Sign Regulations in Charlton Town, Massachusetts
Charlton Town, Massachusetts has specific sign regulations covering 34 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Accessory Sign, Advertising Device (excluding balloon signs), Awning 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 Charlton Town, Massachusetts
Sample Sign Requirements in Charlton Town
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accessory Sign | — | 10% of attached sign face | — |
| Advertising Device (excluding balloon signs) | 20 feet | Counts toward allowed ground sign area | — |
| Banner or Flag | — | 12 sq. ft. (total), 6 sq. ft. (per banner/flag) | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
34
- Accessory Sign
- Advertising Device (excluding balloon signs)
- Awning Sign
- Banner or Flag
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
4
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Charlton Town
Other Cities in Massachusetts
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Charlton Town vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Charlton 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 Charlton Town, regulated sign types include Accessory Sign, Advertising Device (excluding balloon signs), Awning Sign, Banner or Flag, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Charlton Town vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Charlton Town are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Charlton Town has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Charlton Town, Massachusetts Sign Rules at a Glance
Charlton Town, Massachusetts regulates 34 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 20 feet (min. 10 ft clearance to ground) tall and 32 sq. ft., with a Standing signs must be 3 ft from property line (§ 200-5.6C(4)) setback (Sec. § 200-5.6G (Table of Allowed Signs)). Most commercial signs in Charlton Town require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Charlton Town, Massachusetts
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Charlton Town (4 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 31 | 20 feet | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Village District | 1 | — | — | — |
| CB District | 1 | 20 ft. | 32 sq. ft.; multi-tenant: 90 sq. ft.; intersection: 16 sq. ft. | — |
| IG District, BEP District | 1 | 36 ft. | 32 sq. ft.; multi-tenant: 90 sq. ft.; intersection: 16 sq. ft. | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Charlton Town(sample of 3 of 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advertising Device (excluding balloon signs) | 20 feet | Counts toward allowed ground sign area | — | — | 1 per site | On site | — | Unlock | § 200-5.6G (Table of Allowed Signs) |
| Canopy Sign | 3 feet | 10% of façade or 60 sq. ft. (whichever is less) | — | — | 1 per canopy | On canopy | — | Unlock | § 200-5.6G (Table of Allowed Signs) |
| Drive-Through Menu Sign | 20 feet (clearance to ground required) | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per site | Drive-through area | — | Unlock | § 200-5.6G (Table of Allowed Signs) |
| Ground Sign | 20 feet (min. 10 ft clearance to ground) | 32 sq. ft. | — | Standing signs must be 3 ft from property line (§ 200-5.6C(4)) | 1 per site | On site | — | Unlock | § 200-5.6G (Table of Allowed Signs) |
| Ladder Sign | 20 feet (clearance to ground 30 inches) | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per site | On site | — | Unlock | § 200-5.6G (Table of Allowed Signs) |
| Residential Complex or Subdivision Identification Sign | Not more than 8 feet; not less than 30 inches from ground | 24 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per subdivision/complex | At subdivision or complex entrance | — | Unlock | § 200-5.6G (Table of Allowed Signs) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 4 feet | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business | On site—adjacent to business | — | Unlock | § 200-5.6G (Table of Allowed Signs) |
| Standing Sign | 20 ft (CB District); 36 ft (IG, BEP Districts) | 32 sq. ft.; multi-tenant signs up to 90 sq. ft.; intersection sign max 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business; 1 per intersection within property | On site, at business or at each interior roadway intersection | — | Unlock | § 200-5.6G (Table of Allowed Signs) |
CB 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standing Sign (CB District) | 20 ft. | 32 sq. ft.; multi-tenant: 90 sq. ft.; intersection: 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business; 1 per intersection | On site at business or at each internal roadway intersection | — | Unlock | § 200-5.6G (Table of Allowed Signs) |
IG District, BEP 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standing Sign (IG, BEP Districts) | 36 ft. | 32 sq. ft.; multi-tenant: 90 sq. ft.; intersection: 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business; 1 per intersection | On site at business or at each internal roadway intersection | — | Unlock | § 200-5.6G (Table of Allowed Signs) |
PermitPal covers all 4 zoning districts in Charlton 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 4 zones for Charlton Town — start freeProhibited Signs in Charlton Town
- No sign shall be erected or maintained that obstructs or interferes with the free and clear vision of or from any street or driveway, or obstructs or simulates official directional or warning signs erected or maintained by a governmental entity.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained in any street right-of-way, on utility poles or trees.
- No roof signs shall be erected nor shall any sign project above the peak of a roof.
- No sign attached to a building shall project more than twelve (12) inches from the edge of the building, except for awning signs.
- No sign shall exceed the maximum height set forth in Subsection F.
- Pennants are prohibited in all zoning districts, except one-time use for grand openings for thirty (30) days or less with a permit from the Building Inspector.
- Any sign which may be confused with or construed as a public safety device or sign or traffic or emergency light because of its color, shape or design is prohibited.
- Any sign which incorporates moving, flashing, undulating, swinging, rotating or the electronic, visual representation of motion or animation by intermittent or variable illumination is prohibited, except as stated in specific exceptions.
- Signs constructed, mounted or maintained upon the roof of any building are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited.
- Exposed neon signs are prohibited.
- Billboards are prohibited.
- Signs emitting sound are prohibited, except drive-through menu signs.
- Signs placed upon unregistered vehicles are prohibited. No commercial or industrial sign may be erected on or attached to any vehicle except for signs applied directly to the surface of the vehicle, and the vehicle must primarily be used for business operation, not advertising. The vehicle cannot be parked in a public right-of-way for advertising purposes.
- No sign shall contain any moving, flashing, or animated lights or visible moving parts. Wind-driven, whirling, or spinning signs, or signs with 'whirligigs' are prohibited.
- Spotlights providing direct illumination to the public and beacons of any type are prohibited.
- Illumination of attraction devices or signs which fluctuate in light intensity are prohibited.
- Any sign not specifically allowed in this ordinance is prohibited.
Exempt Signs in Charlton Town
- Flags and insignia of any government, except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.
- Temporary devices erected for a charitable or religious cause, provided they are removed within five (5) days of erection.
- Temporary displays inside windows, covering not more than thirty percent (30%) of window area, illuminated by building illumination only.
- Integral decorative or architectural features of a building, including letters, logos and trademarks.
- Devices identifying a building as distinct from one or more of its occupants, when carved into or attached as an integral part of the building, not illuminated separately from building illumination, without color contrasting with background, and not exceeding four (4) square feet in area.
- Address identification through numerals or letters.
- 'For Sale,' 'For Rent' or political signs.
- Window displays of merchandise or signs incidental to the display of merchandise.
- Gasoline station signs required by local, state or federal regulations.
- Signs erected by municipal, county, state or federal government as deemed necessary for their respective functions, in accordance with the standards of this section.
- Signs not exceeding five (5) square feet in area indicating 'entrance,' 'exit,' 'parking,' 'no trespassing,' or similar, erected on premises for the direction of persons or vehicles.
- Youth athletic league sponsor ads or banners, affixed during active league season schedule onto a fence at public recreational facilities.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Charlton Town
- Every application for a sign permit must be accompanied by a scaled, dimensioned drawing showing the size and location of the sign on the property or building.
- Signs located along or designed to be visible from a roadway designated as a scenic road must be reviewed by the Planning Board prior to issuance of a sign permit.
- Signs in an historic district require certification by the Historic District Commission prior to a permit.
- A special permit (by the Planning Board) or a variance (by the Zoning Board of Appeals) may be required for certain signs or deviations.
- For certain increases in standing sign area (e.g. up to 50 square feet), a special permit is required from the Planning Board.
- No explicit requirement for a 'master sign plan' is referenced, but a plan/drawing is always required with the permit application.
Source: ecode360 municipal code