Municipal welcome signs

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Overview

ATV Route
Photo courtesy of Julie Raasch

A municipal welcome sign is an official sign installed and maintained by a municipality that informs motorists of a municipality's territorial boundary. Municipal welcome signs are not outdoor advertising signs or traffic control devices. A municipality may be a town, village, city or county. It does not include an unincorporated community.

Location

  • On the state highway right of way
    • As close to the right of way line as possible
    • Out of the clear zone
  • May not be placed on Interstate right of way

Size

  • No limitations

Content

  • May include logos, graphics and/or taglines (slogans)
  • May not contain:
    • Commercial messages, business names or sponsorships
    • Other official or service club signs
    • Electronic message boards
    • Static message boards
    • Auxiliary placards
    • Memorials 

Fabrication, installation, maintenance, and relocation

  • Paid for by the municipality (applicant)

Relevant law and policy

Application

  • Form DT1812, Application/permit to work on highway right of way
    • Include detailed drawing of the proposed sign along with location diagram
    • Additional information for work on highway right of way permits, see webpage
  • Application Fee: None

Questions regarding specific municipal welcome sign installations

Other Requirements

  • Application must be filled-out and signed by an elected official or authorized employee of the municipality
  • Municipality must be self-insured or carry sufficient insurance for the sign
  • Only one municipal welcome sign is allowed per each state highway direction that crosses a municipal boundary - even if the highway crosses a boundary more than once
  • The municipal welcome sign* must:
    • Be installed to inform motorists of the territorial boundary of the municipality
    • Be located within the territorial boundary of the municipality
    • Be located entirely on state highway right of way (includes overhang)
    • Be installed and maintained by a municipality
    • Not constitute a safety hazard (i.e., located out of the clear zone)
    • Not obstruct, conflict or interfere with official traffic control signs and devices
    • Not obstruct or interfere with the vision of motorists navigating any intersection, which includes all driveways

* Including any applicable landscaping

    Questions regarding WisDOT policy or this webpage

    Bob Fasick
     Wisconsin DOT
    Bureau of Highway Maintenance
    4822 Madison Yards Way, 5th Floor South
    Madison, WI 53705
    (608) 266-3438
    robert.fasick@dot.wi.gov