Sign Regulations in Rockland Town, Massachusetts
Rockland Town, Massachusetts has specific sign regulations covering 21 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Temporary Sign, Directional Sign, Awning Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 28, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Rockland Town, Massachusetts
Sample Sign Requirements in Rockland Town
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary Sign | — | 9 square feet (if on a principal free standing/pole/ground sign) | — |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 120 square inches | — |
| Temporary Sign | — | 6 square feet (construction/architect signs); others per zone | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
21
- Temporary Sign
- Directional Sign
- Awning Sign
- Wall Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
6
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Rockland Town
Other Cities in Massachusetts
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Rockland Town vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Rockland Town, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Rockland Town, regulated sign types include Temporary Sign, Directional Sign, Awning Sign, Wall Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Rockland Town vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Rockland Town are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Rockland Town has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Rockland Town, Massachusetts Sign Rules at a Glance
Rockland Town, Massachusetts regulates 21 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Free Standing Ground Signs in the Business I zoning district are capped at 4 feet tall and 24 square feet, with a 10 feet setback (Sec. § 415-45B(2)(b)). Most commercial signs in Rockland Town require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Rockland Town, Massachusetts
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Rockland Town (6 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | — | 120 square inches | — |
| Residential District | 2 | — | 12 square feet | — |
| Business I | 9 | 12 feet | 24 square feet | — |
| Business II | 10 | 46 inches overall | 24 square feet | — |
| Industrial Districts | 9 | 46 inches overall | 35 square feet | — |
| Route 3 Corridor Sign Overlay District | 1 | Top: 50 feet from Route 3 elevation; Bottom: 70 feet from normal grade | 672 square feet per face, 14 feet x 48 feet max per face | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Rockland Town(sample of 3 of 6 zones)
Business I
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | 4 feet | 24 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 415-45B(1) |
| Free Standing Pole Sign | 12 feet | — | 6 feet | 6 feet (from property line abutting street) | — | — | — | Unlock | § 415-45B(2)(a) |
| Free Standing Ground Sign | 4 feet | 24 square feet | — | 10 feet | — | — | — | Unlock | § 415-45B(2)(b) |
| Individual Sign | 4 feet | — | 6 feet | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 415-45B(2)(c) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 6 square feet (for construction/contractor) | — | — | One per site (120 days) OR two per site (60 days) | — | — | Unlock | § 415-45B(2)(d) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | At least 8 feet above traveled surface | — | Unlock | § 415-45B(2)(e) |
| Directional Sign | 2 feet | — | 2.5 feet | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 415-45B(2)(f) |
| Projection Sign | 2 feet | — | 3 feet | — | — | At least 8 feet above traveled surface | — | Unlock | § 415-45B(2)(h) |
Business II
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | 4 feet | 24 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 415-45C(1) |
| Free Standing Pole Sign | 12 feet | — | 6 feet | 6 feet (from property line abutting street) | — | — | — | Unlock | § 415-45C(2)(a) |
| Free Standing Ground Sign | 4 feet | 24 square feet | — | 10 feet | — | — | — | Unlock | § 415-45C(2)(b) |
| Individual Sign | 4 feet | — | 6 feet | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 415-45C(2)(c) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 6 square feet (for construction/contractor) | — | — | One per site (120 days) OR two per site (60 days) | — | — | Unlock | § 415-45C(2)(d) |
| Directional Sign | 2 feet | — | 2.5 feet | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 415-45C(2)(f) |
| Digital Display/Electronic Message Board | Subject to the applicable sign | Subject to applicable sign it's placed on, not to exceed its max area | — | — | One per lot | — | — | Unlock | § 415-45C(2)(h) |
| Sandwich Board, A-Frame, and the like | 46 inches overall | 24 inches x 36 inches (max area) | — | — | 1 per lot | Placed on ground/grade, not on public property | — | Unlock | § 415-45C(2)(i) |
Industrial Districts
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | 5 feet | 24 square feet | — | — | Max 1 per building; 2 if on two street frontages | — | — | Unlock | § 415-45D(1) |
| Free Standing Pole Sign | 15 feet | — | 8 feet | 6 feet (from property line abutting street) | — | — | — | Unlock | § 415-45D(2)(a) |
| Free Standing Ground Sign | 5 feet | 35 square feet | — | 10 feet | — | — | — | Unlock | § 415-45D(2)(b) |
| Individual Sign | 5 feet | — | 7 feet | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 415-45D(2)(c) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 6 square feet (construction/contractor signs) | — | — | One per site (120 days) OR two per site (60 days) | — | — | Unlock | § 415-45D(2)(d) |
| Directional Sign | 2 feet | — | 2.5 feet | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 415-45D(2)(e) |
| Digital Display/Electronic Message Board | Subject to applicable sign | Subject to applicable sign it's placed on, not to exceed its max area | — | — | One per lot | — | — | Unlock | § 415-45D(2)(g) |
| Sandwich Board, A-Frame, and the like | 46 inches overall | 24 inches x 36 inches (max area) | — | — | 1 per lot | Placed on ground/grade, not on public property | — | Unlock | § 415-45D(2)(h) |
PermitPal covers all 6 zoning districts in Rockland Town — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 6 zones for Rockland Town — start freeProhibited Signs in Rockland Town
- No more than one principal sign per building and no more than two secondary signs per tenant for each building; of the two secondary signs, one may only be a wall sign and the other may only be located on a freestanding pole or ground sign (§415-39).
- No sign shall be erected, re-erected, constructed, altered, or maintained, except as provided by the bylaw and after a permit has been issued by the Building Inspector (§415-40).
- Portable electric signs and all other electric signs not covered by the provided definition are strictly prohibited in all districts (§415-44, Electric Signs).
- Individual letter signs that are mounted on top of a parapet or a roof edge of a building are strictly prohibited in all districts (§415-44, Individual Letter Signs).
- Moving signs, including swinging, flashing, or revolving signs and revolving beacons, search lights and animated signs, are strictly prohibited in all districts (§415-44, Moving Signs).
- Roof signs are strictly prohibited in all districts (§415-44, Roof Signs).
- Any sign not specifically permitted or not specifically defined herein and not shown as permitted in the Table is prohibited (§415-44, Prohibited Signs).
- String pennant flags, string flags or pennant strings or the like are prohibited except for the opening of a new business which shall be allowed for seven consecutive calendar days (§415-45E(8)).
- No sign in any zoning district shall obstruct visibility in such a way as to constitute a hazard to the safety of persons traveling upon a public way (§415-45E(4)).
- No sign or their illumination, by reason of their location, shape, size, or color, shall interfere with traffic, sight lines or be confused with or obstruct the view or effectiveness of any official traffic sign, signal or markings (§415-45E(5)).
- Political signs shall not be placed on public property (§415-45E(3)).
- No person shall establish or maintain over any sidewalk, or other part of any public way, or affix to any tree, tree guard, post, board or other object thereon, any sign, sign board or advertising device unless he shall have first obtained a permit from the Selectmen (§342-2).
- No person shall injure, deface or destroy any street sign, guide board, lamp post or lantern thereon, nor any tree, building, fence or post or other thing set, erected or made for the use or ornament of the Town (§342-14).
Exempt Signs in Rockland Town
- No permit is required to change the advertising copy or message on a changeable letter sign; repainting, cleaning, repair or maintenance shall not be considered an erection or alteration requiring a permit unless a structural change is made (§415-40E).
- Signs indicating properties for sale, for lease or for rent are exempt from the 60-day time limit for temporary signs (§415-44, Temporary Signs).
- Political signs are exempt from Article VI of this bylaw except that such signs shall not be placed on public property and shall be removed within 48 hours of said election (§415-45E(3)).
- Digital display/electronic message boards are allowed for municipal buildings with a permit from the Building Department; the message must be static and not operate between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. (§415-45E(7)).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Rockland Town
- The Building Inspector may require the filing of plans or other pertinent information such as the method of construction, the method of installation or support, etc., as part of the sign permit application (§415-40B).
- In the Route 3 Corridor Sign Overlay District, special permit applications for billboards require submission of a site plan, area maps, architectural depictions, and construction details (§415-21.3D(1)).
- For uses requiring Site Plan approval, the number of directional signs may exceed two, but only as approved by the Planning Board under Site Plan review (§415-44, Directional Signs).
Source: ecode360 municipal code