# Sign Regulations in Somerset, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Somerset, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/somerset
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/WI/Somerset/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CO_TIT13ZO_TIT13_CHAPTER_1ZOCO_ARTGSICAAWBI)

## At a glance

Somerset, Wisconsin regulates 21 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Temporary Subdivision/Development Signs in the R-1 Single-Family Residential District, R-2 Two-Family Residential District, R-3 Multiple Family Residential District, R-4 Residential Estate District, R-5 Twin Home District, PUD Planned Unit Development District (Residential) zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 50 sq ft per sign; max 2 per subdivision, with a Front yard setback of principal use setback (Sec. Sec. 13-1-106(e)). Most commercial signs in Somerset require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1 Single-Family Residential District, R-2 Two-Family Residential District, R-3 Multiple Family Residential District, R-4 Residential Estate District, R-5 Twin Home District, PUD Planned Unit Development District (Residential) | 8 | 15 ft or 1 story, whichever is lower | 50 sq ft per sign; max 2 per subdivision | — |
| C-1 Central Business District, C-2 Highway Commercial District, C-3 Professional Office District, I-1 Industrial District, A-1 Agricultural District, W-1 Conservancy District, PUD Planned Unit Development District (Commercial/Industrial) | 10 | Not specified except no sign may project more than 35 ft above curb | 250 sq ft per side (single sign); lot maximum: 2 sq ft per lineal foot of street frontage (all signs combined) | — |
| Groundwater Protection Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 12 sq ft residential, 32 sq ft commercial/ind/ag | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### R-1 Single-Family Residential District, R-2 Two-Family Residential District, R-3 Multiple Family Residential District, R-4 Residential Estate District, R-5 Twin Home District, PUD Planned Unit Development District (Residential)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate/Identification Sign | 15 ft or 1 story, whichever is lower | 2 sq ft per dwelling unit (flat against building); 2 per corner lot (1 per frontage) | — | — | — | Affixed flat against wall of building | — | Sec. 13-1-106(a)(1)-(3) |
| For Sale / To Rent Sign | 15 ft or 1 story if attached; 4 ft if detached | 8 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 (2 if corner lot) | On property offered for sale or rent; not in right-of-way | — | Sec. 13-1-106(b); Sec. 13-1-104(b)(8) |
| Parking Area Sign | 7 ft for all | 2 sq ft (entrance/exit); 9 sq ft (conditions of use) | — | — | Entrances/exits: 1 per | At entrance/exit or in parking area | — | Sec. 13-1-106(c) |
| Roadside Stand Sign | 15 ft | 12 sq ft per sign; max 2 signs per lot | — | — | No more than 2 per lot | On same zoning lot as roadside stand (agricultural or conditional use) | — | Sec. 13-1-106(d) |
| Temporary Subdivision/Development Sign | 8 ft | 50 sq ft per sign; max 2 per subdivision | — | Front yard setback of principal use | 2 per subdivision | Within subdivision under construction or nonresidential improvement site | — | Sec. 13-1-106(e) |
| Subdivision Identification Sign | 12 ft (can temporarily exceed for up to 2 years per Village Board) | 32 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 per entrance | At each entrance to subdivision (max 2 per entrance) | — | Sec. 13-1-106(f) |
| Church Bulletin (Illuminated, Nonflashing) | 15 ft or 1 story, whichever is lower | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot or 2 on corner lots | On church property (1 per lot; 2 on corner lots) | — | Sec. 13-1-106(g) |
| Home Occupation/Professional Home Office Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Residential property | — | Sec. 13-1-104(b)(10) |

### C-1 Central Business District, C-2 Highway Commercial District, C-3 Professional Office District, I-1 Industrial District, A-1 Agricultural District, W-1 Conservancy District, PUD Planned Unit Development District (Commercial/Industrial)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Not specified except no sign may project more than 35 ft above curb | 250 sq ft per side (single sign); lot maximum: 2 sq ft per lineal foot of street frontage (all signs combined) | — | — | — | On wall; may not project more than 16 inches | — | Sec. 13-1-105(a)(1), Sec. 13-1-103(b)(9) |
| Freestanding (Ground or Pole) Sign | 35 ft above curb maximum | 250 sq ft per side (single sign); lot maximum: 2 sq ft per lineal foot of street frontage (all signs combined) | — | 5 ft minimum from property or right-of-way line | — | 5 ft minimum from property or right-of-way line | — | Sec. 13-1-105(a)(1), (e); (b); Sec. 13-1-103(b)(9) |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft (if designed as monument, per definition); general max 35 ft for any freestanding sign | 250 sq ft per side (subject to general sign area for properties, see above) | — | 5 ft | — | Ground-mounted; 5 ft min from property or right-of-way line | — | Sec. 13-1-101(p); general application of 13-1-105 |
| Projecting Sign | 35 ft above curb | 250 sq ft per side (overall per sign max) | — | — | — | Projecting from building | — | Sec. 13-1-105(a)(1), (d) |
| Marquee, Awning, or Canopy Sign | — | Not specified (counts toward overall sign area limits) | — | — | — | Affixed flat to surface of marquee/awning/canopy; within 1 ft of curb plane if projecting | — | Sec. 13-1-105(a)(2) |
| Electronic Message Unit Sign (C-2; with CUP in C-3 and I-1) | 25 ft | 30 sq ft per side | — | Min 150 ft from residential; 50 ft separation between EMU signs | One per principal structure | On site (on-premises advertising only); must be at least 150 ft from any residential district | — | Sec. 13-1-111(a) |
| Portable Sign/Changeable Copy/Message Board | — | 36 sq ft per face (back-to-back allowed); max two per lot if street frontage over 100 ft | — | 5 ft min from property line | See above | At least 5 ft from property line; not in right-of-way | — | Sec. 13-1-111(b) |
| Window Sign | — | No more than 50% of glass area of the pane | — | — | — | Mounted on inside of building (window) | — | Sec. 13-1-105(a)(4), Sec. 13-1-104(a)(12) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Political Message Sign (Election Period) | — | 12 sq ft residential, 32 sq ft commercial/ind/ag | — | — | 3 per premises | On private property (not public right-of-way) | — | Sec. 13-1-104(a)(11), (b)(6) |
| Warning, Directional, Official, Memorial, House Number, Flags/Insignia, Temporary Garage Sale (Exempted) | — | Varies; warning (4 sq ft), rummage/garage sale (8 sq ft), traffic/parking/directional (3 sq ft) | — | — | — | As appropriate/required; see types | — | Sec. 13-1-104(a), (b) |

## Prohibited signs in Somerset

- No signs shall be painted on, attached to or affixed to any trees, rocks, or other similar organic or inorganic natural matter, including utility poles or apparatus. (Sec. 13-1-103(b)(5))
- Blanketing of signs on buildings shall not be allowed. (Sec. 13-1-103(b)(6))
- Roof signs are prohibited within the Village of Somerset, except as provided herein. (Sec. 13-1-105(a)(5))
- Any use of a parked vehicle, trailer, or mobile device as an advertisement, directional sign, or a view obstruction is prohibited. (Sec. 13-1-107)
- Signs shall not resemble, imitate or approximate the shape, size, form or color of railroad or traffic signs or devices. (Sec. 13-1-109(a))
- No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape. (Sec. 13-1-109(a))
- No sign, awning or canopy shall be placed so as to obstruct or interfere with traffic visibility. (Sec. 13-1-109(a))
- No sign shall be placed in the vision triangle as defined herein. (Sec. 13-1-109(a))
- No sign shall be erected which has any flashing, rotating or brilliant intermittent parts or lights or bare reflecting-type bulbs, except those giving public service information such as time, date, temperature, weather or similar information or where allowed by conditional use permit. (Sec. 13-1-109(b))
- No signs, billboards or other advertising media which create a hazard or dangerous distraction to vehicular traffic or a nuisance to adjoining residential property shall be permitted in any district. (Sec. 13-1-109(b))
- Signs shall not be permitted on public rights-of-way, except for municipal traffic control, parking and directional signs and as otherwise specified in this Chapter, or be located within five (5) feet of a property line. (Sec. 13-1-109(c))
- All signs, including supports and attachments, shall be properly maintained and have an appearance that is neat and clean. (Sec. 13-1-103(b)(7))
- All signs in newly annexed areas shall comply with this Article within five (5) years of annexation. (Sec. 13-1-103(b)(8))
- Animated signs, or signs having moving parts, or signs which may be mistaken for traffic signal devices, or which diminish the visibility or effectiveness of such traffic signal devices are prohibited. (Sec. 13-1-105(b))
- No sign or advertising device shall be erected or maintained at the intersection of streets in such a manner as to obstruct clear vision of the intersection. (Sec. 13-1-105(d))
- Mobile or moveable electronic message unit signs are not allowed. All signs must be mounted on a permanent base or pole. (Sec. 13-1-111(a)(2))
- No electronic message unit sign may include flashing or varying of light intensity, animated graphics or images that appear to move, or video unless permitted by conditional use permit. (Sec. 13-1-111(a)(5), (7), (12))
- No more than one electronic message unit sign is allowed per principal structure regardless of the number of businesses located in the structure. (Sec. 13-1-111(a)(11))

## Signs exempt from permit in Somerset

- Warning signs not to exceed four (4) square feet located on the premises. (Sec. 13-1-104(a)(1))
- Memorial signs, tablets, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of metal and affixed flat against the structure. (Sec. 13-1-104(a)(2), (b)(2))
- Official signs, such as traffic control, parking restriction, information and notices. (Sec. 13-1-104(a)(3), (b)(3))
- Rummage or garage sale signs not to exceed eight (8) square feet in area, but use of this type of sign shall be limited to seventy-two (72) hours per sale. (Sec. 13-1-104(a)(4), (b)(7))
- Signs designating entrances, exits, service areas, parking areas, restrooms limited to three (3) square feet per side and no more than one (1) sign permitted per entrance, exit, service area, parking area or restroom. (Sec. 13-1-104(a)(5))
- Signs not exceeding two (2) square feet in area and bearing only property numbers, post box numbers or names of occupants of premises. (Sec. 13-1-104(a)(6))
- Flags and insignia of any government, except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion. (Sec. 13-1-104(a)(7))
- Legal notices, identification information or directional signs erected by governmental bodies. (Sec. 13-1-104(a)(8))
- Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings, except letters, trademarks, moving parts or moving lights. (Sec. 13-1-104(a)(9))
- Signs directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property (but bearing no advertising matter) and limited to three (3) square feet per side and no more than one (1) sign permitted per entrance, exit, service area, parking area or restroom. (Sec. 13-1-104(a)(10))
- Political message signs during an election campaign, as defined in Sec. 12.04(1), Wis. Stats., limited to three per premises and subject to the Village Board's authority to regulate size, shape and placement for the public safety. Political signs may be posted sixty (60) days before an election and must be removed within ten (10) days after. (Sec. 13-1-104(a)(11), (b)(6))
- Window signs. (Sec. 13-1-104(a)(12))
- Bills, posters and banners. (Sec. 13-1-104(a)(13))
- Real estate signs not to exceed four (4) square feet in area which advertise the sale, rental, or lease of the premises upon which said signs are temporarily located. (Sec. 13-1-104(a)(14), (b)(8))
- Signs over show windows or doors of a business establishment announcing without display or elaboration only the name and occupation of the proprietor and not to exceed two (2) square feet. (Sec. 13-1-104(b)(1))
- Awnings or canopies servicing only a particular single-family dwelling unit, provided the same shall conform to district regulations. (Sec. 13-1-104(b)(4))
- House numbers or signs identifying parks or country clubs or official bulletin boards. (Sec. 13-1-104(b)(5))
- Bulletin boards for public, charitable or religious institutions not to exceed eight (8) square feet in area located on the premises. (Sec. 13-1-104(b)(9))
- Home occupation and professional home office signs not to exceed two (2) square feet in area and mounted flush against the dwelling. (Sec. 13-1-104(b)(10))

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs, billboards, awnings or canopies require a sign permit unless specifically exempted under Section 13-1-104. (Sec. 13-1-102(a))
- Applications for a sign permit must include information such as sign sketch, dimensions, materials, illumination, wiring, height above grade, distance from lot lines, and the person erecting or altering the sign. (Sec. 13-1-102(b))
- A permit is not required for a copy change when no change in business name is involved. (Sec. 13-1-102(b), (c))
- Sign permits will not be granted for signs inside public right-of-way or for those not meeting setback requirements. (Implicit throughout; see Sec. 13-1-105(a)(1)e, Sec. 13-1-109(c))
- Sign plans (such as for subdivision identification signs) may require submission of drawings showing design, appearance, and location for approval by Village officials. (Sec. 13-1-106(f)(4))
- Electronic message unit signs in the C-3 and I-1 districts require approval of a conditional use permit, which includes a public hearing. (Sec. 13-1-111(a)(1))
- Variances or exceptions to sign regulations may be granted by the Board of Appeals following a recommendation from the Village Board and Zoning Administrator. (Sec. 13-1-112)
- All sign permits are subject to review and possible appeal by the Village Board. (Sec. 13-1-115(c)-(d))
- Subdivision identification sign locations and designs must be reviewed and approved by the Zoning Administrator and Plan Commission. (Sec. 13-1-106(f)(2), (4))

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

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