# Sign Regulations in Reedsburg, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Reedsburg, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/reedsburg
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/33106930#33106930)

## At a glance

Reedsburg, Wisconsin regulates 40 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the I1, I2 zoning district are capped at 20 ft tall and 100 sq ft, with a 5 ft setback (Sec. §690-110 (Ground Signs — 1 per premises table: I1/I2)). Most commercial signs in Reedsburg require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | — | 35 sq ft maximum for the electronic component | — |
| R1, R2 | 3 | 6 ft | Combined ground + wall = 32 sq ft (institutional uses) | — |
| R3 | 4 | 6 ft | 200 sq ft (parcel also subject to 200 sq ft total for all building signs combined) | — |
| B1 | 14 | 25 ft (≤15 ft required to qualify for bonus) | 200 sq ft (counts toward 200 sq ft parcel cap for all building signs) | — |
| B2 | 14 | 25 ft (≤15 ft required to qualify for bonus) | 200 sq ft (counts toward 200 sq ft parcel cap for all building signs) | — |
| B3 | 5 | 6 ft | 100 sq ft (B3 limit) | — |
| I1, I2 | 7 | 20 ft | 200 sq ft (counts toward 200 sq ft parcel cap for all building signs) | — |
| I3 | 6 | 20 ft | 200 sq ft (counts toward 200 sq ft parcel cap for all building signs) | — |
| I4 | 4 | 5 ft | Up to 200 sq ft total wall sign area per parcel (within 200 sq ft overall parcel cap for all building signs) | — |
| A, C/RC | 5 | 6 ft | 200 sq ft (counts toward 200 sq ft parcel cap for all building signs) | — |
| Government/Institutional Zone | 4 | — | 35 sq ft (electronic component) | — |
| General Regulations For All Business & Industrial Complexes (applies in B1, B2, B3, I1, I2, I3, I4) | 3 | — | 200 sq ft per business | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### B1

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (2 lanes / 0–34 mph) | 12 ft | 35 sq ft | — | Front: 2 ft; Side: 5 ft | — | Along streets with 2 lanes posted 0–34 mph | — | §690-110 (Ground Signs — B1, B2 table: row “2/0-34”) |
| Ground Sign (2–3 lanes / 35+ mph) | 20 ft (≤15 ft required to qualify for bonus) | 35 sq ft (up to 52.5 sq ft if bonus criteria met) | — | Front: 2 ft standard (≥5 ft if using bonus); Side: 5 ft | — | Along streets with 2–3 lanes posted 35+ mph | — | §690-110 (Ground Signs — B1, B2 table: row “2-3/35+*” and footnote) |
| Ground Sign (4–5 lanes / 0–34 mph) | 12 ft | 35 sq ft | — | Front: 2 ft; Side: 5 ft | — | Along streets with 4–5 lanes posted 0–34 mph | — | §690-110 (Ground Signs — B1, B2 table: row “4-5/0-34”) |
| Ground Sign (4–5 lanes / 35–44 mph) | 20 ft (≤15 ft required to qualify for bonus) | 50 sq ft (up to 75 sq ft if bonus criteria met) | — | Front: 2 ft standard (≥5 ft if using bonus); Side: 5 ft | — | Along streets with 4–5 lanes posted 35–44 mph | — | §690-110 (Ground Signs — B1, B2 table: row “4-5/35-44*” and footnote) |
| Ground Sign (4–5 lanes / 45+ mph) | 25 ft (≤15 ft required to qualify for bonus) | 100 sq ft (up to 150 sq ft if bonus criteria met) | — | Front: 2 ft standard (≥5 ft if using bonus); Side: 5 ft | — | Along streets with 4–5 lanes posted 45+ mph | — | §690-110 (Ground Signs — B1, B2 table: row “4-5/45+*” and footnote) |
| Canopy Sign | — | 200 sq ft (counts toward 200 sq ft parcel cap for all building signs) | — | ≥30 inches from curb; vertical clearance ≥7 ft sidewalk/≥15 ft driveway or alley | 1 per business | Minimum 30 inches from curb lines; minimum 7 ft above a sidewalk and 15 ft above a driveway or alley | — | §690-110 (Canopy P in B1); §690-111 (Canopy standards) |
| Marquee Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | Side setbacks ≥3 ft; ≥30 inches from curb; vertical clearance ≥10 ft sidewalk/≥15 ft driveway or alley | 1 per business | Minimum 3 ft side setbacks; 30 inches from curb lines; minimum 10 ft above sidewalk and 15 ft above driveway or alley | — | §690-110 (Marquee P in B1); §690-111 (Marquee standards) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | Side setbacks ≥5 ft; ≥30 inches from curb; vertical clearance ≥10 ft sidewalk/≥15 ft driveway or alley | 1 per business | May project up to 6 ft into public ROW; minimum 5 ft side setbacks; 30 inches from curb lines; minimum 10 ft above sidewalk and 15 ft above driveway or alley | — | §690-110 (Projecting P in B1); §690-111 (Projecting standards) |

### B2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (2 lanes / 0–34 mph) | 12 ft | 35 sq ft | — | Front: 2 ft; Side: 5 ft | — | Along streets with 2 lanes posted 0–34 mph | — | §690-110 (Ground Signs — B1, B2 table: row “2/0-34”) |
| Ground Sign (2–3 lanes / 35+ mph) | 20 ft (≤15 ft required to qualify for bonus) | 35 sq ft (up to 52.5 sq ft if bonus criteria met) | — | Front: 2 ft standard (≥5 ft if using bonus); Side: 5 ft | — | Along streets with 2–3 lanes posted 35+ mph | — | §690-110 (Ground Signs — B1, B2 table: row “2-3/35+*” and footnote) |
| Ground Sign (4–5 lanes / 0–34 mph — B2 zone only option) | 20 ft (≤15 ft required to qualify for bonus) | 50 sq ft (up to 75 sq ft if bonus criteria met) | — | Front: 2 ft standard (≥5 ft if using bonus); Side: 5 ft | — | Along streets with 4–5 lanes posted 0–34 mph (B2 only) | — | §690-110 (Ground Signs — B1, B2 table: row “4-5/0-34, B2 Zone only*” and footnote) |
| Ground Sign (4–5 lanes / 0–34 mph — standard) | 12 ft | 35 sq ft | — | Front: 2 ft; Side: 5 ft | — | Along streets with 4–5 lanes posted 0–34 mph | — | §690-110 (Ground Signs — B1, B2 table: row “4-5/0-34”) |
| Ground Sign (4–5 lanes / 35–44 mph) | 20 ft (≤15 ft required to qualify for bonus) | 50 sq ft (up to 75 sq ft if bonus criteria met) | — | Front: 2 ft standard (≥5 ft if using bonus); Side: 5 ft | — | Along streets with 4–5 lanes posted 35–44 mph | — | §690-110 (Ground Signs — B1, B2 table: row “4-5/35-44*” and footnote) |
| Ground Sign (4–5 lanes / 45+ mph) | 25 ft (≤15 ft required to qualify for bonus) | 100 sq ft (up to 150 sq ft if bonus criteria met) | — | Front: 2 ft standard (≥5 ft if using bonus); Side: 5 ft | — | Along streets with 4–5 lanes posted 45+ mph | — | §690-110 (Ground Signs — B1, B2 table: row “4-5/45+*” and footnote) |
| Canopy Sign | — | 200 sq ft (counts toward 200 sq ft parcel cap for all building signs) | — | ≥30 inches from curb; vertical clearance ≥7 ft sidewalk/≥15 ft driveway or alley | 1 per business | Minimum 30 inches from curb lines; minimum 7 ft above a sidewalk and 15 ft above a driveway or alley | — | §690-110 (Canopy P in B2); §690-111 (Canopy standards) |
| Marquee Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | Side setbacks ≥3 ft; ≥30 inches from curb; vertical clearance ≥10 ft sidewalk/≥15 ft driveway or alley | 1 per business | Minimum 3 ft side setbacks; 30 inches from curb lines; minimum 10 ft above sidewalk and 15 ft above driveway or alley | — | §690-110 (Marquee P in B2); §690-111 (Marquee standards) |

### I1, I2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 20 ft | 100 sq ft | — | Front: 2 ft; Side: 5 ft | 1 per premises | On the premises | — | §690-110 (Ground Signs — 1 per premises table: I1/I2) |
| Canopy Sign | — | 200 sq ft (counts toward 200 sq ft parcel cap for all building signs) | — | ≥30 inches from curb; vertical clearance ≥7 ft sidewalk/≥15 ft driveway or alley | 1 per business | Minimum 30 inches from curb lines; minimum 7 ft above a sidewalk and 15 ft above a driveway or alley | — | §690-110 (Canopy P in I1/I2); §690-111 (Canopy standards) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | Side setbacks ≥5 ft; ≥30 inches from curb; vertical clearance ≥10 ft sidewalk/≥15 ft driveway or alley | 1 per business | May project up to 6 ft into public ROW; minimum 5 ft side setbacks; 30 inches from curb lines; minimum 10 ft above sidewalk and 15 ft above driveway or alley | — | §690-110 (Projecting P in I1/I2); §690-111 (Projecting standards) |
| Roof Sign | ≤10 ft above roof (and within district building height limits) | 200 sq ft total for all sides | — | — | 1 per business | On roof; within overall district height limits | — | §690-110 (Roof P in I1/I2); §690-111 (Roof standards) |
| Wall Sign | — | Up to 200 sq ft total wall sign area per parcel (within 200 sq ft overall parcel cap for all building signs) | — | — | Max 3 per business | On building wall; within 12 inches of the wall | — | §690-110 (Wall P in I1/I2); §690-111 (Wall standards) |
| Electronic Sign | — | 35 sq ft (electronic component) | — | — | — | As allowed by sign type; subject to spacing and safety placement rules | — | §690-110 (Electronic P in I1/I2); §690-104A–J |
| Banner (Exempt) | — | 32 sq ft per banner | — | — | Max 3 per business (+1 per on-site light pole for pole banners) | Industrial premises (including banners mounted on on-site light poles) | — | §690-101A(1)–(3) |

## Prohibited signs in Reedsburg

- Off-premises advertising by billboards, signboards, reader boards, and other advertising signs, signals, displays, or devices is prohibited, except where specifically allowed. (§690-108A)
- Signs may not resemble, imitate, or approximate the shape, size, form, or color of railroad or traffic signs, signals, or devices. (§690-108B)
- Signs may not obstruct or interfere with the effectiveness of railroad or traffic signs, signals, or devices. (§690-108C)
- No sign may be placed so as to obstruct or interfere with traffic visibility. (§690-108D)
- Swinging signs that are not constructed to withstand wind pressures are prohibited. (§690-108E)
- Signs with flashing, intermittent, or moving lights that create a hazard to vehicle or pedestrian traffic are prohibited. (§690-105B)
- Signs placed upon, over, or in any public way (highway, street, alley) that cause or could cause blockage of access or a safety hazard are prohibited (except official traffic/utility signs). (§615-17A)
- Signs placed upon or against parked vehicles to advertise a business or product are prohibited (permanent vehicle graphics and candidate signs on vehicles are allowed). (§615-17B)
- Lighted or flashing signs affixed to any vehicle are prohibited, except for governmental use. (§615-17C)
- Signs advertising activities that are illegal under federal, state, or city law are prohibited. (§615-17D)
- Signs erected or maintained on trees or painted/drawn on rocks or other features are prohibited; attaching temporary signs to traffic, utility, or other public safety signs is also prohibited. (§615-17E)
- Signs that are structurally unsafe, in disrepair, or otherwise in violation of maintenance standards are prohibited. (§615-17F)

## Signs exempt from permit in Reedsburg

- On-site directional and instructional traffic/safety signs not exceeding 8 sq ft each are exempt from permits. (§690-101B)
- Interior signs not visible from the public right-of-way are exempt from permits (must still meet structural/electrical/material specs). (§690-101C)
- Flags are exempt in any zoning district. (§690-101D)
- Government signs are exempt in any zoning district or right-of-way. (§690-101E)
- Plaques are exempt in any zoning district. (§690-101F)
- Temporary window signs are exempt, provided they are not placed on door windows or other windows in a way that negatively affects pedestrian safety. (§690-101H)
- Temporary ground or wall signs that comply with Wis. Stat. § 12.04 are exempt, provided they are not in the 15-foot vision triangle at intersections and not over/in the public right-of-way. (§690-101I(4))
- Vehicle signs painted on or attached to a vehicle while operating in the normal course of business are exempt. (§690-101J)
- Yard signs are exempt, subject to total area limits: 32 sq ft total in business/industrial districts and 6 sq ft total in other districts. (§690-101K)

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Some sign permit applications may be forwarded to the Plan Commission for review prior to issuance. (§690-98)
- Electronic signs are permitted by right only in the B2 District; in other districts they require Plan Commission approval with notice to parties of interest and a finding of no substantial negative impact. (§690-104A)
- In B1/B2, up to a 50% increase in allowable ground sign face area may be granted after Plan Commission review if specified design materials, setback (≥5 ft), and height (≤15 ft) conditions are met. (Note under §690-110, Ground Signs—B1, B2)
- A permit may be required for sign types not specifically covered; such cases are reviewed by the Zoning Administrator on a case-by-case basis to meet the chapter’s intent. (§690-96)
- No explicit master sign plan requirement is stated in the provided sections.

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

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