# Sign Regulations in Torrington, Connecticut

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Torrington, Connecticut (CT)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/connecticut/torrington
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-05
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.torringtonct.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif12226/f/uploads/full_zoning_regulations_updated_to_7-23-25_0.pdf#page=95)

## At a glance

Torrington, Connecticut regulates 24 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Free-standing Signs in the Downtown District (DD) zoning district are capped at 17 feet tall and 125 square feet, with a 10 feet from side/rear property line setback (Sec. 5.15.2 Free Standing Sign; 5.15.4 I e; 5.15.5 Table 1). Most commercial signs in Torrington require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | — | 32 square feet (free-standing) | — |
| Downtown District (DD) | 15 | 17 feet | 125 square feet | — |
| Local Business (LB) | 16 | 17 feet | 125 square feet | — |
| Industrial (I) | 12 | 8 feet | 35 square feet | — |
| Industrial Park (IP) | 8 | 8 feet | 35 square feet | — |
| Restricted Commercial & Industrial (CIR) | 11 | 17 feet | 125 square feet | — |
| Residential Districts (R-WP, R-60, R-40, R-25, R-15, R-15s, R-10, R-10s, R-6, RRC) | 10 | 12 feet | 32 square feet (free-standing) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### Downtown District (DD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Banner | — | — | — | — | — | Mounted to building or structure | — | 5.15.2 Banner; 5.15.4; 5.15.5 Table 1 |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On awning/canopy | — | 5.15.2 Canopy Sign; 5.15.5 Table 1 |
| Free-standing Sign | 17 feet | 125 square feet | — | 10 feet from side/rear property line | 1 per street frontage (2 by special exception) | Not attached to building; permanent (ground, pylon, monument) | — | 5.15.2 Free Standing Sign; 5.15.4 I e; 5.15.5 Table 1 |
| Home Occupation Sign | 5 feet | 10.5 square feet | — | 10 feet from property boundaries | 1 | Free-standing on property | — | 5.15.2 Home Occupation Sign; 5.15.4 I h; 5.15.5 Table 1 |
| Incidental Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On property for convenience/safety | — | 5.15.2 Incidental Sign; 5.15.5 Table 1 |
| Lamp Post Banner | — | — | — | — | — | On lamp post | — | 5.15.2 Lamp Post Banner; 5.15.5 Table 1 |
| Portable Sign | 3 feet | 10.5 square feet | — | Within front yard setback if applicable | 1 per business | Sidewalk (year-round if no front yard) or front yard (temporary) with 2x2 concrete pad; not in public ROW except sidewalk | — | 5.15.2 Portable Sign; 5.15.5 Table 1 |
| Projecting Sign | Not above building height | — | 6 feet | — | — | Attached to building | — | 5.15.2 Projecting Sign; 5.15.5 Table 1 |

### Local Business (LB)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Banner | — | — | — | — | — | Mounted to building or structure | — | 5.15.2 Banner; 5.15.4; 5.15.5 Table 1 |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On awning/canopy | — | 5.15.2 Canopy Sign; 5.15.5 Table 1 |
| EV Charging/Display Kiosk | 7.5 feet | 21.5 square feet | — | — | 2 per business | Within 100 ft of front facade; in parking lot of single retail store >=57,000 sq ft footprint | — | 5.15.2 EV Charging/Display Kiosk; 5.15.5 Table 1 |
| Free-standing Sign | 17 feet | 125 square feet | — | 10 feet from side/rear property line | 1 per street frontage (2 by special exception) | Not attached to building; permanent (ground, pylon, monument) | — | 5.15.2 Free Standing Sign; 5.15.4 I e; 5.15.5 Table 1 |
| Home Occupation Sign | 5 feet | 10.5 square feet | — | 10 feet from property boundaries | 1 | Free-standing on property | — | 5.15.2 Home Occupation Sign; 5.15.4 I h; 5.15.5 Table 1 |
| Incidental Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On property for convenience/safety | — | 5.15.2 Incidental Sign; 5.15.5 Table 1 |
| Portable Sign | 3 feet | 10.5 square feet | — | Within front yard setback if applicable | 1 per business | Sidewalk (year-round if no front yard) or front yard (temporary) with 2x2 concrete pad; not in public ROW except sidewalk | — | 5.15.2 Portable Sign; 5.15.5 Table 1 |
| Projecting Sign | Not above building height | — | 6 feet | — | — | Attached to building | — | 5.15.2 Projecting Sign; 5.15.5 Table 1 |

### Residential Districts (R-WP, R-60, R-40, R-25, R-15, R-15s, R-10, R-10s, R-6, RRC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On lot during active construction | — | 5.15.2 Construction Sign; 5.15.5 Table 1 |
| Farm Directional Sign | — | 4 square feet | — | — | One at each required turn intersection | Off-premises at street intersections for turns to farm; furthest sign <=4.5 miles from farm | — | 5.15.2 Farm Directional Sign; 5.15.5 Table 1 |
| Free-standing Sign | 5 feet | 20 square feet | — | 10 feet from side/rear property line | 1 per street frontage (2 by special exception) | Not attached to building; permanent (ground, pylon, monument) | — | 5.15.2 Free Standing Sign; 5.15.4 I g; 5.15.5 Table 1 |
| Governmental Sign | — | 32 square feet (free-standing) | — | — | — | On City property | — | 5.15.2 Governmental Sign; 5.15.5 Table 1 |
| Home Occupation Sign | 5 feet | 10.5 square feet | — | 10 feet from property boundaries | 1 | Free-standing on property | — | 5.15.2 Home Occupation Sign; 5.15.4 I h; 5.15.5 Table 1 |
| Mobile Home/RV Park Sign | 12 feet | 32 square feet | — | 10 feet from side/rear property line | Per general free-standing rules | For mobile home/RV parks | — | 5.15.4 I i; 5.15.5 Table 1 |
| Residential Development Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Identifying entrance to subdivision or multi-family development | — | 5.15.2 Residential Development Sign; 5.15.5 Table 1 |
| Residential Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On 1-3 family residential property | — | 5.15.2 Residential Sign; 5.15.5 Table 1 |

## Prohibited signs in Torrington

- Signs that revolve, move or appear to move are prohibited.
- No sign may be located so that it interferes with the view necessary for the safe movement of pedestrians and/or motor vehicles.
- Beacons, pennants, feather or sail flags, streamers, propellers, inflatable signs or marketing items, balloons, or other marketing devices not listed that are meant to catch someone’s attention are not permitted.
- No sign shall be directly painted on the exterior surface of any wall. A sign differs from a mural or artwork based on the images content and any direct and obvious relationship with the use(s) within the building or structure on which the mural is painted.
- Signs that extend out over a road or highway are prohibited.
- Gas pump and gas pump island signs are strictly prohibited. The only permissible signs for gas pump areas are those necessary for sale of gasoline.
- No new billboards are permitted.
- Off-premises signs are not allowed in any zoning district.

## Signs exempt from permit in Torrington

- Writing or images on mailboxes or paper tubes.
- Light displays associated with the observance of specific holidays. Such displays shall not contain images not directly related to the holiday. Such displays shall be removed/turned off within 30 days following the holiday.
- Real Estate signs. Signs identifying a property is for sale, lease or rent along with the owner or agent information are not regulated as long as the sign is less than 32 square feet in size, the sign is located on the lot in which it is advertising and the sign is removed immediately after the sale, lease or rental is completed.
- Signs which are not visible from the public right of way. Example: signs within a ‘campus’ style community.
- Off-premises commercial signs placed on facilities owned and operated by the City of Torrington provided the individual sign is no more than 32 square feet in size, unilluminated and no more than 10 feet above grade. An example would be ballpark sponsor signs.
- Political and non-profit public event signs.
- Grand Openings are permitted to use beacons, pennants, streamers, propellers, inflatable signs or marketing items, balloons, or other marketing devices not listed that are meant to catch someone’s attention for no more than 30-days from the opening day.
- Flags of Federal, State or municipal governments and flags or other nations or non-profit organizations and ‘Open’ flags are exempt from these regulations.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Signs requiring a zoning permit and are over 32 square feet in size shall also be required to obtain Site Plan approval from the City Planner or the Planning & Zoning Commission.
- The Zoning Enforcement Officer may require a sign of less than 32 square feet to obtain Site Plan approval if in the opinion of the officer, the sign could have a significant impact on the appearance of the property or the surrounding area.
- Certain signs, such as EV Charging/Display Kiosks in LB zone and some Governmental Signs, require Special Exception approval, which may involve a variance meeting or site plan review.

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

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