# Sign Regulations in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Sun Prairie, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/sun-prairie
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/WI/Sun_Prairie/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT5BULIRE_CH5.36GASA_5.36.030SI)

## At a glance

Sun Prairie, Wisconsin regulates 24 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Nonresidential Zoning Districts, Central Commercial (CC), Main Street Overlay (MSO), Neighborhood Commercial (NC), Suburban Commercial (SC), Urban Commercial (UC), Downtown Commercial (DC), Planned Development (PD) zoning district are capped at Pylon or pole: 8 ft.; Ground sign: 14 ft. (16 ft. for emergency medical); Group sign: height of principal building; Interchange sign: 35 ft. tall and 150 sq. ft. per sign, with a 5 ft. from right-of-way, 10 ft. from curb, vision triangle per 17.36.030 setback (Sec. 17.40.070(B) Table, 17.40.070(B)(1)(a), 17.40.070(C)). Most commercial signs in Sun Prairie require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Zoning Districts | 5 | 14 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Nonresidential Zoning Districts, Central Commercial (CC), Main Street Overlay (MSO), Neighborhood Commercial (NC), Suburban Commercial (SC), Urban Commercial (UC), Downtown Commercial (DC), Planned Development (PD) | 10 | 35 ft.; up to 50 ft. with C.U.P. | 450 sq. ft./facade; Emergency medical: 450 sq. ft./facade (max 12%) | — |
| Interchange Sign Overlay District | 1 | 35 ft.; up to 50 ft. by C.U.P. | Up to 150 sq. ft.; more by C.U.P. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | Freestanding: 8 ft.; wall sign: height of principal building | 48 sq. ft. | — |

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

### Residential Zoning Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Multiple Family or Institutional, 4+ Units) | Height of principal building | 12 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot | On principal building; indicates only name, phone, address, and/or management company | — | 17.40.070(A) Table, 17.40.070(A)(1) |
| Wall Sign (Approved Nonresidential Use) | Height of principal building | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot | On principal building | — | 17.40.070(A) Table, 17.40.070(A)(3) |
| Freestanding Sign (Subdivision Identification) | 14 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | Maximum 2 per entrance | At entrance(s) from a collector or arterial street | — | 17.40.070(A) Table, 17.40.070(A)(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Multiple Family or Institutional, 4+ Units) | 14 ft. | 12 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot | On lot of use | — | 17.40.070(A) Table, 17.40.070(A)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Approved Nonresidential Use) | 14 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot | On lot of use | — | 17.40.070(A) Table, 17.40.070(A)(3) |

### Nonresidential Zoning Districts, Central Commercial (CC), Main Street Overlay (MSO), Neighborhood Commercial (NC), Suburban Commercial (SC), Urban Commercial (UC), Downtown Commercial (DC), Planned Development (PD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Height of principal building | 450 sq. ft./facade; Emergency medical: 450 sq. ft./facade (max 12%) | — | — | As described in sign_size_restrictions | Any facade facing a nonresidential lot frontage; no extension beyond mounting surface; not over windows or doors. | — | 17.40.070(B) Table, 17.40.070(B)(1)(b) |
| Projecting Sign (DC, MSO only) | No taller than building, or no higher than bottom of 2nd floor window if residential on 2nd floor; min 10 ft. above ground | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per tenant or building facade (if used, only 1 wall sign allowed) | Must be fixed, no swing parts; not over streets/drives/parking | — | 17.40.070(B) Table, 17.40.070(C)(4) |
| Freestanding Sign | Pylon or pole: 8 ft.; Ground sign: 14 ft. (16 ft. for emergency medical); Group sign: height of principal building; Interchange sign: 35 ft. | 150 sq. ft. per sign | — | 5 ft. from right-of-way, 10 ft. from curb, vision triangle per 17.36.030 | 1 per street frontage (max 2 per lot, 1 add'l for >1,000 ft frontage) | Minimum 5 ft. from right-of-way; min 10 ft. from curb; subject to vision triangle standards | — | 17.40.070(B) Table, 17.40.070(B)(1)(a), 17.40.070(C) |
| Ground Sign | 14 ft.; Emergency medical facilities: 16 ft.; 20 ft. with conditional use permit | As for freestanding sign (see above) | — | 5 ft. from right-of-way; 10 ft. from curb | See freestanding sign | On nonresidential property, in required setbacks | — | 17.40.070(C)(3) |
| Group Sign | Height of principal building; may increase 15% with C.U.P. | Up to 150 sq. ft.; up to 200 sq. ft. C.U.P. if over 100 ft frontage | — | 5 ft. from right-of-way, 10 ft. from curb | 1 per development/entrance | Multi-tenant, group or development entrance | — | 17.40.070(C)(2) |
| Interchange Sign (Interchange Sign Overlay District) | 35 ft.; up to 50 ft. with C.U.P. | As for freestanding sign, up to 150 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot | Interchange overlay district | — | 17.40.070(C)(1) |
| Auxiliary Sign (Menu Board, etc.) | — | 50 sq. ft. per lot; Menu board: 50 sq. ft. per drive-thru lane | — | — | — | As approved by zoning enforcement officer | — | 17.40.070(C)(7) |
| Statuary Sign (Conditional Use) | 14 ft. max (set on base at least 2 ft above grade) | 150 sq. ft. per sign face | — | — | 1 per lot | Set on decorative base; non-movable/non-rotating | — | 17.40.070(C)(9) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (Business Regular Event) | Freestanding: 8 ft.; wall sign: height of principal building | 48 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot at a time | All nonresidential zoning districts | — | 17.40.060(A), Table 17.40.060(A) |
| Temporary Sign (Business Promotional Event) | Freestanding: 8 ft.; wall sign: height of principal building | 48 sq. ft. (no area calc for streamers/balloons) | — | — | 2 per lot at a time | All nonresidential zoning districts | — | 17.40.060(A), Table 17.40.060(A), 17.40.060(A)(2) |
| Temporary Sign (Approved Temporary Use, Including Seasonal) | Freestanding: 8 ft.; wall sign: height of principal building | 48 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot at a time | All nonresidential zoning districts | — | 17.40.060(A), Table 17.40.060(A), 17.40.060(A)(3) |
| Temporary Sandwich Board / A-Frame Sign | 4 ft. | 8 sq. ft. | 2 ft. | — | Max 2 per business | NC, SC, UC, DC, PD; must not obstruct 4.5 ft. of sidewalk clear width | — | 17.40.060(A) Table, 17.40.060(A)(4) |
| Temporary Sign (Nonbusiness Special Event - On Site) | 8 ft. | 48 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 per lot | All zoning districts | — | 17.40.060(B) Table, 17.40.060(B)(1) |
| Temporary Sign (Nonbusiness Special Event - Off Site) | 8 ft. | 48 sq. ft. for wall/freestanding/banner signs; 4 sq. ft. for off-premises directional signs | — | — | 4 per event | All zoning districts (directionals must be outside right-of-way) | — | 17.40.060(B) Table, 17.40.060(B)(2) |
| Address/Nameplate Sign (Exempt) | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per unit | On principal building | — | 17.40.050(A) |
| Directional Sign (Exempt) | 5 ft. | 4 sq. ft. (24 sq. ft. for emergency medical facilities) | — | — | Per parking entrance/exit; 3 extra per lot | At entrance/exit of parking area; on-premises or off-premises (if by gov agency/institution, or for special event) | — | 17.40.050(F) |

## Prohibited signs in Sun Prairie

- No sign may be constructed, erected, painted, modified, enlarged, reconstructed, replaced, placed or maintained for any purpose, nor in any manner that is not in conformance with the provisions of this chapter and all other applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations.
- No illuminated sign shall be permitted unless designed so the sign does not serve to illuminate adjoining residential uses in residential zoning districts.
- No wall or projecting sign shall extend above the facade to which it is attached or encroach upon a window, doorway, or architectural feature.
- No sign over four square feet in area may be attached to another sign without being designed as an integral part of the original sign.
- No signs may be attached to, or cover up, any portion of a sign's frame, structure, or base unless originally designed or subsequently redesigned for that purpose.
- No wall or projecting sign shall be higher than the building on which it is mounted.
- Flashing signs are prohibited except as exempt holiday decorations and displays.
- Moving signs (fluttering, undulating, swinging, rotating, or otherwise moving) are prohibited except for electronic message signs and special event signs as permitted.
- Off-premises advertising signs are prohibited except as provided for billboards per state law, permitted A-frame or sandwich board signs on sidewalk frontage, permitted off-premises directional signs by government or institutional land use, or nonbusiness temporary sign of four square feet or less meeting the definition of directional sign.
- Portable and mobile signs are prohibited except A-frame or sandwich board signs permitted under Section 17.40.060.A.4.
- No sign may be located within or across any public right-of-way, or on any public property or utility pole, except government signs, permitted A-frame/sandwich board signs, or temporary emergency/warning signs. Any other sign on public property/right-of-way requires conditional use permit.
- Roof signs are prohibited except for signs meeting the definition of integral roof sign.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained where, by reason of its position, wording, illumination, size, shape, or color, it may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic control sign, signal, or device; nor use any word, phrase, symbol, shape, form, or character so as to interfere with moving traffic, including use of typical street-type or traffic control-type signage designs/colors.
- Vehicle signs affixed to a vehicle so as to be visible from a public right-of-way whose purpose is to advertise a product or direct persons to a business are prohibited except when approved as a temporary sign.
- All signs, including nonconforming signs, must be maintained in good condition. Unsafe or dilapidated signs shall be repaired or removed.
- Signs not meeting setback or visibility corner requirements per Section 17.36.030 are prohibited.
- No sign shall be displayed in a manner which would otherwise cause it to be prohibited, even if exempt from permit.
- Abandoned signs must be removed along with all associated structural supports and the area restored.

## Signs exempt from permit in Sun Prairie

- Address and name plate signs not exceeding two square feet for each single-family lot or unit on a multifamily lot with four or fewer units.
- Home occupation name signs for approved home occupations, provided the sign is two square feet or less and the occupation is permitted.
- Artwork that meets the ordinance's definition and does not identify a product or business or serve a commercial purpose.
- Athletic scoreboards if any ancillary advertising is not oriented to be viewed from outside the event area.
- Construction signs meeting size and height limits (up to 48 square feet and eight feet high), removed within 30 days after construction.
- Directional signs meeting the specified standards (number, size, location), including off-premises if by government, institutional land use, or special event.
- Flags, three per lot (with one more per 200 feet of frontage with approval), except for lots with institutional/residential uses.
- One 'For Sale' or 'For Rent' sign per lot, not more than twelve square feet.
- Government signs as established by government agencies.
- Holiday signs and decorations as part of a holiday or civic event.
- Instructional signs four square feet or less (up to 12 square feet for emergency medical facilities) and parking lot signs up to nine square feet.
- Interior signs located inside a building and not window signs.
- Memorial signs, plaques, grave markers that are noncommercial.
- Political signs up to 32 square feet, subject to specific placement and property owner consent requirements.
- Real estate group signs for multi-tenant/group development, max two per development, max 32 sq ft each, to be removed when 80% of premises sold or leased.
- Real estate subdivision signs for approved subdivisions, max two per subdivision not over 32 sq ft each (plus extras for large subdivisions), removed when 80% of lots are built.
- Under-canopy signs four square feet or less (subject to right-of-way standards).
- Vehicle signs (unless prohibited use as advertisement from right-of-way as noted in general prohibitions).
- Up to three wave banners per lot (with one more per 200 feet of frontage with approval), subject to specific size, height, setback and condition requirements.
- Window signs and window displays that meet size and placement standards (max 50% of window area as signs).
- Repainting or changing the copy of a sign, provided the sign complies with height and area provisions.
- Nonbusiness special event signs for public interest events per Section 17.40.060(B).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All buildings with two or more tenants or complexes with two or more buildings must install all tenant and group signs according to a sign design plan approved by the zoning code enforcement officer.
- A sign design plan must be submitted for all new developments prior to issuance of the first sign permit.
- All existing developments must submit a sign design plan concurrently with any new requests for a sign permit by a tenant or owner.
- A sign design plan must include detailed requirements (lettering, illumination, colors, materials, location, sign type, etc.) and all signs must be installed according to the approved plan.
- For multi-tenant buildings, a sign design plan may allocate allowable wall sign area among tenant spaces (provided maximums are not exceeded) and must be updated as permits or tenants change.
- Group signs are regulated under the approved sign design plan, see Section 17.40.040(E).

## 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 Sun Prairie — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Sun+Prairie+WI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-sun-prairie

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/sun-prairie