# Sign Regulations in Guilford, Connecticut

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Guilford, Connecticut (CT)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/connecticut/guilford
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-11
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://cms5.revize.com/revize/guilfordct/Guilford%20ZR%20-%20Updates%20Through%20250523%20BL%20With%20Links%20250516.pdf#page=198)

## At a glance

Guilford, Connecticut regulates 31 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Non-Profit Group Informational / Activity Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 4 feet tall and 9 SF, with a At least 10 feet from a lot line in Residential Districts; May be located within 10 feet of a lot line in Business Districts setback (Sec. 7.2.D.2.a). Most commercial signs in Guilford require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 14 | 10 feet | 16 SF total | — |
| Residential Districts | 5 | — | 12 SF | — |
| Planned Residential Development | 2 | — | 10 SF | — |
| Business Districts (PRB-1, PRB-2, GGB, MR1) | 7 | 20 feet | 48 SF total for all occupants | — |
| Other Business Districts (PRB-3, PRB-4, C, I, MC, SSN, BMU) | 7 | 20 feet | 75 SF total for all occupants or no overall limit with approved sign design plan | — |
| SC District | 5 | 10 feet above average ground level within 10 ft radius | 48 SF | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Non-Profit Group Informational / Activity Signs | 4 feet | 9 SF | — | At least 10 feet from a lot line in Residential Districts; May be located within 10 feet of a lot line in Business Districts | As needed subject to spacing requirements | on its own property or on another property with consent of the owner | — | 7.2.D.2.a |
| Auction Signs & Special Events | — | 6 SF | — | At least 10 feet from a lot line in Residential Districts; May be located within 10 feet of a lot line in Business Districts | Up to two per event | On the property | — | 7.2.D.2.b |
| A-Frame And Sandwich Board Signs | — | 12 SF | — | At least 10 feet from a lot line in Residential Districts; May be located within 10 feet of a lot line in Business Districts | One per 100 feet of lot frontage, not to exceed 4 per property | Ground-mounted; not in the public right of way or a street easement; not obstructing vehicle sight lines or interfering with pedestrian facilities | — | 7.2.D.2.c |
| For Sale Sign | — | 4 SF | — | At least 10 feet from a lot line in Residential Districts; May be located within 10 feet of a lot line in Business Districts | Up to 4 | On the road frontage of the property | — | 7.2.D.3.a |
| Open House Signs | — | 4 SF | — | At least 10 feet from a lot line in Residential Districts; May be located within 10 feet of a lot line in Business Districts | Up to 4 | Relating to a residential property or subdivision | — | 7.2.D.3.b |
| Temporary Subdivision Sign | 10 feet | 10 SF for 3-5 lots or 20 SF for 6+ lots | — | At least 10 feet from a lot line in Residential Districts; May be located within 10 feet of a lot line in Business Districts | One per road entrance | One per road entrance to the subdivision | — | 7.2.D.3.c |
| Directional Or Safety Signs | — | 3 SF | — | At least 10 feet from a lot line in Residential Districts; May be located within 10 feet of a lot line in Business Districts | As reasonably needed | On a property | — | 7.2.D.4.a |
| Directional Signs For Government Or Non-Profit | — | 3 SF | 4 feet in any dimension | At least 10 feet from a lot line in Residential Districts; May be located within 10 feet of a lot line in Business Districts | Up to 4 | Up to 4 signs off the lot | — | 7.2.D.4.c |

### Business Districts (PRB-1, PRB-2, GGB, MR1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 48 SF total for all occupants | — | In accordance with Section 7.2.G; may be within 10 feet of lot line | As allocated for occupants | Attached to building; shall not extend beyond the limits of the wall; no roof location | — | 7.2.F.2.a |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 feet | 48 SF | — | In accordance with Section 7.2.G; may be within 10 feet of lot line | Not specified | Totally on the property it serves | — | 7.2.F.2.b |
| Shopping Center Sign | — | — | — | In accordance with Section 7.2.G | — | — | — | 7.2.F.2.c |
| For Rent Sign | — | 4 SF | — | In accordance with Section 7.2.G; may be within 10 feet of lot line | One per vacant space | Per vacant space | — | 7.2.F.3.a |
| For Sale Sign | — | 16 SF | — | In accordance with Section 7.2.G; may be within 10 feet of lot line | One | On the property | — | 7.2.F.3.b |
| Temporary Signs – Merchandising | — | 12 SF | — | In accordance with Section 7.2.G; may be within 10 feet of lot line | One per lot | On the lot | — | 7.2.F.4.a |
| Banners, Flags, Pennants | — | 16 SF | 8 feet in any dimension | In accordance with Section 7.2.G; may be within 10 feet of lot line | One (or as allowed for government) | On the property | — | 7.2.F.5.a |

### Other Business Districts (PRB-3, PRB-4, C, I, MC, SSN, BMU)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 75 SF total for all occupants or no overall limit with approved sign design plan | — | In accordance with Section 7.2.G; may be within 10 feet of lot line | As allocated for occupants | Attached to building; shall not extend beyond the limits of the wall; no roof location | — | 7.2.F.2.a |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 feet | 48 SF | — | In accordance with Section 7.2.G; may be within 10 feet of lot line | Not specified | Totally on the property it serves | — | 7.2.F.2.b |
| Shopping Center Sign | — | — | — | In accordance with Section 7.2.G | — | — | — | 7.2.F.2.c |
| For Rent Sign | — | 4 SF | — | In accordance with Section 7.2.G; may be within 10 feet of lot line | One per vacant space | Per vacant space | — | 7.2.F.3.a |
| For Sale Sign | — | 16 SF | — | In accordance with Section 7.2.G; may be within 10 feet of lot line | One | On the property | — | 7.2.F.3.b |
| Temporary Signs – Merchandising | — | 12 SF | — | In accordance with Section 7.2.G; may be within 10 feet of lot line | One per lot | On the lot | — | 7.2.F.4.a |
| Banners, Flags, Pennants | — | 16 SF | 8 feet in any dimension | In accordance with Section 7.2.G; may be within 10 feet of lot line | One (or as allowed for government) | On the property | — | 7.2.F.5.a |

## Prohibited signs in Guilford

- Any temporary sign other than as specifically allowed in Section 7.2.
- Any truck, van, wagon, or sound broadcasting vehicle used mainly for advertising or as a substitute for a billboard.
- Any sign which obstructs the view of vehicular traffic.
- Any sign which may in any way be misconstrued as a traffic signal or may distract drivers.
- Any flashing, cycling, intermittent, light-reflecting, revolving, moving, continuous strip lighting or image display (LCD, LED, etc.) signs, except for barber poles (examples include mirrored surfaces, neon lights, banners, and balloons).
- Billboards.
- Advertising signs painted on building walls.
- A-frame/sandwich board signs except as allowed under Section 7.2.D.
- Trailer signs.
- Banners, flags & pennants (except as provided in Section 7.2.F.5 with a temporary sign permit application).
- Time and or temperature display signs.
- Signs shall not be located on any roof.
- Any sign attached to or painted on a building shall not extend beyond the limits of the wall of the building.
- No sign shall project over any sidewalk, driveway, walkway, roadway, or access way, except those signs attached to the wall of a building.
- No sign, other than a directional sign, shall be located within or overhang the right-of-way of any street.
- With the exception of blade signs, no sign may project more than two feet from a building.
- No sign shall be located or maintained so as to be a hazard to traffic or pedestrians or to obstruct any door, window, ventilation system, fire escape or exit or to cause a hazard to the public health or safety.
- Sign lighting, including LED lighting, shall be shielded so that the light source is not visible.

## Signs exempt from permit in Guilford

- Signs identified in this Section as “no sign permit required” or “sign registration with ZEO” are exempt from review by the Design Review Committee.
- Signs within the Town of Guilford Historic District are exempt from Design Review Committee review and shall be approved by the Historic District Commission.
- Non-Profit Group Informational / Activity Signs (up to 9 SF, 4 ft height, not more than 20 consecutive days, 50 ft from similar signs) - No Sign Permit Required.
- Auction Signs & Special Events (up to two 6 SF signs, two times per year, posted 2 days before and removed 1 hour after) - No Sign Permit Required.
- A-Frame And Sandwich Board Signs (one per 100 ft frontage, max 4 per property, 12 SF, not in ROW or obstructing sight/pedestrians) - No Sign Permit Required.
- Real Estate For Sale Signs (up to 4 signs, 4 SF each, on property frontage, removed upon sale) - No Sign Permit Required.
- Open House Signs (up to 4 signs, 4 SF each, 1 day before to 1 hour after, max 2 days/week) - No Sign Permit Required.
- Temporary Subdivision Signs (one per entrance, 10 SF for 3-5 lots or 20 SF for 6+ lots, max 10 ft high) - No Sign Permit Required.
- Directional Or Safety Signs (as needed, up to 3 SF each) - No Sign Permit Required.
- Directional Signs For Government Or Non-Profit (up to 4 off-lot, 3 SF each, 4 ft dimension) - No Sign Permit Required.
- Residential Construction / Renovation Signs (up to 6 SF total, removed 5 days after completion) - No Sign Permit Required.
- Non-Residential Construction / Renovation Signs (up to 16 SF total, removed 5 days after completion) - No Sign Permit Required.
- Historical Plaques (one 2 SF affixed to structure) - No Sign Permit Required.
- Legal Notices (size as required by law or up to 3 SF) - No Sign Permit Required.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- For wall signs in business districts, no overall area limit if a sign design plan prepared by a qualified designer is submitted to and approved by the Commission, with all subsequent signs in accordance with the plan.
- For Planned Residential Developments (PRD), signs require Site Plan Approval.
- For non-conforming uses in residential zones, allowable sign area determined by the Commission via Site Plan Approval.
- For shopping centers in SC District, all exterior signs require a sign design plan submitted as part of the zoning application for review by the Design Review Committee and approval by the Commission to ensure integrated design.
- For existing shopping centers, new signs may be based on a sign design plan prepared by a qualified sign designer, graphic artist, or architect, submitted to and approved by the Commission based on recommendation of the Design Review Committee.
- Sign permit applications require a plan prepared by a sign designer including materials, colors, font styles, dimensions, rendering to scale, height, support method, photos, and lighting details.
- For shopping centers, colors and lighting shall be coordinated and shown on the sign design plan and elevations.

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

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