Sign Regulations in Everett, Massachusetts
Everett, Massachusetts has specific sign regulations covering 23 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Illuminated Portable Sign, All Signs, Occupant/Address 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 21, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Everett, Massachusetts
Sample Sign Requirements in Everett
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occupant/Address Sign | 4 ft | 2 sq. ft. | At least 3 ft from street line |
| Bulletin Board/Name-sign/Entrance Marker for Church or Institution | — | 20 sq. ft. | — |
| For Sale or For Rent Sign | — | 8 sq. ft. | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
23
- Illuminated Portable Sign
- All Signs
- Occupant/Address Sign
- Bulletin Board/Name-sign/Entrance Marker for Church or Institution
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
8
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Everett
Other Cities in Massachusetts
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Everett 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 Everett, 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 Everett, regulated sign types include Illuminated Portable Sign, All Signs, Occupant/Address Sign, Bulletin Board/Name-sign/Entrance Marker for Church or Institution, 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 Everett 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 Everett are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Everett has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Everett, Massachusetts Sign Rules at a Glance
Everett, Massachusetts regulates 23 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Occupant/Address Signs in the Residential District zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall and 2 sq. ft., with a At least 3 ft from street line setback (Sec. 12A-53(a)). Most commercial signs in Everett require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Everett, Massachusetts
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Everett (8 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Historic District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential District | 6 | 4 ft | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Non-Residential District | 10 | 30 ft above grade | 125 sq. ft. per face (max 2 faces) | — |
| Urban Renewal Project Area | 1 | — | — | — |
| Dwelling District, Apartment District, Business Limited District, Industrial Limited District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Business District | 1 | 5 ft | 6' x 3' x 5' high | — |
| Industrial District | 1 | 5 ft | 6' x 3' x 5' high | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 12 ft (standard); 15 ft (if 300ft or more from public way boundary) | Varies by location: Max 50 ft length/12 ft height; may be 40 ft x 15 ft if >300 ft from public way boundary | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Everett(sample of 3 of 8 zones)
Residential 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 Sign | 4 ft | 2 sq. ft. | — | At least 3 ft from street line | 1 per lot | Attached to building or on a rod/post at least 3 ft from street line | — | Unlock | 12A-53(a) |
| Bulletin Board/Name-sign/Entrance Marker for Church or Institution | — | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | Max 3 per church or institution, based on frontage | On premises of church or institution | — | Unlock | 12A-53(b) |
| For Sale or For Rent Sign | — | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per property | On property advertised | — | Unlock | 12A-53(c) |
| Building Contractor's/Developer's Sign | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot | On lot under construction | — | Unlock | 12A-53(d) |
| Entrance Sign for Tract Divided Into Building Lots | — | 20 sq. ft. per entrance | — | — | 1 per entrance | At each entrance to tract | — | Unlock | 12A-53(e) |
| Sign Accessory to Non-Conforming Use | — | No more than half area allowed in non-residential district | — | — | 1 per non-conforming use | Accessory to non-conforming use | — | Unlock | 12A-53(f) |
Non-Residential 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Residential Signs | — | — | — | — | — | Same as Residential District | — | Unlock | 12A-54(a) |
| Wall Sign (Attached Parallel to Building) | Max height is whichever is lowest: 25 ft above grade, or top of sills of first level of windows above first story, or height of the building at building line | — | — | — | — | Parallel to building wall | — | Unlock | 12A-54(b) |
| Window Sign (Permanent, Non-Illuminated, Interior) | — | 30% of total glass area of windows appurtenant to the use | — | — | — | Inside glass of window | — | Unlock | 12A-54(c) |
| Projecting Sign (Right Angles to Building) | No higher than whichever is lowest: 25ft above grade, top of sills of first level windows above first story, or height of building at building line; Bottom at least 10ft from grade | 24 sq. ft. on either side; 10 sq. ft. extra per side if with public service device | — | — | 1 per entrance | Perpendicular to building | — | Unlock | 12A-54(d) |
| Freestanding Sign (1-2 Uses on Lot) | 25 ft above grade | 65 sq. ft. per face (max 2 faces) | — | — | 1 | On lot | — | Unlock | 12A-54(e)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (3+ Uses on Lot) | 30 ft above grade | 125 sq. ft. per face (max 2 faces) | — | — | 1; 2 if lot frontage >= 200ft | On lot with 3+ uses | — | Unlock | 12A-54(e)(2) |
| Temporary Event/Sale Sign (Window) | — | 30% of window | — | — | — | Affixed to window | — | Unlock | 12A-54(f) |
| Directional Sign (Non-Advertising) | — | 12 sq. ft. per face | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | 12A-54(g) |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Political Sign (Temporary) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | 12A-61 |
| Off-Premise Sign / Billboard | 12 ft (standard); 15 ft (if 300ft or more from public way boundary) | Varies by location: Max 50 ft length/12 ft height; may be 40 ft x 15 ft if >300 ft from public way boundary | 50 ft (standard); 40 ft (if 300ft or more from public way boundary) | Min 50 ft from public way; Min 300 ft from parks/playgrounds; Min 50 ft from another billboard (unless back-to-back); Min 100 ft from public way if >8x4ft; Min 300 ft from public way for larger sizes | — | — | — | Unlock | 12A-65 |
| Sign or Structure Over Public Way (General) | — | — | — | — | — | Over public sidewalk or way | — | Unlock | 12A-46, 12A-47, 17-15 |
| Shopkeeper Sign (for Junk/Secondhand Shop) | Max letter height: 12 in. | — | — | — | — | Conspicuous location on shop | — | Unlock | 12-63 |
| Pawnbroker Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Conspicuous place on business | — | Unlock | 12-211 |
PermitPal covers all 8 zoning districts in Everett — 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 Everett — start freeProhibited Signs in Everett
- No sign located on private property shall be erected, altered or relocated without a permit issued by the Building Inspector.
- No billboards, signs or other advertising devices shall be erected or maintained on or over the public ways of the city, or on private property with public view of a public way or public park or reservation, except as permitted by statute and relevant regulations.
- Signs or structures over public ways shall, when erected, be at least ten (10) feet over the sidewalk and at least twenty (20) feet over a public way.
- On-premise signs which advertise an activity, business, product or service no longer produced or conducted on the premises upon which the sign is located are prohibited.
- Signs which contain or consist of pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, other moving devices, or other devices are prohibited.
- Signs which have blinking, flashing or fluttering lights or other illuminated devices with changing light intensity, brightness, or color are prohibited.
- Signs which are pasted or attached to utility poles, trees, fences, other signs, or structures on or over public or private ways are prohibited.
- Movable or portable 'trailer signs' are prohibited, except for signs and other advertising devices on rolling stock.
- Flashing lights or simulations of traffic signals or emergency vehicle lights shall not be used. Red and green colored lights shall not be used when placed so as to obscure or hazard the clear vision of traffic control signals or constitute a hazard as determined by the Building Inspector.
- Spotlights or floodlights shall not be aimed such that any portion of the main beam can be seen from a public way.
- Except for copy changes on signs with changeable letter panels, no sign shall be reconstructed, extended, or changed structurally or in content contrary to this ordinance.
- Every sign must be kept in repair, painted, and in good condition.
- No support for a sign shall extend above the cornice line of a building to which it is attached.
Exempt Signs in Everett
- Signs incidental to the display of merchandise and window displays of merchandise are excluded from the definition of 'sign' and do not require permits under this ordinance.
- Temporary signs pertaining to special sales or events lasting no more than fifteen days affixed to windows, provided that their total area does not exceed thirty percent of the window, do not require a permit.
- Directional signs necessary for public safety and convenience that do not exceed twelve square feet per face and bear no advertising are not counted in computing total sign area and are generally exempt.
- Political campaign signs are exempt from the provisions of this ordinance provided that they are of a temporary nature and are removed within thirty days after the election to which they refer.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Everett
- A comprehensive sign design (sign plan) certified by the Office of Community Development may be required when the total area of signs on a sign frontage exceeds the standard limits; approval is contingent on the plan being a complementary and harmonious synthesis of signs and architectural features.
- A 'comprehensive sign design' for a sign frontage, building front, or group of buildings may be submitted to the Community Development Office for review.
- Variances and appeals involving signs are handled by the Board of Appeals; a sign plan may be discussed or approved through this process, particularly if standard ordinance requirements are to be modified.
- A certificate of appropriateness from the Historic Districts Commission must accompany applications for signs in Historic Districts unless exempt under state law.
Source: ecode360 municipal code