# Sign Regulations in Northborough Town, Massachusetts

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Northborough Town, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/northborough-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/41982161#41982161)

## At a glance

Northborough Town, Massachusetts regulates 27 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (3+ tenants)s in the Business East District, Business West District, Business South District zoning district are capped at 10 ft to top of sign, 12 ft to top of sign structure tall and 50 sq ft (+25 sq ft for changeable copy), with a 50 ft between signs if more than one setback (Sec. § 7-09-040G(1)(b)[2][a]). Most commercial signs in Northborough Town require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residence A District, Residence B District, Residence C District, General Residential District, Main Street Residential District, Downtown Neighborhood District | 6 | 8 ft if attached to building | 10 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Business District | 6 | 10 ft to top of sign, 12 ft to top of sign structure | 40 sq ft (+20 sq ft for changeable copy) | — |
| Business East District, Business West District, Business South District | 7 | 10 ft to top of sign, 12 ft to top of sign structure | 50 sq ft (+25 sq ft for changeable copy) | — |
| Highway Business District | 7 | 20 ft | 100 sq ft (+50 sq ft for changeable copy/electronic message center) | — |
| Industrial District | 3 | 20 ft | 42 sq ft (+20 sq ft for changeable copy) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | — | 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Residence A District, Residence B District, Residence C District, General Residential District, Main Street Residential District, Downtown Neighborhood District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Occupant or Authorized Occupation) | 8 ft if attached to building | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Building wall | — | § 7-09-040F(1)(a), § 7-09-040F(2), § 7-09-040F(3) |
| Freestanding Sign (Occupant or Authorized Occupation) | 6 ft | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On premises | — | § 7-09-040F(1)(a), § 7-09-040F(2), § 7-09-040F(3) |
| Wall Sign (Real Estate) | 8 ft if attached to building | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Building wall | — | § 7-09-040F(1)(b), § 7-09-040K(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Real Estate) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On premises | — | § 7-09-040F(1)(b), § 7-09-040K(1) |
| Temporary Sign (Warning/Illness) | 8 ft if attached, 6 ft freestanding | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises | — | § 7-09-040F(1)(d), § 7-09-040F(2), § 7-09-040F(3) |
| Bulletin Board Sign (Public or Semi-Public/School/Hospital/Place of Worship) | 8 ft if attached, 6 ft freestanding | 10 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises, exterior | — | § 7-09-040F(1)(c), § 7-09-040F(2), § 7-09-040F(3) |

### Business East District, Business West District, Business South District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (1-2 tenants) | 10 ft to top of sign, 12 ft to top of sign structure | 32 sq ft (+16 sq ft for changeable copy) | — | — | 1 per lot | On property advertised | — | § 7-09-040G(1)(b)[1][a] |
| Wall Sign (1-2 tenants) | — | 32 sq ft (total for one or two signs) | — | — | 1 or 2 per lot (combined total 32 sq ft) | Building wall; securely affixed | — | § 7-09-040G(1)(b)[1][b] |
| Directory Sign (1-2 tenants) | — | 1 sq ft per tenant | — | — | 1 per lot | Affixed to exterior wall | — | § 7-09-040G(1)(b)[1][c] |
| Freestanding Sign (3+ tenants) | 10 ft to top of sign, 12 ft to top of sign structure | 50 sq ft (+25 sq ft for changeable copy) | — | 50 ft between signs if more than one | 1 per 10 tenants | On property advertised; 50 ft minimum between signs | — | § 7-09-040G(1)(b)[2][a] |
| Wall Sign (3+ tenants) | — | 32 sq ft per tenant (or two wall signs, combined total per tenant not exceeding 32 sq ft) | — | — | 1 or 2 per tenant | Building wall; securely affixed | — | § 7-09-040G(1)(b)[2][b] |
| Directory Sign (3+ tenants) | — | 1 sq ft per tenant | — | — | 1 per lot | Affixed to exterior wall | — | § 7-09-040G(1)(b)[2][c] |
| Temporary Sign | — | 15 sq ft (exterior movable); interior window sign up to 30% of window area | — | 30 ft between temporary signs | 1 per permitted freestanding sign | On property; 30 ft minimum separation if multiple allowed | — | § 7-09-040G(3) |

### Highway Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (1-2 tenants) | 20 ft | 100 sq ft (+50 sq ft for changeable copy/electronic message center) | — | — | 1 per lot | On property advertised | — | § 7-09-040G(1)(c)[1][a], § 7-09-040D(11) |
| Wall Sign (1-2 tenants) | — | 100 sq ft (total for one or two wall signs) | — | — | 1 or 2 per lot (combined total 100 sq ft) | Building wall; securely affixed | — | § 7-09-040G(1)(c)[1][b] |
| Directory Sign (1-2 tenants) | — | 1 sq ft per tenant | — | — | 1 per lot | Affixed to exterior wall | — | § 7-09-040G(1)(c)[1][c] |
| Freestanding Sign (3+ tenants) | 20 ft | 100 sq ft (+50 sq ft for changeable copy/electronic message center) | — | 50 ft between signs if more than one | 1 per 10 tenants | On property advertised; 50 ft minimum between signs | — | § 7-09-040G(1)(c)[2][a], § 7-09-040D(11) |
| Wall Sign (3+ tenants) | — | 100 sq ft per tenant (or two wall signs, combined area per tenant not exceeding 100 sq ft) | — | — | 1 or 2 per tenant | Building wall; securely affixed | — | § 7-09-040G(1)(c)[3] |
| Directory Sign (3+ tenants) | — | 1 sq ft per tenant | — | — | 1 per lot | Affixed to exterior wall | — | § 7-09-040G(1)(c)[4] |
| Temporary Sign | — | 15 sq ft (exterior movable); interior window sign up to 30% of window area | — | 30 ft between temporary signs | 1 per permitted freestanding sign | On property; 30 ft minimum separation if multiple allowed | — | § 7-09-040G(3) |

## Prohibited signs in Northborough Town

- No sign shall be erected on the exterior of any building or on any land unless and until the Building Inspector has issued a sign permit.
- All signs erected hereunder shall be erected in the exact location and manner described in the permit.
- The only signs allowed are those that advertise, call attention to, or indicate the person occupying the premises, the business transacted thereon, or that advertise the property itself as for sale or rent and which contain no other matter.
- Billboards and similar signs are specifically prohibited.
- No sign shall be part of or attached to marquees or awnings.
- Flashing, moving and animated signs are prohibited.
- Signs containing electronic streaming messages are prohibited.
- No sign may be illuminated between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m., except signs identifying police or fire stations or essential public services.
- No sign shall be painted or posted directly on the exterior surface of any wall, including windows and doors. All signs must be painted, posted or otherwise securely affixed to a substantial intermediate removable surface, and such surface shall be securely affixed to the wall of the building. Exception: installation of sign by individual letters or devices cut into or securely affixed to the exterior of a building with minimum 1/4 in. projection.
- No sign shall be left in a dangerous or defective state.
- Signs must not create a safety hazard to vehicular or pedestrian traffic, in the opinion of the Building Inspector.
- In no case shall any sign or part thereof project over a property line or over a public way.

## Signs exempt from permit in Northborough Town

- Real estate signs advertising rent, lease or sale, up to 32 square feet, advertising only the premises on which located, and removed no more than one week after sale or rental.
- Construction signs up to 32 square feet, maintained on premises during construction, and removed upon completion or issuance of certificate of occupancy/use.
- Real estate signs advertising an open house, up to 6 square feet, erected on private property with owner's permission, only on the day of open house and removed at end of day, date must be included.
- Signs not exceeding one square foot bearing only property numbers, post box numbers, or names of occupants.
- Flags and insignia of any government, except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.
- Legal notices, identification information or direction signs erected by governmental bodies.
- Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings, except letters, trademarks, moving parts, or moving lights.
- Signs directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property, but bearing no advertising matter.
- Sign for nonprofit organization; sign which displays no commercial message; “open” and “closed” signs; and/or similar types of sign subject to approval of Building Inspector.
- Standard type gasoline pump signs showing gas type/name and price.
- Agricultural signs up to 32 square feet, wording may be changed periodically to advertise products raised/grown principally on premises.
- “No hunting, fishing, etc.” signs not to exceed one square foot.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Application for a sign permit must be on the form prescribed by the Building Inspector and must include information and drawings as required by the Building Inspector.
- Construction, erection and location of all freestanding signs is subject to approval of the Building Inspector.
- All signs must be constructed of durable and weatherproof material and maintained in safe structural condition and good visual appearance at all times; the Building Inspector may order the owner to paint, repair, or remove any sign that constitutes a hazard or nuisance.
- The material of the sign, intermediate surface, and method of installation are subject to approval of the Building Inspector for public safety purposes.
- Noncommercial message, nonprofit, or certain similar signs are subject to the approval of the Building Inspector.
- Permit is not required for certain exempted sign types as described, but all other signs require a permit.

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

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