# Sign Regulations in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Wauwatosa, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/wauwatosa
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://wauwatosa.municipalcodeonline.com/book?type=ordinances#name=CHAPTER_15.14_SIGN_CODE)

## At a glance

Wauwatosa, Wisconsin regulates 72 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Directional Signs - General Exemptions in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Up to 4 ft if within 50 ft of property line; up to 14 ft if 50 ft or more from property line (15.14.350). tall and Max 6 sq ft area, with a Implicitly on private property; height varies with distance from property line. setback (Sec. 15.14.020 "Directional sign"; 15.14.080(A)(2)(i); 15.14.350). Most commercial signs in Wauwatosa 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 | 30 | Max 14 ft overall height; if at lot line, sign box must be ≥8 ft above grade | Max 100 sq ft | — |
| Residential District (R1-6, R1-9, R1-15, R2, R4, R8) / Residential Districts | 9 | General temporary sign exemption: 6 ft | Max 32 sq ft (Permanent Church/School/City Facility rules) | — |
| Residential District Multifamily | 2 | Max 6 ft | Max 32 sq ft | — |
| Planned Unit Development Overlay Districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| Medical Center District | 7 | Max 18 ft | Total per building max 900 sq ft; individual monument signs max 100 sq ft per side; one large wall sign above 100 sq ft allowed within top 2 stories (subject to total cap). | — |
| Historical Districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| Business Districts - CO, C1, C2 | 8 | Max 6 ft | At least 32 sq ft; upper limit is premise frontage ×1.5 sq ft, constrained by site’s gross allowable area. | — |
| Mayfair Mall | 6 | — | If floor area >5,000 sq ft: max 100 sq ft exterior sign. If floor area >10,000 sq ft: max 200 sq ft exterior sign. | — |
| Village of Wauwatosa Business Improvement District | 7 | — | Max 20 sq ft | — |
| Special Purpose Research Park Planned Development District | 1 | — | — | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Signs - General Exemption | Up to 4 ft if within 50 ft of property line; up to 14 ft if 50 ft or more from property line (15.14.350). | Max 6 sq ft area | — | Implicitly on private property; height varies with distance from property line. | One directional sign per driveway and/or per 5,000 sq ft lot area | On private property for entrances, exits, parking, etc.; not in city right‑of‑way unless specifically allowed (e.g., in BID for wayfinding). | — | 15.14.020 "Directional sign"; 15.14.080(A)(2)(i); 15.14.350 |
| Temporary Church/School/City Facility Signs | Max 6 ft | Max 32 sq ft | — | Minimum 5 ft from front or side lot line | 1 per premises | On premises of churches, schools, or city facilities. | — | 15.14.270 |
| Construction Signs - Nonresidential Districts | Max 8 ft | Max 32 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from front or side lot line | 1 per street frontage | On site of construction; may be freestanding; may be single or double faced. | — | 15.14.280 |
| Construction Signs - Residential Districts | Max 6 ft | Max 6 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from front or side lot line | 1 per street frontage | On residential construction site; may be freestanding; single or double faced. | — | 15.14.280 |
| Election Signs - Freestanding (All Districts) | Max 6 ft; in residential front/side street yards not more than 4.5 ft high (for signs within front setback or side yard abutting street). | Max 12 sq ft | — | Residential: signs >6 sq ft must be at least 5 ft from any lot line. | 1 additional sign per choice per candidate per property during election window | On private property (not in public right‑of‑way) in any district. | — | 15.14.290 |
| Real Estate Signs - Nonresidential Districts | Max 6 ft | Max 12 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from front or side lot line | 1 per abutting street | On premises or vacant land for sale, lease or rent; on each street the development abuts; may be freestanding, wall or window sign; must be on property being sold/leased/rented. | — | 15.14.300(A),(C)–(I) |
| Real Estate Signs - Residential Districts | Max 6 ft | Max 6 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from front or side lot line | 1 per abutting street | On residential premises or vacant residential land for sale/lease/rent; one per abutting street; may be freestanding, wall or window sign. | — | 15.14.300(B)–(I) |
| Seasonal Signs | Max 6 ft | Max 32 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from front or side lot line | 1 per business site | On business sites for seasonal commercial establishments (garden centers, Christmas tree lots, stands, etc.). May be freestanding; may be single or double‑faced. | — | 15.14.020 "Seasonal sign"; 15.14.310 |

### Residential District (R1-6, R1-9, R1-15, R2, R4, R8) / Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Signs (including rummage sales) - Residential | General temporary sign exemption: 6 ft | General temporary sign exemption: 6 sq ft (see General Regulations) | — | — | — | On residential properties within R1-6, R1-9, R1-15, R2, R4, R8 districts. | — | 15.14.180(A)(1); 15.14.080(A)(2)(j); 15.14.290; 15.36 (cross‑reference) |
| Permanent Identification Signs - Churches (Residential Districts) | Max 6 ft for monument signs | Max 32 sq ft (Permanent Church/School/City Facility rules) | — | Min 5 ft from front or side lot line for monument signs | 1 monument sign per building plus 1 wall/awning sign per street frontage | On church properties within residential districts; monument or wall/awning per 15.14.340. | — | 15.14.180(A)(2); 15.14.340 |
| Permanent Identification Signs - Schools (Residential Districts) | Max 6 ft (monument) | Max 32 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from front or side lot line (monument) | 1 monument per building; 1 wall/awning per street frontage | On school properties within residential districts. | — | 15.14.180(A)(3); 15.14.340 |
| Permanent City Facility Identification Signs (Residential Districts) | Max 6 ft (monument) | Max 32 sq ft (church/school/city facility rule) | — | Min 5 ft from front or side lot line | 1 monument per building; 1 wall/awning per street frontage | On city facility properties within residential districts. | — | 15.14.180(A)(5); 15.14.340 |
| Election Signs (Additional Residential Rules) | Freestanding within front setback or side yard abutting street: max 4.5 ft; overall freestanding election sign max 6 ft (general). | Freestanding: max 12 sq ft; in residential districts, signs over 12 sq ft not permitted; signs >6 sq ft must be set back 5 ft; wall signs per wall‑sign formula but subject to 12 sq ft cap for freestanding. | — | Signs over 6 sq ft must be at least 5 ft from any lot line. | 1 additional temporary election sign per choice/candidate per property during window | On residential lots; not within public right‑of‑way. | — | 15.14.290(D) |
| Construction Signs - Residential Districts (Within Residential Districts) | Max 6 ft | Max 6 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from front or side lot line | 1 per street frontage | On residential properties under construction. | — | 15.14.280(A) (residential portion); 15.14.180(A)(1) (temporary signs allowed) |
| Real Estate Signs - Residential Districts (Within Residential Districts) | Max 6 ft | Max 6 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from front or side lot line | 1 per abutting street | On residential premises/vacant land for sale, lease, rent. | — | 15.14.300(B)–(I); 15.14.180(A)(1) |
| Residential District Multifamily Sign (Cross-Reference in Single-Family Districts) | Monument: max 6 ft | Max 32 sq ft | — | Monument sign: min 5 ft from lot lines | 1 per parcel | On parcels in residential districts where a multifamily building exceeds 8 living units. | — | 15.14.180(A)(7); 15.14.185 |

### Business Districts - CO, C1, C2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Site / Building Signage Aggregate - Business Districts | — | As computed by formula; no explicit cap in section 15.14.220. | — | — | — | On business sites or MTCBs in all business districts (defined as any non‑“R” zoning district). | — | 15.14.020 "Business district"; 15.14.220(A); 15.14.290(C) |
| Wall/Awning Sign - Ground-Floor Business Premises in MTCB (Business Districts) | — | At least 32 sq ft; upper limit is premise frontage ×1.5 sq ft, constrained by site’s gross allowable area. | — | — | 1 (or 2 if corner on arterial) per ground‑floor business premise | On ground‑floor business premises in MTCB within business districts. | — | 15.14.220(B)(1); 15.14.320; 15.14.400 |
| Building/Mall Identification Signs - MTCB with Separate Tenant Signs | — | Limited by site/MTCB gross allowable sign area (frontage ×1.5). | — | — | 2 per MTCB (site‑level) in addition to tenant signs | On MTCB property in business districts that already has separate signs for its tenants. | — | 15.14.220(B)(1) |
| Site/MTCB Signs - No Separate Tenant Signs | — | Within gross allowable sign area (frontage ×1.5). | — | — | 2 or 3 per site/MTCB depending on whether a monument sign is used | Business site or MTCB that does not have separate signs for tenants. | — | 15.14.220(B)(2); 15.14.370 |
| Additional Sign for Large Frontage Sites - Business Districts | — | Within gross allowable sign area (frontage ×1.5). | — | — | 1 additional sign for sites with >300 ft frontage | Business sites or MTCBs in business districts with over 300 ft of lot frontage. | — | 15.14.220(B)(3) |
| Gasoline Service Station Price Signs | — | Max 12 sq ft each | — | — | Max 2 price signs per site | On gasoline service station business sites within business districts. | — | 15.14.220(C) |
| Drive-Through Restaurant Informational Signs | Max 6 ft | Max 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On restaurant sites with drive‑through facilities in business districts (e.g., menu boards, directional/informational). | — | 15.14.220(D) |
| Freestanding, Monument, Wall, Awning, Projecting, Changeable Copy, Time/Temperature, Seasonal, Portable Sandwich-Type Signs | — | — | — | — | — | Within business districts, subject to general sign‑type regulations (15.14.260–.430). | — | 15.14.260–.330; 15.14.360–.390; 15.14.430; 15.14.220 |

## Prohibited signs in Wauwatosa

- Signs not expressly permitted as being allowed by right or by permit under Chapter 15.14, by another portion of the code or other applicable law, or otherwise expressly allowed by the common council or other authorizing body, are prohibited (15.14.010(2)).
- Illegal signs, defined as any sign that is not allowed by the chapter or does not carry a valid permit when one is required, are prohibited and subject to removal (15.14.020, 15.14.050).
- Projecting signs overhanging public property, including streets and public sidewalks, are prohibited unless installed and maintained pursuant to a validly granted encroachment agreement from the city (15.14.030(3)).
- Overhead electrical wiring supplying power directly to signs is prohibited (15.14.055(5); reinforced by 15.14.130(2)).
- No illuminated sign may directly face an adjacent residential district (15.14.055(1)).
- Use of LED rope lights, holiday string lights, or similar stringed lights or illuminating devices on commercial and industrial buildings or attached to signs is prohibited, except for non-LED string lights used for decorative purposes only from November 15 through January 2, which must be removed within ten days following written notice (15.14.055(4)).
- Bare light bulbs on signs are not permitted (15.14.140(1)).
- Flashing, blinking or rotating lights are not permitted for either permanent or temporary signs (15.14.140(1)).
- No sign is permitted which moves by any means, except flags (15.14.140(2)).
- Billboards are prohibited signs, except where treated as legal nonconforming or conditional uses as specifically provided (15.14.140(3)(a); 15.14.030(5)).
- Distracting signs, including animated, mechanical and audible signs, are prohibited (15.14.140(3)(b)).
- Marquees are prohibited signs (15.14.140(3)(c)).
- Signs overhanging city right-of-way are prohibited, except where allowed under an encroachment agreement as provided in 15.14.030(D) (15.14.140(3)(d)).
- Portable signs are prohibited, except where specifically allowed (e.g., portable sandwich-type signs under 15.14.240 and 15.14.430) (15.14.140(3)(e)).
- Off-premises signs are prohibited (15.14.140(3)(f)).
- Roof signs are prohibited (15.14.140(3)(g)).
- Window signs in excess of twenty percent of net window area per business premises are prohibited (15.14.140(3)(h); 15.14.410(1)).
- Pennants or streamers are prohibited except as provided in Section 15.14.420 (15.14.140(3)(i)).
- No sign may be constructed or maintained so as to obstruct any door, window, stairway or fire escape of any building (15.14.150(1)).
- No sign may be erected, placed, located or maintained within the limits of any street or highway (the dedicated right‑of‑way) unless approved by the board of public works (15.14.150(2)(a)).
- Signs that are of immediate peril to persons or property may be removed and destroyed summarily and without notice, at the owner's expense (15.14.050(2); 15.14.150(2)(b)).
- Signs on premises that become vacant or unoccupied for more than thirty days are considered abandoned and must be removed within forty‑five days of notice; failure to remove would make continued presence noncompliant (15.14.060).
- All signs, including exempt signs, must be maintained in good structural condition, kept neatly painted, and may be ordered repaired, altered, or removed if they constitute a hazard or are inadequately maintained, dilapidated, or obsolete (15.14.170).
- The theft, tampering with, defacing, or destruction of any legally placed yard sign on a residential property is prohibited (15.14.175(1)).
- Any sign that creates a pedestrian or traffic hazard may be ordered moved or removed by the city (15.14.240(1)(g); 15.14.430(7); also implied by 15.14.130(2), 15.14.150 and 15.14.290(6)).
- Grand opening and similar special event temporary signs are limited to thirty days when approved as exceptional circumstances (15.14.420(1)); exceeding that duration would be noncompliant.
- Time/temperature signs and changeable copy signs must be part of a permanent sign; standalone installations contrary to this are prohibited (15.14.330(8); 15.14.390(4)).
- Changeable copy sign copy may only be changed once per ten minutes; more frequent changes are prohibited (15.14.330(4)).
- Animation, flashing or distracting features on changeable copy signs are prohibited (15.14.330(7)).
- Electronic changeable message signs displaying more than three separate colors at any time are prohibited (15.14.330(10)).
- Election signs may not be placed in the public right‑of‑way (15.14.290(5)).
- Signs in residential districts may not be illuminated in certain contexts: residential district multifamily signs must not be illuminated (15.14.185(6)); temporary church/school/city facility signs must not be illuminated (15.14.270(4)); construction, real estate, seasonal, and election signs in residential districts must not be illuminated (15.14.280(6); 15.14.300(9); 15.14.310(7); 15.14.290(4)(d)).
- Name plate signs, address markers, and other exempt or allowed signs may still not obstruct views needed for police or pedestrian safety (e.g., window signs may not be placed on glass doors or windows so as to impede pedestrian safety or police view) (15.14.410(2)).

## Signs exempt from permit in Wauwatosa

- Signs erected, maintained, or otherwise posted, owned or leased by, on behalf of, or as specifically directed or ordered by federal, state or local governments and government agencies in furtherance of authorized government operations or activities within the public right‑of‑way are not subject to these regulations (15.14.010(3)).
- Official traffic, fire, police signs, signals, devices and markings of the state, the city or other public authorities, and notices required by law, are exempt from the sign permit requirements and from the general regulations of the chapter unless otherwise stated (15.14.080(3)).
- The following signs/activities do not require a sign permit citywide (though they must comply with other applicable standards): name plate signs for single‑family residences (15.14.080(1)(b)(i)); relocation of signs if required by the city (15.14.080(1)(b)(ii)); election signs as permitted under 15.14.290 (15.14.080(1)(b)(iii)); window signs (subject to the 20% area and safety limitations) (15.14.080(1)(b)(iv); 15.14.410); address markers/signs on a wall or awning sign (15.14.080(1)(b)(v)); flags, provided not more than two flags per business site are displayed at any time (banners are not considered flags) (15.14.080(1)(b)(vi)); signs located in the interior of any building (15.14.080(1)(b)(vii)); historic preservation signs, which instead must be approved by the historic preservation commission (15.14.080(1)(b)(viii)); directional signs (subject to size/height rules) (15.14.080(1)(b)(ix); 15.14.350(6)); temporary signs not exceeding six feet in height and six square feet in area in residential districts (15.14.080(1)(b)(x)).
- Address markers located on a wall or awning do not count against the allowed number or total square footage of signs (15.14.080(2)).
- Directional signs are exempt from permit requirements but must comply with dimensional and placement limits (15.14.350(6); 15.14.200(2)(c)).
- Traffic signs not on city right‑of‑way in the medical center district (e.g., stop, yield, symbols) are permitted without restriction and do not require permits (15.14.200(3)(c)).
- Scoreboards do not require permits; sponsor names may appear on scoreboards if the names are no larger than six square feet in area (15.14.340(6)).
- Safety‑related construction signs such as “hard hat area” are exempt from the requirements of the chapter (15.14.280(8)).
- Temporary church/school/city facility signs that comply with 15.14.270 (including size, height, setback, one per premises, non‑illumination, and 30‑day display limit) do not require a permit (15.14.270(6)).
- Construction signs in residential districts that do not exceed six square feet in area and six feet in height do not require a permit (15.14.280(1) – residential clause).
- Real estate signs in residential districts that do not exceed six square feet in area and six feet in height do not require a permit (15.14.300(2)).
- Election signs, when complying with 15.14.290, do not require permits (15.14.290(6); reiterated by 15.14.080(1)(b)(iii)).
- Directional signs in the medical center district do not require a permit and are not included in the gross allowable sign area, provided they do not exceed six square feet in area, eighteen feet in height, and are not on city right‑of‑way or blocking vehicular vision (15.14.200(2)(c)).
- Water tower signs do not count against the maximum signage allowed for a business site (though they do require a permit) (15.14.405(1)).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs for which a permit is required must be applied for by the owner(s) and lessee(s) of the premises using a form from the Buildings and Safety Division; no permit may be issued to any other person or entity (15.14.090).
- At least two sets of plans or drawings must be submitted with every sign permit application. Plans must be legible, drawn to scale or dimensioned, and include: (1) a survey or plot plan showing exact sign location, supporting structure, and distances to lot lines; (2) an elevation plan with all dimensions, construction details, height above grade, type of illumination, landscaping, typescript, material colors and style; (3) material samples showing color and texture; and (4) photographs of existing signs on the property (15.14.100).
- All signs must be designed and constructed to meet structural requirements including wind load and dead load, and illumination must be installed to avoid glare and traffic hazards. Structural analysis by a registered engineer may be required for sign approval (15.14.130).
- Unless waived by the chief inspector, all permitted signs are subject to an electrical inspection for illuminated signs and a site inspection to ensure that the sign has been constructed according to an approved sign plan (15.14.160).
- In the medical center district, each occupant must submit copies of sign plans to the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center (MRMC) for approval prior to applying to the city for a permit; two copies of the MRMC‑approved sign plans must be submitted with the city permit application (15.14.200(1)).
- In the special purpose research park planned development district, each occupant must submit sign plans to the Milwaukee Regional Innovation Center / Project and Architectural Review Committee (MRIC/PARC) for approval prior to applying for a sign permit (15.14.250).
- Within the village of Wauwatosa business improvement district, all signs are subject to independent review and approval on a case‑by‑case basis by the business improvement district signage review board, in addition to complying with business district requirements (15.14.240, lead paragraph).
- Mayfair Mall tenants must obtain written approval of the owner or owner’s agent of the business site for their signs prior to submission to the city for a permit (15.14.230(3)).
- Portable sandwich‑type signs citywide (outside the specific BID provisions) require an annual permit per sign, issued upon application, approval, and payment of a permit fee; permits are not transferable (15.14.430(8)). Similar annual permits and fee requirements apply to sandwich‑type signs in the village of Wauwatosa business improvement district (15.14.240(1)(h)–(i)).
- Banners require permits that expire after 30 days; no more than four banner permits per business per calendar year are allowed, and permits may not be consecutive with at least 30 days between permits. Special‑event banner permits may be extended upon approval by the chief inspector or delegate (15.14.260(5)–(6)).
- Seasonal signs require a permit that expires after 60 days (15.14.310(8)).
- Construction signs in nonresidential districts and real estate signs in nonresidential districts require permits (15.14.280(1); 15.14.300(1)).
- Water tower signs require a permit even though they do not count against maximum site signage (15.14.405(2)).
- The chief inspector or delegated representative may approve temporary signs in cases of exceptional circumstances (e.g., grand opening, special event, construction, remodeling, road construction), effectively functioning as a discretionary sign plan or temporary sign approval; such grand opening and similar special‑event signs are limited to 30 days (15.14.420(1)).
- Projecting signs that extend over the lot line or over the public right‑of‑way require an encroachment agreement approved by the common council (15.14.380(3); also implied by 15.14.030(3) and 15.14.140(3)(d)).
- Awnings and banners or flags that project over the public right‑of‑way require an encroachment agreement and an insurance certificate approved by the city (15.14.320(5); 15.14.240(4)(b)(v)).

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

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