# Sign Regulations in Windsor, Connecticut

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Windsor, Connecticut (CT)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/connecticut/windsor
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-31
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.windsorct.gov/DocumentCenter/View/398/Zoning-Regulations-PDF?bidId=#page=90)

## At a glance

Windsor, Connecticut regulates 44 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Business Sign - Option 2 (Freestanding, <3,000 sq ft GFA)s in the Business Zone (B-1, B-2), Restricted Commercial Zone (RC) zoning district are capped at 32 sq ft (16 sq ft per face max in Windsor/Wilson Centers), with a ≥5 ft from ROW; not exceed building eave/parapet height (3.7.2G) setback (Sec. Section 3.7.9C(2)). Most commercial signs in Windsor require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | May not exceed the height of the eaves or top of parapet wall of the related building | Up to 200 sq ft (to be subtracted from permitted wall sign area under 3.7.5B) | — |
| Residential Zone (AA, A, R-13, R-11, R-10, R-8) | 8 | — | 40 sq ft per side (primary); 4 sq ft per subcontractor sign | — |
| Business Zone (B-1, B-2), Restricted Commercial Zone (RC) | 16 | — | 100 sq ft | — |
| Professional Zone (P) | 6 | — | 50 sq ft | — |
| Industrial Zone (I), Warehouse Zone (W) | 14 | 35 ft total height (sign + structure) | 400 sq ft sign area (per face) | — |
| Agricultural Zone (AG) | 8 | — | 50 sq ft | — |
| Public and Quasi-Public Zone (NZ) | 9 | — | 100 sq ft | — |
| Planned Urban Development (PUD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Design Development Districts | 1 | — | — | — |

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

### Business Zone (B-1, B-2), Restricted Commercial Zone (RC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Sign - Option 2 (Freestanding, <3,000 sq ft GFA) | — | 32 sq ft (16 sq ft per face max in Windsor/Wilson Centers) | — | ≥5 ft from ROW; not exceed building eave/parapet height (3.7.2G) | One, mutually exclusive with Options 1 or 3 | Freestanding | — | Section 3.7.9C(2) |
| Business Sign - Option 3 (Freestanding, ≥3,000 sq ft GFA) | — | 50 sq ft (16 sq ft per face max in Windsor/Wilson Centers) | — | ≥5 ft from ROW; height limit per 3.7.2G | One, mutually exclusive with Options 1 or 2 | Freestanding | — | Section 3.7.9C(3) |
| Business Sign - Option 4 (Hotel Adjacent to Limited Access Highway) | — | 100 sq ft | — | ≥5 ft from ROW; height per 3.7.2G | One | Hotel site adjacent to a limited access highway | — | Section 3.7.9C(4) |
| Business Sign - Option 5 (Hotel, Other Locations) | — | 50 sq ft | — | ≥5 ft from ROW; height per 3.7.2G | One | Hotel not adjacent to limited access highway | — | Section 3.7.9C(5) |
| Identification Sign (Single Site) | — | 32 sq ft | — | Freestanding ≥5 ft from ROW; height per 3.7.2G | One | Wall or freestanding | — | Section 3.7.9D(1) |
| Shopping Center Identification - Option 1 (<10 acres) | — | 50 sq ft | — | ≥5 ft from ROW; height per 3.7.2G | One | Freestanding | — | Section 3.7.9D(2) |
| Shopping Center Identification - Option 2 (≥10 acres) | — | 100 sq ft | — | ≥5 ft from ROW; height per 3.7.2G | One | Freestanding | — | Section 3.7.9D(3) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | Up to 32 sq ft (freestanding sign area may be increased per frontage formula 3.7.5B(5), but capped at 32 sq ft) | — | Freestanding ≥5 ft from ROW | One per property offered for sale | Wall or freestanding | — | Section 3.7.9F; 3.7.5B(5) |

### Industrial Zone (I), Warehouse Zone (W)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Sign - Option 2 (Freestanding) | — | 100 sq ft | — | ≥5 ft from ROW; height per 3.7.2G | One, mutually exclusive with Option 1 under B(1) | Freestanding | — | Section 3.7.12B(1) |
| Business Sign - Option 3 (Hotel Adjacent to Limited Access Highway) | — | 100 sq ft | — | ≥5 ft from ROW; height per 3.7.2G | One | Hotel adjacent to a limited access highway | — | Section 3.7.12B(2)(a) |
| Business Sign - Option 4 (Hotel, Other Locations) | — | 50 sq ft | — | ≥5 ft from ROW; height per 3.7.2G | One | Hotel not adjacent to limited access highway | — | Section 3.7.12B(2)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign - Multiple Buildings on Common Drive | — | 100 sq ft per sign | — | ≥5 ft from ROW; height per 3.7.2G | One per qualifying building | At site oriented to common drive | — | Section 3.7.12B(3) |
| Identification Sign (Single Site) | — | 100 sq ft | — | ≥5 ft from ROW; height per 3.7.2G | One | Freestanding | — | Section 3.7.12C(1) |
| Identification Sign - Multiple Buildings on Common Drive (Additional) | — | 100 sq ft | — | ≥5 ft from ROW; height per 3.7.2G | One additional identification sign | Freestanding at unified site development/common drive | — | Section 3.7.12C(2) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 16 sq ft per face | — | Freestanding ≥5 ft from ROW | One per property offered for sale | Wall or freestanding | — | Section 3.7.12E |
| Billboard (Special Use Only; Primary Use of Site) | 35 ft total height (sign + structure) | 400 sq ft sign area (per face) | — | — | Spacing controls effectively limit number | Only in Industrial and Warehouse Zones | — | Section 3.7.2B(1)-(9) |

### Public and Quasi-Public Zone (NZ)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign | — | 40 sq ft per side (primary); 4 sq ft per subcontractor | — | — | One primary; each subcontractor may display one | On property under construction | — | Section 3.7.15A |
| Identification Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | ≥5 ft from ROW; height per 3.7.2G | One | Freestanding | — | Section 3.7.15B |
| Business Sign - Option 1 (Projecting) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | One, mutually exclusive with freestanding options | Projecting | — | Section 3.7.15C (by reference to 3.7.9C) |
| Business Sign - Option 2 (Freestanding, <3,000 sq ft GFA) | — | 32 sq ft (subject to Windsor/Wilson Center limitations if applicable) | — | ≥5 ft from ROW; height per 3.7.2G | One, mutually exclusive with other options | Freestanding | — | Section 3.7.15C (by reference to 3.7.9C(2)) |
| Business Sign - Option 3 (Freestanding, ≥3,000 sq ft GFA) | — | 50 sq ft (subject to Windsor/Wilson Center limitations if applicable) | — | ≥5 ft from ROW; height per 3.7.2G | One, mutually exclusive with other options | Freestanding | — | Section 3.7.15C (by reference to 3.7.9C(3)) |
| Business Sign - Option 4 (Hotel Adjacent to Limited Access Highway) | — | 100 sq ft | — | ≥5 ft from ROW; height per 3.7.2G | One | Freestanding | — | Section 3.7.15C (by reference to 3.7.9C(4)) |
| Business Sign - Option 5 (Hotel, Other Locations) | — | 50 sq ft | — | ≥5 ft from ROW; height per 3.7.2G | One | Freestanding | — | Section 3.7.15C (by reference to 3.7.9C(5)) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 4 sq ft per side | — | — | One per property for sale | Freestanding | — | Section 3.7.15E |

## Prohibited signs in Windsor

- Animated signs and electronic message centers are prohibited.
- Signs painted directly on any wall are prohibited unless the Commission finds the sign will be in harmony with surrounding development, can be removed without harming the wall, and meets sign area requirements.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- No string of exposed and/or animated lights may be used to attract attention to a business or other use, except between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day or for decorative illumination of outdoor dining, unless approved by the Commission or the Director of Public Safety.
- Sign illumination that simulates traffic lights or emergency warning lights is prohibited.
- Except for internally illuminated channel letters/logos and internally illuminated signs with opaque backgrounds (only the copy/logos are illuminated), internally illuminated signs are not a permitted accessory use.
- Signs that block visibility of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, public information signs, or traffic signals are prohibited.
- No signs are permitted within a public right-of-way unless the location is approved by the Director of Public Safety or other relevant authorities.
- Only one freestanding business or identification sign or one projecting business or identification sign is permitted per lot (subject to stated exceptions).
- No site may have more than two types of business signs (freestanding, projecting, or wall signs).
- Billboards are prohibited except by special use in the Industrial and Warehouse Zones and must meet distance and siting limits, tree removal limits, and other specified conditions.

## Signs exempt from permit in Windsor

- Nothing in the regulations prohibits or regulates the installation of emergency, street, public interest, or public warning signs by a governmental body.
- Nothing in the regulations prohibits signs intended for viewing principally from within a building; directional signs (including arcade and directory) intended for viewing principally from within a site; or temporary sale signs attached to the inside face of a display window, provided window signs do not occupy more than 33-1/3% of the total display window area (subject to Sections 5.2.6L(2) and (3)).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Prior to installing any sign, a sign permit and, where necessary, site plan approval are required.
- Directional signs require a sign permit; if not approved at the time of site development approval, their size and location must be jointly approved by the Zoning Enforcement Officer and Town Planner under Section 3.9.
- In Design Developments, the location and design of all signs must be approved by the Commission unless remanded to the Town Planner at concept or detailed plan approval.
- In Planned Urban Developments, the location and design of all signs must be approved by the Commission unless remanded to the Town Planner at concept plan or site plan approval.
- Billboards require special use approval in Industrial and Warehouse Zones; applications must comply with Section 15, are subject to a one-year time limit, and must pay a fee of $5 per square foot of sign area.
- The Commission may allow more than the permitted number of freestanding signs as a special use outside Windsor and Wilson Center areas if a need is demonstrated based on lot and building factors.
- Wall signs intended to be viewed from a limited access highway require determination by the Town Planner and Zoning Enforcement Officer; at the applicant’s request, they may refer the sign application to the Commission for determination.
- For non-residential sites abutting limited access highways, the Town Planner and Zoning Enforcement Officer may allow one additional freestanding business or identification sign (up to 200 square feet) oriented to the highway in lieu of a wall sign; if they do not determine a need, they may refer the application to the Commission.
- Internally illuminated signs with translucent backgrounds may be approved only by special use upon specified findings; the Commission may limit illumination to business hours, and the permitted sign area is reduced by 50%.
- Signs painted directly on walls require Commission findings of harmony and removability before approval.
- Strings of exposed/animated lights used to attract attention outside the holiday period or not for outdoor dining require approval by the Commission or Director of Public Safety.
- Public interest signs may be temporarily displayed upon joint permission of the Zoning Enforcement Officer and Town Planner, and if within a right-of-way also the Director of Public Safety or Legal Traffic Authority, for up to three weeks.
- Public warning signs within a public right-of-way or other public property require permission of the Director of Public Safety or Legal Traffic Authority.
- Interpretive signs on public property require joint permission of the Zoning Enforcement Officer and Town Planner.
- Special event signs: the Building Official and Town Planner may jointly approve an initial three-month period; the Commission may grant up to an additional three months by special use; sandwich board signs may be jointly approved under Section 3.9 with annual reauthorization by the Zoning Enforcement Officer upon written request.
- Technical and minor revisions to signage may be approved administratively under Section 3.9 by staff; a simplified site plan may be allowed for minor changes, and staff may refer the matter to the Commission if there is disagreement.

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

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