The intent of this Ordinance is to provide for and regulate the location and safe construction of signs in a manner to ensure that signs are compatible with surrounding land uses, are well maintained, express the identity of individual proprietors and the village as a whole, preserve and protect property value, provide against undue concentrations of signs which distract and endanger traffic safety and traffic flow, and avoid uncontrolled proliferation of signs.

(Ord. No. 2004-04, § 95.0601, 5-25-04)

(a)

No sign shall hereafter be located, erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, converted, or structurally altered without first obtaining a permit reflecting conformity with the provisions of this Ordinance, except for those signs allowed without a permit under section 95-93.

(b)

No signs shall be placed so as to obstruct or interfere with traffic visibility, and all signs shall comply with the traffic visibility requirements set forth in section 95-61.

(c)

All sign permits, unless otherwise specified, shall be issued by the zoning administrator.

(Ord. No. 2004-04, § 95.0602, 5-25-04)

The following signs are permitted in all zoning districts without a permit, subject to the following regulations:

(a)

Real estate signs not to exceed eight square feet in area which advertise the sale, rental, or lease of the premises upon which said signs are temporarily located.

(b)

Personal name and warning signs not to exceed two square feet in area and located on the premises.

(c)

Home occupation and professional home office signs not to exceed two square feet in area. Such signs shall not be internally illuminated; and shall be mounted flush against the dwelling.

(d)

Election campaign signs provided that permission shall be obtained from the property owner, renter or lessee; such signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area in any nonresidential zoning districts; shall not exceed 20 square feet in area in any residential zoning districts unless the sign is affixed to a permanent structure and does not extend beyond the perimeter of the structure nor obstruct a window, door, fire escape, ventilation shaft, or other area which is required by the municipal building code to remain unobstructed; shall not be erected prior to the first day of the "election campaign period" as defined in § 12.04, Wis. Stats.; and shall be removed within four days following that election.

(e)

Temporary rummage sale and garage sale signs not exceeding eight square feet in area may be erected on the premises for a period not to exceed seven days twice in any calendar year. Off-premises rummage sale and garage sale signs are prohibited on public properties and street rights-of-way except where the sign design and location have been approved by the zoning administrator. Rummage sale and garage sale signs shall be removed within 24 hours following the sale.

(f)

Bulletin boards for public, charitable, or religious institutions not to exceed 32 square feet in area and located on the premises.

(g)

Memorial signs, tablets, names of buildings, and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of metal and affixed flat against a structure.

(h)

Official signs, such as traffic control, parking restrictions, information, and notices.

(i)

Driveway ingress/egress and direction signs to identify parking lot entrances and exits, or direct customer to drive-in windows, may be placed adjacent to driveways provided that no ingress/egress sign shall be placed in the street right-of-way; and no ingress/egress sign face shall exceed four square feet in area.

(j)

Certain temporary signs as set forth in section 95-97.

(Ord. No. 2004-04, § 95.0603, 5-25-04)

The following signs are permitted in any residential district and are subject to the following regulations:

(a)

Permanent real estate development signs placed at the entrance to a subdivision or development shall contain only the name of the subdivision or development and shall be set back at least five feet from a street right-of-way or side or rear lot line. The plan commission may permit a permanent real estate development sign closer to or within a street right-of-way or median after determining that the sign will have no adverse impact on public safety. The plan commission shall determine the appropriate size of the sign based on the design of the sign and its compatibility with adjacent land uses.

(b)

Temporary development signs for the purpose of designating a new building or development, or for the promotion of a subdivision may be permitted for a limited period of time provided that the sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in area on one side, and 64 square feet in area on all sides, and shall not be closer than five feet from a street right-of-way or side or rear lot line. The plan commission shall specify the period of time the sign may remain based on the size of the development, allowing a reasonable amount of time to market the development.

(Ord. No. 2004-04, § 95.0604, 5-25-04)

Signs are permitted in all business, manufacturing, and extractive districts subject to the following restrictions:

(a)

Wall signs placed against the exterior walls of buildings shall not extend more than 12 inches outside of a building's wall surface; shall not exceed one square foot of area for every one linear foot of building face width on which it is mounted; shall not extend above the second floor window nor 20 feet in height above the mean centerline street grade, whichever is lower, in the B-3 District; and, in all other districts, shall not extend above the roofline of a building, unless it is erected on a parapet wall or fascia that extends above the roofline of a flat roof on at least three sides of a building, nor exceed 20 feet in height above the mean centerline street grade, whichever is lower. Roof signs are prohibited.

(b)

Projecting signs fastened to, suspended from, or supported by structures shall not exceed one sign per site or 25 square feet per face on any one premises containing no more than two business establishments. A premises having three or more business establishments may have one projecting sign which collectively advertises or identifies the businesses, persons, activities, goods, products, or services located on the premises, provided that such sign shall not exceed a sign area of 100 square feet. No projecting signs shall extend more than four feet into any required yard; and shall not extend more than four feet, including any structural supports, from the building to which it is attached and such extension may occur into any public right-of-way. A projecting sign shall not extend beyond a point three feet back from the vertical plane formed by the street curb line; shall not be less than three feet from all side lot lines; shall not exceed a height of 20 feet above the mean centerline street grade or extend beyond the height of the roofline or above the second floor window, whichever is lower; and shall not be less than ten feet above the sidewalk nor 15 feet above a driveway or an alley.

(1)

Projecting signs in the B-3 central business district may exceed a height of 20 feet above the mean centerline street grade, but such signs shall not exceed a width of 3 feet or a height of 14 feet. A projecting sign in the B-3 central business district that is within 25 feet of a traffic-controlled intersection shall be static and non-flashing, and shall be designed in a manner that minimizes interference with traffic signals.

(c)

Marquee, awning, or canopy signs affixed flat to the surface of a marquee, awning, or canopy are permitted provided that the sign face does not exceed a height of two feet nor extend vertically or horizontally beyond the limits of said marquee, awning, or canopy and need no permit. In addition a marquee, awning, or canopy shall not be less than eight feet above the sidewalk nor less than 15 feet above a driveway or alley and an awning or canopy shall not extend more than four feet nor a marquee extend more than eight feet from a building which they are attached. A name sign not exceeding two square feet in area located immediately in front of the entrance to an establishment may be suspended from the marquee, awning, or canopy provided that the name sign shall be at least eight feet above the sidewalk.

(d)

Monument (ground) signs shall not exceed eight feet in height, shall be set back at least five feet from front, side, or rear lot lines for the district in which it is located, except the B-3 district, and shall not exceed 40 square feet on one side nor a total of 80 square feet for all sides for any one premises. No monument sign located in a B-3 District shall extend into the street right-of-way or beyond a lot line.

(e)

Freestanding pole or pylon signs shall not exceed 20 feet in height above the base of the sign location or the adjacent mean centerline street grade only if the sign location is below the street grade, whichever is higher, and shall not exceed 40 square feet on one side nor a total of 80 square feet for all sides for any one premises. Except in the B-3 district, pole or pylon signs, including the sign face, shall be set back at least five feet from a street right-of-way or a side or rear lot line. The sign face and supporting structure of a pole or pylon sign in a B-3 district shall not extend beyond a side or rear lot line; however, the sign face, excluding the supporting structure, may extend into the street right-of-way but shall not exceed a point three feet back from the vertical plane formed by the street curb line. The sign face of pole or pylon signs shall not be less than ten feet above a sidewalk or less than 15 feet above a driveway or parking lot grade.

(f)

Window signs, except for painted signs or decals, shall be placed only on the inside of buildings, shall not be placed on glass doors or window areas that will impede pedestrian safety or prohibit view by police, and shall be placed behind clear glazed window openings and not on unglazed openings.

(g)

Combinations of signs. Combinations of any of the above signs shall meet all the requirements for the individual sign. The total number of signs on any premises shall be limited as follows:

1.

One monument or freestanding pole/pylon sign per principal building or arterial street frontage, unless otherwise specified herein.

2.

One wall, canopy, or fascia sign per principal building, unless otherwise specified herein.

3.

Multitenant buildings may provide a tenant directory as one of the two signs permitted.

4.

Separate individual wall, canopy, or fascia signs may be allowed for each tenant in a shopping center subject to review and approval by the plan commission of an overall coordinated sign plan for the shopping center. The size of signs approved in this manner shall be calculated using the width of the bay occupied by each tenant. No individual wall, canopy, or fascia sign may exceed 40 square feet in area, with a maximum height of two feet for the sign face.

5.

Up to two advertising signs may be permitted per building but no more than one freestanding sign unless permitted in accordance with subsection (g)6., below. Owners may elect for them to be any combination of wall, canopy, fascia, monument, or freestanding signs, not exceeding a total of two, and approved by the plan commission.

6.

Large developments containing a floor area of 25,000 square feet or greater and multiple-street frontages may have an additional wall, monument, or pole/pylon sign to identify the development, upon plan commission review and approval.

7.

Price signs for gasoline or diesel fuel sales as required by law shall not be subject to limitation on number of signs; however, such price signs shall not exceed 20 square feet in area.

8.

Directional signs less than six square feet in area shall not be subject to limitations on number of signs, but shall require zoning administrator approval. Incidental signs include, but shall not be limited to, those that read "enter," "exit," "do not enter," "shipping," and "receiving".

9.

Menu boards, changeable copy reader boards and electronic message centers (video display screens) may be added to a wall sign, pole sign or monument sign, upon plan commission review and approval, without reducing the size of the wall sign, pole sign or monument sign.

(Ord. No. 2004-04, § 95.0605, 5-25-04; Ord. No. 2005-01, 95.0605, 1-24-05; Ord. No. 18-06, § 1, 9-10-18; Ord. No. 2025-03(2), § 1, 3-17-25)

The following signs are permitted in the I-1 and P-1 Districts subject to approval by the village plan commission:

(a)

Private institutional and park name signs.

(b)

Public institutional and park name signs.

(Ord. No. 2004-04, § 95.0606, 5-25-04)

The plan commission may permit the temporary use of a portable sign or searchlight for advertising purposes, including banners, pennants, and/or balloons, in any district provided that the portable sign or searchlight will not be located in any public right-of-way, will not be closer than ten feet to an adjacent property line, and will not cause a hazard to traffic or adjoining properties. The plan commission, after review and approval, may allow a portable sign or searchlight to extend into the public right-of-way. Sandwich-board signs located on public sidewalks may be permitted subject to plan commission review and approval. The plan commission may specify the maximum size of any sign and the period of time the sign or searchlight may remain, to a maximum of seven consecutive days unless extended by prior authorization by the plan commission. The permit required in section 95-104 shall be required for searchlights, banners exceeding 25 square feet in area, and large advertising balloons. Portable signs shall not be illuminated.

(Ord. No. 2004-04, § 95.0607, 5-25-04)

(a)

No sign shall be erected on or over the roof of a building.

(b)

Outdoor billboard signs are prohibited.

(c)

Off-premises signs are prohibited.

(1)

Exceptions.

a.

Other off-premises business signs may be permitted only on adjacent properties with proper permission from said property owner(s) and subject to plan commission review and approval.

b.

Official signs, temporary rummage and garage sale signs, and signs located at village boundaries identifying civic or other nonprofit community service organizations located within the village are exempt from this provision.

c.

Athletic venues, parks, memorials and other institutionally zoned facilities that are sponsored may display signs of the contributing businesses. Design and location of these signs shall require a sign permit and plan commission approval. Approval will be based on the compatibility of such signs with the adjacent land uses and the character of the neighborhood. Scoreboards and other facilities without commercial logos or advertisements at schools and parks are allowed in such districts and do not require a sign permit.

d.

Electronic message centers (video screens). Electronic message centers are allowed and regulated in 95-95. Electronic message centers must be permitted by the business occupying the parcel and cannot be on a vacant lot. Electronic message centers may contain video advertisements for off-premise businesses.

(d)

No sign, except those permitted in sections 95-93 and 95-94, shall be permitted to face a residential or park district within 100 feet of such district boundary.

(Ord. No. 2004-04, § 95.0608, 5-25-04; Ord. No. 18-06, § 2, 9-10-18)

All permanent freestanding signs, except those in the B-3 District, shall be set in a landscaped base of appropriate size to provide flowers, groundcover, ornamental grasses, shrubs, and other base plantings, except turf grass, that will enhance and complement the sign. The landscape area shall be at least the same size as the area of the sign copy.

(Ord. No. 2004-04, § 95.0609, 5-25-04)

Signs shall not resemble, imitate, or approximate the shape, size, form, or color of railroad or traffic signs, signals, or devices. Signs shall not obstruct or interfere with the effectiveness of railroad or traffic signs, signals, or devices. Signs shall not be placed in such a way as to cause excessive glare or impair driver visibility upon public ways, and the sign owner shall take all reasonable measures to shield pedestrians or drivers from glare created by illuminated signs. Signs may be illuminated and, other than public traffic control signs, shall have no elements that are flashing, blinking, moving, rotating, or pulsating. Signs that include electronic message boards and those that give cyclical time and temperature information shall not be considered flashing or pulsating signs. Signs in residential districts shall not be internally illuminated.

(Ord. No. 2004-04, § 95.0610, 5-25-04; Ord. No. 2025-03(2), § 2, 3-17-25)

(a)

Wind pressure and dead load requirements. All signs and other advertising structures shall be designed and constructed to withstand wind pressure of not less than 40 pounds per square foot of area; and shall be constructed to receive dead loads as required in the village building code or other ordinance.

(b)

Protection of the public. The temporary occupancy of a sidewalk, street, or other public property during construction, removal, repair, alteration, or maintenance of a sign is permitted provided the space occupied is roped off, fenced off, or otherwise isolated.

(c)

Maintenance standards.

(1)

The owner of any sign shall keep it in good maintenance and repair which includes restoring, repainting, or replacement of a worn or damaged legally existing sign to its original condition; and shall maintain the premises on which the sign is erected in a clean and inoffensive condition, free and clear of all obnoxious substances, rubbish, weeds, and grass. Restoration or painting which changes the name, size, or location of a sign will require a new permit. Banners, pennants, and balloons used for advertising shall be securely attached to a building or other stable sign support, and torn, deflated or damaged signs shall be promptly repaired or removed.

(2)

The owner of any sign shall be required to have all parts and supports of a sign properly painted as directed by the Zoning Administrator, unless they are galvanized or otherwise treated to prevent rust and deterioration.

(3)

The sign owner shall be responsible for the maintenance of the sign. If the sign ownership should transfer, the new owner shall be responsible for the maintenance of the sign.

(d)

Supporting member or braces. Supporting member or braces of all signs shall be constructed of galvanized iron, properly treated wood, steel, copper, brass, or other noncorrosive incombustible material. Every means or device used for attaching any sign shall extend through the walls of the building should the building inspector determine that the safe and permanent support of such sign so requires and shall be securely anchored by wall plates and nuts to the inside of the walls in accordance with instructions given by the building inspector. Small flat signs containing less than ten feet of area may be attached to a building by the use of lag bolts or other means to the satisfaction of the building inspector.

(e)

Prohibited attachments or mountings. No signs or any part thereof or sign anchors, braces, or guide rods shall be attached, fastened, or anchored to any fire escape, fire ladder, or standpipe and no sign or any part of any such sign or any anchor, brace, or guide rod shall be erected, put up, or maintained so as to hinder or prevent ingress or egress through such door, doorway, or window or so as to hinder or prevent the raising or placing of ladders against such building by the fire department of the village, as necessity therefore may require.

(Ord. No. 2004-04, § 95.0611, 5-25-04)

Signs lawfully existing at the time of the adoption or amendment of this Ordinance may be continued even though the use, size, or location may not conform to this Ordinance. Such signs shall be deemed nonconforming uses or structures, and the provisions of article VII shall apply.

When a business or other use changes, thereby requiring a new sign message, the sign shall be brought into conformance with the provisions of this Ordinance, including an application for a sign permit if required.

(Ord. No. 2004-04, § 95.0612, 5-25-04)

All signs or sign messages shall be removed by the owner or lessee of the premises upon which a sign is located when the business it advertises is no longer conducted, or is dilapidated or beyond repair under the provisions of § 66.0413, Wis. Stats. If the owner or lessee fails to remove such signs, the Zoning Administrator shall give the owner a 30-day written notice by certified mail to remove said sign. Upon failure to comply with the first notice, the zoning administrator shall, by certified mail, send a second notice giving the owner an additional 48 hours to remove the sign. Upon failure to comply with the second notice, the village may cause removal to be executed, the expenses of which will be assessed as a special tax to the property on which the abandoned sign is located.

(Ord. No. 2004-04, § 95.0613, 5-25-04)

Applications for a sign permit shall be made on forms provided by the zoning administrator or village clerk and shall contain or have attached thereto the following information:

(a)

Name, address, and telephone number of the applicant. Location of building, structure, or lot to which or upon which the sign is to be attached or erected.

(b)

Name of person, firm, corporation, or association erecting the sign.

(c)

Written consent of the owner or lessee of the building, structure, or land to which or upon which the sign is to be affixed.

(d)

A scale drawing of such sign indicating the dimensions, the square footage, the height of top and bottom of sign above grade, the materials to be used, the type and intensity of illumination, if any, and the method of construction and attachment.

(e)

A scale drawing indicating the location and position of such sign in relation to nearby buildings or structures. For projecting signs in the B-3 central business district that are located within 25 feet of a traffic-controlled intersection, the applicant shall submit a safety impact assessment.

(f)

Copies of any other permit required and issued for said sign, including the written approval by the electrical inspector, in the case of illuminated signs, who shall examine the plans and specifications, reinspecting all wiring and connections to determine if the same complies with the Village of Kewaskum Electrical Code.

(g)

Additional information as may be required by the zoning administrator or village plan commission.

(h)

Fee receipt from the village clerk in the amount specified in section 95-208 of this Ordinance.

(i)

Sign permit applications shall be filed with the zoning administrator, who shall review the application for its completeness and accuracy and approve or deny, in writing, the application within 30 days of receipt from the applicant unless the time is extended by written agreement with the applicant. A sign permit shall become null and void if work authorized under the permit has not been completed within six months of the date of issuance.

(j)

Sign permit applications shall be filed with the zoning administrator, who shall review the application for its completeness and accuracy and approve or deny, in writing, the application within 30 days of receipt from the applicant unless the time is extended by written agreement with the applicant. A sign permit shall become null and void if work authorized under the permit has not been completed within six months of the date of issuance. For sign permit applications for projecting signs located in the B-3 central business district, the zoning administrator shall refer the application to the village plan commission to consider the proposed sign in light of the values and purposes identified in section 95-91 of this chapter, as well as the village's comprehensive plan and downtown development strategies. Following its review, the plan commission will instruct the zoning administrator to approve, recommend modifications, or deny the sign permit application.

(k)

Appeals. An applicant may appeal the decision of the plan commission to the village board for determination.

(Ord. No. 2004-04, § 95.0614, 5-25-04)

In calculating the area of a sign to determine whether it meets the requirement of this Ordinance, the zoning administrator shall include the sign copy and any border or frame surrounding that copy. Supporting members of a sign shall be excluded from the area calculation. If the sign consists of more than one section or module, all areas will be totaled. Any irregular shaped sign area shall be computed using the actual sign face surface. In the case of individual letters, the area of the copy will be squared off and used.

(Ord. No. 2004-04, § 95.0615, 5-25-04; Ord. No. 2025-03(2), § 3, 3-17-25)