# Sign Regulations in Lowell, Massachusetts

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lowell, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/lowell
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-14
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.lowellma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1007/Zoning-Ordinance-PDF?bidId=#page=59)

## At a glance

Lowell, Massachusetts regulates 23 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the NB, RR, OP, INST, HRC zoning district are capped at 20 feet above grade tall and 30 square feet per face (50 if 3+ uses on lot), with a Exempt unless specified setback (Sec. 6.3.2.8). Most commercial signs in Lowell require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | Size determined by Building Commissioner | — |
| SSF, TSF, TTF, USF | 8 | — | 30 percent of window area for special sales/events | — |
| SMF, TMF, UMF | 9 | — | 30 percent of window area for special sales/events | — |
| SMU, TMU | 20 | 20 feet above grade | 30 square feet per face (50 if 3+ uses on lot) | — |
| NB, RR, OP, INST, HRC | 22 | 20 feet above grade | 30 square feet per face (50 if 3+ uses on lot) | — |
| LI, GI | 23 | 20 feet above grade | 30 square feet per face (50 if 3+ uses on lot) | — |
| DMU, UMU | 22 | 20 feet above grade | 30 square feet per face (50 if 3+ uses on lot) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### NB, RR, OP, INST, HRC

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | Exempt unless specified | 1 | Attached to building or on rod/post <=4 feet high, >=3 feet from street line | — | 6.3.2.1 |
| Community Directory Sign | — | 20 square feet | — | As specified in location | 1-3 based on frontage | >= 1/2 depth of required front yard from street line | — | 6.3.2.4 |
| Contractor Sign | — | 20 square feet | — | Exempt unless specified | — | On building or structure during construction | — | 6.3.2.5 |
| For Sale or For Rent Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | Exempt unless specified | 2 | On the property being sold or rented | — | 6.3.2.7 |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 feet above grade | 30 square feet per face (50 if 3+ uses on lot) | — | Exempt unless specified | 1 (2 if frontage >=300 feet) | Self-supporting, fixed, not attached to building | — | 6.3.2.8 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 16 square feet per face if flat; 9 square feet for 3D | — | As specified | — | Hung 90 deg from building face, extends >=12 inches beyond wall | — | 6.3.2.14 |
| Public Service Sign | — | 4 square feet | — | Exempt unless specified | — | Directions to use not visible from street (e.g., restrooms) | — | 6.3.2.15 |
| Request for Permit Sign | — | Size determined by Building Commissioner | — | Exempt unless specified | 1 per 500 ft frontage | Visible and legible from right-of-way, at 500 ft intervals or 1 if less frontage; if no frontage, visible from nearest street | — | 6.3.2.20 |

### LI, GI

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | Exempt unless specified | 1 | Attached to building or on rod/post <=4 feet high, >=3 feet from street line | — | 6.3.2.1 |
| Community Directory Sign | — | 20 square feet | — | As specified in location | 1-3 based on frontage | >= 1/2 depth of required front yard from street line | — | 6.3.2.4 |
| Contractor Sign | — | 20 square feet | — | Exempt unless specified | — | On building or structure during construction | — | 6.3.2.5 |
| For Sale or For Rent Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | Exempt unless specified | 2 | On the property being sold or rented | — | 6.3.2.7 |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 feet above grade | 30 square feet per face (50 if 3+ uses on lot) | — | Exempt unless specified | 1 (2 if frontage >=300 feet) | Self-supporting, fixed, not attached to building | — | 6.3.2.8 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 16 square feet per face if flat; 9 square feet for 3D | — | As specified | — | Hung 90 deg from building face, extends >=12 inches beyond wall | — | 6.3.2.14 |
| Public Service Sign | — | 4 square feet | — | Exempt unless specified | — | Directions to use not visible from street (e.g., restrooms) | — | 6.3.2.15 |
| Request for Permit Sign | — | Size determined by Building Commissioner | — | Exempt unless specified | 1 per 500 ft frontage | Visible and legible from right-of-way, at 500 ft intervals or 1 if less frontage; if no frontage, visible from nearest street | — | 6.3.2.20 |

### DMU, UMU

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | Exempt unless specified | 1 | Attached to building or on rod/post <=4 feet high, >=3 feet from street line | — | 6.3.2.1 |
| Community Directory Sign | — | 20 square feet | — | As specified in location | 1-3 based on frontage | >= 1/2 depth of required front yard from street line | — | 6.3.2.4 |
| Contractor Sign | — | 20 square feet | — | Exempt unless specified | — | On building or structure during construction | — | 6.3.2.5 |
| For Sale or For Rent Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | Exempt unless specified | 2 | On the property being sold or rented | — | 6.3.2.7 |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 feet above grade | 30 square feet per face (50 if 3+ uses on lot) | — | Exempt unless specified | 1 (2 if frontage >=300 feet) | Self-supporting, fixed, not attached to building | — | 6.3.2.8 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 16 square feet per face if flat; 9 square feet for 3D | — | As specified | — | Hung 90 deg from building face, extends >=12 inches beyond wall | — | 6.3.2.14 |
| Public Service Sign | — | 4 square feet | — | Exempt unless specified | — | Directions to use not visible from street (e.g., restrooms) | — | 6.3.2.15 |
| Request for Permit Sign | — | Size determined by Building Commissioner | — | Exempt unless specified | 1 per 500 ft frontage | Visible and legible from right-of-way, at 500 ft intervals or 1 if less frontage; if no frontage, visible from nearest street | — | 6.3.2.20 |

## Prohibited signs in Lowell

- 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 Section.
- A sign which flashes, 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 Commissioner 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 which 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.
- String lights used in connection with commercial premises for commercial purposes other than Christmas decorations.
- Spinners, and streamers except as specified in temporary sign section.
- Any sign now or hereafter existing which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted or product sold. Such signs shall be removed at owner’s expense.
- Any sign affixed to a fence, utility pole or structure, or tree, shrub, rock or other natural objects.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lowell

- Unless otherwise specified in this Ordinance, signs are exempt from setback requirements.
- Public service signs are not included in computing total sign area allowed.
- No permit is required for temporary signs.
- Election signs are permitted if stationary, unlighted, temporary, and not attached to a utility pole, fence, tree or other vegetation, or upon a public right-of-way or attached to any structure (except that such sign may be displayed in a window).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Certain signs require a special permit from the special permit granting authority (Board of Appeals), as set forth in Section 6.3.4 Table of Sign Regulations.
- An application for variance may be filed with the board of appeals as allowed in Section 11.2 of this ordinance (Section 6.3.6).
- Roof signs are prohibited except by special permit by the special permit granting authority.
- Internally-illuminated signs require a special permit by the special permit granting authority.
- Painted signs require a special permit from the special permit granting authority.
- Projecting signs overhanging a public way require an additional permit from the city council.

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

---

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