Sign Regulations in Saint Francis, Wisconsin
Saint Francis, Wisconsin has specific sign regulations covering 30 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Real Estate Sign, Rummage Sale and Garage Sale Sign, Portable/Temporary Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: October 29, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Saint Francis, Wisconsin
Sample Sign Requirements in Saint Francis
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Sign | — | 12 square feet in residential districts or 32 square feet in all other districts | — |
| Rummage Sale and Garage Sale Sign | — | 12 square feet | — |
| Portable/Temporary Sign | — | 24 square feet | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
30
- Real Estate Sign
- Rummage Sale and Garage Sale Sign
- Portable/Temporary Sign
- Flag
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
3
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Saint Francis
Other Cities in Wisconsin
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Saint Francis vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Saint Francis, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Saint Francis, regulated sign types include Real Estate Sign, Rummage Sale and Garage Sale Sign, Portable/Temporary Sign, Flag, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Saint Francis vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Saint Francis are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Saint Francis has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Saint Francis, Wisconsin Sign Rules at a Glance
Saint Francis, Wisconsin regulates 30 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Wall Signs in the Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-3R, R-4, R-5) zoning district are capped at Not to exceed building height tall and 12 square feet for single-family; 32 square feet for multi-family, with a None specified beyond general setback (Sec. §380-9A(3)(a), §380-8A, Attachment 380-1). Most commercial signs in Saint Francis require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Saint Francis, Wisconsin
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Saint Francis (3 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 18 | 8 feet | 32 square feet for business logo flag | — |
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-3R, R-4, R-5) | 2 | 6 feet | 12 square feet for single-family; 32 square feet for multi-family | — |
| Nonresidential Districts (B-1, B-2, R3B, IU, M-1, M-2) | 10 | 8 feet | 150 square feet maximum | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Saint Francis
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Sign | — | 12 square feet in residential districts or 32 square feet in all other districts | — | — | 1 per property; 1 additional off-premises open house sign under conditions | On the premises for sale or rental; no off-premises except one open house sign on adjacent property at intersection with arterial on day of open house | — | Unlock | §380-4A(1) |
| Rummage Sale and Garage Sale Sign | — | 12 square feet | — | — | 1 per property; 1 additional off-premises on day of sale | On the property having the sale; no in public right-of-way | — | Unlock | §380-4A(2) |
| Portable/Temporary Sign | — | 24 square feet | — | — | 1 per property or per business in multitenant sites | On private property; not in public right-of-way; minimum 10 feet from adjacent property | — | Unlock | §380-4A(3) |
| Flag | — | 32 square feet for business logo flag | — | — | Unlimited for official; 1 logo flag per business | Any district; flagpoles may display business name/logo in nonresidential | — | Unlock | §380-4A(4) |
| Temporary Construction/Development Sign | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | Up to 2 per frontage | On parcel with valid City approvals | — | Unlock | §380-4B |
| Directional On-Premises Sign | 4 feet | 6 square feet | — | 3 feet from property line | — | On property; minimum 3 feet from property line | — | Unlock | §380-4D |
| Community Information Sign | 8 feet | 24 square feet | — | — | 1 per property at a time | On property | — | Unlock | §380-4E |
| Sandwich Board/A-Frame Sign | 4 feet (48 inches) | — | 2.5 feet (30 inches) | — | 1 per business; 1 per 20 linear feet in multitenant with minimum 10 feet separation | On level stable surface; 4 feet clearance on walkway; not obstruct ingress/egress; for restaurants in multi max 10 ft setback from entrance; stand-alone on private property outside ROW | — | Unlock | §380-4F |
Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-3R, R-4, R-5)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | Not to exceed building height | 12 square feet for single-family; 32 square feet for multi-family | — | None specified beyond general | 1 per development for identification | Mounted parallel to building facade or vertical surface | — | Unlock | §380-9A(3)(a), §380-8A, Attachment 380-1 |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 feet | 8 square feet | — | 15 feet for any part of sign; 10 feet front yard lot line, 5 feet side yard for id signs | 1 per premises for development; 1 at each subdivision entrance | Perpendicular to public right-of-way; base concealed | — | Unlock | §380-9A(3)(a), §380-8D, Attachment 380-1 |
Nonresidential Districts (B-1, B-2, R3B, IU, M-1, M-2)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign (B-1) | Not to exceed building height | — | — | None specified beyond general | 1 primary + 1 secondary for single tenant; per master plan for multi | Mounted parallel to building facade or vertical surface | — | Unlock | §380-9B(3)(b), §380-8A, §380-10C, Attachment 380-1 |
| Wall Sign (B-2, R3B, IU, M-1, M-2) | Not to exceed building height | — | — | None specified beyond general | 1 primary + 1 secondary for single tenant; per master plan for multi | Mounted parallel to building facade or vertical surface | — | Unlock | §380-9B(3)(b), §380-8A, §380-10C, Attachment 380-1 |
| Freestanding Sign (B-1) | 6 feet | 100 square feet maximum | — | Required building setback for supports | 1 per lot; additional for large developments per approval | Perpendicular to public right-of-way | — | Unlock | §380-9B(3)(c), §380-8D, §380-10C(4), Attachment 380-1 |
| Freestanding Sign (B-2, R3B, IU) | 6 feet | 40 square feet maximum | — | 1 foot for supporting structure | 1 per lot; additional for large developments per approval | Perpendicular to public right-of-way | — | Unlock | §380-9B(3)(c), §380-8D, §380-10C(4), Attachment 380-1 |
| Freestanding Sign (M-1, M-2) | 8 feet | 150 square feet maximum | — | Required building setback for supports | 1 per lot; additional for large developments per approval | Perpendicular to public right-of-way | — | Unlock | §380-9B(3)(c), §380-8D, §380-10C(4), Attachment 380-1 |
| Projecting Sign (B-1) | Not above eave | 24 square feet per face | — | None specified beyond projection rules | 1 detached or projecting per premises | Affixed to building projecting perpendicular >1 foot | — | Unlock | §380-9B(3)(d), §380-8C, Attachment 380-1 |
| Projecting Sign (B-2, R3B, IU) | Not above eave | 20 square feet per face | — | None specified beyond projection rules | 1 detached or projecting per premises | Affixed to building projecting perpendicular >1 foot | — | Unlock | §380-9B(3)(d), §380-8C, Attachment 380-1 |
| Projecting Sign (M-1, M-2) | Not above eave | 24 square feet per face | — | None specified beyond projection rules | 1 detached or projecting per premises | Affixed to building projecting perpendicular >1 foot | — | Unlock | §380-9B(3)(d), §380-8C, Attachment 380-1 |
Run a code check for your exact address to get the zone that applies to your property, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type in Saint Francis — with a free PermitPal account.
Run a code check for your exact address — freeProhibited Signs in Saint Francis
- Off-premises advertising signs are prohibited.
- Pole signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited, except for time and temperature signs.
- Billboards are prohibited.
- Inflatable devices are prohibited.
- Pennants and streamers are prohibited.
- Searchlights or beacons are prohibited.
- External neon signs are prohibited.
- Fluttering signs are prohibited.
- Signs attached to a tree or landscape feature are prohibited.
- Trailer mounted signs are prohibited.
- No sign shall resemble, imitate, or approximate the shape, size, form, or color of railroad or traffic signs, signals or devices.
- No sign shall obstruct or interfere with the effectiveness of railroad or traffic signs, signals or devices.
- No sign shall use obscene, indecent, or immoral copy.
- No signs or parts thereof shall be attached to fire escapes, fire ladders, or standpipes, or hinder ingress/egress or fire department access.
- No sign shall be located within the vision clearance triangle.
- No sign shall identify or direct attention to a business, activity, or enterprise not located on the same premises, except official signs.
Exempt Signs in Saint Francis
- Real estate signs: One sign not exceeding 12 sq ft in residential districts or 32 sq ft in other districts, with specific rules for placement and removal.
- Rummage sale and garage sale signs: One temporary sign not exceeding 12 sq ft on the property, plus one off-premises sign on day of sale, not in right-of-way.
- Portable/temporary signs: Such as banners and pennants, one per property or business, not exceeding 24 sq ft, displayed max 30 days, not in right-of-way, not illuminated.
- Flags: Representing US, State, County, City, or religious/fraternal/educational organizations, no permit needed; business logos allowed in nonresidential districts under conditions.
- Holiday decorations: No commercial message, not encroaching right-of-way, no traffic hazard.
- Official signs: Traffic control, parking, public directional signs, may encroach right-of-way if no hazard.
- Election campaign signs: With property owner permission, complying with state law, total not exceeding 32 sq ft per lot, not in right-of-way or public property, no electronic components in residential areas or near rights-of-way.
- Window/door signs: Inside buildings, not flashing, not exceeding 25% of window area, not counting toward maximum sign area.
- Memorial signs: Cornerstone signs, tablets, building names/dates cut into masonry or affixed flat, including historical markers.
- Light pole mounted banners: One per pole, not exceeding 12 sq ft, min 6 ft clearance, with Common Council approval for right-of-way poles.
- Temporary contracting business signs: Not exceeding 6 sq ft, removed within 5 days of project completion, one per property.
- Temporary construction/development signs: Up to two per frontage, not exceeding 32 sq ft or 8 ft height, removed upon project completion or 80% sales/permits.
- Home occupation and professional home office signs: One sign not exceeding 2 sq ft, flush-mounted, non-illuminated.
- Directional signs: 6 sq ft or less, max 4 ft height, min 3 ft setback, may include small logos.
- Community information signs: For public events, not exceeding 24 sq ft or 8 ft height, displayed max 30 days before/2 days after event, one per property.
- Sandwich board/A-frame signs: Not exceeding 4 ft height/2.5 ft width, one per business or per 20 linear ft in multitenant, during business hours, on private property, professional materials, no illumination or moving parts.
- Vehicle signs: Attached to vehicles (not trailers), incidental to business use, vehicles must be in-use and parked on premises.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Saint Francis
- Multiple tenant buildings require a coordinated master sign plan submitted to and approved by the Planning Commission, covering placement, style, color, construction, and materials; may allow variations if justified.
- For multitenant buildings with four or more units, a wall sign tenant directory up to 8 sq ft is allowed, not counting toward wall signage.
- Separate channel lettering signs for each tenant in retail/shopping/industrial/commercial centers require approval of an overall coordinated sign plan by the Planning Commission.
- Large developments over 40,000 sq ft may apply to the Planning Commission for an additional ground or wall sign to identify the development.
- All applications for electronic LED signs and changeable copy signs require review and approval by the Planning Commission.
- Proposed signs not conforming to the chapter require a special exception granted by the Planning Commission, potentially for height/area variances if compliance is unduly burdensome.
- Light pole mounted banners in City right-of-way require prior approval by the Common Council following Planning Commission recommendation.
Source: ecode360 municipal code