(a)

Permit required. Except as otherwise specifically authorized, no sign shall be located, erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, or structurally altered in the county until a permit has been issued by the county zoning administrator. A permit shall only be issued for a sign in conformity with the size, type, number, location, and use regulations affecting each zoning district.

(b)

Exceptions. A permit shall not be required for the following classes of signs:

(1)

Class A signs. Official traffic control signs and informational or directional notices erected by federal, state, or local units of government.

(2)

Class B signs.

a.

Type 1. Type 1 on-premises real estate signs, residential identification, warning, and similar signs not greater than four square feet in area.

b.

Type 2. Type 2 on-premises signs or bulletin boards for public, charitable, or religious institutions. Such signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area, and no more than one sign for each such highway upon which the property faces shall be located outside of the right-of-way of the property.

c.

Type 3. Type 3 on-premises signs advertising the sale of farm products. Such signs shall not be in use for more than six months or exceed 32 square feet in area. No more than one sign in the approaching direction along any one highway shall be permitted.

(c)

Prohibited characteristics of signs.

(1)

No sign shall resemble, imitate, or approximate the shape, size, form, or color of railroad or traffic signs, signals, or devices, except required signs on multiple use trails.

(2)

No sign shall be so located as to interfere with the visibility or effectiveness of any official traffic sign or signal or with driver vision at any access point or intersection.

(3)

No sign shall be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape, and no sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.

(4)

No sign shall contain any rotating or moving parts, or be illuminated by flashing lights.

(5)

No sign shall exceed the maximum height limitations of the district in which it is located.

(6)

No sign shall be located on a lot so as to reduce the required dimensional setback and side yard requirements of the district in which it is located.

(7)

No sign shall be erected upon trees, or painted or drawn upon rocks or other natural features, or trucks vans or trailers.

(8)

No sign shall be located, erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, or structurally altered except in conformity with Wis. Stats. § 84.30 and Wis. Admin. Code ch. Trans 200.

(9)

No sign shall be allowed to remain up for more than three months after the business has ceased to operate; the business owner or landowner shall be responsible for its removal.

(10)

All signs must be maintained in good repair. This includes that the message must be current and all signs must be painted. If a sign is found to be not in good repair, the zoning administrator may order the sign either repaired or removed within 90 days. After this time, such unrepaired signs shall constitute a violation of the zoning ordinance.

(11)

Signs are not subject to normal building setbacks; however, all signs along public roadways must be located outside of the official road right-of-way. Permitted and exempt signs that are improperly placed within the right-of-way of a county highway will be removed by the county highway department and stored at their department headquarters. Sign owners may reclaim removed signs at a cost of $25.00 per sign, payable to the highway department. The highway department reserves the right to impose a forfeiture up to $500.00 for habitual repeat offenders.

(Code 2000, § 38-500; Ord. of 3-19-2002, Art. XVIII, § 180; Res. No. 55-17, 7-18-2017)

(a)

Class C signs. On-premises signs which advertise a business activity or service performed on the property.

(1)

Type 1. Signs advertising a permitted home occupation or professional office. Such signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in area, and no more than one such sign for each highway upon which the property faces shall be permitted.

(2)

Type 2. Signs advertising a business activity or service available in a commercial or industrial area. Such signs shall not exceed 80 square feet in area where non-lighted, and if illuminated, shall not exceed 40 square feet in area. Not more than one such sign for each story may be attached to a building facade, and no sign may project more than six feet beyond a building when attached thereto or be higher than four feet above the top roofline. Freestanding signs shall not exceed 20 feet in height from the ground.

(3)

Type 3. Signs advertising a resort or recreational business activity or product available. Such signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area and no more than one such sign for each highway upon which the property faces shall be permitted.

(b)

Class D signs. Signs or billboards which advertise a general brand of product, an area of interest, a business activity, or a service available which is not in direct relation to the use of the premises on which it is located. Such signs shall not exceed 300 square feet in area. Free standing signs shall be erected outside a line parallel to and 50 feet from the right-of-way of the highway and shall not exceed 20 feet in height above the ground or be located within 300 feet of an existing residence.

(c)

Class E signs. Off-premises directory signs in the specific interest of the traveling public which advertise a business activity, an area of interest, or service available at a specific location shall be within 25 air-miles of the premises on which it is located.

(1)

Type 1. Directory signs indicating the direction to a resort or recreational business activity. No more than two such signs relating to any one use shall be permitted in the approaching directions along any one highway.

a.

Signs located on Class A and B highways shall not exceed 50 square feet in area or be located within 300 feet of an existing residence. Such signs shall be placed outside of the right-of-way line of the highway subject to Wis. Admin. Code ch. Trans 233.

b.

Signs located on Class C, D, and E highways shall not exceed four square feet in area. When common posting is provided, all such signs shall be attached thereto.

(2)

Type 2. Directory signs indicating the direction to a business activity, area of interest, or logo. No more than two such signs relating to any one use shall be permitted in the approaching direction along any one highway.

a.

Signs located on a Class A highway shall not exceed 50 square feet in area or be placed within 300 feet of an existing residence. Such signs shall be placed outside of the right-of-way of the highway subject to Wis. Admin. Code ch. Trans 233.

b.

Signs located on Class B and C highways shall not exceed 12 square feet. Class B Highways are subject to Wis. Admin. Code ch. Trans 233.

(3)

Type 3. Directory signs to a cottage or residence. Such signs shall not exceed four square feet in area, and when common posting is provided, all such signs shall be attached thereto.

(Code 2000, § 38-501; Ord. of 3-19-2002, Art. XVIII, § 181)

The following are permitted classes and types of signs in zone districts of the county:

(Code 2000, § 38-502; Ord. of 3-19-2002, Art. XVIII, § 182; Res. No. 47-17, 6-20-2017)