# Sign Regulations in Ludlow, Massachusetts

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Ludlow, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/ludlow
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MA/Ludlow/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PT1BY_CHVREUSLA_SVISPLAUSRE_SV-6.5SIRE)

## At a glance

Ludlow, Massachusetts regulates 13 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Business A District, Business B District zoning district are capped at 12 feet above ground level (6.5.5d) tall and Not specified; general max 100 sq ft (6.5.4a), with a At least 10 ft from property line (5 ft if pre-existing nonconforming parcel) setback (Sec. 6.5.3, 6.5.5d/e, 6.5.8, Table 4, 6.5.4). Most commercial signs in Ludlow require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential District (RA-1, RA, RB), Agricultural District (A, AMD) | 3 | Wall: See wall sign rules; Freestanding: 12 ft above ground (6.5.5d) | Not specified—general 100 sq ft maximum for any sign (6.5.4a) | — |
| Business A District, Business B District | 4 | 12 feet above ground level (6.5.5d) | Not specified in this section, general max 100 sq ft (6.5.4a) | — |
| Industrial A District, Industrial B District, Industrial C District | 4 | 12 feet above ground (6.5.5d) | Not specified; general max 100 sq ft (6.5.4a) | — |
| Aircraft Flight Overlay District | 1 | Subject to underlying zone and FAA/FAR Part 77 standards (see wind/solar provisions) | Subject to underlying district and general regulations | — |
| Clear Zone (CZ) | 1 | — | — | — |
| East Street Revitalization Overlay District | 1 | — | Subject to underlying district and Table 4 maximum | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | Wall: max 6 ft above eaves/parapet (6.5.5c); Freestanding: max 12 ft (6.5.5d) | 100 sq ft (any sign; prohibited if larger) | — |

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

### Business A District, Business B District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Cannot extend more than 6 feet above eaves or parapet (6.5.5c) | Not specified in this section, general max 100 sq ft (6.5.4a) | — | — | Not specified | Affixed to wall of building, extends ≤ 6" from surface (6.5.2 def. 'Wall sign') | — | V-6.5.2 def., 6.5.3, 6.5.5, Table 4, 6.5.8 |
| Freestanding Sign | 12 feet above ground level (6.5.5d) | Not specified; general max 100 sq ft (6.5.4a) | — | At least 10 ft from property line (5 ft if pre-existing nonconforming parcel) | Not specified | Within 10 ft of property line in front yard setback; must not interfere with line of sight | — | 6.5.3, 6.5.5d/e, 6.5.8, Table 4, 6.5.4 |
| Projecting Sign | Cannot project or extend more than 6 feet above eaves line or parapet wall (6.5.5c) | Not specified; must conform to 100 sq ft area max (6.5.4a) | — | — | Not specified | Extends from wall of a building | — | 6.5.5a, c, Table 4, 6.5.8a-c, 6.5.4a, 6.5.4c |
| Temporary Sign | — | 18" x 24" (3 sq ft) | — | — | Not specified | On premises, not on town property or public way | — | 6.5.7d, 6.5.8a, Table 4 |

### Industrial A District, Industrial B District, Industrial C District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Cannot extend more than 6 feet above eaves or parapet wall (6.5.5c) | Not specified; general max 100 sq ft (6.5.4a) | — | — | Not specified | Affixed to building wall, not more than 6" out (6.5.2) | — | 6.5.2, 6.5.3, 6.5.4, 6.5.5, Table 4, 6.5.8 |
| Freestanding Sign | 12 feet above ground (6.5.5d) | Not specified; general max 100 sq ft (6.5.4a) | — | At least 10 ft from property line (5 ft if pre-existing, nonconforming) | Not specified | Within 10 ft of property line in front yard setback | — | 6.5.5d/e, 6.5.8a-c, Table 4, 6.5.4a, 6.5.4c |
| Projecting Sign | Cannot project or extend more than 6 feet above eaves or parapet (6.5.5c) | Not specified; general 100 sq ft max (6.5.4a) | — | — | Not specified | Projects from wall of building | — | 6.5.5a, c; Table 4; 6.5.8 |
| Temporary Sign | — | 18" x 24" (3 sq ft) | — | — | Not specified | On premises; not in public way/town property | — | 6.5.7d, 6.5.8a, Table 4 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional/Informational/Safety Sign | — | Not specified; board of appeals may limit (6.5.7b) | — | — | — | On premises | — | 6.5.7b |
| Temporary Sign | — | 18" x 24" (3 sq ft) | — | — | Not specified | On premises, not on town property | — | 6.5.7d, 6.5.2 definition, Table 4 |
| All Signs (General Limitations) | Wall: max 6 ft above eaves/parapet (6.5.5c); Freestanding: max 12 ft (6.5.5d) | 100 sq ft (any sign; prohibited if larger) | — | Freestanding signs: At least 10 ft from property line in front setback; 5 ft if pre-existing parcel (6.5.5e) | Not specified | As specified by sign type | — | 6.5.4, 6.5.5, 6.5.8, Table 4 |
| Identification Sign (Photovoltaic, Wind, or Communication Installations) | — | 2 ft x 2 ft (4 sq ft) | — | — | One per applicable installation | Visible from right-of-way or on perimeter fence (see 6.10.5c, 6.7.3f) | — | 6.10.5c; 6.7.3f |
| Prohibited Sign (All Zones) | — | Over 100 sq ft. (6.5.4a) | — | — | — | — | — | 6.5.4a-e |

## Prohibited signs in Ludlow

- Signs in excess of 100 square feet in area.
- Signs that constitute a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic because of intensity or direction of illumination.
- Signs that incorporate, or are lighted by, flashing or blinking lights, or are designed to attract attention by a change in light intensity or by repeated motion (except signs indicating current time and/or temperature provided they meet all other provisions).
- Any sign advertising or identifying a business or organization which is defunct or no longer located on the premises.
- Signs in the ordinance-defined districts (RA-1, RA, RB, A, or AMD) that are portable signs.
- No sign can project or extend more than six feet above the eaves line or parapet of any building to which it is affixed.
- If free-standing, a sign cannot extend more than 12 feet above ground level.
- No part of a free-standing sign is to be located closer than ten feet to the property line within the front yard setback. The sign cannot interfere with the line-of-sight for traffic. (Reduced to five feet for pre-existing, non-conforming parcels.)

## Signs exempt from permit in Ludlow

- Signs legally existing at the time this bylaw is adopted may continue as non-conforming uses and may be increased in size and height when approved by the board of appeals, except for billboards or signs subject to state law (Massachusetts General Laws chapter 93, sections 29-33 and chapter 93D).
- Directional or identification signs may be erected in any district where the board of appeals finds the sign serves public convenience, does not endanger public safety, and is suitably designed.
- Nothing in the section affects provisions in existing bylaws relating to temporary signs permitted by the selectmen or posted by the town or government.
- Permitted signs must refer to a permitted use or an approved conditional use as set forth in section III.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Applicants for a sign permit must provide a description of all existing signs on the premises, as well as a scale drawing specifying dimensions, illumination, materials, and proposed location of any new sign(s).
- Any sign over 18 inches by 24 inches requires a permit from the building commissioner, excluding temporary signs.
- Signs permitted by district are enumerated in Table 4, 'Permitted Signs by Type and Zoning District.'
- Board of appeals may approve increased size and height for non-conforming pre-existing signs.
- For non-conforming and temporary signs, the board of appeals may allow directional or identification signs upon finding certain criteria are met.

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

---

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