Sign Regulations in Sullivan, Wisconsin
Sullivan, Wisconsin has specific sign regulations covering 26 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Ground Sign, Temporary Sign (Subdivision Developments). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 28, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Sullivan, Wisconsin
Sample Sign Requirements in Sullivan
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulletin Board | — | 32 square feet | — |
| Occupant Sign | — | 3 square feet | — |
| Temporary Construction Safety Sign | 10 feet | — | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
26
- Wall Sign
- Ground Sign
- Temporary Sign (Subdivision Developments)
- Permanent Subdivision Identification Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
9
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Sullivan
Other Cities in Wisconsin
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Sullivan vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Sullivan, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Sullivan, regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Ground Sign, Temporary Sign (Subdivision Developments), Permanent Subdivision Identification Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Sullivan vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Sullivan are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Sullivan has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Sullivan, Wisconsin Sign Rules at a Glance
Sullivan, Wisconsin regulates 26 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Temporary Sign (Subdivision Developments)s in the Residential Districts zoning district are capped at 8 feet tall and 50 square feet, with a Observe front yard requirement of principal use, 50 feet from all other boundaries setback (Sec. § 485-56A). Most commercial signs in Sullivan require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Sullivan, Wisconsin
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Sullivan (9 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 17 | 10 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| B-1 General Commercial District | 3 | 20 feet | 100 square feet | — |
| B-2 Highway Commercial District | 4 | 30 feet | 120 square feet | — |
| B-3 Business Park District | 3 | 30 feet | 120 square feet | — |
| I-1 Industrial District | 3 | 30 feet | 120 square feet | — |
| Residential Districts | 5 | 15 feet | 50 square feet | — |
| Mobile Home District | 5 | 15 feet | 50 square feet | — |
| Agricultural Districts | 5 | 15 feet | 50 square feet | — |
| Planned Unit Developments (Residential) | 5 | 15 feet | 50 square feet | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Sullivan(sample of 3 of 9 zones)
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulletin Board | — | 32 square feet | — | — | — | On-site for public, charitable or religious institutions | — | Unlock | § 485-55A |
| Occupant Sign | — | 3 square feet | — | — | — | One per street front | — | Unlock | § 485-55E |
| Temporary Construction Safety Sign | 10 feet | — | — | — | — | Private premises | — | Unlock | § 485-55G |
| Traffic and Service Sign | 10 feet | 12 square feet per face | — | — | — | Private premises | — | Unlock | § 485-55H |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential) | — | 6 square feet | — | — | — | On the offered property | — | Unlock | § 485-55J |
| Real Estate Sign (Nonresidential) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | — | On the offered property | — | Unlock | § 485-55J |
| Civic Event Temporary Sign (Residential or Public Lands) | — | 4 square feet | — | — | — | Off-premises | — | Unlock | § 485-55N |
| Civic Event Temporary Sign (B-1, B-2, B-3, I-1 Districts) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | — | Off-premises | — | Unlock | § 485-55N |
Residential Districts
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Sign (Subdivision Developments) | 8 feet | 50 square feet | — | Observe front yard requirement of principal use, 50 feet from all other boundaries | — | Subdivision under construction | — | Unlock | § 485-56A |
| Permanent Subdivision Identification Sign | 12 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | — | At each entrance to a subdivision | — | Unlock | § 485-56B |
| Public Directory or Church Bulletin | 15 feet | 24 square feet | — | No closer than five feet from any lot line | — | Public, religious and charitable institutions | — | Unlock | § 485-56C |
| Bed-and-Breakfast Sign | 6 feet | 16 square feet | — | Ten-foot setback from a public right-of-way or lot line | — | Bed-and-breakfast establishment | — | Unlock | § 485-56D |
| Home Occupation/Professional Home Office Sign | 6 feet | 6 square feet | — | Ten-foot setback from a public right-of-way or lot line | — | On-site home occupation or professional home office | — | Unlock | § 485-56E |
Mobile Home District
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Sign (Subdivision Developments) | 8 feet | 50 square feet | — | Observe front yard requirement of principal use, 50 feet from all other boundaries | — | Subdivision under construction | — | Unlock | § 485-56A |
| Permanent Subdivision Identification Sign | 12 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | — | At each entrance to a subdivision | — | Unlock | § 485-56B |
| Public Directory or Church Bulletin | 15 feet | 24 square feet | — | No closer than five feet from any lot line | — | Public, religious and charitable institutions | — | Unlock | § 485-56C |
| Bed-and-Breakfast Sign | 6 feet | 16 square feet | — | Ten-foot setback from a public right-of-way or lot line | — | Bed-and-breakfast establishment | — | Unlock | § 485-56D |
| Home Occupation/Professional Home Office Sign | 6 feet | 6 square feet | — | Ten-foot setback from a public right-of-way or lot line | — | On-site home occupation or professional home office | — | Unlock | § 485-56E |
PermitPal covers all 9 zoning districts in Sullivan — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 9 zones for Sullivan — start freeProhibited Signs in Sullivan
- Signs shall not resemble, imitate or approximate the shape, size, form or color of railroad or traffic signs or devices.
- Signs, canopies and awnings shall not obstruct or interfere with the effectiveness of railroad or traffic signs, signals or devices or the safe flow of traffic.
- No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape.
- No sign, awning or canopy shall be placed so as to obstruct or interfere with traffic visibility.
- No sign shall be erected which has any flashing, rotating or brilliant intermittent parts or lights, bare reflecting-type bulbs, or utilizes a spot or beacon light to illuminate a sign, except those giving public service information such as time, date, temperature, weather or similar information.
- Signs shall not be permitted on public rights-of-way, except for municipal traffic control, parking and directional signs.
- No new billboards shall be permitted in the Village of Sullivan after the original effective date of this article.
- Painted wall signs are prohibited in the Village of Sullivan.
- Signs which bear or contain statements, words, pictures, or symbols of obscene, pornographic or immoral subjects are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited in the Village of Sullivan.
- Swinging signs are prohibited.
- Third-party signs and billboards are prohibited, except as provided in § 485-57D(6).
- No persons shall park any vehicle or trailer on a public right-of-way, or on private properties so as to be seen from a public right-of-way, which has attached thereto or located thereon any sign or advertising device for the basic purposes of providing advertisement of products or directing people to a business activity located on the same or nearby property or any other premise.
- Signs which are not effectively shielded so as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed at any portion of the traveled ways of a public right-of-way and which are of such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or to impair the vision of the driver of any motor vehicle, or which otherwise interfere with any driver's operations of a motor vehicle, are prohibited.
- Signs which are not effectively shielded as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed at any residential property, and which are of such intensity or brilliance as to cause a public nuisance, are prohibited.
- No sign shall be so floodlighted or illuminated that it interferes with the effectiveness of or obscures an official traffic sign, device, or signal.
Exempt Signs in Sullivan
- Bulletin boards for public, charitable or religious institutions located on-site.
- Government signs for control of traffic and other regulatory purposes, danger signs, railroad crossing signs, and signs of public utilities indicating danger, and aids to service or safety which are erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance of his/her public duty.
- Interior signs located within the interior of any building or structure which are not visible from the public right-of-way.
- 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.
- Occupant signs limited in content to name of occupant, address of premises, and signs of danger.
- Official governmental notices and notices posted by governmental officers in the performance of their duties.
- Temporary construction safety signs erected by public utility companies or construction companies to warn of dangerous or hazardous conditions.
- Traffic and parking signs and devices privately owned and on private premises, and containing messages such as 'exit only,' 'restricted for ____,' and the like, the sole purpose of which is to direct and control traffic on the premises.
- Signs required by law, statute or ordinance, constructed and maintained according to the law, statute or ordinance under which the sign was erected.
- Real estate signs advertising the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which it is located.
- Signs in the display window of a business which relate to services or products offered therein.
- On-premises symbols or insignia such as religious symbols, commemorative plaques of recognized historic agencies, or identification emblems of religious orders or historical agencies.
- On-premises temporary and portable signs in residential districts for events such as open houses, model home demonstrations, special events like birthdays or anniversaries.
- Civic event temporary signs pertaining to drives or events of civic, philanthropic, educational, religious, or nonprofit organizations.
- Political message, public election or referenda signs during an election campaign.
- Rummage or garage sale signs not to exceed eight square feet in area.
- Illuminated and nonilluminated signs not exceeding 10 square feet in area announcing that a business is open or closed.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Sullivan
- If the sign is larger than 50 square feet, the sign shall be reviewed by the Plan Commission.
- The Plan Commission shall review all applications within 30 days of submittal.
- The Plan Commission shall review the applications and apply the established sign design review guidelines.
- Sign design review guidelines shall be used by the Plan Commission in acting on sign permit applications and by the Zoning Board of Appeals in acting on appeals or variance requests.
Source: ecode360 municipal code