# Sign Regulations in Two Rivers, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Two Rivers, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/two-rivers
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/WI/Two_Rivers/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CD_ORD_TIT10ZOCO_CH10-4SIAW)

## At a glance

Two Rivers, Wisconsin regulates 16 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the Conservancy and Residential Districts, Residential Districts zoning district are capped at 15 ft tall and 24 sq ft, with a At least 25 ft from interior side or rear lot lines; outside public right-of-way setback (Sec. Sec. 10-4-18.A.(2)). Most commercial signs in Two Rivers require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Conservancy and Residential Districts, Residential Districts | 2 | 15 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| Business Districts, B-1, B-2, B-3 | 10 | 25 ft | 300 sq ft per facade | — |
| Shopping Centers and Office Buildings (Business Districts - Shopping Centers and Office Buildings) | 2 | 50 ft (for ground signs) | 400 sq ft total | — |
| Industrial Districts, I-1 Industrial District, I-2 Industrial District, I-3 Business Park District | 7 | 25 ft | 300 sq ft per facade | — |
| Business and Industrial Districts along High-Speed FAP Highways | 1 | 50 ft | 300 sq ft (off-premises signs) | — |
| Rogers Street Fishing Village (Business Districts - Rogers Street Fishing Village) | 2 | 25 ft | — | — |
| Waterfront Business District, WFB (Waterfront Business District) | 1 | — | 6 sq ft per side (copy), 8 sq ft for entire sign structure | — |
| Office/Service Business District, OSB (Office/Service Business District) | 1 | — | 6 sq ft per side (copy), 8 sq ft for entire sign structure | — |
| Institutional/Public Facilities District (IPF), Publicly Owned Property | 1 | — | 150 sq ft per vehicle | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 2 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### Conservancy and Residential Districts, Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | Setback at least 25 ft from right-of-way | 1 per frontage road per building | Each building set back at least 25 ft from right-of-way; per frontage road | — | Sec. 10-4-18.A.(2) |
| Ground Sign | 15 ft | 24 sq ft | — | At least 25 ft from interior side or rear lot lines; outside public right-of-way | 1 per frontage road per building | — | — | Sec. 10-4-18.A.(2) |

### Business Districts, B-1, B-2, B-3

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 300 sq ft per facade | — | — | 2 per building facade | On building facade | — | Sec. 10-4-18.B.(3)(a) |
| Ground Sign | 25 ft | 300 sq ft (combined max with projecting and roof signs) | — | Freestanding ground signs: Not less than 10 ft from interior side and rear lot lines (B-2, B-3); do not extend into right-of-way or required setback | Up to 3 per frontage street (combined with projecting/roof) | — | — | Sec. 10-4-18.B.(3)(b) |
| Roof Sign | 25 ft | 300 sq ft (combined max with ground and projecting signs) | — | — | Up to 3 per frontage street (combined with ground/projecting) | — | — | Sec. 10-4-18.B.(3)(b) |
| Projecting Sign | 25 ft | 300 sq ft (combined max with ground and roof signs) | — | — | Up to 3 per frontage street (combined with ground/roof) | — | — | Sec. 10-4-18.B.(3)(b) |
| Off-Premises Ground Sign | 25 ft | 100 sq ft per sign; 300 sq ft max combined | — | Not less than 25 ft from interior side and rear yard lot lines; not in right-of-way or required setbacks | Max 1 per frontage street | Shall not face residential zoning district | — | Sec. 10-4-18.B.(4)(b) |
| Sandwich Sign | — | 6 sq ft per side for copy, 8 sq ft for entire sign structure | — | 5 ft from all property lines | 1 per business; 2 if located on a corner (1 per frontage street) | Private property; B-2, B-3: Set back at least 5 ft from all property lines; Outside vision clearance triangle | — | Sec. 10-4-12.B(3), Sec. 10-4-13.U |
| Movable Sign | — | 36 sq ft | — | 5 ft from all property lines | 1 per premises | Private property; Set back at least 5 ft from all property lines; Outside vision clearance triangle | — | Sec. 10-4-12.B(2) |
| Sidewalk Decal | — | 24 in x 24 in (2 sq ft max) | 24 in | — | 1 per business premise per frontage | Within a single sidewalk panel adjacent to the business. Only in B-1 and B-2. | — | Sec. 10-4-17.D.(4), (5), (13) |

### Industrial Districts, I-1 Industrial District, I-2 Industrial District, I-3 Business Park District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 300 sq ft per facade | — | — | 2 per building facade | On building facade | — | Sec. 10-4-18.C.(3)(a) |
| Ground Sign | 25 ft | 300 sq ft (combined with projecting/roof) | — | At least 25 ft from interior and rear lot lines; no portion to project into right-of-way | Up to 3 per frontage street (with projecting/roof, combined) | — | — | Sec. 10-4-18.C.(3)(b) |
| Roof Sign | 25 ft | 300 sq ft (combined with ground/projecting) | — | — | Up to 3 per frontage street (with ground/projecting, combined) | — | — | Sec. 10-4-18.C.(3)(b) |
| Projecting Sign | 25 ft | 300 sq ft (combined with ground/roof) | — | — | Up to 3 per frontage street (with ground/roof, combined) | — | — | Sec. 10-4-18.C.(3)(b) |
| Off-Premises Wall Sign | — | 100 sq ft per sign, 300 sq ft per facade combined | — | — | Max 2 per building facade | On or painted on building | — | Sec. 10-4-18.C.(4)(a) |
| Off-Premises Ground Sign | 25 ft | 100 sq ft per sign; 300 sq ft combined | — | At least 25 ft from interior and rear lot lines; not in right-of-way | 1 per frontage street | Shall not face residential zoning districts | — | Sec. 10-4-18.C.(4)(b) |
| Vehicle-mounted ECM Mobile Sign | — | 150 sq ft per vehicle | — | 5 ft from all property lines | — | On private property; set back 5 ft from all property lines; outside vision triangle | — | Sec. 10-4-12.B(4) |

## Prohibited signs in Two Rivers

- It is unlawful to erect, construct, enlarge or structurally modify any sign or awning without first obtaining a permit, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
- Sandwich and movable signs are generally prohibited except as provided for certain zones and under specific conditions.
- Abandoned signs are prohibited.
- Parking any vehicle on a public right-of-way or public/private property so as to display signs primarily for advertising or directing people to a business is prohibited, except for 'for sale' signs on vehicles for sale not parked on public right-of-way.
- Animated or moving signs with flashing, scintillating, blinking, or traveling lights over 15 watts per lamp are prohibited.
- Swinging signs are prohibited.
- Banners, searchlights, balloons, or other gas/air filled figures are prohibited for permanent use. Temporary use is allowed only under specific conditions.
- Unshielded illuminated signs that interfere with official traffic signs/signals or cause glare or vision impairment for drivers are prohibited.
- Reflection illuminated signs where 25% or more of light source is visible from public right-of-way by vehicular traffic or from residential property are prohibited.
- Signs purporting or imitating official traffic signs or signals, or bearing words commonly found on official signs in associated colors, are prohibited.
- Signs or awnings that interfere with, obscure, or physically block official traffic signs/signals/devices, or obstruct driver’s view of traffic, are prohibited.
- Signs that bear or contain obscene, pornographic, immoral character or untruthful advertising matter are prohibited.
- No signs may be attached to utility, sign or other municipal poles or structures in the public right-of-way.
- No sign may be suspended by chains or other devices that allow swinging due to wind.
- Electric sign contractors or employees are prohibited from performing work in contradiction to the National Electrical Code or city electrical code.

## Signs exempt from permit in Two Rivers

- Change of copy on any sign, repainting, cleaning and other normal maintenance or repair of signs, sign structures or awnings do not require a permit.
- Construction and alteration signs (meeting size and duration limits) do not require a permit.
- Directional and instructional on-premises signs (up to 6 square feet, non-advertising) do not require a permit.
- Directional off-premises signs for public/private schools, places of worship, museums (city-installed) do not require a permit.
- Government signs for regulatory, directional, danger or safety purposes, and utilities, do not require a permit.
- Home occupation signs (nonilluminated, wall, max 2 sq. ft.), and one nonilluminated hours-of-operation sign (max 2 sq. ft.) do not require a permit.
- House numbers and nameplates not exceeding 2 square feet do not require a permit.
- Interior signs within the interior of any building do not require a permit.
- Memorial signs/tablets, building names/dates (cut into masonry/inlaid, or bronze/noncombustible, max 4 sq. ft.), do not require a permit.
- "No trespassing" or "no dumping" signs not exceeding 1.5 square feet do not require a permit.
- Official public notices posted by public officials/employees in course of duties do not require a permit.
- Public signs required or authorized by law/statute/ordinance do not require a permit.
- Political and campaign signs (with area and placement restrictions, and compliance with other laws) do not require a permit.
- Real estate signs (with number, area, and location restrictions) do not require a permit.
- Window and door signs on inside surface in business/industrial buildings do not require a permit.
- On-premises insignia and commemorative plaques of recognized historic/religious agencies (max 4 sq. ft.) do not require a permit.
- Temporary signs (on-premises/off-premises, max 32 sq. ft.) for civic/philanthropic/educational/religious events, posted no more than 30 days before event and removed within 5 days after, do not require a permit.
- Vehicular signs on vehicles operating in the normal course of business, when not primarily for sign display, do not require a permit.
- Neighborhood identification signs/displays (max 4 sq. ft. legend) do not require a permit.
- Rummage/garage sale signs (see section 9-6-4.F.) do not require a permit.
- Business flags (one per premises, with size/location restrictions) do not require a permit.
- Sandwich signs as permitted in section 10-4-12.B. do not require a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Applications for sign permits must include a site plan showing existing and proposed signs, buildings, and any other relevant features.
- Calculations showing compliance with wind load and structural requirements may be required as part of the sign permit application.
- The Plan Commission may approve a changing message sign if certain findings are met. This is required for changing (electronic) signs (Sec. 10-4-17.B).
- Appeals of zoning administrator decisions or requests for variances regarding signs are reviewed by the Sign Board of Appeals.
- For additional on-premises signage on fully developed sites exceeding two acres or with more than 500 feet of road frontage, a plan must be submitted and approved by the Plan Commission and City Council.
- Shopping centers and multi-tenant office buildings (with shared tenant walls or shopping center identification signs) require submitted plans for signage outlining conformance with the applicable areas and locations.
- Any off-premises sign or advertising device proposed along an FAP highway requires prior permit approval by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation before a city permit is issued.
- Sidewalk decals require a permit application and approval, with acknowledgment of indemnification and responsibility.

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

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