Wall Signs or Wall Billboards.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 244-9
in effect244-9. Wall Signs or Wall Billboards.
1. MATERIALS. Wall signs and billboards not exceeding at any point 13 feet in height from the lower to the upper edge of the facing may be constructed as regulated in s. 244-7-1. Wall signs and billboards exceeding such height shall be constructed of noncombustible materials, except molding and furring strips.
2. HEIGHT. a. No part of a combustible wall sign shall be erected or maintained above the sill of a second story window or windows of the building or structure to which such sign is to be attached, nor shall any part of such sign be more than 30 feet above the established grade immediately below, except as further regulated in par. b.
b. All signs extending above exterior walls shall be provided at each end thereof with a space not less than 5 feet in width above the wall to which attached to provide access to the roof.
3. PROJECTION. a. No part of any wall sign or billboard, except lighting reflectors, shall extend more than 12 inches from the face of the wall to which such sign or billboard is attached. Lighting reflectors elevated no less than 10 feet above the established grade may extend 5 feet into a right-of-way, and not closer than 2 feet from the curb line. Reflectors shall not project into an alley.
b. No wall sign shall be erected or maintained to extend beyond the ends of the wall to which such sign is attached.
4. SUPPORT AND ANCHORAGE. a. Wall signs and billboards attached to exterior walls of concrete or masonry shall be securely fastened to such walls by means of metal anchors, bolts, expansion screws or by other approved methods which will insure stability and safety, but no fastening shall be of less strength or permanence than that provided by a 3/8 inch diameter expansion bolt extending at least 5 inches into a suitable expansion sleeve imbedded within the masonry or concrete, and no bolt for fastening to masonry or concrete shall be less than 3/8 inch in diameter.
b. Except in the case of wall signs or billboards attached to buildings or structures with walls of wood, no wooden blocks or anchorage with wood used in connection with screws or nails shall be considered approved anchorage.
c. No wall sign or billboard shall be entirely supported by a parapet wall.
Source: City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau, Milwaukee City Charter and Code of Ordinances (city.milwaukee.gov master PDFs)URL: https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/Volume-2/CH244.pdf#page=5Fetched: 10/26/2026