Madison Considering Sign Regulation Changes

MADISON, CT - The town of Madison and the Planning and Zoning Commission are looking at its existing sign regulations and whether changes are necessary.

According to minutes of a Planning and Zoning meeting earlier this month, officials said the current regulations are “ambiguous” and officials are studying whether changes are warranted.

Here is some of the discussion from the recent zoning meeting:

"Zoning Enforcement Officer John De Laura stated that Madison’s current sign regulations are ambiguous; “flashing” signs are not allowed, but it has to be determined if illuminated signs are allowed; the regulations state that there can be no string or festooned lights, but ACCA has allowed them at one local restaurant.

He asked whether the string or festooned lights could be used in certain situations; the town may want to encourage outdoor dining, and these lights could add to the atmosphere.

The sign regulations allow A frames but no sandwich boards; no one can define the difference between the two, however. Mr. De Laura stated that towns are moving more toward trying to keep sign regulations less complex.

Pennant flags are not allowed, but anyone can fly as many American flags as they want, according to Mr. De Laura. It has to be decided whether pennant flags should be prohibited, according to Mr. De Laura.

Temporary signs are handled very differently, especially in the downtown village district, he stated. Mr. De Laura stated that the permit process is being followed, and he is continuously policing it; the signs that are illegal are those wire signs advertising such topics as roof repairs or painting, that crop up along the roadsides.

Most of the time, those signs are in the right of way, and Mr. De Laura stated that he just pulls them up out of the ground and takes them with him, because they are prohibited in Madison.

If those signs reappear, after he pulls them up, Mr. De Laura stated that he calls the number on the signs and warns them that there is a fine of $150 per day, per sign, if they continue to post them.

The commissioners on the subcommittee asked Mr. De Laura if he could find some towns that have good sign regulations, so work could begin on making changes to Madison’s sign regulations.

Vice Chairman Francine Larson stated that there are no signs in Vermont; Secretary Christopher Traugh stated that the town of Prospect has new regulations on digital billboards.