# Sign Regulations in Somers Town, Connecticut

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Somers Town, Connecticut (CT)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/connecticut/somers-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/33233897#33233897)

## At a glance

Somers Town, Connecticut regulates 29 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Detached Signs in the Business/industrial districts zoning district are capped at 15 ft tall and 20 sq ft per sign face, with a 20 feet back of street line setback (Sec. 214-7.1D(2)(f)). Most commercial signs in Somers Town require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential districts | 16 | — | 50 sq ft total; 6 sq ft per sign | — |
| Business/industrial districts | 9 | 15 ft | 24 sq ft per sign | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | 6 sq ft per sign | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Residential districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name and Address Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Back of street line | — | 214-7.1C(1)(a) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 per lot | On the property, back of street line | — | 214-7.1C(1)(b) |
| Home-Based Business Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Back of street line | — | 214-7.1C(2)(a) |
| Farm Name Sign (Wall of Accessory Building) | — | — | — | 30 feet back of street line | 1 per farm | 30 feet back of street line | — | 214-7.1C(2)(b) |
| Construction/Repair Sign | — | 25 sq ft for all such signs | — | 15 feet back of street line | 2 per lot | 15 feet back of street line | — | 214-7.1C(2)(c) |
| Subdivision or Home Sale Sign (Approved Subdivision) | — | 25 sq ft per sign | — | 15 feet back of street line | 2 per subdivision | 15 feet back of street line | — | 214-7.1C(2)(d) |
| Special Event Sign (Civic/Nonprofit, On Premises) | — | 25 sq ft | — | 15 feet back of street line | 1 per lot | 15 feet back of street line | — | 214-7.1C(2)(e) |
| Special Use Permit Sign | — | 15 sq ft | — | 15 feet back of street line | 1 per lot | 15 feet back of street line | — | 214-7.1C(3)(a) |

### Business/industrial districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All signs permitted without permit in Residential districts | — | See Residential districts regulations | — | — | — | — | — | 214-7.1D(1)(a) |
| Window Sign (Above First Floor) | — | 6 sq ft total per window | — | — | 1 per window | Inside of each window serving above first floor business unit | — | 214-7.1D(1)(b) |
| Portable Sign (On Business Property, Non-illuminated) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | Back of street line | — | 214-7.1D(1)(c) |
| Sale/Special Feature Sign (Door/Window/Wall) | — | — | — | — | — | On door, window, or wall | — | 214-7.1D(1)(d) |
| All signs permitted with permit in Residential districts | — | See Residential districts regulations | — | — | — | — | — | 214-7.1D(2)(a) |
| Wall Sign (Exterior, First Floor Business Unit) | — | — | — | — | — | Back of street line | — | 214-7.1D(2)(b) |
| Directory Sign (Common, Near Entrance) | — | 24 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per entrance | Within 10 feet of building entrance | — | 214-7.1D(2)(c) |
| Detached Sign | 15 ft | 20 sq ft per sign face | — | 20 feet back of street line | 1 per lot | 20 feet back of street line | — | 214-7.1D(2)(f) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Tag Sale Off-Premises Directional Sign | — | 4 sq ft per sign | — | — | Up to 6 off-premises | Off-premises at nearest principal street intersection | — | 198-6A, 198-6C, 198-6D, 198-6E |
| Temporary Tag Sale On-Premises Sign | — | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | Up to 2 on-premises | On private premises of sale site | — | 198-6B, 198-6C, 198-6D, 198-6E |
| Street Sign (New Street Intersections) | — | — | — | — | — | Any new street intersection | — | 213-43 |
| Stop Sign and Striping | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 213-44 |

## Prohibited signs in Somers Town

- No sign shall be established, constructed, reconstructed, enlarged, moved or structurally altered except in conformity with these regulations and until a sign permit, if required, has been issued.
- No sign shall be placed more than 24 hours prior to the opening hour of a sale (for tag sales).
- All signs advertising a sale shall be removed within 24 hours after the time limit for such sale (for tag sales).
- Signs may not be placed on utility poles or trees.
- Other signs not specifically listed in Sections 214-7.1C or 214-7.1D are expressly prohibited in respective districts.
- No sign shall be erected within or overhang public rights-of-way except for public safety and municipal informational signs.
- No internally lit signs are permitted (only external illumination sources allowed).
- No exposed neon bulbs or light emitting diodes (LED) shall be visible from the exterior of the building.
- No electronic signs with changeable messages shall be visible or readable from the street.
- No flashing, rotating or intermittent illumination shall be permitted except for signs indicating time/temperature by means of white, intermittent lighting (limited to five feet in longest dimension).
- No sign or any part thereof shall be mechanically rotated or moved except traditional barbershop signs (limited to three feet in longest dimension).
- No floodlights of the magnitude typically used as search lights or airport beacons shall be permitted.
- No sign or sign lighting shall be higher than the surrounding tree line so as to obstruct or interfere with a scenic view from afar.
- Any LED lighting installed shall not produce illumination rated above 3,000° Kelvin (3,000K).
- All signs shall be properly maintained and shall not be allowed to fall into disrepair. Failure to maintain signs is a violation.
- Upon discontinuance of tenancy it is the responsibility of the property owner to remove signs pertaining to a removed use, business or proprietor.
- Signs existing at the time of the adoption of these regulations may not be structurally altered, enlarged, expanded or moved, and no lights may be added except to bring signs into conformance with these regulations.

## Signs exempt from permit in Somers Town

- Any sign erected by the Town, state or federal government or any branch or department thereof relating to traffic safety is exempt and shall adhere to the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
- Directional signs or traffic signs (police approval required if within street line) are exempt from zoning permit requirements under specified restrictions.
- Holiday decorations without commercial advertising are permitted without zoning permit and are exempt from many other regulations.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Unless specifically allowed as provided within Section 214-7.1, no sign shall be established, constructed, reconstructed, enlarged, moved or structurally altered except in conformity with these regulations and until a sign permit, if required by this section, has been issued.
- All signs under these regulations (unless otherwise noted in the section) require the approval of the Zoning Enforcement Officer and must meet all requirements of the Building Code and Zoning Regulations.
- Special signs in connection with special use permits require a special use permit granted by the Zoning Commission.
- Certain signs (as permitted in tables for each district) may be established only with a zoning permit (staff) and/or with a special use permit.
- Off-premises temporary signs announcing special events, and other off-premises signs, may be subject to additional approval or permitting requirements.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Somers Town, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Somers+Town+CT&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-somers-town

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