# Sign Regulations in Boxford Town, Massachusetts

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Boxford Town, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/boxford-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/10133640#10133640)

## At a glance

Boxford Town, Massachusetts regulates 12 sign types across 2 zoning districts. For Sale/Lease Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 6 square feet (Sec. § 196-27.A(1), § 196-27.C). Most commercial signs in Boxford Town require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (2 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | — | 50 square feet | — |
| Business District, Manufacturing or Industrial District | 4 | — | 300 square feet | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| For Sale/Lease Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | One per lot or building | On the lot or building being offered for sale, lease, or use. | — | § 196-27.A(1), § 196-27.C |
| Identification Sign (Professional, Home Occupation, Occupant) | — | 3 square feet | — | — | One per premises | On the premises. | — | § 196-27.A(2), § 196-27.C |
| Directional Sign | — | 3 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | § 196-27.A(3), § 196-27.C |
| Special Permit Sign | — | 36 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | § 196-27.B, § 196-27.C |
| Nonprofit/Charitable Public Event Sign | — | 50 square feet | — | — | — | Location and manner approved by Select Board. | — | § 196-27.E |
| Shopkeeper Junk Shop Identification Sign | — | — | — | — | — | In a conspicuous site in the shop. | — | § 105-2 |
| Street Sign | — | — | — | — | — | At each intersection of a street, as required. | — | § 300-34 |
| Subdivision Sign (Temporary) | — | — | — | — | — | Within subdivision | — | § 300-34.D |

### Business District, Manufacturing or Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Advertising Sign (Goods and Services On Premises) | — | 36 square feet per lot | — | — | One per lot | On the premises | — | § 196-27.D(1), § 196-27.C |
| Wall Sign (Business Identification) - Business District | — | 30 square feet per business | — | — | One per business | On wall or parapet of main building | — | § 196-27.D(2), § 196-27.C |
| Wall Sign (Business Identification) - Manufacturing or Industrial District | — | 300 square feet | — | — | One per business | On wall or parapet of main building | — | § 196-27.D(2), § 196-27.C |
| Freestanding Sign (Business Development or Shopping Center) | — | 36 square feet per street frontage | — | — | One per qualifying street frontage | At each street on which the business development fronts | — | § 196-27.D(3), § 196-27.C |

## Prohibited signs in Boxford Town

- No person shall make any marks, letters or figures of any kind, or place any sign, advertisement or placard upon or against any wall, fence, post, ledge, stone, building or structure in or upon any public way in town, without the permission of the owner thereof.
- No person shall place any sign, advertisement or placard upon any sidewalk or upon any property of the town without the permission of the Select Board.
- No sign in any district shall be flashing or animated.
- No sign in any district shall be illuminated by other than white light directed within the area of the sign.
- No illumination of any sign shall be allowed beyond 8:00 p.m. or after the business closes for the night, whichever is earlier, except when the business reopens the following morning.

## Signs exempt from permit in Boxford Town

- One sign pertaining to the lease, sale or use of a lot or building on which such sign is placed, not exceeding a total area of six square feet, is permitted in any district.
- One sign for identification of professional and home occupations or of occupant, not exceeding a total of three square feet, is permitted in any district.
- Signs for directional purposes, not exceeding a total area of three square feet, are permitted in any district.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Other and larger signs (but not exceeding a total area of 36 square feet) are permitted subject to a special permit by the Board of Appeals for specified periods not exceeding one year.

## Full detail

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

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