Madison MGO §31.043 and Dane County sign codes allow political signs on private property. First Amendment and Reed v. Town of Gilbert (2015) bar content-based rules. WI §12.04 prohibits signs on public property. Typical limit 32 sq ft residential. Removal within 7 days post-election customary.
Political signs enjoy strong First Amendment protection. Madison General Ordinance §31.043 (Signs in Residential Districts) and Dane County Ch. 10 zoning allow temporary noncommercial signs, including political signs, on private residential property up to 6 square feet (typical) or larger in non-residential zones. After Reed v. Town of Gilbert (576 U.S. 155, 2015), content-based distinctions (e.g., treating political signs differently from other temporary signs) are subject to strict scrutiny and generally unenforceable. Wisconsin Statute §12.04 prohibits placing any political sign on public property, utility poles, or within the highway right-of-way. Signs must not obstruct traffic sight triangles (typically 25 feet from intersections). Durational limits tied solely to election dates are constitutionally suspect; Madison has revised its code to avoid election-only restrictions. HOAs may not prohibit political signs on owned lots per general First Amendment protections against state actors, but private deed covenants may apply.
Sign in public right-of-way: removal by city, forfeiture $25-$100 under MGO §31.05. Oversized sign: notice to reduce. Obstructing sight triangle: immediate removal and $50-$200 fine. Signs on utility poles: removal without notice.
Dane County, WI
Dane County municipalities regulate leaf blowers under local noise ordinances. Wisconsin has no statewide gas blower ban. Madison General Ordinance 24.04 imp...
Dane County, WI
Madison enforces a citywide Alternate Side Parking rule (MGO §12.76) from March 15 to March 14 annually between 1:00 AM and 7:00 AM. Fitchburg, Middleton, Ve...
Dane County, WI
EV charger installations in Dane County are governed by the Wisconsin DSPS Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC) and state electrical code SPS 316 based on NEC Article...
Dane County, WI
Dane County municipalities allow wood (cedar, treated pine), vinyl, wrought iron, chain-link, and composite fencing. Madison General Ordinance §28 zoning spe...
Dane County, WI
Wisconsin UDC SPS 390 and the state-adopted ISPSC require all residential pools and spas to be surrounded by a minimum 48-inch barrier with self-closing, sel...
Dane County, WI
Smoke detector requirements in unincorporated Dane County are set by Wisconsin state law, not the county. Wis. Stat. §101.645 requires functional smoke detec...
See how Dane County's political signs rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.