Sign Regulations in Brookline Town, Massachusetts
Brookline Town, Massachusetts has specific sign regulations covering 16 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Occupant/Address Identification Sign, Bulletin Board / Announcement Board, Wall Sign / Freestanding Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 28, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Brookline Town, Massachusetts
Sample Sign Requirements in Brookline Town
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | 25 feet above ground level | — | — |
| Projecting Sign / Banner Sign | — | 12 square feet per face | — |
| Freestanding Sign | 19 feet | 30 square feet per face (exclusive of posts/structural supports) | One-half the depth of required front yard setback from all street lot lines. |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
16
- Occupant/Address Identification Sign
- Bulletin Board / Announcement Board
- Wall Sign / Freestanding Sign
- Additional Sign Area for Large Dwellings
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
8
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Brookline Town
Other Cities in Massachusetts
Frequently Asked Questions
In Brookline Town, wall signs can be up to 25 feet above ground level and monument signs are limited to 19 feet. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Brookline Town, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Brookline Town, regulated sign types include Occupant/Address Identification Sign, Bulletin Board / Announcement Board, Wall Sign / Freestanding Sign, Additional Sign Area for Large Dwellings, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In Brookline Town, monument signs typically require a One-half the depth of required front yard setback from all street lot lines. setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in Brookline Town are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Brookline Town has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Brookline Town, Massachusetts Sign Rules at a Glance
Brookline Town, Massachusetts regulates 16 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 19 feet tall and 30 square feet per face (exclusive of posts/structural supports), with a One-half the depth of required front yard setback from all street lot lines. setback (Sec. § 7.01(j), (k), (p), (n)). Most commercial signs in Brookline Town require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Brookline Town, Massachusetts
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Brookline Town (8 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 25 feet above ground level | 30 square feet per face (exclusive of posts/structural supports) | — |
| S District, SC District, T District, F District | 2 | — | 10 square feet | — |
| M District, M-0.5 District, M-1.0 District, M-1.5 District | 4 | — | 40 square feet (aggregate maximum) | — |
| I District, G District, L District, O District | 7 | Up to 25 feet above ground level maximum | 40 square feet (aggregate maximum) | — |
| Residence District | 1 | — | 1 square foot | — |
| Waldo-Durgin Overlay Special District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Fisher Hill Special Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Harvard Street Main Street Corridor districts (H-MS, H-MS-O, H-MST, H-MSN) | 1 | — | — | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Brookline Town(sample of 3 of 8 zones)
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | 25 feet above ground level | — | — | — | — | Parallel or within 45 degrees of parallel to the street; must be attached to building. | — | Unlock | § 7.01(h), (c), (e), (f), (n) |
| Projecting Sign / Banner Sign | — | 12 square feet per face | — | — | — | Attached to building. | — | Unlock | § 7.01(d) |
| Freestanding Sign | 19 feet | 30 square feet per face (exclusive of posts/structural supports) | — | One-half the depth of required front yard setback from all street lot lines. | One per property (special permit for more). | Set back one-half the depth of the required front yard setback from all street lot lines. | — | Unlock | § 7.01(j), (k), (p), (n) |
| Window Sign | — | Aggregate area of all signs in any window (temp or perm) shall not exceed 30% of the area of such window. | — | — | — | Window | — | Unlock | § 7.01(i), (h) |
| Temporary Sign (Commercial) | — | — | — | — | — | Attached to or associated with commercial property or use (location subject to approval). | — | Unlock | § 7.05.1(a), (b), (d); § 7.07.1(b) |
| Temporary Sign (Non-commercial, Dwellings, or Use) | — | 12 square feet | — | — | — | On private property, any district. | — | Unlock | § 7.05.1(c) |
| Parking Space Identification Sign | — | 1.5 square feet | — | — | — | To identify allowed users of individual parking spaces. | — | Unlock | § 7.01(m) |
M District, M-0.5 District, M-1.0 District, M-1.5 District
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupant/Address Identification Sign | — | 1 square foot | — | — | One per premises | Intended to identify the address and/or occupant of premises. | — | Unlock | § 7.03.1(a) (ref. 7.02.1(a)) |
| Bulletin Board / Announcement Board | — | 10 square feet | — | — | Two per premises | — | — | Unlock | § 7.03.1(a) (ref. 7.02.1(b)) |
| Wall Sign / Freestanding Sign | — | 20 square feet (aggregate for 2 signs) | — | — | Two per premises | Not specified, but must be permanent and on-premises. | — | Unlock | § 7.03.1(b) |
| Additional Sign Area for Large Dwellings | — | 40 square feet (aggregate maximum) | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 7.03.1(c) |
I District, G District, L District, O District
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupant/Address Identification Sign | — | 1 square foot | — | — | One per premises | Intended to identify the address and/or occupant of premises. | — | Unlock | § 7.04.1(a) (ref. 7.02.1(a), 7.03.1(a)) |
| Bulletin Board / Announcement Board | — | 10 square feet | — | — | Two per premises | — | — | Unlock | § 7.04.1(a) (ref. 7.02.1(b), 7.03.1(a)) |
| Wall Sign / Freestanding Sign | — | 20 square feet (aggregate for 2 signs) | — | — | Two per premises | Not specified, but must be permanent and on-premises. | — | Unlock | § 7.04.1(a) (ref. 7.03.1(b)) |
| Additional Sign Area for Large Dwellings | — | 40 square feet (aggregate maximum) | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 7.04.1(a) (ref. 7.03.1(c)) |
| Upper Floor Wall Sign | Up to 25 feet above ground level maximum | — | — | — | — | Upper floor (second floor level), attached to building, parallel or substantially parallel to street. | — | Unlock | § 7.04.1(b), ref 7.01(h),(c) |
| Sign Not Parallel to Street (Single Business) | — | 12 square feet | — | — | One per structure | Not parallel or within 45 degrees of parallel to a street. | — | Unlock | § 7.04.1(c) |
| Sign Not Parallel to Street (Multiple Businesses) | — | 18 square feet | — | — | One per structure | Not parallel or within 45 degrees of parallel to a street. | — | Unlock | § 7.04.1(c) |
PermitPal covers all 8 zoning districts in Brookline Town — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 8 zones for Brookline Town — start freeProhibited Signs in Brookline Town
- Signs with visible moving or moveable parts or with flashing animated or intermittent illumination are prohibited.
- Signs or parts thereof attached to a building shall not exceed a height of 25 feet above ground level.
- Projecting or banner signs attached to a building shall not be internally illuminated, shall not exceed 12 square feet in area per face, and shall not extend lower than a height of 8 feet.
- Signs attached to a building shall not project above the roof or parapet line nor more than 12 inches out from the wall to which it is attached.
- Signs shall not be permitted on building walls not parallel or within 45 degrees of parallel to the street.
- No A-Frame or 'Sandwich board' signs shall be permitted in any district.
- All lighting shall be installed and maintained so that no direct light or glare shines on any street or nearby property.
- No neon type or exposed gas-illuminated tube type of sign which is red, yellow, or green shall be located within 100 feet of a traffic signal unless it is shielded from the line of sight of any driver of a motor vehicle approaching the traffic signal.
Exempt Signs in Brookline Town
- Official traffic control devices required, maintained, or installed by a Federal, State or local governmental agency.
- Town of Brookline government signs and signs permitted by the Town on Town property.
- Building markers indicating the name of a building and date and incidental information about its construction, which marker is cut into a masonry surface or made of other permanent material.
- Flags, holiday lights, and decorations.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Brookline Town
- All regulated facade alterations shall be subject to the design review process in § 7.08.
- All permanent signs permitted in § 7.02, 7.03, and 7.04, except signs permitted in paragraph 7.02(a), shall be subject to the design review process described in § 7.08.
- Design and location of all temporary signs attached to or associated with a commercial property or use must be approved by the Building Commissioner following Planning Board guidelines.
- An application form, plans of the proposed sign, and supporting materials are required to be submitted to the Planning and Community Development Department for design review.
- The Planning Board must review and approve applications not eligible for administrative approval, and appeals may be made to the Board of Appeals for further relief or variance.
- Board of Appeals may grant special permits for exceptions or relief for specific situations, subject to design review procedures.
Source: ecode360 municipal code