# Sign Regulations in Danvers, Massachusetts

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Danvers, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/danvers
- **Data last verified:** 2025-09-23
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.danversma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/260/Danvers-Zoning-Bylaw-PDF#page=226)

## At a glance

Danvers, Massachusetts regulates 38 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Special Permit Sign (Multi-family or Non-residential Use)s in the Residential I, Residential IA, Residential II, Residential IIA, Residential III, Residential IIIA zoning district are capped at 6 feet tall and 20 square feet, with a Minimum 10 feet setback (Sec. Section 37.4.G.1). Most commercial signs in Danvers require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential I, Residential IA, Residential II, Residential IIA, Residential III, Residential IIIA | 6 | 6 feet | 20 square feet | — |
| Health Care District | 3 | 6 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| Village District | 3 | 10 ft. | 42 sq. ft. | — |
| Waterfront Village District (WVD) | 4 | 15 ft. | 42 sq. ft. | — |
| Central Business Zoning Districts (CBZDs) | 20 | 50 feet | 1,000 sq. ft. | — |
| Commercial I, Commercial IA, Waterfront Village District (WVD) | 4 | 15 feet | 42 square feet | — |
| Industrial I (I-I), Industrial II (I-II), Danversport Industrial (D-I), Highway Corridor Zone (HCZ), Route 114 Corridor Zone A (RT114-A), Route 114/Centre Street/Collins Street Area Zone B (RT114-B) | 4 | 20 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| Commercial Three (III) / C3 | 4 | 20 feet (applies to calculation, see formula) | As Section 37.4.F.8 | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 4 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### Residential I, Residential IA, Residential II, Residential IIA, Residential III, Residential IIIA

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign (Temporary) | — | 6 square feet | — | — | One sign per street | On property; facing street | — | Section 37.4.G.A |
| Name/Address Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | One per dwelling unit | On dwelling | — | Section 37.4.G.B |
| Home Occupation Sign (Minor) | — | 2 square feet | — | — | One per minor home occupation | Attached to dwelling structure | — | Section 37.4.G.C |
| Special Permit Sign (Multi-family or Non-residential Use) | 6 feet | 20 square feet | — | Minimum 10 feet | One | — | — | Section 37.4.G.1 |
| Multi-family Building Name Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | One per building | On each building | — | Section 37.4.G.2 |
| Major Home Occupation Free-standing Sign | 4 feet | 2 square feet | — | Minimum 10 feet from front lot line | One | At least 10 feet from front lot line | — | Section 37.4.G.3 |

### Waterfront Village District (WVD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Ground Sign | 15 ft. | 42 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft from street line | Not specified | Ground between street and building, min 10 ft setback | — | Section 37.4.H.1 |
| Wall Sign | — | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | One per qualifying wall | Exterior wall, on building; not to project above roofline except if on fascia extending above roofline | — | Section 37.4.H.2 |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | One per display window | On awning at display window | — | Section 37.4.H.4 |
| Window Sign | — | 20% of window area | — | — | Not specified | On window | — | Section 37.4.H.5 |

### Central Business Zoning Districts (CBZDs)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-Frame/Sandwich Board Sign | 4 feet | 8 sq. ft. per side | 2 feet | — | 1 per business unit max. | Max 8 feet from principal entrance, outdoors on site or public sidewalk during business hours | — | Table 7.5, Table 7.7A |
| Display Case | Top not exceeding 7 feet from grade | 6 sq. ft. (12 sq. ft. for theaters) | 4 feet | — | 1 per 4 businesses; 4 max. for theaters per frontage | Attached to building wall on primary or secondary frontage | — | Table 7.5, Table 7.7B |
| Bracket Sign | 5 feet (structure); 3 feet (sign area height) | 9 sq. ft. | 3 feet | — | 1 per shopfront | Within sign band; min 25 feet from another bracket sign | — | Table 7.6, Table 7.8B |
| Blade and Projecting Sign | Min 10’ from grade to bottom; General blade sign: 4' max sign width/height; Clear Height: 8' min, 14' max from street grade to top | 20 sq. ft. for each business unit; Additional blade sign standard: 6 sq. ft. max sign area | 4 feet | — | 1 per business unit | May encroach into public right-of-way, but not within 3' of curb line; mounted min 6" from building; for businesses w/ principal entrance on first floor | — | Table 7.6, Table 7.8C |
| Freestanding and Yard Signs | 10 feet max | 40 sq. ft. max per sign; gas/service stations: 30 sq. ft. max | — | 6’ min setback from any interior side lot line; 30’ from residential zoning | 1 per street frontage maximum | 6’ min setback from interior side lot line; 30’ from any residential district; not in public ROW | — | Table 7.6, Table 7.8D |
| Vertical Blade/Banner Sign | 10 feet max | 20 sq. ft. max per business unit | 4 feet max | — | 1 per 15' of facade (max 4) | Above first story, projects max 3' from facade, min 6" from facade, cannot project above roofline | — | Table 7.6, Table 7.8E |
| Suspended Sign | 3 feet | 4 sq. ft. per side max | 3 feet | — | 1 per business unit | Mounted under awning, canopy, or porch, over sidewalk min 8’ clear | — | Table 7.6, Table 7.8G |
| Wall Mural | 50 feet | 1,000 sq. ft. | 50 feet | — | 1 per building | On building façade, visible to public, min. 1 story above ground | — | Table 7.6, Table 7.8H |

## Prohibited signs in Danvers

- No use of land or buildings or structures not specified in these zoning by-laws shall be permitted.
- No more than one dwelling structure shall be allowed on a single lot, except for multi-family where otherwise allowed by this zoning bylaw or allowed by relief from this zoning bylaw.
- All uses, buildings, structures, etc., must not be increased, expanded, or altered if they are nonconforming, except as expressly allowed.
- Once a use, building, structure, lot, parking space, loading bay, sign, landscaping, or any other activity which had been nonconforming is brought into conformity, it shall not revert to nonconforming status.
- No lot upon which there is a building or for which a building permit is in force shall be subdivided or otherwise changed in area or shape so as to result in a violation applicable to either the lot or the building.
- No building or structure shall be constructed or reconstructed, and no use of a building, structure or land shall be begun or changed without a permit having been issued by the Building Commissioner, or designee.
- Pre-existing noncomplying uses, buildings, structures, parking, loading, signs, landscaping, etc., in violation of this by-law, are not entitled to nonconforming procedures and are bound by the conditions of the variance as granted.
- Signs: Prohibited signs in all zoning districts include portable signs and roof signs (per Section 37.7).
- All properties and uses must comply with all applicable provisions of the Zoning Bylaws and overlay district requirements, and the more restrictive shall apply in case of conflict.
- For accessory uses: Must meet definition of accessory use and be incidental/subordinate to principal use, and located on the same lot.

## Signs exempt from permit in Danvers

- This zoning by-law shall not apply to land or structures lawfully in existence or lawfully begun, or to a building or special permit issued before the first publication of notice of the public hearing on this by-law, but applies to any change or substantial extension of such use.
- This zoning by-law shall not apply to the Town of Danvers for municipal purposes, subject to certain conditions (Section 1.2.C).
- Construction or operations under a building or special permit are exempt from subsequent amendment to this by-law if use/construction is commenced within twelve (12) months after issuance and carried to completion expeditiously.
- Uses and/or structures exempt from local zoning regulations as specified in M.G.L. Chapter 40A, Section 3 (including educational, religious, agricultural uses) are generally exempt, but subject to Site Plan Review, Floodplain Overlay District, and dimensional requirements (except for handicapped access).
- Maintenance and repairs are permitted to a nonconforming structure, sign, parking space, loading bay, or other nonconforming situation to maintain it in sound condition and presentable appearance.
- In residential zones, minor home occupations are permitted by right if they meet bylaw standards.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit from the Building Commissioner is required for any sign to be erected, altered, or enlarged, except as specifically exempted.
- If a proposed sign is part of an application for a Special Permit or Site Plan approval, the SPGA or Planning Board may waive any provision of the sign section (Section 37), upon a finding of no substantial detriment.
- When a proposed sign is in compliance with all bylaw provisions, it requires a permit from the Building Commissioner. If a proposed sign is associated with a Special Permit or Site Plan application, sign standards may be waived as part of that process.
- Signs in Character Based Zoning Districts are regulated by Section 7.9 of the Zoning Regulations of the Planning Board, not by the Zoning Bylaw.
- Pre-existing signs non-conforming with the bylaw may not be enlarged or altered except for maintenance or to conform, unless through a finding from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
- When a proposed sign is not compliant and is not part of a larger permitting process, the application for a waiver is made to the Planning Board.
- For multi-tenant commercial sites or planned developments (PDA), a master sign plan or formal sign review is implied by references in the sign bylaw to comprehensive sign review and the Planning Board's authority to review and approve sign design (esp. Section 37.4.I.E and 37.4.I.F).
- Site Plan Review is not required 'when the only change to the exterior of a building or site includes the installation of signs in compliance with the Town’s signage bylaws or regulations' (Section 4, Site Plan Review, 2.F.7).

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

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