# Sign Regulations in Waterloo, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Waterloo, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/waterloo
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-02
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/13924490#13924490)

## At a glance

Waterloo, Wisconsin regulates 16 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the Commercial District zoning district are capped at 20 feet tall and 100 square feet on one face, 200 square feet on all faces, with a Minimum 12 feet from street setback (Sec. §385-26D(4)). Most commercial signs in Waterloo require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential District, Conservancy District, Agricultural District | 10 | 2 feet | 64 square feet | — |
| Commercial District | 3 | 20 feet | 100 square feet on one face, 200 square feet on all faces | — |
| Industrial District | 2 | 20 feet | 100 square feet on one face, 200 square feet on all faces | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 7 feet above sidewalk, street, or alley | 4 square feet | — |

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

### Residential District, Conservancy District, Agricultural District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Window/Door Sign | 2 feet | 20 square feet | 10 feet | — | — | Over show windows or doors of a nonconforming business establishment | — | §385-26C(1) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 8 square feet | — | — | — | On the premises being advertised | — | §385-26C(2) |
| Name/Occupation/Warning Sign | — | 4 square feet | — | — | — | On the premises | — | §385-26C(3) |
| Bulletin Board | — | 8 square feet | — | — | — | On the premises of public, charitable or religious institutions | — | §385-26C(4) |
| Memorial Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Affixed flat against a structure | — | §385-26C(5) |
| Directional Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Hung from City-owned poles | — | §385-26C(8) |
| Residential Development Sign | — | 64 square feet | — | — | — | Advertising the sale of lots in a subdivision | — | §385-26C(9) |
| Temporary Political Sign | — | 64 square feet | — | — | — | With consent of property owner | — | §385-26C(10) |

### Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Overhanging Sign | 10 feet above street grade, 15 feet above driveway/alley | — | 6 feet projection | — | — | Projecting from a building | — | §385-26D(1) |
| Ground Sign | 20 feet | 100 square feet on one face, 200 square feet on all faces | — | Minimum 12 feet from street | — | Minimum 12 feet setback from street | — | §385-26D(4) |
| Shopping Center/Industrial Park Sign | — | 100 square feet on one side, 200 square feet on both sides | — | No signs within 20 feet of right-of-way | One freestanding sign per street | Freestanding identification sign for each street | — | §385-26D(7) |

### Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 20 feet | 100 square feet on one face, 200 square feet on all faces | — | Minimum 12 feet from street | — | Minimum 12 feet setback from street | — | §385-26D(4) |
| Shopping Center/Industrial Park Sign | — | 100 square feet on one side, 200 square feet on both sides | — | No signs within 20 feet of right-of-way | One freestanding sign per street | Freestanding identification sign for each street | — | §385-26D(7) |

## Prohibited signs in Waterloo

- Signs may not be posted on traffic information or regulatory sign posts.
- No sign shall be illuminated by intermittent, rotating or flashing lights.
- Signs causing obstruction prohibited. Any sign so erected, constructed or maintained as to obstruct or be attached to any fire escape, window, door or opening used as means of ingress or egress, or for fire-fighting purposes, or placed so as to interfere with any opening required for legal ventilation, is prohibited.
- Signs at intersection prohibited. No sign or advertising device shall be erected or maintained at the intersection of streets in such a manner as to obstruct clear vision of the intersection.

## Signs exempt from permit in Waterloo

- Temporary political signs do not require a permit. Such signs are subject to the restrictions pertaining to safety of persons and property, with the consent of the property owner or person entitled to possession of the property.

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

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