Signage
Business Signage
All business signage in Shorewood is regulated by the Zoning Ordinance. The following paragraphs summarize the requirements. Before ordering or fabricating a sign, please be sure to consult the ordinance and obtain the required permits.
Sign Permits
A permit is required before installing most types of signage in Shorewood. The permitting requirements apply to, but are not limited to, the following sign types.
| Awning Signs | Bulletin Boards |
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| Canopy Signs | Directional signs larger than 5 SF |
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| Freestanding Signs | Message Boards |
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| Monument Sign Panels | Monument Signs |
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| Outdoor Directory Signs | Shingle Signs |
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| Temporary Signs | Wall Signs |
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| Window Signs | |
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sign permit application & temporary sign permit application
How to Measure SignsThe area of the sign is calculated by drawing an imaginary square or rectangular envelope to completely enclose each entire symbol, word, phrase, title, or name appearing on the sign as depicted in the image. The size is the area enclosed by one continuous line, connecting the extreme points or edges of a sign. It does not include the main supporting sign structure, but all other ornamental attachments, inner connecting links, etc., which are not a part of the main supports of the sign are to be included in determining the sign area.
Monument PanelsPlease note that Shorewood requires permits for new or replacement panels in monument signs. Also, the backgrounds of the panels must be completely opaque so that only the letters and logo are illuminated after dark.
Prohibited Signs
The following signs are prohibited in Shorewood.
- Any sign which is not listed as permitted in the Zoning Code.
- Any sign which advertises or publicizes an activity not conducted on the premises upon which such sign is maintained.
- Projecting signs.
- Flashing signs.
- Animated signs.
- Pennants, streamers, and other attention-getting devices.
- Any signs attached to any tree, fence, or public utility pole other than warning signs issued by public utilities.
- Festoon lighting, except when used to illuminate outdoor dining areas.
- Flame as a source of light.
- Portable signs, except as permitted via a temporary sign permit as required by this chapter.
- Any sign or sign structure that constitutes a hazard to public health or safety.
- Billboards.
- Vehicle signs, when used exclusively for the purpose of advertising.
- Roof signs.
- Obsolete signs.
- Any sign that draws attention to items or activities that are illegal under municipal, state, or federal laws or regulations.
- Any freestanding sign, other than a "pole mounted shingle sign" or "highway identification sign" as defined in this chapter that allows visibility through the area between the bottom of the message portion of the sign and the ground, and extending the full width of the message portion.
- Any "wall sign" as defined in this chapter that is designed to allow the removal of the entire surface devoted to the message area and allow for its replacement en masse. This includes box signs.
- Linear lighting is intended to attract attention to a use. This includes LED strip and rope lighting.
Permitted Signage
The type of signage allowed is based on the size of the business and the zoning district.
The following table provides a summary of what is allowed. Please consult the Zoning Ordinance for details.
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Type of Signage |
Regulation |
Residential Districts |
Business Districts |
Industrial Districts |
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Wall Signs, Primary |
Number |
None |
One (1) |
One (1) |
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Area |
Not Applicable |
For tenants 7,500 square feet and larger - 1.50 square feet per linear foot of building frontage |
For businesses 100,000 square feet and larger - one-hundred-fifty (150) square feet |
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For tenants smaller than 7,500 square feet - 1.25 square feet per linear foot of building frontage |
For businesses less than 100,000 square feet - fifty (50) square feet |
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Wall Signs, Secondary |
Number |
None |
One for each secondary street frontage and one for each internal shopping center roadway which abuts the property |
None |
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Area |
Not Applicable |
0.5 x linear feet per linear foot of applicable building frontage |
Not Permitted |
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Freestanding Signs
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Number |
None |
For properties with less than five hundred feet (500’) of street frontage - One (1) |
One |
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For properties with five hundred feet or more of street frontage - Two (2) |
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Area |
Not Applicable |
For a single tenant sign - sixty (60) square feet |
Eighty (80) square feet |
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For a multi-tenant sign - one hundred (100) square feet, with no more than fifty percent (50%) of the allowable area used for any individual tenant |
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Height |
Not Applicable |
For single tenant signs - six feet (6’) |
Ten feet (10’) |
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For multi-tenant signs - twenty feet (20’) |
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Message Boards |
Not Applicable |
Permitted |
Not Permitted |
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Setbacks |
Not Applicable |
Ten feet (10’) |
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Shingle Signs |
Number |
One (1) pole-mounted |
One (1) building-mounted or one (1) pole-mounted |
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Area |
Two (2) square feet |
Eight (8) square feet – building mounted or two (2) square feet – pole mounted |
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Height |
Six feet (6’) – pole mounted |
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Permanent Window Signs |
Area |
Not Permitted |
Maximum 25% of window area |
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Highway Identification Sign |
Number |
None |
Permitted in Sign Zone A if no other freestanding sign exists on the property |
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Area |
Not Applicable |
One hundred twenty (120) square feet |
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Height |
Not Applicable |
Forty-five feet (45’) |
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Setback |
Not Applicable |
Ten feet (10’) |
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Temporary Window Signs |
Area |
Not Permitted |
Combined area of permanent window signs and temporary window signs cannot exceed thirty percent (30%) of the total window area |
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Temporary Signs, Permits |
Number Per Calendar Year |
Four (4) |
Four (4) except when construction activities are occurring on the property the permit shall be valid until construction activities are complete |
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Duration |
Two (2) days |
Fifteen (15) Days except where construction activities are occurring on the property |
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Temporary Signs (Excluding Window Signs) |
Number |
Two (2) |
One (1) freestanding or one (1) wall-mounted per frontage |
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Temporary Signs, Freestanding |
Area |
Four (4) square feet |
Thirty-two (32) square feet |
For tenant spaces 300,000 square feet and larger - one hundred twenty (120) square feet for signs and banners combined |
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For tenant spaces less than 300,000 square feet – thirty-two (32) square feet |
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Height |
Three feet (3’) |
Ten feet (10’) |
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Setback |
Ten feet (10’) |
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Temporary Signs, Wall-Mounted |
Area |
Four (4) square feet |
0.5 square feet per linear foot of building face to which the sign is affixed |
For tenant spaces 300,000 square feet and larger - one hundred twenty (120) square feet for signs and banners combined |
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For tenant spaces less than 300,000 square feet – thirty-two (32) square feet |
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Real Estate Signs |
Number |
One (1) per street frontage |
One (1) per property per street frontage |
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Area |
Four (4) square feet |
Thirty-two (32) square feet |
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Height |
Four and one-half (4.5) square feet |
Six feet (6’) |
Eight feet (8’) |
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Setback |
Five feet (5’) |
Ten feet (10’) |
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