# Sign Regulations in Village Of Baldwin, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Village Of Baldwin, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/village-of-baldwin
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-01
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/15682538)

## At a glance

Village Of Baldwin, Wisconsin regulates 29 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Ground Sign (Freestanding)s in the C-1-H Highway Commercial District zoning district are capped at 20 ft tall and 120 sq ft per side, with a Comply with district yard/setback requirements; may be placed up to public right-of-way setback (Sec. § 635-56(D)(4); § 635-53C; § 635-56(D)(10); § 635-60(J)). Most commercial signs in Village Of Baldwin require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 4 ft | 64 sq ft | — |
| R-1-L Single-Family Residential District (Low Density); R-1-M Single-Family Residential District (Medium Density); R-2 Single-Family and Two-Family Residential District; R-3 Limited Multiple-Family Residential District; R-4 Multiple-Family Residential District; Planned Unit Development Overlay District (Residential) | 5 | Up to one story or 15 ft above curb level (whichever is lower) | 50 sq ft per sign | — |
| C-1 Local Commercial District | 8 | Top: 32 ft; Bottom: min 10 ft above sidewalk; not more than 16 ft above driveway or alley | Center/park name panel: 300 sq ft per side (600 sq ft total all sides); Each individual store/business name panel: 16 sq ft per side (32 sq ft total all sides) | — |
| C-1-H Highway Commercial District | 10 | Top: 32 ft; Bottom: min 10 ft above sidewalk; not more than 16 ft above driveway/alley | Center/campus name panel: 300 sq ft per side (600 sq ft total all sides); Individual business name panel: 16 sq ft per side (32 sq ft total all sides) | — |
| C-2 General Commercial District | 8 | 20 ft above mean center line street grade | 64 sq ft | — |
| M-1 Mixed-Use Medical District | 8 | Top: 32 ft; Bottom: min 10 ft above sidewalk; not more than 16 ft above driveway/alley | Campus name panel: 300 sq ft per side (600 sq ft total all sides); Individual business name panel: 16 sq ft per side (32 sq ft total all sides) | — |
| I-1 Industrial District | 8 | Top: 32 ft; Bottom: min 10 ft above sidewalk; not more than 16 ft above driveway/alley | Park name panel: 300 sq ft per side (600 sq ft total all sides); Individual business name panel: 16 sq ft per side (32 sq ft total all sides) | — |
| C-1-H Highway Commercial District (I-94 Corridor) | 2 | Up to 90 ft | Up to 520 sq ft per side (corridor limit supersedes base district area) | — |
| M-1 Mixed-Use Medical District (I-94 Corridor) | 2 | Up to 90 ft | Up to 520 sq ft per side (corridor limit supersedes base district area) | — |
| I-1 Industrial District (I-94 Corridor) | 2 | Up to 90 ft | Up to 520 sq ft per side (corridor limit supersedes base district area) | — |

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

### C-1-H Highway Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directory Sign (Village-Sponsored Program) | — | 24 sq ft (gross area) | — | — | Max 2 per approaching direction per use (unless PC approves more) | At highway right-of-way line; uniform design by Plan Commission | — | § 635-56(D)(1) |
| Wall Sign | 20 ft above mean center line street grade | — | — | Where no front yard setback is required, may project up to 4 ft over sidewalk/street grade; otherwise no part may extend over property line | General cap: No more than 2 signs of any type per business (§ 635-56(C)) | Attached to building walls | — | § 635-56(D)(2); § 635-53C; § 635-56(D)(10); § 635-60(J) |
| Projecting Sign | 20 ft above mean center line street grade | 40 sq ft per face (2 faces allowed) | — | No extension into public right-of-way | — | Fastened to/suspended from building or structure | — | § 635-56(D)(3); § 635-60(J); § 635-56(D)(10) |
| Ground Sign (Freestanding) | 20 ft | 120 sq ft per side | — | Comply with district yard/setback requirements; may be placed up to public right-of-way | Max 1 per street frontage (if no pylon sign on that side) | May be located up to a public right-of-way; otherwise comply with district setbacks | — | § 635-56(D)(4); § 635-53C; § 635-56(D)(10); § 635-60(J) |
| Pylon Sign | 30 ft (measured above mean center line street grade) | 100 sq ft per side (200 sq ft total all sides); For continuous road/highway frontage >300 ft: 200 sq ft per side (400 sq ft total all sides) | — | Must be within property (no encroachment over property line) | Max 1 per street frontage | Entirely on the property; per street frontage | — | § 635-56(D)(5) |
| Shopping Center/Medical Campus Directory Sign (Freestanding Identification/Directory) | Top: 32 ft; Bottom: min 10 ft above sidewalk; not more than 16 ft above driveway/alley | Center/campus name panel: 300 sq ft per side (600 sq ft total all sides); Individual business name panel: 16 sq ft per side (32 sq ft total all sides) | — | Meet yard requirements of district | Max 1 per street frontage of development | One per street upon which development fronts; must meet yard requirements | — | § 635-56(D)(7); § 635-60(J); § 635-56(D)(10) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 4 ft | 8 sq ft per side | — | — | Max 1 per business tenant | Placed in front of business during hours of operation; must not present a hazard; not permitted in public right-of-way in C-1-H | — | § 635-57D; § 635-60(C) |
| On-Site Banner Sign | — | 30 sq ft per banner | — | — | Max 3 banners per site | Not in public right-of-way; securely fastened | — | § 635-57E; § 635-56(D)(9); § 635-57B |

### M-1 Mixed-Use Medical District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directory Sign (Village-Sponsored Program) | — | 24 sq ft (gross area) | — | — | Max 2 per approaching direction per use (unless PC approves more) | At highway right-of-way line; uniform design by Plan Commission | — | § 635-56(D)(1) |
| Wall Sign | 20 ft above mean center line street grade | — | — | Where no front yard setback is required, may project up to 4 ft over sidewalk/street grade; otherwise no part may extend over property line | General cap: No more than 2 signs of any type per business (§ 635-56(C)) | Attached to building walls | — | § 635-56(D)(2); § 635-53C; § 635-56(D)(10); § 635-60(J) |
| Projecting Sign | 20 ft above mean center line street grade | 40 sq ft per face (2 faces allowed) | — | No extension into public right-of-way | — | Fastened to/suspended from building or structure | — | § 635-56(D)(3); § 635-60(J); § 635-56(D)(10) |
| Ground Sign (Freestanding) | 20 ft | 120 sq ft per side | — | Comply with district yard/setback requirements; may be placed up to public right-of-way | Max 1 per street frontage (if no pylon sign on that side) | May be located up to public right-of-way; otherwise comply with district setbacks | — | § 635-56(D)(4); § 635-53C; § 635-56(D)(10); § 635-60(J) |
| Pylon Sign | 30 ft (measured above mean center line street grade) | 100 sq ft per side (200 sq ft total all sides); For continuous road/highway frontage >300 ft: 200 sq ft per side (400 sq ft total all sides) | — | Must be within property (no encroachment over property line) | Max 1 per street frontage | Entirely on the property; per street frontage | — | § 635-56(D)(5) |
| Medical Campus Directory Sign (Freestanding Identification/Directory) | Top: 32 ft; Bottom: min 10 ft above sidewalk; not more than 16 ft above driveway/alley | Campus name panel: 300 sq ft per side (600 sq ft total all sides); Individual business name panel: 16 sq ft per side (32 sq ft total all sides) | — | Meet yard requirements of district | Max 1 per street frontage of campus | One per street upon which campus fronts; must meet yard requirements | — | § 635-56(D)(7); § 635-60(J); § 635-56(D)(10) |
| On-Site Banner Sign | — | 30 sq ft per banner | — | — | Max 3 banners per site | Not in public right-of-way; securely fastened | — | § 635-57E; § 635-56(D)(9); § 635-57B |
| Portable Sign/Message Board | — | 64 sq ft | — | — | Max 1 per property | Not in public right-of-way; securely fastened | — | § 635-57B |

### I-1 Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directory Sign (Village-Sponsored Program) | — | 24 sq ft (gross area) | — | — | Max 2 per approaching direction per use (unless PC approves more) | At highway right-of-way line; uniform design by Plan Commission | — | § 635-56(D)(1) |
| Wall Sign | 20 ft above mean center line street grade | — | — | Where no front yard setback is required, may project up to 4 ft over sidewalk/street grade; otherwise no part may extend over property line | General cap: No more than 2 signs of any type per business (§ 635-56(C)) | Attached to building walls | — | § 635-56(D)(2); § 635-53C; § 635-56(D)(10); § 635-60(J) |
| Projecting Sign | 20 ft above mean center line street grade | 40 sq ft per face (2 faces allowed) | — | No extension into public right-of-way | — | Fastened to/suspended from building or structure | — | § 635-56(D)(3); § 635-60(J); § 635-56(D)(10) |
| Ground Sign (Freestanding) | 20 ft | 160 sq ft per side | — | Comply with district yard/setback requirements; no part of any sign may extend over property line | Max 1 per street frontage (if no pylon sign on that side) | Must comply with district setbacks | — | § 635-56(D)(4); § 635-53C; § 635-56(D)(10); § 635-60(J) |
| Pylon Sign | 30 ft (measured above mean center line street grade) | 100 sq ft per side (200 sq ft total all sides) | — | Must be within property (no encroachment over property line) | Max 1 per street frontage | Entirely on the property; per street frontage | — | § 635-56(D)(5) |
| Industrial Park Directory Sign (Freestanding Identification/Directory) | Top: 32 ft; Bottom: min 10 ft above sidewalk; not more than 16 ft above driveway/alley | Park name panel: 300 sq ft per side (600 sq ft total all sides); Individual business name panel: 16 sq ft per side (32 sq ft total all sides) | — | Meet yard requirements of district | Max 1 per street frontage of park | One per street upon which park fronts; must meet yard requirements | — | § 635-56(D)(7); § 635-60(J); § 635-56(D)(10) |
| On-Site Banner Sign | — | 30 sq ft per banner | — | — | Max 3 banners per site | Not in public right-of-way; securely fastened | — | § 635-57E; § 635-56(D)(9); § 635-57B |
| Portable Sign/Message Board | — | 64 sq ft | — | — | Max 1 per property | Not in public right-of-way; securely fastened | — | § 635-57B |

## Prohibited signs in Village Of Baldwin

- Signs may not resemble, imitate, or approximate railroad or traffic control signs/devices, and may not obstruct or interfere with their effectiveness or the safe flow of traffic.
- No sign may be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to block free ingress or egress to any door, window, or fire escape.
- No sign, awning, or canopy may be placed so as to obstruct or interfere with traffic visibility.
- Flashing, rotating, or brilliant intermittent lights; bare reflecting-type bulbs; and spot/beacon lights used to illuminate a sign are prohibited, except limited public-service displays (time/date/temperature/weather) with Plan Commission approval.
- Any sign, billboard, or other advertising that creates a hazard or dangerous distraction to vehicular traffic or a nuisance to adjoining residential property is prohibited.
- Signs are not permitted in public rights-of-way (including sandwich boards) except municipal traffic/parking/directional signs, sandwich boards in the C-2 district, or as otherwise specifically allowed in the code.
- No new billboards are permitted; existing billboards on annexed property must be removed if damaged or structurally altered and, in any case, within three years after annexation per written agreement.
- Signs with obscene, pornographic, or immoral content are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Swinging signs are prohibited.
- Off-premises third-party signs and billboards are prohibited except the specific shared off-premises sign allowance for adjacent C-2 businesses under § 635-56D(6).
- Parking a vehicle or trailer with signage for the primary purpose of advertising so as to be seen from a public right-of-way is prohibited (active daily-use business vehicles with typical business signage are exempt).
- Illuminated or floodlighted signs may not direct beams or rays of light toward public traveled ways or residential properties, cause glare or impair motorists’ vision, or interfere with official traffic signs/devices; spotlights and beacons are restricted.
- No signs may be painted on, attached to, or affixed to trees, rocks, other natural features, utility poles, or similar natural/infrastructure elements.
- Signs (including supports) may not interfere with surrounding properties or traffic.
- Over-the-street banners are not permitted except for civic activities and unless approved by the Plan Commission.

## Signs exempt from permit in Village Of Baldwin

- Bulletin boards for public/charitable/religious institutions on site (one per street frontage, max 32 sq ft) – no permit required.
- Government signs for traffic control, regulatory purposes, danger, railroad crossings, utilities, and aids to service/safety (including off-premises institutional signs) – no permit required.
- Interior signs not visible from the public right-of-way – no permit required.
- Memorial/building name/date signs cut into or inlaid as part of a building – no permit required.
- Occupant signs limited to name/address/danger (one per street front, max 3 sq ft) – no permit required.
- Official governmental notices and notices posted by government officers – no permit required.
- Temporary or permanent construction safety signs by public utilities or construction companies warning of hazardous conditions – no permit required.
- Private on-premises traffic and service/directional signs (e.g., entrances/exits/parking/restrooms), max 10 ft height and 12 sq ft per face – no permit required.
- Signs required by law, statute, or ordinance (constructed/maintained per that authority) – no permit required.
- Real estate signs on the offered property (one per street frontage; max 7 sq ft for residential, 32 sq ft for nonresidential; remove within 30 days after sale/rental/lease) – no permit required.
- On-premises symbols/insignia (religious symbols, commemorative plaques of recognized historic agencies, identification emblems of religious orders/historic agencies) – no permit required.
- Political signs during an election campaign period (one per premises per candidate or referenda; max 16 sq ft) – no permit required.
- Rummage/garage sale signs (max 8 sq ft; limited to 72 hours per sale; may be placed within street right-of-way between property line and pavement edge only on day of sale with adjacent owner/renter permission and without creating a hazard) – no permit required.
- Open/closed signs (illuminated or nonilluminated, max 10 sq ft) – no permit required.
- Business names on propane tanks, fuel tanks, garbage receptacles, or other temporary items moved regularly – no permit required.
- Flags (up to four flags or pennant-shaped flags per principal building; additional official flags may be displayed for up to two weeks around national holidays; if used as part of a sign, that sign’s regulations apply) – no permit required.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan requirement is specified; most signs require an individual sign permit unless exempt.
- Signs larger than 40 square feet require Plan Commission review and a recommendation to the Village Board before permit issuance (exempt signs excepted).
- The Plan Commission reviews applications for searchlight use and for over-the-street banners.
- Plan Commission applies the Sign Design Review Guidelines to permit applications; if it cannot act within 30 days, the Zoning Administrator may act using those guidelines.
- If a sign does not meet code requirements, the applicant may seek a special exception under § 635-64; Village Board approval is required following a Plan Commission recommendation and a showing of unnecessary hardship.
- Appeals of permit denials or permit revocations go to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
- Signs within historic districts require compliance with Historic Preservation Chapter 338 (additional review).
- On-site banner signs greater than 30 square feet within the I-94 corridor (C-1-H, M-1, Industrial) require approval as a special exception.
- Directory signs in C-1, C-1-H, C-2, M-1, and I-1 are permitted only as part of a Village-sponsored directory sign program; the Plan Commission designates a uniform sign design.

## 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 Village Of Baldwin — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Village+Of+Baldwin+WI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-village-of-baldwin

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