# Sign Regulations in Portsmouth Town, Rhode Island

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Portsmouth Town, Rhode Island (RI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/rhode-island/portsmouth-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/12235692#12235692)

## At a glance

Portsmouth Town, Rhode Island regulates 23 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Nonconforming Use Signs in the Residential Districts, Open Space Districts zoning district are capped at Not to project above height of principal building; Max height for freestanding sign: 10 ft tall and 12 sq ft, with a Side yard setback per district table; at least 10 ft from front lot line setback (Sec. §405-IX-B4.a)(2)). Most commercial signs in Portsmouth Town require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 4 ft | 32 sq ft (total for one event); each sign may not exceed 16 sq ft if two are used | — |
| Residential Districts, Open Space Districts | 10 | Not to project above height of principal building; Max height for freestanding sign: 10 ft | 32 sq ft (total for one event); each sign may not exceed 16 sq ft if two are used | — |
| Commercial Districts, Industrial Districts, Waterfront Districts | 18 | 15 ft (including ground clearance) | 50 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name and Address Sign | 4 ft | 1.5 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On the lot; to display name and address of occupant or identifying a permitted or accessory use. | — | §405-IX-B3.a) |
| Announcement or Bulletin Board | 4 ft | 32 sq ft (total for one event); each sign may not exceed 16 sq ft if two are used | — | — | Up to 2 per event | — | — | §405-IX-B3.b) |
| Temporary For Sale/For Rent Sign (Residential Use) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On property being sold/leased | — | §405-IX-B3.c) |
| Temporary For Sale/For Rent Sign (Other Zones) | 4 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | On property being sold/leased | — | §405-IX-B3.c) |
| Traffic or Public/Municipal Agency Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | As needed for governmental function | — | §405-IX-B3.d) |
| Instructional or Directional Sign (On-premise, Nonadvertising) | 4 ft | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises, for traffic, parking, etc. | — | §405-IX-B3.e) |
| Accessory Business or Regulation Sign | 4 ft | 2 sq ft per sign, total | — | — | — | On property for business, hours, no trespassing, etc. | — | §405-IX-B3.f) |
| Public Notice or Warning | 4 ft | 4 ft | — | — | — | As required by law | — | §405-IX-B3.g) |

### Residential Districts, Open Space Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name and Address Sign | 4 ft | 1.5 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On the lot; to display name and address of occupant or identifying a permitted or accessory use. | — | §405-IX-B4.a)(1), §405-IX-B4.b), §405-IX-B3.a) |
| Announcement or Bulletin Board | 4 ft | 32 sq ft (total for one event); each sign may not exceed 16 sq ft if two are used | — | — | Up to 2 per event | — | — | §405-IX-B4.a)(1), §405-IX-B3.b), §405-IX-B4.b) |
| Temporary For Sale/For Rent Sign (Residential Use) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On property being sold/leased | — | §405-IX-B4.a)(1), §405-IX-B3.c) |
| Traffic or Public/Municipal Agency Sign | 4 ft | 4 ft | — | — | — | As needed for governmental function | — | §405-IX-B4.a)(1), §405-IX-B3.d), §405-IX-B4.b) |
| Instructional or Directional Sign (On-premise, Nonadvertising) | 4 ft | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises, for traffic, parking, etc. | — | §405-IX-B4.a)(1), §405-IX-B3.e), §405-IX-B4.b) |
| Accessory Business or Regulation Sign | 4 ft | 2 sq ft per sign, total | — | — | — | On property for business, hours, no trespassing, etc. | — | §405-IX-B4.a)(1), §405-IX-B3.f), §405-IX-B4.b) |
| Nonconforming Use Sign | Not to project above height of principal building; Max height for freestanding sign: 10 ft | 12 sq ft | — | Side yard setback per district table; at least 10 ft from front lot line | 1 per nonconforming use | Comply with side yard setback per district table; no closer than 10 ft from front lot line; not above building height | — | §405-IX-B4.a)(2) |
| Special Use Permit or Variance Use Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | Side yard setback per district | 1 per use | Comply with side yard setback per district table | — | §405-IX-B4.a)(3) |

### Commercial Districts, Industrial Districts, Waterfront Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name and Address Sign | 4 ft | 1.5 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On the lot | — | §405-IX-B5.d), §405-IX-B3.a) |
| Freestanding Sign - Single Establishment | 15 ft (including ground clearance) | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On lot with single establishment; on the frontage utilized for calculation | — | §405-IX-B5.a)(1) |
| Wall Mounted Sign - Single Establishment | Not to extend beyond top or side of wall | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot (in combination with roof or projecting sign) | Attached to wall of the building | — | §405-IX-B5.a)(2) |
| Roof Mounted Sign - Single Establishment | Not to extend above roof peak or increase building height | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot (in combination with wall or projecting sign) | Mounted on roof | — | §405-IX-B5.a)(2) |
| Projecting Sign - Single Establishment | Base must be at least 8 ft above ground; cannot project above roofline | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot (in combination) | Perpendicular to exterior wall of the building | — | §405-IX-B5.a)(2), §405-IX-B7.d) |
| Freestanding Sign - Multiple Establishments | 15 ft (including ground clearance) | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot (total) | On lot with multiple establishments; on the frontage utilized for calculation | — | §405-IX-B5.b)(1) |
| Wall Mounted Sign - Multiple Establishments | Not to extend beyond top or side of wall | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per establishment | On wall of building occupied by one establishment | — | §405-IX-B5.b)(2) |
| Roof Mounted Sign - Multiple Establishments | Not to extend above roof peak or increase building height | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per establishment | Mounted on roof | — | §405-IX-B5.b)(2) |

## Prohibited signs in Portsmouth Town

- Billboards or off premise signs (except as permitted under special use permit).
- Signs which incorporate any flashing, moving, or oscillating illumination or illumination which varies in color, or signs with audible sounds.
- Signs which have visible moving parts, including signs which achieve movement by action of wind currents.
- Projecting signs with internal illumination.
- Obsolete signs or obsolete supporting structures which no longer advertise the bona fide business or use conducted on the premises.
- Signs or supporting structures which constitute a hazard to public safety or health.
- Signs which by reason of size, location, content, coloring or manner of illumination, obstruct, hinder, or distract 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 or which interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.
- Searchlights, pennants, spinners, banners, and streamers.
- Portable signs and trailer signs.
- No sign shall extend onto or over a public right-of-way without prior approval by the Town Council. The Town Council shall require the applicant to maintain sufficient insurance coverage.
- No sign shall be erected or placed within the sight distance triangle (between 3' and 7' above ground at street intersections) if it obstructs visibility for motorists.
- Nothing in this section shall authorize or approve continuation of use of signs that were in violation of any ordinance at the time of the passage of this section.

## Signs exempt from permit in Portsmouth Town

- No permit shall be required for the following types of signs, provided they otherwise comply with the ordinance:
- One sign, no greater than one and one-half square feet (1.5 ft²) in area displaying the name and address of the occupant and/or identifying a permitted or accessory use.
- Announcement or bulletin boards for public, fraternal, charitable, civic, or religious institutions (not exceeding two weeks and two per event, total area not to exceed 32 ft²).
- Temporary 'For Sale' or 'For Rent' signs (max 6 ft² in residential, 12 ft² elsewhere; not illuminated).
- Traffic signs or signs erected by a public or municipal agency in discharge of its governmental functions.
- Instructional or directional signs (on-premises only, no commercial advertising, max 2 ft² per sign).
- Accessory signs incidental to a business or profession indicating hours of operation, credit cards, business affiliations, etc. (max 2 ft² total area); also, signs such as 'no trespassing' or regulating use of the property (max 2 ft² per sign).
- Any public notice or warning required by federal, state, or local law.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- For lots with three or more establishments, a 'Common Signage Plan' may be filed with the Building Inspector, which allows a 25% increase in area for each freestanding or wall mounted sign. The plan must specify standards for consistency among all signs regarding color, lettering, style, lighting, location, material, and proportions.
- There shall be only one freestanding sign per lot under a Common Signage Plan, and the plan must be signed by all owners or their agents.
- A Common Signage Plan shall be included in any development, site, planned unit development, or other official plan required by the Town and shall be processed simultaneously with that plan.
- After approval of a Common Signage Plan, no sign shall be erected, placed, painted, or maintained except in conformance with such plan.
- A Common Signage Plan may be amended by filing a new one in conformance with current ordinance requirements.
- Sign programs for new construction should be anticipated where necessary; new building design should allow for future signage and possible sign program.
- Master or sign programs (for design consistency) are encouraged for multi-tenant buildings and should be integrated with the building design even if no formal program exists.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Portsmouth Town, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Portsmouth+Town+RI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-portsmouth-town

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