# Sign Regulations in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Twin Lakes, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/twin-lakes
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-26
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.villageoftwinlakes.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/TITLE-17-ZONING.pdf#page=65)

## At a glance

Twin Lakes, Wisconsin regulates 51 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Business Signs - Total Allowed Area (All Non-Residential Uses)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Detached sign total vertical height including supports ≤20 ft measured from adjacent grade (17.57.100(L)(1)). Roof sign area limited but no specific height; still subject to not extending above peak/roof limit except projecting signs (17.57.100(B),(L)(2)). tall and Per building side: 25 sq ft minimum, 300 sq ft maximum of restricted signs per first-floor business; individual detached sign face ≤100 sq ft; individual roof sign face ≤100 sq ft (17.57.100(D),(L))., with a 5 ft from front/side yard lot line generally; see setback rule in 17.57.100(G); additional 10 ft vision setback near sidewalks/intersections (17.57.100(C),(G)). setback (Sec. 17.57.100(D),(E),(L),(M),(N),(R); 17.57.090(A)(3)). Most commercial signs in Twin Lakes require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 34 | Detached sign total vertical height including supports ≤20 ft measured from adjacent grade (17.57.100(L)(1)). Roof sign area limited but no specific height; still subject to not extending above peak/roof limit except projecting signs (17.57.100(B),(L)(2)). | ≤200 sq ft (17.57.110(K)). | — |
| Residential Districts (Residential District; Multiple Dwelling District; Rural Residential District; Rural Estate Residential District) | 9 | — | Residential nameplates: no explicit limit stated (must be modest); governmental/religious/fraternal flags/insignia ≤200 sq ft (17.57.110(K)); yard cards limited by time not area; address numbers and commemorative markers no explicit area limit but customary small size implied. | — |
| Commercial District; Business Park District; Industrial District | 6 | Detached sign height ≤20 ft including supports; projecting sign height ≤20 ft; projecting sign may extend up to 5 ft above roof/wall/parapet; minimum 10 ft clearance from grade (17.57.100(B),(L)(1),(Q)). | ≤100 sq ft per sign; subject to total per-side allowance (17.57.100(O), (D)). | — |
| Institutional / Park District; Conservancy District; Agricultural District; Upland Conservancy District; Institutional / Park District (repeated for grouping) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Wastewater Treatment Facility Separation Overlay District; Planned Development District; Business Park District Overlay Context; Floodplain Regulations; Shoreland-Wetland Regulations; Shoreland Protection Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Signs - General Location/Attachment Limits | Projecting signs may extend up to 5 ft above high point or peak of roof/wall/parapet to which attached; no other sign may extend above such high point or peak (17.57.100(B)) | See subsections D, L.1, O, Q for specific sign-type limits; overall per-building-side limit applies | — | General setback: all signs must be set back 5 ft from front lot line or side yard lot line on corner lots; in Commercial, Industrial and Business Park Districts, a detached or projecting sign with lowest point ≥10 ft above ground may be within 5 ft setback but not into public highway ROW (17.57.100(G)). Vision setback at sidewalks/intersections min 10 ft (17.57.100(C)). | — | All signs (attached or detached) must be located only on building/structure sides that face a public street or alley right-of-way or public parking lot (17.57.100(A)). Vision setback at public sidewalk ROW or at intersections of public streets and driveways must be at least 10 ft unless otherwise stated (17.57.100(C)). | — | 17.57.030; 17.57.070; 17.57.100(A)-(C),(H) |
| Business Signs - Total Allowed Area (All Non-Residential Uses) | Detached sign total vertical height including supports ≤20 ft measured from adjacent grade (17.57.100(L)(1)). Roof sign area limited but no specific height; still subject to not extending above peak/roof limit except projecting signs (17.57.100(B),(L)(2)). | Per building side: 25 sq ft minimum, 300 sq ft maximum of restricted signs per first-floor business; individual detached sign face ≤100 sq ft; individual roof sign face ≤100 sq ft (17.57.100(D),(L)). | — | 5 ft from front/side yard lot line generally; see setback rule in 17.57.100(G); additional 10 ft vision setback near sidewalks/intersections (17.57.100(C),(G)). | Number of business signs not directly limited; controlled by cumulative area formula and individual size caps. | Business signs must be located on the premises being served (17.57.100(R)). | — | 17.57.100(D),(E),(L),(M),(N),(R); 17.57.090(A)(3) |
| Wall Sign (General Regulations) | May not extend above high point/peak of roof, wall, or parapet to which attached (17.57.100(B)). | ≤100 sq ft per wall sign (17.57.100(O)), subject also to total allowed gross surface area per building side (17.57.100(D)). | — | Indirectly affected by building setback; wall signs themselves follow building wall; must respect vision setbacks for traffic safety (17.57.100(C)). | Unlimited per lot, constrained only by total sign area allowance. | Must be located on premises being served; must be affixed parallel/printed on wall (definition) on side facing public street/alley/parking lot (17.57.050 "Wall sign"; 17.57.100(A),(O)). Signs affixed flat to mansard roofs, marquees, awnings, and canopies are treated as wall signs (17.57.050). | — | 17.57.050 (definition of Wall sign); 17.57.100(A),(B),(O) |
| Projecting Sign (General Regulations) | Top of sign ≤20 ft in height (17.57.100(Q)); may extend up to 5 ft above roof/wall/parapet high point (17.57.100(B)); lowest point ≥10 ft above grade/walkways/driveways/parking lots (17.57.100(B),(Q)). | ≤50 sq ft in area per projecting sign (17.57.100(Q)). | — | Generally 5 ft from front/sideyard lines; in Commercial/Industrial/Business Park, may encroach into 0–5 ft zone if lowest point ≥10 ft and not into highway ROW (17.57.100(G)). | Max one projecting sign per business per street/alley/parking-lot frontage (17.57.100(Q)). | Must be located on premises being served; one projecting sign per business per public street/alley/public parking lot frontage (17.57.100(Q)). May project from wall but must respect height/clearance rules; in Commercial/Industrial/Business Park, may be within 5 ft setback if ≥10 ft above ground and not into public highway ROW (17.57.100(G)). | — | 17.57.050 "Projecting sign"; 17.57.100(B),(G),(Q); 17.57.160(F) |
| Detached Sign (Freestanding Sign) - General | Total vertical height including supports ≤20 ft from adjacent grade (17.57.100(L)(1)). | Any individual detached sign display surface ≤100 sq ft (17.57.100(L)(1)); subject to overall per-building-side or per-lot formula (17.57.100(D),(E)). | — | 5 ft from front and corner side yard lines minimum; 10 ft vision setback at intersections/sidewalk ROW (17.57.100(C),(G)). | No explicit numeric limit; limited by total allowed sign area per lot/building side. | Must be on premises being served (17.57.100(R)); must be at least 5 ft from front/sideyard lot line except where 17.57.100(G) allows certain exceptions in commercial/industrial/business park for signs ≥10 ft above ground; must comply with 10 ft vision setback at intersections/sidewalks (17.57.100(C),(G)). | — | 17.57.050 "Sign"; 17.57.100(C),(G),(L),(R); 17.57.090(A)(3) |
| Roof Sign - General | Not expressly stated beyond general prohibition on signs extending above high point/peak; by implication, roof sign may not extend above roof peak except projecting signs, so roof signs must be within roof profile (17.57.100(B),(L)(2)). | Any individual display surface ≤100 sq ft (17.57.100(L)(2)). | — | Follows building footprint; must not violate vision setbacks. | No explicit numeric limit; controlled by total allowed sign area. | On and over the roof of a building, supported by the roof structure (definition), on premises being served. | — | 17.57.050 "Roof sign"; 17.57.100(B),(L)(2) |
| Awning or Canopy Sign (Permit-Exempt Category) | No canopy/awning less than 8 ft in height from sidewalk (17.57.110(D)). | May occupy ≤30% of vertical face area of awning or canopy (17.57.110(D)). | — | — | Not numerically limited; constrained by awning/canopy faces and total sign area rules where applicable. | On premises being served, attached to awning/canopy (17.57.110(D)). | — | 17.57.050 "Canopy sign"; 17.57.050 "Wall sign"; 17.57.110(D) |
| Real Estate Sign - Single and Two-Family Residences | — | ≤9 sq ft (17.57.110(F)). | — | ≥10 ft from side or rear lot line; not in street ROW (17.57.110(F)). | Max 2 per premises (17.57.110(F)). | On property advertised; not in street ROW; ≥10 ft from side or rear lot line (17.57.110(F)). | — | 17.57.110(F) |

### Residential Districts (Residential District; Multiple Dwelling District; Rural Residential District; Rural Estate Residential District)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Private Garage / Yard / Rummage Sale Sign (Residential Only) | — | ≤5 sq ft (17.57.120(B)). | — | — | — | In residential districts only, on premises of sale (17.57.120(B); definition). | — | 17.57.050 "Garage/yard sale sign"; 17.57.120(B) |
| Home Occupation Sign (Residential Use) | — | ≤5 sq ft (17.57.120(C)(2)). | — | — | — | On residential building where home occupation is conducted within Residential Districts (17.57.120(C)). | — | 17.57.120(C) |
| Residential Real Estate Sign | — | Single/two-family residences: ≤9 sq ft; multi-family: ≤32 sq ft (17.57.110(F)). | — | ≥10 ft from side or rear lot lines; not in street ROW (17.57.110(F)). | Max 2 per premises (17.57.110(F)). | On property for sale/rent/auction; not in street ROW; ≥10 ft from side or rear lot line (17.57.110(F)). | — | 17.57.110(F); 17.57.120(A)(5) |
| Residential Construction Sign | — | ≤32 sq ft per sign; total ≤75 sq ft per site (17.57.110(G)). | — | — | Number not specified; limited by site total 75 sq ft and 32 sq ft per sign. | On site of construction in residential district (17.57.110(G); 17.57.120(A)(6)). | — | 17.57.110(G); 17.57.120(A)(6) |
| Election Sign (Residential Property) | — | Governed by Wis. Stat. § 12.04 for residential properties (17.57.110(H)(1)). | — | ≥7 ft from edge of pavement; must not obstruct pedestrian way or vision setback (17.57.110(H)(2)). | Not explicitly limited by Village ordinance for residential; may be subject to state law. | On residential property with owner’s permission; not on public buildings/grounds, utility poles, or traffic control devices/ROWs; ≥7 ft from edge of pavement; must not obstruct pedestrian ways or vision setbacks (17.57.110(H)(2)). | — | 17.57.110(H)(1)-(2),(4)-(7); 17.57.120(A)(3) |
| Temporary Open House Sign (Residential Property) | — | ≤6 sq ft (17.57.110(J)(1)). | — | — | Max 4 directional per house; 1 per intersection per company (17.57.110(J)(1)). | At intersections directing to residential open house; also may be on property itself consistent with regulations. | — | 17.57.110(J); 17.57.120(A)(4) |
| Address Number / Residential Nameplate / Commemorative or Historical Sign / Flag or Insignia / Yard Card (Residential) | — | Residential nameplates: no explicit limit stated (must be modest); governmental/religious/fraternal flags/insignia ≤200 sq ft (17.57.110(K)); yard cards limited by time not area; address numbers and commemorative markers no explicit area limit but customary small size implied. | — | — | Yard cards: one at a time; others not numerically limited but governed by typical residential standards. | On residential premises. | — | 17.57.110(A)-(C),(K),(L); 17.57.120(A)(1),(2),(8),(10),(11) |
| Multi-Dwelling Unit Sign (Residential Use) | — | Not numerically specified; subject to Plan Commission approval (17.57.100(J)). | — | — | — | On premises of multi-dwelling units in Residential or Multiple Dwelling Districts (17.57.120(A)(12); 17.57.100(J)). | — | 17.57.100(J); 17.57.120(A)(12) |

### Commercial District; Business Park District; Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Signs (Commercial/Business Park/Industrial) | Detached sign height ≤20 ft including supports; projecting sign height ≤20 ft; projecting sign may extend up to 5 ft above roof/wall/parapet; minimum 10 ft clearance from grade (17.57.100(B),(L)(1),(Q)). | Per side: 25–300 sq ft total restricted sign area; individual detached sign ≤100 sq ft; individual roof sign ≤100 sq ft; wall sign ≤100 sq ft (17.57.100(D),(L),(O)). | — | General 5 ft setback from front/sideyard lines; in these districts, a detached or projecting sign ≥10 ft above ground may be within 5 ft setback but not into public highway ROW (17.57.100(G)); 10 ft vision setback at intersections/sidewalk ROW (17.57.100(C)). | No numerical limit; bounded by total area and individual sign caps. | On premises being served; on building sides facing public street/alley/public parking lot (17.57.100(A),(R)). Detached signs must respect setbacks but, in these districts, may be within 5 ft of lot line if lowest point ≥10 ft and not into highway ROW (17.57.100(G)). | — | 17.57.030(B)(1); 17.57.100(A),(D),(G),(L),(M),(N),(R) |
| Wall Sign (Commercial/Industrial/Business Park) | May not extend above high point/peak of roof, wall, or parapet (17.57.100(B)). | ≤100 sq ft per sign; subject to total per-side allowance (17.57.100(O), (D)). | — | — | Unlimited, subject to area limits. | On building walls (including mansard, marquee, awning, canopy) facing public street/alley/public parking lot on premises being served (17.57.050; 17.57.100(A),(O)). | — | 17.57.050 "Wall sign"; 17.57.100(A),(B),(O) |
| Projecting Sign (Commercial/Industrial/Business Park) | ≤20 ft, with lowest point ≥10 ft above any walkway/driveway/parking lot; may extend up to 5 ft above roof/wall/parapet (17.57.100(B),(Q)). | ≤50 sq ft per sign (17.57.100(Q)). | — | May encroach into 0–5 ft zone from lot line, but not into public highway ROW, if bottom ≥10 ft above grade (17.57.100(G)); must respect 10 ft vision setback (17.57.100(C)). | 1 per business per frontage (17.57.100(Q)). | On premises being served; one per business per street/alley/parking lot frontage; may be within 5 ft setback in these districts if ≥10 ft above ground and not into highway ROW (17.57.100(G),(Q)). | — | 17.57.100(B),(G),(Q); 17.57.160(F) |
| Detached Sign (Freestanding) (Commercial/Industrial/Business Park) | ≤20 ft including supports, from adjacent grade (17.57.100(L)(1)). | ≤100 sq ft per display surface (17.57.100(L)(1)). | — | 5 ft general; potential encroachment per 17.57.100(G); 10 ft vision setback at intersections/sidewalks (17.57.100(C)). | Not specifically limited; constrained by per-side/lot area caps. | On premises being served; generally ≥5 ft from front/sideyard line, but in these districts may be within 5 ft if lowest point ≥10 ft above ground and not into highway ROW (17.57.100(G)). | — | 17.57.100(G),(L)(1) |
| Area Identification / Joint Identification Signs for Shopping Centers and Office Complexes (Commercial/Business Park/Industrial) | — | Set via design review (not numerically specified). | — | — | — | For shopping centers, office complexes, similar structures in these districts; on site of development. | — | 17.57.050 "Area identification sign"; 17.57.050 "Joint identification sign"; 17.57.100(S) |
| Temporary and Permit-Exempt Signs (Commercial/Business Park/Industrial) | — | As per each type in 17.57.110 (e.g., bulletin ≤32 sq ft; real estate ≤32 sq ft; construction ≤32 sq ft/75 total; political ≤20 sq ft per sign/80 total; open house ≤6 sq ft; flags/insignia ≤200 sq ft; incidental ≤10 sq ft; etc.). | — | Where specified in 17.57.110 (e.g., real estate setbacks, political sign 7 ft from pavement). | As per each exempt category in 17.57.110. | On premises (or at intersections for open-house directionals), for uses in these non-residential districts. | — | 17.57.110; 17.57.100(M),(N); 17.57.090 |

## Prohibited signs in Twin Lakes

- A sign may be erected, placed, established, painted, created or maintained in the Village only in conformity with the standards, procedures, exemptions and other requirements of Chapter 17.57; all signs not expressly permitted by this Chapter are prohibited.
- No sign shall be located, erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, converted, or structurally altered without a Building Permit except those signs specifically exempted in Sections 17.57.110 and 17.57.120.
- Signs which create a hazard or a dangerous distraction or obstruction to vehicular traffic or a nuisance to adjoining residential property are prohibited in any district.
- Signs which resemble, imitate or approximate the shape, size, form or color of railroad or traffic signs, signals or devices, or signs which obstruct or interfere with the effectiveness of such devices, are prohibited in any district.
- Flashing signs are prohibited in any district.
- Signs which obstruct or interfere with traffic visibility are prohibited in any district.
- Signs lighted in such a way as to cause glare or impair driver visibility upon public rights-of-way are prohibited in any district.
- Rotating, alternating or swinging signs or devices are prohibited in any district, except for time or temperature devices.
- Signs or any part thereof (including anchors, braces or guy rods) may not be attached, fastened or anchored to any fire escape, fire ladder or standpipe.
- Signs, or any part thereof, or any anchor, brace or guy rods, may not be erected, relocated or maintained so as to hinder or prevent ingress or egress from public or private driveways, parking lots or fire escapes, or through any door, doorway, window or other opening intended to provide light, air, ingress or egress for any building as required by law.
- Signs may not hinder or prevent pedestrian traffic on a sidewalk or hinder or prevent the raising or placing of ladders against a building by the Fire Department.
- Advertising vehicle signs are prohibited except as temporary signs; no person may park any vehicle or trailer on a public right-of-way or on public or private property so as to be seen from a public right-of-way if it has any sign or advertising device whose basic purpose is to provide advertisement of products or direct people to a business activity located on other premises. Licensed business vehicles containing typical business signage and actively used daily for business purposes are exempt; 'For Sale' signs on vehicles for sale are allowed if the vehicle is not parked on a public right-of-way.
- Signs in a conspicuous state of disrepair are prohibited; the Village Board may order their removal with 20 days’ public notice, or immediately if public danger exists.
- No off-premises signs or similar structures shall be erected within the corporate limits of the Village, except on property owned or controlled by the Village upon specific approval of the Village Board (and subject to standards and Design Review).
- Signs affixed to vehicles or trailers may not be used to circumvent the prohibitions on off‑premises and advertising vehicle signs.
- All signs, whether attached to or detached from a building or structure, must be located only on those sides of a building or structure that face a public street or alley, right-of-way or public parking lot.
- No sign may extend above the high point or peak of the roof, wall or parapet of the building or structure to which it is attached, except that a projecting sign may extend up to but not more than 5 feet above that high point or peak.
- No wall sign may project more than 18 inches beyond the building, and no projecting sign may be less than 10 feet above the grade underneath.
- All signs must comply with vision setback lines; at public sidewalk rights-of-way or at intersections of public streets and public or private driveways, vision setbacks shall not be less than 10 feet unless otherwise specifically stated.
- On each lot, total gross surface area of business signs may not exceed the calculation method in 17.57.100(D); the gross surface area allowed on one building side may not be carried over to another side.
- On lots of one acre or less where the building area is less than 20% of lot area, or on lots with no building but a commercial service, total sign area per lot may not exceed 100 square feet per lot line abutting a public street or alley right‑of‑way or public parking lot.
- Signs for businesses located above the first floor level are prohibited, except for business/professional name plates inside or on windows (occupying 50% or less of the window area) and one group directory sign at each public entrance.
- Location of all signs must be set back 5 feet from the front lot line or side yard lot line on corner lots; in commercial, industrial and business park districts, a detached or projecting sign with a lowest point at least 10 feet above ground may be within the 5‑foot setback but may not project into the public highway right‑of‑way.
- No person, firm, or corporation may post or fasten any paper or other material, or paint, stencil or write any number, sign, name or disfiguring mark on any sidewalk, curb, gutter, street, post, pole or tree, nor may any such objects be defaced, unless authorized by this Chapter, other Village ordinances, or the Building Inspector in carrying out this Chapter or public work.
- The use of banners, pennants, flags, balloons, streamers or other similar media for advertising is strictly prohibited, except for special promotions lasting not more than 14 days and only upon approval of the Building Inspector, or as otherwise specifically permitted.
- Each lot (whether occupied by one or more businesses) is limited to a combination of signs whose total area is determined under 17.57.100(D), except as otherwise provided in subsection S.
- Any individual display surface of a detached sign may not exceed 100 square feet, and total vertical height (including supports) may not exceed 20 feet, measured from adjacent grade.
- Any individual display surface of a roof sign may not exceed 100 square feet.
- Externally illuminated signs and floodlighting may not radiate light onto adjacent public or private property so as to interfere with nearby dwellings or constitute a traffic hazard.
- Internally illuminated signs may not radiate light onto adjacent public or private property so as to interfere with nearby dwellings.
- Wall signs must be located on the premises being served, may not exceed 100 square feet per sign, may not project more than 18 inches from the building, and must comply with total allowed gross surface sign area.
- Painted skeleton cutout letter signs must be on the building or structure being served and only on cornice, lintel, or panel; their number is limited by total allowed gross surface area.
- Projecting signs must be on the premises being served and are limited to one per business for each public street or alley right‑of‑way or public parking lot upon which it faces; they may not be less than 10 feet above any walkway, driveway or parking lot, may not exceed 20 feet in height, and may not exceed 50 square feet in area.
- Business signs must be located on the premises being served and are limited to combinations of detached, flat, painted, projecting, or skeleton cutout letter signs within the total allowed gross surface area.
- Political signs may not be located on buildings or grounds owned or maintained by any public agency; may not be placed on poles, posts or apparatuses owned by a utility; and may not be placed on traffic control posts or in road rights-of-way so as to hinder or endanger passage or obstruct vision setbacks.
- Political signs on nonresidential properties may not be erected before the relevant nomination or referendum periods specified and must be removed within 10 days after the election; they may not exceed 20 square feet unless affixed to a permanent structure and within its perimeter, and total area on one nonresidential parcel may not exceed 80 square feet; they may not have electric, mechanical, or audio auxiliaries.
- Incidental signs may not exceed 10 square feet in area, must be on the premises served, and must meet minimum height and setback requirements.
- Open house signs may not be illuminated, may not exceed 6 square feet, are limited in number and hours of display, and may not hinder or endanger safe passage or vision.
- Yard cards in all districts are limited to one at a time, a maximum display period of 5 days per occurrence, and no more than 60 days of display in any 12‑month period.
- Temporary festival/auction/bazaar/special event signs or banners require Village Board approval and must comply with any conditions imposed.
- Nonconforming signs lose their right to continue if structurally altered (beyond normal maintenance), removed from their base, substantially repaired beyond 50% of value, no longer advertising a bona fide on‑site business/product/service, altered to be less compliant, or relocated; upon such occurrence they must be removed within 30 days of written notice.

## Signs exempt from permit in Twin Lakes

- Informational signs, notices, traffic signs or signals, street signs, railroad signs, and other safety-related signs placed by a utility or any unit of government are exempt from the provisions of this Title and require no sign permit.
- Christmas or other seasonal decorations with no commercial message are exempt from the provisions of this Title and require no sign permit.
- Any public notice or warning required by a valid and applicable Federal, State, or local law, regulation or ordinance is exempt from the provisions of this Title and requires no sign permit.
- Address numbers are permitted without a building permit (subject to other applicable codes).
- Residential name plates are permitted without a building permit (subject to other applicable codes).
- On‑premises commemorative, historical, building marker or similar types of signs are permitted without a building permit (subject to other applicable codes).
- Awning or canopy signs that are on the premises being served, display only the owner’s or business name, occupy no more than 30% of the vertical face of the awning/canopy, are at least 8 feet above the sidewalk, and have no sign installed above or below the canopy/awning are permitted without a building permit.
- Bulletin signs for public, charitable or religious institutions located on the premises being served, limited to one per institution (or two on corner lots) and not exceeding 32 square feet, are permitted without a building permit.
- Real estate signs advertising a property for sale, rent or auction which are unlighted, within the specified size limits, not in the street right-of-way or within 10 feet of side/rear lot lines, limited to two per premises, and removed within 10 days after completion of the transaction, are permitted without a building permit.
- Construction signs for ongoing construction, located on the construction site, unlighted, with any one sign not exceeding 32 square feet and total construction sign area not exceeding 75 square feet, and removed within 10 days after final inspection, are permitted without a building permit.
- Political signs meeting the locational, timing, size, and removal standards in 17.57.110(H) are permitted in all districts without a building permit.
- Incidental signs located on the premises being served, each not exceeding 10 square feet in area and complying with minimum height and setback requirements, are permitted without a building permit and are unlimited in number.
- Open house signs that are unilluminated, not more than 6 square feet, within the numerical and time‑of‑day limits specified, and under the responsibility of a principal broker, are permitted without a building permit.
- The flag, pennant or insignia of any government or any religious or fraternal organization, not exceeding 200 square feet, is permitted without a building permit.
- Yard cards meeting limits on display duration (maximum 5 days per instance, 60 days total in 12 months, only one displayed at a time) are permitted without a building permit.
- Temporary signs or banners advertising a festival, auction, bazaar, or other special event are permitted without a building permit if they receive approval from the Village Board.
- In Residential Districts, the following signs are permitted as a matter of right (subject to their specific standards) without a building permit: address numbers; residential name plates; election signs; temporary open house signs; real estate signs; residential construction signs; home occupation signs complying with 17.20.070 and not greater than 5 square feet and mounted flat against the building; on‑premises commemorative, historical or similar signs; private garage or yard sale signs (not exceeding 5 square feet and displayed for not more than 5 consecutive days); governmental, religious, or fraternal flags or insignia; yard cards within time limits; and multi‑dwelling unit signs as approved under 17.57.100(J).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Area identification signs and joint identification signs for shopping centers, office complexes and similar structures must go through the Plan Commission’s Design Review process and receive ultimate approval by the Twin Lakes Village Board before installation.
- Subdivision entrance signs may be permitted only at the discretion of the Village Plan Commission; specific design, appearance, location, size, and continuing maintenance responsibility must be submitted to the Plan Commission for approval, and approval will be based on public safety, size, and aesthetic compatibility.
- Multi‑dwelling unit signs may be allowed only at the discretion of the Village Plan Commission; specific design, appearance, location, size, and maintenance responsibility must be submitted to the Plan Commission for approval.
- Temporary development signs that advertise or designate the promotion of a subdivision or similar development require prior approval from the Plan Commission’s Design Review Board and a permit from the Building Inspector; at the time of Design Review under Chapter 17.42 the owner or developer must apply, providing location, wording, size (not to exceed 32 square feet), and duration.
- Off‑premises signs are generally prohibited; any exception on property owned or controlled by the Village requires specific approval of the Village Board, must adhere to standards established by the Plan Commission/Design Review Committee, and any variations to standards require Design Review Committee approval.
- If the Building Inspector determines that a proposed sign does not conform to Chapter 17.57, other Village ordinances, state statutes, or the Wisconsin Administrative Code, or if there is doubt as to whether the sign is proper or is of a type that should be reviewed, the Building Inspector must refer the sign permit application to the Design Review Committee/Plan Commission’s Design Review Board for consideration and decision.
- Appeals from decisions of the Plan Commission’s Design Review Board on sign matters are taken directly to the Board of Appeals.
- Temporary festival/auction/bazaar/special event signs or banners require approval by the Village Board, which functions as a form of plan/placement approval for such temporary sign campaigns.

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

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