# Sign Regulations in Stevens Point, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Stevens Point, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/stevens-point
- **Data last verified:** 2025-02-10
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://stevenspoint.com/DocumentCenter/View/106/Chapter-25---Signs?bidId=)

## At a glance

Stevens Point, Wisconsin regulates 34 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the B-1, B-2, B-4, B-5 Commercial and M-1, M-2 Industrial Zoning Districts zoning district are capped at 20 feet tall and Varies by street frontage, with a Minimum 5 feet from the right-of-way setback (Sec. Section 25.04 (7) A, B, D). Most commercial signs in Stevens Point require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 19 | — | 100 square feet or the maximum allowable signage for the property, whichever is less | Yes |
| C Conservancy Zoning District | 1 | — | — | — |
| R-Ld, R-1, R-2, R-3 Residential Zoning Districts | 5 | 5 feet | 10 square feet | — |
| R-4, R-5 Residential Zoning Districts | 5 | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| B-1, B-2, B-4, B-5 Commercial and M-1, M-2 Industrial Zoning Districts | 11 | 20 feet | 500 square feet | Yes |
| B-3 Central Business Zoning District | 12 | 20 feet | 50% of the total allowed sign area | Yes |
| Pd Planned Development and U-1 University Facilities Zoning Districts | 11 | — | — | Yes |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Off Premise Sign | — | 100 square feet or the maximum allowable signage for the property, whichever is less | — | — | — | — | — | Section 25.04 (1) A |
| Temporary Sign | — | — | — | — | One temporary sign per business location | — | Yes | Section 25.07 |
| Incidental Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | No | Section 25.06 |
| Directional/Informational Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | No | Section 25.06 |
| Nameplate | — | — | — | — | — | — | No | Section 25.06 |
| Political Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | No | Section 25.06 |
| Holiday decorations or non-commercial special events signs | — | — | — | — | — | — | No | Section 25.06 |
| Athletic Field Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Displayed on walls, fences or other structures within an athletic field. | No | Section 25.03 Definitions |

### B-1, B-2, B-4, B-5 Commercial and M-1, M-2 Industrial Zoning Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 feet | Varies by street frontage | — | Minimum 5 feet from the right-of-way | One per street frontage | — | — | Section 25.04 (7) A, B, D |
| Ground Sign | — | Varies by street frontage | — | Minimum 5 feet from the right-of-way | One per street frontage | — | — | Section 25.04 (7) A, B, D |
| Wall Sign | — | 500 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | Section 25.04 (7) E |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Inside a window, intended to be viewed from outside. | — | Section 25.04 (7) J |
| Temporary Sign | — | — | — | — | Two per property | — | Yes | Section 25.07 |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Part of, or attached to, an awning, canopy or other protective cover. | — | Section 25.04 (7) G |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Part of a permanent roof-like structure or canopy extending from a building facade. | — | Section 25.04 (7) H |
| Sidewalk Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | One per business location | On the sidewalk during regular business hours. | — | Section 25.04 (7) J |

### B-3 Central Business Zoning District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Primary Sign | — | — | — | — | One per ground floor tenant or storefront entrance | — | — | Section 25.04 (8) A, C |
| Secondary Sign | — | 50% of the total allowed sign area | — | — | — | — | — | Section 25.04 (8) A, C |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | In the 'signable' wall area of a facade. | — | Section 25.04 (8) D |
| Projecting Sign | — | 16 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | Section 25.04 (8) E |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | Section 25.04 (8) F |
| Sidewalk Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | One per business location | On the sidewalk during regular business hours. | — | Section 25.04 (8) J |
| Temporary Sign | — | — | — | — | One per business location | — | Yes | Section 25.07 |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of the total window area | — | — | — | Inside a window, intended to be viewed from outside. | — | Section 25.04 (8) I |

## Prohibited signs in Stevens Point

- Abandoned signs
- Flashing signs
- Portable signs
- Roof signs
- Rotating signs
- Searchlights (except as allowed in Section 25.04(7)H.2.)
- Snipe signs
- Inflatable signs (except as allowed in Section 25.04(7)H.)
- Signs imitating or resembling official traffic or government signs or signals
- Signs placed on vehicles or trailers which are permanently parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying said sign

## Signs exempt from permit in Stevens Point

- Construction signs
- Directional/Informational signs
- Holiday decorations or non-commercial special events
- Incidental signs
- Nameplates
- Public signs or notices, or any sign relating to an emergency
- Political signs
- Real estate signs
- Temporary signs that are used for business openings, grand openings or special commercial events
- Window signs
- Athletic field signs

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A property owner(s) may request the Common Council approve an identity sign. An identity sign is intended to create an image for an area larger than just one development. The Plan Commission shall consider the request and make a recommendation to the Common Council.
- All signs in the 'PD' and 'U-1' Zoning Districts shall be reviewed as part of the total development proposal. Sign proposals shall be reviewed for conformity with Section 4 of this Ordinance.

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

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