# Sign Regulations in Williams Bay, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Williams Bay, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/williams-bay
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/34298965#34298965)

## At a glance

Williams Bay, Wisconsin regulates 19 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the Business and Industrial Districts zoning district are capped at 8 feet tall and 25 square feet on one side, 50 square feet on all sides, with a Must meet yard requirements setback (Sec. § 390-1005C). Most commercial signs in Williams Bay require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | — | 8 square feet | — |
| Residential District | 2 | — | 48 square feet | — |
| Business and Industrial Districts | 5 | 20 feet | 50 square feet | — |
| Public and Institutional Districts, Parks and Recreation Districts | 4 | — | 40 square feet | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 8 square feet | — | — | — | On the premises | — | § 390-1003A |
| Name and Warning Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | — | On the premises | — | § 390-1003B |
| Home Occupation and Professional Home Office Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | — | Mounted flush against the dwelling | — | § 390-1003C |
| Election Campaign Sign | — | — | — | — | — | With property owner permission | — | § 390-1003D |
| Rummage Sale and Garage Sale Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Not within public right-of-way | — | § 390-1003E |
| Bulletin Board | — | 8 square feet | — | — | — | On the premises | — | § 390-1003F |
| Memorial Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Affixed flat against a structure | — | § 390-1003G |
| Official Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 390-1003H |

### Business and Industrial Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 50 square feet | — | — | — | Against exterior walls of buildings | — | § 390-1005A |
| Projecting Sign | 20 feet | 20 square feet | — | — | — | Fastened to, suspended from, or supported by structures | — | § 390-1005B |
| Ground Sign | 8 feet | 25 square feet on one side, 50 square feet on all sides | — | Must meet yard requirements | — | On the premises | — | § 390-1005C |
| Marquee, Awning, or Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Affixed flat to the surface of the marquee, awning, or canopy | — | § 390-1005D |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of the glass area | — | — | — | Inside commercial buildings | — | § 390-1005F |

### Public and Institutional Districts, Parks and Recreation Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Private Institutional and Park Name Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 390-1006A |
| Public Institutional and Park Name Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 390-1006B |
| Athletic Field Off-Premises Sign | — | 40 square feet | — | — | — | On outfield fencing adjacent to athletic fields in Village parks | — | § 390-1006C |
| Public School Variable Message Sign | — | — | — | — | Two allowed | On the grounds of a public school | — | § 390-1006D |

## Prohibited signs in Williams Bay

- Roof signs are prohibited in the Village of Williams Bay.
- Portable signs will not be located in any public right-of-way, will not be located closer than 10 feet to an adjacent property, and will not cause a hazard to traffic or adjoining properties.

## Signs exempt from permit in Williams Bay

- Real estate signs not to exceed eight square feet in area, which advertise the sale, rental, or lease of the premises upon which said signs are temporarily located.
- Name and warning signs not to exceed two square feet and located on the premises.
- Home occupation and professional home office signs not to exceed two square feet in area and mounted flush against the dwelling.
- Election campaign signs, provided that permission shall be obtained from the property owner, renter, or lessee; and provided that such sign shall not be erected more than 45 days immediately prior to an election, and removed within four days following the election.
- Rummage sale and garage sale signs, provided that no such signs shall be erected or placed within a public right-of-way and further provided that such signs are removed within 24 hours following the sale.
- Bulletin boards for public, charitable or religious institutions not to exceed eight square feet in area and located on the premises.
- Memorial signs, tablets, names of buildings, and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of metal and affixed flat against a structure.
- Official signs, such as traffic control, parking restrictions, information, and notices.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permanent real estate development signs placed at the entrance to a subdivision or development shall meet all the yard requirements of the district in which it is located. The Plan Commission shall determine the appropriate size of the sign based on the design of the sign and its compatibility with adjacent land uses.
- Temporary development signs for the purpose of designating a new building or development, or for promotion of a subdivision may be permitted for a limited period of time. The Plan Commission shall specify the period of time the sign may remain based on the size of the development allowing a reasonable time to market the development.
- Private institutional and park name signs when approved by the Village Board following recommendation of the Village Plan Commission.
- Public institutional and park name signs when approved by the Village Board following recommendation of the Village Plan Commission.
- Athletic field off-premises signs when approved by the Village Board following recommendation of the Village Plan Commission.
- Public school variable message sign when approved by the Village Board following recommendation of the Village Plan Commission.
- Scoreboards when approved by the Village Board following recommendation of the Village Plan Commission.

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

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