Wisconsin law protects political signs on private property during election seasons. While municipalities may regulate placement and size, content-based restrictions and outright bans on residential political signs are limited by First Amendment and state campaign protections.
Wisconsin Statute § 12.04 generally prohibits removing or defacing political signs, making it a criminal offense to interfere with lawfully placed signs. Municipalities retain authority to impose reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions, but content-based regulation is restricted by U.S. Supreme Court precedent (Reed v. Town of Gilbert) which Wisconsin courts apply. Homeowner associations cannot wholly ban political signs in the period before elections. Public right-of-way placement is generally prohibited statewide under Wis. Stat. § 86.19, which limits signs in highway rights-of-way.
Defacing or removing political signs is punishable under Wis. Stat. § 12.04. Right-of-way violations may result in sign removal and fines under § 86.19.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Racine, WI
Racine regulates amplified music under the general noise ordinance. Sound amplification permits available for events. WI Stat. §947.01 applies.
Racine, WI
Racine considers excessive barking a nuisance. Animal control handles complaints. WI Stat. §174 covers dog regulation statewide.
Racine, WI
Racine enforces quiet hours in this Lake Michigan manufacturing city (pop. 78,000). Home to SC Johnson headquarters, the city manages noise from industry, th...
Racine, WI
Racine manages parking in the downtown core and near the lakefront festival grounds. Winter alternate-side parking enables snow plowing. Harbor area has seas...
Racine, WI
Racine restricts commercial vehicle parking in residential zones. Weight, size, and signage limits apply. Overnight heavy truck storage prohibited.
Racine, WI
Racine requires vehicles parked on improved surfaces. Front lawn parking prohibited. Driveway modifications require permits.
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