential District, R-MH Mobile Home Park District, RD Rural Development District, REC Recreational District | 6 | 3 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| CH Highway Commercial District, CG General Commercial District, CD Downtown Commercial District, IL Light Industrial District, IG General Industrial District, I-3 Industrial Park District | 11 | 35 ft (general commercial/industrial); 35 ft above grade (Downtown, MSC) | 700 sq ft per sign | — |
| C-1 Conservancy District | 3 | 3 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | 4 sq ft | — |
| Main Street Commercial District | 5 | Max height not to exceed 35 ft above ground or pavement | 100 sq ft, max 12 ft any dimension | — |

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

### R-1 Single-Family Residential District, R-2 Residential District, R-3 Multifamily Residential District, R-MH Mobile Home Park District, RD Rural Development District, REC Recreational District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Home Occupation) | — | Not specified (must conform to general district limits, likely under 12 sq ft; one sign permitted) | — | — | 1 per home occupation | On the dwelling or attached garage only | — | Sec. 13-1-93, 13-1-148(18), 13-1-143 |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq ft (residential districts) | — | — | 1 per lot (2 for corner lots) | Within the property to which sign applies | — | Sec. 13-1-148(12) |
| Temporary Sandwich Board Sign | 3 ft | 3 ft x 3 ft per side, max 2 sides (18 sq ft total) | 3 ft | — | 1 per business | At grade level, on premises of business/home occupation if open | — | Sec. 13-1-148(18) |
| Construction Sign (Temporary) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | 2 per construction site | On site of construction | — | Sec. 13-1-148(1) |
| Political or Campaign Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | Private property | — | Sec. 13-1-148(11) |
| Temporary On-Premises/Off-Premises Civic Event Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 13-1-148(15) |

### CH Highway Commercial District, CG General Commercial District, CD Downtown Commercial District, IL Light Industrial District, IG General Industrial District, I-3 Industrial Park District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 4 sq ft per lineal foot of lot frontage (total area for all on-premises signs) | — | — | 3 per building facade max (if multiple businesses); 1 per business per facade | On building wall; wall signs must be affixed flat and not project more than ends or above top of building | — | Sec. 13-1-153(a), 13-1-154(6), 13-1-143 |
| Freestanding/Ground Sign | 35 ft (general commercial/industrial); 35 ft above grade (Downtown, MSC) | As part of 4 sq ft per lineal foot of lot frontage (general commercial/industrial); 100 sq ft max (Downtown, MSC) | 12 ft (MSC/Downtown Commercial freestanding/ground signs) | Setback area (Downtown/MSC), must not encroach on right-of-way. | 1 per store front (CD/MSC); 1 per lot (general commercial/industrial) | Setback area (CD/MSC); not encroaching or projecting over right-of-way | — | Sec. 13-1-153(a), 13-1-154(10), 13-1-143 |
| Projecting Sign (MSC and CD Downtown only) | — | 12 sq ft total (6 sq ft per sign face, double-faced considered) | Projects up to 4 ft from building or 2 ft to edge of sidewalk (whichever is less) | — | 1 per building per street frontage | Over sidewalk, must clear sidewalk by at least 8 ft | — | Sec. 13-1-154(7) |
| Directional Sign | — | 8 sq ft (permit-exempt); up to 150 sq ft with permit (community event/historic/natural attraction) | 20 ft (max dimension of permitted directional) | — | — | On property for general wayfinding; community-oriented directional signs in any zone if permitted | — | Sec. 13-1-148(2), 13-1-153(b) |
| Off-Premises Sign (Billboard) | 35 ft | 700 sq ft per sign | — | — | — | Permitted in U.S. Highway 41 By-Pass and Business Highway 41 general commercial and industrial districts within highway primary view | — | Sec. 13-1-153(a) |
| Marquee/Awning/Canopy Sign (MSC and CD Downtown only) | — | Marquee sign not exceeding 12 in height x 6 ft length (area deducted from wall sign allocation) | — | — | 1 per structure/awning/marquee/canopy | On underside of marquee/awning/canopy, supported by building only | — | Sec. 13-1-154(9) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 3 ft | 3 ft x 3 ft per side, up to 2 sides (18 sq ft total) | 3 ft | — | 1 per business | At grade level. Must not impede pedestrian movement. | — | Sec. 13-1-148(18), applies across commercial/industrial districts. |
| Construction Sign (Temporary) | — | 100 sq ft (commercial/industrial districts) | — | — | 2 per construction site | At construction site | — | Sec. 13-1-148(1) |

### Main Street Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (MSC) | — | 2 sq ft per linear foot of frontage | — | — | 3 per facade (if multi-tenant); 1 per business per facade | Affixed flat to wall, not projecting beyond building ends or above top | — | Sec. 13-1-154(1)-(6) |
| Projecting Sign (MSC) | — | 12 sq ft (6 sq ft per face, 2 faces max) | Projects up to 4 ft from building or must remain 2 ft from sidewalk edge (whichever is less) | — | 1 per building per street frontage | Over sidewalk; must clear sidewalk by 8 ft | — | Sec. 13-1-154(7) |
| Freestanding/Ground Sign (MSC) | Max height not to exceed 35 ft above ground or pavement | 100 sq ft, max 12 ft any dimension | 12 ft (any dimension); | Must be entirely on property | 1 per storefront | In setback area, not encroaching or projecting over right-of-way | — | Sec. 13-1-154(10) |
| Marquee/Awning/Canopy Sign (MSC) | — | 12 in. height x 6 ft length (area deducted from wall sign allowance) | 6 ft length | May not extend beyond 2 ft inside curb line | 1 per structure | Underside of marquee/awning/canopy; must be ≥10 ft above sidewalk (≥12 ft if projecting over 4 ft) | — | Sec. 13-1-154(9) |
| Window Sign (MSC) | — | Total coverage for all window signs not to exceed 25% of window area | — | — | — | On window; permanent, neon, and temporary combined | — | Sec. 13-1-154(8) |

## Prohibited signs in Oconto

- Abandoned signs are prohibited within the City.
- Signs which bear or contain statements, words or pictures of obscene, pornographic or immoral subjects are prohibited.
- Signs which are an imitation of, or resemble in shape, size, copy or color, an official traffic sign are prohibited.
- Floodlighted signs are prohibited unless lights are so shielded as to not allow view of the actual light source from any City street or residential neighborhood.
- Unclassified signs (those not allowed, allowed by permit, exempted, or assorted to a particular district) are prohibited.
- Portable advertising signs shall not be used on private property (with the exception of certain allowances in the right-of-way by permit).
- No person shall park any vehicle or trailer on public right-of-way property or on private commercial/industrially zoned properties so as to be seen from a public right-of-way which has attached thereto or located thereon any sign or advertising device for the basic purpose of providing advertisement of products or directing people to a business activity located on the same or nearby property or any other premises.
- No truck or semi-trailer, or part thereof, shall be used for the purpose of advertising or promotion within the City of Oconto.
- No sign facing a residential district shall be closer than twenty-five (25) feet to that district line.
- Off-premises signs facing a residentially zoned district shall not be closer than one hundred (100) feet to such zoning district. Off-premises signs not facing a residential zone shall not be closer than fifty (50) feet to such zoning district.
- No advertising shall be placed on the marquee/awning or canopy except the name or logo of the owner, business or industry conducted within the premises, address of the building, or the building name (Main Street Commercial District).
- No sandwich board sign shall be displayed within the entryway or exit that is required to remain unobstructed by any applicable ordinance, state or federal law.
- No form of advertising or identification, sign or mural is allowed on a signal receiving antenna other than the customary manufacturer's identification plates.

## Signs exempt from permit in Oconto

- Change of copy on any sign, repainting, cleaning, and other normal maintenance and repair of the sign and sign structure do not require a sign permit.
- Construction signs (2 per site, 100 sq ft each, removed within 30 days after completion or prior to occupancy), exempt from permit.
- Directional nonelectric signs (max 8 sq ft each, with limited advertising content, located entirely on property to which they pertain), exempt from permit.
- Nonilluminated emblems or insignia of any nation or political subdivision, profit or nonprofit organization are exempt from permit.
- Government signs for control of traffic and other regulatory purposes, etc., are exempt from permit.
- House numbers and nameplates do not require a permit.
- Interior signs located within the interior of any building or structure are exempt from permit (though subject to structural/electrical/material codes).
- Memorial signs and plaques, names of buildings and date of erection (up to 4 sq ft, integral to masonry or built of durable materials) are exempt from permit.
- No trespassing and no dumping signs (not more than 1.5 sq ft) are exempt from permit.
- Official public notices and other public signs as required or authorized by law or ordinance do not require a permit.
- Political and campaign signs are exempt from permit, subject to area, duration, and placement restrictions.
- Real estate sales signs (one per lot or two per corner lot, subject to size and removal time) are exempt from permit.
- Temporary window signs are exempt from permit.
- On-premises symbols, religious symbols or recognized historic emblems are exempt from permit.
- Temporary signs for drives or events of civic, philanthropic, educational, religious organizations (not over 32 sq ft, up to 30 days before and 3 days after event) are exempt from permit.
- Vehicular signs: trucks, buses, trailers, or other vehicles while operating in the normal course of business and not primarily for the display of signs are exempt from permit.
- Neighborhood identification signs, walls, landscaping, etc., (identifying only the neighborhood, apartment, or subdivision name) are exempt from permit.
- Sandwich board signs (subject to requirements: max 3'x3' per face, one per business, not illuminated, etc.) are exempt from permit.
- Architectural projections (e.g., spires, belfries, parapet walls, cupolas, domes, flues, chimneys) are exempt from sign height limitations (general zoning exemption applies).
- Essential services, utilities, water towers, electric power and communication transmission lines are exempt from yard, distance, and height requirements (general zoning exemption applies).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for erection, construction, enlargement or structural modification of a sign except for specifically exempted sign types.
- If a sign permit is denied due to hardship, a variance may be applied for in writing to the Board of Appeals within ten (10) days after notice, and at least fifteen (15) calendar days before a scheduled Board of Appeals meeting.
- Special permits may be issued for temporary subdivision and development signs and commercial/industrial promotional banners by the Sign Inspector.
- Site plan approval is required for zoning permits for any construction, reconstruction, expansion, or conversion (except for one-family and two-family residences in residential districts); site plan review considers conformance with all zoning requirements, including signage.
- A sign plan or sufficient plans/specifications must be part of the permit application as required by the Sign Inspector and/or Plan Commission.
- Master sign plans are not explicitly referenced, but plan review is required as part of site plan approval where applicable.
- Application for a sign permit must be made to the Sign Inspector, including such information as the Inspector may require.
- In the event of a denied sign permit, variance request, or other appeal, proceedings may be set at a regular Board of Appeals meeting.
- Proposed signs extending over a public right-of-way require the applicant to submit proof of liability insurance naming the City as additional insured.

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

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