# Sign Regulations in Avon Town, Massachusetts

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Avon Town, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/avon-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/31964667#31964667)

## At a glance

Avon Town, Massachusetts regulates 19 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Business Districts, Commercial Districts, Industrial Districts, General Business Districts, Industrial and Commercial Districts zoning district are capped at 25 ft above average ground level tall, 150 sq ft display area; any illuminated sign max 100 sq ft, and 16 ft (any dimension) wide, with a 12 ft minimum from lot line setback (Sec. § 255-10.3E, 255-10.3F, 255-10.3G). Most commercial signs in Avon Town require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residence Districts | 6 | 6 ft | 10 sq ft per sign | — |
| Business Districts, Commercial Districts, Industrial Districts, General Business Districts, Industrial and Commercial Districts | 5 | 25 ft above average ground level | 150 sq ft display area; any illuminated sign max 100 sq ft | — |
| Mixed Use Districts | 3 | 42 inches (3.5 ft) above street level | 16 sq ft (double-sided) | — |
| Avon industrial zones | 1 | — | 3 ft (length) x 12 inches (height) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Residence Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign | 6 ft | 3 sq ft | — | Not less than 3 ft from the street line | 1 | Attached to building or on a rod/post not less than 3 ft from street line | — | § 255-10.2A, § 255-10.2F |
| Bulletin/Announcement Board or Identification Sign (Permitted Nonresidential Use) | — | 6 sq ft | — | At least one-half the required front yard depth from street | 1 | On building | — | § 255-10.2B, § 255-10.2F |
| Bulletin/Announcement Board or Identification Sign (Church or Institution) | — | 10 sq ft per sign | — | At least one-half the required front yard depth from street | 2 per building | On each building | — | § 255-10.2B, § 255-10.2F |
| Sign for Lawfully Nonconforming Use | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On premises with nonconforming use | — | § 255-10.2C, § 255-10.2F |
| For Sale or For Rent Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | At least 10 ft from street lot line | 1 | Premises advertised only | — | § 255-10.2D, § 255-10.2F |
| Building Contractor's Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On a building while actually under construction | — | § 255-10.2E, § 255-10.2F |

### Business Districts, Commercial Districts, Industrial Districts, General Business Districts, Industrial and Commercial Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | 2 per occupant | Affixed to exterior wall of building, not on roof | — | § 255-10.3A, 255-10.3B, 255-10.3C, 255-10.3G (illumination) |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft above average ground level | 150 sq ft display area; any illuminated sign max 100 sq ft | 16 ft (any dimension) | 12 ft minimum from lot line | 1 per lot | Within front yard space but not nearer than 12 ft to any lot line (for buildings set back 40+ ft from street) | — | § 255-10.3E, 255-10.3F, 255-10.3G |
| Freestanding Sign (General Business Districts) | — | 20 sq ft per side (40 sq ft total per occupant) | — | — | 1 per occupant | Per zoning | — | § 255-10.3D(1) |
| Illuminated Sign | — | 100 sq ft (gross display area) | — | — | — | Affixed to building or freestanding as permitted | — | § 255-10.3G |
| Changeable Message Sign - Wall Mount Only (General Business and Mixed Use Districts) | — | 100 sq ft (if illuminated) | — | — | — | Mounted to building structure only (not freestanding) | — | § 255-10.3G(6) |

### Mixed Use Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (Business set back >15ft) | 42 inches (3.5 ft) above street level | 16 sq ft (double-sided) | — | Building set back greater than 15 ft | 1 per business | On premises | — | § 255-10.3D |
| Wall Sign (Business set back >15ft) | Min. 8 ft above ground | 12 sq ft (single-faced) | — | Building set back greater than 15 ft | 1 per business | Mounted to building, parallel to street | — | § 255-10.3D |
| Knife Sign (Business set back ≤15ft) | Min. 10 ft above ground | 12 sq ft/face | — | Setback 15 ft or less | 1 per business | Affixed to building | — | § 255-10.3D |

## Prohibited signs in Avon Town

- No signs or advertising devices of any kind or nature shall be erected on any premises or affixed to the outside of any structure or be visible from the outside of any structure except as specifically permitted in this article.
- A sign or its illuminator shall not by reason of its location, shape, size or color interfere with traffic or be confused with or obstruct the view or effectiveness of any official traffic sign, traffic signal or traffic marking.
- Flashing or animated signs of red, yellow or green colored lights are not permitted.
- In residence districts, all signs or advertising devices shall be stationary and shall not contain any visible moving or moveable parts.
- No sign or advertising device in residence districts shall be of neon or illuminated tube type.
- No sign or advertising device in residence districts shall be illuminated after 11:00 p.m.

## Signs exempt from permit in Avon Town

- Temporary interior window displays or temporary banners for drive-in establishments or automotive establishments are specifically excluded from these regulations.
- Any traffic or directional signs owned and installed by a government agency are permitted in all zoning districts.
- The displaying of national and state flags is specifically excluded from these regulations.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Where businesses in Mixed Use Districts are set back 15 feet or less from the street, one 'knife' sign is subject to approval of the Planning Board.
- Freestanding signs in General Business Districts are subject to approval of the Planning Board.
- Sign illumination for 24 hours daily is permitted only with approval of the Select Board.
- The Select Board may issue a temporary permit authorizing the temporary erection of special promotional signs, banners, streamers or placards in connection with a political campaign, for special events or for special sales by regular business firms.
- The owner or person in charge of any building must provide and install fire lane signs and pavement markings as directed by the Fire Chief.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 5 zoning districts in Avon Town — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Avon+Town+MA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-avon-town

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