Bridgeport sign permit requirements

Permit required from the building official for all outdoor signs; no permit needed for real estate signs up to 24 sq ft, temporary muslin/oilcloth signs under 8 sq ft valued under $25, or permanent signs valued at $15 or less erected by a licensed sign contractor.

“no outdoor signs of any nature shall be erected, or shall be pasted, tacked or fastened in any way to any building or other structure, without first obtaining a permit therefor from the building official. Signs advertising real property for sale or rental may be erected and displayed upon the property so advertised without procuring such permit, provided said signs shall not be more than twenty-four (24) square feet in area. No permit shall be required for the erection of a temporary sign of muslin or oilcloth constructed on a wooden frame, having an area of less than eight square feet and a value of less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00), or for the erection of any permanent signs having a value of fifteen dollars ($15.00) or less”

On-premises signs may not exceed 20 feet in height above ground level unless the common council permits a greater height for peculiar conditions.

“No permit shall be granted for the erection of any on-premises sign which shall be twenty (20) feet in height above ground level unless permitted by the common council after a determination by it that peculiar conditions exist which justify the erection of a sign of greater height”

On-premises signs must conform to the setbacks from all property and street lines required by the city's zoning regulations, plus any greater setback the common council prescribes.

“Such signs shall conform to and observe the setback from all property and street lines required by the zoning regulations of the city and such greater setback distances as the common council may prescribe in the interest of public safety or to prevent obstruction of other properties.”

Projecting sign, marquee or marquee sign must be at least 9 feet above the sidewalk and no nearer than 18 inches to the curbline.

“No part of any projecting sign, marquee or marquee sign shall be less than nine feet above the level of any sidewalk, nor shall any part thereof be nearer than eighteen (18) inches to the curbline of the street along which the same is constructed.”

On-premises signs may be electrified or illuminated subject to limitations imposed by the common council; all lighted signs must be shielded to prevent glare that impairs drivers.

“Such sign may be electrified or otherwise illuminated subject to such limitations as may be imposed by the common council.”

No sign may project over any part of a sidewalk (except as provided in the chapter); no sign may obstruct any door, window, fire escape or exit.

“no sign and no advertising device of any character shall be erected or maintained so as to extend or project over any part of any sidewalk.”

The chapter regulates signs citywide by sign type rather than by zoning district; off-premises signs are permitted only in business or industrial zones. No specific general commercial dimensional standards for on-premises wall/freestanding sign area are provided.

“No off-premises sign shall be permitted in any zone except business or industrial zones and shall conform to all the required setbacks of said zones.”