# Sign Regulations in Pittsfield, Massachusetts

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Pittsfield, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/pittsfield
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-21
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/15969966#15969966)

## At a glance

Pittsfield, Massachusetts regulates 15 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Accessory Sign (Civic Organization)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 24 sq ft (Sec. Article 25-5.2A). Most commercial signs in Pittsfield require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | — | 24 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts | 2 | — | 12 sq ft | — |
| Business Districts, Industrial Districts, Special Districts | 5 | — | 100 sq ft aggregate; 50 sq ft additional for extra frontage | — |
| BID Districts | 1 | — | 15 sq ft (not to exceed 1 sq ft per frontage ft) | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Accessory Sign (Civic Organization) | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises | On premises of religious institutions, school, museum, civic or service organization, community recreational facility, or library | — | Article 25-5.2A |
| Accessory Sign (Home Occupation) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises | Premises advertising a permitted home occupation | — | Article 25-5.2B |
| Directory Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises | — | Article 25-5.2C |
| Entryway Sign | — | 2 sq ft per organization; OR 12 sq ft for combined sign | — | — | 1 per entryway per organization OR 1 per entryway for all organizations | Entryways to the City | — | Article 25-5.2D |
| Directional Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Off-premises; directs to specific types of institution | — | Article 25-5.2E |
| Construction Site Sign | — | 24 sq ft aggregate per site (nonresidential); 12 sq ft aggregate per site (residential) | — | — | — | On active construction sites | — | Article 25-5.2F |
| Temporary Sign | — | 12 sq ft aggregate per premises (residential); 50 sq ft aggregate per premises (nonresidential) | — | — | — | On premises | — | Article 25-5.2G, H |

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Subdivision Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per development/subdivision | On premises of real estate development/subdivision | — | Article 25-5.3A |
| Accessory Sign (Nonresidential Use in Residential District) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises | On premises of permitted nonresidential use | — | Article 25-5.3B |

### Business Districts, Industrial Districts, Special Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Accessory Sign (Option 1) | — | 100 sq ft aggregate; 50 sq ft additional for extra frontage | — | — | — | On business premises | — | Article 25-5.4A |
| Accessory Sign (Option 2) | — | See formula | — | — | — | On premises | — | Article 25-5.4B |
| Business Center Sign | — | 100 sq ft per sign; individual business: 10 sq ft each, 50 sq ft aggregate | — | — | One common accessory sign per approved curb cut or driveway | At curb cut/driveway entrance of business center | — | Article 25-5.4C |
| Sandwich Sign | — | 12 sq ft each | — | — | — | Within 15 ft of advertised premises | — | Article 25-5.4D |
| Open Flag | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises | On premises | — | Article 25-5.4F |

## Prohibited signs in Pittsfield

- No sign shall be placed on a building above the eave line, gable, hip, gambrel, above the parapet or eave on a flat or deck roof, on any part of or above the mansard of a mansard or French style roof, or above the roof of an A-frame structure.
- No sign shall be illuminated by a flashing, intermittent, rotating, or moving light or lights; only lights emitting a constant intensity are allowed.
- No illuminated sign or lighting device may cause glare or reflection that constitutes a traffic hazard or nuisance.
- No sign shall use the words 'stop', 'danger', or any other phrase, symbol, or character that might be misconstrued as a public safety warning or traffic sign.
- Signs shall not constrict traffic sight lines for drivers or pedestrians.
- Freestanding signs shall not be placed within the traffic safety triangle formed at intersections.
- Abandoned signs, or those advertising a business no longer conducted at the premises, must be removed within 30 days.
- Rotating, animated, rotating beacons, or otherwise moving signs are prohibited.
- Temporary signs (other than posters) shall not be posted for more than 75 continuous days; posters shall not be displayed more than 120 continuous days; exceeded time means the signs are not considered temporary.
- Portable signs are prohibited, except those painted or affixed to registered vehicles used in day-to-day business (not continuously parked for over two weeks), or certain temporary or sandwich signs compliant with regulations.
- Total number of signs (excluding exempt and permitted temporary signs) shall not exceed five per business; total including temporary signs may not exceed eight per business.
- Sign posts and supports may not contain lettering.
- Pole signs are limited to one per lot and may not be within 50 feet of another pole sign. Their square footage is multiplied by 125% when calculating allowed area.
- Freestanding signs for multiple businesses may not exceed 100 square feet combined and must be uniform in appearance.
- Projecting signs (other than marquee/canopy/awning signs) may not extend more than five feet over the public right-of-way; marquee/canopy/awning projecting signs may not extend more than eight feet; all must be at least 10 feet above grade and at least 3 feet from the curbline.
- No portion of any projecting sign or marquee, canopy, or awning on which it is located may be lower than 10 feet above grade.
- Window signs cannot exceed 60% of the window/glass door area, except for certain temporary postings.
- All signs must be maintained in good repair and may not obstruct doors, windows, or fire escapes.
- No sign is permitted on trees, light poles, telephone poles, or street identification signs.
- Signs advertising brand names or products are not considered accessory signs unless such products are the majority of those sold.
- No sign shall be erected so as to be or become dangerous to property or persons.
- No individual reflector shall be used to illuminate the face of any sign.
- Any sign or marquee for which a permit has expired or been revoked must be removed after five days notice.
- Upon removal of a sign or marquee, notice must be given to the inspector of buildings, and removal must be according to public safety regulations.

## Signs exempt from permit in Pittsfield

- Signs having no commercial message, bearing only house numbers, post box numbers, names of residents, or identification of premises, not exceeding two square feet per premises.
- Governmental flags and governmental insignia, except when displayed with a commercial message or for commercial promotion.
- Legal notices and identifications not exceeding two square feet, including 'No Trespassing' and 'No Hunting' signs.
- Informational, directional, traffic, or warning signs erected or required by government agencies, including signs giving directions to hospitals, parking, highways, cultural institutions, and commercial areas.
- Incidental signs (informational signs no larger than two square feet and meeting the definition in the ordinance).
- Memorial signs, plaques, or tablets.
- 'For sale' or 'For rent' signs not exceeding eight square feet per premises in nonresidential districts or six square feet in residential districts, and only advertising the premises on which located. These are exempt from certain size and duration rules.
- Historical markers placed by an accredited historical association or governmental agency.
- Historic signs as defined.
- Permanent signs on vending machines, gas pumps, ice containers, or similar devices that only indicate contents.
- Works of art not containing a commercial message.
- Holiday lights and decorations not including a commercial message, displayed no more than 75 continuous days and no more than 120 days per year per premises.
- Signs described in MGL c. 93, § 32.
- Billboards in compliance with MGL c. 93 §§ 29–33 and the Zoning Ordinance (exempt from some sections regarding size and placement).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- For all signs permitted in residential or business, industrial, and special districts with permits (Articles 25-5.3 and 25-5.4), an application (sign permit) must be submitted to the inspector of buildings detailing size, location, lighting, materials, and specifications (Section 6.1).
- Projecting signs require the posting of a bond or insurance to cover potential damages (Section 6.3).
- All sign permits are reviewed and issued by the inspector of buildings.
- Any person seeking a sign not in conformity with the chapter must apply for an exception or variance before the Sign Appeals Board, which holds a public hearing and requires abutter notification and public notice (Section 6.7).
- Any aggrieved party may appeal the inspector of buildings’ decision regarding a sign permit to the Sign Appeals Board.
- The Zoning Board of Appeals will act as the Sign Appeals Board.
- Nonconforming signs existing prior to the effective date must comply by January 1, 2009, or seek an exception from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

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

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