# Sign Regulations in Farmington, Connecticut

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Farmington, Connecticut (CT)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/connecticut/farmington
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-05
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.farmington-ct.org/home/showpublisheddocument/31906/638781625600970000#page=162)

## At a glance

Farmington, Connecticut regulates 29 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Temporary Sign - New or Relocated Business in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 6 ft (height of post affixed to the ground) tall and 12 sq ft, with a ≥ 5 ft from edge of roadway; must not interfere with driver sight lines or obstruct public sidewalks setback (Sec. §7.G.6). Most commercial signs in Farmington require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 7 ft (pole height) | 50 sq ft | — |
| Residential Zones (R80, R40, R30, R20, R12, R12LG, R9, R9LG, RDM, AH, HOD, SA) | 11 | 10 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| PR, BR, CR, B1, C1, Unionville Center Zone (UC/UV) | 8 | ≤ 10 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| EE | 2 | — | Per formula | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign - Charitable/Social/Educational/Fundraising Event | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | Not specified; signs for events permitted subject to time limits | All zones; shall not interfere with safe movement of vehicles or pedestrians; prohibited at enumerated traffic islands/intersections and within 50 ft of the “Welcome to Farmington” sign at the I-84 Exit 39 ramp and Farmington Avenue | — | §7.G.1 |
| Temporary Sign - Real Estate Development (Sale or Lease of new/substantially reconstructed development; subdivision, office, retail, industrial, or vacant commercial/industrial land) | — | 32 sq ft | — | ≥ 15 ft from edge of roadway | One | On the subject premises; at least 15 ft from edge of roadway | — | §7.G.2(a)-(d) |
| Temporary Sign - For Sale/For Rent/For Lease (Existing individual dwelling unit, building lot, or portion of existing development including office, retail, industrial, or vacant commercial/industrial land) | — | 6 sq ft (may be increased to 32 sq ft by ZEO if commercial/industrial building exceeds 10,000 sq ft and vacancy exceeds 50%) | — | ≥ 15 ft from edge of roadway | One | On the subject premises; at least 15 ft from edge of roadway | — | §7.G.3(a)-(b) and §7.G.4 |
| Temporary Sign - Building Contractor (on buildings under construction) | — | 12 sq ft (may be increased up to 32 sq ft by ZEO if work area exceeds 10,000 sq ft or construction/renovation of at least four dwelling units) | — | If free-standing, ≥ 15 ft from edge of roadway | Not specified | Located on buildings under construction or 15 ft off the edge of roadway | — | §7.G.5 |
| Temporary Sign - New or Relocated Business | 6 ft (height of post affixed to the ground) | 12 sq ft | — | ≥ 5 ft from edge of roadway; must not interfere with driver sight lines or obstruct public sidewalks | One per business (unless Commission approves more) | Attached to a post affixed to the ground; at least 5 ft from edge of roadway; located directly in front of the business except if entrance does not face a public street or business on a dead-end street, then along the closest public through street | — | §7.G.6 |
| Directional Sign (Permanent) | 7 ft (pole height) | 2 sq ft | — | — | As approved by Commission | As approved for office parks, industrial parks, shopping centers, churches, institutional and municipal uses | — | §7.J.1 |
| Directional Sign (Temporary) | 7 ft (installed/mounted so as not to exceed 7 ft in height) | 2 sq ft | — | — | As approved by Commission | As approved at locations serving new or renovated developments | — | §7.J.1(a)-(c) |
| Offsite Traffic Control Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Offsite, as approved | — | §7.H |

### Residential Zones (R80, R40, R30, R20, R12, R12LG, R9, R9LG, RDM, AH, HOD, SA)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Farm Name Sign - Wall | — | 20 sq ft | — | Building on which sign is placed must be ≥ 50 ft from any lot line | One | Attached to or painted on the wall of a farm building | — | §7.D.2 |
| Farm Name Sign - Detached (Pole) | 10 ft | 20 sq ft | — | ≥ 50 ft from any lot line | One | On a detached pole | — | §7.D.2 |
| Subdivision/Multiple-Family/Special Permit Use - Detached Sign (Residential Zones) - Front Yard (< 6 ft height) | < 6 ft | 25 sq ft | — | Unless otherwise approved by Commission, ≥ 15 ft from edge of roadway | As determined by Commission | Within the first two-thirds of the required front yard | — | §7.D.4 (by reference to §7.F); §7.F.1(a), §7.F.1(b)(1), §7.F.1(e) |
| Subdivision/Multiple-Family/Special Permit Use - Detached Sign (Residential Zones) - Front Yard (6–10 ft height) | 6–10 ft | 12 sq ft | — | Unless otherwise approved by Commission, ≥ 15 ft from edge of roadway | As determined by Commission | Within the first two-thirds of the required front yard | — | §7.D.4; §7.F.1(a), §7.F.1(b)(2), §7.F.1(e) |
| Subdivision/Multiple-Family/Special Permit Use - Detached Sign (Residential Zones) - Beyond First Two-Thirds of Front Yard | ≤ 10 ft | 50 sq ft | — | Unless otherwise approved by Commission, ≥ 15 ft from edge of roadway | As determined by Commission | Beyond the first two-thirds of the required front yard | — | §7.D.4; §7.F.1(a), §7.F.1(b)(3), §7.F.1(d), §7.F.1(e) |
| Subdivision/Multiple-Family/Special Permit Use - Detached Sign (Residential Zones) - Side Yard (< 6 ft height) | < 6 ft | 25 sq ft | — | Unless otherwise approved by Commission, ≥ 15 ft from edge of roadway | As determined by Commission | Side yard | — | §7.D.4; §7.F.1(c) referencing §7.F.1(b)(1) |
| Subdivision/Multiple-Family/Special Permit Use - Detached Sign (Residential Zones) - Side Yard (6–10 ft height) | 6–10 ft | 12 sq ft | — | Unless otherwise approved by Commission, ≥ 15 ft from edge of roadway | As determined by Commission | Side yard | — | §7.D.4; §7.F.1(c) referencing §7.F.1(b)(2) |
| Charitable or Philanthropic Institution Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | ≥ 15 ft from edge of roadway | Not specified | On the subject premises; at least 15 ft from edge of roadway | — | §7.D.5; §7.L |

### PR, BR, CR, B1, C1, Unionville Center Zone (UC/UV)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Attached Sign (Per Business) | — | Per formula | — | — | 1 per business by right; additional signs as approved by Commission | Attached to building wall(s) facing directly onto a street or driveway | — | §7.E.1–3; §7.B.2; §7.I.1; §7.K.6; §7.K.10 |
| Attached Sign (Shopping Center Tenant) | — | Per formula | — | — | As allowed within the per-tenant area cap | On tenant’s building wall with direct access at grade | — | §7.E.2–3; §7.I.1; §7.K.6; §7.K.10 |
| Detached Sign - Front Yard (< 6 ft height) | < 6 ft | 25 sq ft | — | Unless otherwise approved by Commission, ≥ 15 ft from edge of roadway | Maximum number per lot determined by Commission | Within the first two-thirds of the required front yard | — | §7.F.1(a); §7.F.1(b)(1); §7.F.1(e); §7.B.2; §7.I.1; §7.K.6; §7.K.10 |
| Detached Sign - Front Yard (6–10 ft height) | 6–10 ft | 12 sq ft | — | Unless otherwise approved by Commission, ≥ 15 ft from edge of roadway | Maximum number per lot determined by Commission | Within the first two-thirds of the required front yard | — | §7.F.1(a); §7.F.1(b)(2); §7.F.1(e) |
| Detached Sign - Beyond First Two-Thirds of Front Yard | ≤ 10 ft | 50 sq ft | — | Unless otherwise approved by Commission, ≥ 15 ft from edge of roadway | Maximum number per lot determined by Commission | Beyond the first two-thirds of the required front yard | — | §7.F.1(a); §7.F.1(b)(3); §7.F.1(d); §7.F.1(e) |
| Detached Sign - Side Yard (< 6 ft height) | < 6 ft | 25 sq ft | — | Unless otherwise approved by Commission, ≥ 15 ft from edge of roadway | Maximum number per lot determined by Commission | Side yard | — | §7.F.1(c) referencing §7.F.1(b)(1); §7.F.1(e) |
| Detached Sign - Side Yard (6–10 ft height) | 6–10 ft | 12 sq ft | — | Unless otherwise approved by Commission, ≥ 15 ft from edge of roadway | Maximum number per lot determined by Commission | Side yard | — | §7.F.1(c) referencing §7.F.1(b)(2); §7.F.1(e) |
| Detached Sign - Center/Park Entrance Name Sign | Subject to §7.F general limits | Subject to §7.F general limits | — | Unless otherwise approved by Commission, ≥ 15 ft from edge of roadway | One at the main entrance | At the main entrance of a shopping center and/or park-like development | — | §7.F.2; §7.F.1 |

## Prohibited signs in Farmington

- No permanent sign may be erected, relocated, or altered without prior Commission approval and a Zoning Permit (except normal maintenance and sign face alterations using similar colors, materials, and lettering type).
- No lot may contain more than two flagpoles unless otherwise approved by the Commission.
- Any sign that no longer advertises a bona fide business, product, or activity must be removed within 30 days of cessation.
- Exterior sign lighting must be confined to the sign surface; direct rays or glare visible beyond the sign face are prohibited; lighting that creates a danger to vehicular traffic or a nuisance to residential properties is prohibited.
- Portable or wheeled signs are prohibited, except those advertising public or semi-public events.
- Signs on parked vehicles where the sign is the primary use of the vehicle are prohibited.
- Signs emitting artificial light from an internal source (through transparent or translucent materials) are prohibited, except as otherwise allowed in the illumination provisions.
- Signs that revolve, rotate, flash, move, or give the appearance of movement are prohibited.
- Advertising flags, banners, or streamers are prohibited.
- Signs that extend above the highest point of a roof are prohibited, except roof-mounted signs that the Commission specifically approves when other building locations would not provide adequate visibility due to site or off-site conditions.
- Internally illuminated signs (including neon and halo-lit), including signs located inside building windows visible from a road, driveway, or sidewalk, are prohibited.
- Billboards are prohibited.
- Signs directly painted onto any portion of a building or structure are prohibited.
- Signs affixed to the roof of any canopy structure at a gasoline filling station are prohibited.
- Signs with LED or LCD letters or symbols are prohibited, except Town-owned public service signs announcing public events and news alerts.
- Temporary signage of any kind is prohibited at the specified intersections and within 50 feet of the 'Welcome to Farmington' sign at the I-84 Exit 39 ramp.

## Signs exempt from permit in Farmington

- Government flags are exempt (no more than three per property unless additional flags are approved by the Commission; flags must be displayed on poles or posts affixed to the ground or as otherwise approved by the Commission).
- Signs required by law or regulation are exempt and, to the extent consistent with such law, must conform to this section.
- Signs used for traffic control or regulation of parking as approved by the Commission or a government authority are exempt.
- Interior signs are exempt, except those that revolve, rotate, flash, move or give the appearance of movement, and except internally illuminated signs (including neon).
- Signs required by the State or Federal government in conjunction with a publicly assisted or financed development project are exempt.
- A non-illuminated 'open' sign (inside or outside) up to 12 square feet in area is exempt.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Applications for sign approval must be submitted on Planning Department forms and be accompanied by plans and information specified on those forms.
- Permanent signs require Commission approval before a Zoning Permit may be issued.
- Detached signs must be placed within a landscaped area; the extent and type of landscaping and the sign location must be shown on the plan submitted to the Commission for approval.
- Detached signs in business/industrial zones may be approved only in conjunction with or subsequent to special permit approval of a development plan.
- Temporary signs in all zones require a permit from the Zoning Enforcement Officer.
- Directional signs (including temporary directional signs) require Commission approval, and the Commission specifies the duration for temporary directional signs.
- Offsite traffic control signs require approval by the Farmington Traffic Authority.
- Height, size, or locational exceptions to sign standards may be permitted only upon a five-sixths vote of the full Commission.

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

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