Sign Regulations in New Shoreham Town, Rhode Island
New Shoreham Town, Rhode Island has specific sign regulations covering 6 sign types across 2 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Freestanding Sign, Projecting Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 28, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for New Shoreham Town, Rhode Island
Sample Sign Requirements in New Shoreham Town
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | Linear feet of ground floor building frontage (1 sq ft per 1 linear foot) | — |
| Freestanding Sign | 5 ft | 12 sq ft per side (2 sides max) | On establishment property; minimum 10 ft from property line if exempt (see exemptions); placement for vision/accessibility confirmed by site plan. |
| A-frame Sign (Sandwich Board) | — | 6 sq ft per side (2 sides max) | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
6
- Wall Sign
- Freestanding Sign
- Projecting Sign
- A-frame Sign (Sandwich Board)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
2
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for New Shoreham Town
Other Cities in Rhode Island
Frequently Asked Questions
In New Shoreham Town, monument signs are limited to 5 ft. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in New Shoreham Town, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In New Shoreham Town, regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Freestanding Sign, Projecting Sign, A-frame Sign (Sandwich Board), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In New Shoreham Town, monument signs typically require a On establishment property; minimum 10 ft from property line if exempt (see exemptions); placement for vision/accessibility confirmed by site plan. setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in New Shoreham Town are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. New Shoreham Town has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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New Shoreham Town, Rhode Island Sign Rules at a Glance
New Shoreham Town, Rhode Island regulates 6 sign types across 2 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 5 ft tall, 12 sq ft per side (2 sides max), and 5 ft wide, with a On establishment property; minimum 10 ft from property line if exempt (see exemptions); placement for vision/accessibility confirmed by site plan. setback (Sec. §504.C.2(a), §504.C.5, §504.B.10, §504.B.9, §504.B.8, §504.F.1, §504.F). Most commercial signs in New Shoreham Town require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for New Shoreham Town, Rhode Island
Sign Rules by Zoning District in New Shoreham Town (2 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 30 inches | 30 inches high x (20, 30, or 40 inches wide depending on 1, 2, or 3 menus) | — |
| Historic District | 6 | 30 inches | 30 inches high x (20, 30, or 40 inches wide depending on 1, 2, or 3 menus) | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in New Shoreham Town
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | Linear feet of ground floor building frontage (1 sq ft per 1 linear foot) | — | — | Unlimited on primary frontage so long as aggregate area not exceeded; separate calculation on secondary frontages if corner/open area. | Front of the building (may be allowed on additional sides for corner/open area buildings, calculated separately); not above roofline (unless mounted on parapet wall); not above district maximum building height. | — | Unlock | §504.B, §504.C.1(b)-(d), §504.C.2(b), §504.C.3, §504.C.4, §504.B.7-B.12, §504.F.1, §504.F.1, §504.E, §504.B.8, §504.B.5, §504.B.9-B.10, §504.B.11-B.14 |
| Freestanding Sign | 5 ft | 12 sq ft per side (2 sides max) | 5 ft | On establishment property; minimum 10 ft from property line if exempt (see exemptions); placement for vision/accessibility confirmed by site plan. | One per commercial building | On establishment property, location must not impede vision or access; placement confirmed via required site plan. | — | Unlock | §504.C.2(a), §504.C.5, §504.B.10, §504.B.9, §504.B.8, §504.F.1, §504.F |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | 6 ft (extends max 6 ft from surface) | — | One per entrance door per business establishment | Exterior of business, affixed to façade, may not extend above roofline or maximum building height. | — | Unlock | §504.C.2(c), §504.C.1(b)-(c), §504.B.9-B.10, §504.F |
| A-frame Sign (Sandwich Board) | — | 6 sq ft per side (2 sides max) | — | — | One per business | On establishment property; not within sidewalk or right-of-way; must not impede traffic; must be taken in at closing time. | — | Unlock | §504.C.2(d), §504.B.9, §504.F, §504.G.3 |
| Restaurant Menu Board - Building/Wall Mounted | 30 inches | 30 inches high x (20, 30, or 40 inches wide depending on 1, 2, or 3 menus) | 20, 30, or 40 inches depending on width menu (see details) | — | One per establishment | Affixed to building or wall. | — | Unlock | §504.C.2(e)(1)-(6) |
| Restaurant Menu Board - Freestanding | 30 inches | 30 inches high x (20, 30, or 40 inches wide depending on 1, 2, or 3 menus) | 20, 30, or 40 inches depending on width menu (see details) | — | One per establishment | Freestanding on establishment property. | — | Unlock | §504.C.2(e)(1)-(6) |
Historic District
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | Linear feet of ground floor building frontage (1 sq ft per 1 linear foot) | — | — | Unlimited on primary frontage (provided area not exceeded); secondary frontages (corner) separate calculation. | Front of building and/or additional sides if on a corner (area computed separately per side). May not exceed roofline. Must be compatible with historic character; subject to review by Historic District Commission. | — | Unlock | §504.F.1, §504.B.7, §504.B.8, §504.B.9, §504.D, §504.C.1, §504.C.2(b), §504.B.5, §504.C.4, §504.F, §504.B.12 |
| Freestanding Sign | 5 ft | 12 sq ft per side (2 sides max) | 5 ft | On establishment property; site plan will determine final placement. | One per commercial building | On establishment property; site plan reviewed for vision/accessibility and compatibility. Must not impede historic streetscape or views. | — | Unlock | §504.C.2(a), §504.C.5, §504.F.1, §504.B.9, §504.B.8, §504.C.1, §504.F, §504.B.10 |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | 6 ft extension from building | — | One per entrance door per business | Affixed to façade, compatible with historic features, not above roofline/district max building height. | — | Unlock | §504.C.2(c), §504.C.1(b)-(c), §504.F.1, §504.B.9, §504.B.8, §504.B.10 |
| A-frame Sign (Sandwich Board) | — | 6 sq ft per side (2 sides max) | — | — | One per business | On establishment property, not within sidewalk or right-of-way; must not impede traffic; must be taken in at closing time. | — | Unlock | §504.C.2(d), §504.B.9, §504.F.1, §504.G.3 |
| Restaurant Menu Board - Building/Wall Mounted | 30 inches | 30 inches high x (20, 30, or 40 inches wide depending on 1, 2, or 3 menus) | 20, 30, or 40 inches | — | One per establishment | Affixed to building or wall; must be compatible with historic character and reviewed/approved by Historic District Commission. | — | Unlock | §504.C.2(e)(1)-(6), §504.F.1 |
| Restaurant Menu Board - Freestanding | 30 inches | 30 inches high x (20, 30, or 40 inches wide depending on 1, 2, or 3 menus) | 20, 30, or 40 inches | — | One per establishment | Freestanding on establishment property; must be compatible with historic character; subject to Historic District Commission approval. | — | Unlock | §504.C.2(e)(1)-(6), §504.F.1 |
Illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type in New Shoreham Town are available with a free PermitPal account.
Start freeProhibited Signs in New Shoreham Town
- Signs or lighting which incorporate any flashing, moving or changing illumination or animation, and touch-screen automated machines located on the exterior of the structure or on the inside faces of the windows.
- Internally illuminated awnings and internally illuminated signs, including unscreened exterior vending machines.
- Signs that produce generated variable messages or another electronic means of changing sign copy including displays using LEDs, LCDs, or a flipper matrix.
- An unconcealed light source for external sign, building or premises illumination.
- Any sign which, in the determination of the Building Official or Police Chief, constitutes a hazard to public safety or health, or which impedes vision or access to or from public streets, sidewalks or other places of ingress or egress, including signs which by reason of size, location, content or manner of illumination, obstruct the vision of a driver, or detract from the effectiveness of traffic-control devices.
- Searchlights, spinners, inflatable devices.
- Commercial flags or banners displaying a word, symbol, or design or a combination of words, symbols or designs.
- Umbrellas or tents displaying a word, symbol or design or a combination of words, symbols or designs.
- Billboards and off-premises signs.
- Signs projecting over a street.
- Any sign not otherwise permitted under this Ordinance.
- No sign shall be erected which is affixed to a sidewalk, curbstone, lamp post, hydrant, fence, utility pole or structure, tree, shrub, rock or other natural object.
- Signs shall not extend above the roofline (unless mounted on a parapet wall which extends above the roofline, in which case the sign may not extend above the top of said parapet).
- No sign, together with any supporting framework, shall extend to a height above the maximum building height allowed in the district.
- Any sign which advertises an area, use, property, business or product no longer actively sold or promoted on the site upon which the sign is located, shall be considered obsolete and must be removed within 30 days after becoming obsolete (except for historic signs as determined by the Historic District Commission).
- No unconcealed, exposed, or non-continuous lighting; neon visible from the building exterior, exposed wiring/conduit, and flashing/marquee strings of bulbs are prohibited.
- No support for a sign may extend above the cornice or eave line of the building to which it is attached. No exposed wires or turnbuckles are allowed.
- All signs, including supports/braces/guys/anchors, must be kept in good repair and free from hazards so as to not endanger public health or safety.
- No alterations or relocation of any sign, whether previously approved or legal nonconforming, to include changes in graphics, font, color, brackets, or posts without obtaining a permit in compliance with this Ordinance.
- No person shall trespass upon, deface, mutilate, injure, damage, or remove any public or private road signs.
Exempt Signs in New Shoreham Town
- One non-illuminated sign not exceeding four square feet in area and located no closer than 10 feet from the property line.
- Signage customary and necessary to the operation of filling and service stations: lettering or other insignia which are a structural part of a gasoline pump or lighting fixture consisting only of a brand name, lead-warning sign and other signs as required by law.
- Window signs that denote hours of operation, dress requirements, and temporary signs that do not violate any lettering or lighting methods contained in this Section and that do not cover more than 10% of the total window space.
- Professional nameplate on a door or directory signs adjacent to the entrance door which does not exceed eight inches by 20 inches per business.
- Flags of all nations, states, counties, towns and cities when flown in compliance with the United States flag code.
- Historical marker signs, which comply to the provisions of this Ordinance and to provisions adopted by the Historic District Commission.
- Signs identifying property owner or name of property or road, provided sign is no larger than two square feet.
- Signs and Flags that spell "OPEN", limited to one per business, as long as they are visible only during business hours.
- Directional signs or tourist informational signs placed by the Town of New Shoreham.
- Temporary banners promoting community events provided they are not displayed more than 10 days prior to the event and are removed within two days after the event and are temporarily affixed to a permanent structure.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for New Shoreham Town
- A sign permit is required for all signs hereafter erected, installed or replaced, unless specifically exempted by this section.
- No sign, whether previously approved or considered a legal nonconforming use, shall be altered in any manner to include changes in graphics, font, color, brackets or posts without obtaining a permit in compliance with this Ordinance.
- Any persons intending to erect, relocate or alter any sign shall, except as otherwise provided, make application to the Building Official.
- The Historic District Commission reviews all sign permit applications within the Historic District; outside the District, the Building Official may request an advisory opinion from the Commission.
- Setback/location of free-standing signs must be shown on a site plan, drawn to scale, which shall be submitted as part of the application process.
Source: ecode360 municipal code