Sign Review & Approval

Overview

The City of West Allis reviews and approves signage within the city to preserve its beauty and unique character; to protect property values; and, to promote a healthy and properly designed business environment.

Application & Review Procedure

Applicants interested in adding or modifying signage on their property should submit the following to Planning and Zoning for review:

• Completed Sign Application (PDF)
• $125 Sign Plan Review fee plus Sign Permit Fee
• One set of scaled plans, indicating the design, square footage and placement of proposed signage

Planning and Zoning will review the proposal for conformance with the City's sign code, as it pertains to area, placement and design. For any signs within the BID, they must be approved by the Downtown Design Committee prior to the permit being issues. This Committee meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month. Please contact staff for more information. 

Upon obtaining approval from Planning and Zoning, applications are forwarded to the Department of Building Inspections and Neighborhood Services for the issuance of Sign Permit(s) and final inspection.

Signs projecting over or onto the public right-of-way may also require a minor grant of privilege (PDF) or major grant of privilege (PDF).

Guidelines

The permitted size, quantity and design components vary depending on property type, lot size and tenant frontage. The following guidelines have been prepared to assist the development of signage applications.

• Master Signage Program Guidelines (PDF) (25,000 square foot buildings/centers)
• Multi-Tenant (3 or more) Commercial Buildings (PDF)
• Rope Lighting (PDF)
• Sandwich Board Signs (not downtown) (PDF)
• Single and Two-Tenant Commercial Buildings (PDF)

Complete details of the City's sign code may be found within Chapter 13 of the West Allis Municipal Code in sections 13.21 and 13.215 (Downtown).