# Sign Regulations in Lee Town, Massachusetts

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lee Town, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/lee-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/36023307#36023307)

## At a glance

Lee Town, Massachusetts regulates 35 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Wall Sign (Farm and Nursery, RA district only)s in the R-20, R-30, RA, CR, RM zoning district are capped at 10 ft tall and 6 sq ft per sign, with a At least 10 ft from public right-of-way setback (Sec. §199-7.8A(1)(c)[1][2]). Most commercial signs in Lee Town require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-20, R-30, RA, CR, RM | 5 | 10 ft | 12 sq ft | — |
| I, BM, RB, CBC | 4 | 25 ft (max, all zones) | 100 sq ft | — |
| PCVC | 1 | — | — | — |
| Downtown Central Business Corridor (DCBC) | 8 | 8 ft | 64 sq ft total, 16 sq ft for center, up to 8 sq ft per business | — |
| Smart Growth Overlay District (SGOD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| CBC Zoning District | 2 | 25 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| DCBC Zone | 1 | — | 4 sq ft | — |
| Office Park and Light Industry (OPLI) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 15 | 48 in | 25% of total window glass area | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### R-20, R-30, RA, CR, RM

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Signs Permitted by Right | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §199-7.8A(1)(a) |
| Wall Sign (Professional, Artisan, or Home Occupation) | — | 12 sq ft | — | At least 10 ft from right-of-way line or attached to building | 1 | On building containing the business or lot; must be at least 10 ft from right-of-way if freestanding, or attached to building | — | §199-7.8A(1)(b), §199-7.4F(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Professional, Artisan, or Home Occupation) | — | 12 sq ft | — | At least 10 ft from right-of-way or attached | 1 | On lot of building containing business, at least 10 ft from public right-of-way | — | §199-7.8A(1)(b), §199-7.4F(1) |
| Wall Sign (Farm and Nursery, RA district only) | 10 ft | 6 sq ft per sign | — | At least 10 ft from public right-of-way | 2 | At least 10 ft from right-of-way | — | §199-7.8A(1)(c)[1][2] |
| Freestanding Sign (Farm and Nursery, RA district only) | 10 ft | 6 sq ft per sign | — | At least 10 ft from public right-of-way | 2 | At least 10 ft from right-of-way | — | §199-7.8A(1)(c)[1][2] |

### Downtown Central Business Corridor (DCBC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Sign (per business) | — | 40 sq ft (per sign) | — | — | 1 per business | Building face | — | §199-7.8D(2), §199-7.4F(1) |
| Building Sign (Corner Lot) | — | 40 sq ft (primary face), 20 sq ft (second face) | — | — | 2 (one per face) | Each roadside of building | — | §199-7.8D(3) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Ground floor awning | — | §199-7.8D(4) |
| Window Display Sign | — | 10% of total glass area | — | — | — | On/in window | — | §199-7.8D(5) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Perpendicular to building facade, at least 7 ft above sidewalk, projects ≤3 ft from facade | — | §199-7.8D(6) |
| Rear Entrance Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | Rear entrance of business | — | §199-7.8D(7) |
| Freestanding Sign (Alternative to Building Sign) | 8 ft | 16 sq ft | — | 15 ft or greater from right-of-way | 1 per business (alternative to wall sign) | Min 15 ft from right-of-way or 1/2 distance to building face | — | §199-7.8D(8) |
| Business Center Sign | — | 64 sq ft total, 16 sq ft for center, up to 8 sq ft per business | — | — | 1 per business center | Freestanding | — | §199-7.8D(9), §199-7.7N |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address Sign | 4 ft (if on post) | 2 sq ft | — | At least 3 ft from right-of-way if on post | 1 | Attached to building or on post set back at least 3 ft from right-of-way | — | §199-7.7B |
| Canopy Sign (Gas Station) | — | 20 sq ft per side (2 sides max); 10 sq ft for logo (if pricing pod) | — | — | Max 2 (one per side) | Gas station canopy | — | §199-7.7C |
| Gas Station Pricing Pod Sign (Freestanding/Canopy) | — | 20 sq ft (total pricing pod area); or 4 sq ft per sign on each pump (without permit) | — | At least 10 ft from lot line | — | On freestanding sign or on canopy; 4 sq ft per pump (without permit) | — | §199-7.7D |
| Construction Sign (Temporary, On-Premises) | — | 12 sq ft | — | 10 ft or 1/2 building setback | 1 main sign plus 1 per contractor | 10 ft from street lot line or 1/2 building setback distance, whichever is less | — | §199-7.7E |
| Directional Sign (Ingress/Egress Only) | 4 ft | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | At driveway locations only | — | §199-7.7F |
| Rent or Sale Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | 10 ft or 1/2 building setback from street lot line | Max 2 | Attached to building or 10 ft or 1/2 building setback from right-of-way | — | §199-7.7G |
| Political Sign (With Permit, Treated as Permanent Business Sign) | — | Same as allowed for permanent business/home occupation sign in zone | — | — | 1 | Same terms as a business/home occupation sign | — | §199-7.7J(1), (4) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 48 in | — | 27 in | — | 1 per business | In front of business, on private property or within public right-of-way (not street), must not block sidewalk to less than 4 ft width | — | §199-7.7O(1)(2) |

## Prohibited signs in Lee Town

- No sign requiring a permit shall be erected without first receiving a permit.
- Flashing signs, signs containing moving parts, any noisemaking sign or device and signs containing reflective elements which sparkle in the sunlight are not permitted.
- Streamers, pennants, ribbons, banners, spinners or other similar devices shall not be constructed, posted or erected in any zone (except for grand openings, special events and charitable or civic events with temporary permit; holiday decorations exempt with conditions).
- Any sign advertising or identifying a business or organization which is either defunct or no longer located on the premises is not permitted (exception for landmark signs).
- No sign, except for a traffic, regulatory or informational sign, shall use the words 'stop,' 'caution' or 'danger' or shall incorporate red, amber or green lights resembling traffic signals or shall resemble a stop, yield or other traffic sign in shape and color. No sign shall obstruct traffic sight lanes for drivers or pedestrians.
- No billboard shall be permitted in any district in the Town of Lee.
- Any spotlight or illumination which is beamed or lights up a public street, highway, sidewalk or adjacent premises which causes a glare or reflection that constitutes a traffic hazard or public nuisance is not permitted.
- Except as authorized for the DCBC Zone, any sign or other projection which protrudes more than 10 inches over a public right-of-way or public property is not permitted.
- Any sign where the highest point would be greater than 25 feet above the ground on which it rests is not permitted.
- No trailer-style movable signs or vehicle used primarily or intentionally as a sign shall be permitted.
- No awning signs shall be permitted except in the DCBC District.
- No off-premises signs shall be permitted except as specifically authorized herein.
- Abandoned signs are prohibited and shall be removed by the owner of the sign or owner of the premises or by action of the Building Commissioner.
- Roof signs are not permitted.
- No person may erect a sign with exposed electrical wires.
- Strings of bulbs are not permitted on signs, except as part of a holiday celebration.
- Any illumination provided for signs shall be white light only.
- Sign illumination, decorative lighting or floodlighting (except for public recreational areas) shall be shielded at its source to prevent high-intensity light beams from shining onto any street or adjoining property.
- No sign shall be designed to attract attention by a change of intensity or illumination or by repeated motion.
- No person may erect a sign which constitutes a hazard to public safety or health.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lee Town

- Signs erected or posted and maintained for public safety and welfare or pursuant to any governmental function, law, bylaw or other regulation.
- A bulletin board or similar sign not exceeding 12 square feet in display area in connection with any church, museum, library or school, provided the top of such sign shall not be more than eight feet above ground, and no closer than 10 feet from the public right-of-way unless attached to a building.
- Signs relating to trespassing and hunting, not exceeding two square feet.
- Any historical marker erected by a bona fide historical association or a government agency.
- Decorations for state and national holidays are exempt from requiring a temporary sign permit if not a public nuisance or hazard, as determined by the Building Commissioner.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A scale drawing specifying the sign's dimensions, materials, illumination, letter sizes, colors, and support systems as well as its location and relevant measurements shall be submitted with the permit application for any sign requiring a permit.
- Where a sign is neither explicitly prohibited nor explicitly allowed without a permit, the sign is allowed with a permit, which is granted or denied in accordance with these regulations.
- A master, site or sign plan review is referenced for internally illuminated freestanding and wall signs in the CBC Zoning District ('approval as part of the site plan review process as delineated in § 199-13.3').
- Business center signs require similarity of all individual signs with regard to material, coloring, lighting, lettering, and other characteristics. Where a business center sign exists, no other freestanding sign is allowed along the road frontage of the business center.
- Landmark signs need approval by the Historical Commission prior to permit issuance.
- For freestanding signs greater than 10 feet at their highest point, construction and setting methods must be reviewed and certified for safety by the Building Commissioner, and require submission of structural drawings and specifications, including foundations, by a registered professional engineer.

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

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