New Britain, CT Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Code of Ordinances § 3-11
- Political sign size limit
- 3 feet by 3 feet maximum
- Allowed only
- day of election, primary, or special election
- Placement rule
- beyond the 75-foot marker at polls
- Fine per violation
- $99.00 per handbill or sign
- Removal authority
- Public Works or Police Department
Summary
New Britain bans posting any handbill or sign on public property citywide, from utility poles to street signs, but carves out one narrow exception for political signs. Sec. 3-11 lets candidate and ballot-question signs go up at polling places only on election day, capped at three feet by three feet and placed beyond the 75-foot marker set by election officials.
No person shall paint, mark or write on, or post or otherwise affix, any handbill or sign to or upon any public property, public right-of-way, park, sidewalk, crosswalk, curb, curbstone, street lamp post, hydrant, tree, shrub, tree stake or guard ... or upon any lighting system, public bridge, drinking fountain, street sign or traffic sign. Exceptions to the above shall be limited to the following: 1) Political signs advertising an individual for elective office or a question/referendum on the ballot may be placed at polling places only on the day of an election, primary or special election. Such political signs must be held or placed in the ground, no larger than three (3) feet by three (3) feet and placed beyond the seventy-five foot marker as placed by the registrar of voters or election poll moderators. Such signs shall be permitted to stay for the duration of that day's voting. ... The person, entity, organization or company identified in the contact information on the handbill or sign posting is liable for payment of a fine of ninety-nine dollars ($99.00) for each handbill or sign posting.
Full Breakdown
The general rule in Sec. 3-11(a) forbids painting, marking, posting or affixing any handbill or sign to public property, rights-of-way, parks, sidewalks, curbs, lamp posts, hydrants, trees, wire poles, fire alarm or police telegraph fixtures, lighting systems, bridges, drinking fountains, or traffic signs. The single listed exception covers political signs advertising a candidate for elective office or a ballot question or referendum: they may be placed at polling places only on the day of an election, primary, or special election, must be held or staked in the ground at no larger than 3' x 3', positioned beyond the 75-foot marker placed by the registrar of voters or poll moderators, and must come down at the close of that day's voting.
Two narrow, unrelated exceptions also exist: historical commemorative plaques installed with a written Department of Public Works permit, and house numbers painted on curbs. Any sign posted contrary to the section, political or otherwise, may be removed by the New Britain Department of Public Works or the New Britain Police Department or their designee.
Violations & Fines
The person, organization, or company identified in the contact information on an illegally posted handbill or sign is liable for a fine of ninety-nine dollars ($99.00) for each separate posting, on top of the city's authority to remove the sign through Public Works or the Police Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put up a political sign anywhere in New Britain on election day?
How long can a political sign stay up at a New Britain polling place?
What happens if my campaign sign is found on a utility pole or street sign?
Are there any other exceptions to the public-property sign ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Britain
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