The purpose of this section is to promote and protect the public
health, welfare and safety by regulating existing and proposed outdoor
advertising, outdoor advertising signs and outdoor signs of all types.
It is intended to protect property values, create a more attractive
economic and business climate, enhance and protect the physical appearance
and historical heritage of the community, and provide a more enjoyable
and pleasing community. It is further intended hereby to reduce the
sign or advertising distractions and obstructions that may contribute
to traffic accidents, reduce hazards that may be caused by signs overhanging
or projecting over public rights-of-way and curb the deterioration
of the community environment.
Any sign fabricated, constructed, attached, erected, fastened,
painted or manufactured in any manner and displayed out of doors for
the purpose of inducing the sale of any merchandise or service or
promoting the business, opinion or policy of any person, party, firm,
association, group or corporation other than that offered or conducted
on the premises on which it stands.
A sign or banner, erected by the Town of Stratford, primarily
identifying the Town of Stratford, individual Town-owned properties
or special public events.
Any sign which is supported by or suspended from one or more
uprights, braces or other means of support in or upon the ground.
Any sign fabricated, constructed, attached, erected, fastened,
painted or manufactured in any manner and displayed either out of
doors or indoors but visible from out-of-doors for recognized advertising
purposes related directly to the business or service rendered by the
occupant of the premises.
Any sign extending perpendicular to a building or extending
more than 12 inches from the building wall or parts thereof.
Any sign, or part thereof, erected, constructed and maintained
above the eaves of, or attached to, the roof of any building.
Any sign which is affixed to the exterior surface of any
building or canopy, and projecting not more than 12 inches from the
building wall or parts thereof.
Any sign affixed to a window or displayed within three feet
of the interior of the window.
The area of a sign shall be considered that of the smallest
rectangle or square which encompasses all lettering, wording design
or symbols together with any background which is designed as an integral
part of and obviously related to the sign. Any sign may be double-faced
but only one face shall be counted in determining conformity with
these Regulations. All faces of a multifaced sign, however, will be
counted in determining conformity with these Regulations. The height
of a sign shall be considered the distance from the base of the sign
at normal grade to the top of the highest component of the sign including
the pole.
16.4.1
No outdoor advertising or commercial sign shall be displayed
in the Town of Stratford except in accordance with these Regulations
and until a permit for the same has been issued by the Building Inspector
following receipt of a zoning compliance report from the office of
planning and zoning, except as hereinafter provided. Window signs
are exempt from the permit requirements.
16.4.2
The fee for such permit shall be payable in full at the time
of application for such permit, and shall be in accordance with the
permit fee schedule as determined by the Building Inspection Department
and the Zoning Commission.
16.4.3
An application, accompanied by a scale drawing, shall be made
in writing for each separate permit to the Building Inspector upon
a form approved by him. Such application shall set forth the name
and address of the applicant, the location by street and number where
such sign is to be erected or located, the name and address of the
owner of the property, the size, type and general description of such
proposed sign, including the materials of which it is constructed,
the zone in which it is located and such other pertinent information
required or deemed necessary to determine the sign's safety and conformity
to these Regulations. [Effective 5-25-1982]
16.4.4
Maintenance of signs: All signs, together with their supports,
braces, guys and anchors, shall be kept in good repair and in a safe
condition. The owner of a sign, and the owner of the premises on which
it stands, shall be responsible for keeping such sign and ground around
it in a safe, sanitary, neat and clean condition. Failure to comply
with the conditions of this section shall be a violation of these
Regulations, subject to penalties prescribed in Section 17.
16.5.1
Signs shall be a subordinate part of the streetscape rather
than the dominant features. Properly designed signs can communicate
names and addresses of occupants clearly and add interest in building
facades without overpowering them.
16.5.2
No legally existing sign shall be altered, rebuilt, enlarged,
extended or relocated except in accordance with the provisions of
these Regulations.
16.5.3
If any nonconforming wall sign or freestanding sign is discontinued
or requires replacement or alteration due to a change in use of the
premises, such replacement sign must conform to these Regulations
if more than 25% of the freestanding signage or 25% of the total front
wall signage is replaced or altered. The repainting or repair of existing
nonconforming signs is permitted only for the same use and only by
the same tenant on the premises.
16.5.4
When a business or service using an identification sign is discontinued
the sign shall be removed within 10 working days.
16.6.1
Signs in Residential Districts.
16.6.1.1
One sign not exceeding two square feet in area and located back
of the front lot line, giving only the name of the dwelling or its
occupant, or one sign not exceeding two square feet in area and located
back of the front lot line announcing the existence of an enterprise
permitted on the premises. For residential developments of 10 units
or more one sign not exceeding 16 square feet in area and located
back of the front lot line is permitted. Such signs shall be either
a freestanding or wall sign provided they are nonilluminated, and
colonial in appearance and style. Such signs are exempt from the permit
requirements.
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TYPES OF SIGNS
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16.6.2
Signs in a Resource Conservation District.
16.6.2.1
Since the Resource Conservation District was designed to protect
environmentally sensitive areas, all signs are subject to the administrative
approval of the Zoning Commission. All signs shall be made of wood
only, shall not be illuminated and shall be finished with nontoxic
materials.
16.6.3
Signs in LB, LBB, CNC, CF and WF Districts. Signs in Residential
Districts on Main Street are approved under Section 3.19 of the Zoning
Regulations.
16.6.3.1
Wall signs.
A)
Wall signs are permitted on the front fascia of the building
and shall not exceed 0.66 square foot of sign area for each lineal
foot of building frontage. Wall signs are permitted on the side fascia
of the building and shall not exceed 0.33 square foot of sign area
for each lineal foot of building side.
B)
Signs may be illuminated by exterior methods only.
C)
Where more than one sign is installed on a building they shall
be uniform in design, material and shape.
D)
There shall be a maximum of two wall signs per building face
per tenant.
E)
Signage is allowed on each building face other than on the rear
but in no instance shall two building faces be combined to produce
a greater amount of signage than that one face allows.
16.6.3.2
Freestanding signs.
A)
One freestanding sign is permitted if the property has a minimum
of 100 feet of street frontage on one street and it complies with
the following height and size limitations:
B)
The front yard setback of all freestanding signs shall be 1/2
the setback requirement of the district in which it is located.
C)
Signs may be illuminated by exterior methods only.
D)
Directional signs not exceeding 1.0 square foot of signage indicating
the direction of vehicles on the premises.
E)
Freestanding signs for gas stations shall not exceed 10 feet
in height and 40 square feet in size.
16.6.4
Signs in an Office Park District.
16.6.4.1
Freestanding signs.
A)
Only one ground sign visible from a public road is permitted
and shall not exceed 50 square feet nor exceed five feet in height.
B)
One additional freestanding sign not visible from a public road
is permitted for each building in the office park provided each sign
does not exceed 20 square feet, nor exceed five feet in height.
C)
Directional signs indicating traffic flow not exceeding four
square feet per sign.
D)
Signs may be illuminated by exterior methods only.
16.6.4A
Signs in a planned economic development.
16.6.4A.1
Signs. Except as provided hereinafter, signs
shall comply with the provisions of Section 16.6.4.
16.6.4A.2
One freestanding sign not exceeding 50 square
feet in area and not more than 10 feet in height, limited to the name
of the development, shall be permitted at each ingress from a public
street bordering the tract. In addition, a second freestanding directory
sign not exceeding 30 square feet and eight feet in height may be
placed at each ingress not nearer than 30 feet from the public street
providing access to the development to provide directions only to
occupants of buildings accessible by means of driveways located within
300 feet thereof.
16.6.4A.3
One freestanding sign not exceeding 30 square
feet in area and not more than eight feet in height, identifying the
occupant or occupants of the building, shall be permitted at each
ingress to a building site as well as along any street bordering the
site from which no access is provided.
16.6.4A.4
Directional signs, each not exceeding six
square feet in area and not more than five feet in height, may be
placed as required, giving the direction to a building or group of
buildings, use or parking and loading areas.
16.6.5
Signs in CA, CC, MA, MB and MC Districts.
16.6.5.1
Wall signs.
A)
Wall signs are permitted on the front fascia of the building
and shall not exceed 1.0 square foot of sign area for each lineal
foot of building frontage.
B)
Wall signs are permitted on the side fascia of the building
and shall not exceed 0.50 square foot of signage for each lineal foot
of building side. Wall signs are permitted on the rear fascia of the
building only when such signs face or are primarily intended to be
visible from the Connecticut Turnpike and shall not exceed 1.0 square
feet of signage for each lineal foot of the building's width along
the rear. Signs on the rear fascia of a building shall not be illuminated
when facing a residential area.
C)
Where more than one sign is installed on a building they shall
be uniform in design, material and shape.
D)
There shall be a maximum of two wall signs per building face
per tenant.
E)
Signage is allowed on each building face other than on the rear
but in no instance shall two building faces be combined to produce
a greater amount of signage than that one face allows.
16.6.5.2
Freestanding signs.
A)
One freestanding sign is permitted if the property has a minimum
of 50 feet of street frontage on one street and it complies with the
following height and size limitations as shown in the following matrix.
16.6.5.3
Commercial signs.
A)
A commercial sign which preexisting the enactment of this regulation
is permitted, subject to special case approval, to be relocated from
its original location to another location on the same property, rebuilt
or replaced to updated standards or technology, provided the display
area is of the same dimension as the preexisting sign; and, as to
signs adjacent to I-95, the display area is the same height above
I-95, the display area is the same height above I-95 as the original
sign. If the property does not abut I-95, commercial signs are not
to exceed the surveyed height of the existing sign.
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Maximum Square Footage of Freestanding Signs
| ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Height of sign
|
Properties with a minimum of 50 feet of street frontage on one
street
|
Properties with a minimum of 100 feet of street frontage on
one street
|
Properties with a minimum of 200 feet or more of street frontage
on one street
|
Properties with a minimum of 300 feet or more of street frontage
on one street
|
|
Signs five feet in height (maximum)
|
12
|
32
|
44
|
56
|
|
Signs over five feet in height but not exceeding 10 feet in
height
|
9
|
24
|
36
|
44
|
B)
The front yard setback for all freestanding signs shall be 1/2
the setback requirement of the district in which it is located.
C)
Directional signs not exceeding 1.0 square foot of signage indicating
the direction of vehicles on the premises.
D)
A second freestanding sign is permitted if the property has
a minimum of 1,000 feet of street frontage on one street provided
the second sign shall also comply with the height and signage limitations
shown in Section 16.6.5.2A above.
E)
Freestanding signs for gas station shall not exceed 10 feet
in height and 40 square feet in size.
16.6.6
Signs in RS/TH Districts.
16.6.6.1
Wall signs.
A)
Wall signs are permitted only on the front fascia of the building
and shall not exceed 0.50 square foot of sign area for each lineal
foot of building frontage. If a freestanding sign also is erected
then the maximum size of a front wall sign shall not exceed 0.25 square
foot of signage for each lineal foot of building frontage.
B)
Signs may be illuminated by exterior methods only.
16.6.6.2
Freestanding signs.
A)
One freestanding sign is permitted if the sign complies with
the following height and size limitations:
1.
A sign not exceeding four feet in height and not exceeding eight
square feet of signage.
B)
The front yard setback of all freestanding signs shall be 1/2
the setback requirement of the district in which it is located.
C)
Signs may be illuminated by exterior methods only.
D)
Directional signs not exceeding 1.0 square foot of signage indicating
the direction of vehicles on the premises.
16.6.6.3
Window signs.
A)
The total square footage of all window signs shall not exceed
20% of the total window display area. Neon signs and/or lighting fixtures
are prohibited.
16.6.6.4
Community signs or banners. A community
sign or banner carrying a business sponsorship may be erected on Town
property or within a public right-of-way, subject to site plan approval
of the Zoning Commission and meeting the following conditions:
1.
The sponsorship area shall be limited to 25% of the total area
of the sign or banner and shall not exceed 12 inches in height.
2.
The sponsorship shall carry only the name of the business, institution
or person providing the sponsorship. Additional information, such
as a logo, address, phone number, etc., is not permitted.
3.
When sponsorships are to be included in a series of signs or
banners at multiple locations in Town, sponsorships will be limited
to one like sign or banner per business.
4.
In granting its approval, the Zoning Commission must determine
that the proposed sponsorship is secondary to the purpose of the community
sign and could not be substantially identified as a freestanding advertisement.
16.6.7
Signs in CA/TH, MA/TH and WF/TH Districts.
16.6.7.1
Wall signs.
A)
Wall signs are permitted only on the front fascia of the building
and shall not exceed 0.66 square foot of sign area for each lineal
foot of building frontage. If a freestanding sign also is erected
then the maximum size of a front wall sign shall not exceed 0.35 square
foot of signage for each lineal foot of building frontage.
B)
Signs may be illuminated by exterior methods only.
16.6.7.2
Freestanding signs.
A)
One freestanding sign is permitted if it complies with the following
height and size limitations.
B)
The front yard setback of all freestanding signs shall be 1/2
the setback requirement of the district in which it is located.
C)
Signs may be illuminated by exterior methods only.
D)
Directional signs not exceeding 1.0 square foot of signage indicating
the direction of vehicles on the premises.
16.6.7.3
Window signs.
A)
The total square footage of all window signs shall not exceed
25% of the total window display area. Neon signs and/or lighting fixtures
may be permitted subject to site plan approval where they are designed
to be compatible with the buildings historic and/or architectural
character.
16.6.8
Signs permitted in all Districts.
16.6.8.1
A sign erected by any fraternal, civic, religious or service
organization or club, merely announcing its presence in the Town of
Stratford and the time and place of its regular meeting, provided
such sign shall not exceed three feet in diameter, or be more than
nine square foot in area. Such signs are exempt from the permit requirements.
Signs by the above nonprofit organizations for temporary events or
functions are permitted to be erected on designated Town properties
subject to the following restrictions.
A)
Signs are only permitted on Paradise Green and on the West Broad
Street Green.
B)
Approval from the Planning and Zoning Office shall be obtained.
C)
Signs may only be erected within four weeks prior to an event
and shall be removed within 48 business hours after termination of
the event.
D)
There shall be a maximum of 12 such signs for any location.
E)
Only signs advertising events or functions in the Town of Stratford
are permitted.
16.6.8.2
Any flag, badge, insignia or device of any governmental agency,
or civic, charitable, religious, patriotic, fraternal or similar nonprofit
organization when located on its own premises, or displayed along
a line of march of any parade, or in sockets along any street during
a fundraising drive. Such signs are exempt from the permit requirements.
16.6.8.3
Any sign required by regulation or statute of the federal, state
or municipal government or department, board or commission thereof.
Such signs are exempt from the permit requirements.
16.7.1
Signs erected in such a manner that it obstructs clear vision
for a distance of 20 feet from any street intersection. Signs erected
in such a location that any traffic control device shall be in a direct
line between the sign and oncoming traffic.
16.7.2
Signs affixed to any building wall, roof or structure extending
beyond the corner of the building or building roof lines, or covering
any window, doorway, or other existing architectural feature. Wall
signs projecting more than 12 inches from their mounting wall.
16.7.3
Electronic message signs excluding theater marquee signs and
gasoline dealer price signs. Flashing, revolving or animated signs
of intermittent or varying light intensity including such signs located
inside a building but visible outside the building.
16.7.4
Signs employing any lighting or control mechanism which causes
radio or television interference.
16.7.5
Signs placed in such a manner as to obstruct any fire escape,
window, door or opening used as a means of egress or ingress or for
firefighting purposes or placed so as to interfere with any opening
required for legal ventilation.
16.7.6
Signs, with the exception of canopy signs, projecting over any
sidewalk.
16.7.7
Banners, streamer type signs and any non-rigid material for
signs.
16.7.8
Portable signs, except as provided for in Section 16.8.6.
16.7.9
Commercial signs.
16.7.10
Signs which face or are primarily intended to be visible from
the Merritt Parkway, except where another public right of way separates
the premises from the Merritt Parkway.
16.7.11
Signs greater than three feet in height placed at street intersections
within the area formed by a line joining points on each front lot
line 20 feet from the intersection of the street lines.
16.8.1
Signs placed on the premises of a building being constructed,
repaired, altered or demolished, provided the cost of the sign is
included in the building permit, does not exceed eight square feet
in size for residential property and 16 square feet in size for commercial
property and is removed immediately upon completion of the work.
16.8.2
Signs advertising the prospective sale, rental or lease of the
lot or building located thereon when such sign does not exceed eight
square feet in size for residential property and 16 square feet in
size for commercial property. Signs advertising individual rooms for
rent not exceeding two square feet in size provided that all signs
be located on the property. Such signs must be removed within seven
days after the closing or the signing of the rent or lease agreement
and are exempt from the permit requirements.
16.8.3
Holiday decorations (noncommercial wording) or holiday lighting.
16.8.4
Sign or signs for a political organization may be erected as
follows:
(a)
The maximum total square footage of any sign shall not exceed
eight square feet and shall be located on privately owned land or
in the immediate street right-of-way as long as the sign is a minimum
of five feet from the road and 15 feet from any fire hydrant and shall
be set back from intersections and driveways so as to not interfere
with sightlines. Such signs are exempt from the permit requirements.
(b)
Recommendations for erection and removal of signs.
(1)
Regular elections- signs erected not earlier than the first
Tuesday after Labor Day prior to Election Day.
(2)
Primary, special elections or referendum- signs erected not
earlier than 25 days prior to balloting.
(3)
Signs removed within five days of the balloting except in the
instance of a primary, special election or referendum that occurs
within the regular November election sequence, such signs to be removed
within five days of the regular election.
16.8.5
Grand opening signs for new business
establishments subject to the following conditions:
a)
The signs shall be constructed of cloth, vinyl, canvas or similar
material.
b)
The signs shall be displayed for a period not greater than 21
days.
c)
The signs shall be mounted to the wall of the building and shall
not exceed two square feet of sign area for each lineal foot of building
frontage.
d)
No sign or device held in the air by balloon or other means
and no searchlights shall be permitted.
16.8.6
One freestanding portable sign
per tenant shall be permitted on site in all nonresidence districts
subject to the following:
a)
Signs cannot be permanently installed in the ground, must be
self supporting/portable and cannot be attached to an immovable object
such as a structure, light pole or railing.
b)
The signs must be for that business use and must be located
directly in front of that business on the same property and must be
located within five feet of the building.
c)
Freestanding portable signs shall be no larger than 24 inches
wide by 40 inches high in size per side (maximum of two sides).
d)
Signs may only be displayed during the hours that the business
is open. Signs must be removed when the business is not open.
e)
Signs may not be located in parking spaces and must not interfere
with pedestrian traffic or block sight lines for drivers.
f)
Signs may not be internally or externally illuminated or have
any moving parts.
16.9.1
Any person, firm, association or corporation who, having been notified
in writing to discontinue any violation of these Regulations shall
be subject to penalties prescribed in Section 17.2 if such violations
are not corrected within 10 days.
