# Sign Regulations in Sterling Town, Massachusetts

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Sterling Town, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/sterling-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/11816253#11816253)

## At a glance

Sterling Town, Massachusetts regulates 9 sign types across 2 zoning districts. Name/Accessory Use Signs in the Neighborhood Residence District, Rural Residence and Farming District zoning district are capped at 2 sq ft (Sec. § 301-3.1.1.1).

## Sign rules by zoning district (2 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Neighborhood Residence District, Rural Residence and Farming District | 6 | — | 10 sq ft aggregate (2 signs) | — |
| Commercial District, Light Industrial District | 5 | — | 40% of any one wall | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Neighborhood Residence District, Rural Residence and Farming District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name/Accessory Use Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per family | Premises of residence | — | § 301-3.1.1.1 |
| Permitted Use Sign (Non-dwelling) | — | 10 sq ft aggregate (2 signs) | — | — | 2 | Premises of the permitted use | — | § 301-3.1.1.2 |
| Temporary Sale or Lease Sign | — | 10 sq ft (aggregate) | — | — | — | On premises for sale or lease | — | § 301-3.1.1.3 |
| Off-premise Directional Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Indicating route to, or location of, a lawful use on another premises | — | § 301-3.1.1.4 |
| Temporary Building Contractor Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On premises during construction | — | § 301-3.1.1.5 |
| Any Sign Over 2 Sq Ft | — | — | — | Must be at least 20 ft from lot line | — | — | — | § 301-3.1.1.6 |

### Commercial District, Light Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 40% of any one wall | — | — | No limit (subject to aggregate area rule) | Painted on or attached flat against the wall of a building | — | § 301-3.1.2.1 |
| Freestanding Sign | — | 40 sq ft total (aggregate of up to 2 signs) | — | — | 2 | Pertaining to permitted use on the premises | — | § 301-3.1.2.2 |
| Flashing Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 301-3.1.2.3 |
| Off-premise Directional Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Indicating route to, or location of, a lawful use on another premises | — | § 301-3.1.2.4 |
| Any Sign Over 2 Sq Ft | — | — | — | Must be at least 20 ft from lot line | — | — | — | § 301-3.1.2.5 |

## Prohibited signs in Sterling Town

- Signs may contain no visible moving parts.
- Signs over two square feet in area shall be located not less than 20 feet from the lot line.

## Signs exempt from permit in Sterling Town

- Temporary building contractors' signs erected only during period of construction.
- Temporary unlighted signs advertising the sale or lease of the premises.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Regulations may be otherwise authorized by a special permit issued by the Zoning Board of Appeals.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Sterling Town, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Sterling+Town+MA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-sterling-town

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