# Sign Regulations in Hingham, Massachusetts

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Hingham, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/hingham
- **Data last verified:** 2026-02-12
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.hingham-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2145/Hingham-Zoning-By-law-PDF?bidId=#page=110)

## At a glance

Hingham, Massachusetts regulates 18 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Directory Ground Sign (Development Directory)s in the Industrial District - I, Industrial Park District - IP, Limited Industrial Park District - LIP, Office Park District - OP zoning district are capped at Up to 10 ft tall, Up to 100 sq. ft. total area, and Up to 15 ft length wide, with a Safe location off main road or driveway; general setback rules and corner clearance apply setback (Sec. Section V-B.3, Footnote 4: Directory ground signs in Office Park, Industrial Park, Limited Industrial Park, and Industrial Districts (excluding retail groups), Special Permit A1; limits: ≤10' height, ≤15' length, ≤100 s.f. total area; location and parking requirements.). Most commercial signs in Hingham require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residence District A - R-A, Residence District B - R-B, Residence District C - R-C, Residence District D - R-D, Residence District E - R-E, Official and Open Space District - OSD | 6 | 6 ft | 20 sq. ft. | — |
| Business District A - B-A | 12 | 12 ft | 45 sq. ft. | — |
| Business District B - B-B, Waterfront Business District - WBD, Waterfront Recreation District - WRD | 8 | 12 ft | 60 sq. ft. | — |
| Industrial District - I, Industrial Park District - IP, Limited Industrial Park District - LIP, Office Park District - OP | 7 | 12 ft | Up to 100 sq. ft. total area | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | Mounted to each wall with separate public entrance (other than wall with principal sign) | ≤50% of principal sign area | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Business District A - B-A

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Parallel (As-of-Right) | Mounted at least 5 ft above ground floor | 1 sq. ft. | — | Not applicable | 1 | Exterior wall, mounted parallel to building face | — | Section V-B.3, Schedule of Sign Regulations, In Business District A: Bldg.-Parallel, 1 s.f., 5' above ground floor, External, N; Footnotes 1, 3, 5, 6. |
| Window Sign (Aggregate Glass Area Limits) | Not applicable | 20% aggregate glass area; ≤45% of any individual window | — | Not applicable | Not numerically limited; subject to aggregate area limits | Window interior/exterior, visible from the exterior | — | Section V-B.3, Schedule of Sign Regulations, In Business District A: Bldg.-Window and/or incidental, N, size limits: 20% glass area aggregate and ≤45% of any individual window; Definitions; Section V-B.9(k). |
| Projecting Sign - Perpendicular (Building Permit Tier) | Mounted to building; where over public sidewalk, lower edge ≥7 ft above ground (Footnote 7) | 4 sq. ft. | — | Not applicable | 1 | Projecting perpendicular from building facade | — | Section V-B.3, Schedule of Sign Regulations, In Business District A: Bldg.-Projecting (Perpendicular), 4 s.f., External, B; Footnotes 1, 5, 6, 7. |
| Business Flag (Projecting) | Mounted to building; where over public sidewalk, lower edge ≥7 ft above ground (Footnote 7) | 15 sq. ft. | — | Not applicable | 1 | Projecting from building facade | — | Section V-B.3, Schedule of Sign Regulations, In Business District A: Business flag 15 s.f. listed under Bldg.-Projecting; External, B; Footnote 7. |
| Awning Sign | Mounted on building facade | Counted within parallel building sign allowances | — | Not applicable | 1 | Awning attached to building facade | — | Section V-B.3, Schedule of Sign Regulations, In Business District A: Awning (See Definitions) under Bldg.-Projecting group; Definitions; Footnote 7. |
| Wall Sign - Parallel (Building Permit Tier) | Mounted to building; height not specified beyond standard mounting | 30 sq. ft. | — | Not applicable | 1 | Exterior wall, mounted parallel to building face | — | Section V-B.3, Schedule of Sign Regulations, In Business District A: Bldg.-Parallel, 30 s.f., External, B. |
| Projecting Sign - Perpendicular (Special Permit Tier) | Mounted to building; where over public sidewalk, lower edge ≥7 ft above ground (Footnote 7) | 9 sq. ft. | — | Not applicable | 1 | Projecting perpendicular from building facade | — | Section V-B.3, Schedule of Sign Regulations, In Business District A: Bldg.- Projecting Perpendicular, 9 s.f., External, Z; Footnotes 1 and 7. |
| Wall Sign - Parallel (Special Permit Tier) | Mounted to building; height not specified beyond standard mounting | 45 sq. ft. | — | Not applicable | Not specified ("-") | Exterior wall, mounted parallel to building face | — | Section V-B.3, Schedule of Sign Regulations, In Business District A: Bldg.-Parallel, 45 s.f., External, Z. |

### Business District B - B-B, Waterfront Business District - WBD, Waterfront Recreation District - WRD

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Parallel (As-of-Right) | Mounted at least 5 ft above ground floor | 1 sq. ft. | — | Not applicable | 1 | Exterior wall, mounted parallel to building face | — | Section V-B.3, Schedule of Sign Regulations, In Business District B, Waterfront Business and Waterfront Recreation Districts: Bldg.-Parallel, 1 s.f., 5' above ground floor, External, N. |
| Projecting Sign - Perpendicular (Building Permit Tier) | Mounted to building; where over public sidewalk, lower edge ≥7 ft above ground (Footnote 7) | 4 sq. ft. | — | Not applicable | 1 | Projecting perpendicular from building facade | — | Section V-B.3, Schedule of Sign Regulations, In Business District B, Waterfront Business and Waterfront Recreation Districts: Bldg.- Perpendicular, 4 s.f., External, B; Footnotes 1 and 7. |
| Wall Sign - Parallel (Building Permit Tier) | Mounted to building | 30 sq. ft. | — | Not applicable | 1 | Exterior wall, mounted parallel to building face | — | Section V-B.3, Schedule of Sign Regulations, In Business District B, Waterfront Business and Waterfront Recreation Districts: Bldg.- Parallel, 30 s.f., External, B. |
| Projecting Sign - Perpendicular (Special Permit Tier) | Mounted to building; where over public sidewalk, lower edge ≥7 ft above ground (Footnote 7) | 9 sq. ft. | — | Not applicable | 1 | Projecting perpendicular from building facade | — | Section V-B.3, Schedule of Sign Regulations, In Business District B, Waterfront Business and Waterfront Recreation Districts: Bldg.- Perpendicular, 9 s.f., External, Z; Footnotes 1 and 7. |
| Wall Sign - Parallel (Special Permit Tier) | Mounted to building | 60 sq. ft. | — | Not applicable | Not specified ("-") | Exterior wall, mounted parallel to building face | — | Section V-B.3, Schedule of Sign Regulations, In Business District B, Waterfront Business and Waterfront Recreation Districts: Bldg.- Parallel, 60 s.f., External, Z. |
| Ground Sign (Freestanding) - As-of-Right | 6 ft | 2 sq. ft. | — | Minimum setback 10 ft from property lines | 1 | Ground/freestanding | — | Section V-B.3, Schedule of Sign Regulations, In Business District B, Waterfront Business and Waterfront Recreation Districts: Ground, 2 s.f., 6', Minimum Setback 10', External, N. |
| Ground Sign (Freestanding) - Building Permit Tier | 12 ft | 15 sq. ft. | — | Minimum setback 10 ft; and at least 30 ft from Residential Zone | 1 | Ground/freestanding | — | Section V-B.3, Schedule of Sign Regulations, In Business District B, Waterfront Business and Waterfront Recreation Districts: Ground, 15 s.f., 12', Minimum Setback 10' and 30' from Res. Zone, External, B. |
| Ground Sign (Freestanding) - Special Permit Tier | 12 ft | 24 sq. ft. | — | Minimum setback 10 ft; and at least 30 ft from Residential Zone | 1 | Ground/freestanding | — | Section V-B.3, Schedule of Sign Regulations, In Business District B, Waterfront Business and Waterfront Recreation Districts: Ground, 24 s.f., 12', Minimum Setback 10' and 30' from Res. Zone, External, Z. |

### Industrial District - I, Industrial Park District - IP, Limited Industrial Park District - LIP, Office Park District - OP

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Parallel (As-of-Right) | Mounted at least 5 ft above ground floor | 1 sq. ft. | — | Not applicable | 1 | Exterior wall, mounted parallel to building face | — | Section V-B.3, Schedule of Sign Regulations, In All Industrial Districts and the Office Park District: Bldg.-Parallel, 1 s.f., 5' above ground floor, External, N. |
| Wall Sign - Parallel (Building Permit Tier) | Mounted to building | ≤10% of wall area | — | Not applicable | 1 | Exterior wall, mounted parallel to building face | — | Section V-B.3, Schedule of Sign Regulations, In All Industrial Districts and the Office Park District: Bldg.-Parallel, not exceeding 10% wall area, External, B. |
| Wall Sign - Parallel (Special Permit Tier) | Mounted to building | ≤10% of wall area | — | Not applicable | Not specified ("-") | Exterior wall, mounted parallel to building face | — | Section V-B.3, Schedule of Sign Regulations, In All Industrial Districts and the Office Park District: Bldg.-Parallel, not exceeding 10% wall area, External, Z. |
| Ground Sign (Freestanding) - As-of-Right | 6 ft | 2 sq. ft. | — | Minimum setback 10 ft from property lines | 1 | Ground/freestanding | — | Section V-B.3, Schedule of Sign Regulations, In All Industrial Districts and the Office Park District: Ground, 2 s.f., 6', Minimum Setback 10', External, N. |
| Ground Sign (Freestanding) - Building Permit Tier | 12 ft | 50 sq. ft. | — | Minimum setback 10 ft from property lines | 1 | Ground/freestanding | — | Section V-B.3, Schedule of Sign Regulations, In All Industrial Districts and the Office Park District: Ground, 50 s.f., 12', Minimum Setback 10', External, B. |
| Ground Sign (Freestanding) - Special Permit Tier (Frontage-Based) | 12 ft | 50 sq. ft. per unit of 200 ft of frontage | — | Minimum setback 10 ft from property lines | Not specified ("-") | Ground/freestanding | — | Section V-B.3, Schedule of Sign Regulations, In All Industrial Districts and the Office Park District: Ground, 50 s.f. per unit of 200' of frontage, 12', Minimum Setback 10', External, Z. |
| Directory Ground Sign (Development Directory) | Up to 10 ft | Up to 100 sq. ft. total area | Up to 15 ft length | Safe location off main road or driveway; general setback rules and corner clearance apply | One or more (per Footnote 4 with Special Permit) | Ground/freestanding within Office Park/Industrial developments (excluding retail groups) | — | Section V-B.3, Footnote 4: Directory ground signs in Office Park, Industrial Park, Limited Industrial Park, and Industrial Districts (excluding retail groups), Special Permit A1; limits: ≤10' height, ≤15' length, ≤100 s.f. total area; location and parking requirements. |

## Prohibited signs in Hingham

- Any sign not expressly permitted or exempted under Section V-B is prohibited, including A-shaped or V-shaped signs, trailer signs, and billboards.
- Flashing, moving, or animated signs, or signs designed to attract attention by changes in light intensity or repeated motion generated by or internal to the sign, are prohibited.
- Internally illuminated (backlit) signs are prohibited; lighting must be exterior, white, steady, stationary, shielded, and directed solely at the sign.
- Non-accessory signs promoting commercial activities are prohibited; non-accessory signs promoting non-commercial activities are permitted only if they comply with Section V-B.
- No sign may be erected at or near street or driveway intersections where it obstructs clear vision, interferes with or could be confused with authorized traffic control devices, or constitutes a pedestrian/vehicular hazard due to intensity or direction of illumination, position, shape, color, or wording.
- No sign shall be mounted on or form a part of a roof, cupola, tower, spire, chimney, enclosure, or other object or structure located on or above the roof of any building.
- Parallel wall signs may not extend beyond the face of the wall horizontally or vertically and may not project more than 12 inches from the wall.
- Perpendicular wall signs may not extend above the top of the wall and may not project more than 3 feet from the wall.
- Projecting signs installed over a public sidewalk must have at least 7 feet of clearance from the ground to the lower edge of the sign.

## Signs exempt from permit in Hingham

- Signs required or authorized by any law, rule, regulation, or permit of the federal or state government or any agency thereof or any public authority created thereby.
- Signs erected or placed on Town premises under Town By-Law or Building Code or by direction or order of the Town board or committee having lawful jurisdiction over such premises.
- Nonconforming signs legally erected prior to adoption of this By-Law (subject to the nonconforming sign provisions of Section V-B.11).
- Signs not exceeding 4 square feet that are limited solely to directing traffic within a parking area, indicating parking restrictions in the use of such parking area, or indicating the location of building or unit numbers in a multi-unit complex.
- Memorial building sign or tablet denoting the name of a building and/or date of erection, not to exceed 2 square feet in residential districts or 6 square feet in other districts (subject to Historic Districts Commission authority in local historic districts).
- Customary signs on gasoline pumps indicating in usual size and form the name and type of gasoline and the price thereof.
- Seasonal holiday decorations and lights when in season.
- One unlighted ground sign advertising the sale, rental, or lease of the premises or any part thereof, not exceeding 8 square feet.
- One unlighted ground sign in a residential subdivision of six or more approved lots advertising the sale, rental, or lease of individual lots therein, not exceeding 40 square feet.
- One unlighted ground sign on each lot advertising the name and address of the owner, architect, engineer and/or contractor responsible for construction on the premises, not exceeding 12 square feet.
- Paper or cardstock window signs not exceeding 11 inches by 17 inches advertising any campaign, drive, event, or activity of a civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious organization for noncommercial purposes, provided they are removed within thirty days of initial display.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan requirement is specified in the provided text.
- Signs not meeting the regulations in all respects require a Variance from the Board of Appeals in accordance with M.G.L. c. 40A, §10.
- Special Permits A1 for signs meeting all Special Permit limitations may be granted by the Board of Appeals; in granting a Special Permit, the Board must make findings and will specify size, height, type, and location and may impose conditions.
- After public hearing and requisite findings, the Board of Appeals may grant a Special Permit to allow more or larger signs up to the maximum total square footage allowed in the table for individual businesses.
- Directory ground signs in Office Park, Industrial Park, Limited Industrial Park, and Industrial Districts (excluding retail groups) require a Special Permit A1; placement and size limits are specified.
- Temporary signs: The Select Board may grant permits for one unlighted ground sign (maximum 4 square feet) for a public function/activity for up to 30 days; temporary signs do not require Building Permits and applications must include sign details and display dates.

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

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