Sign Regulations in Janesville, WI (2026)
4 verified sign regulations for Janesville, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Political Signs
In the City of Janesville, political signs are exempt from the sign code's permitting, size and placement rules under Code Section 28-190. They still have to follow the chapter's general regulations, the baseline safety rules that apply to every sign in the City, such as not being placed on public property or interfering with traffic signs.
Janesville Exempts Political Signs From Sign Code
Few RestrictionsJanesville Code of General Ordinances § 28-190
Sec. 28-190. - Political signs. Political signs are exempt from all provisions of this chapter except general regulations.
Digital Billboards
In the City of Janesville, an off-premises sign that meets the electronic message sign definition, a digital billboard, cannot go up without a conditional sign permit from the Plan Commission under Code Section 28-189(d). The Plan Commission caps digital billboard faces at 300 square feet, limits height to 30 feet, and requires messages to hold for at least eight seconds with no moving graphics.
Janesville Digital Billboard Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsJanesville Code of General Ordinances § 28-189(d)
Sec. 28-189. - Off-premises signs. ... (d)In addition to all other limitations specified in this chapter, off-premises ground signs that meet the definition of electronic message signs may be constructed, reconstructed and displayed only upon the review and approval of a conditional sign permit application by the Plan Commission as provided in Section 28-338. ... (7)The maximum surface area for...
Window Signs
In the City of Janesville, signs on the inside of a window are exempt from the sign code's permit and size limits under Code Section 28-200, with two exceptions: window signs are barred entirely in residential areas, and one that needs its own electrical connection beyond a plug requires an electrical permit.
Janesville Window Sign Rules
Light RestrictionsJanesville Code of General Ordinances § 28-200
Sec. 28-200. - Window signs. Signs located on the inside of a window are exempt from all provisions of this chapter except as follows: (1)Window signs are not permitted in any area where the use of the land is residential; and(2)An electrical permit must be obtained for a window sign if it requires electrical connection other than a plug.
Freeway-Facing Signs
In the City of Janesville, an off-premises sign, including one facing Interstate 90, can only go up on a parcel fronting one of eleven listed streets or highway segments under Code Section 28-189(b). Two of those segments run along I-90 itself, and billboards there get a larger size allowance than off-premises signs elsewhere in the City.
Janesville Limits Off-Premises Signs Near I-90
Significant RestrictionsJanesville Code of General Ordinances § 28-189(b)
Sec. 28-189. - Off-premises signs. ... (b)Off-premises signs shall only be located on parcels that have frontage directly on the following streets or street segments (share the right-of-way line as a common property line). Said signs shall only be located along the parcel's frontage of the listed street. Said signs must be located within 100 feet of the adjoining right-of-way line of said liste...
Looking for Rock County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Janesville city rules.
Sign Regulations in Rock County →