# Sign Regulations in Burlington, Massachusetts

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Burlington, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/burlington
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-16
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.burlington.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/605#page=106)

## At a glance

Burlington, Massachusetts regulates 15 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Ground Signs in the Municipal Uses (Town of Burlington) zoning district are capped at 6 ft (height measured from average adjoining grade to top of sign, including base). tall, Maximum 6 ft in height and 10 ft in length; double-sided allowed so total display surface may be up to 2 × (6 ft × 10 ft) if both sides fully used., and 10 ft in length (horizontal dimension). wide, with a At least 10 ft from any property line. setback (Sec. 3.3.4.3.1–3.3.4.3.4). Most commercial signs in Burlington require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | — | — |
| One Family Dwelling Districts (RO) | 2 | — | 6 sq. ft. or less | — |
| General Business District (BG, BN, BL, BT) | 5 | 10 ft. or less in any dimension (for construction-related temporary sign) | 48 sq. ft. or less (for construction-related temporary sign) | — |
| Retail Industrial (IR), General Industrial Districts (IG), High-rise Industrial Districts (IH) | 6 | 10 ft. or less in height for the roof sign display; individual letter roof sign: 6 ft. or less in height. | Shall not exceed 100 sq. ft. | — |
| Municipal Uses (Town of Burlington) | 4 | 6 ft (height measured from average adjoining grade to top of sign, including base). | 6 sq. ft or less; individual letter sign: 2 ft or less in height (same as business districts). | — |
| Planned Development District (PDD) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### General Business District (BG, BN, BL, BT)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign - Rental/Lease/Sale of Premises | — | 6 sq. ft. or less | — | — | — | On the premises being advertised for rental, lease or sale. | — | 3.1.11, 3.2.1.1, 3.3.2.1 (same as 3.3.1.1) |
| Wall Sign | 4 ft. or less in height | — | At first floor: may extend across full width of wall. Above first floor: 6 ft. or less in length. | — | One wall sign per business side of a building and direct entrance into a store; one exterior building directory per entrance. | Erected against wall of building/structure with exposed face parallel to wall. On any side of a building, wall signage permitted either at first floor level or on upper floors, but not both on the same side. | — | 3.1.5, 3.2.4.8, 3.3.2.2(a)-(e) |
| Projecting Sign | 4 ft. or less in height | — | — | Must not be closer than 15 ft. from the property line; may project max 6 ft from building face. | One per business. | Extends from and is supported by a building (other than a wall sign), may include signs painted or attached to wiring. Must be no closer than 15 ft. from the property line. | — | 3.1.9, 3.3.2.3(a)-(b) |
| Marquee Sign | — | 6 sq. ft. or less | — | — | — | Attached only to the sides or front of a marquee (roof-like structure or awning that projects over the entrance to a building). Must be 7 ft or more above the ground. | — | 3.1.10, 3.3.2.4(a)-(b) |
| Freestanding Sign - Temporary (Only Type Allowed) | 10 ft. or less in any dimension (for construction-related temporary sign) | 48 sq. ft. or less (for construction-related temporary sign) | — | 10 ft or more from any property line. | — | Must be 10 ft or more from any property line. | — | 3.1.6, 3.1.11, 3.3.2.5(a)-(b) |

### Retail Industrial (IR), General Industrial Districts (IG), High-rise Industrial Districts (IH)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign - Rental/Lease/Sale of Premises | — | Not exceeding 24 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On the premises being advertised for rental, sale or lease. | — | 3.1.11, 3.3.3.1 |
| Wall Sign | 6 ft. or less in height | — | At first floor: may extend across full width of wall. Above first floor: 6 ft. or less in length (same as business zones). | — | Same numerical allowances as business zones: one wall sign per business side of a building and direct entrance; one exterior building directory per entrance (by reference to business zone rules). | Erected against wall of building/structure with face parallel to wall. On any side of a building, wall signage permitted either at first floor level or on upper floors, but not both on the same side. | — | 3.1.5, 3.2.4.8, 3.3.2.2(d)-(e) via 3.3.3.2(a) |
| Roof Sign | 10 ft. or less in height for the roof sign display; individual letter roof sign: 6 ft. or less in height. | Shall not exceed 100 sq. ft. | — | — | One roof sign per building, subject to height limitation on building. | Attached to the roof surface of a building with display surface above roof level. Not permitted on buildings exceeding 80 ft in height. | — | 3.1.7, 3.3.3.3(a)-(b) |
| Projecting Sign | 4 ft. or less in height (same as business districts by reference). | — | — | Must be at least 15 ft from property line; may project max 6 ft from building face. | One per business (by reference to business district standard). | Extends from and is supported by building; must be no closer than 15 ft from property line (same as business districts). | — | 3.1.9, 3.3.2.3, 3.3.3.4 |
| Marquee Sign | — | 6 sq. ft. or less (same as business districts). | — | — | — | Attached only to sides or front of marquee; must be 7 ft or more above ground (same as business districts). | — | 3.1.10, 3.3.2.4, 3.3.3.5 |
| Freestanding Sign - Temporary or Directory Only | Temporary construction sign: 10 ft or less in any dimension; no explicit separate height limit for directory sign other than ‘dimension’ rule if interpreted to apply. | Temporary construction sign: 48 sq. ft. or less and 10 ft or less in any dimension. Directory content: max 20 sq. ft permitted for each business on a freestanding business directory sign (overall sign area not explicitly limited beyond per-business limit). | — | 10 ft or more from any property line. | — | Must be 10 ft or more from any property line. | — | 3.1.6, 3.1.11, 3.3.3.6(a)-(c) |

### Municipal Uses (Town of Burlington)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 4 ft or less in height at business-standard; ordinance states municipal wall signs shall be the same as business districts, except as modified by directory size below. | — | At first floor: may extend across full width of wall. Above first floor: 6 ft or less in length. | — | One wall sign per business side/entrance-equivalent; one exterior building directory per entrance. | Erected against wall with face parallel to wall. On any side of a building, wall signage permitted either at first floor level or on upper floors, but not both on the same side (general rule). | — | 3.1.5, 3.2.4.8, 3.3.2.2(a)-(e) as applied by 3.3.4.1.1–3.3.4.1.2 |
| Marquee Sign | — | 6 sq. ft or less; individual letter sign: 2 ft or less in height (same as business districts). | — | — | — | Attached only to sides or front of marquee; must be 7 ft or more above ground (same as business districts). | — | 3.1.10, 3.3.2.4, 3.3.4.2.1 |
| Freestanding Ground Sign | 6 ft (height measured from average adjoining grade to top of sign, including base). | Maximum 6 ft in height and 10 ft in length; double-sided allowed so total display surface may be up to 2 × (6 ft × 10 ft) if both sides fully used. | 10 ft in length (horizontal dimension). | At least 10 ft from any property line. | One per Town-owned property. | On Town-owned property. Must be at least 10 ft or more from any property line. | — | 3.3.4.3.1–3.3.4.3.4 |
| Freestanding Message Monument Sign | — | — | — | As required by referenced sections 13.1.5.3.2–13.1.5.3.4 and general freestanding sign rules (likely at least 10 ft from property line, though not explicitly repeated here). | Maximum of three (3) for entire Town of Burlington. | Three manually changeable letter freestanding signs allowed; locations to be determined by the Select Board. | — | 3.3.4.4.1–3.3.4.4.2 |

## Prohibited signs in Burlington

- No sign shall be erected which obstructs any fire escape, door, ventilator, or other opening, or prevents free access to all parts of a roof (3.2.4.1).
- Flashing and computerized electronic signs are prohibited (3.2.4.2(a)).
- Red or green lights that would create a traffic hazard are prohibited (3.2.4.2(b)).
- No sign may be illuminated between 12 midnight and 6:00 a.m. (3.2.4.2(c)).
- No exposed, uninsulated parts of an electrical sign shall be closer than nine (9) feet to the ground (3.2.4.2(d)).
- No sign is permitted that in any way creates a traffic hazard (3.2.4.3).
- All parts of a sign shall be secured to the display surface or supporting structure (3.2.4.4).
- No sign shall be painted on the exterior surface of any wall, window, door or roof (3.2.4.5).
- No moving signs are permitted (3.2.4.6).
- No sign shall be placed in or upon any street, public building or place without permission of the Select Board (3.2.4.7).
- Any and all signs must be removed by a tenant within 30 days of the tenant vacating said tenant space (3.2.4.7(a)).
- On any side of a building, wall signage shall be permitted either at the first floor level or on upper floors, but not both (3.2.4.8).
- Signs erected before the adoption of this Bylaw shall not be rebuilt or relocated except in conformance with this Bylaw (3.2.3.4).
- Signs erected before the adoption of this Bylaw that do not conform must be brought into conformance within the specified time frames, including mandatory compliance with sections 3.2.4.2, 3.2.4.3, 3.2.4.6, and 3.2.4.7 within 90 days (3.2.3.5).

## Signs exempt from permit in Burlington

- A permit is not required to refinish an existing sign or change the display on a changeable letter sign (3.2.1.6).
- No permit is required for signs conforming to the Zoning laws in a residential zone (3.2.1.7).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit is required for the erection of all signs except those specifically exempt from this Bylaw (3.2.1.1). The Building Inspector may require submission of plans and other information pertinent to construction and installation (3.2.1.2).
- Signs in a duly adopted Planned Development District (PDD) are governed by the zoning provisions for that district, and if those conflict with Article 3.0 of the General Bylaws, the PDD zoning signage provisions control (3.2.5).

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

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