# Sign Regulations in Southbury, Connecticut

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Southbury, Connecticut (CT)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/connecticut/southbury
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CT/Southbury/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH5FIPRPR_ARTIIIFIZO_S5-34SI)

## At a glance

Southbury, Connecticut regulates 24 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Subdivision/Development Name Signs in the Residential R-20 District (R-20), Residential R-30 District (R-30), Residential R-30A District (R-30A), Residential R-40 District (R-40), Residential R-60 District (R-60), Residential R-80 District (R-80), Residential/Corporate Park R-60C District (R-60C) zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall, 12 sq ft, and 6 ft wide, with a 10 ft from street or property line setback (Sec. Section 10.7.2). Most commercial signs in Southbury require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential R-20 District (R-20), Residential R-30 District (R-30), Residential R-30A District (R-30A), Residential R-40 District (R-40), Residential R-60 District (R-60), Residential R-80 District (R-80), Residential/Corporate Park R-60C District (R-60C) | 8 | 6 ft (on wall) | 24 sq ft | — |
| Business District #1A (B-1A), Business District #1B (B-1B), Business District #2 (B-2), Business District #2A (B-2A), Business District #2B (B-2B), Business District #2C (B-2C), Business District #2D (B-2D), Business District #2E (B-2E), Business District #2F (B-2F), Designed Business District #3 (B-3), Designed Business District #3A (B-3A), Designed Business District #3B (B-3B), Designed Business District #3C (B-3C), Designed Business District #3D (B-3D), Marine Business District #4 (B-4), Industrial M-2 District (M-2), Industrial M-2A District (M-2A), Industrial M-5 District (M-5), Public Utility District (PUD) | 7 | 10 ft | Up to 50% greater than standard allowances (i.e. up to 52.5 sq ft per major sign), per commission-approved plan | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | Up to 25% of window area (of each façade glass storefront) | — |
| Flood Plain District (FP) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Planned Development District (PDD#), Planned Development Unit (PDU#) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Center District - Main Street South (CD-MSS) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Center District - Village Green (CD-VG) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Southford District (SD), Southford Village District (SVD) | 1 | Defined by underlying district and SVD design exhibit (generally up to 10 ft for freestanding, or lower for wall signs) | Varies: typically 48 sq ft for freestanding sign and 35 sq ft for wall sign (see B-1A/B-1B standards applied within SVD, but all subject to Village District design guidelines) | — |
| Aquifer Protection District (AP), Aquifer Protection District #1 (AP-1), Aquifer Protection District #2 (AP-2) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### Residential R-20 District (R-20), Residential R-30 District (R-30), Residential R-30A District (R-30A), Residential R-40 District (R-40), Residential R-60 District (R-60), Residential R-80 District (R-80), Residential/Corporate Park R-60C District (R-60C)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Non-Commercial) | 5 ft | 24 sq ft | 6 ft | — | 1 sign per residence (plus allowed temporary signs as detailed above) | On subject property, not within municipal right of way | — | Section 10.7.1, 10.7.3, 10.8.5, Schedule A Line C-26, Section 3.3, Section 11.5.4, 11.5.5, 10.5, 10.8.4, 10.8.9, 10.8.10 |
| Building Sign (Non-Commercial) | 6 ft (on wall) | 24 sq ft | 6 ft | — | 1 sign per residence | On subject building | — | Section 10.7.1, 11.5.4, 11.5.5 |
| Subdivision/Development Name Sign | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | 6 ft | 10 ft from street or property line | 1 per development | No closer than 10 feet from any street line or property line | — | Section 10.7.2 |
| Temporary Lawn Sign | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | 6 ft | — | Up to 2 per property | On private property; not within public right of way | — | Sections 10.8.5, 10.8.2 |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq ft (for sale); 4 sq ft (open house) | — | — | 1 per for-sale property; additional for open house as allowed | On property for sale; "Open House" may be on/offsite | — | Section 10.8.9 |
| Temporary Construction/Repair Sign | 5 ft | 9 sq ft | 3 ft | — | 1 | On property where work occurs; not in public right of way | — | Section 10.8.10 |
| Personal/Office or Home Enterprise Sign | 5 ft | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On lot or residence | — | Section 10.7.3, 3.3.1d, 3.3.2 |
| Posted Property Marker | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | No specific stated limit | On property | — | Section 10.7.4 |

### Business District #1A (B-1A), Business District #1B (B-1B), Business District #2 (B-2), Business District #2A (B-2A), Business District #2B (B-2B), Business District #2C (B-2C), Business District #2D (B-2D), Business District #2E (B-2E), Business District #2F (B-2F), Designed Business District #3 (B-3), Designed Business District #3A (B-3A), Designed Business District #3B (B-3B), Designed Business District #3C (B-3C), Designed Business District #3D (B-3D), Marine Business District #4 (B-4), Industrial M-2 District (M-2), Industrial M-2A District (M-2A), Industrial M-5 District (M-5), Public Utility District (PUD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 ft | 48 sq ft | 8 ft (in any dimension) | 20 ft from any street/property line unless reduced by Commission to min 5 ft | 1 per lot; additional by approval | On commercial lot, outside setback area; see citation for additional placement rules. | — | Sections 10.6.1, 10.6.2, 10.6.3, 10.6.6, 11.4, 10.6.7, 10.11.1 |
| Wall/Building Sign - Single Business | 8 ft (any dimension); not above first floor ceiling, except for upper floor business | 35 sq ft | 8 ft | — | Up to 3 per business | On wall of building, not above first floor except for business occupying upper floors | — | Sections 10.6.4, 10.6.5, 10.6.6, 11.4, 10.11.1 |
| Wall/Building Sign - Multiple Businesses/Unified Sign Plan | — | Up to 50% greater than standard allowances (i.e. up to 52.5 sq ft per major sign), per commission-approved plan | — | — | As approved | On wall/building as coordinated by plan | — | Section 10.6.5, 10.11.1 |
| Canopy/Awning Sign | — | Same as building sign allowance | — | — | Counts toward building sign total | On canopy or awning | — | Section 10.6.5, 11.4 |
| Temporary Sign | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | 6 ft | — | 1 per business | On property with business | — | Section 10.8.1–10.8.4 |
| Gas Station Price Sign (Digital/Electronic) | — | Incorporated into freestanding sign or per plan | — | — | — | At gas station | — | Section 10.4.1(1), Section 10.6.6 |
| Directional/Informational Sign (On Lot) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | As justified by site plan | Ground sign; on lot for direction/identification to offices, stores, services, etc. | — | Section 7.2.15b |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Lawn Sign (Agricultural Sales) - Exempt | — | 12 sq ft (on-site); 4 sq ft (off-site directional) | — | — | One on-site, up to three off-site | At stand/market site (on-site sign); off-site directional signs permitted when products available | — | Section 10.5(4) |
| Window Signs (exempt) | — | Up to 25% of window area (of each façade glass storefront) | — | — | — | Interior of window, within one foot of glass | — | Section 10.5(5) |
| Historical, Memorial, Building Markers, Plaques (exempt) | — | Not specified | — | — | — | Building or property | — | Section 10.5(3) |

## Prohibited signs in Southbury

- Dynamic signs, moving signs and flashing signs are prohibited in all districts, except for athletic scoreboards, gas station price displays, ATMs, and digital time and temperature displays.
- Sky signs are prohibited in all districts.
- Exposed light sources of any technology are prohibited, except for gas station price signs, sport scoreboards, and signs whose lighting complies with Section 11.
- Signs with letters taller than fifteen (15) inches, or insignia, logos, icons or pictures larger than four (4) square feet, are prohibited in all districts. Home occupation signs in residential districts cannot have letters taller than five (5) inches.
- Any sign capable of being read or viewed primarily from Interstate 84 is prohibited.
- Billboards are prohibited in all districts.
- Signs attached to trees (except as specified for home enterprises), fences, utility poles or traffic signs are prohibited, except for certain specified exceptions (e.g., small shopping cart signs, fencing around municipal sports facilities approved by the Planning Commission).
- Roof signs are prohibited in all districts.
- Vehicular signs or signs on wheels are prohibited when repeatedly parked or displayed in a manner that is visible to the public and not used for customary transportation purposes.
- Banner signs over or across public roadways are prohibited except for temporary banners explicitly authorized by the Board of Selectmen.
- Sign attachments are prohibited except small decorative attachments.
- Motif signs are prohibited in all districts.
- Signs located on town or state property are prohibited except as authorized.
- Pedestrian signs are prohibited in all districts.

## Signs exempt from permit in Southbury

- Flags bearing the insignia, logo, or icon of any governmental unit, nonprofit IRS 501(c)(3) organization, or qualifying charitable organization are exempt as long as the flag does not exceed sixty (60) square feet and no more than three (3) flags are displayed per lot.
- Interior signs contained solely within a building and not legible from more than fifty (50) feet from the outside are exempt.
- Historical signs, memorial plaques or monuments, building markers, historical plaques, and similar items displayed for noncommercial purposes are exempt.
- Signs associated with agricultural sales including farm markets: One non-illuminated sign not exceeding twelve (12) square feet at the stand or market site, and up to three (3) off-site directional signs no larger than four (4) square feet each, utilized only when products are available for sale are exempt.
- Window signs not exceeding twenty-five (25) percent of each façade glass storefront elevation are exempt.
- All temporary signs, except as specified in Section 10.8, are exempt.
- Barber poles and clocks with no markings other than numeric and manufacturer (clock maker) are exempt.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs shall be established in accordance with the requirements of Section 10 of these Regulations.
- Permanent signs in commercial and residential districts require approval as part of a site development plan issued by the appropriate agency, and a subsequent zoning permit issued by the zoning official (Sections 10.6 and 10.7).
- Freestanding, building, canopy, or awning sign areas in commercial districts may allow additional sign areas per business if the property owner submits a unified sign plan, which will be binding on all occupants of the lot and which creates a uniform pattern of signs (Section 10.6.5).
- In all cases, proposed signs for sites and buildings shall be submitted in connection with and at the time of any application for special exception or approval of a site development plan, and any modification to approved signs, other than message (content), shall require a new application (Section 10.11.1).
- No sign shall be installed, constructed, enlarged, extended, moved or structurally altered except in compliance with the sign permit provisions, unless otherwise exempted (Section 10.2, 10.5).
- The Planning Commission or Zoning Board of Appeals, as part of a site development plan, or the Zoning Commission as a Planned Development District, may approve larger supporting structures or architectural features for sign installations if such plan conforms to the requirements of Section 7.2.1 (Section 10.10.1).

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

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