# Sign Regulations in Middleborough Town, Massachusetts

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Middleborough Town, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/middleborough-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/30761010#30761010)

## At a glance

Middleborough Town, Massachusetts regulates 13 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Commercial Development District zoning district are capped at 35 feet tall and 1 sq ft per side per 2 linear feet of frontage (no explicit single-sign maximum), with a Minimum 5 ft from any property line setback (Sec. § 275-5.7.3.2 and 5.7.3.5 (https://ecode360.com/30717927, https://ecode360.com/30717930)). Most commercial signs in Middleborough Town require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business District | 6 | 15 feet | 12 sq ft per side, 2 sides max (total 24 sq ft display) | — |
| Commercial Development District | 6 | 35 feet | 32 sq ft | — |
| Residence Districts | 2 | — | 6 sq ft | — |
| Development Opportunities District | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 15 feet | 12 sq ft per side, 2 sides max (total 24 sq ft display) | — | — | 1 | On the lot pertaining to the use(s) of the premises | — | § 275-5.7.2.5.a (https://ecode360.com/30717916) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | Length not to exceed 60% of front building wall length | — | 1, except as allowed below for secondary entrance | Affixed to building on front building wall | — | § 275-5.7.2.5.b (https://ecode360.com/30717917) |
| Wall Sign - Second Entrance or Street Side Wall | — | — | For second sign: Not more than 30% of length of second wall | — | Maximum 2 (one on front wall, one on side/second entrance wall) | On wall containing second public entrance or street side wall | — | § 275-5.7.2.5.d (https://ecode360.com/30717919) |
| Projecting/Overhanging Sign | — | 9 sq ft per side | — | — | — | Overhanging public way or projecting from front face of building/structure, at least 8 feet above ground | — | § 275-5.7.2.5.c (https://ecode360.com/30717918) |
| Awning/Cloth Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On awnings (must conform to section requirements) | — | § 275-5.7.2.3.i (https://ecode360.com/30717912) |
| Temporary Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On the lot to which they relate | — | § 275-5.7.2.4 (https://ecode360.com/30717914) |

### Commercial Development District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 35 feet | 1 sq ft per side per 2 linear feet of frontage (no explicit single-sign maximum) | — | Minimum 5 ft from any property line | 1 per 300 ft of frontage | On lot, at least 5 ft from any property line | — | § 275-5.7.3.2 and 5.7.3.5 (https://ecode360.com/30717927, https://ecode360.com/30717930) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Attached to a building on unglazed wall area | — | § 275-5.7.3.3 (https://ecode360.com/30717928) |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Attached inside windows or inside the building | — | § 275-5.7.3.4 (https://ecode360.com/30717929) |
| Directional Sign | — | 2 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 per entrance or egress | At each entrance or egress to a lot | — | § 275-5.7.3.6 (https://ecode360.com/30717931) |
| Temporary Site Identification Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On the lot under construction | — | § 275-5.7.3.7 (https://ecode360.com/30717932) |
| Banner/Temporary Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 275-5.7.3.8 (https://ecode360.com/30717933) |

### Residence Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On property being advertised (sale or rental) | — | § 275-5.7.4.1 (https://ecode360.com/30717935) |
| Use Activity Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per activity | Premises where such permitted/special/variance activity is carried on | — | § 275-5.7.4.2 (https://ecode360.com/30717936) |

## Prohibited signs in Middleborough Town

- No sign shall extend above the roof line or facade, whichever is higher; roof signs shall not be permitted.
- No signs shall be flashing, shimmering or consist of rotating lights.
- Moving or rotating signs shall not be permitted with the exception of barber poles.
- No sign shall be placed which prevents the driver of a vehicle from having a clear and unobstructed view of approaching or merging traffic.

## Signs exempt from permit in Middleborough Town

- Existing signs are allowed to remain and are not subject to these requirements unless said sign is removed and replaced with a different sign or different type of attached brackets.
- Existing signs may be removed for maintenance, re-lettering or name change, without requiring approval under this section.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- The SPAA shall approve all permanent signs and endorse Sign Plans in the Business District. No sign(s) shall be attached, erected or otherwise installed on the lot or the exterior of any building or structure in the Business District without first obtaining sign plan approval from the SPAA.
- A Sign Plan shall be submitted by the applicant showing all permanent signs in detail and as they are proposed to be installed on the building or structure, including specific information on color, materials, lettering, lighting, and mounting details, in the Business District.
- Where Site Plan Approval is required for the proposed work, approval of a Sign Plan shall be consolidated with the Site Plan Approval procedures and the SPAA shall determine that the Site Plan Approval complies with all of the requirements and provisions of the Sign Plan Review as part of the Site Plan Approval Proceeding.
- No deviation from an approved Sign Plan shall be allowed without modification thereof by the SPAA.

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

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