# Sign Regulations in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin (WI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wisconsin/wisconsin-dells
- **Data last verified:** 2024-11-13

## At a glance

Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin regulates 17 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Signs pertaining to the sale, on premises, of agricultural products in the D-1 Conservancy and R-1 Residential (single-family) zoning district are capped at Not specified tall, 30, and Not specified wide (Sec. 22.10(1)(a)). Most commercial signs in Wisconsin Dells require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| D-1 Conservancy and R-1 Residential (single-family) | 4 | Not specified | 32 | Yes |
| R-2 Residential (single family & duplex), R-3 Residential (mixed), and R-9 Mobile Home Park | 5 | Not specified | 32 | Yes |
| R-5 Residential (multi-family) | 1 | Not specified | Not specified | Yes |
| C-2 Downtown Commercial | 9 | 6; 16-off Broadway; 20-East of Church | 300 | Yes |
| C-1 Neighborhood Commercial, C-3 Highway Commercial, C-4 Large-scale Commercial and M-1 Mixed Use | 1 | Not specified | Not specified | Yes |
| I-1 Industrial District | 2 | Not specified | 100 | Yes |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### D-1 Conservancy and R-1 Residential (single-family)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Signs pertaining to the sale, on premises, of agricultural products | Not specified | 30 | Not specified | — | — | Not specified | Yes | 22.10(1)(a) |
| Temporary Signs | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | — | — | Not specified | Yes | 22.10(1)(b) |
| Identification sign for multi-family dwelling or single family and two-family subdivision | Not specified | 32 | Not specified | — | — | near the main entrance to the building or subdivision | Yes | 22.10(1)(c) |
| Signs pertaining to home occupations, professional offices, or any use permitted in the conservancy and residential districts | Not specified | 5 | Not specified | — | — | Not specified | Yes | 22.10(1)(d) |

### R-2 Residential (single family & duplex), R-3 Residential (mixed), and R-9 Mobile Home Park

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Signs pertaining to the sale, on premises, of agricultural products | Not specified | 30 | Not specified | — | — | Not specified | Yes | 22.10(2)(a) |
| Temporary Signs | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | — | — | Not specified | Yes | 22.10(2)(b) |
| Identification sign for multi-family dwelling or single family and two-family subdivision | Not specified | 32 | Not specified | — | — | near the main entrance to the building or subdivision | Yes | 22.10(2)(c) |
| Signs pertaining to home occupations, professional offices, or any use permitted in the conservancy and residential districts | Not specified | 5 | Not specified | — | — | Not specified | Yes | 22.10(2)(d) |
| Directional signs; Marquee/Awning/Canopy Signs; Monument signs; Pole signs; Projecting and Blade signs; Roof signs; Wall signs; and Wind signs. | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | — | — | Not specified | Yes | 22.10(2) |

### C-2 Downtown Commercial

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Total Sign Area | Not specified | 300 | Not specified | — | — | Not specified | Yes | 22.10(4)(a) |
| Monument Sign | 6; 16-off Broadway; 20-East of Church | 60; 144-off Broadway; 200-East of Church | Not specified | — | — | Not specified | Yes | Table E |
| Wall Sign | n/a | 60 sqft | Not specified | — | — | Attached to the wall of a building | Yes | Table E |
| Projecting Sign | n/a | 50 sqft | Not specified | — | — | Not specified | Yes | Table E |
| Blade Sign | See Downtown Design Standards | See Downtown Design Standards | Not specified | — | — | Not specified | No | Table E |
| Awning/Canopy/Marquee Sign | n/a | 75% coverage of valance/flat profile; 50% coverage of awning roof | Not specified | — | — | Not specified | Yes | Table E |
| Window Sign | n/a | 25% coverage of each window/door, excluding product display; 50% coverage of each window/door, inclusive of product display | Not specified | — | — | Not specified | No | Table E |
| Portable Sign | 3-sandwich board; 4-pedestal sign | 6 | Not specified | — | — | Not specified | No | Table E |

## Prohibited signs in Wisconsin Dells

- Any sign or structure that constitutes a hazard to public health or safety;
- Any sign or advertising structure that is erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape, including sign of any kind attached to a stand pipe or fire escape.
- Any sign that causes traffic hazards. No sign or other advertising structure shall: obstruct free and clear vision at any street intersection; any sign that interferes with, obstructs the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device because of its position, shape or color; or Makes use of the words STOP, LOOK, DRIVE-IN, DANGER or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in a manner that interferes with, misleads or confuses traffic.
- Any sign or other advertising structure that displays any matter in which the dominant theme of the materials taken as a whole appeals to a prurient interest in sex, or is patently offensive because it affronts contemporary community standards relating to the description or representation of sexual matters, and is utterly without redeeming social value.
- Any vehicular signs with a total sign area in excess of ten (10) square feet are prohibited when the vehicle: is parked for more than sixty (60) consecutive minutes within one hundred (100) feet of any street right of way; is visible from the street right of way that the vehicle is within one hundred (100) feet of; or, is not regularly used in the conduct of the business advertised on the vehicle. A vehicle used primarily for advertising, or for the purpose of providing transportation for owners or employees of the occupancy advertised on the vehicle, shall not be considered a vehicle used in the conduct of the business.
- Any signs having a sign area of more than 300 square feet per facing.
- Signs having more than two (2) faces visible at one time.
- Temporary signs such as captive or tethered balloons, banners or portable devices, excluding those described in Code Sec. 22.05(16) and Code Sec. 22.05(17).
- Revolving signs.
- Any signs that obstruct the vision of pedestrians, cyclists, or motorists traveling on or entering public streets.
- Any signs that are of such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or impair the vision of any motorist, cyclist, or pedestrian using or entering a public way, or that are a hazard or a nuisance to occupants of any property because of glare or other characteristics.
- Any signs erected or maintained upon trees or utility poles, or painted or drawn upon rocks or other natural features.
- Any interior signs visible from the public right-of-way which advertise or promote off- premises goods, services or businesses; and which feature a video display.
- Obsolete or abandoned signs (see Code Sec. 22.02) that are not lawful nonconforming signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Wisconsin Dells

- Temporary real estate signs not exceeding sixteen (16) square feet in area which advertise the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which the sign is located. Such signs shall be removed no later than seven (7) days following sale or rental of the subject property.
- Temporary political signs concerning candidates for public office and ballot issues and not exceeding four (4) square feet in area. Such signs may be erected no earlier than sixty (60) days prior to an election or referendum and shall be removed no later than seven (7) days after the election or referendum.
- Temporary signs advertising the date, time and location of a garage or yard sale and not exceeding four (4) square feet in area. Such signs shall be posted no more than three (3) days prior to and shall be removed one (1) day after the sale.
- Public signs regulating vehicular or pedestrian traffic or designating or giving direction to streets, schools, hospital, historical sites or public facilities.
- Flags of any government or governmental agency or any patriotic, religious, charitable, civic, education or fraternal organization not exceeding fifty (50) square feet in area; except that the Flag of the United States of America shall be exempt, whatever its size.
- Temporary signs in conjunction with special events such as philanthropic campaign or church, circus, carnival or other community activity. Such signs shall not exceed forty (40) square feet in area, shall not be erected more than fourteen (14) days in advance of the event and shall be removed within three (3) days after the termination of the event; and shall not be erected without consent of the Common Council.
- Temporary displays or decorations customarily associated with any national, state, local or religious holiday or celebration. Such signs shall be erected no more than forty-five (45) days before and removed no later than fourteen (14) days after the celebration.
- Temporary signs identifying the architect, engineer, developer or contractor when placed upon construction sites and not exceeding sixty-four (64) square feet in area. Such signs shall not be erected prior to approval of a site plan and shall be removed no later than seven (7) days after completion of the project.
- Memorial or commemorative plaques or tablets denoting a building name and/or date or erection or a location of historic significance and not exceeding four (4) square feet in area.
- Signs or advertising structures associated with governmental, patriotic, religious, charitable, civic, educational, or like organizations or activities provided such sign or structure shall not exceed forty (40) square feet in area.
- Signs that are not designed or located so as to be visible from any street adjoining property, or public way; except that signs that are designed or located so as to be visible from adjoining property shall not be exempt.
- Signs or nameplates, at single or two-family dwellings not exceeding three (3) square feet indicating the name or address of occupants.
- Signs erected and regulated as part of the Wisconsin Dells Parks & Recreation baseball outfield sign program.
- Open for business flags installed and displayed in conjunction with Business Improvement District (BID) program and criteria.
- The mandated posting of business name and address on the rear alleyway entrance to businesses along Broadway, with letters and number less than 6 inches high and no logo or other advertisement.
- Sandwich boards, A frame and Pedestal Signs in the C-1 or C-2 District, following the downtown design standard and subject to review of the Design Review Committee (DRC).
- Temporary Business Sign for an operating business for up to thirty (30) days after business opening, or until a sign permit has been obtained though the DRC review process, whichever comes first.
- Portable Changeable Message Signs that have been approved by the Design Review Committee (DRC) for a particular, temporary use.

## 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 6 zoning districts in Wisconsin Dells — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Wisconsin+Dells+WI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-wisconsin-dells

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