Waukesha, WI Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Chapter 27's definition of a 'Non-Commercial' sign expressly lists political messages as an example, alongside religious messages and charity announcements, under Section 27.02(25). Because political signs fall in that Non-Commercial category, Section 27.04(2)(a) exempts them from the permit and quantity limits that apply to ordinary commercial Yard Signs and Banner Signs: a resident or business can post as many political signs as they want, with no Sign permit from the Department of Community Development, so long as the combined additional area does not exceed 25 square feet.

That area is on top of, not instead of, the base Yard Sign allowance: one 32-square-foot sign per premises in a commercial district or up to five signs totaling 240 square feet in a residential district. Political signs still have to meet the general Yard Sign Placement and Design Standards in Section 27.04: they must be firmly affixed to the ground, set back at least 5 feet from every lot line, and their support structure can be no taller than 5 feet, with total sign height capped at 8 feet. Signs must be kept in good repair and free of rips, creases, rust, or fading. They cannot be placed in a public right-of-way or on other public property, and the Downtown Shopping Area bans Yard Signs outright regardless of message content. If a resident wants to exceed the 25-square-foot Non-Commercial allowance, the excess area is treated as an ordinary Temporary Sign requiring a permit and fee under Section 27.04(3).