# Sign Regulations in Allston, Massachusetts

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Allston, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/allston
- **Data last verified:** 2024-12-12
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.akronohio.gov/departments/planning_urban_development/zoning_map_code.php)

## At a glance

Allston, Massachusetts regulates 10 sign types across 2 zoning districts. Residential Identification Signs in the Residential Districts zoning district are capped at 4 feet tall, 2 square feet, and Not specified wide (Sec. Section 11-1 (a)). Most commercial signs in Allston require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (2 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts | 6 | 4 feet | 32 square feet | No |
| All Other Districts | 4 | 25 feet above grade or top of sills of first level windows above first story or lowest point of roof surface (whichever is lowest) | 65 square feet per face for single use; 125 square feet for multiple uses | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Identification Sign | 4 feet | 2 square feet | Not specified | — | — | Attached to the building or on a rod or post | No | Section 11-1 (a) |
| Bulletin/Announcement Board, Name Sign, or Entrance Marker | Not specified | 20 square feet (or up to three signs based on street frontage) | Not specified | — | — | Not specified | No | Section 11-1 (b) |
| For Sale/For Rent Sign | Not specified | 8 square feet | Not specified | — | — | On the property | No | Section 11-1 (c) |
| Building Contractor/Developer Sign | Not specified | 32 square feet | Not specified | — | — | On the lot under construction | No | Section 11-1 (d) |
| Tract Entrance Sign | Not specified | 20 square feet | Not specified | — | — | At entrance to tract | No | Section 11-1 (e) |
| Nonconforming Use Sign | Not specified | See Section 11-2 | Not specified | — | — | Not specified | No | Section 11-1 (f) |

### All Other Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 25 feet above grade or top of sills of first level windows above first story or lowest point of roof surface (whichever is lowest) | Not specified | Not specified | — | — | Attached to building | No | Section 11-2 (b) |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | Not specified | Inside of window glass | — | Section 11-2 (c) |
| Projecting Sign | 25 feet above grade or lower of specified points | 24 square feet per side, plus 10 square feet for public service message | — | — | 1 per entrance door | Attached at right angles to building | — | Section 11-2 (d) |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 feet for single use; 30 feet for multiple uses | 65 square feet per face for single use; 125 square feet for multiple uses | — | — | 1 or 2 depending on street line length | Not in specified districts | — | Section 11-2 (e) |

## Prohibited signs in Allston

- Electronic signs are forbidden elsewhere in the city except in the Theater District, Lansdowne Street Entertainment District and the Seaport Convention Center District (Section 11-7).
- No support for a sign shall extend above the cornice line of a building to which it is attached.
- Signs shall remain stationary.
- Except in an adult entertainment district, and except as provided in Section 11-7, signs shall be lighted only by any continuous light, except that a warning sign or a sign illuminated to show time and temperature may have intermittent illumination.
- Except for copy changes on signs with changeable letter panels, no sign shall be reconstructed, extended, changed structurally or in content or replaced except in accordance with this Article. A sign which does not conform with this Article may be repaired provided that the cost of the repair does not exceed thirty-five percent of the replacement cost of the entire sign, except that an electric time and temperature sign which is an integral part of a nonconforming sign may be repaired or replaced with no restriction on the cost of the repair or replacement (Section 11-5).

## Signs exempt from permit in Allston

- Official public notices and notices posted by public officers in performance of their duties.
- Government signs for the control of traffic and other regulatory purposes, street signs, danger signs; railroad crossing signs, signs indicating transit stops or entrances to transit or railroad stations; and signs of public service companies indicating danger or aids to service and safety.
- Temporary display posters, without independent structural support, in connection with political campaigns and with noncommercial civic, health, safety and welfare campaigns, provided such posters are removed within 30 days following the conclusion of such campaign; temporary displays of a patriotic, religious, charitable or civic nature.
- Legal display of flags, emblems and insignia of any nation or political subdivision.
- Historical or scenic markers approved by a recognized historical or conservation agency.
- Temporary signs pertaining to special sales or events lasting more than fifteen days may be affixed to windows provided that their total area does not exceed thirty percent of the window. No permit is required for such temporary sign or signs.
- Directional signs necessary for public safety and convenience which do not exceed twelve square feet per face and which bear no advertising. Such signs are not counted in computing total sign area allowed by this section.
- Signs in licensed parking lots and parking garages as specified in Sections 11-3 and 11-4.
- Signs allowed by conditional use permits granted by the Board of Appeal where the particular use or location justifies such exceptional treatment (Section 11-9).

## Full detail

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

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