# Sign Regulations in Bolton Town, Connecticut

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Bolton Town, Connecticut, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Bolton Town, Connecticut (CT)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/connecticut/bolton-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/36985941#36985941)

## At a glance

Bolton Town, Connecticut regulates 18 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Business Zones, Industrial Zones, GB Zoning District, I Zoning District, General Business Zone, Industrial Zone zoning district are capped at 12 ft tall and 36 sq ft; +12 sq ft per additional occupancy (multiple occupancy properties), with a ≥15 ft from any lot line except front yard (0 ft) or 20 ft from sightline, whichever greater; must be ≥100 ft from adjacent residence zone. setback (Sec. § 450-18.7(A)(2)). Most commercial signs in Bolton Town require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 14 | — | 32 sq ft (on site), 5 sq ft (off-site directional) | — |
| Business Zones, Industrial Zones, GB Zoning District, I Zoning District, General Business Zone, Industrial Zone | 4 | 12 ft | 36 sq ft; +12 sq ft per additional occupancy (multiple occupancy properties) | — |
| Gateway Mixed Use Industrial Zone | 4 | 12 ft | 36 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Business Zone, Neighborhood Business Zones, Rural Mixed Use Zone, Rural Mixed Use Zones | 4 | 8 ft | 18 sq ft (+8 sq ft for each additional occupancy for multi-tenant properties) | — |
| Residential Zone, Residence Zone | 1 | — | 0.5 sq ft within 20 ft of street, 3 sq ft if farther than 20 ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Help Wanted Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | § 450-18.5(A)(1) |
| Window Sign (Temporary) | — | — | — | — | — | Window/Entrance door | — | § 450-18.5(A)(2) |
| Project/Real Estate Sign (Temporary) | — | 6 sq ft (general), 24 sq ft (commercial/industrial/construction/subdivision as specified) | — | — | 1 per applicable context | Premises of sale/lease/construction/new subdivision | — | § 450-18.5(A)(4) |
| Special Event Sign/Banner (Temporary) | — | 32 sq ft (on site), 5 sq ft (off-site directional) | — | — | 1 on site, up to 3 off-site | At event site; up to 3 off-site directional signs permitted. | — | § 450-18.5(A)(5) |
| Agricultural Sale Sign (Temporary) | — | 16 sq ft (at stand), 8 sq ft (per off-site directional, up to 4 signs and total 32 sq ft) | — | — | — | At sale stand; off-site directional allowed | — | § 450-18.5(A)(6) |
| Residence/Home Occupation Nameplate | — | 0.5 sq ft within 20 ft of street, 3 sq ft if farther than 20 ft | — | — | 1 nameplate + 1 home occupation | — | — | § 450-18.6(C) |
| Open/Closed Flag Sign | — | — | 4 ft (longest side) | — | 1 per business | — | — | § 450-18.6(F) |
| Open/Closed Window or Door Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Window or door | — | § 450-18.6(G) |

### Business Zones, Industrial Zones, GB Zoning District, I Zoning District, General Business Zone, Industrial Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On wall of building | — | § 450-18.7(A)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign | 12 ft | 36 sq ft; +12 sq ft per additional occupancy (multiple occupancy properties) | — | ≥15 ft from any lot line except front yard (0 ft) or 20 ft from sightline, whichever greater; must be ≥100 ft from adjacent residence zone. | 1 per lot | On lot | — | § 450-18.7(A)(2) |
| Directory Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 50 ft from street line, 15 ft from any other lot line | 1 | Mounted on ground or building wall, not along travel lane, 50 ft from street line, 15 ft from lot line | — | § 450-18.7(A)(3)(b) |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On site, as needed to direct traffic/deliveries/visitors | — | § 450-18.7(A)(3)(c) |

### Gateway Mixed Use Industrial Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On wall | — | § 450-18.7(A)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign | 12 ft | 36 sq ft | — | ≥0 ft from street line; ≥15 ft from any other lot line | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | § 450-18.7(A)(3)(b) |
| Directory Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | ≥50 ft from street, ≥15 ft from other lot line | 1 per special approval | On ground or building wall, 50 ft from street line, 15 ft from other lot lines | — | § 450-18.7(A)(3)(b) |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On site as needed (multi-building or multi-business, truck delivery, drive-through, etc.) | — | § 450-18.7(A)(3)(c) |

## Prohibited signs in Bolton Town

- Abandoned signs.
- Advertising signs.
- Permanent banner signs, except noncommercial banners installed by public entities.
- Signs on structural canopies.
- Electronic message boards.
- Flashing, rotating or moving signs (except clocks or time/temperature signs approved by Planning and Zoning Commission in connection with a site plan or special permit approval).
- Graphic light projection signs.
- Moving message boards, except time/temperature signs.
- Roof signs.
- Signs that are illuminated in a manner or with such intensity or brightness that they may tend to cause glare, distraction or nuisance to operators of vehicles, pedestrians or neighboring property owners.
- Signs including structural elements that may tend to endanger vehicular or pedestrian traffic by obstructing or obscuring visibility or by causing confusion with traffic control signs or signals.
- Signs including structural elements that obstruct any window, door, fire escape, stairway or opening intended to provide light, air, ingress to or egress from any building or structure, except as may be permitted elsewhere in the regulations.
- Pennants or streamers, aerial signs, inflatable signs or flag-like devices hung from or attached to any part of a building, vehicle, structure or otherwise on a lot for commercial purposes, except where specifically exempted pursuant to applicable sections of the regulations.
- Structural canopy signs.
- Vehicle signs.
- Signs located in Town rights-of way, except those authorized pursuant to applicable sections of the regulations.
- Portable signs, such as sandwich board signs or A-frame signs, which are moveable and not permanently attached to a building, structure or the ground, except as may be authorized on a temporary basis as temporary signs pursuant to applicable sections of the regulations.

## Signs exempt from permit in Bolton Town

- "Help Wanted" signs, provided the size does not exceed two square feet in area.
- Window signs for authorized commercial uses, provided the signs do not cover more than 40% of the window area, or more than 25% of the glass area of a door used actively as an entrance door, such 25% covering the lower half of the door.
- Political signs.
- Project and real estate signs: one nonilluminated sign not exceeding six square feet in area pertaining only to the sale, lease, rental or construction or improvement of the land or building upon which it is displayed (with removal requirements depending on context). Larger signs or additional allowances for certain projects as specified.
- Special events signs for community-wide public, educational, charitable or religious events: one nonilluminated sign/banner not exceeding 32 square feet at the event site, up to three off-site directional signs (not over 5 sq ft each), subject to posting/removal timing requirements.
- Signs associated with agricultural and horticultural sales: one nonilluminated sign not exceeding 16 square feet at the stand site, plus off-site directional signage within specified limits.
- Public flags, provided they do not pose an obstruction as set forth in relevant ordinance section.
- Public signs: erected in the public interest by or on the order of a local, state, or federal official in the performance of duty, such as traffic control signs, identity signs of public buildings, parks or historical sites, governmentally funded event signs, and public banners (such as for streetscape projects).
- Residential nameplate/street address/home occupation signs: one nameplate with street address and one home occupation sign per residence, within specified size and location limits.
- "No Trespassing" signs or signs indicating the private nature or restricted use of a premises, not exceeding two square feet in area.
- Nameplates or public convenience signs for authorized commercial and industrial uses identifying the building occupant, store hours, or other nonadvertising notices, not exceeding two square feet.
- "Open/Closed" flag sign (no more than one per business), provided the longest side does not exceed four feet.
- Signs displayed in windows or doors of commercial uses, including neon or LED signs, indicating "open" or "closed", not to exceed four square feet in area.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Any use subject to site plan approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission shall be required to apply for any and all signage associated with the application, including the requirement for a comprehensive signage plan (sometimes called a master sign plan) for the overall property.
- The Planning and Zoning Commission may delegate approval of specific sign details to the Zoning Enforcement Officer (ZEO).
- All signs subject to site plan review (including changeable-copy signs, message board signs, and off-site signs) must be approved as part of the site plan review process by the Commission.
- All directional signs for multi-building or multi-business sites must be identified on the proposed site plan.
- Variances, waivers, or approval for certain sign types or locations may only be granted by the Commission in accordance with specific findings and conditions (see requirements for directory signs, ground signs, etc.).

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 5 zoning districts in Bolton Town — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Bolton+Town+CT&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-bolton-town

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