# Sign Regulations in Barnstable, Massachusetts

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Barnstable, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/barnstable
- **Data last verified:** 2025-08-25
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/6559665#6559665)

## At a glance

Barnstable, Massachusetts regulates 49 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Option 1, Single Business)s in the BA Districts (BA) zoning district are capped at 7 ft tall and 4 sq ft, with a Building set back at least 5 ft setback (Sec. § 240-65.1A(4)(d)[3][a]; D.). Most commercial signs in Barnstable require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | 16 ft above street | 24 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts (R-2C, RAH, RB, RC, RC-1, RC-2, RD-1, RF, RF-1, RF-2, RG) | 9 | 8 ft | 12 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Hospital District | 1 | 8 ft above ground | 12 sq ft | — |
| B, UB, HB, HO, S&D, and SD-1 Districts (B, UB, HB, HO, S&D, SD-1) | 8 | 10 ft; or 12 ft if approved by Building Commissioner | Up to 100 sq ft (combined for all signs per business); per sign not specified. | — |
| BA Districts (BA) | 14 | 12 ft | 50 sq ft (per wall sign); total all signs ≤ 100 sq ft or 10% facade area | — |
| Industrial Districts (IND, INDLTD) | 1 | — | Up to 200 sq ft if approved (generally 100 sq ft) | — |
| CVD, HC, TC, VB-A, WBVBD and MMV Districts (CVD, HC, TC, VB-A, WBVBD, MMV) | 1 | 8 ft (12 ft may be allowed by Building Commissioner) | 50 sq ft total for all signs or 10% of building face, whichever is less | — |
| MB-A1, MB-A2, MB-B and HH Districts (MB-A1, MB-A2, MB-B, HH) | 1 | 8 ft | 50 sq ft total for all signs | — |
| DMS District | 5 | Must be at least 16 ft above street | 50 sq ft total for all signs or 10% of building face, whichever is less | — |
| HVB District | 1 | — | Not counted toward signage limit; size not specified | — |
| Downtown Village (DV) District | 3 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft total; one wall sign ≤ 24 sq ft | — |
| Old King's Highway Historic District | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign | 5 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | One per contractor or architect at any given time | On construction site where approved work is taking place. | — | § 240-73. Construction signs. |
| Special Event/Temporary Banner (Not-for-Profit, Civic Org, Church) | 5 ft | 5 ft x 4 ft | 4 ft | — | — | Approved location by Building Commissioner, property owned/leased to org/church. | — | § 240-74.B Temporary signs - Not-for-profit/civic/church org. |
| Directional/Information Sign | 3 ft | 1 sq ft | — | — | 4 per site | On-premises; for entrances, exits, parking, loading, operational flow. | — | § 240-75. Directional signs. |
| Business Area Sign (Off-premises, not individual business) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | As permitted | Off-premises, remote areas with landowner permission. | — | § 240-76. Business area signs. |
| Open House Sign (Real Estate) | — | 24 in x 24 in (4 sq ft) | 24 in | — | One per event | On the property for sale/lease/rent. | — | § 240-63D; § 240-74C Real Estate Signs. |
| Open House Directional Sign (Real Estate) | — | 24 in x 24 in (4 sq ft) | 24 in | — | As needed per event | Near open house location for event (not at memorials/islands with monuments). | — | § 240-74C(2). |
| Subdivision Off-premises Directional Sign | — | 3 ft x 5 ft | 5 ft | — | As needed | Reasonable proximity to subdivision boundary. | — | § 240-74C(3). |
| Trade Flag | — | 3 ft x 5 ft | 5 ft | — | One per business | At primary public entrance or facade of business. | — | § 240-72. |

### Residential Districts (R-2C, RAH, RB, RC, RC-1, RC-2, RD-1, RF, RF-1, RF-2, RG)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Street Number Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | One | At house/building entrance; street number must be approved by Engineering Dept. | — | § 240-63A. |
| House Name/Family Name Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | One | On premises. | — | § 240-63B. |
| Professional Office/Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | One | At entrance to premises. | — | § 240-63C. |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | One | On property for sale, lease or rent. | — | § 240-63D. |
| Nonconforming Business Sign | 8 ft | 8 sq ft | — | — | One | On premises of legal nonconforming business. | — | § 240-63E. |
| Subdivision/Development Identification Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | One | At public entrance to subdivision or multifamily development. | — | § 240-63G. |
| Illuminated Sign | — | — | — | — | As approved | Within residential zones. | — | § 240-63H. |
| Lodging/Bed-and-Breakfast Identification Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | One | At premises of lodging/bed and breakfast/etc. | — | § 240-63I. |

### BA Districts (BA)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 50 sq ft (per wall sign); total all signs ≤ 100 sq ft or 10% facade area | — | — | Up to two per business | On facade with primary entrance. | — | § 240-65.1A, D, 240-65.1A(4)(a). |
| Projecting Sign | 12 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per facade | Project over walkway/facade. | — | § 240-65.1A(4)(b); D. |
| Roof Sign | No higher than 1/5 of length | 20 sq ft | — | — | One per business | Above eave on business building. | — | § 240-65.1A(4)(c); D. |
| Freestanding Sign (Option 1, Single Business) | 7 ft | 4 sq ft | — | Building set back at least 5 ft | One per lot | On lot; building set back at least 5 ft from property line. | — | § 240-65.1A(4)(d)[3][a]; D. |
| Freestanding Sign (Option 2, Multiple Businesses) | 10 ft | 8 sq ft | — | Building set back at least 5 ft | One per lot | On lot with two or more business establishments. | — | § 240-65.1A(4)(d)[3][b]; D. |
| Freestanding Sign (Option 3, South of Osterville-West Barnstable Rd / North of Pond St) | 12 ft | 20 sq ft | — | — | One per lot | Portion of BA District as described. | — | § 240-65.1A(4)(d)[3][c]; D. |
| Awning Sign | — | Business establishment may have signage on two awnings per facade; together constitute one sign. | — | — | One per facade (up to two awnings) | On awnings on facade (up to 2 per facade). | — | § 240-65.1A(4)(e); D. |
| Open/Closed Sign | — | 22 in x 14 in | 22 in | — | One per facade | At customer entrance, window/door, freestanding sign. | — | § 240-65.1C(4). |

## Prohibited signs in Barnstable

- Any sign set in motion by movement, including pennants, banners or flags, except trade flags and official flags of nations or subdivisions or at subdivision entrances with initial lots for sale.
- Any sign incorporating flashing, moving, or intermittent lighting, including LED signs, LED border tube signs, and simulated neon signs that are extremely bright backlit signs using fluorescent lamps and neon colored inks or translucent vinyl.
- Any display lighting by strings or tubes of lights, including outlining buildings, except temporary traditional holiday decorations of small lights between November 15 and January 15.
- Any sign containing the words 'Danger' or 'Stop', or imitating or likely to be confused with a sign customarily displayed by a public authority.
- Any sign which infringes upon the area necessary for visibility on corner lots.
- Any sign that obstructs any window, door, fire escape, stairway, ladder, or other opening intended to provide light, air, or egress from any building.
- Any sign or lighting which casts direct light or glare upon any property in a residential or professional residential district.
- Any portable sign except for expressly permitted A-frame signs, including signs displayed on a stored vehicle, except temporary political signs.
- Any sign which obstructs the reasonable visibility of or distracts attention from a sign maintained by a public authority.
- Any sign or sign structure involving motion pictures or projected photographic scenes or images.
- Any sign attached to public or private utility poles, trees, signs, or other appurtenances located within the right-of-way of a public way.
- A sign painted upon or otherwise applied directly to the surface of a roof.
- Signs advertising products, sales, events, or activities tacked, painted, or otherwise attached to poles, benches, barrels, buildings, traffic signal boxes, posts, trees, sidewalks, curbs, rocks, and windows regardless of construction or application, except as otherwise specifically allowed.
- Signs on or over Town property, except as authorized by the Building Commissioner for temporary signs for nonprofit, civic, educational, charitable, and municipal agencies.
- Signs that obstruct the visibility of another sign which has the required permits and is compliant with the chapter.
- Off-premises signs except for business area signs as otherwise provided.
- Any sign, picture, publication, display of explicit graphics or language, or other advertising distinguished or characterized by emphasis depicting or describing sexual conduct or activity, as defined in MGL Ch. 272, § 31, displayed in windows, on buildings, or visible from public areas.

## Signs exempt from permit in Barnstable

- Residential signs displaying street numbers and premises identification not exceeding two square feet, provided house number is approved by Engineering Department.
- Residential signs displaying name of house or family residing therein not exceeding four square feet.
- Temporary traditional holiday decorations of strings of small lights, permitted between November 15 and January 15 and removed by January 15.
- Government signs erected and maintained by town, county, state, or federal government for traffic direction or for designation/direction to public services.
- Permit signs posted at construction sites as required by state or Town regulations, not attached to trees or utility poles.
- Incidental business signs indicating business, hours of operation, credit cards accepted, business affiliations, 'sale' signs, and other temporary signs, provided total area does not exceed permitted limits.
- Temporary signs and special sale signs in all districts, provided total glass area does not exceed 20% of the window area and conditions as specified are met.
- Directional, warning, or traffic signs necessary for safety and direction of residents, employees, customers, and visitors within specified size and number limits.
- Signs for movie houses and places of entertainment indicating movie titles, ratings, show times, or performers, as long as dimensional requirements are met.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit is required for all signs regulated by the chapter except for specified residential signs with approved house numbers (§ 240-85A).
- Permit applications must be processed by the Building Commissioner; failure to obtain a permit makes a sign illegal.
- Sign relocation, or changes in size, color, wording, materials, illumination, or clearance from ground require a new permit (§ 240-80).
- A sign plan (Master sign plan) is not explicitly required across all districts, but permits and compliance with chapter standards are required.
- Special Permit Grant Authority (SPGA) may provide relief from dimensional requirements in BA District by § 240-65.1A(5); requires a variance process and specific findings.
- Subdivision off-premises directional signs require a permit from the Building Commissioner and evidence of ownership, lease, or other arrangement with application (§ 240-74C(3)).
- Temporary/special event signs for not-for-profit, civic, or churches must be registered with and approved by the Building Commissioner (§ 240-74B(1)).
- Open/closed sign, business trade figure or symbol, or A-frame sign in DMS District subject to permit and identification stickers (§ 240-71E, § 240-85).

## 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 12 zoning districts in Barnstable — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Barnstable+MA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-barnstable

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