# Sign Regulations in Saugus, Massachusetts

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Saugus, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/saugus
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-08
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.saugus-ma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif1181/f/pages/saugus_zoning_bylaws_updated_january_2025.pdf#page=29)

## At a glance

Saugus, Massachusetts regulates 32 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Standing Sign (Special Permit)s in the Business Districts (B-1, B-2, B-3) zoning district are capped at 20 ft tall, 50 sq ft total area, and 10 ft (any dimension) wide (Sec. Article VII, Section 7.4(2)(d)). Most commercial signs in Saugus require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 5 ft above ground at highest point (freestanding) | 32 sq ft (8 ft x 4 ft) | — |
| Single Residence District (R-1, R-2) | 4 | 8 ft above ground | 25 sq ft | — |
| General Residence (R-3) | 3 | 8 ft | 25 sq ft | — |
| Multi-Density Residential (R-4) | 3 | 8 ft | 25 sq ft | — |
| Flood Plain District (F.P.) | 3 | 8 ft | 25 sq ft | — |
| Business Districts (B-1, B-2, B-3) | 9 | 20 ft | 120 sq ft (30 ft x 4 ft) | — |
| Industrial Districts (I, I-1, I-2) | 7 | 15 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| High Rise Business and Industrial District (B-2) | 7 | 25 ft | 225 sq ft total area | — |
| Historic Mills Mixed Use Overlay District | 6 | Uppermost edge ≤ 20 ft above grade or roof line (whichever lower); lowest edge 10–12 ft above grade | 75 sq ft (business total signage across all types also capped at 75 sq ft) | — |
| Waterfront Mixed Use Overlay District (WMUOD) | 6 | Uppermost edge ≤ 20 ft above grade or roof line (whichever lower); lowest edge 10–12 ft above grade | 75 sq ft (business total signage cap 75 sq ft) | — |
| Wireless Communications Services District | 2 | — | — | — |
| Large-Scale Ground Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Installations Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### Business Districts (B-1, B-2, B-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Primary) | — | — | — | — | Not more than one exterior sign per business establishment (see Secondary Wall Sign rules) | Affixed flat against a wall; parallel to the wall; shall not project beyond the face of any other wall to which it is affixed; base shall not project more than 16 inches | — | Article VII, Section 7.4(2)(a)-(f); Section 7.3(2) |
| Wall Sign (Secondary per Additional Public Entrance) | — | — | — | — | As many as the number of additional public entrance walls (aggregate area limit applies) | Affixed to wall containing the secondary entrance | — | Article VII, Section 7.4(2)(c)(i) |
| Standing Sign (Special Permit) | 20 ft | 50 sq ft total area | 10 ft (any dimension) | — | In addition to wall signs allowed in Section 7.4(2)(c) | Freestanding on the premises (specific location per special permit) | — | Article VII, Section 7.4(2)(d) |
| Street Banner (Non-profit or Municipal only) | — | 120 sq ft (30 ft x 4 ft) | 30 ft | — | — | Over street at approved locations | — | Article VII, Section 7.4(2)(h) |
| Strip Mall Directory Sign | — | 12 sq ft (3 ft x 4 ft) | 3 ft | — | One per mall (either end or rear; not both) | Either end of strip mall or rear | — | Article VII, Section 7.4(2)(j) |
| Seasonal Flag | — | 12 sq ft (3 ft x 4 ft) | 3 ft | — | One | On premises of business | — | Article VII, Section 7.4(2)(k) |
| Open Flag | — | 12 sq ft (3 ft x 4 ft) | 3 ft | — | — | On premises of business | — | Article VII, Section 7.4(2)(l) |
| Business Grand Opening Sign (Temporary) | — | 32 sq ft (8 ft x 4 ft) | 8 ft | — | One per initial opening | Placement subject to Inspectional Services approval; must not interfere with public safety | — | Article VII, Section 7.4(2)(i) |

### Industrial Districts (I, I-1, I-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Primary) | — | — | — | — | Not more than one exterior sign per business establishment (see Secondary Wall Sign rules) | Affixed flat; parallel to wall; no projection beyond other wall; base projection ≤ 16 inches | — | Article VII, Section 7.4(3)(a)-(c), (e)-(f) |
| Wall Sign (Secondary per Additional Public Entrance) | — | — | — | — | As many as the number of additional public entrance walls (aggregate area limit applies) | Affixed to wall containing the secondary entrance | — | Article VII, Section 7.4(3)(c)(i) |
| Directory Sign (Exterior at Entrance) | — | — | — | — | One per entrance | Affixed to exterior wall at each entrance | — | Article VII, Section 7.4(3)(c)(ii) |
| Standing Sign | 15 ft | 50 sq ft | 10 ft (any dimension) | — | One standing sign per establishment (in addition to allowed wall/directory signs) | Freestanding on premises | — | Article VII, Section 7.4(3)(d)-(f) |
| Temporary Sign (Repair/Reconstruction of Existing Sign) | — | — | — | — | One temporary sign | On premises where existing permitted sign is being repaired/reconstructed | — | Article VII, Section 7.4(3)(g) |
| Business Grand Opening Sign (Temporary) | — | 32 sq ft (8 ft x 4 ft) | 8 ft | — | One per initial opening | Placement subject to Inspectional Services approval; must not interfere with public safety | — | Article VII, Section 7.4(3)(h) |
| Strip Mall Directory Sign | — | 12 sq ft (3 ft x 4 ft) | 3 ft | — | One per mall (either end or rear; not both) | Either end of mall or rear | — | Article VII, Section 7.4(3)(i) |

### High Rise Business and Industrial District (B-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Primary) | — | — | — | — | One primary exterior sign per business establishment (see Secondary Wall Sign rules) | Affixed flat; parallel to wall; no projection beyond any wall; base projection ≤ 16 inches | — | Article VII, Section 7.4(4)(a)-(b), (e)-(f) |
| Wall Sign (Secondary per Additional Public Entrance) | — | — | — | — | As many as number of additional public entrance walls (aggregate area limit applies) | Affixed to wall containing the secondary entrance | — | Article VII, Section 7.4(4)(c)(i) |
| Directory Sign (Exterior at Entrance) | — | — | — | — | One per entrance | Affixed to exterior wall at each entrance | — | Article VII, Section 7.4(4)(c)(ii)-(iii) |
| Standing Sign | 25 ft | 225 sq ft total area | 15 ft (any dimension) | — | One standing sign allowed in addition to wall/directory signs | Freestanding on premises | — | Article VII, Section 7.4(4)(d)-(f) |
| Window Sign (B-2 High Rise) | — | — | — | — | — | Inside window glass | — | Article VII, Section 7.4(4)(h); Section 7.6(B) |
| Business Grand Opening Sign (Temporary) | — | 32 sq ft (8 ft x 4 ft) | 8 ft | — | One per initial opening | Subject to Inspectional Services approval; shall not interfere with public safety | — | Article VII, Section 7.4(4)(i) |
| Strip Mall Directory Sign | — | 12 sq ft (3 ft x 4 ft) | 3 ft | — | One per mall (either end or rear; not both) | Either end of mall or rear | — | Article VII, Section 7.4(4)(j) |

## Prohibited signs in Saugus

- No sign may have visible moving or movable parts, except indicators of time and/or temperature and routinely replaced individual letters/numerals
- Portable signs are prohibited except when used as temporary signs authorized under the Sign By-Law
- No sign may be illuminated between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. unless the premises are open for business; lighted signs must be turned off from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. or within one hour after closing, whichever is later (indoor signs are exempt from this shutoff rule)
- No moving, flashing, intermittent, or animated lights are allowed on signs, except indicators of time and/or temperature
- Illumination that casts glare onto any portion of a street that constitutes a driving hazard is prohibited; illumination rules also apply to interior signs intended to show through windows
- Roof signs and signs placed primarily on top of a structure or projecting above the top of the wall are prohibited
- Signs may not be painted or posted directly on exterior wall surfaces; they must be affixed to a substantial removable intermediary surface or consist of securely affixed individual letters/devices
- All signs and their structural elements must be kept in good working repair and proper state of preservation; dangerous or noncompliant signs are subject to repair or removal by the Sign Officer
- Window signs are limited to an aggregate area not exceeding 25 percent of the window glass (unless otherwise specified in district-specific rules)
- Political signs (in all districts) must be stationary and not directly illuminated; limited to one per election contest per lot; maximum size 6 square feet and maximum height 5 feet; may not be erected earlier than 30 days before an election and must be removed within 7 days after
- Altering, repairing, reconstructing, rebuilding, or changing a preexisting nonconforming sign is prohibited if the cost exceeds 33 1/3 percent of the sign’s replacement value (unless authorized per procedures)
- A nonconforming sign abandoned or not used for a continuous period of two years may not be used again
- Nonconforming signs that advertise goods, products, or services not sold or provided on the premises must be removed within 120 days
- Failure to repair or properly maintain a nonconforming sign within 60 days after notice from the Sign Officer is prohibited

## Signs exempt from permit in Saugus

- Indicators of time and/or temperature are exempt from bans on moving parts and moving/animated lights
- Individual letters or numerals that are routinely removed and replaced are not considered movable parts
- Indoor signs are exempt from the nightly lighted-sign shutoff requirement (11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.)
- Display of merchandise visible through a window is not considered a sign under the by-law
- Signs permitted in a residential area under Section 7.4(1) and temporary signs placed in a window are exempt from the sign permit requirement in Section 7.6
- Refacing of preexisting signs is exempt from special permit requirements (including signs for which no previous permit exists)

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit from the Sign Officer (Building Inspector) is required before any sign is erected, altered, or enlarged; fees are set by the Board of Selectmen; appeals follow Article XI
- Standing signs in business districts require a special permit from the Board of Appeals specifying size, type, and location; industrial and high-rise business districts have standing sign allowances subject to dimensional limits
- Any enlargement or extension of an existing nonconforming sign requires a Special Permit from the Board of Appeals after a public hearing (refacing is exempt)
- Historic Mills Mixed Use Overlay District projects require Site Plan Review by the Planning Board, including sign review; the Saugus Historical Commission reviews signage as part of its site plan recommendation
- Waterfront Mixed Use Overlay District projects require Site Plan Review by the Planning Board, including sign review; the Saugus Boats and Waterways Commission reviews signage where applicable
- Business Highway Sustainable Development Zoning District projects require Site Plan Review by the Planning Board, including sign review
- Street banners require Board of Selectmen approval by majority vote, a posted bond, and must meet size, time, and location limits
- Temporary business Grand Opening signs require approval by Inspectional Services, payment of a fee, and compliance with size and duration limits

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

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