# Sign Regulations in Lincoln Town, Rhode Island

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lincoln Town, Rhode Island (RI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/rhode-island/lincoln-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/9727210#9727210)

## At a glance

Lincoln Town, Rhode Island regulates 17 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Commercial districts zoning district are capped at 20 ft above average ground level (measured within 15 ft radius) tall and 64 sq ft, with a max 20 ft high as defined; signs must not project above roofline setback (Sec. § 260-37A(2), § 260-37B(1), § 260-37C(2)-(4), § 260-37D). Most commercial signs in Lincoln 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 | 9 | — | 60 sq ft | — |
| Residential districts | 3 | — | 40 sq ft | — |
| Commercial districts | 3 | 20 ft above average ground level (measured within 15 ft radius) | 64 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Recreation Zones (CR-1, CR-2) | 2 | — | 20 sq ft | — |
| Village Commercial Mixed Use Zones (VCMU) | 3 | 20 ft above average ground level (measured within 15 ft radius) | 32 sq ft | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate | — | 1.5 sq ft | — | — | One per use or dwelling unit | — | — | § 260-34A, § 260-41A(3) |
| Temporary Political Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Private property with landowner permission. | — | § 260-34C(1), § 260-40, § 260-41A(2) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Residential) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | On property for sale/rent/lease | — | § 260-34C(2), § 260-41A(1) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Business/Manufacturing/Commercial Recreation) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On property for sale/rent/lease | — | § 260-34C(2), § 260-41A(1) |
| Temporary Charity/Event Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | § 260-34C(3) |
| Seasonal Sponsor Sign (Recreational Fields) | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | Athletic/recreational fields as approved by Recreation Department | — | § 260-34C(4) |
| General Temporary Sign | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | § 260-34C(5) |
| Institutional Announcement Board | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises of the institutional use listed in § 260-11 | — | § 260-34D |

### Commercial districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 64 sq ft | — | Signs shall not project above the roofline | One per use | Attached to primary building | — | § 260-37A(1), § 260-37B(1), § 260-37D |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft above average ground level (measured within 15 ft radius) | 64 sq ft | — | No sign within 50 ft of residential district boundary; freestanding signs: max 20 ft high as defined; signs must not project above roofline | One per lot | — | — | § 260-37A(2), § 260-37B(1), § 260-37C(2)-(4), § 260-37D |
| Larger Sign (Special Use Permit) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 260-37B(3) |

### Village Commercial Mixed Use Zones (VCMU)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | Not to project above roofline of main use. | One per use | Attached to primary building | — | § 260-39A(1), § 260-39B(1), § 260-39D |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft above average ground level (measured within 15 ft radius) | 32 sq ft | — | Freestanding signs not to project above 20 ft above average ground within 15 ft radius; not to project above roofline. | One per lot | — | — | § 260-39A(2), § 260-39B(1), § 260-39C(2)-(3), § 260-39D |
| Larger Sign (Special Use Permit) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 260-39B(3) |

## Prohibited signs in Lincoln Town

- Signs determined by the Zoning Enforcement Officer to constitute a hazard to traffic or public safety by reason of size, location, or type of illumination.
- Signs containing an intermittent or sequential light source (flashing signs).
- Exposed neon-type lighting shall not be allowed on exterior of buildings.
- Nongovernment signs erected over a street right-of-way, except temporary banner-type signs allowed by the governing Highway Department.
- Signs shall not be illuminated between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. or during the period from 1/2 hour after closing time to 1/2 hour before opening time, unless written permission is obtained from the Zoning Enforcement Officer.
- No political signs shall be placed on public property.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lincoln Town

- Temporary real estate signs do not require a permit.
- Temporary political signs do not require a permit.
- Nameplates do not require a permit.
- Government signs do not require a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Charity signs and other temporary signs (other than political and real estate) must be reviewed by the Zoning Enforcement Officer before being installed.
- A special use permit is required for larger-than-typically-allowed signs in various zones.
- Written permission is required from the Zoning Enforcement Officer for overnight illumination of signs between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

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

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