# Sign Regulations in Stoughton, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Stoughton, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/stoughton
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/WI/Stoughton/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=MUCO_CH70TRVE_ARTVTRSC_DIV1GE_S70-131SIREGE)

## At a glance

Stoughton, Wisconsin regulates 33 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Banner, Pennant, Streamer or Feather Flags in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Banners: See zone-specific; Feather flag: 12 ft tall, Banners: See zone-specific; Feather flag: max height 12 ft, width 3 ft; Avenue banner in Main Street Historic District up to 10 sq ft per light pole, and Feather flag: 3 ft wide, with a min 3 ft from side lot line setback (Sec. Sec. 78-810(1),(3),(d),(e)).

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | Banners: See zone-specific; Feather flag: 12 ft | 100 sq ft per side, 200 sq ft both sides; directional signs: 25 sq ft | — |
| Residential | 6 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Parking Areas (Accessory to Any Zone) | 2 | — | 9 sq ft | — |
| Church, School, or Non-Profit | 4 | — | 36 sq ft per sign per side | — |
| Business District, Commercial District, CB Central Business, NB Neighborhood Business, PB Planned Business, Industrial District, PI Planned Industrial, GI General Industrial, HI Heavy Industrial | 14 | 18 ft | 300 sq ft | — |
| Main Street Historic District | 1 | — | 10 sq ft per banner | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Projecting Sign | — | 16 sq ft per story, one side, or 32 sq ft on both sides | — | — | One per business with direct street entry; up to three per building for businesses without direct street entry | May not project more than 3 feet into the public right-of-way; minimum clearance of 9 feet above ground level | — | Sec. 78-810(4) |
| Roof Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Attached to roof/building | — | Sec. 78-810(5) |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Side of canopy roof on building | — | Sec. 78-810(7) |
| Banner, Pennant, Streamer or Feather Flag | Banners: See zone-specific; Feather flag: 12 ft | Banners: See zone-specific; Feather flag: max height 12 ft, width 3 ft; Avenue banner in Main Street Historic District up to 10 sq ft per light pole | Feather flag: 3 ft | Feather flags: min 3 ft from side lot line | Business districts: one feather flag per street frontage | Feather flags - one per street frontage, min. 3 ft setback from any side lot line; Avenue banner - attached to private light pole | — | Sec. 78-810(1),(3),(d),(e) |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On/inside windows | — | Sec. 78-810(6); 78-814(1)f |
| Sign on Tree, Utility Pole, Rock, or Fence | — | — | — | — | — | Tree, utility pole, rock, fence | — | Sec. 78-810(8) |
| Off-premises Sign | — | 100 sq ft per side, 200 sq ft both sides; directional signs: 25 sq ft | — | Min. 500 ft from any other off-premises sign | — | Only on parcels zoned business, commercial, or industrial; not closer than 500 ft from another off-premises sign | — | Sec. 78-810(14) |

### Residential

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate (Single-Family/Two-Family) | 6 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | One per single-family/two-family dwelling | Visible from street | — | Sec. 78-811(1)a |
| Identification Sign (Multifamily/Subdivision) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per multifamily dwelling or subdivision | Near main entrance | — | Sec. 78-811(1)b |
| Construction or Remodeling Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per project; two on corner lots | In connection with construction/remodeling | — | Sec. 78-811(1)c |
| "For Sale" or "For Rent" Sign (Single Family) | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | No more than one such sign per yard adjoining a street | On private property of unit | — | Sec. 78-811(2)a |
| "For Sale" or "For Rent" Sign (Multifamily) | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | No more than one per yard adjoining a street | On private property of unit or for condos, in front of the unit on land held in common | — | Sec. 78-811(2)b |
| Temporary Sign | 4 ft | 12 sq ft | 3 ft | — | One per dwelling unit | On property occupied by person placing sign | — | Sec. 78-811(3)d |

### Business District, Commercial District, CB Central Business, NB Neighborhood Business, PB Planned Business, Industrial District, PI Planned Industrial, GI General Industrial, HI Heavy Industrial

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Front Wall Sign | — | 165 sq ft (may be increased by 50% under specified conditions) | — | — | One per business/use | Front wall of principal building | — | Sec. 78-814(1) |
| Front Wall Sign (increased area, outlined letter type) | — | 300 sq ft | — | — | — | Front wall of principal building | — | Sec. 78-814(1)e |
| Ground Sign | 18 ft | 100 sq ft per side | — | — | Two per building | On property | — | Sec. 78-814(4) |
| Awning Lettering | Lettering not larger than 8 inches high | — | — | — | One under-awning sign per awning | On awning | — | Sec. 78-814(6) |
| "For Sale" or "For Rent" Sign (CB, NB) | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | No more than one per yard adjoining a street | On property for sale/rent | — | Sec. 78-814(8)a |
| "For Sale" or "For Rent" Sign (PB, PI, GI, HI) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | No more than one per yard adjoining a street | On property for sale/rent | — | Sec. 78-814(8)a |
| "For Sale" Sign (Plat) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per street | On property facing each public street | — | Sec. 78-814(8)b |
| Portable Sign | 4 ft | 12 sq ft per side | 3 ft | — | One per business | On private property except sandwich boards | — | Sec. 78-814(9) |

## Prohibited signs in Stoughton

- No sign may be constructed, erected, remodeled, relocated or expanded without obtaining a sign permit and paying required fees, unless exempted.
- No sign shall be erected, altered, moved or structurally modified without a permit or in violation of this article.
- No banners, pennants, streamers, feather flags or strings of lights shall be permitted except as provided in specified exemptions.
- No flashing, rotating or moving signs, animated signs, signs with moving lights or signs creating the illusion of movement shall be permitted, except as specifically allowed for certain pre-existing signs on Main Street as described.
- No projecting sign shall extend more than three feet into the public right-of-way.
- Projecting signs must have a minimum clearance of nine feet above ground level.
- No signs shall be attached to any roof and no signs attached to the building may project above the area where the wall and roof meet.
- No sign shall block any required access or be positioned outside of any window.
- No signs may be attached to any canopy roof except on the side, and may not project above the canopy roof.
- No sign shall be attached to a tree, utility pole, rock or fence, whether on public or private property, except as specifically permitted.
- All signs must conform to the regulations and design standards of the code and comply with applicable building and electrical codes.
- No sign shall be maintained at any location where, due to its position, size, shape or color, it may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of or be confused with any traffic control sign, signal or device, or where it may interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
- No sign shall be permitted on any public street, sidewalk, alley, parkway or other public property, except as specifically authorized for garage sale or open house signs, or as otherwise excepted.
- No sign shall be suspended by chains or other devices that will allow the sign to swing due to wind action.
- No sign shall be permitted which advertises a business that is not presently being conducted (obsolete signs).
- No abandoned sign shall remain more than 30 days after abandonment.

## Signs exempt from permit in Stoughton

- Flags or emblems of government and signs of political, civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organizations displayed on private property (with limitations on political campaign signs).
- Signs of a duly constituted governmental body, including traffic or regulatory devices, legal notices, utility warning signs and warnings at railroad crossings.
- Memorial signs.
- Address numerals and other signs required to be maintained by law or governmental order, rule or regulation.
- Small, nonilluminated instructional signs, not exceeding two square feet in area, displayed for public convenience (e.g., restrooms, freight entrances). Signs larger than two square feet require a permit fee.
- Temporary signs, subject to conformity with specified code sections.
- Artwork and athletic scoreboards.
- Signs accessory to residential/commercial uses as permitted in referenced code subsections.
- Signs accessory to churches, schools or nonprofit institutions as permitted in referenced code section.
- Garage sale signs in accordance with code requirements.
- Signs deemed historical by the zoning administrator (with possible input from Landmarks Commission).
- Signage on softball/baseball outfield fencing for advertising, with specific material, size, location, and time period regulations.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No sign may be constructed, erected, remodeled, relocated or expanded until a sign permit is obtained and a fee is paid in accordance with this article.
- Every sign contractor shall file a certificate of insurance with the zoning administrator, including specified general and property liability limits.
- Permit applications must include clear and legible scale drawings and site plans, identifying all existing and proposed signage, as well as other information as the zoning administrator may require.
- If the zoning administrator denies a permit, appeal may be made to the zoning board of appeals.
- Permit fees may be waived for nonconforming signs that are made conforming within one year of adoption of this ordinance.
- Nonconforming signs and violated signs may require removal or modification per notification by the zoning administrator.
- Signs may require special regulation in Landmarks and Historic Districts (ref. Sec. 78-815).

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

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