# Sign Regulations in Saint Francis, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Saint Francis, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/saint-francis
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-29
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/9203962#9203962)

## 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.

## Sign rules by zoning district (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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | 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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §380-4A(4) |
| Temporary Construction/Development Sign | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | Up to 2 per frontage | On parcel with valid City approvals | — | §380-4B |
| Directional On-Premises Sign | 4 feet | 6 square feet | — | 3 feet from property line | — | On property; minimum 3 feet from property line | — | §380-4D |
| Community Information Sign | 8 feet | 24 square feet | — | — | 1 per property at a time | On property | — | §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 | — | §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 | 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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | 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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §380-9B(3)(d), §380-8C, Attachment 380-1 |

## Prohibited 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.

## Signs exempt from permit 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

- 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.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Saint Francis, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Saint+Francis+WI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-saint-francis

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