Sheboygan, WI Home Business: Signage Rules (2026)

Sheboygan's sign chapter closes residential districts to advertising structures with one stated opening. Section 98-4 says advertising structures shall not be erected in any districts zoned as residential, except small signs designating home occupations or advertising premises for sale or rent. In business or industrial districts advertising structures are allowed, but on a lot fronting a street partially occupied by residential buildings the structure must be set back from the front lot line the same distance as the residential buildings, except for signs supported on the front of business buildings.

The word 'small' carries no number in § 98-4, and Chapter 98 does not define 'home occupation': § 98-1 defines only projecting sign, roof or sky sign, and sign. A sign is a structure used to designate the name or occupation of the occupant of the building to which it is fixed, which describes a home occupation sign. The district rules that decide whether a home business is allowed at all sit in the zoning ordinance, which this page does not cover.

Construction limits in § 98-5(a) apply to wooden signs: no more than 15 feet in height above sidewalk level with a clear space of not less than two feet between the bottom of the sign and the ground, or securely attached to posts or other supports entirely within the lot lines, or no more than 40 square feet in area, not above the lower edge of the second story windows and fastened flat against the wall. Section 98-5(d) bars electric lights or fixtures on any wooden sign.

Under § 98-36, no person can erect, construct or maintain a structure the chapter covers until a permit is obtained from the city planner on a written form stating the owner or agent and the party doing the work, with size, construction and supports described and plans furnished where necessary. Section 98-37(a)(1) sets a $15.00 fee for a nonprojecting sign of less than 75 square feet in area. The city planner enforces the chapter (§ 98-2). Placing a sign on a curb, sidewalk or other public ground needs prior Common Council approval (§ 98-6).