# Sign Regulations in Milford, Massachusetts

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Milford, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/milford
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-26
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.milfordma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/251/Sign-Regulations---Section-39-PDF#page=39)

## At a glance

Milford, Massachusetts regulates 11 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign - Option 2s in the General Residential (RA), Single-Family Residential (RB), Rural Residential (RC), Rural Residential (RD) zoning district are capped at ≤ 6 ft tall and ≤ 6 sq ft (Sec. Sections 3.9.7.1, 3.9.7.2, 3.9.7.3; permit reference 3.9.9; construction 3.9.8). Most commercial signs in Milford require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | ≤ 6 ft | Message surface ≤ 24 sq ft | — |
| General Residential (RA), Single-Family Residential (RB), Rural Residential (RC), Rural Residential (RD) | 4 | ≤ 6 ft | ≤ 6 sq ft | — |
| Office Residential (OR) | 4 | ≤ 20 ft | ≤ 80 sq ft (aggregate of all freestanding signs) | — |
| Business Park (BP) | 4 | ≤ 30 ft | ≤ 80 sq ft (aggregate of all freestanding signs) | — |
| Central Commercial (CA), Neighborhood Commercial (CB), Highway Commercial (CC), Central Industrial (IA), Highway Industrial (IB), Highway and Neighborhood Industrial (IC) | 6 | ≤ 30 ft | ≤ 12 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### General Residential (RA), Single-Family Residential (RB), Rural Residential (RC), Rural Residential (RD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Option 1 | — | ≤ 6 sq ft | — | — | One per lot (in lieu of a freestanding sign) (Option 1) | On building wall | — | Sections 3.9.7.1 and 3.9.7.2; permit reference 3.9.9; construction 3.9.8 |
| Freestanding Sign - Option 2 | ≤ 6 ft | ≤ 6 sq ft | — | — | One per lot (in lieu of a wall sign) (Option 2) | On lot (freestanding) | — | Sections 3.9.7.1, 3.9.7.2, 3.9.7.3; permit reference 3.9.9; construction 3.9.8 |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | — | — | — | One, if applicable under Section 3.3.3 | On lot/building as allowed by Section 3.3.3 | — | Section 3.9.7.1; permit reference 3.9.9 |
| Temporary Freestanding Sign (One-time Event) | ≤ 3 ft | ≤ 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 (except up to 4 during specified months) | On lot (freestanding) | — | Section 3.9.12 (first paragraph and 3.9.12.1–3.9.12.5); permit reference 3.9.9 |

### Office Residential (OR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | One per building side per use per lot | On each building side per use | — | Section 3.9.7.4; permit 3.9.9; construction 3.9.8 |
| Freestanding Sign | ≤ 20 ft | ≤ 80 sq ft (aggregate of all freestanding signs) | — | — | One per street frontage | Per street frontage, oriented to the street towards which they are oriented | — | Sections 3.9.7.6 and 3.9.7.7; site plan 3.9.10; permit 3.9.9; construction 3.9.8 |
| Projecting Sign | — | ≤ 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building by right; additional by Special Permit | Mounted on building facade (not within right-of-way) | — | Section 3.9.7.14; permit 3.9.9; construction 3.9.8 |
| Temporary Freestanding Sign (One-time Event) | ≤ 3 ft | ≤ 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 (except up to 4 during specified months) | On lot (freestanding) | — | Section 3.9.12 (first paragraph and 3.9.12.1–3.9.12.5) |

### Central Commercial (CA), Neighborhood Commercial (CB), Highway Commercial (CC), Central Industrial (IA), Highway Industrial (IB), Highway and Neighborhood Industrial (IC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | One per building side per use per lot | On each building side per use | — | Section 3.9.7.9 and 3.9.7.12; permit 3.9.9; construction 3.9.8 |
| Freestanding Sign | ≤ 30 ft | Per frontage: ≤ 1 sq ft per foot of lot frontage (aggregate of all freestanding signs) | — | — | One per street frontage | Per street frontage, oriented to the street towards which they are oriented | — | Sections 3.9.7.10, 3.9.7.11, and 3.9.7.12; site plan 3.9.10; permit 3.9.9; construction 3.9.8 |
| Projecting Sign | — | ≤ 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building by right; additional by Special Permit | Mounted on building facade (private property) | — | Section 3.9.7.14; permit 3.9.9; construction 3.9.8 |
| Projecting Sign (In Right-of-Way - CA and CB only) | — | ≤ 9 sq ft | — | — | As authorized by Special Permit | Within public right-of-way (CA and CB only) | — | Section 3.9.5.1.7 |
| Temporary Banner Sign (Community Event/Public Service) | — | ≤ 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 banner | On lot (not affixed directly to exterior wall) | — | Section 3.9.12 (second paragraph and 3.9.12.6–3.9.12.9); construction 3.9.8 |
| Temporary Banner (Across Main Street - CA only, Right-of-Way) | — | — | — | — | As authorized by Select Board | Public right-of-way across Main Street (CA district only) | — | Section 3.9.5.1.4 |

## Prohibited signs in Milford

- Any sign not permitted in these sign regulations is prohibited.
- Any sign located within the right-of-way of a public or private street or way, except as specifically exempted in Section 3.9.5.1.
- Any sign that may be confused with an official traffic control device.
- Pennants, banners, and strings of lights.
- Inflatable signs.
- Flashing signs; signs with moving or flashing parts; traveling light or animated signs; beacons and flashing devices whether part of, attached to, or separate from a sign.
- Changeable copy electronic message panels or signs displaying images/messages that change more than eight times per day and for less than one hour per image/message.
- Roof signs.
- Temporary and portable signs except as permitted in Section 3.9.12.
- Signs placed so as to obscure vision as per Section 2.4.6.
- Banners affixed directly to the exterior surface of any building or wall.

## Signs exempt from permit in Milford

- Official traffic control devices required, maintained, or installed by a Federal, State, or local governmental agency or an active railroad (not considered signs).
- House/building address numbers, including a nameplate displaying the surname of the occupant of a single-family residential dwelling (not considered signs).
- Building markers indicating the name of a building and date and incidental construction information, cut into masonry or made of bronze or other permanent material (not considered signs).
- National flags, state or municipal flags, or the official flag of any institution (not considered signs).
- War Veteran markers installed within the public right-of-way at Select Board-designated "Memorial Square" intersections (not considered signs).
- Holiday lights and decorations (not considered signs).
- Devices on residential properties intended solely for the personal enjoyment of residents, not intended to attract public attention, and not generally visible from a public way (not considered signs).
- Changeable copy electronic message panels utilized by the Police Department for traffic control and/or safety purposes within the right-of-way.
- Official legal notices, or public warning/informational bulletins posted by the Town within the right-of-way.
- Public utility warning/informational signs regarding poles, lines, pipes, or similar facilities within the right-of-way.
- Emergency warning signs installed by a governmental agency, a public utility company, or a contractor doing authorized or permitted work within the public right-of-way.
- Any public notice or warning required by applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation, or by-law (on lots).
- Any sign inside a building, including signs attached to the inside of a window or door, if professionally lettered and not exceeding 35% of the window area to which it is affixed.
- Any sign inside an athletic facility, including inward-facing signs attached to the inside of a wall or fence.
- Traffic directional signs used solely as traffic control devices on private property, with faces meeting Department of Transportation standards, when shown on a site plan approved by the Planning Board or on a common signage plan.
- Emergency warning signs installed by a governmental agency, a public utility company, or a contractor doing authorized or permitted work within the right-of-way of an adjacent street (on lots).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Site plan approval by the Planning Board is required for all free-standing signs prior to issuance of a building permit, except for temporary signs (Section 3.9.10).
- A Common Signage Plan must be submitted to the Building Commissioner for lots with existing multiple uses and/or buildings where a change to signage is proposed; after approval, all signs must conform to the plan (Section 3.9.11).
- A Common Signage Plan must be included with required Site Plans to the Planning Board for all new development and redevelopment proposals (Section 3.9.11.5).
- To qualify for exemption, traffic directional signs on private property must be shown on a site plan approved by the Planning Board or on a common signage plan (Section 3.9.5.2.4).
- Additional projecting signs in OR, BP, CA, CB, CC, IA, IB, and IC districts may be permitted by special permit of the Planning Board (Section 3.9.7.14).
- Projecting signs within the CA and CB Commercial districts may project into the right-of-way only by special permit of the Planning Board and must meet area, clearance, and projection limits (Section 3.9.5.1.7).
- A temporary banner suspended across Main Street in the CA Central Commercial district requires authorization by the Select Board (Section 3.9.5.1.4).
- A building permit is required for placement, construction, erection, or modification of any sign except within RA, RB, RC, and RD districts; permit applications must include detailed drawings unless covered by an approved Common Signage Plan (Section 3.9.9).

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

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