# Sign Regulations in Tolland, Connecticut

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Tolland, Connecticut (CT)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/connecticut/tolland
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-18
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.tollandct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif11831/f/uploads/2025-10-29_-_zoning_regulations_0.pdf#page=182)

## At a glance

Tolland, Connecticut regulates 30 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Second Sign for Two Public Streets)s in the Commercial or Industrial Zones; Neighborhood Commercial Zone (NCZ); Commercial / Industrial Zone (CIZ); Gateway Design District (GDD); Tolland Business Park (TBP); Tolland Commercial Zone (TCZ) zoning district are capped at 10 ft (freestanding) tall and 32 sq. ft., with a 10 ft front; 10 ft side/rear setback (Sec. Section 19-2.D.2 (Detached Signs, Second Freestanding sign)). Most commercial signs in Tolland require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 2.5 ft | 32 sq. ft. (2.5’ x 12’) | — |
| Residential Design District (RDD); Village Center Zone (VCZ) | 5 | 8 ft (freestanding); 4 ft (low profile) | 16 sq. ft. | — |
| Commercial or Industrial Zones; Neighborhood Commercial Zone (NCZ); Commercial / Industrial Zone (CIZ); Gateway Design District (GDD); Tolland Business Park (TBP); Tolland Commercial Zone (TCZ) | 15 | 10 ft (freestanding) | 48 sq. ft. | — |
| Community Commercial Zone (CCZ) | 15 | 8 ft (freestanding) per CCZ; 10 ft for other listed zones | 48 sq. ft. | — |
| Tolland Village Area (TVA) | 2 | 8 ft (freestanding) | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Roadside Sign (Temporary - Commercial Use) | — | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business | On the same premise as the business; visible from public right-of-way but not obstructing visibility. | — | Section 19-2.F (Temporary Signs, Roadside Sign) |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Temporary - Business Hours) | — | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business | No farther than 10 feet from the primary entry door; placement must not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular access. | — | Section 19-2.F (Temporary Signs, Sandwich-board style sign) |
| Banner (Temporary - Commercial Use) | 2.5 ft | 32 sq. ft. (2.5’ x 12’) | — | — | 1 | On the ground or attached to a building/structure. | — | Section 19-2.F (Temporary Signs, Banner) |
| Seasonal Sign (Temporary - Any Property Use) | — | Total sign area not to exceed 16 sq. ft. | — | — | None (no specific numeric cap; constrained by total area) | On premises of seasonal or temporary use. | — | Section 19-2.F (Temporary Signs, Seasonal Sign) |
| Project Sign (Temporary - Residential Use) | — | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | On the subject property. | — | Section 19-2.F (Temporary Signs, Project Sign) |
| Project Sign (Temporary - Commercial Use) | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | On the subject property. | — | Section 19-2.F (Temporary Signs, Project Sign) |
| Yard Sign (Temporary - Any Property Use) | — | 6 sq. ft. each | — | — | None (no numeric cap) | Affixed to or located on the ground, or any other structure or natural element, visible from a public right of way or adjacent property. | — | Section 19-2.F (Temporary Signs, Yard Sign) |
| Development Sign (Temporary) | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On the subject property; at street frontage(s). | — | Section 19-2.F (Temporary Signs, Development Sign) |

### Commercial or Industrial Zones; Neighborhood Commercial Zone (NCZ); Commercial / Industrial Zone (CIZ); Gateway Design District (GDD); Tolland Business Park (TBP); Tolland Commercial Zone (TCZ)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Overhanging Sign - Option 2 (In Lieu of Wall Sign) | — | — | — | No overhang into the traveled portion of the public right-of-way unless Commission permits exception behind sidewalk (Section 19-2.H.3). | 1 per each ground floor business with direct outside access | Overhanging from building façade. | — | Section 19-2.D.1 (Attached Signs, Primary Attached); Section 19-2.H.2 |
| Roof Sign - Option 4 (Flat Roof - In Lieu of Wall Sign) | Not more than 4 ft above the roof of the building | — | — | — | In lieu of wall sign; 1 per business implied | On buildings with flat roofs. | — | Section 19-2.D.1 (Attached Signs, Roof Signs - flat roof row) |
| Roof Sign - Option 5 (Pitched Roof - In Lieu of Primary Attached) | Not to exceed the height of the building | — | — | — | 1 per business | On buildings with pitched roofs. | — | Section 19-2 (Roof Signs table following D.1) |
| Secondary Wall Sign (< 12 sq. ft.) | — | 12 sq. ft. total | — | — | 1 per common entrance | At common entrance(s). | — | Section 19-2 (Secondary Wall Signs table) |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 ft (freestanding) | — | — | 10 ft front; 10 ft side/rear | 1 per parcel | On parcel; typically near entrance/frontage. | — | Section 19-2.D.2 (Detached Signs, Freestanding); Section 19-2.G (Location and Height); Section 19-2.H.1 |
| Freestanding Sign (Second Sign for Two Public Streets) | 10 ft (freestanding) | 32 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft front; 10 ft side/rear | 1 (additional second sign) | Lots with frontage on and access from two public streets. | — | Section 19-2.D.2 (Detached Signs, Second Freestanding sign) |
| Freestanding Low Profile Sign (In Lieu of Freestanding Sign) | Less than 4 ft above surrounding grade | 48 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft front; 10 ft side/rear | 1 | Low-profile installation, including those designed as a stone wall, retaining wall, or other landscape feature. | — | Section 19-2.D.2 (Detached Signs, Freestanding Low Profile); Section 19-2.G; Section 19-2.H.1 |
| Directional Device (On-premise directional sign) | — | 8 sq. ft. per sign face; 1 sq. ft. per business | — | Minimum 100 ft from a public street unless oriented away from traffic. | As approved by Staff | On-premises; internal circulation areas. | — | Section 19-2.D.3 (Other Signs, Directional Device) |

### Community Commercial Zone (CCZ)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Overhanging Sign - Option 2 (In Lieu of Wall Sign) | — | — | — | No overhang into traveled portion of ROW unless Commission permits behind sidewalk (Section 19-2.H.3). | 1 per each ground floor business with direct outside access | Overhanging from building façade. | — | Section 19-2.D.1; Section 19-2.H.2 |
| Roof Sign - Option 4 (Flat Roof - In Lieu of Wall Sign) | Not more than 4 ft above roof | — | — | — | In lieu of wall sign; 1 per business implied | On buildings with flat roofs. | — | Section 19-2.D.1 (Roof Signs - flat roof) |
| Roof Sign - Option 5 (Pitched Roof - In Lieu of Primary Attached) | Not to exceed building height | — | — | — | 1 per business | On buildings with pitched roofs. | — | Section 19-2 (Roof Signs table following D.1) |
| Secondary Wall Sign (< 12 sq. ft.) | — | 12 sq. ft. total | — | — | 1 per common entrance | At common entrance(s). | — | Section 19-2 (Secondary Wall Signs table) |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft (freestanding) per CCZ; 10 ft for other listed zones | — | — | 10 ft front; 10 ft side/rear | 1 per parcel | On parcel; near frontage. | — | Section 19-2.D.2; Section 19-2.G; Section 19-2.H.1 |
| Freestanding Sign (Second Sign for Two Public Streets) | 8 ft (CCZ); 10 ft (other listed zones) | 32 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft front; 10 ft side/rear | 1 (additional second sign) | Lots with frontage on and access from two public streets. | — | Section 19-2.D.2; Section 19-2.G |
| Freestanding Low Profile Sign (In Lieu of Freestanding Sign) | 4 ft (low profile) | 48 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft front; 10 ft side/rear | 1 | Low-profile installation; may be integrated into stone/retaining wall or landscape feature. | — | Section 19-2.D.2; Section 19-2.G; Section 19-2.H.1 |
| Directional Device (On-premise directional sign) | — | 8 sq. ft. per sign face; 1 sq. ft. per business | — | Minimum 100 ft from public street unless oriented away. | As approved by Staff | On-premises; internal circulation areas. | — | Section 19-2.D.3 |

## Prohibited signs in Tolland

- No sign may be established, constructed, reconstructed, enlarged, extended, moved or structurally altered except in conformity with these regulations and until a required sign permit (if applicable) has been issued.
- Signs placed in the street right-of-way without a permit or approval by the town or state are prohibited.
- Signs on utility poles or street trees are prohibited; attaching to a utility pole is illegal per General Statutes Section 23-65.
- Attention-getting devices (including inflatable 'dancer' signs, search lights, flashing lights, or similar devices visible from a public street) are prohibited.
- Signs that imitate the size, color, lettering or design of any traffic sign or signal and may confuse or mislead pedestrian or vehicular traffic are prohibited.
- Electronic messaging signs are prohibited.
- Flashing, rotating or moving signs, including glittery or fluorescent finishes or finishes that imply movement, are prohibited.
- Any attached or mounted sign which projects more than 16 inches from a building is prohibited.
- Any sign not expressly permitted by these regulations is prohibited.
- No sign may be erected within or overhang a public right-of-way; an exception may be permitted by the Commission only if the sign is installed behind the sidewalk (or where sidewalks would normally be) and does not overhang the traveled portion of the right-of-way.
- No sign may be installed so as to interfere with safe sight lines at a street intersection.
- Overhanging signs may not project more than 4 feet, measured at right angles to the building to which the sign is attached.
- Indirect lighting: fixtures must be aimed and shielded so light is directed only onto the sign face; the light source (bulb) shall not be directly visible from adjacent streets, roads or properties; ground-mounted fixtures shall be screened; sign-mounted fixtures shall blend appropriately; average illumination on the sign face shall not exceed 3 foot-candles with a uniformity ratio not exceeding 2:1; the ZEO may require adjustment or relocation to prevent glare; no lighting shall interfere with motorist or pedestrian safety and any hazardous lighting shall be removed.
- Channel lighting: average illumination on the translucent surface of letters shall not exceed 3 foot-candles and the uniformity ratio shall not exceed 2:1.
- Halo lighting: average illumination on the vertical surface behind letters shall not exceed 3 foot-candles and the uniformity ratio shall not exceed 2:1.
- Internal lighting: average illumination on the vertical surface of the sign shall not exceed 3 foot-candles and the uniformity ratio shall not exceed 2:1; significant changes in location, size or structure of existing internally illuminated signs require compliance with current regulations.
- No balloons, streamers, pennants, banners or other devices may be attached to a sign in a manner that could distract drivers or pedestrians.

## Signs exempt from permit in Tolland

- On-premise traffic control devices necessary for direction, convenience of the public, and control of traffic and parking, and in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD): no permit required; maximum area 2 sq. ft.; no lighting.
- Non-illuminated window signs: no permit required; up to 25% of window area.
- Illuminated window signs: no permit required; 1 sign allowed up to 4 sq. ft.
- Yard signs visible from a public right-of-way or adjacent property: no permit required; any property use; no maximum number; maximum 6 sq. ft. each; displayed for a period not to exceed 60 days.
- Seasonal or temporary portable sign (sandwich board or lawn style) for seasonal or temporary uses: no permit required; any property use; total sign area not to exceed 16 sq. ft.; may be displayed only during operation of the use (not year-round).
- Project signs located on a property actively offered for sale or lease or during active construction/repair/improvement: no permit required; 1 sign; up to 8 sq. ft. (residential) or 32 sq. ft. (commercial); must be removed within 30 days following project completion.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Where more than one business tenant occupies a commercial site, a comprehensive sign plan showing consistent scale, materials and style may be required by the Commission as part of a Site Plan or Special Permit application.
- A second freestanding sign on a lot requires a Special Permit; the Commission applies the Special Permit criteria for signs (Section 19-2(M)).
- The Commission may approve, with or without a public hearing, a single sign that exceeds the area limit by up to 25% if specified submittals are provided and criteria are met (Section 19-2(N)).

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

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