# Sign Regulations in Derby, Connecticut

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Derby, Connecticut (CT)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/connecticut/derby
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-17
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/9873147#9873147)

## At a glance

Derby, Connecticut regulates 33 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Business Animated Sign - Barber Shops in the Business Zones (B-1 Zone, B-2 Zone) zoning district are capped at 3 feet tall and Projects no more than 12 inches from building wide, with a Minimum 8 feet ground clearance if projecting setback (Sec. § 195-71C(2)(c); § 195-67C). Most commercial signs in Derby require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | No higher than eaves or top of parapet wall | 6 square feet | — |
| Residential Zones (R-1 Zone, R-2 Zone, R-3 Zone, R-4 Zone, R-5 Zone, R-M Zone) | 7 | — | 40 square feet per side | — |
| Business Zones (B-1 Zone, B-2 Zone) | 21 | 3 feet | 100 square feet | — |
| Center Design Development Zone (CDD Zone) | 4 | No higher than eaves or top of parapet wall | As approved | — |
| Hospital Campus Zone (H/C Hospital Campus Zone) | 6 | — | 50 square feet | — |
| Industrial Zones (I-1 Zone, Industrial Campus Zone (IC Zone)) | 15 | Distance from highest point to roof not exceed 1/2 building height; highest point no higher than 40 feet above ground | 100 square feet | — |
| Public Zones (P Zone) | 18 | 3 feet | 100 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### Business Zones (B-1 Zone, B-2 Zone)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Freestanding Sign | — | 40 square feet per side | — | No part less than 5 feet from public right-of-way | 1 per project (plus 1 per subcontractor at 4 square feet) | Freestanding on site | — | § 195-71C(1); § 195-71B(1); § 195-67M, P |
| Business Freestanding Sign - Gasoline Filling Station | — | 60 square feet (plus 20 square feet for price information only) | — | No part less than 5 feet from public right-of-way | 1 | Freestanding on premises | — | § 195-71A(3) |
| Business Projecting Sign | — | 16 square feet | — | Minimum 8 feet ground clearance | 1 per establishment | Projecting from building | — | § 195-71C(2)(a) |
| Business Freestanding Sign - Establishment <3,000 sq ft Ground Floor | — | 32 square feet | — | No part less than 5 feet from public right-of-way | 1 per establishment | Freestanding on premises | — | § 195-71C(2)(a) |
| Business Freestanding Sign - Establishment >=3,000 sq ft Ground Floor | — | 50 square feet | — | No part less than 5 feet from public right-of-way | 1 per establishment | Freestanding on premises | — | § 195-71C(2)(a) |
| Business Freestanding Sign - Motel Adjacent Limited Access Highway | — | 100 square feet | — | No part less than 5 feet from public right-of-way | 1 | Freestanding on premises | — | § 195-71C(2)(b) |
| Business Freestanding Sign - Motel Other Locations | — | 50 square feet | — | No part less than 5 feet from public right-of-way | 1 | Freestanding on premises | — | § 195-71C(2)(b) |
| Business Animated Sign - Barber Shop | 3 feet | — | Projects no more than 12 inches from building | Minimum 8 feet ground clearance if projecting | 1 | On building face | — | § 195-71C(2)(c); § 195-67C |

### Industrial Zones (I-1 Zone, Industrial Campus Zone (IC Zone))

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Freestanding Sign | — | 40 square feet per side | — | No part less than 5 feet from public right-of-way | 1 per project (plus 1 per subcontractor at 4 square feet) | Freestanding on site | — | § 195-71E(1); § 195-71B(1); § 195-67M, P |
| Business Projecting Sign | — | 50 square feet | — | Minimum 8 feet ground clearance | 1 | Projecting from building | — | § 195-71E(2)(a) |
| Business Freestanding Sign | — | 100 square feet | — | No part less than 5 feet from public right-of-way | 1 | Freestanding on premises | — | § 195-71E(2)(a) |
| Business Freestanding Sign - Motel Adjacent Limited Access Highway | — | 100 square feet | — | No part less than 5 feet from public right-of-way | 1 | Freestanding on premises | — | § 195-71E(2)(b) |
| Business Freestanding Sign - Motel Other Locations | — | 50 square feet | — | No part less than 5 feet from public right-of-way | 1 | Freestanding on premises | — | § 195-71E(2)(b) |
| Business Freestanding Sign - Multiple Buildings Lot | — | 100 square feet | — | No part less than 5 feet from public right-of-way | 1 per building | Freestanding on premises | — | § 195-71E(2)(c) |
| Identification Freestanding Sign | — | 100 square feet | — | No part less than 5 feet from public right-of-way | 1 | Freestanding on site | — | § 195-71E(3) |
| Identification Freestanding Sign - Multiple Buildings Lot | — | 100 square feet | — | No part less than 5 feet from public right-of-way | 1 (in addition to business signs) | Freestanding on site | — | § 195-71E(4) |

### Public Zones (P Zone)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Freestanding Sign | — | 40 square feet per side | — | No part less than 5 feet from public right-of-way | 1 per project (plus 1 per subcontractor at 4 square feet) | Freestanding on site | — | § 195-71G(1); § 195-71B(1); § 195-67M, P |
| Identification Freestanding Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | No part less than 5 feet from public right-of-way | 1 | Freestanding on site | — | § 195-71G(2) |
| Business Freestanding Sign - Gasoline Filling Station | — | 60 square feet (plus 20 square feet for price information only) | — | No part less than 5 feet from public right-of-way | 1 | Freestanding on premises | — | § 195-71G(3); § 195-71A(3) |
| Business Projecting Sign | — | 16 square feet | — | Minimum 8 feet ground clearance | 1 per establishment | Projecting from building | — | § 195-71G(3); § 195-71C(2)(a) |
| Business Freestanding Sign - Establishment <3,000 sq ft Ground Floor | — | 32 square feet | — | No part less than 5 feet from public right-of-way | 1 per establishment | Freestanding on premises | — | § 195-71G(3); § 195-71C(2)(a) |
| Business Freestanding Sign - Establishment >=3,000 sq ft Ground Floor | — | 50 square feet | — | No part less than 5 feet from public right-of-way | 1 per establishment | Freestanding on premises | — | § 195-71G(3); § 195-71C(2)(a) |
| Business Freestanding Sign - Motel Adjacent Limited Access Highway | — | 100 square feet | — | No part less than 5 feet from public right-of-way | 1 | Freestanding on premises | — | § 195-71G(3); § 195-71C(2)(b) |
| Business Animated Sign - Barber Shop | 3 feet | — | Projects no more than 12 inches from building | Minimum 8 feet ground clearance if projecting | 1 | On building face | — | § 195-71G(3); § 195-71C(2)(c); § 195-67C |

## Prohibited signs in Derby

- Portable sidewalk signs are prohibited.
- Animated signs are prohibited, except as per § 195-71C.
- Signs painted directly upon the surface of any wall are prohibited, except that the Commission may approve such signs under specific conditions.
- Roof signs are prohibited, except that the Commission shall approve such signs in industrial zones under specific conditions.
- No line of exposed lights (festooned lights) shall be erected except during the month of December, unless approved by the Zoning Officer.
- Projecting signs shall provide not less than eight feet ground clearance or as specified by the Connecticut State Building Code; no part of a freestanding sign shall be less than five feet from a public right-of-way; no freestanding sign shall be of a height greater than the eaves or the top of a parapet wall of the building to which it relates.
- Except for corner lots and as provided in specific subsections, only one freestanding sign or one projecting sign shall be permitted for one lot; no site shall be allowed more than two types of construction or business signs.
- All signs relating to a use or activity shall be removed within 30 days after termination of the use or activity.
- No construction sign shall be displayed for a time period exceeding 18 months, unless the Commission grants an extension; construction signs shall be removed immediately after a building project has been completed.
- Real estate signs shall not be displayed after the property has been sold.
- Sign illumination which simulates traffic lights or emergency warning lights is prohibited.
- Internally illuminated signs shall not be permitted if the property abuts a residential zone or is located across a public right-of-way from a residential zone, except in cases where the Commission determines by special exception that there is no negative impact on the residential zone.
- All indirect illumination sources shall be shielded so that the light will not shine in the eyes of any person external to the premises.
- Signs designed for viewing from one side shall be opaque on the side opposite that containing copy.

## Signs exempt from permit in Derby

- Nothing in these regulations shall be construed as prohibiting or regulating the installation of emergency, street, public interest or public warning signs by a governmental body.
- Nothing in these regulations shall be construed as prohibiting signs intended for viewing principally from within a building or signs temporarily attached to the inside face of a display window, announcing a sale or similar feature, provided that the latter shall not occupy more than 25% of the total display window area.
- Directional signs shall not be subtracted from the permitted sign allocation, provided that they do not exceed six square feet and not more than 25% of the area is used for business name and/or logo (sign permit required).
- The requirements of Subsections A through R of § 195-67 shall not apply to developments in the Center Design District or to special exceptions, in which cases the Commission shall approve the appropriateness of all such signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Application for a sign permit shall be submitted to the Zoning Officer for approval prior to submittal of a building permit application.
- In cases where site development approval is required, the provisions of the applicable requirements of Articles V and XI shall apply.
- The location, size, and design of all signs in the Center Design District shall be approved by the Commission.
- The Commission may approve painted wall signs (e.g., supergraphics) if specific findings are met.
- The Commission shall approve roof signs in industrial zones if specific findings are met.
- The Commission may allow more than the permitted freestanding signs as a special use if the applicant demonstrates a need based on lot configuration, size, location, topography, or building placement.
- By special exception, the Commission may permit one wall sign visible towards a limited access highway upon specific findings.
- The Commission determines by special exception internally illuminated signs near residential zones if no negative impact.
- The Commission may grant special exception for extended special event signs beyond Zoning Officer approval, up to three months, if specific findings are met.
- For nonresidential sites abutting limited access highways, the Commission may allow one freestanding business or identification sign oriented to the highway, not exceeding 200 square feet.

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

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