Sign Regulations in Harvard Town, Massachusetts
Harvard Town, Massachusetts has specific sign regulations covering 14 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Temporary Standing Sign or Sandwich Board Sign, Property Identification Sign (Emergency Number), Wall 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 Harvard Town, Massachusetts
Sample Sign Requirements in Harvard Town
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Standing Sign or Sandwich Board Sign | — | 6 sq ft (individual lots); up to 20 sq ft for group signs (3 sq ft per lot, max 20 sq ft) | — |
| Property Identification Sign (Emergency Number) | — | 8 inches x 12 inches (0.67 sq ft) | — |
| Standing Sign | 15 ft | 20 sq ft | Subject to § 125-30 and § 125-39 setback and visibility requirements |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
14
- Temporary Standing Sign or Sandwich Board Sign
- Property Identification Sign (Emergency Number)
- Wall Sign
- Standing Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
4
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Harvard Town
Other Cities in Massachusetts
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Harvard 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 Harvard 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 Harvard Town, regulated sign types include Temporary Standing Sign or Sandwich Board Sign, Property Identification Sign (Emergency Number), Wall Sign, Standing Sign, 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 Harvard 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 Harvard Town are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Harvard Town has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Harvard Town, Massachusetts Sign Rules at a Glance
Harvard Town, Massachusetts regulates 14 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Standing Signs in the C District zoning district are capped at 15 ft tall and 20 sq ft, with a Subject to § 125-30 and § 125-39 setback and visibility requirements setback (Sec. § 125-41C(1)(b), § 125-41B(2), § 125-41B(5)). Most commercial signs in Harvard Town require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Harvard Town, Massachusetts
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Harvard Town (4 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AR District, MR District, W District | 2 | — | 8 inches x 12 inches (0.67 sq ft) | — |
| C District | 8 | 15 ft | 30 sq ft | — |
| Business Use Not in C District | 5 | 15 ft | 10 sq ft (half of C District's 20 sq ft) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 20 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Harvard Town(sample of 3 of 4 zones)
AR District, MR District, W 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Standing Sign or Sandwich Board Sign | — | 6 sq ft (individual lots); up to 20 sq ft for group signs (3 sq ft per lot, max 20 sq ft) | — | — | One temporary standing sign or sandwich board sign per lot | On-site | — | Unlock | § 125-41E(1)-(2), § 125-41B(2) |
| Property Identification Sign (Emergency Number) | — | 8 inches x 12 inches (0.67 sq ft) | 8 inches x 12 inches | — | One per property when required | At driveway connection or on mailbox within 20 feet of driveway | — | Unlock | § 53-2 |
C 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | One per wall, plus additional at each entrance per department or directory | Each wall of the building; additional signs at entrances as needed | — | Unlock | § 125-41C(1)(a), § 125-41B(2), § 125-41B(4) |
| Standing Sign | 15 ft | 20 sq ft | — | Subject to § 125-30 and § 125-39 setback and visibility requirements | One | On the lot | — | Unlock | § 125-41C(1)(b), § 125-41B(2), § 125-41B(5) |
| Window Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Hung, attached to, painted or etched on window glass | — | Unlock | § 125-41C(1)(c), § 125-41B(2) |
| Directional Sign (Multi-Business Site) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Within multi-business site development | — | Unlock | § 125-41C(1)(d)[1], § 125-41B(2) |
| Standing Sign (Multi-Business Site) | 15 ft | 30 sq ft | — | Subject to § 125-30 and § 125-39 setback and visibility requirements | One | Within multi-business site development | — | Unlock | § 125-41C(1)(d)[2] |
| Temporary Standing Sign or Sandwich Board Sign | — | 6 sq ft (individual lots); up to 20 sq ft for group signs (3 sq ft/lot, max 20 sq ft) | — | — | One temporary sign per lot | On-site | — | Unlock | § 125-41E(1)-(2), § 125-41B(2) |
| Street Frontage Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage | Along each street on which the lot fronts | — | Unlock | § 125-41C(3) |
| Property Identification Sign (Emergency Number) | — | 8 inches x 12 inches (0.67 sq ft) | 8 inches x 12 inches | — | One per property when required | At driveway connection or mailbox within 20 feet of driveway | — | Unlock | § 53-2 |
Business Use Not in C 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign (Business Use Not in C District) | — | — | — | — | One per wall, plus per entrance for department or directory | Each building wall; entrances | — | Unlock | § 125-41C(2) |
| Standing Sign (Business Use Not in C District) | 15 ft | 10 sq ft (half of C District's 20 sq ft) | — | Subject to § 125-30 and § 125-39 setback and visibility requirements | One | On lot | — | Unlock | § 125-41C(2) |
| Window Sign (Business Use Not in C District) | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | Hung, attached to, painted/etched on glass | — | Unlock | § 125-41C(2) |
| Street Frontage Sign (Business Use Not in C District) | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage | Along each street on which the lot fronts | — | Unlock | § 125-41C(3) |
| Temporary Standing Sign or Sandwich Board Sign | — | 6 sq ft (individual lots); up to 20 sq ft for group signs (3 sq ft per lot, max 20 sq ft) | — | — | One temporary sign per lot | On-site | — | Unlock | § 125-41E(1)-(2), § 125-41B(2) |
PermitPal covers all 4 zoning districts in Harvard 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 Harvard Town — start freeProhibited Signs in Harvard Town
- Signs which flash, rotate, are animated, are motorized or move or are designed to move by any means, in whole or in part, except for portions indicating time or temperature only, are prohibited.
- Signs that contain or consist of pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners or other moving devices, strings of lights or similar devices, or which emit any noises or loud sounds, or are inflatable are prohibited.
- Outdoor signs may only be illuminated by steady white light shielded and directed downward solely at the sign; no messages or graphics on permanent signs may be formed by lights of any kind, except for time and temperature.
- Backlit or internally illuminated signs are prohibited.
- Signs mounted on trucks or trailers or trailer chassis with or without wheels whose primary function is as a sign and not for the transport of goods or merchandise are prohibited.
- Roof-mounted signs are prohibited.
Exempt Signs in Harvard Town
- Portions of signs indicating time or temperature only are exempt from prohibitions on movement and illumination.
- A sign no larger than eight inches by 12 inches posted at the driveway connection (or substituted with a number on a mailbox within 20 feet of the driveway connection) for house, business, or structure identification for emergency vehicles is exempt (per § 53-2).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Harvard Town
- The Planning Board may approve, approve with conditions, or disapprove deviations from the sign requirements, including number and dimensions of signs, by special permit.
- A special permit is required for greater number of standing signs or larger sign dimensions than otherwise permitted.
- In no event shall the issuance of a special permit be construed as precedent with respect to other applications, as each application and site is unique.
Source: ecode360 municipal code