# Sign Regulations in Fairhaven Town, Massachusetts

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Fairhaven Town, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/fairhaven-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/10399741#10399741)

## At a glance

Fairhaven Town, Massachusetts regulates 40 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Temporary Banners in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Not higher than highest outside wall tall and 100 sq ft per banner, with a 20 ft from street line setback (Sec. §198-26E(1)). Most commercial signs in Fairhaven Town require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 19 | 6 ft (residential), 15 ft (other districts) | 100 sq ft per banner | — |
| Residential, Agricultural and Park Zoning Districts (RA, RB, RC, A, P) | 8 | 8 ft | 40 sq ft each | — |
| Business and Industrial Zoning Districts | 13 | 22 ft | 100 sq ft | — |

_1 additional zoning district is covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (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 | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign | 6 ft (residential), 15 ft (other districts) | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per project site per street frontage | Each project construction site per street frontage | — | §198-26C(2)(c) |
| Home Improvement Sign | 4 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | One per lot | — | §198-26C(2)(f) |
| Real Estate Sign (Single- or Two-Family Residential) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage, max 2 per lot | On the lot for sale or lease | — | §198-26C(2)(m)[1] |
| Real Estate Sign (All Other Uses) - Option 1 | — | — | — | — | See permanent identification sign | May incorporate into permanent identification sign | — | §198-26C(2)(m)[2][b][i] |
| Real Estate Sign (All Other Uses) - Option 2 | 6 ft | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per street frontage, max 2 per site | Onsite; one per street frontage, up to two per site | — | §198-26C(2)(m)[2][b][ii] |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of any retail display window | — | — | — | Retail display window or attached thereto | — | §198-26C(2)(o) |
| Temporary Banner | Not higher than highest outside wall | 100 sq ft per banner | — | 20 ft from street line | 1 per street frontage | Onsite, per street frontage | — | §198-26E(1) |
| Temporary Sandwich Board, Commercial Flag, Stringers, Balloon (24 inches or more, for promotion) | No higher than applicable district height | Must comply with banner (100 sq ft) | — | 20 ft from street line | 1 (combined with temporary banner allowance) | Onsite, per street frontage | — | §198-26E(1)(a)-(e) |

### Residential, Agricultural and Park Zoning Districts (RA, RB, RC, A, P)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Identification Sign (Residential Use - Neighborhood Identification) | 8 ft | 40 sq ft each | — | See §198-26G(3): 14 ft from street line, not in ROW; 5 ft from side/rear lot line | 2 per neighborhood | On the site of the use | — | §198-26D(1)(a)[3][a], §198-26D(1)(a)[2][a], §198-26D(1)(a)[4] |
| Freestanding Identification Sign (Nonresidential Use, single frontage) | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — | See §198-26G(3) | 1 per site | On the site of the use | — | §198-26D(1)(a)[3][b][i], §198-26D(1)(a)[2][a], §198-26D(1)(a)[4] |
| Freestanding Identification Sign (Nonresidential Use, two street frontages) | 8 ft | 24 sq ft per sign | — | See §198-26G(3) | 1 per street frontage | One per street frontage | — | §198-26D(1)(a)[3][b][ii], §198-26D(1)(a)[2][a], §198-26D(1)(a)[4] |
| Wall Sign (Residential Name Plate) | — | — | — | — | — | On wall facing public street | — | §198-26D(1)(b)[1][a][i], §198-26D(1)(b)[1][c], §198-26D(1)(b)[1][d] |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential Use) | — | — | — | — | — | On wall facing public street | — | §198-26D(1)(b)[1][a][ii], [b], [c], [d], §198-26G(4) |
| Projecting/Hanging or Suspended Sign (Nonresidential Use) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per use | Minimum 10 ft above sidewalk | — | §198-26D(1)(b)[1][a][ii][B] |
| Awning Sign (Nonresidential Use) | — | — | — | — | — | On first floor facade (nonresidential) | — | §198-26D(1)(b)[1][a][ii][C] |
| Canopy Sign (Nonresidential Use) | — | — | — | — | — | On facades of canopy fronting on a public street | — | §198-26D(1)(b)[1][a][ii][D] |

### Business and Industrial Zoning Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Identification Sign (Building ≥15,000 sf) | 22 ft | 100 sq ft | — | See §198-26G(3): 14 ft from street line, not in ROW; 5 ft from side/rear lot line | 1 per public street frontage | One per public street frontage, per site | — | §198-26D(2)(a)[1][a]-[d] |
| Freestanding Identification Sign (Building <15,000 sf) | 16 ft | 60 sq ft | — | See §198-26G(3): 14 ft from street line, not in ROW; 5 ft from side/rear lot line | 1 per public street frontage | One per public street frontage, per site | — | §198-26D(2)(a)[2][a]-[d] |
| Wall Sign / Building Identification Sign | — | — | 80% of facade linear frontage (linear dimension only) | — | No set limit, as long as area requirements met | On primary public entrance facade | — | §198-26D(2)(b)[1][a]-[d] |
| Projecting or Suspended Sign (per business unit) | — | 10 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per separated business unit | Minimum 10 ft above sidewalk | — | §198-26D(2)(b)[1][c][ii] |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per theater premises | Premises or entrance of theater or group of theaters | — | §198-26D(2)(b)[1][c][v] |
| Spandrel Sign (Gas Station) | — | 2 sq ft per dispensing station (may combine for total on one sign per spandrel) | — | — | — | Spandrel | — | §198-26D(2)(c)[2] |
| Pump Island Sign / Pump Topper (Gas Station) | — | 2 sq ft or less | — | — | — | Pump island | — | §198-26D(2)(c)[3] |
| Operator Identification Sign (Gas Station) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On building only | — | §198-26D(2)(c)[6] |

## Prohibited signs in Fairhaven Town

- No sign shall interfere with official signs and traffic control devices.
- No sign shall be placed where it prevents the driver of a vehicle from having a clear and unobstructed view of any official sign or approaching or merging traffic.
- No sign or sign structure shall attempt or appear to attempt to direct the movement of traffic or interfere with or obstruct the view of, or can be confused with, imitates or resembles any official traffic sign, signal or device.
- No rotating beam, moving letter signs (in which the letters change more often than once per hour, except for time or temperature), beacon or flashing illumination resembling any emergency light, shall be used except for traffic control signs, public utility signs, or public notices.
- No sign or sign structure shall be located so as to materially impede the view of any street or highway intersection.
- No sign shall be painted on, attached to, or maintained upon utility poles, trees, shrubs, rocks, or other natural features except as specified for historical or commemorative plaques, or regulatory signs.
- Portable billboards not allowed except for grand openings and not to exceed seven calendar days.
- Flashing signs are prohibited.
- Shimmering signs are prohibited.
- Any sign emitting sound is prohibited.
- Any off-site identification sign or advertising sign unless otherwise provided is prohibited.
- Signs that exceed the requirements listed below are prohibited.
- Signs to which MGL c. 93 § 30 applies, displaying commercial messages, are prohibited.
- Signs not listed as permitted are prohibited.
- Freestanding signs, building identification signs, sign structures, poles and other related equipment that have been abandoned for more than two years shall be removed.
- No lighting shall be used in connection with a sign unless effectively shielded to illuminate only the sign surface and to prevent light from being directed at any portion of a public roadway or onto any residential property, or if it is of such low intensity as not to cause glare or impair driver vision or interfere with driver operation.
- All illuminated freestanding identification signs shall have underground electrical service unless evidence is provided that the local electric utility will not permit such underground service.
- Any sign which is externally illuminated shall be at least 100 feet from an adjoining residential property line.
- If sign setback requirements in front of residential uses or districts cannot be met, illumination of signs must be turned off between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

## Signs exempt from permit in Fairhaven Town

- Balloons less than 24 inches in diameter.
- Building markers and historic or commemorative plaques.
- One temporary freestanding construction sign or wall sign per project construction site per street frontage (subject to maximum size and height conditions).
- Noncommercial flags.
- Garage sale signs.
- Home improvement/home construction/home remodeling signs (with conditions on number, size, and height).
- Interior signs.
- Murals.
- Official signs and notices.
- Political campaign signs (must be removed within 10 days following an election).
- Political signs.
- Public utility signs.
- Real estate signs (under detailed size, number, and location conditions depending on type of property).
- Residential nameplates.
- Window signs within a retail display window (not exceeding 25% of any retail display window).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit application requires filing a plan to scale showing the intended location of all proposed and existing signs, distances to lot lines, pavement edges, intersections, adjacent signs, traffic control devices, and sidewalks.
- Complete drawings and specifications drawn to scale covering the size of the sign must be filed as part of the sign permit application.
- No person may obtain a sign permit (except for temporary signs) while a nonconforming sign remains on the property unless the permit also includes bringing the nonconforming sign into compliance (with certain exceptions).
- There is no provision for variances for signs, as variances are not granted for signs under this ordinance.

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

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