# Sign Regulations in Vergennes, Vermont

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Vergennes, Vermont (VT)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/vermont/vergennes
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://cms8.revize.com/revize/vergennes//Zoning-and-Subdivision-Regulations-Adopted-10-28-25.pdf?t=202511040949290&t=202511040949290#page=88)

## At a glance

Vergennes, Vermont regulates 18 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Wall Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Shall not extend higher than the top of the roof or parapet of the principal building; no sign shall project above the roof, parapet, or exterior wall tall and ≤ 10% of principal public façade OR 100 sq ft (whichever is smaller), with a All signs must be set back ≥ 5 ft from edge of public right-of-way (§1305.8) setback (Sec. §1306.A(1)-(5); §1301(1)-(3); §1305(11), §1305(15)-(16); §1303.6; §1309(1)-(5)). Most commercial signs in Vergennes require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | ≤ 20 ft above existing grade | ≤ 40 sq ft | — |
| Historic Neighborhood District (HN); Medium Density Residential District (MDR); High Density Residential District (HDR); Low Density Residential District (LDR) | 4 | — | ≤ 12 sq ft (total) | — |
| Central Business District (CBD); Otter Creek Basin District (OCBD, OCB) | 4 | — | ≤ 10 sq ft | — |
| Northern Gateway District (NGD, NG); Commercial District (C, COM); Industrial District (IND); Residential/Limited Business District (R/LBD, RLB, RLBD); Public District (PUB) | 3 | — | ≤ 20 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Shall not extend higher than the top of the roof or parapet of the principal building; no sign shall project above the roof, parapet, or exterior wall | ≤ 10% of principal public façade OR 100 sq ft (whichever is smaller) | — | All signs must be set back ≥ 5 ft from edge of public right-of-way (§1305.8) | ≤ 2 wall signs per tenant (§1306.A.4) | May project ≤ 15 inches from building wall | — | §1306.A(1)-(5); §1301(1)-(3); §1305(11), §1305(15)-(16); §1303.6; §1309(1)-(5) |
| Projecting Sign | Bottom of sign ≥ 7 ft above surface of public walkway | ≤ 12 sq ft | — | All signs must be set back ≥ 5 ft from edge of public right-of-way (§1305.8) | — | Shall not extend beyond the curb; shall not extend more than 5 ft from building wall | — | §1306.B(1)-(4); §1301(1)-(3); §1303.6; §1309(1)-(5) |
| Freestanding or Ground Sign | ≤ 20 ft above existing grade | ≤ 40 sq ft | — | ≥ 5 ft from public right-of-way and ≥ 10 ft from any other lot line (§1306.C.2); all signs ≥ 5 ft from edge of public right-of-way (§1305.8) | — | Monument or pole mounted signs shall be integrated with landscaped areas | — | §1306.C(1)-(4); §1305.12; §1301(1)-(3); §1303.6; §1309(1)-(5) |
| Construction Sign | — | ≤ 32 sq ft (total) | — | ≥ 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 per premises | — | — | §1306.E(1)-(4) |
| Banner/Flag/Pennant Sign (General) | — | ≤ 15 sq ft per flag/banner (general); if displaying business name/emblem/logo, ≤ 6 sq ft except prohibited in CBD | — | All signs must be set back ≥ 5 ft from edge of public right-of-way (§1305.8) | Governmental flags ≤ 3 per tenant | — | — | §1306.G(1)-(3); §1301(1)-(3) |
| Awning Sign | Bottom of awning sign ≥ 7 ft above walkway | ≤ 20% of awning surface area | — | All signs must be set back ≥ 5 ft from edge of public right-of-way (§1305.8) | — | On awning; not beyond awning limits; not attached to underside | — | §1306.H(1)-(4); §1301(1)-(3) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | — | ≤ 6 sq ft per side | — | No placement in public right-of-way per §1306.J.5 and §1306.I conditions | — | On private property; shall not obstruct or interfere with pedestrian travel/sidewalk functions; shall not create pedestrian or vehicular safety hazard | — | §1306.I(1)-(4); §1303.10 (exception) |
| Temporary Sign | — | ≤ 6 sq ft | — | Not placed in public right-of-way; general setback rules apply (§1305.8) | — | Not in public right-of-way | — | §1306.J(1)-(6) |

### Historic Neighborhood District (HN); Medium Density Residential District (MDR); High Density Residential District (HDR); Low Density Residential District (LDR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Professional Residence-Office or Home Occupation Sign | — | ≤ 4 sq ft | — | ≥ 5 ft from edge of public right-of-way (§1305.8) | 1 | At the residence/office/home occupation | — | §1307.A(1); §1306.F.1; §1303.6; §1309(1)-(5); §1301(1)-(3) |
| Residential Development Entrance Sign | — | ≤ 12 sq ft (total) | — | ≥ 5 ft from edge of public right-of-way (§1305.8) | 1 | At or near the primary entrance to, and identifying, a residential development | — | §1307.A(2); §1303.6; §1309(1)-(5); §1301(1)-(3) |
| Business Sign (Non-Residential Use Allowed in Residential Districts) | — | ≤ 12 sq ft (total) | — | ≥ 5 ft from edge of public right-of-way (§1305.8) | 1 | On the lot of the non-residential building/use allowed in residential districts | — | §1307.A(3); §1303.6; §1309(1)-(5); §1301(1)-(3) |
| Informational Sign (Exempt) (Entrance/Exit/Office/Restrooms etc.) | — | ≤ 2 sq ft | — | — | — | As needed to identify/direct the public (on-premise) | — | §1302.2(a) |

### Central Business District (CBD); Otter Creek Basin District (OCBD, OCB)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Signs (Any Type) | — | Per lot: Total square footage of all signs shall not exceed 1 sq ft per lineal foot of building frontage. In properties with multiple unaffiliated businesses, this lot limitation can be exceeded; however, each business is allowed up to two business signs totaling no more than 12 sq ft. | — | ≥ 5 ft from edge of public right-of-way (§1305.8) | Maximum of 2 business signs per establishment | On the lot; per establishment | — | §1307.B(1), (3), (4); §1309(1)-(5); §1301(1)-(3) |
| Directory Sign | — | ≤ 10 sq ft | — | ≥ 5 ft from edge of public right-of-way (§1305.8) | 1 directory sign per site (where applicable) | On premises where more than one business is located within the principal building(s) | — | §1307.B(2)-(3); §1309(1)-(5); §1301(1)-(3) |
| Informational Sign (Exempt) (Entrance/Exit/Office/Restrooms etc.) | — | ≤ 2 sq ft | — | — | — | As needed to identify/direct the public (on-premise) | — | §1302.2(a) |
| Banner/Flag/Pennant Sign (Business Name/Emblem/Logo Content) - CBD Prohibition | — | In OCBD/OCB: ≤ 6 sq ft per flag/banner displaying business content. In CBD: prohibited. | — | ≥ 5 ft from edge of public right-of-way (§1305.8) | Governmental flags ≤ 3 per tenant | — | — | §1306.G(1)-(3); §1301(1)-(3) |

## Prohibited signs in Vergennes

- Flashing signs, roof signs, or signs with reflective elements that sparkle or reflect sunlight are prohibited (traditional rotating barber poles and compliant time/temperature displays are allowed).
- Signs that include the words “stop,” “caution,” or “danger,” or that use red, amber, or green lights resembling traffic signals, or that resemble traffic control signs in shape and color, are prohibited (government traffic/regulatory/informational signs are exempt).
- Signs resembling a public street sign placed so as to cause a driver to think the sign depicts a public street are prohibited.
- Signs affixed to a fence, utility pole or utility structure, or to a tree, shrub, rock, or other natural object are prohibited.
- Signs erected on a gasoline station canopy are prohibited, except a single product logo occupying no more than one-quarter of a single side border (counts toward total sign area).
- Mobile signs or motor vehicles positioned primarily to display a sign are prohibited (except temporary signs allowed under §1302.1).
- Off‑premise signs are prohibited, except as allowed in §1306.I.
- Advertising billboards are prohibited.
- Sandwich board signs are prohibited, except as allowed in §1306.I.
- No sign, flag, banner, or similar display may physically or visually impede vehicular or pedestrian traffic; illuminated signs may not be directed toward any public roadway or adjacent use.
- Signs must be set back at least five feet from the edge of the public right of way.
- On corner lots, signs may not obstruct vision between three and ten feet above average grade within the 25‑foot sight triangle at street intersections.
- No sign may obstruct free entrance/exit from a required door, window, or fire escape, or obstruct light/air or interfere with building function.
- Signs may not project above the roof, parapet, or exterior wall, and may not cover architectural details such as arches, sills, moldings, cornices, and transom windows.
- Exterior business signs are limited to the following content: business or residential development name, telephone numbers, website/e‑mail address, primary franchise, and identification of business type or products/services.
- Exterior signs may not bear the name of nationally advertised products unless those products are exclusively sold at that location under a franchise agreement.
- External sign lighting is allowed only during hours of operation for the associated use (except lighting necessary for public safety).
- External lighting must be directed downward and fully shielded to illuminate only the sign face(s); bare bulbs and direct light must not be visible; if lit from below, lights must be fully shielded and mounted close to the base.
- Only white or off‑white light of constant intensity may be used as the primary light source for any sign.
- Internal illumination is limited to white/off‑white graphics on an opaque dark background or white/off‑white halo lighting; lettering may not exceed 30% of the sign surface; the background should have minimal translucence.
- Average illumination of a sign face may not exceed 3.0 foot‑candles at the property line; uniformity ratio (average:min) may not exceed 2:1.
- Electronic message centers must transition in an instant/static fashion and must automatically dim to ambient lighting, with maximum brightness of 3.0 foot‑candles over ambient.
- Electrical boxes and transformers must be integrated into the sign/support design or screened to minimize visual impact.
- Business signs must be removed within 90 days of business closure; unused supports/bases must be removed within six months.

## Signs exempt from permit in Vergennes

- Temporary exterior signs advertising specific on‑site sales or promotions, displayed no more than 10 days in advance and removed immediately after; if displayed more than 30 consecutive days or more than twice for the same sale/promotion in a year, they are treated as permanent signs.
- Informational signs identifying/directing the public to entrance, exit, office, rest rooms, etc., not relating to specific products or services, subject to size limits by district: LDR, MDR, HDR, HN, CBD, OCBD, R/LBD—letters ≤4 inches, area ≤2 sq ft; NGD, C, IND, PUB—letters ≤18 inches, area ≤12 sq ft.
- One temporary real estate sign not exceeding 6 square feet.
- Signs necessary for public service or welfare.
- Legal notices and identification, informational, warning, or directional signs displayed in accordance with governmental regulations or requirements.
- Federal, state, and municipal warning, regulatory, general service, and guide signs.
- Government flags or government insignias displayed on flag poles and not used as wall or window signs.
- Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings, memorial signs, or tablets denoting building names and dates when cut into masonry or flush‑mounted in durable, non‑flammable materials, not exceeding 6 square feet.
- One on‑premise sign not exceeding 4 square feet advertising a garage/tag/yard sale or similar, displayed for up to two days in advance and removed after the sale.
- Decorative murals that do not contain business, advertising, or product references and do not have the intent or visual effect of increasing the area of a sign.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permanent sign permit required: No permanent sign may be erected, relocated, or changed without a permit issued by the zoning administrator (§1301.1).
- Permit application must include detailed plans and specifications, including sign colors and lighting details, and any other information required by the zoning administrator; fees are due at application per the City Council fee schedule (§1301.2–3).
- Lighting submittals/testing: The zoning administrator may require a photometric analysis showing light levels and uniformity ratios and may require a light‑meter test on a constructed sign to verify compliance and prevent light trespass (§1309.5).
- Landmark sign waivers: The Development Review Board may designate an existing sign as a landmark sign and may waive dimensional or other requirements; waivers and wording changes on landmark signs require DRB approval after submission of a completed application, with public notice and hearing per Article V, §503.3 (§1305.17).
- Nonconforming/altered signs: Existing nonconforming signs may remain until removed/resurfaced/redesigned/altered; any altered, resurfaced, or relocated sign—including changes in text, logo, or color—must fully comply with current regulations (§1304).
- Minor changes do not require approval: Changes that do not change the content or character of an approved sign do not require zoning administrator approval; a business that changes ownership but not its name may continue to use existing legal signs if maintained (§1305.14).

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/vermont/vergennes