No sign shall be established, constructed, enlarged, altered, extended, or moved except in conformance with these regulations.
The purpose of these regulations is to permit the identification of land uses for the convenience of the general public, while regulating and restricting signs so as to prevent them from:
A.
Being excessive in number, illumination, area, or height;
B.
Being distracting to motorists;
C.
Being incompatible with the use of the land or building to which they are accessory;
D.
Having an adverse impact on property values and the aesthetic and historic character of the Town of Willington; or
E.
Otherwise impairing the public health, safety and welfare.
The following signs are prohibited in all zones:
A.
Flashing signs, as defined in these regulations (see Article 3), except for signs indicating the time and/or temperature, by means of white lights only, which may be permitted in the DC, DNC or DI Zones.
B.
Moving signs (also at times called "mechanical" signs) as defined in these regulations (see Article 3). "Moving signs" shall include, but not be limited to, permanent spinners, streamers, banners, and the like (excluding temporary events, such as openings and festivals).
C.
Portable or mobile signs, being any sign which is mounted on wheels, is collapsible, or mounted or painted on a vehicle which is generally in the same location for purposes of identification. "Portable signs" shall include, but not be limited to, so-called "A" signs and signs on balloons, kites, or other objects suspended in the air.
D.
Advertising signs, as defined in these regulations (see Article 3). No sign shall constitute the principal use of any lot.
E.
Signs painted directly upon any building surface, such as a wall or roof, or painted or otherwise displayed upon the surface of the earth itself.
F.
Roof signs or sky signs, as defined in these regulations (see Article 3).
G.
Any sign which displays lights resembling those customarily used by police, fire, ambulance, or other emergency vehicles, and any sign which uses the word "stop," "caution," "slow," or any other word, phrase, symbol, or character that might be misconstrued to be a public safety warning sign or other official traffic control sign.
H.
Any illuminated sign in which the background (as opposed to the text) is illuminated by means of an internal light source through a translucent or transparent material.
[Amended 4-1-2014, eff. 4-15-2014]
The following signs do not require a sign permit, as provided in § 315-19.05 below, provided that they comply with the provisions of these regulations:
A.
Public signs. Signs of a noncommercial nature, erected in the public interest by or on the order of a public official in the performance of his/her duty, including, but not limited to, safety signs, trespassing signs, traffic control signs, and signs of memorial or historic interest. To qualify for this exemption, traffic control signs must conform to Connecticut Department of Transportation standards; trespassing, memorial, historic interest, and all other signs may not exceed four square feet in area.
B.
Small identification signs.
(1)
One ground sign per lot, only for uses permitted in residential zones, not exceeding two square feet in area, located on the premises, not illuminated, and announcing only the name and/or occupation of the building occupant.
(2)
One public convenience sign for each building in a nonresidential zone, attached flat against the principal building, identifying store hours, the name of the business, or other basic information of a nonadvertising nature, and not exceeding four square feet in area.
(3)
Trespass signs and other signs indicating the private nature of a driveway or other premises, not to exceed four square feet.
C.
Special event temporary signs. For public, charitable, educational or religious events: one sign not exceeding 20 square feet in area on the same lot as the event, plus two other signs of the same size at other locations (with the permission of the property owner), provided the said signs are posted no sooner than 14 days prior to the event and removed at the close of the event. In addition, directional signs may be posted, provided they do not exceed four square feet in area and are posted no sooner than 14 days before the event and are removed at the close of the event.
D.
Construction, sale, and rental temporary signs (on-site). One construction or project sign per lot not exceeding 32 square feet in area for residential uses, nor more than 32 square feet for commercial and industrial uses, and, in addition, one freestanding sign per subcontractor not exceeding four square feet. Also, one sign per residential lot advertising "for sale" or "for rent"; or one sign per 600 feet of contiguous street frontage; such "for sale" or "for rent" signs not exceeding four square feet. All such signs shall be displayed for no more than six months, which time period may be extended by the Commission for an additional six months. All such signs shall be removed no more than 10 days following the completion of a construction project, or the sale or rental of all lots, dwelling units, or other spaces.
E.
Temporary interior business window signs. Signs located on the inside of the windows of commercial buildings.
F.
Governmental insignias. The flag, seal, or other official insignia of any nation, state, city or other political unit, provided the same shall be no larger than 50 square feet.
G.
Tag sale signs. One sign, not exceeding two square feet in area, located on the same lot as the tag sale, and for a period not to exceed 72 hours.
H.
Change in text/content. A change in the text or content of a sign, with no other change in size, location, color, illumination, or any other aspect of the sign, shall not require the issuance of a new sign permit.
I.
Maintenance. Routine repainting, cleaning, and other normal maintenance and repair of a sign or sign structure, unless a structural change is being made.
J.
Art forms. Artistic paintings, sculptures, and similar works of art shall be permitted, provided that such works contain no commercial message, motif, or image; are not designed for the purpose of attracting the attention of the general public by their size, colors, or other characteristics; comply with the height, location, size, and other requirements of these regulations; and are limited to no more than one such structure for each building on the lot.
Except for those signs enumerated in the preceding § 315-19.04, no sign shall be erected or established until the issuance of a sign permit. For any use of land or buildings requiring a special permit or special exception pursuant to these regulations, all required information shall be submitted as part of the application for such special permit or exception, except that, in addition to the review thereof, any and all applications for sign permit, or any amendment thereto, shall be approved, modified and approved, or disapproved exclusively by the Commission, as part of its action on the special permit, or separately in the case of a special exception application. Where no application for special permit or special exception is involved, the application for sign permit shall be filed separately with the Commission.
A.
Application for sign permit; information and fees required. Every application for sign permit shall contain, at a minimum, the following information:
(1)
A site plan depicting the location of the sign(s) on the subject site and its relation to adjacent buildings and structures, and any associated landscaping, lighting sources, structural components, and the like.
(2)
An illustration of the proposed sign(s), including dimensions, text/content, materials, color, and structural support.
(3)
A narrative description of the sign(s), including its purpose; method of illumination; materials (if not evident from the illustration); the section of the regulations under which such sign is permitted; a description of the total area, location, type and other information for all other signs on the lot; and any other information not contained in the site plan or illustration.
(4)
For a temporary sign, the dates upon which the sign is to be displayed, and the purpose thereof.
(5)
Such other information as the Commission may require to determine compliance with these regulations.
(6)
An application fee in the amount of $25.
B.
Criteria for review.
(1)
That the proposed sign(s) conforms to all applicable requirements of these regulations.
(2)
That the proposed sign(s) is appropriate in size, location, illumination, and character for the building or use with which it is associated and the area in which it is proposed; in harmony with the historic, rural character of the Town of Willington; and will not adversely impact property values, public safety, or the general welfare.
(3)
That the proposed sign(s) is (are) designed, constructed, located, erected and maintained in accordance with all applicable requirements of the State Building Code.
(4)
For signs associated with uses requiring a special permit or special exception: compliance with the criteria of Article 13, Special Permit/Exception, of these regulations.
(5)
In addition to the minimum and maximum parameters contained in this Article 19, the Commission may also impose more restrictive requirements where required to protect the public health, safety, welfare, property values, the natural environment, the character of historic areas, or the other purposes of these regulations. The situations where such additional restriction may be imposed include, but are not limited to, the following: areas of historic importance; nonconforming nonresidential uses in residential zones; signs in locations where sight line hazards may be created or maintained; developments adjacent to significant wildlife habitats; and developments adjacent to uses requiring special protection from light and the other characteristics of signs, such as hospitals and rest homes, schools, churches, and other public or community buildings.
C.
Action. The Commission may approve, modify and approve, or deny an application for sign permit. Such modifications may include, but are not limited to, requirements for certain dimensions, illumination, lettering size, location, height, landscaping, and other characteristics or dimensions of the sign(s), even when such requirements are more restrictive than the minimum and maximum requirements contained in this Article 19. In determining such requirements, the Commission shall consider the character of the area where such sign is located; the use with which it is associated; the types, sizes, dimensions, and the like of surrounding signs (both existing and proposed); and the general compatibility of the sign(s) with the most desirable and tasteful developments (both existing and proposed) located on parcels in the general area.
For the definitions of the terms "sign" and "sign area or face," see Article 3, Definitions, of these regulations. All signs shall conform to the following requirements:
A.
Location. Unless noted otherwise in these regulations, no ground sign shall be located within the right-of-way for any street. Overhanging signs shall project no more than four feet from such building and shall not, in any event, project into any public street right-of-way. New signs shall be located such that they do not block the sight lines of existing signs on neighboring properties. No sign shall be erected in such a manner that will or reasonably may be expected to interfere with, obstruct, confuse, or mislead traffic. No sign or portion thereof shall be erected at the intersection of public streets, within the triangular area formed by a line connecting points 25 feet from the intersection street lines.
B.
Height. No ground sign shall exceed a height of 15 feet in commercial or industrial zones and six feet in residential zones, except as permitted by § 315-19.07A(4). Any sign attached to the wall of a building shall not project above any point of the roof of a building with a flat roof, nor above the eave of a building with a pitched or mansard roof.
C.
Obstruction. No signs shall be permitted to physically obstruct any window, door, fire escape, stairway, or opening intended to provide light, air, ingress or egress for any building or structure. The foregoing shall not be construed to prohibit the placement of paper or similar temporary signs in windows which do not physically obstruct or structurally alter such window.
D.
Illumination. All lighting of signs shall be of low intensity, and from indirect or internal sources so shielded that the source of illumination (bulb, etc.) is not visible from, and does not cast light onto, any street or any adjacent lot.
E.
Ground sign landscaping. Every ground sign shall be provided with suitable, properly maintained landscaping.
F.
Maintenance. All signs shall be maintained in a clean and inoffensive condition, free and clear of rubbish and weeds. Normal maintenance shall include painting, changing, adding, or removing advertising or information on display surfaces and routine repairs necessary to keep the sign in a neat, clean, attractive and safe condition, and reflecting the current occupancy of the site.
G.
Other permits required. All signs are considered structures and shall meet the required Electrical and Building Codes of the Town of Willington. Only materials permitted by the Building Code governing structural materials and equipment as approved by the Building Official, conforming to standard engineering practices, shall be used in the manufacture and erection of signs. All electrical signs shall bear the seal or certification of an approved testing laboratory or a licensed electrician. Materials selected for permanent signs shall be durable, capable of withstanding weathering over the life of the sign with reasonable maintenance.
H.
Nonconforming signs. Signs existing upon the effective date of this regulation and not conforming to its provisions, or any amendment thereto, shall be deemed a nonconforming sign. No nonconforming sign shall be structurally altered, relocated, or replaced except in compliance with these regulations. See § 315-19.04H regarding changes in content or text.
I.
Obsolete signs. Any sign now or hereafter existing which no longer advertises a bona fide business or product sold shall be removed by the owner, agent, or person having the beneficial use of the building or structure upon which such sign may be found within 10 days of written notification from the Zoning Agent. Failure to comply with such notification shall be deemed a violation of these regulations and subject the violator to such penalties as may be provided by law.
J.
Hazardous signs. Any sign which has been found to be hazardous to the public by the Zoning Agent or the Building Official shall be repaired, replaced, or removed within 10 days of notification of such finding. Failure to comply with such notification shall be deemed a violation of these regulations and subject the violator to such penalties as may be provided by law.
[Amended 9-16-2025, eff. 10-1-2025]
In addition to the preceding requirements, the following signs shall be permitted, subject to the specified requirements:
A.
Residential signs.
(1)
Home businesses. One identification sign per lot not exceeding two square feet, indicating only the names of persons or their professions. Home business signs shall not be illuminated.
(2)
Apartment/condominium developments. One identification sign per development not exceeding four square feet.
(3)
Charitable, religious, educational, governmental. Signs for permitted charitable, religious, educational, or governmental uses shall not exceed 20 square feet in area, shall be limited to no more than one such sign at the major entrance to such use, and shall not exceed a height of 10 feet.
(4)
Agricultural, farm stands, other nonresidential uses in residence zones. Farms and other permitted nonresidential uses in residential zones, including legal nonconforming uses, may have no more than two signs, aggregating not more than 16 square feet in area and no more than 10 feet in height. Farms stands or similar retail uses in residential zones shall not display any sign during periods of nonsale.
B.
Commercial and industrial signs.
(1)
Total area of all sign faces. Except as provided herein for a unified shopping center, the combined area of all sign faces shall not exceed a total area of one square foot for each linear foot of any single building face, or 100 square feet, whichever is less. For buildings having multiple occupancy, linear footage shall be divided based on each occupant's share of the building. No sign shall face the side of any adjoining lot if such lot is in a residential zone. Furthermore, the following restrictions shall apply to individual types of signs:
(a)
Freestanding ground signs. Sign face shall not exceed 32 square feet in area and shall be set back not less than 10 feet from the property line nor less than 20 feet from the edge of the pavement of the street, whichever is greater, and not less than 15 feet from the lot side line or 100 feet from an adjacent residential zone. There shall be no more than one ground sign per lot. Such sign shall be supported by one or more columns or uprights which are firmly embedded in the ground.
(b)
Overhanging sign. The sign face shall not exceed six square feet in area.
(c)
Wall sign. The sign face shall not exceed six square feet in area.
(2)
Maximum types of signs. No more than three signs shall be located on any building or lot, and no building or lot shall have more than two types of signs (ground, overhanging, or wall signs).
(3)
Directional signs. Directional signs may be located at the access driveways for sites, outside of any public road right-of-way, and may contain only words such as "entrance," "exit," "do not enter," arrows, and other similar words or symbols of guidance for motorists. Such signs shall not exceed two square feet in area, and there shall be no more than one such sign per driveway.
(4)
Unified commercial, industrial, or office complexes. In the case of shopping centers, industrial parks, office parks, and other nonresidential developments of 10 acres or more, served by a common street or set of driveways, and approved by the Commission as a single special permit and/or nonresidential subdivision, the Commission may approve the following:
(a)
Identification sign. One additional sign identifying the name of the complex and containing no other information. Such sign may be freestanding or exterior, but shall not exceed 20 square feet in area.
(b)
Directory sign. One or more wall signs listing the occupants of a building or building complex, and the suite number or other location, but no other information. There shall be no more than one directory sign on any building, and no sign face shall exceed 20 square feet. Such directory sign shall be located where pedestrians can readily see it, but shall not be oriented to passing vehicular traffic.
(c)
Greater sign area. An increase in the total combined square footage of all signs on any lot in a unified development exceeding the total permitted under § 315-19.07 hereinabove, provided each individual sign complies with the size and other limitations of these regulations and all signs on the lot are designed with a single, unified theme, including uniform method of illumination, lettering size, letter and background colors, mounting location (e.g., in a sign strip or soffit), materials, and similar characteristics. Lettering may be of different styles (e.g., block, italic, script, etc.). The enforcement of the unified sign theme shall be the duty of the property owner and shall be a provision in the leases for all tenants. The owner shall also be responsible for the allocation of sign area authorized by the Commission among the tenants of the site and shall present such allocation plan to the Commission for its review and approval, and no individual sign application shall be approved which does not comply with said allocation plan.