TABLES OF PERMITTED SIGNS, BY ZONING DISTRICTS.
Madison General Ordinances § 31.15
in effect31.15 - TABLES OF PERMITTED SIGNS, BY ZONING DISTRICTS.
(1) Table 1. GROUND, PROJECTING, WALL, ROOF, AND ABOVE-ROOF SIGNS IN GROUPS 2 AND 3.
Table 1 describes the zoning districts in which the above types of signs may be displayed, and the maximum net area of the signs, as determined by the speed limit and lanes of traffic of the adjacent highway. Each type of sign is further regulated by specific sections within this chapter.
Type of sign: Zoning District: | Projecting 31.09 | Wall3& Roof 31.07 | Above Roof 31.07(3)
Pole Signs: | Monument Signs: Above
Group 2 | Group 3 | Group 2 | Group 3 | Group 2 and 3 | Group 2 and 3 | IL & IG Only
No of Traffic Lanes | Speed Limit (mph)1 | Max. Height | Max. Net Area (sq. ft.)2, 5 | Max. Height | Max. Net Area (sq. ft.)2, 5 | Max. Ht. | Max. Net Area (sq. ft.) 2, 5 | Max. Ht. | Max. Net Area (sq. ft.)2, 5 | Max. Net Area (sq. ft.) | Max Net Area (% of signable area)4 | Max. Net Area (% of signable area)4
2-3 Lanes | 0-34 mph | 12' | 32/64 | 16' | 32/63 | 8' | 32/64 | 10' | 32/64 | 20' | 40% | 40%
35-44 mph | 12' | 32/64 | 16 | 50/100 | 8' | 32/64 | 10' | 50/100 | 20' | 40% | 40%
45+ mph | 14' | 32/64 | 16' | 72/144 | 9' | 32/64 | 10' | 72/144 | 20' | 40% | 40%
4-5 Lanes | 0-34 mph | 12' | 32/64 | 16' | 40/80 | 8' | 32/64 | 10' | 40/80 | 32' | 40% | 40%
35-44 mph | 14' | 32/64 | 16' | 64/128 | 9' | 32/64 | 10' | 64/128 | 32' | 40% | 40%
45+ mph | 16' | 32/64 | 20' | 80/16- | 10' | 32/64 | 12' | 80/160 | 32' | 40% | 40%
6+ Lanes | 0-34 mph | 14' | 32/64 | 16' | 48/96 | 9' | 32/64 | 10' | 48/96 | 32' | 40% | 40%
35-44 mph | 16' | 32/64 | 18' | 72/144 | 10' | 32/64 | 11' | 72/144 | 32' | 50% | 40%
45+ mph | 18' | 32/64 | 22' | 144/288 | 11' | 32/64 | 13' | 144/288 | 32' | 40% | 40%
Table 1 - footnotes:
1. For ground signs on zoning lots with more than one street frontage, use the miles per hour on the street with the faster speed limit to determine the maximum net area allowed.
2. Maximum Net Area of Ground Signs. The first number represents the maximum net area allowed for a single face of a ground sign. The second number represents the maximum combined net area on all faces of all ground signs displayed on a zoning lot, except when additional ground sign(s) are permitted under Sec. 31.08(1)(ab). (Am. by ORD-15-00118, 10-28-15)
3. Wall signs displayed outside the signable area under Sec. 31.07(5) have different maximum net areas. Additional wall signs displayed on large buildings under Sec. 31.07(6) have different signable area and maximum net areas. See Sec. 31.07.
4. The maximum net area for Wall, Roof and Above-roof signs is either forty percent (40%) of the signable area or two (2) square feet of signage for each lineal foot of building frontage. If the net area is measured by lineal feet of building frontage, the total net area of the sign displayed shall not exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the signable area available under Sec. 31.07(2).
5. Per Sec. 31.13(9), Signs in the DC Downtown Core District, shall conform to the "Downtown Urban Design Guidelines" published by the Urban Design Commission and referenced in Sec. 28.074, in addition to conforming to the provisions of this Chapter. May be approved under the Powers of the Secretary to the Urban Design Commission, per Sec. 33.24(4)(g).
(2) Table 2. MISCELLANEOUS SIGNS IN GROUPS 2 AND 3.
"Yes" = Permitted in the districts indicated. Sign Permit required.
UDC = Urban Design Commission review/approval required.
TABLE 2
Type of Sign | Sign Permitted in these Zoning Districts
DC | Group 2 | Group 3
Awning (31.06), Canopy (31.071) | UDC 1 | Yes | Yes
Sidewalk Showcase (31.03(2)) | UDC 1 | Yes | Yes
Pennants, Decorative & Promotional Banners & Flags on Private Property 2 (31.075.) | UDC 1 | Yes | Yes
Building Entrance Identification (31.03(2)) | UDC 1 | Yes - 12 square feet max | Yes - 12 square feet max
Business Opening Signs (31.065) | UDC 1 | Yes | Yes
Portable Signs on Private Property (31.046(2)(a)) | Yes | Yes | Yes
Portable Signs on Public Property (31.046(2)(b)) 3 | Yes 3 | Yes 3 | Yes 3
Inflatable Signs (31.046(3)) 4 | Yes 4 | Yes 4 | Yes 4
Off-Premise Directional Signs (31.115) | No | Yes | Yes: CC-T, CC, TE, TSS, NMX, SE, IL, IG, AP No: SEC
Electronic Changeable Message Signs (31.046(1)) | UDC 1, 6 | Yes 5 | Yes 5
Table 2 footnotes:
1. See 31.13(9). Requires Urban Design Commission review and approval, but may be approved under the Powers of the Secretary to the Urban Design Commission, per Sec. 33.24(4)(g).
2. Subject to Approval of Director of Department of Planning & Community & Economic Development.
3. Portable signs on public property are only allowed pursuant to a parade permit, Street Use Permit, Parks special event permit, or hand-carried signs and subject to all conditions of Sec. 31.046(2)(b).
4. Inflatable Signs are only allowed pursuant to a parade permit, Street Use Permit, Parade Permit, or Parks special event permit.
5. Electronic Changeable Copy may be used on wall, roof, above-roof, ground, projecting, and canopy signs where such signs are permitted in these districts, subject to the requirements of Sec. 31.046(1). Also permitted for non-residential uses in districts of special control.
6. Only permitted for non-residential uses in the DC district.
(3) Table 3. SIGNS PERMITTED IN GROUP 1 DISTRICTS
All signs in this Table may be displayed on a wall or on the ground only and limited to one (1) sign per street frontage, unless otherwise indicated in the Table or Sec. 31.14.
TABLE 3
Type of Sign | Net Area Sq. Ft. | Height | Min. Setback | Wall | Ground | Illuminated | Number
Min. | Max.
Identification signs in all SR, TR-C1, TR-C2, TR-C3, TR-C4, TR-V1, TR-R, TR-P
Single family or 2-unit Residential Uses | 2' | - | 12' or 1 story (lower) | - | Yes | No | No | 1 per unit, 2 on corner or through lot
Identification*** for multifamily, apartment hotels, frat/sorority, lodging houses in | 3' | - | 12' or 1 story (lower) | - | Yes | No | No | 1 per building, 2 on corner or through lot
Identification***for Nonresidential Buildings | 6' | - | 12' or 1 story (lower) | - | Yes | No | No | 1 per bldg., 2 on corner or through lot
Identification*** for multifamily, apt. hotels, frat/sorority and lodging houses in TR-U1, TR-V2, TR-U2 | 12' | - | 12' | - | Yes | No | No | 1 per building, 2 on a corner lot
UOR & DR2- Identification sign for accessory-use business establishments allowed as a conditional use in residential building. | 2' | - | 12' or 1 story (lower) | - | Yes | No | No | 1 per business
Identification*** for Nonresidential Buildings in TR-V2, TR-U1, TR-U2, DR1 & DR-2 | 12' | - | 15' | - | Yes | Yes* | No | 1 per building, 2 on a corner lot
Church, Hospital, School and Residential Building Complex "Identification" 31.14(3)(e) | 12' to 32' | 1' | 12' | 10' | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 wall, 1 ground per st. frontage, max. of 2 per zoning lot**
Project - 31.14(3)(f) exempt from permit under 31.04(8) | 32' | 1' | 8' | 10' | Yes | Yes | No | 1 per street frontage
Building Entrance Identification | 12' | - | - | - | Yes | No | Yes | 1 per entrance
Off-Premise Residential Directional Sign - 31.14(4)(c) | 3 | - | 3 | 6 | N/a | Yes | No | 1
Parking Lot Directional (Entrance and Exit) - 31.14(3)(d) | 3' | - | 10' | 3' | Yes | Yes | No | 1 per entrance or exit
Parking Lot Regulation 31.14(3)(d) | 9' | - | 10' | 3' | Yes | Yes | No | 1, or 2 per corner or thru lot
Condominium Identification 31.14(3)(g) | 12' or 13' to 32' with UDC Approval | 1' | 12' | 10' | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 Wall, 1 Ground Max. of 2 per condominium
Noncommercial Message 31.14(3)(c) and 31.044 | 12' | n/a | Lower of 1 story or 12 feet | 10' | Yes | Yes | No | 1 per street frontage. If waterway, 1 facing street and 1 facing waterway, max of 2
Real Estate Sign 31.14(3)(b) and 31.044 | 12' | n/a | Lower of 1 story or 12 feet | 10' | Yes | Yes | No | 1 per street frontage. If waterway, 1 facing street and 1 facing waterway, max of 2
Table 3 - footnotes:
* Maximum Height 4 feet.
* * Additional wall or ground identification signs for wayfinding purposes may be approved by the Urban Design Commission. See Secs. 31.14(3)(e)1. and 31.043(3)(f).
*** Identification Signs, for properties designated Landmarks, shall be permitted as approved by the Plan Commission and the Landmarks Commission when those commissions approve the use. Signs for existing uses may be approved by the Landmarks Commission.
(Am. by ORD-17-00124, 12-18-17) (Am. by ORD-13-00134, 8-14-13; Am. by ORD-17-00124, 12-18-17)
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_MI_31.15TAPESIZODIFetched: 11/1/2026