# Sign Regulations in West Allis, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** West Allis, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/west-allis
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-23
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/municipalcodeonline.com-new/westallis/ordinances/documents/1717766972_ExhibitProposedRezoningMap.pdf)

## At a glance

West Allis, Wisconsin regulates 37 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Sandwich Board Signs in the Commercial Districts excluding C-1 (C-2, C-3, C-4) zoning district are capped at 4 feet tall, 10 square feet per face, and 2.5 feet base wide, with a As location setback (Sec. 13.21(23)). Most commercial signs in West Allis 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 | 16 | 15 feet above walk for 1-story; not above roof/parapet for multi-story | 125 square feet | — |
| Residential Districts (RA-1, RA-2, RA-3, RB, RC) | 10 | 5 feet (freestanding) | 200 square feet | — |
| Commercial Districts excluding C-1 (C-2, C-3, C-4) | 25 | 15 feet | 200 square feet (if formula >200) | — |
| Industrial Districts (I-1, I-2) | 19 | 15 feet 1-story | 125 square feet | — |
| Unclassified Districts (P, SF) | 11 | 10 feet | 125 square feet | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 feet | 50 square feet | — | 1 foot from ultimate right-of-way | 1 per site | Offset no less than 1 foot from ultimate right-of-way line; in landscaped open space; not obstructing vision triangle | — | 13.21(14) |
| Wall Sign | Not more than 4 feet above plate line; not above parapet, fascia, or roofline | 125 square feet | — | — | 2 or 1 per street frontage, whichever greater | On exterior wall of the business | — | 13.21(15) |
| Projecting Sign | 15 feet above walk for 1-story; not above roof/parapet for multi-story | 16 square feet (additional 16 sq ft per story level for multi-story buildings, max 100 sq ft) | — | — | 1 per street frontage per tenant | Attached to building wall; min 8 feet clearance above walk/surface | — | 13.21(16) |
| Directional Sign | 4 feet | 6 square feet per side (8 square feet if shared by 2+ businesses) | — | 1 foot from right-of-way | 1 per driveway | At driveways; offset min 1 foot from ultimate right-of-way | — | 13.21(21) |
| Banner - Temporary | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 2 at a time | On property | — | 13.21(12)(b) |
| Construction Sign - Temporary | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 2 per street frontage | On construction site | — | 13.21(12)(c)(4) |
| Development Sign - Temporary | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On development site | — | 13.21(12)(c)(3) |
| Sale, Lease and Rent Sign - Temporary Nonresidential | 5 feet (freestanding) | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 | On property being sold/leased/rented | — | 13.21(12)(d)(3)(4) |

### Commercial Districts excluding C-1 (C-2, C-3, C-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 feet | 50 square feet | — | 1 foot | 1 | Offset 1 foot from ROW; landscaped; no vision obstruction | — | 13.21(14) |
| Freestanding Sign - Master Sign Program 25,000-50,000 sq ft | 10 feet | 75 square feet | — | 1 foot | 1 | As general | — | 13.21(13)(g)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign - Master Sign Program 50,000-100,000 sq ft | 12 feet | 150 square feet | — | 1 foot | 1 | As general | — | 13.21(13)(g)(2) |
| Freestanding Sign - Master Sign Program 100,000-300,000 sq ft | 15 feet | 150 square feet per arterial street or 225 square feet | — | 1 foot | 1 per arterial or per center | As general | — | 13.21(13)(g)(3) |
| Freestanding Sign - Master Sign Program >300,000 sq ft | Determined by Plan Commission (max 15 feet unless approved higher) | Determined by Plan Commission | — | 1 foot | Per Plan Commission | As general | — | 13.21(13)(g)(4) |
| Wall Sign | 4 feet above plate line max | 125 square feet | — | — | 2 or 1 per frontage | Exterior wall | — | 13.21(15) |
| Directional Sign | 4 feet | 6 sq ft (8 shared) | — | 1 foot | 1 per driveway | Driveways, 1 ft ROW | — | 13.21(21) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 4 feet | 10 square feet per face | 2.5 feet base | As location | 1 per business | Within 10 ft entrance; 15 ft from corner; 6 inches from curb if ROW; no pathway obstruction | — | 13.21(23) |

### Industrial Districts (I-1, I-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 feet | 50 square feet | — | 1 foot | 1 | Offset 1 foot from ROW; landscaped; no vision obstruction | — | 13.21(14) |
| Freestanding Sign - Master Sign Program Abutting Interstate | 10-15 feet based on size | Determined per building size as in commercial (75-225 sq ft based on size) | — | 1 foot | 1 or per program | As general | — | 13.21(13)(g) and (5)(b) |
| Wall Sign | 4 feet above plate line max | 125 square feet | — | — | 2 or 1 per frontage | Exterior wall | — | 13.21(15) |
| Wall Sign - Master Sign Program Abutting Interstate | 4 feet above plate line | As per variation | — | — | Per program | Exterior wall | — | 13.21(13)(h) and (5)(b) |
| Projecting Sign | 15 feet 1-story | 16 square feet (+16 per level, max 100) | — | — | 1 per frontage per tenant | Wall, 8 ft clearance | — | 13.21(16) |
| Directional Sign | 4 feet | 6 sq ft | — | 1 foot | 1 per driveway | Driveways | — | 13.21(21) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 4 feet | 10 sq ft face | 2.5 ft | — | 1 | Near entrance | — | 13.21(23) |
| Sale, Lease and Rent Sign - Temporary | 5 feet | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Property | — | 13.21(12)(d) |

## Prohibited signs in West Allis

- Flashing signs
- Portable signs
- Pennants or streamers
- Abandoned signs/structures
- Snipe signs (signs in, on or over public property, excluding those regulated in Section 13.21(11))
- Signs that interfere with traffic
- Nonpolitical signs greater than six (6) square feet on a residential use property (not including residential properties over three-family, which are regulated by the Plan Commission under the master sign program, Section 13.21(13))
- All other prohibited signs not mentioned in this section
- Bare light bulbs
- Blinking or rotating lights on permanent or temporary signs
- Illumination installed to cause glare or reflection into adjacent property or onto a street or alley creating a traffic hazard
- Signs, pennants, flags or banners erected, placed, located or maintained within the limits of any street or highway unless specifically allowed
- Signs obstructing free and clear vision at intersections or interfering with, obstructing the view of, or confusing with authorized traffic signs, signals or devices
- Signs using words like 'stop,' 'look,' 'danger' or similar in a manner that interferes with, misleads or confuses traffic
- Signs on public property except projecting signs with a grant of privilege
- Roof signs (signs extending above the roofline or located on the roof, implicitly prohibited by placement restrictions)

## Signs exempt from permit in West Allis

- One (1) nonilluminated sign six (6) square feet or less in area (unless otherwise specifically required)
- Maintenance, including repainting or replacing faces of signs, or minor nonstructural repairs (except electrical repair)
- Political signs
- Window signs as permitted under Section 13.21(18)
- Rental, sale and lease signs six (6) square feet or less in area
- Address markers/signs
- Flags
- Official traffic, fire and police signs, signals, devices and markings of the state, City or other public authorities
- Posting of notices required by law
- Signs approved by the Board of Public Works
- Signs in the C-1 Central Business District (entire section does not apply)

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Master Sign Program required for multi-tenant commercial buildings (MTCBs) with three (3) or more tenants, buildings of at least twenty-five thousand (25,000) square feet, or commercial/industrial uses abutting I-94 or I-894 right-of-way
- Master Sign Program applications reviewed and approved by Plan Commission (except minor tenant spaces ≤3,000 sq ft in MTCBs ≥100,000 sq ft, which may be staff-approved)
- Individual signs under approved Master Sign Program require separate permit applications
- Freestanding signs in vision triangle require Plan Commission approval
- Signage area for buildings/centers >300,000 sq ft determined by Plan Commission
- Variances from sign regulations require Plan Commission review and approval based on criteria like no undue concentration of signage, unique design, or site difficulties
- Creative signs require Plan Commission review and approval based on design criteria
- Nonconforming signs must conform upon alteration requiring permit, building/site alteration requiring Plan Commission review, repairs >50% of assessed value, or discontinuation >12 months
- Double-faced or V-shaped freestanding signs with interior angle >60° require Plan Commission review
- Projecting signs over right-of-way require grant of privilege from Board of Public Works
- Awnings over right-of-way require grant of privilege from Board of Public Works
- Sandwich board signs in right-of-way require grant of privilege and insurance certificate
- Guidance signs on public property require Board of Public Works approval

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

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