# Sign Regulations in Carver Town, Massachusetts

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Carver Town, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/carver-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/32790509#32790509)

## At a glance

Carver Town, Massachusetts regulates 22 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Address Signs in the Village and Agricultural/Residential Districts zoning district are capped at 4 ft. tall and 2 sq. ft., with a At least 3 ft from right of way setback (Sec. § 290-3-5.2, Table: Village and Agricultural/Residential Districts). Most commercial signs in Carver Town require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Village and Agricultural/Residential Districts | 7 | 5 ft. | 4 sq. ft. for name of building; 2 sq. ft. per business | — |
| General Business District, Spring Street Innovation District (SSID) | 10 | 10 ft. | 16 sq. ft. for name of building; 2 sq. ft. for each business | — |
| Highway Commercial District, Industrial District, Green Business Park District | 10 | 10 ft. | 16 sq. ft. for name of building; 2 sq. ft. for each business | — |
| Airport District | 1 | 4 ft. | 2 sq. ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | 8 ft. | 80 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Village and Agricultural/Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address Sign | 4 ft. | 2 sq. ft. | — | At least 3 ft from right of way | 1 per building | — | — | § 290-3-5.2, Table: Village and Agricultural/Residential Districts |
| Traffic Flow Sign | 4 ft. | 3 sq. ft. per sign | — | — | Unlimited | — | — | § 290-3-5.2, Table: Village and Agricultural/Residential Districts |
| Directory Sign | 5 ft. | 4 sq. ft. for name of building; 2 sq. ft. per business | — | — | 1 per multiple-occupancy commercial building | Multiple-occupancy commercial building | — | § 290-3-5.2, Table: Village and Agricultural/Residential Districts; footnote # |
| Freestanding Sign | 5 ft. | 4 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per single-occupancy commercial building | Single-occupancy commercial building | — | § 290-3-5.2, Table: Village and Agricultural/Residential Districts; footnote ♣ |
| Marquee/Canopy Sign | Lowest point of the roof | 4 sq. ft.; letters may not exceed 12 in. in height | — | — | 1 per business | Above sidewalk | — | § 290-3-5.2, Table; § 290-3-5.4A(6) |
| Wall Sign | Lowest point of roof | — | — | — | 1 per business (2 if two street frontages) | — | — | § 290-3-5.2, Table: Village and Agricultural/Residential Districts; footnote ♦ |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per business | Window | — | § 290-3-5.2, Table: Village and Agricultural/Residential Districts |

### General Business District, Spring Street Innovation District (SSID)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address Sign | 4 ft. | 2 sq. ft. | — | At least 3 ft from right of way | 1 per building | — | — | § 290-3-5.2, Table: General Business and SSID |
| Traffic Flow Sign | 4 ft. | 3 sq. ft. per sign | — | — | Unlimited | — | — | § 290-3-5.2, Table: General Business and SSID |
| Directory Sign | 10 ft. | 16 sq. ft. for name of building; 2 sq. ft. for each business | — | — | 1 per multiple-occupancy commercial building | Multiple-occupancy commercial building | — | § 290-3-5.2, Table: General Business and SSID; footnote # |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 ft. | 10 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per single-occupancy commercial building | Single-occupancy commercial building | — | § 290-3-5.2, Table: General Business and SSID |
| Marquee/Canopy Sign | Lowest point of roof | 8 sq. ft.; letters may not exceed 12 in. | — | — | 1 per business | Above sidewalk | — | § 290-3-5.2, Table; § 290-3-5.4A(6) |
| Monument Sign | 4 ft. | 10 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per building or park | Single-occupancy commercial building or business park | — | § 290-3-5.2, Table: General Business and SSID |
| Projecting Sign | Bottom sill of 2nd story window or lowest roof of 1-story building | 10 sq. ft. | — | Setback at least 2 ft from curb; 8 ft above sidewalk; 13 ft above driveway | 1 per business | Hung at right angles to the building | — | § 290-3-5.2, Table: General Business and SSID; § 290-3-5.6C |
| Wall Sign | Lowest point of roof | — | — | — | 1 per business (2 if two street frontages) | — | — | § 290-3-5.2, Table: General Business and SSID; footnote ♦ |

### Highway Commercial District, Industrial District, Green Business Park District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address Sign | 4 ft. | 2 sq. ft. | — | At least 3 ft from right of way | 1 per building | — | — | § 290-3-5.2, Table: Highway Commercial/Industrial/Green Business Park Districts |
| Traffic Flow Sign | 4 ft. | 3 sq. ft. per sign | — | — | Unlimited | — | — | § 290-3-5.2, Table: Highway Commercial/Industrial/Green Business Park Districts |
| Directory Sign | 10 ft. | 16 sq. ft. for name of building; 2 sq. ft. for each business | — | — | 1 per multiple-occupancy commercial building | Multiple-occupancy commercial building | — | § 290-3-5.2, Table: Highway Commercial/Industrial/Green Business Park Districts; footnote # |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per single-occupancy commercial building | Single-occupancy commercial building | — | § 290-3-5.2, Table: Highway Commercial/Industrial/Green Business Park Districts |
| Marquee/Canopy Sign | Lowest point of roof | 8 sq. ft.; letters max 12 in. | — | — | 1 per business | Above sidewalk | — | § 290-3-5.2, Table; § 290-3-5.4A(6) |
| Monument Sign | 4 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per building or park | Single-occupancy commercial building or business park | — | § 290-3-5.2, Table: Highway Commercial/Industrial/Green Business Park Districts |
| Projecting Sign | Bottom sill of 2nd story window or the lowest point of roof for 1-story | 10 sq. ft. | — | 2 ft setback from curb; 8 ft above sidewalk; 13 ft above driveway | 1 per business | Hung at right angles to the building | — | § 290-3-5.2 Table: Highway Commercial/Industrial/Green Business Park Districts; § 290-3-5.6C |
| Wall Sign | Lowest point of roof | — | — | — | 1 per business (2 if two street frontages) | — | — | § 290-3-5.2 Table: Highway Commercial/Industrial/Green Business Park Districts; footnote ♦ |

## Prohibited signs in Carver Town

- Only signs which refer to a use permitted by the Zoning By-Law or protected by statute are permitted.
- Billboards, streamers, pennants, ribbons, spinners, signs tacked, posted, painted or otherwise attached to utility poles, posts, trees, sidewalks, buildings or curbs, or to motor vehicles and trailers regularly located for fixed display or other similar devices shall not be constructed, posted or erected in any zone (except for temporary allowance for grand openings, patriotic holidays, and charitable/civic events as specified).
- Flashing signs, signs containing moving parts, and signs containing reflective elements which sparkle or twinkle in the sunlight are not permitted.
- Any sign advertising or identifying a business or organization which is either defunct or no longer located on the premises is not permitted.
- Off-premises signs are not permitted in any district, with the exception of directional signs on public property.
- Roof signs which project above the highest point of the roof are not permitted in any district.
- No advertising shall be permitted on storage tanks, vehicles, or similar containers visible from a public way. This applies to both permanently located and mobile units, and trailers/trucks regularly located for fixed display. (Exception: properly registered vehicles used on a regular basis for normal business.)
- No sign shall be painted on or affixed to any tree, fence, utility pole, or painted or posted on any wall (except for approved subdivision entrance signs or signs warning of danger/prohibiting trespass or the like).
- Signs shall be illuminated from the exterior only by a stationary, shielded light directed solely at the sign, without causing glare for motorists, pedestrians, or neighboring premises. Signs of the exposed neon or other gas-filled tube type are prohibited. No sign shall be internally illuminated, except those utilizing the "soft-glo" method.
- Illuminated features other than approved signs, on the exterior of a building that call attention to the building, product or services available within are prohibited.
- Individual freestanding signs are not permitted for multiple-occupancy commercial buildings. All information must be contained within one directory sign.
- No person may erect or maintain a sign which is structurally unsafe, constitutes a hazard to public safety and health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation or abandonment; obstructs free entrance or exit from a required door, window, or fire escape; obstructs the line of sight of drivers exiting from the property onto the street; obstructs light or air or interferes with building function; or does not conform to the State Building Code.
- "Day Glow" colors are prohibited.
- No person may erect a sign which is affixed to a utility pole, tree, or shrub.
- No sign together with any supporting framework shall extend to a height above the maximum building height allowed in the zoning district in which it is located.
- Signs shall not cover architectural details such as arches, sills, moldings, cornices, or transom windows.
- Signs for businesses within the same structure shall be coordinated as to placement, proportion, and format.
- No person may erect a sign that constitutes a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic because of intensity or direction of illumination.

## Signs exempt from permit in Carver Town

- Streamers, pennants, ribbons, spinners, or other similar devices may be permitted in conjunction with the grand opening of a business and for twenty (20) days thereafter.
- Flags and bunting exhibited to commemorate national patriotic holidays, and temporary banners announcing charitable or civic events are exempted from the prohibition on billboards/streamers/etc.
- Signs indicating current time and/or temperature are permitted (if they conform to all other bylaw provisions).
- Properly registered vans, panel trucks, or other business vehicles used regularly for business are exempt from advertising prohibitions on vehicles.
- For the purposes of this article, the term "sign" shall not include: (a) signs erected, posted, and maintained for public safety and welfare or pursuant to any governmental function, law, bylaw, or other regulation; (b) a bulletin board or similar sign not exceeding twenty (20) sq. ft. in display area in connection with any church, museum, library, school, or similar public/semi-public structure (if top is not more than eight (8) feet above ground and does not possess prohibited characteristics); (c) signs relating to trespassing and hunting not exceeding two (2) sq. ft. in area.
- Decorative neon window signs may be permitted where the Building Commissioner determines such signs are compatible with the building's historic or architectural character.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No sign shall be erected, displayed, altered, or enlarged until an application has been filed, and until a permit for such action has been issued by the Building Commissioner. Applications must include a scale drawing specifying dimensions, materials, illumination, letter sizes, color, support systems, and location.
- The Building Commissioner issues permits only if the sign complies with all applicable provisions.
- Permits may be conditioned upon continued ownership or operation of the business advertised.
- The ordinance does not specifically mention a 'Master Sign Plan,' but sign coordination for businesses within the same structure is required as to placement, proportion, and format.

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

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