# Sign Regulations in Bedford, Massachusetts

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Bedford, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/bedford
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-27
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.bedfordma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/156/Bedford-Sign-Bylaw---Article-39-of-the-Bedford-General-Bylaws-PDF)

## At a glance

Bedford, Massachusetts regulates 46 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Business Zones (Limited Business (A), Great Road – Shawsheen (GR/S), Great Road – Marketplace (GR/M), Great Road – Town Center (GR/C), Great Road – North Road (GR/NR)) zoning district are capped at 6 feet above mean finished grade tall, 30 square feet, and 5 feet wide, with a 5 feet from front property line setback (Sec. 39.4.3.B). Most commercial signs in Bedford require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | — | 20 square feet | — |
| Residential Zone (Residence R, Residence A, Residence B, Residence C, Residence D) | 14 | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| Business Zones (Limited Business (A), Great Road – Shawsheen (GR/S), Great Road – Marketplace (GR/M), Great Road – Town Center (GR/C), Great Road – North Road (GR/NR)) | 24 | 48 inches above finished grade | 60 square feet | — |
| Commercial Zone - C | 23 | 48 inches above finished grade | 60 square feet | — |
| Industrial Zones (Industrial A / I-A, Industrial B / I-B, Industrial C / I-C) | 23 | 48 inches | 100 square feet | — |
| Depot Area Mixed Use Overlay District | 4 | 20 feet from ground | 10 square feet | — |
| North Road Overlay District | 4 | 20 feet from ground | 50 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### Business Zones (Limited Business (A), Great Road – Shawsheen (GR/S), Great Road – Marketplace (GR/M), Great Road – Town Center (GR/C), Great Road – North Road (GR/NR))

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Individual Letters | 4 feet | Included in wall sign area | — | N/A | 1 | On building face or parapet | — | 39.4.3.A.2 |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 feet above mean finished grade | 30 square feet | 5 feet | 5 feet from front property line | 1 per lot | On lot | — | 39.4.3.B |
| Freestanding Sign - Multiple Businesses | 7 feet above mean finished grade | 56 square feet | 8 feet | 5 feet from front property line | 1 per lot | On lot serving >2 businesses | — | 39.4.3.B |
| Construction Sign | 5 feet above finished grade | 32 square feet | — | 10 feet from property line | 1 | On premises | — | 39.4.3.F |
| Real Estate Sign | 6 feet above finished grade | 32 square feet | — | 5 feet from property line | 1 | On premises | — | 39.4.3.G |
| Projecting Sign | 20 feet from ground to top | 10 square feet | — | N/A | 1 per business | Affixed to building, extending >6 inches | — | 39.4.3.M |
| Reverse Channel Sign | 4 feet | As per Wall Sign | — | N/A | As per wall | Mounted on building face or parapet, away from wall | — | 39.4.3.P |
| Movable Freestanding Sign | 48 inches above finished grade | 9 square feet | 30 inches | — | 1 per business | On private property, not public; displayed only during business hours, removed by 8pm | — | 39.4.3.Q |

### Commercial Zone - C

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Individual Letters | 4 feet | Included in wall sign area | — | N/A | 1 | On building face or parapet | — | 39.4.4 and 39.4.3.A.2 |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 feet above mean finished grade | 30 square feet | 5 feet | 5 feet from front property line | 1 per lot | On lot | — | 39.4.4 and 39.4.3.B |
| Freestanding Sign - Multiple Businesses | 7 feet above mean finished grade | 56 square feet | 8 feet | 5 feet from front property line | 1 per lot | On lot serving >2 businesses | — | 39.4.4 and 39.4.3.B |
| Construction Sign | 5 feet above finished grade | 32 square feet | — | 10 feet from property line | 1 | On premises | — | 39.4.4 and 39.4.3.F |
| Real Estate Sign | 6 feet above finished grade | 32 square feet | — | 5 feet from property line | 1 | On premises | — | 39.4.4 and 39.4.3.G |
| Projecting Sign | 20 feet from ground to top | 10 square feet | — | N/A | 1 per business | Affixed to building, extending >6 inches | — | 39.4.4 and 39.4.3.M |
| Reverse Channel Sign | 4 feet | As per Wall Sign | — | N/A | As per wall | Mounted on building face or parapet, away from wall | — | 39.4.4 and 39.4.3.P |
| Movable Freestanding Sign | 48 inches above finished grade | 9 square feet | 30 inches | — | 1 per business | On private property, not public; displayed only during business hours, removed by 8pm | — | 39.4.4 and 39.4.3.Q |

### Industrial Zones (Industrial A / I-A, Industrial B / I-B, Industrial C / I-C)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Individual Letters | 4 feet | Included in wall sign area | — | N/A | 1 | On building face or parapet | — | 39.4.5.A.2 |
| Freestanding Sign | 15 feet above mean finished grade | 100 square feet | — | 10 feet from front property line | 1 (additional by Special Permit) | On lot | — | 39.4.5.B |
| Freestanding Sign - Entrance Identifier | 5 feet | 6 square feet | — | 10 feet | As needed | Within lot | — | 39.4.5.B.6 |
| Construction Sign | 6 feet above finished grade | 48 square feet | — | 10 feet from property line | 1 | On premises | — | 39.4.5.F |
| Real Estate Sign | 6 feet above finished grade | 48 square feet | — | 10 feet from property line | 1 | On premises | — | 39.4.5.G |
| Projecting Sign - Industrial Mixed Use | 20 feet from ground | 10 square feet | — | N/A | 1 per business | From building wall >6 inches | — | 39.4.5.K |
| Reverse Channel Sign | 4 feet | As Wall Sign | — | N/A | As wall | On building face/parapet | — | 39.4.5.O |
| Movable Freestanding Sign | 48 inches | 9 square feet | 30 inches | — | 1 per business | Private property during hours | — | 39.4.5.P |

## Prohibited signs in Bedford

- All billboards are prohibited.
- Signs on utility poles, trees, fences and off-premises signs are prohibited (except for permitted yard sale or garage sale signs).
- Flashing and/or revolving signs, signs containing movable parts, signs containing reflective elements, ribbons, streamers, spinners, searchlights, animated signs or signs which make noise are prohibited.
- Luminescent, phosphorescent, "Day-Glo" or equivalent paints, dyes or other materials may not be used on any sign.
- Strings of light may not be used as signs, or parts thereof.
- Projecting signs are prohibited except in the Limited Business District, North Road Overlay District, Depot Area Mixed-Use Overlay District, and in Industrial Mixed Use projects.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Marquee signs are prohibited.
- All movable chassis-mounted signs are prohibited.
- Any sign not specifically permitted in this bylaw is prohibited.
- All internally illuminated Freestanding Signs are prohibited, except where otherwise permitted by this bylaw.
- All internally illuminated Wall Signs are prohibited, except where otherwise permitted by this Bylaw.
- LED luminaires used as the primary means for displaying/conveying the sign message are prohibited.
- No sign shall be erected, constructed, or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape, window, door, or other opening, or so as to prevent free passage from one part of a roof to any other part thereof. No sign shall be attached in any form, shape or manner to a fire escape, or placed so as to interfere with an opening which is required for legal ventilation.
- No exposed non-insulated parts of an electrical sign shall be closer than nine (9) feet to the ground immediately below.
- No sign shall be erected that shall in any way create a traffic hazard, nor shall it in any way obscure or confuse traffic control.
- No portion of a sign, banner or flag shall project beyond the property line. Supports for a sign, banner or flag shall be located only on private property.
- Letters, figures, characters or representations in cut-out or irregular form maintained in conjunction with, attached to, or superimposed upon any sign shall be considered part of the sign and shall be safely and securely built or attached to the sign structure.
- No sign shall be painted on the exterior surface of any wall, including windows and doors.
- The illumination of any sign shall not exceed seventy-five (75) foot lamberts.
- Internally-illuminated signs are permitted in Industrial Zones only, and shall not exceed fifty (50) foot lamberts.
- No sign shall be illuminated between the hours of 11:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M. (except by Special Permit for establishments open during those hours).
- With the exception of seasonal festive lights, flashing, moving or revolving lights are prohibited. All exterior and sign illumination and all interior illumination clearly visible from the exterior shall be steady and stationary, except where otherwise permitted by this Bylaw.

## Signs exempt from permit in Bedford

- Cemeteries, Gravestones, Monuments, and Markers are exempt from this bylaw.
- Historic and Memorial Plaques of six (6) square feet or less exclusive of supporting structure are permitted.
- Schools, Municipal Buildings and Houses of Worship are subject to Business Zone provisions wherever located, with one freestanding sign up to 20 square feet on Town-owned lots.
- Temporary, Non-Commercial Signs totaling no greater than six (6) square feet each may be displayed on any lot no longer than 30 days in a calendar year without a permit. Signs carried or held aloft by individuals are not subject to size or time restrictions. Political, religious, or personal message (free speech) signs are not subject to these requirements.
- In a Residential Zone, placards or letters identifying the occupant of a residence are not subject to the provisions of this bylaw.
- In all zones, one banner may display community activities by the municipality or by a not-for-profit organization recognized by the Secretary of State, with a permit from the Bedford Selectmen.
- Signs required by the general public to locate Federal, State or Municipal facilities, houses of worship, or officially recognized not-for-profit organizations may be erected on public property or right-of-way upon authorization by the Bedford Selectmen.
- Open-for-Business Flags may be displayed in Business, Commercial and Industrial Zones when the business is open, conforming to specified size and color requirements.
- The Bedford Selectmen may authorize temporary exemptions to this bylaw for special events.
- Political signs are exempt from restrictions as long as they do not create a public nuisance.
- Traffic control signs on private property, as authorized by an approved site plan, shall be exempt from the provisions of this Bylaw.

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

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