This online version of the Zoning Ordinance has not been comprehensively checked against the official version. Neither the Town of Wilton nor the Zoning Board can be responsible for the consequences of any action taken on the basis of any errors in the online text.
This PDF file is the official printable text of the Wilton Zoning Ordinance as prepared for the Town of Wilton. by the Nashua Regional Planning Commission It is also available on the Planning Board page at the official Town of Wilton web site under the “Current Land Use Laws and Regulations” link.
This is the 1999 version of the Zoning Ordinance, including all amendments up to and including those passed by Town Meeting in March, 1999, but not any amendments passed in 2000 or later.
16.0 Signs
16.1 General Provisions.
16.2 General Residence and General Residence and Agricultural District.
16.3 Commercial and Industrial District.
16.4 Office Park District.
The purpose of this ordinance is to preserve the visual character of Wilton while providing signs that direct and indicate the location of a business; identify businesses or individuals within a building; or denote a service. Signs shall be permitted in each district as follows.
16.1 General Provisions.
a. All signs shall be constructed of durable material and maintained in good condition at all times.
b. Signs placed or erected by the Town or State for the purpose of showing street names, traffic directions or regulations, or other municipal or governmental purposes are exempt from the following regulations.
c. Temporary or non-advertising signs may be approved by the Selectmen under such terms and conditions as they may require.
d. Before erecting a sign, the applicant must first pay a filing fee of five dollars ($5.00) and obtain a permit from the Board of Selectmen. The application for the permit shall contain a description of the sign, materials to be used, type and intensity of lighting, dimensions and a sketch or photograph of the proposed sign.
e. In addition to the penalty provisions of section 22.0, non-conforming signs and/or signs erected without a permit may be removed by the Town of Wilton at the expense of the sign's owner.
16.2 General Residence and General Residence and Agricultural District.
16.2.1 Permitted Signs.
16.2.1.1 Number. One (1) advertising structure or sign per parcel.
16.2.1.2 Size. Maximum of four (4) square feet in area per face, two (2) faces may be used.
16.2.1.3 Location and Height. The top of any sign shall not be over six (6) feet above the existing ground level. A building sign may be substituted for the advertising structure but must not extend above the roof eaves or the rake of the gable end.
16.2.1.4 Lighting. No signs shall be illuminated in such a manner as to cause glare, obstruct or interfere with the vision of drivers on the road.
16.2.1.5 Real Estate Signs. Two (2) real estate signs are permitted on a building that is for sale or lease. Maximum area for each sign is four (4) square feet and both faces may be used.
16.2.2 Prohibited Signs.
a. Off premise advertising signs.
b. Animated, flashing or intermittently illuminated signs.
c. Temporary, mobile signs.
d. Internally lit plastic signs.
16.3 Commercial and Industrial District.
16.3.1 Permitted Signs.
16.3.1.1 Number. Two (2) advertising signs or structures per parcel relating only to the permitted use or uses conducted in the building or on the immediate premises thereof.
16.3.1.2 Size. Maximum of one hundred (100) square feet in area per face and a maximum of two faces may be used.
16.3.1.3 Location and Height. The top of any sign shall not exceed eighteen (18) feet above existing ground level. No building sign shall extend above the roof eaves or the rake on the gable end. No sign or advertising structure (except building mounted) shall be placed within fifteen (15) feet of lot lines. All signs or structures must be placed in such a manner that does not obstruct free and clear vision of automobiles or pedestrian traffic.
16.3.1.4 Lighting. Signs may be illuminated but the lighting shall be confined to the area of the sign and arranged to avoid glare or reflection onto any portion of an adjacent highway, into the path of on-coming vehicles or onto any residential premises.
16.3.1.5 Real Estate Signs. Two (2) real estate signs or structures are permitted on a building or parcel that is for sale or lease. Maximum area for each sign is one hundred (100) square feet and both faces of the sign may be used.
16.3.1.6 Multi-tenant Buildings. A multi-tenant building may have one free-standing sign of up to one hundred (100) square feet. In addition, each individual tenant may have one (1) sign attached to the building with a maximum area of four (4) square feet for the purpose of identifying the type and location of the business or service.
16.3.2 Prohibited Signs.
a. Animated, flashing or intermittently illuminated signs.
16.4 Office Park District.
16.4.1 Permitted Signs.
16.4.1.1 Park Development Sign. One (1) park development sign, for informational purposes only, carrying the park name and the name of individual company offices at the park entrance. The sign shall have a maximum area of one hundred (100) square feet with a maximum height of eighteen (18) feet above the entrance road.
16.4.1.2 Individual Building Signs. One building sign affixed to the face of each building, with a maximum area of thirty-two (32) square feet. No building sign may extend above the roof eaves or the rake on the gable end.
16.4.1.3 Small directional signs. Maximum size of two (2) square feet, may be located at driveway intersections.
16.4.1.4 Lighting. Illuminated signs shall be shielded in such a way as to produce no glare, undue distraction, confusion or hazard to the surrounding area or to vehicular traffic. Illumination shall be properly focused upon the sign itself.
16.4.2 Prohibited Signs.
a. Neon, animated, flashing or intermittently illuminated signs.
b. Mobile or temporary signs.
16.4.3 Company Symbols and Trademarks.
Company symbols and trade marks shall be considered as signs and must meet all of the above restrictions.
15.0 Wireless Communications Overlay District (Adopted March 1998).