# Sign Regulations in Quincy, Massachusetts

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Quincy, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/quincy
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-21
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/29054649#29054649)

## At a glance

Quincy, Massachusetts regulates 22 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Multistory/Multi-Tenant Building Identification Signs in the Contiguous Commercial Areas zoning district are capped at 25 ft overall height tall and 25% of face or 75 sq ft (whichever smaller) per face, with a Permissible setbacks apply setback (Sec. 5.3.9.11). Most commercial signs in Quincy require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Historic Commercial Districts | 9 | Upper floor: max letter height 9 in. | 30% of slope or 50% of valance | — |
| Contiguous Commercial Areas | 11 | 25 ft overall height | 50 sq ft | — |
| Other Commercial Districts | 1 | 8 ft (25 ft by special permit) | 2 faces max, 24 sq ft each, 8 ft max height; larger by special permit: max 50 sq ft/25 ft high | — |
| Commercial Arterial Areas | 3 | 25 ft from top of sign to pavement | 75 sq ft total | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | — | — |

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

### Historic Commercial Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Floor Sign | — | 25% of the building facade area unless another restriction applies to sign type | — | — | Maximum of 3 business name signs per business (mix as described) | Ground floor business facade | — | 5.3.9.1, 5.3.10.1-2, 5.3.8.10 |
| Window Sign | Upper floor: max letter height 9 in. | Up to 25% of display/glass area for permanent; up to 60% for supermarkets (temporary paper signs only, per window) | — | — | See limits on number per floor: 2 per business per upper floor | Display windows (ground or upper floor), affixed/painted/hung inside | — | 5.3.9.2, 5.3.9.10.a, 5.3.8.18 |
| Door Sign | — | 10% of glass area or 15% of solid door | — | — | — | Doors (affixed or painted) | — | 5.3.9.3 |
| Entry Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | Entry must be set back at least 2 ft from facade | — | Above doorway (if entry set back at least 2 ft from facade) | — | 5.3.9.4 |
| Ground Sign - Historic | — | — | — | Principal facade must be set back at least 10 ft | — | On lot where principal facade is set back at least 10 ft from property line | — | 5.3.9.5 |
| Directory Sign | — | 8 sq ft (wall mount) or see freestanding sign limits | — | — | 1 per building | Affixed at entry or freestanding | — | 5.3.9.7 |
| Awning Sign (Historic) | — | 30% of slope or 50% of valance | Max 6 ft projection over public way, at least 1 ft behind curb line | Must be 1 ft back from curb vertical plane if over public way | — | Slope or valance of awnings, or fascia/returns of canopies | — | 5.3.8.1, 5.3.9.8 |
| Temporary Sign | — | 15% of window area (most); up to 60% for supermarkets (paper) | — | — | Max 2 temporary signs per business (5.3.10.2.b) | Window | — | 5.3.8.11, 5.3.8.18 |

### Contiguous Commercial Areas

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Floor Sign | — | 25% of the building facade area unless noted otherwise for individual sign type | — | — | Maximum of 3 business name signs (see combos above) | Ground floor business facade | — | 5.3.9.1, 5.3.10.2-3, 5.3.8.10 |
| Window Sign | Upper floors: letter height max 9 in. | 25% of window area for permanent; for supermarkets (temporary), paper signs up to 60% per window | — | — | See formula | Ground or upper floor display windows | — | 5.3.9.2, 5.3.9.10.a, 5.3.8.18 |
| Entry Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | Entry must be 2 ft back | — | Above doorway (if recessed minimum of 2 ft from plane of facade) | — | 5.3.9.4 |
| Ground Sign (Contiguous Commercial) | 8 ft (up to 25 ft by special permit) | 2 faces, 24 sq ft each, 8 ft max height above ground; by special permit up to 50 sq ft and 25 ft high | — | Principal facade set back at least 20 ft | — | On property, principal facade must be set back at least 20 ft from property line | — | 5.3.9.6 |
| Directory Sign | — | 8 sq ft (wall) | — | — | 1 per multi-tenant building | At entry, affixed flat or freestanding | — | 5.3.9.7 |
| Awning Sign - Contiguous Commercial | — | 30% of slope or 50% of valance | Maximum 6 ft projection over public way, and at least 1 ft behind curb vertical plane. | If extend over public way, must be at least 1 ft back from curb plane | — | Slope/valance of awning, fascia/returns of canopy | — | 5.3.9.8, 5.3.8.1 |
| Upper Floor Sign - Window | Letter height max 9 in | 25% of glass area | — | — | 2 per business per upper floor | Upper floor windows | — | 5.3.9.10.a |
| Multistory/Multi-Tenant Building Identification Signs | 25 ft overall height | 25% of face or 75 sq ft (whichever smaller) per face | — | Permissible setbacks apply | See formula | Upper fascia, within an architectural feature | — | 5.3.9.11 |

### Commercial Arterial Areas

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Single Business Building) | 25 ft from top of sign to pavement | 75 sq ft total | — | Minimum 6 ft from property line | 1 per building | Set back minimum 6 ft from property line | — | 5.3.11.1.a |
| Freestanding Sign (Multiple Businesses in One Building) | 25 ft | 75 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | — | — | 5.3.11.2.a-b |
| Freestanding Sign (Multiple Buildings) | 25 ft | 75 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business center | — | — | 5.3.11.3.a-b |

## Prohibited signs in Quincy

- Any sign which may be confused with or construed as a public safety device or sign or traffic light, either because of its color, shape or design.
- Any sign which indicates a business, activity, trade, product or service no longer conducted on the premises on which the sign is located or any related frame, structure, or mounting device.
- Any sign which incorporates moving, flashing, animated or intermittent lighting, excluding public service signs such as those that specifically display time and temperature.
- Any sign which obstructs any door, window or fire escape of a building or poses a danger to building occupants or pedestrians.
- Animated signs.
- Outdoor easel signs.
- Projecting signs. Existing ones must be removed within one year unless a valid permit exists (then within two years).
- Off-premises signs, including new billboards. Construction and permitting of such signs is prohibited citywide. No use variance shall be granted to vary this provision.
- Portable signs.
- Revolving signs.
- Outdoor sandwich board signs.
- Signs mimicking the appearance or copy of traffic signs or signals. Any sign which imitates an official traffic signal or uses the words 'stop,' 'look,' 'danger,' 'go slow,' 'caution' or 'warning' is prohibited.
- Under canopy signs.
- Under marquee signs.
- No sign shall be mounted in a manner which may obstruct traffic or public safety devices or signs.
- No signs shall be affixed to trees, utility poles, fences fronting on a public right-of-way, lampposts or any public street furniture or placed in the public right-of-way, except public safety devices and signs.
- No sign shall be mounted on or attached to or obstruct a movable door or window except as allowed.
- No person or corporation shall place, maintain or display upon or in view of any street any unofficial device, sign, signal, curb marking or street marking which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles an official traffic device, sign, signal, curb marking or street marking or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic or which hides from view any official sign, signal, marking or device.
- Any person who wilfully defaces, injures, moves, obstructs or interferes with any official traffic sign, signal or marking shall be subject to penalty.
- No political signs may be affixed to any public property, including utility poles, city trees, bushes, shrubs, fences, lampposts, mailboxes, or any public street furniture.
- No person shall make, write, print or post any indecent or obscene marks, words, figures or signs upon any fence, building post, tree or other object exposed to public view.

## Signs exempt from permit in Quincy

- Signs with a size of two square feet or less, except if such sign conflicts with other requirements specified.
- Public safety devices or signs erected by government agencies for the safety and direction of the public.
- Signs provided in connection with urban renewal uses; location, size, design and installation are reviewed by the Planning Board as part of Urban Renewal Plan certification instead of under standard sign regulations.
- Address signs for ground floor premises or at the main entry for multi-tenant buildings may be erected without permit if not greater than two square feet (or up to four square feet if street name is included).
- Temporary signs or banners used by the City or for a nonprofit corporation for holidays, public demonstrations or promotions of civic welfare or charitable purposes or civic events, as long as they meet safety considerations as determined by the Department of Inspectional Services.
- Signs located inside multistory/multi-tenant buildings are not subject to Section 5.3 but remain subject to other applicable regulations as enforced by the Department of Inspectional Services.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All permanent signs require a permit unless exempted; signs in the historic district require additional approval by the Historical Commission.
- The design and location of permanent signs and sign panels are to be considered an integral part of facade design for new construction or facade alterations.
- Special permits from the Planning Board are required for certain sign types (e.g., permanent wind signs, murals, roof signs in hardship, illuminated sign types, banner structures, etc.).
- A special permit or variance may be required for signs of greater size or number, or those not otherwise allowed by type.
- Businesses wishing to install signs for rear wall(s) facing arterial roadways, highways, public parking lots, or public ways must obtain a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
- Roof signs are prohibited except as hardship in commercial arterial areas and only with Planning Board approval.
- For signs in historic commercial districts, the design must be approved by the Quincy Historical Commission.
- Multi-tenant buildings must provide directory signs for tenant identification.
- Murals require a special permit from the Planning Board.
- Marquee signs may be authorized by special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals, and are not allowed in historic commercial districts without Quincy Historical Commission approval.
- Businesses in commercial arterial areas with multiple tenants need coordinated sign design determined by building owner/landlord.
- Signs as part of urban renewal uses are reviewed by the Planning Board as part of certification of consistency, rather than standard signage regulations.

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

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