# Sign Regulations in Randolph, Massachusetts

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Randolph, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/randolph
- **Data last verified:** 2025-09-22
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/13202513#13202513)

## At a glance

Randolph, Massachusetts regulates 37 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Pole Sign (Authorized Use Variance)s in the Residential Single Family High Density District (RSHDD), Residential Single Family Medium Density District (RSMDD), Residential Multi Family District (RMFD), Multifamily 55+, Business HA, Business Professional District (BPD) zoning district are capped at ≤ 30 ft above ground/sidewalk tall and 48 sq ft (double-faced counts both sides toward area), with a No portion set back less than 10 ft from any lot line setback (Sec. §200-55A(7); §200-55B(4)). Most commercial signs in Randolph require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | — | Bulletin boards/identification for houses of worship, public libraries, public museums: max 32 sq ft each; max 2 signs (§200-51D). One real estate sign advertising premises for sale or rent: max 10 sq ft (5 sq ft per side) (§200-50A(3)) | — |
| Residential Single Family High Density District (RSHDD), Residential Single Family Medium Density District (RSMDD), Residential Multi Family District (RMFD), Multifamily 55+, Business HA, Business Professional District (BPD) | 9 | ≤ 30 ft above ground/sidewalk | 140 sq ft | — |
| North Randolph Business District (NRBD), West Corners Business District (WCBD), Business District (BD), Sanitary Facility District (SFD) | 16 | ≤ 30 ft above ground/sidewalk | Not specified in §200-55B; subject to State Billboard Act as applicable (§200-47) and Town Council permits | — |
| Crawford Square Business District (CSBD) | 15 | ≤ 20 ft above ground/sidewalk | 140 sq ft | — |
| Blue Hill River Highway District (BRHD), Great Bear Swamp Highway District (GBHD) | 10 | Top of roof sign ≤ 50 ft above ground | 250 sq ft (double-faced counts both sides toward area) | — |
| Industrial District (ID), Great Pond Commerce Center Overlay District (GPCCOD) | 10 | Top of roof sign ≤ 50 ft above ground | 250 sq ft (double-faced counts both sides toward area) | — |
| Wetland and Watershed Protection Overlay District (WWPOD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Institutional Open Space Overlay District (IOPOD) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### Residential Single Family High Density District (RSHDD), Residential Single Family Medium Density District (RSMDD), Residential Multi Family District (RMFD), Multifamily 55+, Business HA, Business Professional District (BPD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Professional Nameplate (MD/Dentist) | — | 2.5 sq ft | — | — | 1 per practitioner | On the premises of the practitioner | — | §200-55A(1) |
| Identification Sign (Dwelling Unit) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit | At each dwelling unit | — | §200-55A(2) |
| Identification Sign (Institutional/Public Assembly uses) | — | 20 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from any lot line | 1 per use | On the lot of the use | — | §200-55A(3); §200-51D |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (For Sale/Rent/Lease) | — | 32 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from any lot line | 1 per parcel | On the subject parcel (one ownership) | — | §200-55A(4); §200-50A(3) |
| Temporary Contractor/Project Sign | — | 20 sq ft (both faces counted toward area if double-faced) | — | Minimum 10 ft from any lot line | 1 | On premises where work is being performed | — | §200-55A(5) |
| Temporary Subdivision Sign (New Residential Subdivision) | — | 32 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from any lot line | 1 | On subdivision during construction | — | §200-55A(6) |
| Pole Sign (Authorized Use Variance) | ≤ 30 ft above ground/sidewalk | 48 sq ft (double-faced counts both sides toward area) | — | No portion set back less than 10 ft from any lot line | 1 per lot (only with use variance) | On lot | — | §200-55A(7); §200-55B(4) |
| Ground Sign (Authorized Use Variance) (Single Principal Business) | ≤ 10 ft above ground/sidewalk | 125 sq ft (double-faced counts both sides toward area) | — | At least 10 ft from any street or lot line | 1 per business lot (only with use variance) | On business lot | — | §200-55A(7); §200-55B(5) |

### North Randolph Business District (NRBD), West Corners Business District (WCBD), Business District (BD), Sanitary Facility District (SFD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign (Institutional/Public Assembly uses) | — | 20 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from any lot line | 1 per use | On the lot of the use | — | §200-55B(1); §200-55A(3); §200-51D |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (For Sale/Rent/Lease) | — | 32 sq ft (district allowance); separate permit-exempt option up to 10 sq ft exists townwide | — | Minimum 10 ft from any lot line | 1 per parcel | On the subject parcel (one ownership) | — | §200-55B(1); §200-55A(4); §200-50A(3) |
| Temporary Contractor/Project Sign | — | 20 sq ft (both faces counted toward area if double-faced) | — | Minimum 10 ft from any lot line | 1 | On premises while work is performed | — | §200-55B(1); §200-55A(5) |
| Temporary Subdivision Sign (New Residential Subdivision) | — | 32 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from any lot line | 1 | On site during construction | — | §200-55B(1); §200-55A(6) |
| Projecting Sign / Canopy | Bottom ≥ 10 ft above ground/sidewalk; top ≤ 22 ft above ground/sidewalk | 40 sq ft (two-sided) or 20 sq ft (one-sided) | — | Projection control relative to street line per code | 1 per building (counts toward 2-sign maximum per lot for types (2)-(7)) | On main wall of building | — | §200-55B(3) |
| Pole Sign | ≤ 30 ft above ground/sidewalk | 48 sq ft (double-faced counts both sides toward area) | — | No portion set back less than 10 ft from any lot line | 1 per lot (counts toward 2-sign maximum per lot for types (2)-(7)) | On lot | — | §200-55B(4) |
| Ground Sign (Single Principal Business) | ≤ 10 ft above ground/sidewalk | 125 sq ft (double-faced counts both sides toward area) | — | At least 10 ft from any street or lot line | 1 per business lot (counts toward 2-sign maximum per lot for types (2)-(7)) | On business lot (single principal business) | — | §200-55B(5) |
| Ground Sign (Multiple Principal Businesses [3+]) | ≤ 20 ft above ground/sidewalk | 125 sq ft (double-faced counts both sides toward area) | — | At least 10 ft from any street or lot line | 1 per business lot (counts toward 2-sign maximum per lot for types (2)-(7)) | On business lot with three or more principal businesses | — | §200-55B(6) |

### Crawford Square Business District (CSBD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Professional Nameplate (MD/Dentist) | — | 2.5 sq ft | — | — | 1 per practitioner | On premises of practitioner | — | §200-55.1A(1) |
| Identification Sign (Institutional/Public Assembly uses) | — | 20 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from any lot line | 1 per use | On the lot of the use | — | §200-55.1A(3); §200-51D |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (For Sale/Rent/Lease) | — | 32 sq ft (district allowance); separate permit-exempt option up to 10 sq ft exists townwide | — | Minimum 10 ft from any lot line | 1 per parcel | On subject parcel (one ownership) | — | §200-55.1A(4); §200-50A(3) |
| Temporary Contractor/Project Sign | — | 20 sq ft (both faces counted toward area if double-faced) | — | Minimum 10 ft from any lot line | 1 | On premises while work is performed | — | §200-55.1A(5) |
| Temporary Subdivision Sign (New Residential Subdivision) | — | 32 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from any lot line | 1 | On site during construction | — | §200-55.1A(6) |
| Canopy | Bottom ≥ 10 ft; Top ≤ 30 ft above ground/sidewalk | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building (counts toward 2-sign maximum per lot) | On building wall | — | §200-55.1B(4) |
| Pole Sign | ≤ 20 ft above ground/sidewalk | 48 sq ft (double-faced counts both sides toward area) | — | No portion set back less than 10 ft from any lot line | 1 per lot (counts toward 2-sign maximum per lot) | On lot | — | §200-55.1B(5) |
| Ground Sign | ≤ 20 ft above ground/sidewalk | 125 sq ft (double-faced counts both sides toward area) | — | At least 10 ft from any street or lot line | 1 per lot (counts toward 2-sign maximum per lot) | On business lot | — | §200-55.1B(6) |

## Prohibited signs in Randolph

- Signs or their illumination that, by location, shape, size, or color, interfere with traffic or could be confused with or obstruct the view or effectiveness of official traffic signs, signals, or markings are prohibited.
- Flashing or animated signs using red, yellow, or green colored lights are prohibited.
- Flashing illuminated signs are prohibited.
- Signs with any moving parts or designed to move by any means, including digital and digital scrolling signs, are prohibited (time/temperature indicators are allowed).
- Noise-making signs are prohibited.
- Any sign within 25 feet of an intersection that obstructs clear vision in any direction is prohibited.
- Any device illuminating a sign that directs light toward a public way so as to cast its beam into the eyes of oncoming motorists or pedestrians is prohibited.
- Exterior signs that advertise the sale of tobacco or alcohol by brand are prohibited (interior window signage is excluded).
- Exterior flags, pennants, streamers, ribbons, spinners, or other moving devices are prohibited, except by written approval of the Building Commissioner for temporary grand openings or civic/charitable/religious/educational events for a period not exceeding 30 days.
- In all districts, portable signs are not permitted.
- Use of more than three colors on a sign is prohibited (this color limit does not apply to corporate trademarks or logos).
- Iridescent or fluorescent colors on signs are prohibited.
- Illuminating signs outside 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. is prohibited, except retail establishments may illuminate during any hours they are open to the public.
- Twenty-four-hour sign illumination that infringes upon residential property is prohibited.
- Using more than three colors in sign illumination is prohibited; red or green lights may not be used if, in the opinion of the Chief of Police, they would create a driving hazard.
- Exposed gaseous tube-type signs exceeding 10 square feet are prohibited.
- Illumination that casts glare onto any portion of any street or residential premises is prohibited.
- Private outdoor lighting fixtures where the light source is directly visible beyond the lot lines are prohibited.
- Attaching signs to buildings, trees, fences, poles, rocks, etc., within the right-of-way of any public way is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Randolph

- Displaying national, state, and corporate flags is excluded from sign regulations.
- Street signs, traffic control signs, directional signs, or other lawful signs erected by the Town of Randolph or other governmental authority or agency are excluded from sign regulations.
- Interior window displays or temporary banners for drive-in or automotive establishments are excluded from sign regulations (subject to §§200-52 and 200-53).
- Bulletin boards or identification signs for houses of worship, public libraries, or public museums are excluded from sign regulations, limited to a maximum of two signs and not more than 32 square feet per sign.
- Political signs do not require a permit.
- One real estate sign advertising the premises for sale or rent, not over 10 square feet in area (5 square feet per side) and located on the premises, does not require a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Most signs require a permit before erection, alteration, or enlargement; applications must be filed with the Building Commissioner and the Planning Department and include photographs, plans, and scaled drawings.
- Shopping centers with five or more tenant spaces whose majority of entrances front on a road at least 35 feet from the road may allow internally illuminated wall signs only if all signs are consistent with and continue to comply with an approved scheme or system for that shopping center (akin to a master sign plan).
- Nonaccessory signs in the Sanitary Facility and Industrial Districts require a permit from the Town Council for construction (they are exempt from the standard sign permit process).
- Directional off-premises signs for nursing care facilities require Town Council permits; applications must include plans/specifications and fees/bond; permits are revocable, of limited duration, and do not create vested rights.
- On premises with an authorized use variance (in specified districts), additional sign types (one wall sign, one pole sign, and one ground sign) are allowed, indicating a variance approval process may be involved.
- Temporary approval for exterior flags, pennants, streamers, ribbons, spinners, or other moving devices (e.g., grand openings or civic/charitable/religious/educational events) requires a written application and approval by the Building Commissioner and is limited to 30 days.

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

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