# Sign Regulations in Palmer Town, Massachusetts

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Palmer Town, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/palmer-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/33500487#33500487)

## At a glance

Palmer Town, Massachusetts regulates 21 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Subdivision/Ground Identification Sign (Residential Developments)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 5 ft tall and 12 sq ft per side, with a At least 15 ft setback (Sec. §171-80A(16)(a)). Most commercial signs in Palmer 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 | 7 | 5 ft | 25 sq ft | — |
| R District | 3 | — | 10 sq ft (membership club, etc.); 40 sq ft (extra church/community sign) | — |
| B District, V District | 4 | 10 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| HB District | 1 | 25 ft | 50 sq ft per side | — |
| Neighborhood Business (NB) District, General Business (GB) District, V District | 1 | 10 ft | 25 sq ft in GB District; 20 sq ft in NB or V District | — |
| I District | 3 | 15 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| URIP District (Urban Renewal Industrial Park District) | 3 | — | 12 sq ft per face | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Governmental Agency Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Any location with Town Manager approval | — | §171-80A(1) |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per curb cut | Per curb cut. For directions to business, residence, industry, etc. | — | §171-80A(4) |
| Temporary Sale/Lease Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | At least 10 ft from street lot line or 1/2 of building setback distance, whichever is less | 1 | At least 10 ft from street lot line or 1/2 of building setback distance, whichever is less | — | §171-80A(11) |
| Temporary Contractor Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | At least 10 ft from street lot line or 1/2 of building setback distance, whichever is less | 1 | At least 10 ft from street lot line or 1/2 of building setback distance, whichever is less, on lot where work is being performed | — | §171-80A(12) |
| Window Sign (Interior) | — | — | — | — | — | On inside of window | — | §171-80A(15) |
| Subdivision/Ground Identification Sign (Residential Developments) | 5 ft | 12 sq ft per side | — | At least 15 ft | 1 per development | On private property, not within Town street right-of-way | — | §171-80A(16)(a) |
| Civic Organization Sign (Town Boundary) | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 per Town boundary | At boundary line of the Town, within street right-of-way | — | §171-80A(8) |

### R District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign (Dwelling Unit) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit | Each dwelling unit | — | §171-80B(1)(a) |
| Identification Sign (Membership Club, Funeral Establishment, Hospital, Place of Public Assembly, Community Facility, Public Utility) | — | 10 sq ft (membership club, etc.); 40 sq ft (extra church/community sign) | — | At least 1/2 front yard setback | 1 per establishment (+1 for churches and certain community facilities) | Each establishment | — | §171-80B(1)(b) |
| Identification Sign (Tourist Home/Bed-and-Breakfast) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per establishment | Each tourist home/bed-and-breakfast facility | — | §171-80B(1)(c) |

### B District, V District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Main Frontage) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per establishment | On main (frontage) wall of each establishment in a structure | — | §171-80D(2)(a)[1] |
| Wall Sign (Side Wall) | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 per side wall per establishment | On side wall facing non-rear lot line, not facing or abutting within 100 ft of a residential district | — | §171-80D(2)(b)[1] |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | See additional requirements | On awning/canopy attached to building | — | §171-80D(2)(b)[2] |
| Ground Sign (General) | 10 ft | 25 sq ft in GB district; 20 sq ft in NB and V districts | — | — | 1 per lot frontage per special permit | Same lot as advertised structure/establishment | — | §171-80D(2)(c)[2] |

## Prohibited signs in Palmer Town

- A sign or its illuminator shall not by reason of its location, shape, size, or color interfere with traffic or be confused with or obstruct the view or effectiveness of any official traffic sign, traffic signal, or traffic marking.
- A sign or any part thereof which moves or flashes, all signs of the traveling-light or animated type, and all beacons and flashing devices are prohibited, except such portions as show time/temperature or automatically changing messages when permitted by the Building Inspector and deemed not a hazard.
- All illumination of signs must be so arranged as to prevent glare onto any portion of any public way or into any residential area.
- No sign, together with any supporting framework, shall extend above the maximum building height allowed in the district or above the roofline (in pitched roofs, above the eave line).
- No sign shall be erected so as to obstruct any door, window or fire escape on a building.
- No sign, except for a traffic regulatory or informational sign, shall be erected which uses the words 'stop,' 'caution,' or 'danger,' or other similar words in such a manner as to present or imply the need or requirement of stopping or caution or the existence of danger, or which may be confused with any traffic regulatory or informational sign.
- If lighting is provided, the source must be from within the sign or be exterior but shielded to prevent direct glare onto public streets or adjacent property.
- Moving or portable signs, such as those commonly used in conjunction with gasoline or filling station operations and automobile dealers and garage activities, including banners and flags and any sign displayed on a vehicle when such vehicle is being used primarily for the purpose of such display, are prohibited.
- Blimps, hot air balloons and like devices for advertising are prohibited.
- Signs on public property are prohibited, with the exception of street and highway signs or as may be permitted by the Town Manager.
- All signs shall be removed within 30 days of the date from which they no longer serve their intended function.
- It shall be unlawful for any person to place or maintain or to display upon or in view of any street any unofficial sign, signal or marking which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles an official traffic sign, signal or marking or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic or which hides from view any official sign or signal.
- Any person who willfully defaces, injures, moves, obstructs or interferes with any official traffic sign, signal or marking shall be liable to penalty.

## Signs exempt from permit in Palmer Town

- Any traffic, informational or directional sign owned and installed by a governmental agency shall be permitted with approval of the Town Manager.
- Limitations as to the number of signs permitted does not apply to traffic or directional signs necessary for safety and directions of residents, employees, customers and visitors, provided they meet specific size, height, illumination, and content requirements (e.g., business name secondary and not larger than half the directional message; maximum size six square feet; max height four feet).
- Signs painted or placed on the inside of a window are permitted, provided aggregate area does not exceed 20% of window glass area.
- In any district, one unlighted temporary sign offering premises for sale or lease for each parcel in one ownership shall be permitted, provided it does not exceed six square feet and is set back at least 10 feet from the street lot line or one half the building setback distance.
- In any district, one unlighted temporary sign for an architect, engineer or contractor, erected during the period of work on the premises, is permitted, provided it does not exceed four square feet and is set back at least 10 feet from the street lot line or half the building setback distance.
- At each boundary line of the Town and within a street right-of-way, not more than one sign not exceeding 25 square feet in area indicating the meetings of any Palmer civic organization may be erected, subject to required approvals.
- One ground sign identifying approved residential subdivisions, townhouse, multifamily, and open space developments is permitted under enumerated conditions (size, location, setback, illumination, etc.), but only until the access has been accepted as Town right-of-way.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- In particular instances, the Planning Board may issue a special permit (variance) allowing more than the number of signs, or for signs of a larger size or height than otherwise allowed, if they determine it is in public interest and not detrimental to the neighborhood. The Board will specify exact sign permitted, size, location, and restrictions in the permit, and any change to said signs will require a new or revised special permit.
- No sign shall be erected, altered or enlarged until a permit has been issued by the Building Inspector. Permit shall be issued only if the sign complies or will comply with all applicable provisions.
- A permit must be obtained for signs permitted in residential areas and for temporary signs, although a fee will not be charged for these.
- For nonaccessory signs (such as billboards), an annual permit from the Massachusetts Outdoor Advertising Board may be required if the sign is not in conformity with applicable Town ordinances.
- Preexisting nonconforming accessory signs may not be changed, extended, or altered except to become conforming unless the Planning Board finds such change not substantially more detrimental to the neighborhood and does not make the sign more nonconforming.
- Nonconforming, nonaccessory (general advertising) signs lawfully erected before adoption of the chapter may be maintained, but no new nonaccessory signs permitted after adoption, and existing ones may not be enlarged or expanded.

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

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