# Sign Regulations in Shorewood, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Shorewood, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/shorewood
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/7776355#7776355)

## At a glance

Shorewood, Wisconsin regulates 5 sign types across 2 zoning districts. Detached Monument Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 8 feet tall and 32 square feet, with a Vision triangle requirements setback (Sec. § 445-9. Detached monument signs.). Most commercial signs in Shorewood require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (2 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Central Business District (B-1, B-2, B-3) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 18 inches | 60 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Central Business District (B-1, B-2, B-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sandwich Board Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Central Business District (B-1, B-2, B-3) | — | § 445-10. Sandwich board signs. |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 18 inches | 60 square feet | — | — | One sign per business, or two if one is a blade sign | Within the building's sign band | — | § 445-8. Wall- or building-mounted signs. |
| Detached Monument Sign | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | Vision triangle requirements | One detached sign per premises | Premises of a business establishment or parking lots serving one or more business establishments | — | § 445-9. Detached monument signs. |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of entire window area excluding transom | — | — | One location per primary display window or door | Primary display windows or doors | — | § 445-11. Window and decal signs. |
| Blade Sign | 3 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | One sign per business, unless located on a corner | Mounted on fixed hardware | — | § 445-12. Overhanging or blade signs. |

## Prohibited signs in Shorewood

- No person shall paint, paste or otherwise fasten any paper or other material, grease paint, stencil or write any number, sign, name or any disfiguring mark on any building, sidewalk, curb, gutter, or street, any post, pole or tree, or any other sign, fence or other structure, unless sanctioned by the provisions of this chapter or other provisions of the Village Code.
- No flashing, alternating, rotating or swinging sign, whether illuminated or not, shall be permitted.
- No flashing, alternating, rotating or swinging flood, spot or beacon light shall be permitted for illuminating any sign or any structure for the purpose of advertising.
- No flood or spot light shall be located and directed in such a manner as to cause a glare or light to be directed to surrounding buildings and premises.
- It shall be unlawful to erect or maintain any sign which constitutes a traffic hazard or is a detriment to traffic safety by obstructing the vision of drivers or detracting from the visibility and prominence of any official traffic control device.
- The use of any banner, pennant, flag, balloons, streamers or other similar media for advertising or identification purposes shall be strictly prohibited, except as may be permitted to promote special events for a period not to exceed 30 days.
- Internally illuminated box signs and standard channel letter signs are prohibited.
- Advertising vehicles are prohibited, subject to specific exceptions.
- Portable signs are prohibited except as enumerated in § 445-10.
- Freestanding pole-mounted signs are prohibited.
- Backlit and vinyl plastic awning signs are prohibited.
- Billboards are prohibited.
- Electronic message board signs are prohibited except where explicitly provided for within the Code.

## Signs exempt from permit in Shorewood

- Painting, repainting or cleaning of an existing sign unless a structural change is made or unless the text of the sign is changed.
- Nameplate signs not more than two square feet in area which are fastened directly to the building.
- Real estate signs not to extend outside of the property line, detached or freestanding wherever possible, which advertise the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which said signs are located.
- Signs within buildings placed in such a manner as to be viewed or intended for view from the inside of a building may be erected without a permit.
- Identification signs limited to name of owner, name of business, business address and hours of operation; shall not exceed two square feet and shall be placed on or adjacent to a customer entrance.
- Directional and informational signs erected for safety and informational purposes, not for advertising purposes, not to exceed two square feet.
- Contractor signs not more than 32 square feet in area naming the contractors engaged in construction on the property where the sign is located.
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or inlaid so as to be part of the building or when constructed of bronze or other noncombustible material.
- Governmental, legal notices, traffic, danger, emergency and trespassing signs.
- Political signs subject to specific conditions.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Special exceptions may be granted under the provisions of § 445-23.
- The Design Review Board shall review the application for a sign permit, including the plans and specifications and other data, and the premises upon which it is proposed.
- Application for a special exception permit may be obtained from the Planning and Zoning Administrator or Building Inspector.

## Full detail

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

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