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New Haven, CT Sign Regulations: Freeway-Facing Signs (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Banned highway
SR-15, entire route
Banned I-95 segment
Howard Ave to Water St
Banned I-91 segment
Quinnipiac River to Foxon Blvd
Max size where allowed
900 sq ft, 30 ft tall

Summary

New Haven bars off-premises billboards along State Route 15 and stretches of I-95 and I-91, plus near parks and historic districts.

(2)Locations Prohibited for Off-Premises Signs.a.Within any Residence District (RS-1, RS-2, RM-1, RM-2, RH-1, RH-2, RO) or the BA-1, BC, BD, BD-1, or BD-3 Business Districts;b.On the roof of any building more than two stories in height, whether the building is in use or not;c.Directly painted on a wall of any building unless otherwise approved by Special Permit;d.On or over a public right-of-way or public property;e.In or within 250 feet of any PARK district;f.In or within 250 feet of any National Register Historic District or local historic district;g.Within 1,500 feet of another off-premises sign, measured from the closest points between such signs on the same side of a limited access highway oriented to the same travel direction;h.State Route 15 (SR-15);i.Interstate 95 (I-95) from Howard Avenue easterly to Water Street; orj.Interstate 91 (I-91) northbound side from Quinnipiac River to Foxon Boulevard (SR-80).

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 31 | Zoning: Supplement 32).

Full Breakdown

New Haven's zoning ordinance flatly prohibits off-premises signs (billboards) oriented to limited-access highways in specific corridors: all of State Route 15, Interstate 95 from Howard Avenue east to Water Street, and the northbound side of Interstate 91 from the Quinnipiac River to Foxon Boulevard. Off-premises signs are also banned in every Residence District, within 250 feet of a park or historic district, and within 1,500 feet of another off-premises sign on the same highway. Where allowed, billboards are capped at 900 square feet and 30 feet in height.

Violations & Fines

An off-premises sign erected in a prohibited highway corridor or within the banned distance of a park, historic district, or another billboard is not eligible for a zoning permit and is subject to removal by the Zoning Enforcement Officer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a billboard face I-95 in New Haven?
Not along the stretch from Howard Avenue easterly to Water Street: that segment is a flat prohibited zone under Zoning Ordinance § 60.3(h)(2)i.
Are billboards allowed near New Haven's parks?
No. Off-premises signs are prohibited within 250 feet of any PARK district under § 60.3(h)(2)e.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in New Haven

All New Haven rules

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