# Sign Regulations in Fall River, Massachusetts

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Fall River, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/fall-river
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-21
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/29931211#29931211)

## At a glance

Fall River, Massachusetts regulates 17 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Neighborhood Shopping District (B-N), Local Business District (B-L), Mixed Use Business District (MBD), Commercial Mill District (CMD), Central Business District (CBD), Waterfront and Transit-Oriented Development District (WTOD), Medical District (MD), Industrial Park District (IP) zoning district are capped at 30 ft tall and 100 sq ft per face, with a 3 ft from street line, 5 ft from side/rear lot setback (Sec. §86-451G). Most commercial signs in Fall River require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Neighborhood Shopping District (B-N), Local Business District (B-L), Mixed Use Business District (MBD), Commercial Mill District (CMD), Central Business District (CBD), Waterfront and Transit-Oriented Development District (WTOD), Medical District (MD), Industrial Park District (IP) | 6 | 30 ft | 100 sq ft per face | — |
| Apartment District (A-2), Multiple-Family Residence District (M) | 1 | — | 24 sq ft (by special permit, must replace existing sign) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | 35 ft freestanding, or 3 ft above roof/parapet for wall sign, or 35 ft on roof for roof sign | 20 sq ft | — |

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

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Neighborhood Shopping District (B-N), Local Business District (B-L), Mixed Use Business District (MBD), Commercial Mill District (CMD), Central Business District (CBD), Waterfront and Transit-Oriented Development District (WTOD), Medical District (MD), Industrial Park District (IP)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Electronic Sign | — | 40 sq ft (B-N, MBD, CMD), 24 sq ft (B-L, WTOD, CBD), 24 sq ft by special permit (MD, IP) | — | — | — | — | — | §86-451E |
| Freestanding Sign | 30 ft | 100 sq ft per face | — | 3 ft from street line, 5 ft from side/rear lot | 1 per business; 2 if >300 ft frontage (must be 200 ft apart); 1 per frontage on multiple public ways | Must be min. 3 ft from street line and 5 ft from side/rear lot lines. | — | §86-451G |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Painted on or attached flat against surface, not extending beyond or attached to underside. | — | §86-451H |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Attached parallel on the exterior surface. | — | §86-451N |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Painted, embroidered, or attached flat, not extending beyond/attached to underside | — | §86-451B |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On inside surface of window glass | — | §86-451O |

### Apartment District (A-2), Multiple-Family Residence District (M)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Electronic Sign | — | 24 sq ft (by special permit, must replace existing sign) | — | — | — | — | — | §86-451E(3) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address Sign (Building Attached) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On building | — | §86-451A(1),(3) |
| Address Sign (Rod or Pole Mounted) | 4 ft (pole/rod) | — | 6 in | 3 ft from street line | 1 | At least 3 ft from street line | — | §86-451A(2),(3) |
| Community Directory Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | 3 ft from street line | 1 per property (or 1 per 100 ft frontage, max 3) | At least 3 ft from street line | — | §86-451C |
| Contractor Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | On building or structure (interim construction period) | — | §86-451D |
| For Sale or For Rent Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 2 | On property being sold or rented | — | §86-451F |
| Painted Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building or retaining wall | — | §86-451J |
| Public Service Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | For public safety, convenience | — | §86-451K |
| Off-site Sign | 35 ft freestanding, or 3 ft above roof/parapet for wall sign, or 35 ft on roof for roof sign | — | — | At least 10 ft from public way or existing building setback (whichever is less), and 50 ft from adjoining residence district (if facing and visible). | As determined by frontage (1 per 50 ft) | Controlled by Outdoor Advertising Board, off-site | — | §86-451I |

## Prohibited signs in Fall River

- No signs or advertising devices of any kind or nature shall be erected on any premises or affixed to the outside of any structure except as specifically permitted in this division.
- No person may erect a sign that rotates or has a motorized moving part that is visible from a public street.
- Any sign which, by reason of its size, location, content, coloring or manner of illumination, constitutes a traffic hazard or a detriment to traffic safety in the opinion of the Building Inspector by obstructing the vision of drivers, or detracting from the visibility of any traffic sign or control device on public streets and roads.
- Any sign which obstructs free ingress to or egress from a required door, window, fire escape or other required exitway or which obstructs a window, door or other opening for providing light or air or interferes with proper function of the building.
- Any sign or sign structure which is structurally unsafe; or constitutes a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation or abandonment; or is not kept in good repair; or is capable of causing electrical shocks to persons likely to come in contact with it.
- Signs that make use of words such as STOP, LOOK, DANGER, etc., or any phrases, symbols, or characters, in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.
- No person shall place or maintain any structure, including signs, projecting into or placed on or over a public way without first obtaining a permit from the City Council.
- It shall be unlawful for any person to place or maintain or to display upon or in view of any street any unofficial sign, signal, marking or device which purports to be or is an imitation or resembles an official traffic sign, signal, marking or device or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic or which hides from view any official sign or signal.
- It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully deface, injure, move, obstruct or interfere with any official traffic sign, signal or marking.
- No political sign may be placed on utility poles, other utility devices, trees or abandoned buildings.
- In the event of an energy shortage, the City is authorized to order all signs consuming electricity, gas, oil or other energy to cease consumption as designated.
- Roof signs are prohibited except by special permit by the Zoning Board of Appeals.

## Signs exempt from permit in Fall River

- Unless otherwise specified, signs are exempt from setback requirements.
- Public service signs necessary for public safety and convenience shall not exceed four square feet, may bear no advertising, and are not included in computing total sign area allowed.
- Nonconforming signs legally erected before the code may continue to be maintained, provided they are not enlarged and are properly maintained within 30 days of notice.
- Outdoor dining on a public sidewalk or other public way does not require a permit from the City Council for structures, including signs, if all other city-required approvals are obtained.
- Temporary sign permits are required, but temporary signs may be used for up to 30 days if permits are obtained.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A special permit (variance) may be required to construct a sign other than those permitted, subject to the Zoning Board of Appeals finding that the sign is not detrimental to abutting properties and is needed to identify the business.
- Certain sign types (such as off-site signs, roof signs, and electronic signs outside of permitted zones) require a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals after public hearing.
- A permit from the City Council is required for any structure, including signs, projecting into or over a public way.
- Permits must be obtained for the erection of temporary signs.
- A private entity erecting a temporary banner sign overhanging a public way must have insurance naming the city as coinsured.
- Official records of designation and location of fire lanes (and posting of required signs) shall be kept by the Fire Chief.

## 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 Fall River — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Fall+River+MA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-fall-river

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/fall-river