POLL: Westport To Have Temporary Free Standing Portable Signs

According to a news release from Laurence Bradley, Westport Planning & Zoning Director, the which allows all merchants in commercial zones to have temporary free standing portable signs. 

An annual zoning permit will be required for these types of signs. 

A free-standing portable sign, as approved by the Westport Planning & Zoning Commission, must meet the following criteria:

• Signs cannot be permanently installed in the ground.
• Signs must be self supporting/portable or hung on the façade of the tenant’s building.  Signs cannot be attached to an immovable object such as a structure, light pole, a utility pole or a fence.
• Signs shall be no larger than 24 inches wide by 40 inches high in size per side as measured from the ground including any borders or supports.  A sign that hangs on the façade of a building shall be no larger than 24 inches wide by 36 inches high, may only be one-sided and hung flush to the building.  Signs hung on the façade of a building must not be more than seven feet above the ground as measured to the top of the sign.
• Signs may only be displayed during the hours that the business is open. Signs must be removed when the business is not open.
• The sign must be a framed chalk board or eraser board and all of the wording on the sign must be hand drawn.
• Signs must be located on the property of the business that has put out the sign.  The name of the establishment must appear on or be affixed to the sign. Signs may not be located in parking spaces.
• Signs must not interfere with pedestrian traffic or block sight lines for drivers.
• Signs may not have lights, be lighted or have any moving parts

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All sign permits have an annual permit cost of $80.  When applying at the Planning and Zoning Office for a sign permit, a scaled drawing showing the proposed sign must be presented.  A survey or site plan of the property so that the sign can be properly located must also be presented.  This will enable the town to determine whether the proposed sign meets the size and location requirements allowed in the zoning regulations.  If approved, a number sticker will be attached to the sign.

Panning & Zoning Office walk-in hours are on Wednesdays from 9 – 11:30 a.m., or call 203-341-1030 to schedule an appointment.

These regulations go into effect for all commercially-zoned properties as of March 9.