# Sign Regulations in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/whitefish-bay
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/33296055#33296055)

## At a glance

Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin regulates 16 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Monument Ground Signs in the Business (District 6) zoning district are capped at 10 feet tall, 50 square feet, and 4 feet wide (Sec. § 16-43D).

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Silver Spring Drive Business (District 11) | 1 | 4 feet | 10 square feet per sign face | — |
| Single- and two-family residential districts (Districts 1 to 3 inclusive) | 1 | — | 6 square feet | — |
| Churches, public buildings and grounds (District 4), Clubs and Lodges (District 4A) | 3 | 8 feet | 24 square feet | — |
| Apartment District (District 5) | 3 | 10 feet | 16 square feet | — |
| Business (District 6) | 9 | 16 feet above sidewalk grade | 100 square feet | — |
| Automobile Parking (District 7) | 1 | 10 feet | 24 square feet | — |
| Special Use District (District 8), Planned Development District (District 9) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### Churches, public buildings and grounds (District 4), Clubs and Lodges (District 4A)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On private property | — | § 16-43B |
| Directional Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On private property | — | § 16-43B |
| Bulletin Board | 8 feet | 24 square feet | — | — | One per street frontage | On private property | — | § 16-43B |

### Apartment District (District 5)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On private property | — | § 16-43C |
| Directional Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On private property | — | § 16-43C |
| Ground Sign | 10 feet | 16 square feet | — | — | — | On private property | — | § 16-43C |

### Business (District 6)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 square feet | — | — | One per business establishment unless additional frontage conditions are met | On private property | — | § 16-43D |
| Projecting Sign | 16 feet above sidewalk grade | 50 square feet | — | — | One per business establishment unless additional frontage conditions are met | On private property | — | § 16-43D |
| Awning Sign | 12 inches | — | — | — | One per business establishment unless additional frontage conditions are met | On private property | — | § 16-43D |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | One per business establishment unless additional frontage conditions are met | On private property | — | § 16-43D |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of the glazed area of each window | — | — | One per business establishment unless additional frontage conditions are met | On private property | — | § 16-43D |
| Monument Ground Sign | 10 feet | 50 square feet | 4 feet | — | One per business establishment unless additional frontage conditions are met | On private property | — | § 16-43D |
| Projecting Ground Sign | 10 feet | 50 square feet | — | — | One per business establishment unless additional frontage conditions are met | Nonpedestrian circulation areas | — | § 16-43D |
| Theater Marquee | — | — | — | — | One per business establishment unless additional frontage conditions are met | On private property | — | § 16-43D |

## Prohibited signs in Whitefish Bay

- Sandwich signs are prohibited in all other locations in the Village of Whitefish Bay except District 11.
- Sandwich signs may not be illuminated or reflective.
- Damaged or poorly maintained sandwich signs may not be placed outdoors.
- Sandwich signs may not obstruct access to accessibility ramps for persons with disabilities or building exits.
- Sandwich signs may not be attached or anchored to trees, buildings, or public property.
- All signs not specifically authorized by this article are prohibited.
- Abandoned signs are prohibited.
- Moving signs with physically moving components visible from the public right-of-way are prohibited.
- Floodlighted signs with light sources visible from a public right-of-way or residential property are prohibited.
- Unclassified signs bearing obscene, pornographic, or immoral subjects are prohibited.
- Signs imitating official traffic signs or signals are prohibited.
- Changeable message signs are prohibited.
- Electronic message signs are prohibited.
- Flashing signs are prohibited.
- Portable signs are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Sandwich signs are prohibited.
- Swinging signs are prohibited.
- Searchlights are prohibited.
- Balloons two feet in diameter and larger are prohibited.
- Off-street banners in place for more than 15 days are prohibited.
- Signs in the public right-of-way are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Whitefish Bay

- Construction signs not exceeding six square feet in area are permitted without a permit.
- Nonelectric signs not exceeding three square feet in area are permitted without a permit.
- Interior signs not visible from the public right-of-way are permitted without a permit.
- Residential district signs not exceeding six square feet in area are permitted without a permit.
- Temporary window signs not exceeding 25% of the window surface are permitted without a permit.
- Nonilluminated emblems, symbols, or insignia containing less than seven words text, not exceeding four square feet in area are permitted without a permit.
- Temporary signs not exceeding 16 square feet in area are permitted without a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Signs, if any, shall be controlled by the provisions in the plan for the development, approved by the Plan Commission and Village Board.
- In the event any of the requirements herein contained cause undue, unnecessary or unique hardship, a variance from requirements may be applied for to the Board of Appeals.

## 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 7 zoning districts in Whitefish Bay — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Whitefish+Bay+WI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-whitefish-bay

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