# Sign Regulations in Bristol, Connecticut

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Bristol, Connecticut (CT)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/connecticut/bristol
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-05
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://ct-bristol2.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/19065/Zoning-Regulations---effective-8125?bidId=#page=72)

## At a glance

Bristol, Connecticut regulates 20 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the BN Neighborhood Business Zone zoning district are capped at Height of building or 16 feet, whichever is less (6 feet if no principal building) tall and 18 square feet, with a No part within 5 feet of any lot line setback (Sec. 14.6.4A1, 14.4.3, 14.4.5). Most commercial signs in Bristol require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | — | 32 square feet | — |
| Single-Family Residential Zones (R-10, R-15, R-25, R-40) | 2 | — | 18 square feet | — |
| A Multi-Family Residential Zone | 2 | — | 18 square feet | — |
| BN Neighborhood Business Zone | 7 | Height of building or 16 feet, whichever is less (6 feet if no principal building) | 18 square feet | — |
| RT-5 Residential Transition Zone | 5 | Height of building or 16 feet, whichever is less (6 feet if no principal building) | 18 square feet | — |
| BG General Business Zone | 7 | Height of building or 16 feet, whichever is less (6 feet if no principal building) | 48 square feet | — |
| BD Downtown Business Zone | 7 | Height of building or 16 feet, whichever is less (6 feet if no principal building) | 48 square feet | — |
| BHC Route 72 Corridor Business Zone | 7 | Height of building or 16 feet, whichever is less (6 feet if no principal building) | 48 square feet | — |
| I General Industrial Zone | 8 | 32 feet (measured from ground to top of sign) | 48 square feet | — |
| Industrial Park Zones (IP-1, IP-3, IP-5) | 6 | Height of building or 16 feet, whichever is less (6 feet if no principal building) | 32 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### BN Neighborhood Business Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign - Unified Development | — | 18 square feet | — | 5 feet from lot line if freestanding | One | — | — | 14.6.3A, 14.4.3, 14.4.2, 14.4.5 |
| Nameplate Sign | — | 1 square foot | — | 5 feet from lot line if freestanding | One per building occupant | — | — | 14.6.3B, 14.4.3, 14.4.2, 14.4.5 |
| Freestanding Sign | Height of building or 16 feet, whichever is less (6 feet if no principal building) | 18 square feet | — | No part within 5 feet of any lot line | Up to two business signs total per building occupant | On ground or supported by uprights/poles in ground | — | 14.6.4A1, 14.4.3, 14.4.5 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 8 square feet | — | — | Up to two business signs total per building occupant | Dependent on building for support, projecting more than 15 inches from building | — | 14.6.4A2, 14.4.4, 14.4.5 |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | Up to two business signs total per building occupant | Attached to exterior wall of structure, parallel to wall | — | 14.6.4A3, 14.4.2, 14.4.5 |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | Up to two business signs total per building occupant | Part of or attached to awning, canopy or protective cover over door/entrance/window/walkway/outdoor service area | — | 14.6.4A4, 14.4.5 |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | Up to two business signs total per building occupant | Attached to or part of vertical face of building marquee | — | 14.6.4A3, 14.4.2B, 14.4.5 |

### BG General Business Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign - Unified Office or Mixed-Use Development | — | 24 square feet | — | 5 feet from lot line if freestanding | One | — | — | 14.6.5A, 14.4.3, 14.4.2, 14.4.5 |
| Identification Sign - Unified Business or Industrial Development | — | 48 square feet | — | 5 feet from lot line if freestanding | One | — | — | 14.6.5B, 14.4.3, 14.4.2, 14.4.5 |
| Freestanding Sign | Height of building or 16 feet, whichever is less (6 feet if no principal building) | 24 square feet | — | No part within 5 feet of any lot line | Up to two business or nameplate signs total per building occupant | On ground or supported by uprights/poles in ground | — | 14.6.5C1, 14.4.3, 14.4.5 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 16 square feet | — | — | Up to two business or nameplate signs total per building occupant | Dependent on building for support, projecting more than 15 inches from building | — | 14.6.5C2, 14.4.4, 14.4.5 |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | Up to two business or nameplate signs total per building occupant | Attached to exterior wall of structure, parallel to wall | — | 14.6.5C3, 14.4.2, 14.4.5 |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | Up to two business or nameplate signs total per building occupant | Part of or attached to awning, canopy or protective cover over door/entrance/window/walkway/outdoor service area | — | 14.6.5C4, 14.4.5 |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | Up to two business or nameplate signs total per building occupant | Attached to or part of vertical face of building marquee | — | 14.6.5C3, 14.4.2B, 14.4.5 |

### I General Industrial Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign - Unified Office or Mixed-Use Development | — | 24 square feet | — | 5 feet from lot line if freestanding | One | — | — | 14.6.5A, 14.4.3, 14.4.2, 14.4.5 |
| Identification Sign - Unified Business or Industrial Development | — | 48 square feet | — | 5 feet from lot line if freestanding | One | — | — | 14.6.5B, 14.4.3, 14.4.2, 14.4.5 |
| Freestanding Sign | Height of building or 16 feet, whichever is less (6 feet if no principal building) | 24 square feet | — | No part within 5 feet of any lot line | Up to two business or nameplate signs total per building occupant | On ground or supported by uprights/poles in ground | — | 14.6.5C1, 14.4.3, 14.4.5 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 16 square feet | — | — | Up to two business or nameplate signs total per building occupant | Dependent on building for support, projecting more than 15 inches from building | — | 14.6.5C2, 14.4.4, 14.4.5 |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | Up to two business or nameplate signs total per building occupant | Attached to exterior wall of structure, parallel to wall | — | 14.6.5C3, 14.4.2, 14.4.5 |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | Up to two business or nameplate signs total per building occupant | Part of or attached to awning, canopy or protective cover over door/entrance/window/walkway/outdoor service area | — | 14.6.5C4, 14.4.5 |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | Up to two business or nameplate signs total per building occupant | Attached to or part of vertical face of building marquee | — | 14.6.5C3, 14.4.2B, 14.4.5 |
| Billboard | 32 feet (measured from ground to top of sign) | — | 30 feet | Not project into required front yard unless attached to existing building wall; if attached to wall, no more than 18 inches into required side yard (except illuminating apparatus) | One per lot | — | — | 14.6.6A, 14.4.5, 14.6.8 |

## Prohibited signs in Bristol

- Rotating, moving or animated signs (except electronic or manual message boards subject to provisions).
- Signs affixed to any portion of the exterior of a parked vehicle, if such vehicle is not regularly and customarily used by the business it advertises to transport persons, goods or materials.
- Attention-getting devices such as pennants, valances, flags (except governmental flags), streamers, searchlights, string or festoon lights, flashing lights, balloons or similar devices designed for purposes of attracting attention, promotion or advertising.
- Roof signs.
- All signs not expressly permitted by these Regulations.
- Any sign which could be mistaken for or confused with a traffic control sign, signal or device.
- Signs permanently painted, posted or otherwise attached to any rock, fence, tree or utility pole.

## Signs exempt from permit in Bristol

- Government-installed street signs, emergency signs, traffic control signs, warning signs or directional signs are not prohibited or regulated.
- Signs intended for viewing principally from within a building and not visible from the exterior are not prohibited.
- One real estate sign per street frontage (up to 6 sq ft in residential zones or 18 sq ft in business/industrial zones) without a sign permit.
- Directional signs (up to 3 sq ft) without a sign permit.
- Noncommercial signs (up to 32 sq ft) without a sign permit.
- Political signs without a sign permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- For unified non-residential developments over 40,000 sq ft gross floor area, an alternative signage program may be submitted for Sign Permit approval by the Commission, including site plans and details to ensure comprehensive and attractive signage.
- Sign Permit applications require plot plans, elevation drawings, and specifications showing location, dimensions, area, design, materials, and illumination of signs.
- Electronic message boards on institutional identification signs (e.g., churches, schools) require approval by the Commission via Sign Permit.
- Nameplate signs greater than 1 sq ft in certain residential and business zones require approval of a Sign Permit by the Commission.
- Billboards in I Zone require Sign Permit approval by the Commission, with specific conditions on size, location, and construction.

## 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 10 zoning districts in Bristol — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Bristol+CT&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-bristol

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