Sign Regulations in Lexington Town, Massachusetts
Lexington Town, Massachusetts has specific sign regulations covering 18 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Permanent Standing Sign, Temporary Standing Sign, Illuminated Sign. Height restrictions apply. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 28, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Lexington Town, Massachusetts
Sample Sign Requirements in Lexington Town
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign (First Floor Principal) | 5 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Wall Sign (Above First Floor) | 5 ft | 9 sq ft | — |
| Wall Sign (Secondary) | — | 6 sq ft per sign | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
18
- Permanent Standing Sign
- Temporary Standing Sign
- Illuminated Sign
- General Sign Construction
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
5
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Lexington Town
Other Cities in Massachusetts
Frequently Asked Questions
In Lexington Town, wall signs can be up to 5 ft. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Lexington Town, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Lexington Town, regulated sign types include Permanent Standing Sign, Temporary Standing Sign, Illuminated Sign, General Sign Construction, 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 Lexington 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 Lexington Town are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Lexington Town has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Lexington Town, Massachusetts Sign Rules at a Glance
Lexington Town, Massachusetts regulates 18 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Permanent Standing Signs in the Residential Districts zoning district are capped at 5 ft tall and 15 sq ft, with a At least 10 ft from edge of roadway pavement setback (Sec. § 5.2.7.5.d).
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Lexington Town, Massachusetts
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Lexington Town (5 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 14 | Single-story: not above roofline or 18 ft (whichever is lower); Multi-story: not above 2nd story window sill | 100 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts | 5 | 5 ft | Each not to exceed 30 sq ft | — |
| CM District, CRO District | 1 | 6 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| CB District | 1 | 5 ft | 9 sq ft | — |
| CN District, CRS District, CS District, CSX District, CLO District | 1 | 5 ft | 20 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Lexington Town(sample of 3 of 5 zones)
General Regulations For All Zones
| 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 (First Floor Principal) | 5 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per façade | Façade facing street, municipal parking lot, Minuteman Bikeway, or public trail/path abutting property | — | Unlock | § 5.2.7.1.a, § 5.2.7.1.f, § 5.2.7.1.g, § 5.2.7.1.c |
| Wall Sign (Above First Floor) | 5 ft | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per story, total not exceeding principal sign area | Establishments above first floor, per façade | — | Unlock | § 5.2.7.1.a, § 5.2.7.1.c |
| Wall Sign (Secondary) | — | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 per entrance | Marking direct entrances or parking areas | — | Unlock | § 5.2.7.1.b |
| Awning Sign | 8 in (letters/graphics); length: 36 in | — | 36 in (letters/graphics) | — | 1 | First floor establishments | — | Unlock | § 5.2.7.3 |
| Projecting Sign | Single-story: not above roofline or 18 ft (whichever is lower); Multi-story: not above 2nd story window sill | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per façade | Per façade | — | Unlock | § 5.2.7.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Fuel Station Sign | 10 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per station | Fuel station | — | Unlock | § 5.2.7.6 |
| Construction Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft (total) | — | — | 2 | On property under construction | — | Unlock | § 5.2.7.7 |
| Portable Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On private property per establishment | — | Unlock | § 5.2.7.8 |
Residential Districts
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent Standing Sign | 5 ft | 15 sq ft | — | At least 10 ft from edge of roadway pavement | 1 | On residential property | — | Unlock | § 5.2.7.5.d |
| Permanent Standing Sign (General Residential) | 5 ft (for standing signs) | Each not to exceed 30 sq ft | — | — | 2 | On residential property | — | Unlock | § 5.2.6.1, § 5.2.6.2 |
| Permanent Standing Sign (>4 sq ft area) | — | — | — | No part of any standing sign over four square feet in sign area shall be located within five feet of the edge of the pavement of any street. | — | — | — | Unlock | § 5.2.6.3 |
| Temporary Standing Sign | — | 4 sq ft per sign | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 5.2.6.5 |
| Wall Sign (Residential Use) | — | 30 sq ft | — | — | — | Not on or above roof | — | Unlock | § 5.2.6.4 |
CM District, CRO 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent Standing Sign | 6 ft | 100 sq ft | — | At least 10 ft from edge of roadway pavement | 1 | Per lot | — | Unlock | § 5.2.7.5.a |
PermitPal covers all 5 zoning districts in Lexington 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 5 zones for Lexington Town — start freeProhibited Signs in Lexington Town
- No person shall operate or park a vehicle on any street or highway for the sole purpose of displaying advertising signs.
- No person shall post, affix, paint, print or write, or cause to be painted, printed or written any notice, advertisement, bill, picture, drawing or writing upon any tree, post, pole, fence, wall, or building without prior consent from the owner/possessor and without conforming to sign regulations.
- No person shall, without a permit from the Select Board, post, affix, paint, print, or write any notice, advertisement, bill, picture, drawing, or writing upon any curbstone, sidewalk, tree, pole, post, hydrant, public walk, fence, or public building.
- No person shall, in any street or public place, carry and display for advertising purposes any show card, placard, or sign, except in accordance with a permit from the Select Board.
- No person shall break, deface, or move any official sign post, signaling or traffic device, warning barrier, lantern, or other light placed or located for traffic information, direction, or protection.
- No sign shall be illuminated between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., except on premises open for business.
- No internal illumination of a sign is permitted except upon issuance of a special permit.
- No sign, including window displays, or its illuminators shall obstruct a sidewalk, interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or be confused with or obstruct the view of any official traffic sign, signal, or marking.
- No red or green lights shall be used on any sign if, in the opinion of the Building Commissioner (with Chief of Police advice), such lights would create a driving hazard.
- No sign shall be painted or posted directly on the exterior surface of any wall (with exceptions for certain mounted signs or individual letters/devices).
- Every sign shall be maintained in good condition; damaged or deteriorated signs must be repaired or removed.
- Signs that incorporate flashing, moving, digital animation, video media display, or intermittent illumination (except public traffic control signs) are prohibited.
- Signs erected to obstruct any path of egress in or on a building are prohibited.
- Permanent banner signs are prohibited.
- Billboards, off-premises signs, and other non-accessory signs are prohibited.
- No wall sign shall project above the highest line of the main roof or parapet on the wall to which it is attached.
- No wall sign shall project more than 12 inches from the face of the wall.
- No projecting sign may project from the corner of a building at an angle (angular projection is prohibited).
- It is unlawful to place, maintain, or display any unofficial sign, signal, or marking on/in view of any street which imitates/resembles official traffic signs/signals or attempts to direct traffic or hides from view any official sign or signal.
- Willfully defacing, injuring, moving, obstructing, or interfering with any official sign, signal, or marking is prohibited.
Exempt Signs in Lexington Town
- Any sign owned and installed by a governmental agency, located on property owned by a governmental agency, or required by law, governmental order, or regulation is exempt.
- Flags are exempt.
- Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings (except letters, trademarks, moving parts or moving lights) are exempt.
- Signs mounted on registered motor vehicles or carried by hand are exempt.
- Removable signs on the inside of windows or transparent doors are exempt.
- Signs directing traffic flow are exempt.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Lexington Town
- All signs must conform to the sign regulations set forth in the Zoning By-Law.
- No internal illumination of a sign is permitted except upon issuance of a special permit by the SPGA.
- The SPGA may issue special permits for more or larger signs than are provided, or for types/purposes not provided, if determined to be in the public interest.
- For projects requiring site plan review, the Planning Board may waive sign ordinance provisions.
Source: ecode360 municipal code