# Sign Regulations in Lunenburg Town, Massachusetts

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lunenburg Town, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/lunenburg-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/29812205#29812205)

## At a glance

Lunenburg Town, Massachusetts regulates 31 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Building Sign - Class As in the Residence A, Residence B, Outlying, Limited Business-Residential zoning district are capped at 8 ft from average grade tall and 3 sq ft for Residence A, Residence B, Outlying; 9 sq ft for Limited Business-Residential, with a Building or at a minimum distance from street line of 50% of required front yard setback (Sec. § 250-6.5C, § 250-6.5D). Most commercial signs in Lunenburg Town 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 | 13 | 8 ft from average grade | 32 sq ft | — |
| Residence A, Residence B, Outlying, Limited Business-Residential | 3 | 8 ft from average grade | 9 sq ft (see formula) | — |
| Retail/Commercial | 3 | 30 ft from average grade | 24 sq ft | — |
| Recreation | 1 | 8 ft from average grade | 9 sq ft | — |
| Commercial | 9 | 30 ft | 220 sq ft (absolute maximum) | — |
| Office Park/Industrial | 2 | 30 ft maximum | 220 sq ft (absolute maximum) | — |
| Floodplain, Water Supply Protection | 1 | — | Refer to underlying district(s) | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign (Personal) | 8 ft from average grade | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises | On premises or affixed to outside of structure; location also subject to building commissioner approval for multi-occupant listings | — | § 250-6.5B(1)(a) |
| Real Estate Sign (Temporary) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises | On lot or building being advertised | — | § 250-6.5B(1)(b) |
| Home Occupation and Professional Identification Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises | On premises | — | § 250-6.5B(1)(c) |
| Historic Marker | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On historic building | — | § 250-6.5B(1)(d) |
| Public Carrier Information Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | At carrier service location | — | § 250-6.5B(1)(f) |
| Open Flag or Portable Sandwich Board Sign (Single Business Only) | — | Flag: 3 ft x 5 ft (15 sq ft); Sandwich Board: 2 ft x 2 ft per panel (2 panels, 4 sq ft total) | — | Must comply with local setback/corner clearance criteria | 1 per business | Displayed only when business is open; not allowed on multi-tenant lots or malls | — | § 250-6.5B(1)(k) |
| Temporary Construction Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | At least 10 ft from any street line | — | For development/construction site | — | § 250-6.5B(2) |
| Temporary Special Event Sign | — | 2 ft x 3 ft | 3 ft | — | — | Public properties such as Upper/Lower Common, school, church, parks, with approval | — | § 250-6.5B(3) |

### Residence A, Residence B, Outlying, Limited Business-Residential

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Sign - Class A | 8 ft from average grade | 3 sq ft for Residence A, Residence B, Outlying; 9 sq ft for Limited Business-Residential | — | Building or at a minimum distance from street line of 50% of required front yard | 1 per street | On the building or at a minimum distance from the street line of 50% of the required front yard | — | § 250-6.5C, § 250-6.5D |
| Identification Sign (Special Permit Use or Home Occupation) | 8 ft (see formula) | 9 sq ft (see formula) | — | Minimum setback same as for principal buildings; 50% of front yard requirement | 1 per street line | Each separate street line of a home occupation or approved special permit use | — | § 250-6.5E(1) |
| Directional Sign (Integral With Site Plan or Special Permit) | — | — | — | — | — | As part of development plan for special permit use or site plan | — | § 250-6.5E(2) |

### Commercial

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Single Use) | 30 ft | 220 sq ft (absolute maximum) | — | — | 1 per principal use | On building | — | § 250-6.5C (Commercial), § 250-6.5D (Class C: Single Use) |
| Freestanding Sign (Single Use) | 30 ft maximum | 220 sq ft (absolute maximum) | — | 20 ft from right-of-way for area bonus formula | 1 per principal use | Freestanding on lot | — | § 250-6.5C (Commercial), § 250-6.5D (Class C: Single Use) |
| Secondary Wall Sign (Single Use) | — | Up to 110 sq ft (if paired with 220 sq ft primary sign, but see development plan review) | — | — | 2 per principal use | On building | — | § 250-6.5D (Class C: Single Use, Secondary Signs) |
| Freestanding Sign (Multi-use, 1 building) | 30 ft | 220 sq ft (absolute maximum) | — | — | 1 per building | Freestanding on lot | — | § 250-6.5D (Class C: Multi-use, 1 building) |
| Primary Wall Sign (Multi-use, 1 building) | — | Same as Freestanding Sign | — | — | 1 per principal use | On building | — | § 250-6.5D (Class C: Multi-use, 1 building) |
| Secondary Wall Sign (Multi-use, 1 building) | — | Up to 110 sq ft (if primary sign is maxed at 220 sq ft) | — | — | 1 per principal use | On building | — | § 250-6.5D (Class C: Multi-use, 1 building, Secondary Sign) |
| Freestanding Sign (Shopping Center or Multi-building) | 30 ft | 220 sq ft (absolute maximum) | — | — | 1 per development | Freestanding on development site | — | § 250-6.5D (Class C: Multi-use, Shopping Center or Multi-building) |
| Primary Wall Sign (Shopping Center or Multi-building) | — | Same as Freestanding Sign | — | — | 1 per principal use | On building | — | § 250-6.5D (Class C: Multi-use, Shopping Center or Multi-building) |

## Prohibited signs in Lunenburg Town

- No permitted sign, including projecting signs, shall be located in any street right-of-way.
- No sign or advertising device shall be erected, used or maintained which in any way simulates official directional or warning signs erected or maintained by federal, state or Town governments for the protection of the public health and safety.
- No sign or advertising device shall be erected or maintained in such a manner as to obstruct or interfere with the free and clear vision on any street or driveway.
- No sign or advertising device shall be erected or maintained with any lighting or control mechanism which may cause radio or television interference.
- No illuminated sign or lighting device shall be placed or directed on any property in a manner that would permit the light beams and illumination therefrom to be directed or beamed onto a public street or walkway or onto adjoining properties so as to cause glare or reflection that might constitute a traffic hazard or public nuisance.
- No animated sign or advertising device shall be erected.
- No flashing signs or advertising device which creates intermittent or varying light intensity shall be erected.
- No projecting sign shall extend more than 12 inches beyond the building walls or parts thereof, or be less than eight feet above grade, except as otherwise provided in these sign regulations.
- No sign shall be erected on a roof of a structure; however, a sign may be attached to the facade of a building, provided that it does not exceed the allowable height limitations as stated.
- No building or part thereof, such as a gable, roof or wall, shall be outlined by direct illumination for the purpose of commercial advertising.
- No sign shall be attached to or be erected or maintained in such a manner as to obstruct any fire escape, window, door or other building opening used for egress and ingress, ventilation or other fire-fighting purpose.
- No commercial advertising sign shall be allowed, except as otherwise provided.
- No freestanding sign shall be erected to exceed a height of 30 feet.
- Promotional banners shall not be in excess of eight square feet for a special permitted use. No special displays such as flashing signs shall be allowed.
- Signs may not have any moving or animated parts or images, whether caused by machinery, electronics, wind, gas or otherwise, except for clocks, thermometers or cloth flags, the latter of which are moved only by natural wind. Strings of flags or streamers are not permitted, except as allowed for temporary signs in public areas.
- A sign attached to a building shall not project more than one foot from the building wall when the building bounds on a lot line.
- A sign attached to a building shall not project into or over the paved portion of a street or a right-of-way.
- A sign attached to a building shall not exceed the height of the building, except as permitted for certain sign types.
- All off-premises signs, except for farm stands and signs for agricultural uses and certain identification signs, are prohibited.
- All signs, together with their supports, braces, guys and anchors, shall be kept in good repair and in safe condition. If deemed not safe by the Building Commissioner, repair or removal may be required at the owner's expense.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lunenburg Town

- One nonilluminated identification sign not to exceed three square feet in area or eight feet in height, stating the name and address of the occupant or occupants.
- One temporary nonilluminated real estate sign pertaining to the lease, sale or use of a lot or building on which such sign is placed, not exceeding six square feet.
- One sign for identification of professional and home occupations, not exceeding three square feet.
- A marker not to exceed two square feet identifying a historic building.
- A sign erected by the Town, county, state, federal government or other governmental units.
- A sign erected by a public carrier for direct information concerning its service at the location, not exceeding 12 square feet.
- Signs and displays associated with an approved stand for the retail sale of agricultural or farm produce not exceeding 12 square feet in total area.
- A sign erected by any fraternal, civic, religious or service organization or club, announcing its presence and details of meetings, not exceeding three feet in diameter nor nine square feet in area.
- Any flag, badge, insignia or device of governmental agency or nonprofit organization displayed along a parade route or during a fund-raising drive, as permitted by the Building Commissioner.
- Temporary political signs displayed during election campaigns, provided no sign exceeds four square feet in a residence zone or 24 square feet in a commercial district.
- One 'open' flag or portable sandwich board style sign (as described) may be permitted when the business is open on lots with only one business, and only if in compliance with setback and corner clearance criteria (not permitted on multi-tenant lots or malls).
- A temporary construction sign, nonilluminated, not exceeding 32 square feet and located at least 10 feet from any street line, to be removed upon completion of construction.
- Temporary signs advertising special events, sales for nonprofit organizations or causes, or changes in public activities, may be placed on designated public property, not exceeding two by three feet, for a two-week period, with prior approval by the Building Commissioner and a submitted plot plan.
- A sign or logo that ceases to refer to a bona fide business due to change of occupancy must be removed within 60 days, but signs may remain under certain conditions and approvals described elsewhere.
- Signs erected by the Town, county, state, federal government, or other governmental units, including street signs and official notices.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All freestanding signs (pylons), except those permitted as-of-right in certain subsections, require Planning Board approval (development plan review) prior to issuance of a permit by the Building Commissioner.
- All signs over 36 square feet require Planning Board approval according to the Site plan approval process (§250-8.4).
- The location, safety and design of certain signs are to be approved according to design regulations adopted by the Planning Board during the site plan approval process.
- Signs (including directional signs) may be required to be included as an integral part of an approved development plan for special permit and other uses.
- Secondary signs in certain districts and multi-use developments are determined via development plan review.
- Temporary signs advertising special events in public areas require a two-dimensional plot plan approved by the Building Commissioner.
- In some cases, such as for historic identification markers or organizational signs, approval by the Building Commissioner is specifically required.

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

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