Signs Projecting into Public Right-of-Way.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 244-10
in effect244-10. Signs Projecting into Public Right-of-Way.
1. MATERIALS. a. All signs projecting into public right-of-way shall be constructed of noncombustible materials except as follows:
a-1. Letters, decorations and facings of signs may be of approved combustible plastic when in compliance with the regulations of s. 244-14.
a-2. Signs not exceeding 17 square feet may be constructed of wood not less than one inch in nominal thickness. Such wood shall be pressure preservative treated to prevent decay and shall be maintained in good repair. Fastenings of such signs shall be brass, bronze, copper, galvanized iron or stainless steel. Supports and attachments of such signs shall conform to the requirements of sub. 3.
b. Glass or porcelain shall be wired glass or porcelain or shall be protected with a wire screen of a mesh of such size as to prevent broken pieces thereof from falling upon the public thoroughfare, excepting signs with molded glass letters of which only the letters or trademarks are exposed.
c. Globes of glass or approved combustible plastics shall be not more than 14 inches in diameter, at least 10 feet above the established grade immediately below, and not more than 4 feet beyond the street line. Glass globes or glass signs shall be made of wired glass or protected with a wire screen as regulated in par. b. All globes shall be suspended in an approved manner from the building or structure and shall not be supported by supports located upon any public streetwalk or thoroughfare.
2. PROJECTION: CLEARANCE. a. Except as otherwise regulated in par. b, all signs projecting from a building or other structure may project a total distance of not more than 4 feet beyond the street line.
b. Projecting signs erected over marquees shall be set back not less than 2 feet from the outer edge of such marquee.
c. No sign projecting into public right-of-way shall at the lowest point be less than 10 feet above the established grade immediately below, except in the historic third ward, as defined in s. 200-61-2-e, where a minimum of 8 feet, 6 inches is prescribed.
d. No sign shall be permitted to project into a public thoroughfare having a width of less than 30 feet.
3. SUPPORTS AND ATTACHMENT.
a. The dead load of signs that project into public right-of-way and the load due to wind pressure shall be supported entirely by the building or structure to which such signs are attached, by means of structural shapes, chains, wire ropes, or steel guy rods. Lateral supports shall be spaced not more than 8 feet apart unless otherwise approved. Turnbuckles or other approved means of adjustment shall be placed in all chains, wire ropes or steel rods supporting or bracing signs projecting into public right-of-way. No staples, nails or wire shall be used to secure any projecting sign to any building or structure.
b. No part of a sign projecting into public right-of-way shall be supported from a parapet wall unless approved bracing is provided.
c. No swinging or revolving sign or device shall be constructed or maintained over a public thoroughfare.
d. Where supports for signs projecting into public right-of-way are fastened to walls of wood construction, the supporting device shall be fastened securely in an approved manner.
e. Ground or pole signs shall have approved vertical supports of metal.
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