Sign Permits

Before You Apply

It is encouraged that you contact the Zoning & Planning Department while planning your project to confirm compliance with basic zoning requirements and to discuss the review and approval process.

Temporary Signs

Properties in nonresidential areas may erect temporary signs following approval by the Zoning & Planning Administrator. To view the list of requirements, visit the Temporary Signs webpage.

Permanent Signs

Review by the Building Board is required for permanent business signage. The Board meets twice per month (1st and 3rd Tuesday) at 5:30 p.m. To get placed on agenda, all materials must be submitted digitally to the Zoning and Planning Administrator at least 2 weeks in advance of the meeting. Once deemed complete by the Zoning and Planning Administrator, physical copies must be provided at least one week before the meeting.

The submittal requirements for signage is listed below. A more comprehensive list of Business Signage requirements may be found at the hyperlink.

Required Forms

Depending on the scope of your project, electrical, plumbing, and/or HVAC permits may be needed in addition to a building permit. Please submit all permits as necessary.

Requirements with Building Permit Application

  • Sign Rendering
    • Scaled elevation of all impacted areas.
    • Scaled rendering should clearly illustrate the dimensions, information to be displayed on the sign, colors, and number of faces of the sign.
    • Specification sheets, brochures, photos, and other materials should also be submitted to supplement the depiction of the sign.

Sign Ordinance Standards

  • The maximum size of a sign is either one square foot of sign area per one linear foot of building frontage, or one square foot of sign area per 200 square feet of usable building area, whichever is greater.
  • Businesses which front on Bluemound Road are allowed up to 1.5 times the sign area normally permitted.
  • Illuminated signs shall not exceed 60 square feet in area except for businesses which front on Bluemound Road.
  • In measuring a sign, the following should be understood:
    • The border/frame is included in the area calculation.
    • The area of irregularly shaped signs or signs containing two or more detached elements shall be determined by the area of the smallest regular polygon that will encompass all elements of the sign.
    • The terms "area of sign" and "sign area" refer to the surface encompassed within the perimeter of the sign which forms the outside shape of the sign. If a sign contains more than one section or part, all sections and parts shall be included in the total area of the sign.
    • For signs that are double-faced or have a sign copy on two faces which are back-to-back and facing in different directions, each sign face may equal the maximum sign area allowed under this subsection.
    • Supporting structures of signs shall not be included in the sign area; however, all ornamental elements attached to the sign shall be included.
  • A ground sign shall harmonize with the building or activity it advertises or identifies, and no such ground sign shall be more than 20 feet above the average ground elevation of the lot or exceed the height of the building, whichever is lower, except within 50 feet of Bluemound Road where the maximum sign height shall not exceed 25 feet.
  • Only one ground sign per frontage road will be permitted on each property. None are permitted in the right-of-way without a Village Board approved license agreement.
  • Monument signs are preferred where there is adequate room on site.
  • Only one projecting, hanging sign shall be allowed per business.
  • Business centers of 4 or more tenants shall have a uniform sign format approved by the Building Board. Any sign for a business in a business center must conform to the approved sign format.