# Sign Regulations in Newport, Rhode Island

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Newport, Rhode Island (RI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/rhode-island/newport
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/RI/Newport/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_TIT10VETR_CH10.40ISSTSI)

## At a glance

Newport, Rhode Island regulates 34 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Freestanding Business Signs in the Commercial-Industrial District zoning district are capped at 25 ft tall and 45 sq ft, with a ≥25 ft from property line setback (Sec. 17.76.150.A-C, D, E). Most commercial signs in Newport require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 21 | — | 250 sq ft (aggregate) | — |
| Residential District | 4 | 6 ft | 4 sq ft (aggregate for all business signs) | — |
| Historic District | 2 | No projection above cornice line | — | — |
| Business District (outside the Historic District) | 2 | 20 ft | 30 sq ft | — |
| Commercial-Industrial District | 3 | 25 ft | 675 sq ft | — |
| Combined Use Lot (within Commercial-Industrial District) | 2 | — | 300 sq ft per sign | — |
| Limited Business Zone (LB), Waterfront Business Zone (WB), Thames Street Zone (TM), Commercial Industrial Zone (CI), General Business Zone (GB) | 1 | — | 10 sq ft | — |
| Waterfront Business Zone (WB) | 1 | — | 36 sq ft | — |
| Business District | 1 | 40 in | — | — |
| Nonresidential District | 1 | — | 20 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| No Trespassing and Property Use Signs | — | 2 sq ft (5 sq ft in Commercial-Industrial District) | — | — | — | On property where located | — | 17.76.110.B |
| Temporary Real Estate or Construction Signs (Residential District) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On property where located | — | 17.76.110.C |
| Temporary Real Estate or Construction Signs (Nonresidential District) | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | On property where located | — | 17.76.110.C |
| Temporary Real Estate or Construction Signs (Commercial-Industrial District) | — | 30 sq ft | — | — | — | On property where located | — | 17.76.110.C |
| Bulletin Boards (Public, Charitable, Religious Institutions) | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | — | On the property of the institution | — | 17.76.110.E |
| Functional Signs (Traffic, Parking, Entrances, etc.) | — | 2 sq ft (wall mounted), 4 sq ft (freestanding) | — | — | 1 per activity | — | — | 17.76.110.F |
| Permanent Residential Development Signs | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | — | At major entrance to development | — | 17.76.110.J |
| Incidental Business Sign | — | 2 sq ft per entrance (aggregate for all such signs) | — | — | — | At entrance | — | 17.76.110.M |

### Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Sign (Wall Mounted) | No projection above cornice line | — | — | — | 1 per lot | On wall | — | 17.76.140 |
| Residential Sign (Projecting) | No projection above cornice line | — | — | — | 1 per lot | Projecting from wall | — | 17.76.140.A, 17.76.140.C |
| Residential Sign (Freestanding) | 6 ft | — | — | Building must be setback at least 5 ft at sign location | 1 per lot | Freestanding only if building is setback ≥5 ft at sign location (no freestanding signs in historic district) | — | 17.76.140.A, 17.76.140.C |
| Business Sign (Residential District) | No projection above cornice line; 6 ft max for freestanding | 4 sq ft (aggregate for all business signs) | — | — | No limit, but must meet aggregate area maximum (4 sq ft) | — | — | 17.76.150.C-E |

### Commercial-Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Sign (Wall Mounted or Projecting) | No more than 4 ft above cornice line | — | — | — | No explicit limit; aggregate area restriction applies | Wall or projecting | — | 17.76.150.C, D, E |
| Freestanding Business Sign | 25 ft | 45 sq ft | — | ≥25 ft from property line | 1 per lot | Freestanding, at least 25 ft from property line | — | 17.76.150.A-C, D, E |
| Off-Premises Advertising Sign (Billboard) | 25 ft | 675 sq ft | — | ≥25 ft from property line, ≥200 ft from residential district line | — | Only where lot contains no other use | — | 17.76.160.B |

## Prohibited signs in Newport

- Signs which incorporate in any manner any flashing or moving illumination or illumination which varies in color.
- Signs which have any visible moving parts, including signs which achieve movement by the action of wind currents. Hanging signs which simply swing in the wind, clocks, time and temperature signs and barber poles are exempted, provided that they comply with all other provisions of this chapter.
- Signs or sign structures which constitute a hazard to public safety or health.
- Signs which, by reason of size, location, content, coloring or manner of illumination, obstruct the vision of drivers or obstruct or detract from the visibility or effectiveness of any traffic sign or control device on public streets and roads.
- Signs which obstruct free ingress to or egress from a fire escape, door, window or other required exit way.
- Signs which use words, phrases, symbols, lights or characters, in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
- Obsolete signs which no longer advertise a bona fide business conducted or a product sold on the premises. Obsolete signs shall be removed within thirty (30) days after the activity ceases.
- Signs on public property or public rights-of-way, other than signs erected by the city or traffic control devices erected by the state, unless specifically authorized by the city council.
- Signs painted on, attached to or supported by a tree, stone, cliff or other natural object.
- String lights and strip lighting, other than those associated with events of religious and charitable organizations, for a period not to exceed ten days, and other than temporary holiday decorations.
- Searchlights, pennants, spinners, and streamers, other than those associated with events of religious and charitable organizations, for a period not to exceed ten days.
- Any sign displayed on an automobile, truck, or other motorized vehicle when that vehicle is used primarily for the purpose of such advertising display.
- Temporary signage (except as allowed in subsection A. of Section 17.76.160), including A-frame and non-permanently mounted ground signage with the exemption of an allowance for one temporary sign per business located in designated zones, subject to specific conditions.
- Permit required for all signs except those specifically exempted under Section 17.76.110.
- Every sign and all parts thereof shall be maintained in compliance with applicable building, electrical and fire prevention codes of the city.
- Signs or sign structures that do not conform to this chapter are subject to removal after violation conviction.
- Unless otherwise specified, all signs must pertain to the principal use, service rendered, or product sold on the premises.

## Signs exempt from permit in Newport

- Name and address signs of resident (not including commercial advertising), up to two square feet in area (one square foot in historic district), nonilluminated.
- No trespassing signs or property use regulation signs, not exceeding two square feet in area (five square feet in commercial-industrial district), nonilluminated.
- Temporary signs advertising sale, rental, lease or improvement of the property, not exceeding six square feet in residential districts, twenty square feet in nonresidential districts, thirty square feet in commercial-industrial district, and nonilluminated, with time limitations.
- Temporary signs up to twelve square feet advertising auctions and special events of charitable or public service groups, not in place for more than ten days, nonilluminated and nonelectric.
- Bulletin boards for public, charitable or religious institutions on their property, up to twenty-five square feet, bearing no commercial advertising. May be illuminated.
- Signs identifying on-premises traffic, parking or other functional activity, such as lavatory or telephone, or denoting building sections or entrances, with specific size limits, may be illuminated.
- Signs erected by the city and traffic control devices erected by the state, without commercial advertising.
- Memorial signs or tablets and signs denoting the date of erection of buildings, nonilluminated.
- Flags, emblems or insignia of any government, or of any religious, professional, educational, charitable or fraternal organization.
- Permanent residential development signs at major entrances (up to fifteen square feet, no commercial advertising), may be illuminated.
- Signs identifying churches and places of worship on their property, may be illuminated.
- Signs on awnings affixed flat to surface (not exceeding one-half square foot per linear foot of front of awning), nonilluminated, nonelectric.
- Incidental business signs (hours, credit cards, affiliations, etc.) with aggregate area not exceeding two square feet per entrance.
- Signs on theaters advertising current and coming attractions not exceeding two hundred fifty square feet. May be illuminated or electric. Permit required for the frame, but copy changes do not require license.
- Election campaign signs permitted on private property in any zoning district.
- Business internet address signs in windows, in compliance with aggregate area limits for window signs.
- Temporary signs up to fifteen square feet advertising major recreational events or temporary accessory uses for such events, erected only on or adjacent to event property, nonilluminated, nonelectric, time-limited.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign plan is required for directory signs on corner lots in the Waterfront Business zone; the property owner must submit an application that includes a sign plan for approval by the director.
- Permit applications for signs (other than those exempted under Section 17.76.110) must include a scale drawing and info on size, configuration, location, etc., but there is no general requirement for a master or comprehensive sign plan except as specifically noted for directory signs.
- For non-governmental signs on public property, an application must include a detailed, scaled plan and supporting materials for city council review and approval.

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/rhode-island/newport