# Sign Regulations in Middleton Town, Massachusetts

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Middleton Town, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/middleton-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/10442444#10442444)

## At a glance

Middleton Town, Massachusetts regulates 22 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Ground Sign - Subdivision Entrances in the Residential Districts zoning district are capped at 6 ft above ground level tall and 24 sq ft, with a 10 ft from boundary of adjacent streets, 40 ft from all structures setback (Sec. §5.2.10.1.b). Most commercial signs in Middleton Town require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts | 8 | 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| Business Districts, Industrial Districts | 14 | 48 inches above grade | 80 sq ft (max 20 ft x 4 ft) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 4 ft (political) | 30 sq ft combined area | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Accessory Sign - Owner/Occupant Identification | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Attached to building or ground | — | §5.2.10.1.a |
| Ground Sign - Subdivision Entrance | 6 ft above ground level | 24 sq ft | — | 10 ft from boundary of adjacent streets, 40 ft from all structures | One per public entrance | At each public entrance to subdivision | — | §5.2.10.1.b |
| Directional Sign (Special Permit) | — | 6 in x 30 in (per sign) | — | — | 2 per activity | On private property | — | §5.2.10.2.a |
| Ground Sign (Directional, Special Permit) | 8 ft | — | — | — | — | — | — | §5.2.10.2.b |
| Real Estate Sign (Temporary) | 4 ft above ground level | 6 sq ft | — | 10 ft from all property lines and 40 ft from all off-premises structures | 1 per lot | On premises or subdivision being sold or rented | — | §5.2.10.3.a |
| Open House Signs (Temporary) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §5.2.10.3.b |
| Identification Sign (Temporary, Subdivision Entrance) | 4 ft above ground level | 12 sq ft | — | — | One per public entrance | At each public entrance to subdivision | — | §5.2.10.3.c |
| Construction Sign (Temporary) | 6 ft above ground level | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On-premises while construction is in process | — | §5.2.10.3.d |

### Business Districts, Industrial Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 15 ft above ground level | 36 sq ft single occupant; 36 sq ft + 6 sq ft per additional occupant, up to 96 sq ft max | — | 10 ft from property line; 40 ft from residential districts/off-premises structures | 1 per premises | On-premises | — | §5.2.11.1.a-e |
| Roof Sign | Not above roof ridge; center line not above midline of roof | As calculated | — | — | 1 per building (option for more with special permit, see additional_requirements) | On building roof | — | §5.2.11.2.a-f |
| Wall Sign | — | As calculated | — | — | 1 per building (option for more with special permit, see additional_requirements) | On exterior wall, flush to building | — | §5.2.11.2.a-f |
| Ground Sign (Service Stations or Garages) | 15 ft | 36 sq ft single occupant, 36 sq ft + 6 sq ft per additional occupant up to 96 sq ft max | — | — | One per premises | On-premises | — | §5.2.11.8.a-b |
| Real Estate Sign (Temporary) | 6 ft above ground level | 24 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property lines; 40 ft from residential districts and off-premises structures | 1 per lot | On premises being sold or rented | — | §5.2.11.9.a, d |
| Construction Sign (Temporary) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line; 40 ft from residential districts and off-premises structures | 1 per premises | On premises while construction is in process | — | §5.2.11.9.c, d |
| A-Frame Sign | 48 inches above grade | 12 sq ft per side | 36 inches at its widest part | — | Max 2 per premises, and only one per 50 ft frontage | On-premises, not obstructing walkways or public property | — | §5.2.11.11 |
| Banner Sign | 4 ft | 80 sq ft (max 20 ft x 4 ft) | 20 ft | — | 1 per premises at a time | On-premises (not attached to shrubs, trees, etc.) | — | §5.2.11.12 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign (Off-Premises, Special Permit) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Within public right-of-way (at intersection, Board of Selectmen authorization) or private property (special permit Board of Appeals) | — | §5.2.13 |
| Temporary Sign (Religious, Charitable, or Political) | 4 ft (political) | 12 sq ft (charitable/religious); political: 6 sq ft per sign, 24 sq ft per lot aggregate | — | — | — | Private property; cannot be in public right-of-way; political/charitable/religious purposes | — | §5.2.12.1, §5.2.12.3 |
| Temporary Sign (Church/Synagogue Identification) | — | 30 sq ft combined area | — | — | 2 per premises | At identification or entrance to church/synagogue | — | §5.2.12.2 |

## Prohibited signs in Middleton Town

- It is unlawful for any person to place, maintain or display any unofficial sign, signal, or marking that imitates, resembles, or hides any official traffic sign, signal, or device, or attempts to direct the movement of traffic (Chief of Police may remove such signs without notice).
- It is unlawful for any person to willfully deface, injure, move, obstruct, or interfere with any official traffic sign, signal, or marking.
- No driver shall disobey the instructions of any official traffic control signal, sign, marking, marker, or legend, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
- Signs lighted by any means other than a steady, stationary light, shielded and directed solely at the sign are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Signs that cast glare onto any residential premises or any way so as to create a traffic hazard are prohibited.
- Signs illuminated in any residential district between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. are prohibited, unless indicating time, temperature, or an establishment open to the public during those hours.
- Signs having red or green lights within sight of a traffic signal are prohibited unless approved in writing as nonhazardous by the Chief of Police.
- Animated, neon or any signs that revolve, move, give the appearance of movement, or flash are prohibited.
- Neon signs are prohibited except as used for window signs.
- Portable signs are prohibited except as may be allowed as temporary signs in accordance with these regulations.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited except as may be allowed by special permit from the Board of Appeals.
- Electronic message boards are prohibited except as may be allowed by special permit from the Board of Appeals and only to display content on ground signs.
- Pennants, streamers, advertising flags, balloons, spinners, or similar devices are prohibited.
- Corner visibility shall not be obstructed by signs.
- Signs erected, displayed, or maintained upon any rock, tree, fence, or utility pole are prohibited.
- Signs containing any obscene matter are prohibited.
- Signs that obstruct any means of egress from a building are prohibited.
- Signs that obstruct or otherwise interfere with an official traffic sign, signal, or device, or obstruct or interfere with a driver's view of approaching, merging, or intersecting traffic are prohibited.
- Projecting signs are prohibited.
- Signs projecting onto the public right-of-way are prohibited.
- Nonaccessory signs are prohibited except for directional signs.
- Signs attached to motor vehicles, trailers, or other movable objects regularly or recurrently located for fixed display advertising a product or service, shelter, or distribution point for commercial products or services are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Middleton Town

- Temporary unlighted real estate signs advertising the sale, rental, or lease of the premises, of limited size and height, do not require a sign permit or payment of a fee and must be removed within a specified time after sale, rental or lease.
- Temporary unlighted signs maintained on the premises during construction, with relevant project information, may not require a permit if within size and height limits and must be removed shortly after construction or as required by the Building Commissioner.
- Open house signs that do not include pennants, streamers, advertising flags, balloons, spinners, or similar devices, and are removed at the end of each day of the event, do not require a permit.
- Temporary signs (not more than 12 square feet) erected for a charitable or religious cause require no sign permit if removed within 30 days of erection.
- Temporary identification signs or entrance markers for a church or synagogue (not exceeding a combined total of 30 square feet, maximum two per premises) do not require a permit.
- Temporary signs pertaining to a candidate or ballot question appearing on the ballot of an election duly called in the Town shall require no sign permit, provided they are placed only on private property, not in the public right-of-way or where traffic visibility is obstructed, and do not exceed specified size, height, and number limits.
- Temporary signs pertaining to other noncommercial issues require no sign permit and are allowed in all zoning districts, subject to the same limitations as political signs.
- Interior signs (not including window signs) are explicitly not regulated by this regulation.
- Signs posted for 'no hunting', 'no trespassing', etc., may be erected notwithstanding other provisions.
- Signs exempt from permit requirements are not exempt from maintaining compliance with all safety and general regulatory provisions.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Unless otherwise provided, no sign shall be erected unless it complies with all sign regulations, and a sign application and associated fee has been submitted to and approved by the Building Commissioner (sign permit issued).
- Applications for sign permits must include scale drawings of the sign, its location, dimensions, sign content, color, materials, owner's consent (with deed or lease), architectural depictions, and any special permit.
- All ground, wall, or roof signs must be registered as required by the State Building Code.
- All temporary signs requiring a sign permit must be registered as required by the Sign Officer.
- For signs requiring a special permit, the Board of Appeals must approve, and the applicant must submit a special permit application, site plan, and scaled drawings/architectural depictions of the sign (any changes must be approved by the Building Commissioner).
- Site plan for special permit must comply with Section 9.5 of the Zoning Bylaws and show all parking areas, driveways, accessways, landscaping, lighting, rights-of-way, structures, and all existing and proposed signs for the premises.
- For structural alteration, enlargement, or reerection of a nonconforming sign, a determination by the Building Commissioner is needed; if increasing nonconformity, application to the Board of Appeals for a special permit is required.
- Temporary signs allowed in specified situations (residential and business/industrial districts) do not require a permit, but are subject to size, timing, and setback requirements.
- Signs exempt from the requirement to obtain a permit must still be erected and maintained in a safe manner and in accordance with all provisions of the regulation.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Middleton Town, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Middleton+Town+MA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-middleton-town

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