GROUND SIGNS.
Madison General Ordinances § 31.08
in effect31.08 - GROUND SIGNS.
(1) Applicability, Location. Ground signs shall consist of two (2) categories, Monument and Pole signs as defined in Sec. 31.03(2). Ground signs under this section are permitted on a zoning lot in the zoning districts indicated in Sec. 31.15(1), "Table 1," if the zoning lot is accessible by motor vehicle, or has off-street parking on the premises, or if the primary building or structure on the zoning lot is set back at least thirty-five (35) feet from the adjacent street or highway right-of-way. Ground signs permitted under this section may be illuminated, subject to Sec. 31.04(5)(k). Except as expressly provided, this section and corresponding portions of Table 1 apply only to Pole and Monument signs.
(2) Number, Height, Net Area.
(a) Number. No more than two (2) ground signs of the type permitted in this section may be displayed on a single zoning lot, unless approved by the Urban Design Commission through a Comprehensive Design Review under Sec. 31.043 herein, or unless qualified for additional ground signs under sub. (ab) below. "Zoning Lot" shall have the definition found in Sec. 28.211, which includes a planned multi-use site, or a lot, or lots; as further described in that section. However, for purposes of this section only, a planned multi-use site that meets the criteria of Sec. 28.137(2)(e) is considered a single zoning lot. Additional ground signs expressly authorized elsewhere in these Ordinances shall not be counted toward the maximum number of ground signs under this paragraph. (Am. by ORD-15-00118, 10-28-15)
(ab) Additional Ground Signs. More than two ground signs may be displayed on a zoning lot if all of the following criteria are met:
1. The zoning lot has a single street frontage of five-hundred (500) feet or more in length. For purposes of this provision, "street" has the definition in Sec. 28.211, MGO.
2. The zoning lot must have a vehicle entrance with driveway access on the street that corresponds to the five hundred foot (500') lot line.
3. One (1) additional ground sign may be placed at each such vehicle entrance on the zoning lot.
4. Any such additional ground sign must be a Monument Sign as defined in Sec. 31.03(2), with a maximum height of eight (8) feet, maximum net area of thirty-two (32) square feet for a single sign face and sixty-four (64) square feet in combined net area for all faces on the sign, and a maximum of two (2) sign faces per sign.
(b) Height. The height of a ground sign shall be measured from the top of the sign to the approved grade at the base of the supporting structure. The maximum height for all permitted ground signs under this section varies by zoning district, the number of lanes and speed limit of adjacent highways, and whether the sign is a Pole sign or Monument sign, as set forth in Sec. 31.15(1), "Table 1." No ground sign shall exceed the maximum height allowed in Table 1. A Pole sign shall have a maximum height of twenty-two (22) feet, subject to the limits of Table 1. The maximum height for other exempt or special-purpose ground signs expressly authorized by another section of this ordinance, shall be as set forth in such other section. The maximum height for any other sign displayed on the ground not addressed by this section or elsewhere in this ordinance shall be fifteen (15) feet.
(c) Net Area. The net area of a Ground sign shall be measured according to the definition of "Net Area" in Sec. 31.03(2). The maximum net area for Ground signs is determined in part by the speed limit of adjacent highways and is set forth in Sec. 31.15(1), (Table 1) and as follows:
1. The maximum net area of any Ground sign face is the lower of the two numbers provided under Ground Signs in Table 1.
2. For a single Ground sign with back-to-back or multiple sign faces, the net area of all sign faces shall be added together to determine the total net area of that ground sign.
3. The combined net area of all ground signs on a zoning lot shall not exceed the greater of the two numbers provided under Ground Signs in Table 1. This total net area may be divided between a maximum of two (2) ground signs or displayed on multiple faces, but in no case shall the net area of a single sign face exceed the smaller of the two numbers permitted in Table 1.
(3) Ground and Projecting Signs.
If Ground and projecting signs are displayed on the same a zoning lot, only one (1) of such signs, where permitted may exceed twelve (12) square feet in net area.
(4) Banners Not to be Used as Ground Signs. A banner may not be used as or displayed upon a Ground sign.
(Sec. 31.08(2)(ab) Cr. by ORD-15-00118, 10-28-15)
Source: City of Madison, Wisconsin, Madison General Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wi/madison/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COORMAWIVOIICH20--31_CH31SICOOR_SPTYSI_31.08GRSIFetched: 11/1/2026