Killingworth City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XVII
Signs
§ 500-102.1 Purposes.
[Added 11-1-2016]
A.
Through exercise of its zoning authority, the Town of Killingworth seeks to improve the physical appearance of the Town by regulating signs. Such regulation is necessary to preserve and enhance the substantial governmental interests of the Town in its natural, scenic, historic, cultural and aesthetic qualities. Furthermore, there is substantial governmental interest in enhancing all parts of the Town, including residential, commercial and industrial areas. Regulating signs will make these areas more attractive and thus enhance the economic climate of Killingworth. The regulations set forth below will directly advance the public interest in aesthetics and other qualities of life by preserving and enhancing the appearance of residential, commercial and industrial buildings and areas; preserving and enhancing the appearance of public streets, parks and other public properties; and minimizing obtrusiveness of sign structures. The public interest is served by the use of signs by businesses and services to identify their premises or products and services there available, or to display noncommercial messages.
B.
These sign regulations are intended to encourage the effective use of signs as a means of communication by discouraging excessive visual competition in signage; to ensure that signs aid orientation and adequately identify uses and activities to the public; to maintain and enhance property values and preserve the small town character of Killingworth; to maintain an orderly and attractive community experience; and to reduce distractions and obstructions from signs which would adversely affect traffic and pedestrian safety or otherwise endanger public health and safety.
C.
Furthermore, the regulations are intended to balance the rights of persons to convey their messages through signs and the right of the public to be protected against the unrestricted proliferation of signs and to ensure the fair and consistent enforcement of sign regulations while providing for effective means of communication, consistent with constitutional guarantees. These sign regulations do not regulate nor are intended to regulate the message displayed on any sign, building design or any display not defined as a sign. It is not nor will it be the intent of the Town and its enforcement agent(s) to interpret, restrict or regulate the messages contained on signage in the Town.
§ 500-103 Rural Residence District.
Subject to the general limitations prescribed in § 500-106, signs as accessory uses shall be permitted in the Rural Residence District in accordance with the following provisions:
A.
Residence uses. Accessory to a use described in § 500-43A(1) or (2), one name sign, not exceeding two square feet in area and not illuminated;
[Amended 5-18-2004; 11-1-2016]
B.
Customary home occupations. Accessory to a use described in § 500-43A(3), one business name sign, not exceeding four square feet in area and not illuminated;
[Amended 5-18-2004]
C.
Other uses. Only as authorized by a municipal improvement or by a special exception, whichever is applicable:
[Amended 7-7-2009; 11-1-2016]
(1)
A business name, organization name, or advertising sign, the area of which shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(2)
A directory sign, the area of which shall not exceed 30 square feet. The area of a single sign within the directory sign for an individual organization shall not exceed 16 square feet.
(3)
If an organization has more than two users or businesses in addition to the principal organization, a directory sign is required for the additional users or businesses. The sign for the principal organization shall be subject to the provisions and requirements of Subsection C(1) and the directory sign shall be subject to the provisions and requirements of Subsection C(2).
D.
Subdivision sign. A subdivision sign not exceeding 12 square feet in area when approved as part of a site plan for a subdivision.
[Amended 11-1-2016[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection E, Municipal or nonprofit organization, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 11-1-2016.
§ 500-104 Commercial District.
[Amended 7-7-2009; 5-21-2013; 7-15-2014; 11-1-2016]
Subject to the general limitations prescribed in § 500-106, signs shall be permitted in a commercial district in accordance with the following provisions:
A.
General principal uses. Accessory to a use described in § 500-69A(1) through (4), not more than three signs, any of which may be business sign names or advertising signs, provided that the area of all such signs shall not exceed 30 square feet and the area of a single sign shall not exceed 20 square feet.
B.
Principal uses and special principal uses. Accessory to a use described in § 500-69A(2) or B, but only as authorized by the site plan approval or special exception authorizing such use, not more than three signs, any of which may be business sign names or advertising signs, provided that the area of all such signs shall not exceed 30 square feet and the area of a single sign shall not exceed 20 square feet.
C.
Commercial cluster development. Accessory to a commercial cluster development, but only as authorized by a special exception authorizing such sign:
(1)
A directory sign for businesses in Subsection B above within 50 feet of the street, provided that the area of such sign shall not exceed 60 square feet. The area of the individual business sign in the directory sign shall count toward the 30 square feet allowed for each business. The individual business sign in the directory sign shall be one of the three signs allowed for each business.
(2)
A separate name sign for the commercial cluster development within 50 feet of the street, provided that the area of such sign shall not exceed 20 square feet in area.
D.
Multiple businesses in a single building. Accessory to a general principal use or a special principal use but only as authorized by a special exception authorizing such sign:
(1)
A directory sign for businesses in Subsection B above within 50 feet of the street, provided that the area of such sign shall not exceed 60 square feet. The area of the individual business sign in the directory sign shall count toward the 30 square feet allowed for each business. The individual business sign in the directory sign shall be one of the three signs allowed for each business.
(2)
A separate name sign for the single building with multiple businesses within 50 feet of the street, provided that the area of such sign shall not exceed 20 square feet in area.
§ 500-105 Industrial District.
[Amended 5-21-2013; 11-1-2016]
Subject to the general limitations prescribed in § 500-106, signs shall be permitted in an industrial district in accordance with the following provisions:
A.
Principal uses. Accessory to a use described in § 500-73A, only when specifically authorized in the particular instance by site plan approval by the Commission, not more than three signs, any of which may be business sign names or advertising signs, provided that the area of all such signs shall not exceed 30 square feet and the area of a single sign shall not exceed 20 square feet.
B.
Special principal uses. Accessory to a use described in § 500-73B, but only as authorized by the special exception authorizing such use, not more than three signs, any of which may be business sign names or advertising signs, provided that the area of all such signs shall not exceed 30 square feet and the area of a single sign shall not exceed 20 square feet.
§ 500-106 General limitations; prohibited signs.
A.
All signs permitted in any district by these regulations shall conform to the following general limitations:
(1)
Illumination. No sign in a district other than a rural residence district shall be illuminated in such a manner that any spotlight or other source of illumination is directly visible in a rural residence district. No illuminated sign shall exceed 300 watts of electrical power;
(2)
Hazardous signs. No sign shall be so designed, situated, constructed or illuminated as to have any characteristic which may be confused with a traffic control sign or signal or which may distract the attention of the operator of a motor vehicle;
(3)
Sign construction. Signs must be constructed of good material, firmly supported and in good condition and repair;
(4)
Flashing signs. No sign shall move or rotate mechanically or be illuminated by a light source which visibly alternates, flashes, oscillates or otherwise automatically changes in message content, light intensity or color;
(5)
Height. No freestanding sign in any district shall exceed 12 feet in height;
(6)
Location. No sign in any district shall be located on any premises other than the same premises as the use or improvement to which such sign is accessory;
(7)
Light sources. All sources of light emission shall be directed in such a manner that such source is not directly visible from off the premises;
(8)
Sign height. No sign shall be higher than the highest portion of the roof ridgeline;
(9)
Sign projection. Signs affixed either flat or parallel to the building shall not project more than 12 inches from the front of the building and shall not project beyond the side of the building;
(10)
Sign clearance. Signs which hang perpendicular to the building shall provide a clearance of at least eight feet from the grade to the sign;
(11)
Sign face area. Traffic signs approved with a site plan shall not be included in the total allowable sign face area under this regulation; and
(12)
Termination. When the use for which the sign gives notice is terminated, all signs pertaining thereto shall be removed.
B.
Specific signs permitted in the Commercial and Industrial Districts by these regulations shall conform to the following limitations:
[Added 11-1-2016[1]]
(1)
Freestanding sign. One freestanding sign is permitted for a single business on a single lot. One freestanding sign is permitted for each business in commercial cluster developments and single buildings with multiple businesses, not including one directory sign if permitted by these regulations.
(2)
Flag sign. Flag signs shall not exceed six square feet in area.
(3)
Monument sign. Monument signs shall not exceed 20 square feet in area and six feet in height.
(4)
Pole, pylon, and lollipop signs. Such signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in area and 12 feet in height.
(5)
Suspended or arm-mounted signs. Such signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in area.
(6)
Wall sign. No single wall sign shall exceed 20 square feet in area.
(7)
Window sign. A window sign shall not exceed two square feet and the aggregate area of all window signs shall not exceed eight square feet.
(8)
Banner sign. A single sign not to exceed 50 square feet in area.
[1]
Editor's Note: This enactment also redesignated former Subsection B as Subsection C.
C.
Prohibited signs. The following signs are prohibited:
[Amended 11-1-2016]
(1)
Sign, moving. Any sign, or any portion of any sign, which is not fixed or stationary, or which is capable of any movement.
(2)
Sign, off-premises. Any permanent sign that is not located on the lot for which the use has been permitted.
(3)
In no case shall a freestanding sign structure be fewer than 15 feet from the adjoining street pavement or any lot line, whichever is closer to the sign.
§ 500-107 Generally permitted signs.
[Amended 11-1-2016]
Subject to the general limitations prescribed in § 500-106 above, the following signs shall be permitted as accessory uses in any district:
A.
Parking and directional signs. Not more than three signs bearing instructions to regulate access to and parking on the premises upon which they are located;
B.
Temporary. One temporary sign. Such signs are permitted for the duration of the event and shall be removed at the termination of the event. Such signs shall not exceed six square feet in area.
C.
Holiday decorations. Holiday lights and decorations.
D.
Flags. National flags, flags of political entities and subdivisions and state, Town or local flags; and
E.
Other. Newspaper boxes, tubes or receptacles for the delivery and receipt of newspapers containing the name of the newspaper; historical plaques; and restrictive signs, one sign per 15,000 square feet of land, bearing notification of restriction upon trespassing, hunting, fishing, or dumping, provided that the total area of signage on each sign shall not exceed one square foot.
F.
Banner sign. Permitted for up to 14 days prior to and seven days after the event. Permanent banners are prohibited. Banner signs are the only signs permitted in the Town or state street right-of-way.
§ 500-108 Definitions.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meaning indicated:
ADVERTISING SIGN
The use of pictures, words, colors, logos and other symbols to promote a business or product.
[Added 11-1-2016]
BANNER SIGN
A sign painted on cloth and suspended at the ends between two points.
[Amended 11-1-2016]
BUSINESS SIGN
A sign that directs attention to a business, commodity, service, entertainment, or other use which is currently conducted, sold, or offered upon the same lot where such sign is displayed.
[Added 11-1-2016]
COMMERCIAL CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT NAME SIGN
A permanent sign located at the entrance to a commercial cluster development and containing the name of the commercial cluster development.
[Added 7-7-2009]
CONSTRUCTION SIGN
Any sign giving the name or names of the architects, engineers, contractors, developers and/or lending institutions responsible for construction on the site where the sign is located.
DIRECTORY SIGN
A single sign structure used for multitenancy complexes that identifies the complex and lists individual tenants.
[Amended 11-1-2016]
FLAG SIGN
A sign constructed of cloth or fabric material that has letters relating to the operation of a commercial business on it.
[Added 11-1-2016]
FREESTANDING OR GROUND SIGN
Any sign supported by a structural base placed or located directly upon the ground and not attached to any part of any building.
[Added 11-1-2016]
MOBILE SIGN
Any sign which is nonfixed, freestanding or portable and which can be carried, moved, wheeled, or transported. Mobile signs include A-frame signs, inverted T signs, stake signs, sandwich and other signs.
MONUMENT SIGN
A ground sign with an overall height not to exceed six feet.
[Added 11-1-2016]
POLE, PYLON AND LOLLIPOP SIGNS
Signs mounted atop an upright visible support structure such as a pole, pylon, or structure enclosed with a cover.
[Added 11-1-2016]
REAL ESTATE SIGN
Any sign which is used to offer for sale, lease or rent the property upon which it is located.
SIGN
Includes every sign, billboard, illustration, insignia, lettering, picture, banner, pennant, flag or other device, however made, displayed, painted, supported or attached, intended for use for the purpose of advertisement, identification, publicity or notice, or bringing the subject thereof to the attention of the public, when visible from any street or from any lot other than the lot on which the sign is located and either located out of doors or located indoors and intended to be viewed from outside of the building. The term "sign" shall not include any flag, pennant or insignia of any governmental unit or any traffic or directional sign located within the right-of-way of a street when authorized by the Town of Killingworth or State of Connecticut.
SIGN, ADVERTISING
A sign, the sole subject of which is the identity, quality, quantity or other characteristic of the goods, products or services sold, made or performed in a business or activity to which such sign is accessory.
SIGN AREA
The area of the signboard to or upon which the letters or other designs are affixed or painted, except that where the letters or designs of a single sign are separate and without a common signboard, the area of such sign shall be the aggregate character area of all such letters and designs used in the sign. The character area of a letter or design shall be determined by multiplying the maximum height by the maximum width of such letter or design. Any sign may be double faced, and only one face shall be counted in determining sign area, so long as the two faces are back-to-back with each other.
[Amended 11-1-2016[1]]
SIGN, NAME
A sign, the sole subject of which is the name of the resident of the dwelling to which it is an accessory.
[Amended 11-1-2016]
SUBDIVISION SIGN
A permanent sign located at the entrance to a subdivision and containing the name of the subdivision.
SUSPENDED OR ARM-MOUNTED SIGN
A sign which hangs from a bracket or similar structure attached to a building.
[Added 11-1-2016]
TEMPORARY SIGN
A sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure or a sign designed to be transported, whether on its own trailer, wheels or otherwise. Such signs include signs attached to or painted on vehicles or boats parked and visible, as well as banners, pennants or sandwich board (A-frame) signs. Examples of temporary signs are a real estate sign, garage or tag sale sign, political sign, special event sign, notice of a concert or play, and notice of a fund raising event. Temporary signs may be erected for the duration of the event and shall be removed at the termination of the event.
[Amended 11-1-2016]
WALL SIGN
Any sign painted, posted, or otherwise affixed to any portion of a vertical surface or plane that forms the wall of a building or structure, or any surface projecting from such wall.
[Added 11-1-2016]
WINDOW SIGN
A sign hung in a window and which is intended to be seen from outside or a sign painted on a window which is visible from outside.
[Added 11-1-2016]
[1]
Editor's Note: This enactment also repealed the former definition of "sign, business name," which immediately followed this definition.
§ 500-109 Certificate of zoning compliance required.
Unless otherwise provided in this article, no sign shall be established, constructed, reconstructed, enlarged, extended, moved or structurally altered until an application for a certificate of zoning compliance therefor has been approved by the Zoning Enforcement Officer. The requirements of this section shall not apply to signs described in §§ 500-103A and 500-107.
§ 500-110 Enforcement.
The Zoning Enforcement Officer shall issue written order for the removal of any signs that are not maintained or erected in accordance with the provisions of these regulations. The provisions of § 500-202 shall apply.
§ 500-110.1 Summary of required characteristics for signs.
[Added 11-1-2016]
Required Characteristics for Signs | ||
|---|---|---|
District | Sign Type | Required Characteristics1 (All square footages are maximum total sign area per lot unless specified otherwise) |
Residential | Single-family dwelling name sign | 2 square feet |
Customary home occupation | Four square feet (in place of dwelling name sign) | |
Subdivision sign | 12 square feet | |
Nonresidential use sign2 | 12 square feet | |
Directory sign2 | 30 square feet, no single sign to exceed 16 square feet | |
Temporary sign (1 per lot) | Six square feet | |
Commercial | Business name sign, advertising sign (General principal use) (Principal use)3 (Special principal use)2 | 30 square feet total, up to three signs, no single sign to exceed 20 square feet |
Commercial cluster directory sign2 | 60 square feet | |
Commercial cluster name sign2 | 20 square feet | |
Multiple businesses in a single building directory sign2 | 60 square feet | |
Name sign for the single building with multiple businesses2 | 20 square feet | |
Temporary sign (1 per lot) | Six square feet | |
Industrial | Business name sign, advertising sign (Principal use)3 (Special principal use)2 | 30 square feet total, up to three signs, no single sign to exceed 20 square feet |
Temporary sign (1 per lot) | Six square feet | |
NOTES: | |
1 | Also subject to the general limitations in § 500-106 and other provisions of this regulation. |
2 | Only as approved by special exception or municipal improvement. |
3 | Only as approved by site plan approval by the Commission. |
