Permanent Sign Checklist
See complete Sign Regulations in Article VII of the City of Madison Zoning Ordinance
For All Sign Permit Applications:
1. Complete and sign the permit application – Don’t forget your City of Madison business license number.
2. Letter from the property owner or leasing agent giving you permission to install signage.
For Ground Signs:
1. Rendering of the proposed sign(s), including materials used for the monument structure.
2. Height and width of the monument structure.
3. Square footage of individual sign face(s) and total square footage of all faces combined.
4. Location and dimensions of street address numbers. Note: Please contact the Madison Fire Department @ (256)
772-3326 for specifications.
5. Dimensioned plot plan showing location of the proposed ground sign and distance to front and side property lines.
Note: If the location of the ground sign was approved with a site plan, you may use a copy of the “Approved for
Development” site plan. Ask the developer or property owner for a copy.
6. Footing detail. Note: Engineered footing required for all Interstate signs.
7. Electrical detail that shows the locations of the electrical service and the conduit to the sign. New or upgraded
electrical service may require a separate electrical permit.
8. Landscape plan showing a landscaped area, equal to or larger than the total sign area of the ground sign. Note: If
the landscaped area was approved with the site plan, you may use a copy of the “Approved for Development”
landscape plan. Ask the developer or property owner for a copy of the plan.
9. For electronic message centers, provide manufacturer’s specifications including:
a. Message transition time,
b. Default mechanism in case of sign malfunction (black screen or power off),
c. Automatic dimming verification based on ambient light,
d. Lumens at two closest property lines.
For Building Signs:
1. Rendering or photo of the proposed sign(s), including total square footage of the face(s)/channel letters.
2. Rendering or photo of primary building elevation (front of the building), showing the height and width dimensions, in
feet, as well as the total square footage of the front of the building.
3. Rendering or photo of the building showing the locations of all proposed signage and any existing signage.
4. Rendering or photo of the building, showing the location of any current signage that will remain.
5. Attachment detail that shows how the signage will be attached to the building
6. Electrical detail that shows the location of new or existing electrical service. New or upgraded electrical service will
require an electrical permit.
For City Department Use Only
_____ Rendering of Sign
_____ Permission Letter
_____ Attachment Detail
_____ Light Sensing Specifications
_____ Electrical Detail
_____ Footing Detail
_____ Engineered Footing
_____ Plot Plan
_____ Address Numbers
_____ Landscape Plan
_____ Wind Load Verification
Historic District
Flood Zone
Site Plan on File
COA Case #/Date
Vacation of Easement/PUA
Variance Case #/date
Review Comments: