# Sign Regulations in Revere, Massachusetts

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Revere, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/revere
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-21
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/45388882#45388882)

## At a glance

Revere, Massachusetts regulates 22 sign types across 14 zoning districts. Standing Accessory Sign (RC, RC1, RC2 only, by special permit)s in the Residential Districts (RA, RA1, RB, RB1, RC, RC1, RC2, RC3) zoning district are capped at 15 ft tall and 25% of area of building wall where attached accessory sign would be placed, with a 5 ft from walkway, 10 ft from roadway, 20 ft from residential structure setback (Sec. §17.16.251(A); §17.36.041(B)-(C); §17.36.042). Most commercial signs in Revere require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (14 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts (RA, RA1, RB, RB1, RC, RC1, RC2, RC3) | 7 | 15 ft | 25% of area of building wall where attached accessory sign would be placed | — |
| Planned Development Districts (PDD1, PDD2) | 2 | 20 ft; clearance from ground at least 9 ft | 500 sq ft (at each vehicular entrance, site plan review required) | — |
| Neighborhood Business District (NB) | 6 | 15 ft | 35% of window glass area | — |
| General Business District (GB, GB1) | 7 | 20 ft; clearance at least 9 ft | Over 40 sq ft | — |
| Central Business District (CB, DB) | 7 | 20 ft; clearance at least 9 ft | Over 40 sq ft | — |
| Highway Business District (HB) | 8 | 35 ft; clearance 10 ft | Accessory sign: 90 sq ft; each nonaccessory sign: 40 sq ft max; no nonaccessory sign larger than accessory sign | — |
| Limited Industrial District (LI) | 7 | 35 ft; clearance 10 ft | Accessory sign: 90 sq ft; each nonaccessory sign: 40 sq ft max; nonaccessory not more than accessory | — |
| General and Limited Industrial Districts | 1 | 20 ft, 9 ft clearance | 25% of wall area | — |
| Industrial Park District (IP) | 7 | 35 ft; 10 ft clearance | Accessory: 90 sq ft; each nonaccessory: 40 sq ft (nonaccessory cannot exceed accessory) | — |
| Technology Enterprise District (TED) | 3 | 35 ft; clearance 10 ft | Accessory sign: 90 sq ft; each nonaccessory: 40 sq ft max; nonaccessory cannot exceed accessory | — |
| Residential District (RC, RC1, RC2, RC3, NB as sub-zone for standing accessory signs) | 1 | 15 ft | 25% of wall area | — |
| Business and Industrial Districts | 2 | 20 ft; 9 ft clearance | 25% of wall area | — |
| Planned Unit Development District (PUD) (for political signs) | 1 | — | 12 sq ft (1 side, aggregate 24 sq ft for double-faced sign) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 14 zones)

### Residential Districts (RA, RA1, RB, RB1, RC, RC1, RC2, RC3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name/Address Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | §17.36.050(A) |
| For Sale/For Rent Sign | — | 2 sq ft (per lot total for both signs) | — | — | 2 | On premises | — | §17.36.050(B) |
| Contractor's Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On premises while construction is in process | — | §17.36.050(C) |
| Subdivision/Public Entrance Identification Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 | At any public entrance to a subdivision or multifamily development | — | §17.36.050(D) |
| Church/Synagogue/Institution Sign | — | 12 sq ft (per sign), up to 3 signs for each church, synagogue or institution | — | — | Up to 3 per institution | At each public entrance to premises | — | §17.36.050(E) |
| Political Sign (Residential Zones) | 4 ft (lawn sign to top of sign) | 12 sq ft (one side) or 24 sq ft (aggregate, double-faced) | — | — | Max 1 per candidate, 3 total per parcel | On private property with owner's permission | — | §9.12.030(B), (C), (D) |
| Standing Accessory Sign (RC, RC1, RC2 only, by special permit) | 15 ft | 25% of area of building wall where attached accessory sign would be placed | — | 5 ft from walkway, 10 ft from roadway, 20 ft from residential structure | — | On lot where business use is located; at furthest point from abutting residential lots | — | §17.16.251(A); §17.36.041(B)-(C); §17.36.042 |

### Highway Business District (HB)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Attached Signs | — | 15% of wall area | — | — | 2 plus extra per entrance | Affixed to building | — | §17.36.060 |
| Building Directory | — | 1 sq ft per establishment | — | — | 1 per entrance | At each public entrance | — | §17.36.060(D) |
| Window Signs | — | 35% of window area | — | — | — | Painted/placed inside window | — | §17.36.070 |
| Temporary Signs | — | — | — | — | — | Compliant temporary sign, window sign exempt from deposit | — | §17.36.080 |
| Standing Accessory Sign | 20 ft | 25% of wall area | — | 5 ft from walkway, 10 ft from roadway | — | Affixed to ground | — | §17.36.041(A), §17.36.042, §17.16.251(A) |
| Standing Accessory Multiuse Sign (by special permit) | 35 ft; clearance 10 ft | Accessory sign: 90 sq ft; each nonaccessory sign: 40 sq ft max; no nonaccessory sign larger than accessory sign | — | 5 ft from walkway, 10 ft from way, 20 ft from residential | — | On a lot adjacent to common roadway servicing HB businesses (within 650 ft of businesses) | — | §17.16.252(A)-(I); §17.36.043 |
| Digital Sign (by special permit) | — | — | — | 100 ft from public way, 300 ft from residence/school/park | — | Not closer than 100 ft from any public way and 300 ft from any residence, school, park, or playground | — | §17.36.030, §17.36.035 |
| Political Sign (Business Zones) | — | 32 sq ft (wall sign, copy area) | — | — | Max 1 per candidate, 3 per parcel | On private property | — | §9.12.030 |

### Limited Industrial District (LI)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Attached Signs | — | 15% of wall area | — | — | 2 plus 1 per entrance as above | Affixed to building | — | §17.36.060 |
| Building Directory | — | Variable: 1 sq ft per establishment | — | — | 1 per entrance | At each public entrance | — | §17.36.060(D) |
| Window Signs | — | 35% of window glass area | — | — | — | Inside window | — | §17.36.070 |
| Temporary Signs | — | — | — | — | — | Compliant temporary sign, window sign exempt from deposit | — | §17.36.080 |
| Standing Accessory Sign | 20 ft; 9 ft clearance | 25% of area of building wall where attached sign could be placed | — | 5 ft from walkway, 10 ft from roadway | — | Affixed to ground | — | §17.36.041(A), §17.36.042, §17.16.251(A) |
| Standing Accessory Multiuse Sign (by special permit) | 35 ft; clearance 10 ft | Accessory sign: 90 sq ft; each nonaccessory sign: 40 sq ft max; nonaccessory not more than accessory | — | 5 ft from walkway, 10 ft from way, 20 ft from residential | — | On lot adjacent to roadway servicing LI businesses (within 650 ft of businesses) | — | §17.16.252(A)-(I); §17.36.043 |
| Political Sign (Industrial/Business Zone) | — | 32 sq ft (wall sign, copy area) | — | — | Max 1 per candidate, 3 per parcel | On private property | — | §9.12.030 |

## Prohibited signs in Revere

- No sign, except a 'for sale' or 'for lease' sign, shall be erected, altered, or enlarged without a sign permit issued by the building inspector.
- No person, business, agency, or entity shall post or affix, paint or write, or cause to be painted, printed, or written, a notice, sign, advertisement or bill upon any post, pole, fence, wall, building, tree, ledges, or rocks without the consent of the owner or person in control of the property.
- No digital sign shall be illuminated between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and sunrise.
- It is unlawful for any person to place or maintain or to display upon or in view of any street any unofficial sign, signal, marking, or device which purports to be or resembles an official traffic sign, signal, marking or device, or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic or which hides from view any official sign or signal.
- No sign, accessory sign, or sign of any type may be converted or changed to a digital sign unless otherwise permitted in the ordinance.
- No structure shall contain both an adult merchandise establishment and either an adult entertainment establishment or adult movie theater.

## Signs exempt from permit in Revere

- The ordinance does not apply to any official traffic control devices required, maintained, or installed by a federal or state agency, or the city, or to any federal, state, or city government signs.
- The ordinance does not apply to street signs indicating the names or location of any street, road, way, or avenue.
- The ordinance does not apply to building markers indicating the name of a building and date and incidental information about its construction, which marker may be cut into a masonry surface or made of other permanent material.
- The ordinance does not apply to fuel pump information signs.
- The ordinance does not apply to any flags, holiday lights, and decorations.
- Signs placed in windows are exempt from the deposit requirements for temporary signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit application must be submitted for erection, alteration, or enlargement of any sign (except 'for sale' or 'for lease' signs) and must include such information as required by the building inspector.
- Each applicant for a special permit to operate an adult entertainment establishment or adult motion picture theater must provide a plan showing adequate parking as part of the application.
- Standing accessory signs and standing accessory multi-use signs in PDD1 district at each vehicular entrance are permitted as of right but are subject to approval of the site plan review committee.

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

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