# Sign Regulations in Charlestown Town, Rhode Island

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Charlestown Town, Rhode Island (RI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/rhode-island/charlestown-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/8493898#8493898)

## At a glance

Charlestown Town, Rhode Island regulates 36 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding or Wall Mounted Sign (permitted commercial use or Special Use Permit)s in the Residential Zoning Districts zoning district are capped at 1 ft above grade (if freestanding) tall and 6 sq ft, with a 5 ft from front lot line, 15 ft from side or rear lot line setback (Sec. §218-63A(2)(a), §218-63A(2)(b)). Most commercial signs in Charlestown Town 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 | 25 | 12 ft (top edge from grade); 4 ft sight window from grade to lowest sign board | 32 sq ft (top board); 8 sq ft (per lower sign board per business) | — |
| Residential Zoning Districts | 3 | 1 ft above grade (if freestanding) | 15 sq ft (per side if freestanding) | — |
| Commercial Districts, Industrial Districts | 6 | 12 ft (top of sign above finished grade) | 200 sq ft | — |
| Historic Village District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Mixed Use (MU) Zoning Districts | 1 | — | — | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | — | 10 sq ft (awning), 6 sq ft or 10% of awning for monogram, whichever is less | — | Must meet the setback and sideline requirements for the district | — | Walkway or main entrance of a business or legal use | — | §218-62A(1)(a) |
| Kiosk (Speed limit < 35 mph) | 12 ft (top edge from grade); 4 ft sight window from grade to lowest sign board | 24 sq ft (top board); 6 sq ft (per lower sign board per business) | 6 ft (upper sign board) | — | One kiosk per major entrance, 200 ft separation | At major entrance to a complex (one per major entrance, 200 ft separation required) | — | §218-62A(1)(e)[1]-[6] |
| Kiosk (Speed limit ≥ 35 mph) | 12 ft (top edge from grade); 4 ft sight window | 32 sq ft (top board); 8 sq ft (per lower sign board per business) | 8 ft (upper sign board) | — | One kiosk per major entrance, 200 ft separation | At major entrance to a complex (one per major entrance, 200 ft separation required) | — | §218-62A(1)(e)[2]-[6] |
| Neighborhood or Named Development Sign | 1 ft above grade | 15 sq ft per side if freestanding | — | — | One per main entrance | At each main road entrance to neighborhood/development | — | §218-62A(1)(f) |
| Name and Address Sign (Residential Zone) | 1 ft above grade | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per household | Residential zone, at residence | — | §218-62A(2)(g) |
| "No Trespassing" and Land Posting Sign (Residential Zone) | 5 ft (top of sign from grade) | 3 sq ft | — | All setback, sideline, rear line requirements | — | On residential property | — | §218-62A(2)(h) |
| "No Trespassing" and Land Posting Sign (Non-Residential Zone) | 5 ft (top of sign from grade) | 5 sq ft | — | All setback, sideline, rear line requirements | — | On non-residential property | — | §218-62A(2)(h) |
| Temporary Construction Sign | — | 6 sq ft (residential); 20 sq ft (commercial); 30 sq ft (industrial) | — | Lot placement per district | 1 per construction project | On premises where construction occurs | — | §218-68A(1) |

### Residential Zoning Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding or Wall Mounted Sign (permitted commercial use or Special Use Permit) | 1 ft above grade (if freestanding) | 6 sq ft | — | 5 ft from front lot line, 15 ft from side or rear lot line | 1 per permitted commercial use/Special Use | On property of permitted commercial use or by Special Use Permit | — | §218-63A(2)(a), §218-63A(2)(b) |
| Neighborhood Entrance Sign (Residential Development) | 1 ft above grade | 15 sq ft (per side if freestanding) | — | 5 ft from front lot line, 15 ft from side or rear lot line | At each major entrance | Major entrances to residential developments | — | §218-63A(2)(c) |
| Identification Sign (Name and Address) | 1 ft above grade | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per household | Residential lot | — | §218-63A(3)(a), §218-62A(2)(g) |

### Commercial Districts, Industrial Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 12 ft (top of sign above finished grade) | 24 sq ft | — | 15 ft from front lot line, no closer than 15 ft from side or rear lot line | 1 per lot | On lot of business or industrial use | — | §218-63B(2)(b)[1], §218-63D |
| Wall Mounted Sign (Single Face, Standard) | 2 ft | Up to 40 sq ft, with exceptions for greater setbacks (see below) | 1/2 the length of the establishment front | — | 1 per establishment (unless second qualifies on rear face, see below) | On establishment | — | §218-63B(2)(b)[2] |
| Wall Mounted Sign (Distance-Based Sizing Option 1: 200-299 ft from front lot line) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | Building exposed to public way | — | §218-63B(2)(b)[3] |
| Wall Mounted Sign (Distance-Based Sizing Option 2: 300-399 ft from front lot line) | — | 150 sq ft | — | — | — | Building exposed to public way | — | §218-63B(2)(b)[3] |
| Wall Mounted Sign (Distance-Based Sizing Option 3: 400+ ft from front lot line) | — | 200 sq ft | — | — | — | Building exposed to public way | — | §218-63B(2)(b)[3] |
| Wall Mounted Sign (Option for Buildings with Major Parking Area Exposure) | 2 ft | 12 sq ft (rear); 2 ft high x 1/2 length of occupied space (not over 40 sq ft) (front) | 1/2 length of establishment front | — | 2 per establishment (one front, one rear if building qualifies) | One on front, one on back (opposite faces) | — | §218-63B(2)(b)[4] |

## Prohibited signs in Charlestown Town

- Signs with moving parts, including those designed to achieve movement by action of wind currents, mobile or revolving parts, or animated parts, are prohibited except for time or temperature devices, barber poles, wind socks, Open flags, and Welcome flags without advertising and compliant with other ordinance provisions.
- Flashing signs, including illuminated or indirectly illuminated signs with flashing or moving illumination, animation, or illumination varying in color, are prohibited.
- Any sign or sign support constituting a hazard to public safety or health is prohibited, including those that obstruct drivers' vision, obstruct or detract from traffic sign visibility, obstruct free ingress/egress, or use words or symbols likely to confuse traffic.
- No sign may be placed so as to interfere with clear vision through a sight triangle as defined by the ordinance.
- String pennants are prohibited, except up to 14 days for opening a new business.
- Search lights are prohibited except by Special Use Permit for special events.
- Projecting signs that exceed 12 square feet in area, project more than 4 feet from the building or wall, or are erected over public right of way, are prohibited.
- Trailer signs, including portable billboards, are prohibited.
- Off-site directional signs and billboards are prohibited except by Special Use Permit.
- Inflatable signs or devices are prohibited in any zone.
- Franchise or licensed trademark signs are prohibited unless installed consistent with all ordinance restrictions, or otherwise authorized by Special Use Permit showing no conforming alternative is possible.
- Roof-mounted signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- All internally illuminated signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- All other signs not specifically authorized by the ordinance are prohibited.
- No sign deemed hazardous or obsolete shall be erected or maintained.
- Signs must be kept clean, safely maintained, and free from hazards (e.g., faulty wiring, loose fastenings).
- Obsolete signs (advertising inactive products, uses, or activities) must be removed within 30 days of becoming obsolete.

## Signs exempt from permit in Charlestown Town

- Flags of nation, state, town, club, service or military organization are exempt from ordinance restrictions.
- Governmental signs erected by the Town, State, or United States that bear no commercial advertising are generally permitted.
- Memorial signs or tablets denoting building erection dates, wall-mounted and not exceeding 2 square feet in area, are allowed.
- Instructional/directional signs identifying parking or other functional activities without commercial advertising, within area limits, are permitted.
- Safety and traffic/pedestrian control signs for licensed events approved by the Department of Public Safety and Building Official may be permitted temporarily.
- Signage for lawfully existing non-conforming uses that conformed to ordinance at time of erection is allowed.
- Flags that indicate 'welcome,' 'open,' or similar greeting are not considered signs (if not exceeding 15 sq. ft., two per business, and displayed during business hours only).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- An application for a sign permit is required for new signs as indicated, including details on dimensions, construction, and location.
- The Building Official may require a building permit and fee for a sign structure; unless otherwise required, Site Plan Review is not required for issuance of a building permit for a sign.
- Kiosk signs may require filing of a building permit application and payment of appropriate fee for the sign structure.
- In the Historic Village District, newly constructed signage requires consultation with the Town Planner.
- For time and temperature displays in historic districts, Site Plan Review is required.
- Temporary signs require a temporary sign permit (cash deposit may be required) for a period not to exceed six months.
- If signage does not conform to standards or is not specifically authorized, a Special Use Permit (variance) may be required (e.g., off-site directional or franchise/trademark signs).

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

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