The accessory structure shall meet the yard setbacks of the zone in which it is located.

The structure shall provide enclosed space for equipment, chemicals, and control systems.

The location of vehicular access and parking for service vehicles associated with the building or structure shall be shown on a site plan.

Where possible, the structure should be serviced from roads or driveways within the parcel and not a separate driveway from a public street.

The structure shall be designed to prevent entry by unauthorized personnel.

All utilities serving the building shall be placed underground.

Architectural plans or renderings of the proposed building or structures showing the floor plan, the facade, and exterior elevations of the building shall be provided.

If the buildings are temporary, as determined by the appropriate environmental agency, they shall be removed once they are no longer required for site remediation purposes. If the buildings are for long-term use or permanent, the architectural treatment shall be commensurate with their expected duration by the use of natural materials such as brick, clapboard, shingles, slate, etc. Artificial materials such as metals, vinyl and concrete are discouraged.

The plans shall be subject to site plan review by the Zoning Commission who may require changes to the facade, site layout, design, or size of the facility.

No accessory building shall be used for residence purposes except upon the approval of the commission.

Such structures may not be more than 12 feet in height to the midpoint of the roof and not less than three feet from any side or rear lot line;

In all zones except RS-3 and RS-4, such structures may be located within the required rear yard provided that they occupy (in the aggregate) no more than 20% of the area of the required rear yard, but not less than 75 feet from any street line.

In the RS-3 and RS-4 district, such structures shall not be less than 65 feet from any street line for interior lots.

On a corner lot, an accessory structure may be faced to either street, provided that the front yard requirement for the district is observed for both streets and the minimum side yard requirement is not less than three feet from either side lot line.

A garage not more than 12 feet high and attached to a dwelling may extend into a required side yard not more than 1/2 the width of such required side yard, provided the other side yard, meets the maximum requirements for the district in which it is located.

No dumpster usually used on a construction site may be kept on the property of a single, two, or three family residence unless a construction or improvement project is to commence within 10 days, or it has been within 10 days of completion of the project but in no event shall exceed 30 days and shall be located entirely on private property.

Dumpsters shall be enclosed on all commercial properties and in compliance with Health Department requirements.

For the first 25 feet from the street line on any street, a fence shall not exceed four feet in height.

The yard requirements of these Regulations shall not be deemed to prohibit any retaining wall, fence, or wall provided that no fence or wall shall exceed six feet in height above the finished grade for rear and side yards.

All fences shall be erected with the finished side, (i.e., the side opposite from the horizontal supports to which it is applied) facing the adjacent property or the street. Barbed wire, razor wire or other similar types of fencing are specifically prohibited in all districts unless erected in conjunction with a bona fide farm or unless permission is specifically granted by the Zoning Commission.

Prior to the installation of a fence, a zoning permit must be obtained with a fee for such permit in an amount prescribed by the Zoning Commission to ensure compliance with all fence regulations.

All rear and side lot lines adjacent to an RS or RM District shall be fenced to a height of six feet above finished grade, except for the first 25 feet from the front property line the height shall not exceed four feet. The fence shall be a solid wood or vinyl fence providing 100% privacy, shall comply with the standards of Section 6.1 (Accessory Buildings and Structures) and shall be properly maintained at all times. This fence requirement shall be modified by the Commission if it is determined that the fence will negatively impact or obscure existing views of coastal waters or inland wetlands or tidal wetlands in conflict with the Coastal Management Act (C.G.S. § 22a-90 et seq.).

In MA, MB, MC, and the Airport Development Districts, fences or walls in the first 25 feet from the street line shall not exceed six feet in height. In these zones, no fence or wall alongside and rear property lines shall be taller than eight feet in height. No fences or walls shall create a traffic or safety hazard.

On a property where there is significant slope or topographic change, no fence, wall, or combination thereof shall exceed eight feet in total height from the abutting property's side of the fence.

A private garage space is permitted in association with a residential structure in a residential district, provided that it is used by the residents of that lot. Such garage space may house a maximum of three vehicles. A private garage space may house one additional vehicle for each 5,000 square feet of lot area in excess of 20,000 square feet.

A maximum of one commercial vehicle on a property is permitted in a residential district under the following restrictions:

No unregistered motor vehicle shall be stored or parked in a residential district between sunset and sunrise unless it is kept at all times in a garage. The limitation of garage space shall not apply to vehicles or agricultural machinery used on the premises in the operation of a farm.

Registered vehicles intended for road and highway use stored or parked longer than 60 days without being used shall be screened from view on all sides during all seasons of the year. Canvas or other covers do not satisfy the screening requirements for more than one vehicle.

Outside of a garage, no more than one recreational vehicle/mobile home is permitted and only one boat greater than 24 feet in length is permitted on a residential lot.

Repair of a motor vehicle shall be permitted on a residential lot provided that:

Solar structures.

Wind structures.

Electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Electric vehicle charging infrastructure is regulated in Section 6.8.7 (Electric Vehicle Charging).

Purpose. The purpose of this regulation is to establish standards for the construction and maintenance of satellite antennas in the Town of Stratford.

General requirements for all satellite dishes.

Residential property satellite dishes. The standards shall apply to all satellite antennas less than 36 inches in diameter and installed in connection to a residential use.

Commercial property satellite dishes. These standards shall apply to any satellite antennas more than 36 inches in diameter. Such satellite dishes shall be heard as a special permit under Section 7.3.4 (Special Permit) of the Zoning Regulations. The maximum dimensions for a satellite television antenna shall be as follows:

Such pool is installed in the rear yard of the premises or in that portion of the side yard that lies not less than 50 feet from any street line.

Such pool shall not be erected closer than 10 feet from the rear and side property lines of the premises, and any part of the structure including decks, filters, slides, heaters, tanks, etc. shall not be erected closer than five feet from the rear and side property lines of the premises, or in the case of a corner lot, closer than 25 feet from any street line.

Fencing or other safety barriers or devices are as required in the State of Connecticut Building Code.

Swimming pool wastewater shall not be drained into a street, storm sewer or onto adjoining property. In the event pool wastewater creates an adverse situation onto adjoining property, a water retention system may need to be installed.

Any exterior lighting shall be directed so as to prevent objectionable glare across the property lines.

A zoning and building permit is required for any swimming pool as defined in the State of Connecticut Building Code.

Any commercially owned swimming pools shall be heard by the Zoning Commission as a special permit under Section 7.3.4 of these Regulations.

Tents/canopies may be erected for not more than three consecutive days.

Tents/canopies may be erected on the same property not more than two times per calendar year. (Town property such as Boothe Memorial Park is exempt as it would be utilized by the public.)

Tents/canopies shall not exceed a total of 800 square feet in size nor exceed 14 feet in height to the peak.

Tents/canopies shall not be erected closer than 10 feet from all property lines of the premises and in the case of a corner lot, closer than 25 feet from any street line.

A permit to erect a tent/canopy is required and may be obtained at the Stratford Building Department. A plot plan drawn to scale shall be submitted showing all buildings on the property and the proposed location and size of the tent/canopy.

Tents/canopies that are used for recreational camping purposes and do not exceed 120 square feet in size are exempt from all requirements.

Assure that development within the coastal area of Stratford is accomplished in a manner which is consistent with the goals and policies of the Connecticut Coastal Area Management Act and with the goals and policies of the Town of Stratford Zoning Commission.

Promote and encourage public access to and use of the waters of Long Island Sound, Housatonic River and other similar marine and tidal waters as identified in Chapter 444 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

Gardening, grazing and the harvesting of crops.

Minor additions to or modifications of existing buildings or detached accessory buildings, such as garages and utility sheds, provided that any addition shall not be more than 10% but not to exceed 5,000 square feet of the existing building area and further provided that such buildings or additions are not located within 100 feet of the coastal resource areas.

Construction of new or modification of existing structures incidental to the enjoyment and maintenance of residential property including but not limited to walks, terraces, driveways, swimming pools, tennis courts and detached accessory buildings.

Construction of new or modification of existing on-premise structures including fences, walls, pedestrian walks and terraces, underground utility connections, and such other minor structures as will not substantially alter the natural character of coastal resources or restrict access along the public beach.

Construction of an individual single-family residential structure except when such structure is in or within 100 feet of the following coastal resource areas: tidal wetlands, coastal bluffs and escarpments, beaches and dunes.

Activities conducted for the specific purpose of conserving or preserving soil, vegetation, water, fish, shellfish, wildlife and other coastal land and water resources.

Interior modifications to buildings.

Minor changes in use of a building, structure, or property except those changes occurring on property adjacent to or abutting coastal waters.

Provision must be made on the property for a maximum view of the water from the nearest public street. The view, at a minimum, shall be a straight line uninterrupted, rectangular view lane whose width is not less than 20% of the lineal road or river frontage, whichever is greater. There shall be no building or other permanent obstruction in said view lanes including fences, shrubbery, trees, or other landscaping features higher than four feet.

A pedestrian access easement shall be located as close to the high tide line as is feasible and designed so that it retains an unobstructed view of the marine frontage to permit public viewing and shall be a minimum of 20 feet wide. The easement shall extend the entire length of the water or marine frontage unless it can be demonstrated to the Zoning Commission that areas of the public walkway would clearly pose unacceptable coastal resource impacts or public health and safety hazards. It shall be improved as a public walkway and shall be connected to a public street or public parking area by a public right-of-way having a minimum width of 10 feet.

A vehicular access easement, such as but not limited to a greenway or recreational trail, shall be of a width and size suitable to provide safe public ingress and egress to and from the property and shall be located as close to the marine frontage as is feasible.

The number and location of public parking spaces shall bear a direct relationship to the anticipated use of the public amenities; however, in no instance shall the amount of public parking be less than one space for every 2,500 square feet of the area providing the amenities excluding vehicular easements.

Development(s) including water-dependent use(s) or mixed-uses shall provide public amenities. A water-dependent use that is water-dependent by virtue of "providing general public access to marine and tidal waters" only shall also provide two or more of the below amenities for general public use. A mixed-use project (water-dependent and non-water-dependent uses) the water-dependent use may be used to satisfy one of these two required amenities.

Removal or additions do not exceed a depth of 12 inches;

Four inches of topsoil shall remain; and

A maintenance plan is approved by the Conservation Superintendent prior to Zoning Commission approval, ensuring that the entire disturbed area is seeded with a suitable cover crop or is put to cultivation within a reasonable time.

Nothing in these Regulations shall prohibit the projection of features, such as ramps, lifts, and other building access improvements to accommodate provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Such features are exempt from the required setbacks. In addition, the Zoning Enforcement Officer reserves the right to refer any proposed modification to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a public hearing, if they feel a proposed modification does not meet the intent of this regulation. If the proposed building access modification does not comply with the provisions of the ADA, it shall adhere to all setbacks outlined herein.

Nothing in these Regulations shall prohibit the projection not more than two feet into a required open space of pilasters, columns, belt courses, sills, cornices, or other similar architectural features, nor the planting or landscaping of such open spaces except as provided in Section 6.5 (Sight Distances).

Area. The area covered by waterbodies, watercourses, tidal wetlands and/or freshwater inland wetlands, as defined in Chapter 440 of the Connecticut General Statutes, shall not be used in computing, or complying with lot area. For new lots being created through the subdivision process (§ 8-26, C.G.S.), no more than 30% of the minimum lot area requirement may be satisfied with land which possesses a natural slope of 25% or greater.

Pervious coverage and open space.

Frontage. No building shall be built on any lot unless such lot complies with the dimensional standards of the underlying zone, or such lot was created legally prior to the establishment of these Regulations.

Living space. All dwelling units shall provide an adequate living space area in accordance with all applicable Building and Fire Codes.

Number of structures.

Yards.

A narrative describing:

A site plan map at a sufficient scale to show:

Any other information deemed necessary and appropriate by the applicant or requested by the pertinent commission or the Planning and Zoning Administrator.

The Planning or Zoning Commission shall either certify that the soil erosion and sediment control plan, as filed, complies with the requirements and objectives of these Regulations, or deny certification when the development proposal does not comply with these Regulations.

Prior to certification, any plan submitted to the Planning or Zoning Commission may be reviewed by the Southwest Conservation District which may make recommendations concerning such plan, provided such review shall be completed within 30 days of the receipt of such plan.

The Planning or Zoning Commission may forward a copy of the development proposal to the Stratford Conservation Commission, other Town of Stratford department, commission or agency, or any consultant for review and/or comment.

Nothing in these Regulations shall be construed as extending the time limits for approval of any application under Chapters 124, 124A or 126 of the General Statutes.

A performance bond may be required in accordance with Chapter 124, § 8-3 for erosion and sediment controls.

Site development shall not begin unless the soil erosion and sediment control plan is certified and inspected by the Zoning Enforcement Officer and those control measures and facilities in the plan schedule for installation prior to site development are installed and functional.

Planned soil erosion and sediment control measures and facilities shall be installed as scheduled according to the certified plan.

All control measures and facilities shall be maintained in effective condition to ensure the compliance of the certified plan. Maintenance shall be performed in accordance with the Connecticut Guidelines for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control, as amended. If additional maintenance is required to protect surface waters or wetlands from pollution, the SESC Plan shall include a description of the procedures required to maintain in good and effective operating condition all erosion and sediment control measures identified in the plan.

Inspection shall be made by the Planning or Zoning Commission or the Planning and Zoning Administrator, or the Zoning Enforcement Officer, or its, his or their designated agent, during development to ensure compliance with the certified plan and that control measures and facilities are properly performed or installed and maintained. The Commission may require the permittee to verify, through progress reports, that soil erosion and sediment control measures and facilities have been performed or installed according to the certified plan and are being operated and maintained. It shall be the responsibility of the permittee to provide proper notification for inspection of control measures and facilities that are required prior to proceeding with any development work which is affected by the installation of these measures. Failure to provide this notification shall nullify any approvals given by the Commission on the project site.

Generator and propane tanks shall be setback at minimum of three feet from side and rear property lines, shall not be located in between the principal structure and the street, and shall comply with all Building and Fire Codes. All generators and propane tanks shall be screened from view of abutting properties.

Transformers located on a private property shall be painted so as to blend in with its surroundings and screened from view of abutting properties, using vegetation.

Gas and electric meters shall be located on the side or rear of a structure and completely screened from public view.

All rooftop mechanical equipment shall be screened.

Critical lighting used by police, fire, or emergency services.

Historical statues and monuments.

Traditional, temporary seasonal or holiday lighting (November through January).

Short-term lighting authorized by a special event approval.

Light trespass.

Illumination.

Light controls.

Additional standards for commercial and industrial sites.

A site plan indicating the location of all outdoor lighting fixtures.

A description of each lighting fixture. This description may include, but not be limited to, manufacturer's catalog cuts and drawings (including sections if requested), lamp types, lamp color ratings and lumen output ratings.

Photometric plans, prepared, stamped and signed by a licensed professional engineer qualified in outdoor lighting, depicting the location of all outdoor lighting fixtures and building-mounted lighting fixtures and a maximum ten-foot by ten-foot grid of both the initial and maintained lighting levels on the site, including any impact on adjacent properties.

A project lighting plan indicating how the lighting complies with the requirements set out in the Connecticut State Building Code for outdoor lighting, including the light pollution controls amendment to the International Building Code (Section 2703), and the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code rules on exterior lighting controls (C405.2.7);

The project lighting plan shall indicate how lighting has been coordinated with any associated landscaping plan to prevent site planning conflicts; and

Any other information the governing authority may determine is necessary to ensure that the proposed lighting complies with the provisions of these requirements.

Parking facilities off the street or highway right of way shall be provided to serve all buildings erected, moved, altered, or enlarged and all areas otherwise developed after the adoption of these Regulations.

Structures and land uses in existence, or for which building permits have been approved at the time of the adoption of these Regulations, shall not be subject to the parking or loading space requirement of these Regulations, provided that any parking and loading facilities then existing to serve such structures or uses shall not in the future be reduced, except where they exceed such requirements, in which case they shall not be reduced below such requirements. Required parking and loading facilities shall, however, be provided as a condition for the issuance of any building permit for any enlargement of such structures or uses in the future.

Required off-street parking facilities which, after development, are later dedicated to and accepted by the Town, shall be deemed to continue to serve the uses or structures for which they were originally provided.

Required parking facilities shall be sufficient to accommodate the motor and other vehicles of all occupants, employees, customers, and other persons normally visiting such building or lot at any one time.

Required parking facilities shall be located on the same lot as the building or other use which they serve, except that upon the approval of the Zoning Commission, required parking facilities may be located on abutting properties not more than 200 feet from such building or use, measured in a straight line to the nearest space for vehicular parking. All permitted or required loading berths shall be on the same lot as the use to which they are accessory.

It is strongly encouraged that all required minimum parking and loading facilities that are associated with new construction or redevelopment be located to the rear of the principal building.

Required minimum parking and loading facilities shall be provided with minimum surfacing of bituminous concrete. Alternative surfaces such as gravel or a similar material, may be used if the Town Engineer recommends such alternative application is beneficial. All parking spaces adjacent to a street shall have a concrete safety curb not less than eight inches high, except at point of access. If the area for parking is 40,000 square feet or more, the drainage of said area shall be subject to the approval of the engineering department of the Town of Stratford.

No parking in connection with any non-residential use shall be so located that motor vehicles may enter or leave the parking area across a sidewalk, except at a point or points approved as part of a plan as required by Section 6.8.10.

A parking space for one motor vehicle shall have minimum dimensions of nine feet in width and 18 feet in length exclusive of driveways, aisles and maneuvering space appurtenant thereto, and shall have direct access to a street.

Each required loading spaces shall be at least 12 feet wide, 33 feet long, and 14 feet high. Unobstructed access, at least 10 feet wide, to and from a street shall be provided. Such access may be combined with access to a parking lot.

The use of land for access to and for parking in connection with a use shall be considered to be accessory to and part of such use, except that this provision shall not prohibit access across a commercial district to a use lying in an industrial district.

Required spaces by use.

Required spaces in the TOD. The minimum required parking for a TOD development shall be determined by the mix of uses proposed in such development, in accordance with the table below. Indoor parking may be included in the required parking spaces.

The Commission may, subject to special permit approval, approve the shared use of parking and/or loading spaces by two or more establishments on the same or on contiguous lots containing not less than 200 spaces, where the lot or lots contain two or more distinct uses.

On lots serving more than one use, the total number of required parking spaces may be reduced, provided that the applicant submits credible evidence to the satisfaction of the Zoning Commission that the peak parking demand of the uses do not coincide, and that the accumulated parking demand at any one time shall not exceed the total capacity of the facility. Such evidence must consider the parking demand of residents, employees, customers, visitors, and any other uses of the lot. It must also consider parking demand on both weekends and weekdays, and both during the daytime and overnight.

The Commission shall find that the number of spaces to be provided will meet the intent of these regulations by reason of variation of the probable time of maximum use of patrons or employees of such establishments and that additional parking on the street will not occur. In such cases, the Commission may authorize a reduction in parking of up to 30% of the total required.

Where an applicant cannot provide the required parking spaces on the subject lot, the Zoning Commission may permit the use of parking facilities within a readily accessible area no more than 200 feet from the site to satisfy the parking requirements. The applicant shall submit proof acceptable to the Zoning Commission and documents satisfactory to the Town Attorney to assure the adequacy and continuation of such additional or substitute parking facilities during the use of the premises by the applicant and all successors. If the use of the premises is changed, enlarged, or extended by a subsequent user, such subsequent user will provide off-street parking facilities for its own use, in accordance with the requirements of Section 6.8 of these Regulations.

The size of these compact spaces shall be eight feet in width by 16 feet in length.

Compact parking stalls shall be grouped in contiguous, uniform stalls and shall have signs placed in appropriate locations indicating parking for compact vehicles only.

Residential developments with three or more units shall provide bicycle parking facilities at a quantity sufficient to provide one space per unit. No such development shall be required to provide more than 35 total bicycle parking spaces.

Commercial sites, excluding automotive and animal related uses, shall provide bicycle parking facilities at a quantity sufficient to provide one space per 10 required parking spaces.

Educational, recreational, and public uses shall provide bicycle parking facilities at a rate deemed appropriate by Town Staff or the Commission.

It is strongly encouraged that all bicycle parking facilities be located in an area that is covered or fully enclosed within the building, inclusive of bicycle racks.

No vehicles can be parked within 50 feet of any residential structure not on the lot.

The area used for parking shall be separated from adjacent RS or RM Districts by a fence not less than four feet high and obscuring at least 50% of the vision through any square foot of fence area, except that for 20 feet from any street line the fence may be reduced to three feet in height.

Lighting for any parking area shall be so arranged or shaded that the source of light is not visible from any residence window off the lot and within 75 feet of the light source.

Where the above requirements are not necessary to protect adjacent RS or RM uses from undue noise or light, as determined by the Zoning Commission, the Commission may approve the use with lesser requirements as a special permit under Section 7.3.4 of these Regulations.

No required off-street parking facility shall be developed within the required front yard or shall be developed within five feet of a side or rear lot line.

Any parking required for business uses in a business district shall not be provided in an RS or RM District. Any parking required for industrial uses in an industrial district shall not be provided in a RS or RM district.

All landscaping within parking areas shall utilize native species suitable for planting in proximity to impervious areas. Appendix A (Plant List) of the Connecticut Stormwater Quality Manual may be used in selecting plant species.

Tall shade trees, at least three inches in caliper, shall be planted and/or maintained within all surface parking lots and shall be evenly distributed at the rate of one tree for every 10 parking spaces. Shade trees shall mean any deciduous tree whose mature height of its species can be expected to exceed 35 feet and that has an expected crown spread of 30 feet or more.

The positioning of islands shall be designed to aid in the circulation and traffic safety within the parking lot which may include the periodic use of continuous landscape dividers to discourage unintended site circulation patterns.

Tall shade or flowering deciduous trees, at least three inches in caliper, shall be planted and/or maintained within the front landscaped area at the rate of one tree for every 50 feet of property frontage.

All trees shall be planted in curbed porous islands at least five feet in diameter. All trees shall be further protected from damage with guidelines and shall be maintained in a healthy growing condition in perpetuity.

All parking areas shall be screened from the street through the use of hedges, approximately four feet in height, or landscaped berms. If berms are used, the height of the hedge may be reduced in accordance with the height of the berm above the parking lot edge.

All parking and access areas shall maintain a minimum 12-foot setback buffer to any Residence District. Evergreen trees, at least six feet in height, shall be planted and/or maintained within this buffer area at the rate of one tree for every 10 feet.

All open space areas shall be mulched or grassed. Low shrubs or flowers shall be planted so as to cover a minimum of 25% of the open space area with the intent on covering a minimum of 50% of the area at maturity. Low shrubs or flowers shall be planted at entry areas and other focal points to provide color and interest.

For every 1,000 square feet of refitted commercial or industrial space which requires a building permit, the applicant or owner shall plant one shade tree, at least three inches in caliper, in the parking lot interior area until the minimum requirement is met. Thereafter, trees in the front landscaped area and buffer areas shall be planted until those minimum requirements are met. If it is determined that there is no area suitable for the new trees within the parking lot interior area without removing required parking spaces, then the required trees may be planted along the perimeter of the lot.

On properties or specific areas of properties which are proven to be environmentally contaminated, shallow-rooted flowering trees may be substituted for tall shade trees upon the approval of the zoning office. In cases where shallow rooted flowering trees cannot be planted, even with the use of raised planting beds, then shrubs, 2 1/2 to three feet in height may be planted at the rate of three shrubs for every 10 parking spaces upon the approval of the zoning office.

Plans for any new building or any expansion of an existing building, when submitted for a building permit, shall show specifically the location and use of such building, all required parking spaces, and, in the case of non-residential use, the loading space required to comply with the regulations and the means of access to such space from the public street or highways.

Except for residences, no building permit shall be issued until such plan for parking and loading space and access to it and required improvements shall be submitted to the Office of Planning and Zoning for approval of traffic access, traffic circulation, and general layout of the parking facility and required improvements are planned with regard to safety to traffic on the public street and safety and adequacy of access for cars and pedestrians using the parking facility.

To assure the completion of the required parking facilities, a zoning compliance report that said work is in conformance with these Regulations shall not be issued by the Planning and Zoning Administrator until the applicant files a performance bond with said Administrator in favor of the Town of Stratford in an amount determined by the Administrator to cover the cost of the required work. All work, the performance of which is secured by said bond, shall be completed within two years from the date of the bond or six months from the issuance by the Building Official of a certificate of occupancy, whichever shall first occur.

Each rear lot shall have access to a street by means of an unobstructed accessway held in the same fee ownership as the rear lot (not by easement). The area of the accessway shall not be included in the minimum required lot area.

The access way described above shall be a minimum of 25 feet in width for the entire segment for those under 300 feet in length and 30 feet in width for those over 300 feet in length.

The maximum number of adjoining accessways shall not exceed two.

A full fire detection system shall be installed to the Fire Department specifications, and all rear lots must be serviced by all utilities available.

A standard type of sign shall be placed at the road indicating the numeric address.

Compatible with the use of the property to which they are appurtenant and the landscape and architecture of surrounding buildings.

Legible and appropriate to the activity to which they pertain.

Not distracting to motorists or which decrease the probability of accidents by distracting attention or obstructing vision.

Constructed and maintained in a structurally sound and attractive condition.

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.

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.

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.

Signs causing radio or television interference.

Signs obstructing 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.

Signs that project over any sidewalk, with the exception of canopy signs.

Signs that contain or consist of banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, strings of flags, spinners, or other similarly moving devices or signs that may move or swing because of wind pressure, which tend to unduly divert the attention of motorists shall not be permitted in any district. These devices when not part of any sign are similarly prohibited.

Portable signs, except as provided for in Section 6.11.4 (Temporary Signs)

Commercial signs in which such sign faces or is primarily intended to be visible from the Merritt Parkway, except where another public right of way separates the premises from the Merritt Parkway.

Commercial signs in which the sign is 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.

Commercial signs are prohibited in residential zones or on property used for non-transient residential uses, except for those properties on which a home occupation or a transient residential use has been approved.

Signs of a size, location, movement, coloring, or manner of illumination that may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device, or that hides from view any traffic or street sign or signal.

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.

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.

Holiday decorations (non-commercial wording) or holiday lighting.

Sign or signs for a political organization may be erected as follows:

Temporary non-commercial signs may be allowed on public property and the public right-of-way with the approval of the Town Council. Such signs shall not be erected more than a period of 60 days prior to the event and shall be removed at the end of the sixty-day period.

Grand opening signs for new business establishments subject to the following conditions:

One freestanding portable sign per tenant shall be permitted on site in all nonresidence districts subject to the following:

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. 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.

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.

Any sign required by regulation or statute of the federal, state, or municipal government or department, board, or commission thereof.

Community signs erected by the Town of Stratford for navigational purposes and/or wayfinding program(s).

Traffic control devices on private or public property must be erected and maintained to comply with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices as adopted and amended by the State of Connecticut.

Where a federal, state, or local law requires a property owner to post a sign on the owner's property to warn of a danger or to prohibit access to the property either generally or specifically, the owner must comply with the federal, state, or local law to exercise that authority by posting a sign on the property. If the federal, state, or local regulation describes the form and dimensions of the sign, the property owner must comply with those requirements, otherwise, when not defined, the sign shall be no larger than two square feet and located in a place on the property to provide access to the notice that is required to be made.

Official notices or advertisements posted or displayed by or under the jurisdiction of any public or court officer in the performance of official or directed duties; provided, that all such signs must be removed by the property owner no more than 10 days after their purpose has been accomplished or as otherwise required by law. Signs posted under this section are not snipe signs.

Signs within ballparks and athletic fields. Signs within ballparks and athletic fields as follows:

An original art display or similar work of art as defined in this section of these Zoning Regulations, which shall be allowed in non-residential zoning districts only, shall not be considered a sign, provided is does not advertise a product or business.

Agricultural signs which are accessory to agricultural uses protected under § 19a-341 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

Names on private residences not used for business purposes.

Customary signs on gasoline pumps indicating, in standard size and form, the name and type of gasoline and the price.

Any sign limited solely to directing traffic or providing direction, such as arrows or entrance and exit signs or setting out restrictions on the use of parking areas and not exceeding four square feet in area.

One unlighted identification sign at each public entrance to a subdivision, not exceeding 20 square feet in area. This can also apply to subdivisions with private roadways that will not be accepted or maintained by the Town.

One unlighted construction sign may be displayed on a property while construction is in progress. They shall not exceed five square feet in area, except for new construction or substantial reconstruction of existing buildings of 10,000 square feet of gross floor area or more, which is permitted one construction sign not to exceed 25 square feet. Construction signs shall be removed within 14 days of the completion of the work on the property.

Signs, sale or rent, located on-site, not to exceed six square feet in area in a residential district or 20 square feet in a business or industrial district. Such signs shall be removed forthwith upon sale or rental of the premises advertised.

Signs designating historical places or points of interest, erected by governmental authority or by a duly chartered historical commission, or the like, not to exceed six square feet in area.

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.

No legally existing sign shall be altered, rebuilt, enlarged, extended or relocated except in accordance with the provisions of these Regulations.

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.

When a business or service using an identification sign is discontinued the sign shall be removed within 10 working days.

The area of a sign shall be considered the entire area within a regular geometric form which encompasses all elements of the matter displayed (including lettering, wording design, or symbols, etc.) together with any background which is designed as an integral part of and obviously related to the sign. Frames and structural elements of the sign, not bearing any advertising matter, are not considered as part of the sign area.

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.

Signs shall be illuminated only by internal illumination or shielded light directed at the sign, without causing glare for motorists, pedestrians, or neighboring premises. Properties in LB, LBB, CNC, CF and WF Zones are exempt from the internal illumination requirement.

All signs, together with their supports, braces, guys and anchors, shall be kept in good repair and in a safe condition to the satisfaction of the Building Inspector. 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 7.4 (Enforcement).

Electronic message signs are allowed under the following conditions:

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.

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.

In reviewing applications for special permits pursuant to this section, the following standards shall apply:

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.

Pre-development and post-development calculations of the stormwater runoff. The analysis shall include impacts from the quantity of runoff as well as the quality of the runoff.

The site design, drainage collection, and drainage treatment systems shall be designed in accordance with the requirements and guidance set forth in the Connecticut Stormwater Quality Manual, as may be amended, published by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, as well as the requirements of Town stormwater ordinances.

In addition to best management practices currently available, and in the absence of specific design criteria which may not be identified in these documents or other requirements of the Town, the applicant shall, at a minimum, design the stormwater collection system to retain the first 1.3 inches of runoff from impervious areas on site, and provide a zero increase in the peak rate of runoff from the site for the twenty-five-year storm, with an evaluation of the impacts from a fifty- and 100-year storm. After the evaluation is complete, if a larger design storm is warranted as determined in consultation with the Town Engineer, the applicant shall design the drainage for no net increase in the peak runoff rates generated from the 100-year storm.

The stormwater management plan shall identify specific data for the site improvements as follows:

The stormwater management plans shall specify the post construction operations and maintenance of structural stormwater best management practices incorporated into the site design.

No new building construction increasing building area, including minor additions to existing buildings, or detached accessory buildings such as garages and sheds, and no pools, tennis courts, driveways, paved parking areas, terraces, or other impervious surfaces shall be permitted within:

Any activity within 50 feet of an inland wetland or inland watercourse, for the purposes of environmental impact mitigation or restoration activities including, but not limited to, stormwater treatment, habitat management, riparian zone restoration or wetland restorations, shall not be required to obtain a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Alterations of existing contours are subject to administrative approval by the Zoning Commission.

All building elevations shall conform to the national flood damage prevention ordinance.