Town of Canton, CT Signs

Signs
A-Frame - An upright, rigid supporting frame in the form of a triangle or an inverted V.
Arcade - A sign suspended above and perpendicular to a covered sidewalk in a multitenant building, identifying an establishment to pedestrians on the sidewalk.
Awning - Fixed or movable devices attached to the building wall, constructed of fabric or metal and which are located above the storefront and designed to shade the sidewalk and storefront, and may include sign graphics or text printed on the exposed surfaces.
Barber Pole - A striped, oftentimes rotating, cylindrical sign used to identify a hair cutting establishment.
Channel Lit - A sign with "channel" letters using a light source fully contained within the "channel" constructed letters having a translucent face and opaque sides. Alternatively the letters may have an opaque face and translucent sides. No part of the letter may be open or transparent. "Channel" letters may be surface-mounted or pin-mounted or bracketed off the wall surface or the face of the sign box.
Construction - A temporary sign erected on a site which designates individuals or firms relating to a construction project on the premises.
Directional - A sign which improves the flow and safety of vehicular and pedestrian circulation on a site through the use of messages such as parking in rear, drive through or shipping and receiving.
Agricultural - a temporary or permanent sign identifying or promoting agricultural products produced and/or sold on the premises.
Flashing - Any sign in which or upon which artificial light is not maintained stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times and specifically projecting signs that scroll, alternate, or otherwise move or change a message using lighting, screens, projections, or moving parts of any kind.
Governmental - A sign erected and maintained pursuant to and in discharge of any governmental functions or required by law, ordinance, or other governmental regulations.
Ground - A freestanding sign placed on the ground or supported by a structure other than a building, such as an ornamental wall or fence.
H-Frame - An upright sign supported by a base in the form of an "H."
Halo-Lit - A sign with individual and dimensional letters that is back lit and designed so no light projects through the sign and the light source is fully obscured within the letters of the sign.
Home Based Business - a sign no larger than four square feet identifying a home based business approved under Ch. 470 Article III.
Indirectly Illuminated - A sign illuminated either by an external, artificial light source projected upon the sign surface (floodlighting) or an artificial light source projected at the rear of an opaque surface (halo lighting).
Internally Illuminated - A sign illuminated by an internal, artificial light source (typically fluorescent or incandescent light bulbs) which passes through a translucent surface, illuminating the copy and/or background.
Message Board/Bulletin Board - A fixed wall or ground sign used to identify a business key products, services, or events, often seasonal or sale-related, but the message is allowed to be changed in conformance with these regulations, without requiring a sign permit each time the message is changed.
Menu Board - A sign that identifies specific products or services that may be ordered and obtained at a business, including sales at a drive-through facility.
Model Ground - A ground sign which is pre-approved by the Zoning Commission for immediate use as permitted in § 470-703D(1)(e).	See attached
Moving - Any sign, or any portion of any sign, which is not fixed or stationary, or which is capable of any movement whatsoever; excluding barber poles and clocks.
Multitenant - A freestanding sign that identifies two or more establishments within a place of business.
Neon - A sign made of shaped glass tubing, illuminated by electrically charged neon or similar inert gases.
Off-site Promotional Model Ground - A promotional model ground sign limited to advertising either a bed-and-breakfast establishment or the sale of agricultural goods on a Residence District lot that is remotely located from the lot on which the sign is to be placed, as permitted in § 470-703D(1)(f).
Off-Premises (Billboards) - A sign owned or operated by any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of outdoor advertising for compensation for the use of such signs, or any sign advertising a commodity or activity not sold, produced or conducted on the lot.
Open - A flag or window sign indicating that an establishment is open for business.
Political - A temporary sign announcing or supporting political candidate or issues in connection with any national state, or local election.
Promotional Model Ground - A ground sign used to identify a business' key products, often seasonal or sale-related. Posts are anchored for public safety, but signage is changeable, as permitted in § 470-703D(1)(f).
Public Interest - A temporary ground sign that advertises household sales, civic and philanthropic events. (public hearing sign)
Push Through - A sign with "push-through" letters which are translucent acrylic plastic letters inserted through the opaque face of a light cabinet; the face of the letters may be opaque or translucent. The fully contained light source within the light cabinet causes the translucent letter to glow and illuminates the face of the light box.
Real Estate - A temporary ground sign offering for sale or lease the property on which it is located or advertising a real estate development on the premises.
Real-Estate, Offsite - A sign that directs traffic to property that is for sale or lease but not located on the property upon which the sign is placed.
Sign, Self-Standing - A sign that is a self supported structure, erected on the ground and not accessory to any building or structure on the lot.
Streamers and Banners Streamer - a ribbon like flag usually suspended from a rope or cord attached to a structure, pole or vehicle and intended to capture attention by flapping in the wind. Banner - a sign made of a bon-rigid material, including but not limited to cloth, canvas, or plastic.
Sky - Any sign suspended in the air by means of a balloon or other lighter-than-air device.
Tag-line to a wall sign
Three Dimensional - Signs that consist of, or have attached to them, one or more three-dimensional objects (i.e. balls, cubes, clusters of objects, sculpture, or statue-like trademarks).
Vehicle - Any permanent or temporary sign affixed to, painted on, or placed in or upon any parked vehicle, parked trailer, or other parked device capable of being towed, which is obviously and conspicuously parked so as to advertise the business to the passing motorist or pedestrian; and the primary purpose of which is to provide additional on-lot signage, or is to serve the function of an outdoor advertising sign. The primary purpose of such vehicle or equipment shall be presumed to be for the display of such signage if the vehicle/equipment meets one or more of the following: (a) Not in operating condition; (b) Not currently registered or licensed to operate on public streets; (c) Not actively used in the daily function of the business to which the signs relate; (d) Not properly parked in a designated parking space; or, (e) Used primarily as a static display for the display of such signage, except as otherwise authorized in subparagraph (d) in this section. Vehicles and equipment engaged in active construction projects and the on-premise storage of equipment and vehicles offered to the general public for rent or lease shall not be considered to be vehicle signs.
Wall or Attached - A sign mounted on the wall of a building.
Sign, Welcome New Business Model Ground - A temporary ground sign pre-approved by the Zoning Commission for a new business to use before permanent signage is erected.
Sign, Window - A sign painted on, affixed to, or placed within three feet of the interior face of a window or door and visible from the exterior.