# Sign Regulations in Glastonbury, Connecticut

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Glastonbury, Connecticut (CT)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/connecticut/glastonbury
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-23
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.glastonburyct.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/36463/638695049237070000#page=157)

## At a glance

Glastonbury, Connecticut regulates 35 sign types across 18 zoning districts. Real Estate Sign - Residential Property FOR SALE/FOR RENTs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 6' above grade tall and 9 sq ft, with a Within 15' of the front property line. setback (Sec. §10.3(a) table item 1; §10.4.). Most commercial signs in Glastonbury require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (18 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Planned Business & Development (PBD), Planned Travel (PT), Planned Industrial (PI), Town Center Zone (TC), Flood (F), Planned Employment (PE), Planned Commerce (PC), Main St Commercial Corridor Flood Zone (MSCC) | 5 | Not higher than 10' from ground to top of sign. | Total: 55 sq ft max for all signs under this section; no single wall sign > 25 sq ft; no ground sign > 30 sq ft. | — |
| Country Residence (CR), Rural Residence (RR), Residence AAA (AAA), Residence AA (AA), Residence A (A), Reserved Land (RL), Planned Area Development (PAD), Village Residential (VR) Zone (VR), Town Center Village District Overlay Zone (TCVD), Adaptive Redevelopment Zone (ARZ), Town Center Mixed Use (TCMU), Town Center Mixed Use Zone (TCMU), Village Commercial (VC) Zone (VC) | 5 | 6' above grade | 20 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 15 | 8' above grade to top (and by implication at least high enough for clearance over walkways). | 20 sq ft | — |
| Town Center Mixed Use (TCMU), Town Center Mixed Use Zone (TCMU) | 4 | Not higher than 10' from ground to top of sign. | Total: 55 sq ft max for all signs regulated by this section; no single wall sign > 25 sq ft; no ground sign > 30 sq ft. | — |
| Town Center Village District Overlay Zone (TCVD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Village Commercial (VC) Zone (VC) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Village Residential (VR) Zone (VR) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Adaptive Redevelopment Zone (ARZ) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Reserved Land (RL) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Flood (F) | 3 | Wall: up to lower sill of second-story windows or 15', whichever less. Ground: up to 10'. | Total: 55 sq ft max; no single wall sign >25 sq ft; no ground sign >30 sq ft. | — |
| Planned Employment (PE) | 2 | Wall: ≤2nd-story sill or 15'. Ground: ≤10'. | Total: ≤55 sq ft; wall sign ≤25 sq ft; ground sign ≤30 sq ft. | — |
| Planned Commerce (PC) | 2 | Wall: ≤2nd-story sill or 15'; Ground: ≤10'. | ≤55 sq ft total; individual wall sign ≤25 sq ft; ground sign ≤30 sq ft. | — |
| Country Residence (CR), Rural Residence (RR), Residence AAA (AAA), Residence AA (AA), Residence A (A) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Planned Travel (PT) | 2 | Wall: ≤2nd-story sill or 15'; Ground: ≤10'. | ≤55 sq ft total; single wall sign ≤25 sq ft; ground sign ≤30 sq ft. | — |
| Planned Industrial (PI) | 2 | Wall: ≤2nd-story sill or 15'; Ground: ≤10'. | Total ≤55 sq ft; wall sign ≤25 sq ft; ground sign ≤30 sq ft. | — |
| Town Center Zone (TC) | 2 | Wall: ≤2nd-story sill or 15'; Ground: ≤10'. | ≤55 sq ft total; individual wall sign ≤25 sq ft; ground sign ≤30 sq ft. | — |
| Planned Area Development (PAD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Main St Commercial Corridor Flood Zone (MSCC) | 2 | Wall: ≤2nd-story sill or 15'; Ground: ≤10'. | ≤55 sq ft total; wall sign ≤25 sq ft; ground sign ≤30 sq ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 18 zones)

### Planned Business & Development (PBD), Planned Travel (PT), Planned Industrial (PI), Town Center Zone (TC), Flood (F), Planned Employment (PE), Planned Commerce (PC), Main St Commercial Corridor Flood Zone (MSCC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Sign - Wall or Ground (Single Building Parcel - Single Business Use) | Wall: not higher than lower sill of any 2nd story window or 15' from ground to top, whichever is less. Ground: not higher than 10' from ground to top of sign. | Total: 55 sq ft max for all signs under this section; no single wall sign > 25 sq ft; no ground sign > 30 sq ft. | — | — | Max 3 signs total and not more than 2 types; exception: fuel service station may have up to 3 wall signs and 1 ground sign. | Wall: front or side wall containing main entry. Ground: front yard. | — | §10.2(1),(8),(10),(12); §10.3(c) 'Single Building Parcels - Single Business Use'; Installation Protocol table p.155; §10.4; amendment note 04-14-04. |
| Business Sign - Wall (Single or Multiple Building Parcels - Multiple Business Uses) | Not higher than lower sill of any 2nd story window or 15' from ground to top of sign, whichever is less. | Per wall sign: 25 sq ft max; area = 0.8 × entrance wall length. | — | — | Per business: 1 wall sign on main-entry wall, plus 1 on side wall for corner businesses. | Front or side wall; wall containing main entry to the business use; corner businesses may use side wall. | — | §10.2(1),(8),(10); §10.3(c) 'Single or Multiple Building Parcels - Multiple Business Uses'; Installation Protocol table p.156; §10.4. |
| Business Sign - Ground (Single or Multiple Building Parcels - Multiple Business Uses) | Not higher than 10' from ground to top of sign. | 24 sq ft if up to 3 businesses; 32 sq ft if 4 or more businesses. | — | — | 1 ground sign per property with one or more buildings and/or multiple business uses. | Front yard, or within 25' of a driveway if sign is a tenant directory sign. | — | §10.2(1),(10); §10.3(c) 'Single or Multiple Building Parcels - Multiple Business Uses'; Installation Protocol table p.156; §10.4. |
| Business Canopy Sign - Fuel Service Station Canopy Fascia | — | Total canopy sign area across both signs: ≤ 10% of area of longest side of canopy fascia; no single canopy sign > 20 sq ft. | — | — | Max 2 canopy signs per canopy. | On fascia of fuel service station canopy. | — | §10.3(c) Single Building Parcels - Single Business Use (fuel service station canopy provision); §10.2(1),(10); §10.4. |
| Interior Glass Mounted Sign - Business Uses | — | Per tenant space: max 50 sq ft total window sign area and ≤ 25% of glass area per front window; directly illuminated portion ≤ 8 sq ft; each non-illuminated sign ≤ 12 sq ft. | — | — | No numeric limit; constrained by total area percentages and per-sign size caps. | Mounted on interior side of glass in the front of the building, visible through windows in retail, business service, and restaurant uses. | — | §10.3(a) table item 9; §10.2; §10.4; §10.6(k). |

### Country Residence (CR), Rural Residence (RR), Residence AAA (AAA), Residence AA (AA), Residence A (A), Reserved Land (RL), Planned Area Development (PAD), Village Residential (VR) Zone (VR), Town Center Village District Overlay Zone (TCVD), Adaptive Redevelopment Zone (ARZ), Town Center Mixed Use (TCMU), Town Center Mixed Use Zone (TCMU), Village Commercial (VC) Zone (VC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Customary Home Occupation Identification Sign (Residential Zones) | 6' above grade | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises. | On premises. | — | §10.2(1); §10.3(a) table item 3; §10.4. |
| Residential Name / Dwelling Unit Number Identification Sign | 6' above grade | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises. | On premises. | — | §10.3(a) table item 4; §10.4. |
| Farm Identification Ground Sign | 6' above grade | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises. | On premises. | — | §10.3(c) 'Identification Signs Larger than two sq. ft. in all zones' table item 'Farm'; §10.4. |
| Charitable / Religious / Government / Educational Identification Ground Sign | 6' above grade | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1; up to 2 if site has multiple driveways. | On premises. | — | §10.3(c) 'Identification Signs Larger than two sq. ft. in all zones' table item 'Charitable, religious, government or educational'; §10.4. |
| Residential Development Project / Subdivision / Apartment Entrance Identification Ground Sign | 6' above grade | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises at project/entrance. | — | §10.3(c) 'Identification Signs Larger than two sq. ft. in all zones' table item 'Residential development project (i.e., subdivision or apartment - entrance sign)'; §10.4. |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign - Residential Property FOR SALE/FOR RENT | 6' above grade | 9 sq ft | — | Within 15' of the front property line. | 1 per premises. | On premises, within 15' of the front property line. | — | §10.3(a) table item 1; §10.4. |
| Real Estate Sign - Commercial/Industrial Property FOR SALE/FOR RENT | 7' above grade | 16 sq ft | — | Within 15' of the front property line. | 1 per premises. | On premises, within 15' of the front property line. | — | §10.3(a) table item 2; §10.4. |
| On-site Directional Sign - Commercial/Industrial/Multi-family Attached Housing | 4' above grade | 3 sq ft per sign | — | — | As required. | On premises within commercial, industrial, or multi-family attached housing developments. | — | §10.2(2); §10.3(a) table item 5; §10.6(n); §10.4. |
| Agricultural Seasonal Farm Products Sign | 6' above grade | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises. | On premises. | — | §10.3(a) table item 6; §10.4. |
| Off-site Directional Sign - Agricultural or Other Permitted Business in Residential Zone | 6' above grade | 2 sq ft per sign | — | — | Max 3. | At street intersection and/or premises entrance. | — | §10.3(a) table item 7; §10.6(l),(m); §10.4. |
| Non-profit Special Event Sign (Public/Political/Charitable/Religious) | 6' above grade | 20 sq ft | — | Within 15' of front property line. | 1 per premises. | On premises, within 15' of the front property line. | — | §10.3(a) table item 13; §10.4. |
| Commercial Construction Project Sign (Temporary) | 6' above grade | 20 sq ft | — | Within 15' of front property line. | 1 per project/premises. | On premises, within 15' of the front property line. | — | §10.3(b) table item 1; §10.4. |
| Residential Construction Project Sign (Temporary) | 7' above grade | 20 sq ft | — | Within 15' of front property line. | 1 per project/premises. | On premises, within 15' of the front property line. | — | §10.3(b) table item 2; §10.4. |

## Prohibited signs in Glastonbury

- Flashing signs are not permitted in any zone, except signs indicating time and/or temperature by means of intermittent lighting are permitted in the PBD, PT, PI, TC, Flood, PE and PC Zones.
- No sign shall display intermittent lights resembling flashing lights customarily used in traffic signals or those used by police, fire, ambulance, or other emergency vehicles.
- No sign shall use the word 'stop', 'danger', or any other word, phrase, symbol or character that might be misconstrued to be a public safety warning or official traffic control sign.
- No beam or beacon of light resembling any emergency vehicle or facility may be erected as part of any sign or sign display.
- Illuminated signs must be so shielded as not to cast direct light into or onto any adjoining property or building or into or onto any public right-of-way.
- No streamers or banners or other such sign devices are permitted, except municipally sanctioned seasonal banners installed within road rights-of-way following approval by the Town Plan and Zoning Commission.
- No sign shall be erected within or overhang public rights-of-way, except where the Building Official permits an exception if the sign is installed behind the sidewalk (or area where sidewalks would normally be built) and does not overhang the traveled portion of the right-of-way.
- No sign shall be installed at an intersection so as to interfere with safe sight lines, within a triangle measured 25 feet along the street line outward from the intersection of the street line.
- Signs painted on a building must be repainted when required to be kept in good condition and shall be removed or painted out by order of the Town Building Official if not so maintained.
- No sign shall obstruct any door, fire exit, stairway, or opening intended to provide ingress or egress for any building or structure.
- Signs which may become unsafe or no longer functional must, upon notice from the Building Official, be repaired or removed by the owner or lessee of the property.
- When a use spans more than one zone, signs must conform to the regulations for the zone in which the majority portion of the use is located and must be located in that zone.
- Off‑premises outdoor advertising signs and sky signs are not permitted in any zone.
- Roof‑mounted, moving or portable signs are not permitted in any zone.
- Portable or mobile signs are prohibited, including any sign mounted on wheels, collapsible, or mounted or painted on a vehicle generally in the same location for identification purposes; this includes 'A' frame signs and signs on balloons, kites, or other objects suspended in the air.

## Signs exempt from permit in Glastonbury

- The following signs are allowed without a sign permit, provided they meet the stated size, height, location, and quantity limits: real estate 'For Sale' or 'For Rent' signs for residential properties (non‑illuminated, up to 9 sq. ft., 6 ft high, on premises within 15 ft of the front property line, 1 per property).
- The following signs are allowed without a sign permit, provided they meet the stated size, height, location, and quantity limits: real estate 'For Sale' or 'For Rent' signs for commercial/industrial properties (non‑illuminated, up to 16 sq. ft., 7 ft high, on premises within 15 ft of the front property line, 1 per property).
- The following signs are allowed without a sign permit, provided they meet the stated size, height, location, and quantity limits: identification/customary home occupation signs in residential zones, showing name and profession only (non‑illuminated or indirect illumination, up to 2 sq. ft., 6 ft high, on premises, 1 per property).
- The following signs are allowed without a sign permit, provided they meet the stated size, height, location, and quantity limits: identification signs showing resident name(s) and dwelling unit numbers (non‑illuminated or indirect illumination, up to 2 sq. ft., 6 ft high, on premises, 1 per dwelling).
- The following signs are allowed without a sign permit, provided they meet the stated size, height, location, and quantity limits: on‑site directional signs within commercial, industrial, or multi‑family attached housing developments (non‑illuminated, up to 3 sq. ft., 4 ft high, on premises, as required).
- The following signs are allowed without a sign permit, provided they meet the stated size, height, location, and quantity limits: agricultural seasonal farm‑product signs for products grown and sold on the farm (non‑illuminated, up to 16 sq. ft., 6 ft high, on premises with all multiple products on the same sign face or uniform ladder configuration, 1 per farm).
- The following signs are allowed without a sign permit, provided they meet the stated size, height, location, and quantity limits: off‑site directional signs containing the name of an agricultural or other permitted business in a residential zone (excluding home occupations) (non‑illuminated, up to 2 sq. ft., 6 ft high, at street intersection and/or premises entrance, up to 3 signs).
- The following signs are allowed without a sign permit, provided they meet the stated size, height, location, and quantity limits: off‑site directional signs containing the name of a public, religious, or service organization in any zone (non‑illuminated, up to 2 sq. ft., 6 ft high, at street intersection and/or premises entrance, up to 2 signs).
- The following signs are allowed without a sign permit, provided they meet the stated size and area limits: interior glass‑mounted signs within retail, business service, and restaurant uses (direct illumination or non‑illuminated, not more than 25% of window glass area in the front of the building and not more than 50 sq. ft. per tenant space; no single non‑illuminated sign over 12 sq. ft.; total direct‑illumination sign area not over 8 sq. ft.).
- The following signs are allowed without a sign permit, provided they meet the stated size, spacing, and location limits: 'No trespassing' and private drive signs (non‑illuminated, up to 2 sq. ft., as required, maximum 1 per 200 linear feet of property boundary and 1 per premises).
- The following signs are allowed without a sign permit, provided they meet the stated size and location limits: historical markers erected by a historical organization or government agency (non‑illuminated, up to 8 sq. ft., as required).
- The following signs are allowed without a sign permit, provided they meet the stated size, duration, height, and location limits: residential tag sale signs (non‑illuminated, up to 6 sq. ft., 6 ft high, on premises, up to 2 signs, for a maximum of 48 hours).
- The following signs are allowed without a sign permit, provided they meet the stated size, duration, height, and location limits: non‑profit special event signs for public, political, charitable, or religious events (non‑illuminated, up to 20 sq. ft., 6 ft high, on premises within 15 ft of the front property line, 1 sign, allowed 21 days prior to the event and removed within 7 days following the event).
- The following signs are allowed without a sign permit, provided they meet the stated size, height, and quantity limits: overhanging identification signs (indirect or non‑illuminated, up to 2 sq. ft., 8 ft above grade, as required, 1 per use/property).
- Replacement signage of the same type, shape, illumination, size, height, and location as the sign to be replaced or removed is not considered a new sign and does not require a permit from the Town Plan and Zoning Commission.
- Signs that fall under the 'No Sign Permit Required' category are excluded from the calculation of allowable area for signs that require a permanent sign permit.
- Flags, pennants, or insignia of any nation, state, city, or other political unit, official traffic signs, and notices required by law are not treated as 'signs' under these regulations and therefore are exempt from sign regulation requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- An applicant for a permanent sign permit may request referral to the Town Plan and Zoning Commission for a regulation compliance review; any resulting permanent sign permit will be issued in accordance with the Commission’s action.
- The Town Plan and Zoning Commission, as part of the approval of a Section 12 Special Permit with Design Review, may require modifications to the permitted size, location, height and number of a sign or group of signs for both single‑business and multiple‑business parcels.
- Municipally sanctioned seasonal banners within road rights‑of‑way require approval by the Town Plan and Zoning Commission.
- Any sign located in a designated Historic District must, in addition to complying with Section 10, obtain any necessary approvals from the Historic District Commission.
- Ground signs for properties with multiple business uses require the property owner to submit plans that equitably distribute the available space on any shared ground sign.

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

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