# Sign Regulations in Adams Town, Massachusetts

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Adams Town, Massachusetts, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Adams Town, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/adams-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/8902031#8902031)

## At a glance

Adams Town, Massachusetts regulates 15 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Wall Sign (Primary)s in the Business and Industrial Districts (B-1, B-2, I and IP) zoning district are capped at 2 feet above eave line (maximum) tall and Up to 48 square feet (for combined frontages); 32 square feet (for single frontages over 40 ft) (Sec. § 125-15F(1), (4), (e); § 125-15H(1)). Most commercial signs in Adams Town require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | — | 32 square feet (if authorized on special permit) | — |
| Residence and Forest Recreation District (B-3) | 2 | — | 6 square feet (and no more than 5% of wall area) | — |
| Business and Industrial Districts (B-1, B-2, I and IP) | 4 | 2 feet above eave line (maximum) | Up to 50% of main sign area | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Standing Sign | — | 32 square feet (if authorized on special permit) | — | — | — | Location as specified by Zoning Board of Appeals when authorized; must be in public interest. | — | § 125-15A(2), § 125-15F(5) |
| Neon Sign (Interior Window) | — | Up to 10% of window area, not to exceed 6 square feet total | — | — | — | Inside window | — | § 125-15B(3) |
| Neon Sign (Exterior) | — | — | — | — | — | Exterior locations on special permit only | — | § 125-15B(4) |
| Temporary Sign (Construction Parties) | — | 10 square feet | — | — | — | On premises under construction | — | § 125-15D(1)(a) |
| Temporary Sign (Lease or Sale of Premises) | — | 8 square feet | — | — | — | On premises for lease or sale | — | § 125-15D(1)(b) |
| Temporary Sign (Subdivision Under Development) | — | 10 square feet | — | — | — | On subdivision under development | — | § 125-15D(1)(c) |
| Temporary Sign (Display Window) | — | Not more than 30% of the window area | — | — | — | Inside display windows | — | § 125-15D(1)(d) |
| Nonaccessory Directional Sign | — | 10 square feet | — | — | — | May be allowed on special permit in any district (non-state highway), as determined by Zoning Board | — | § 125-15G |

### Residence and Forest Recreation District (B-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Single-Family/Accessory Use) | — | 2 square feet | — | — | One per family | On premises, one per family | — | § 125-15E(1), § 125-15E(3) |
| Wall Sign (Other Permitted Buildings/Uses) | — | 6 square feet (and no more than 5% of wall area) | — | — | One per building/use | On permitted buildings or uses (not including dwellings or accessory uses) on premises | — | § 125-15E(2), § 125-15E(3) |

### Business and Industrial Districts (B-1, B-2, I and IP)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Primary) | 2 feet above eave line (maximum) | Up to 48 square feet (for combined frontages); 32 square feet (for single frontages over 40 ft) | — | — | One per business (shopping centers); generally one per business establishment | Affixed to exterior wall of building in which the business is located | — | § 125-15F(1), (4), (e); § 125-15H(1) |
| Wall Sign (Secondary—Multiple Entrances) | — | Up to 50% of main sign area | — | — | One per additional public entrance (subject to area and distance limits) | At additional public entrances, at least 30 ft apart; one per building face | — | § 125-15F(2); § 125-15H(1) |
| Directory Sign | — | One square foot per establishment occupying the building | — | — | One directory per building entrance | Affixed to exterior wall at each public entrance | — | § 125-15F(3); § 125-15H(1) |
| Flag Sign | — | 16 square feet | — | — | One per business establishment | On business premises | — | § 125-15F(5) |

## Prohibited signs in Adams Town

- No signs that advertise a nationally or regionally advertised product shall be allowed, except as otherwise specified.
- Standing signs are prohibited except as they may be authorized in particular instances by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
- The most restrictive case of sign allowance shall always apply in the application of this section.
- All signs shall be prepared in a professional manner.
- Signs shall be illuminated only by steady, stationary, shielded light directed solely at the sign, without causing glare.
- Except for indicators of time and temperature, no sign or part of any sign shall flash, move or make noise.
- Exterior neon signage may not advertise a nationally or regionally advertised product or service.
- Signs shall not be painted or posted directly on the exterior surface of any wall; they must be affixed to a substantial intermediary removable surface.
- No sign shall protrude over public property more than three feet.
- No sign or flag shall be placed within or projecting over a public way or on public property unless authorized by the Board of Selectmen as required by law.
- No sign shall be placed on shade trees without approval of the Tree Warden as required by law.
- No billboard or other nonaccessory sign shall be permitted (with the narrow exception of nonaccessory directional signs on special permit).
- All signs must be maintained in a safe condition to the satisfaction of the Building Inspector.
- Any sign which has been abandoned or advertises any product, business, or activity which is no longer sold or carried on for at least 60 days must be removed within 30 days by the owner after notice.

## Signs exempt from permit in Adams Town

- Temporary unlighted signs up to 10 square feet indicating parties involved in construction on the premises are allowed for up to 12 months without necessity of a permit.
- Temporary unlighted signs up to eight square feet pertaining to lease or sale of the premises are allowed for up to 12 months without necessity of a permit.
- Temporary sign up to 10 square feet pertaining to a subdivision while under development is allowed for up to 12 months without necessity of a permit.
- Signs inside display windows covering not more than 30% of the window area, illuminated by building illumination only, are allowed for up to 12 months without necessity of a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No sign, except those specifically exempted by this chapter, shall be erected without a permit issued by the Building Inspector, application for which shall be accompanied by such scale drawings or photographs as the Building Inspector may require.
- Standing signs may be authorized by the Zoning Board of Appeals in particular instances, and in such cases the Zoning Board of Appeals shall specify the size, height, type, and location of the sign and impose terms, restrictions, and conditions as deemed in the public interest.
- Exterior neon signage requires a special permit.
- Nonaccessory directional signs require a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
- Temporary signs, posters, banners, or the like for the opening of a new business must be identified on a permit from the Building Inspector.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Adams Town, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Adams+Town+MA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-adams-town

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