# Sign Regulations in Stratford, Connecticut

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Stratford, Connecticut (CT)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/connecticut/stratford
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-05
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/46409641#46409641)

## At a glance

Stratford, Connecticut regulates 41 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding/Monument Sign - Option 1 (≤4 ft height)s in the Limited Business (Civic Center) (LB); Limited Business B (LBB); Retail Commercial Neighborhood (CNC); Retail Commercial F (CF); Waterfront Business District (WF) zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall and 20 sq ft, with a Front yard setback of all freestanding signs = 1/2 the setback requirement of the district setback (Sec. §6.11.8 (Freestanding/Monument Sign table)). Most commercial signs in Stratford 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 | 25 | 40 inches | ≤32 sq ft each (for fence/scoreboard signs) | — |
| Single-Family Residence (RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, RS-4); Two and Three Family Residence (RM-1) | 3 | — | 16 sq ft | — |
| Resource Conservation District (RC) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Limited Business (Civic Center) (LB); Limited Business B (LBB); Retail Commercial Neighborhood (CNC); Retail Commercial F (CF); Waterfront Business District (WF) | 6 | 4 ft | Less than 50% of the total window display area | — |
| Office Park District (OP) | 3 | 5 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Retail Commercial A (CA); CC; Light Industrial (MA); General Industrial (MB); Coastal Industrial (MC) | 8 | ≤10 ft | Varies by street frontage: 50 ft frontage → 12 sq ft; 100 ft → 32 sq ft; 200 ft → 44 sq ft; 300 ft → 56 sq ft | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Construction Sign (Residential) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | On the premises of a building being constructed, repaired, altered or demolished | — | §6.11.4(1) |
| Temporary Construction Sign (Commercial) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | On the premises of a building being constructed, repaired, altered or demolished | — | §6.11.4(1) |
| Construction Sign (Exempt) - Option 1 (Standard) | — | 5 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On the property while construction is in progress | — | §6.11.5(15) |
| Construction Sign (Exempt) - Option 2 (Large Projects ≥10,000 sq ft GFA) | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On the property while construction is in progress | — | §6.11.5(15) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Residential) - Option 1 | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | On the property being advertised | — | §6.11.4(2) |
| Freestanding Portable Sign (Sandwich Board) | 40 inches | Max per side: 24 in x 40 in; maximum of two sides | 24 inches | — | 1 per tenant | Directly in front of the business on the same property | — | §6.11.4(7)a–f |
| Organization Sign (Fraternal/Civic/Religious/Service Clubs) | — | Up to 9 sq ft or 3 ft diameter | — | — | Max 12 signs per designated location (temporary events) | Town of Stratford (general), and designated Town properties for temporary events | — | §6.11.5(1)a–e |
| Subdivision Entrance Identification Sign | — | ≤20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per public entrance | At each public entrance to a subdivision | — | §6.11.5(14) |

### Limited Business (Civic Center) (LB); Limited Business B (LBB); Retail Commercial Neighborhood (CNC); Retail Commercial F (CF); Waterfront Business District (WF)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Front Fascia) | — | — | — | — | 2 per building face per tenant | On the front fascia of the building | — | §6.11.8 (Wall Sign table); §6.11.11(8) |
| Wall Sign (Side Fascia) | — | — | — | — | — | On the side fascia of the building | — | §6.11.8 (Wall Sign table) |
| Freestanding/Monument Sign - Option 1 (≤4 ft height) | 4 ft | 20 sq ft | — | Front yard setback of all freestanding signs = 1/2 the setback requirement of the district | 1 | Front yard | — | §6.11.8 (Freestanding/Monument Sign table) |
| Freestanding/Monument Sign - Option 2 (4–8 ft height) | Greater than 4 ft and less than 8 ft | 16 sq ft | — | Front yard setback of all freestanding signs = 1/2 the setback requirement of the district | 1 | Front yard | — | §6.11.8 (Freestanding/Monument Sign table) |
| Directional Sign (Traffic Flow) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On-site | — | §6.11.8 (Directional Sign table); §6.11.5(13) |
| Window Sign | — | Less than 50% of the total window display area | — | — | — | In or on windows | — | §6.11.8 (Window Sign table); §6.11.12(1) |

### Retail Commercial A (CA); CC; Light Industrial (MA); General Industrial (MB); Coastal Industrial (MC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Front Fascia) | — | — | — | — | 2 per building face per tenant | On the front fascia of the building | — | §6.11.10 (Wall Signs table); §6.11.11(8) |
| Wall Sign (Side Fascia) | — | — | — | — | — | On the side fascia of the building | — | §6.11.10 (Wall Signs table); §6.11.11(8) |
| Wall Sign (Rear Fascia - Facing/Visible from I-95) | — | — | — | — | — | Rear fascia (visible from I-95) | — | §6.11.10 (Wall Signs table) |
| Freestanding/Monument Sign (≤5 ft height) | ≤5 ft | Varies by street frontage: 50 ft frontage → 12 sq ft; 100 ft → 32 sq ft; 200 ft → 44 sq ft; 300 ft → 56 sq ft | — | Front yard setback for freestanding signs = 1/2 the setback requirement of the district | 1 (plus 1 additional if ≥1,000 ft continuous frontage on one street) | Front yard | — | §6.11.10 (Freestanding/Monument Signs; Sign Height/Area by Street Frontage table); §6.11.11(8) |
| Freestanding/Monument Sign (Height >5 ft up to 10 ft) | 5–10 ft | Varies by street frontage: 50 ft frontage → 9 sq ft; 100 ft → 24 sq ft; 200 ft → 36 sq ft; 300 ft → 44 sq ft | — | Front yard setback for freestanding signs = 1/2 the setback requirement of the district | 1 (plus 1 additional if ≥1,000 ft continuous frontage on one street) | Front yard | — | §6.11.10 (Freestanding/Monument Signs; Sign Height/Area by Street Frontage table); §6.11.11(8) |
| Freestanding/Monument Sign (Gas Stations) | ≤10 ft | ≤40 sq ft | — | Front yard setback for freestanding signs = 1/2 the setback requirement of the district | 1 (plus 1 additional if ≥1,000 ft continuous frontage on one street and compliant) | Front yard | — | §6.11.10 (Freestanding/Monument Signs: Gas stations) |
| Directional Sign (Traffic Flow) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | — | On-site | — | §6.11.10 (Directional Sign table); §6.11.5(13) |
| Commercial Sign - Preexisting (Relocation/Rebuild on same property) | — | Display area must be same dimension as preexisting sign | — | — | — | Same property (relocated to another location on the property) | — | §6.11.10 (Preexisting commercial sign relocation/rebuild clause) |

## Prohibited signs in Stratford

- Signs that obstruct clear vision within 20 feet of any street intersection or are positioned so a traffic control device is in a direct line between the sign and oncoming traffic (A220-6.11.3.1)
- Signs that extend beyond building corners or roof lines, or that cover any window, doorway, or architectural feature; wall signs projecting more than 12 inches from the mounting wall (A220-6.11.3.2)
- Flashing, revolving, or animated signs of intermittent or varying light intensity, including such signs located inside a building but visible outside (A220-6.11.3.3)
- Signs that cause radio or television interference (A220-6.11.3.4)
- Signs that obstruct any fire escape, window, door, or opening used for egress/ingress or firefighting, or that interfere with required ventilation (A220-6.11.3.5)
- Signs that project over any sidewalk, except canopy signs (A220-6.11.3.6)
- Signs consisting of banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs or flags, spinners, or other similarly moving devices, or signs that may move or swing because of wind pressure and unduly divert motorists’ attention; these devices are also prohibited when not part of a sign (A220-6.11.3.7)
- Portable signs, except as specifically allowed for temporary signs in Section 6.11.4 (A220-6.11.3.8)
- Signs whose size, location, movement, coloring, or illumination may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device, or that hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal (A220-6.11.3.12)

## Signs exempt from permit in Stratford

- Government signs: this section does not apply to signs erected, maintained, posted, owned, or leased by the United States Government, the State of Connecticut, or the Town of Stratford (A220-6.11.1)
- Window signs are exempt from permit requirements (A220-6.11.12.1)
- Signs advertising the sale, rental, or lease of property (on-site) within stated size limits; must be removed within 7 days after closing or lease signing; exempt from permit requirements (A220-6.11.4.2)
- Political organization signs (max 8 square feet, on private land, not in public right-of-way) are exempt from permit requirements (A220-6.11.4.4a)
- Signs erected by fraternal, civic, religious, or service organizations or clubs announcing presence and meeting details within stated size limits are exempt from permits (A220-6.11.5.1)
- Flags, badges, insignia, or devices of governmental agencies or civic/charitable/religious/patriotic/fraternal nonprofit organizations when on their premises, along a parade route, or in street sockets during a fundraising drive (A220-6.11.5.2)
- Signs required by federal, state, or municipal law or regulation (including owner-posted hazard/no-access notices); if dimensions are not specified by law, max 2 square feet and placed to provide access to the notice (A220-6.11.5.3 and A220-6.11.5.6)
- Community wayfinding/navigational signs erected by the Town of Stratford (A220-6.11.5.4)
- Traffic control devices on private or public property complying with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (A220-6.11.5.5)
- Official notices/advertisements posted by or under jurisdiction of public or court officers in performance of duties; must be removed within 10 days after purpose accomplished (A220-6.11.5.7)
- Ballpark and athletic field signs facing inward (scoreboards and fence/scoreboard signs up to 32 square feet each) (A220-6.11.5.8)
- Agricultural signs accessory to uses protected under CGS §19a-341 (A220-6.11.5.10)
- Names on private residences not used for business purposes (A220-6.11.5.11)
- Customary signs on gasoline pumps indicating fuel name/type and price (A220-6.11.5.12)
- Directional signs limited to directing traffic or providing direction (e.g., arrows, entrance/exit) not exceeding 4 square feet (A220-6.11.5.13)
- One unlighted identification sign at each public entrance to a subdivision, not exceeding 20 square feet (A220-6.11.5.14)
- One unlighted construction sign while construction is in progress (size limits apply; remove within 14 days after completion) (A220-6.11.5.15)
- On-site sale or rent signs within size limits (6 square feet in residential districts; 20 square feet in business/industrial districts); remove upon sale or rental (A220-6.11.5.16)
- Signs designating historical places or points of interest erected by governmental authority or a chartered historical commission (max 6 square feet) (A220-6.11.5.17)

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan requirement is stated in Section 6.11.
- A sign permit from the Building Inspector, following a zoning compliance report, is required before displaying any outdoor advertising or commercial sign; window signs are exempt (A220-6.11.12.1).
- Temporary non-commercial signs on public property or in the public right-of-way require Town Council approval (A220-6.11.4.5).
- Signs in Residential Districts on Main Street require special permit approval per Sections 7.3.2F and 7.3.4 (A220-6.11.6).
- Relocation/rebuild/replacement of certain preexisting commercial signs in CA, CC, MA, MB, and MC districts requires special permit approval (A220-6.11.10).
- All signs in the Resource Conservation District require administrative approval of the Zoning Commission (A220-6.11.7).
- Applications for sign permits must include a scale drawing and detailed information to determine safety and conformity (A220-6.11.12.2).
- Special permit applications under this section are reviewed against specified criteria (visual impacts, neighborhood detriment, district appearance, traffic safety; each sign considered on its own merits; nonconformities must be corrected) (A220-6.11.12.3).

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

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