# Sign Regulations in Stoughton, Massachusetts

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Stoughton, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/stoughton
- **Data last verified:** 2025-08-25
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/32690494?highlight=sign&highlight=signs&highlight=wall&highlight=walls&searchId=6441287741800258#32690494)

## At a glance

Stoughton, Massachusetts regulates 25 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Blade Signs in the Stoughton Center District (SCD/Core Subdistrict) zoning district are capped at Min 8 ft above grade at lowest point, max 15 ft at highest (6 in below top of parapet for 1-story) tall, 6 sq ft per side, and Max projection 3 ft or half sidewalk width (whichever is less) wide (Sec. Section 9.3.14.6, definitions for blade signs). Most commercial signs in Stoughton require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |
| R District - (RB, RC, RM, RU) | 6 | — | 20 sq ft | — |
| B Districts - (CBD, GB, NB) | 6 | Max 30 ft above ground/sidewalk | 150 sq ft (or 10% of wall area) | — |
| I District | 3 | Max 30 ft above ground/sidewalk | 150 sq ft (or 10% of wall area) | — |
| HB District | 4 | Max 80 ft above ground/sidewalk | 350 sq ft (or 10% of wall area) | — |
| Stoughton Center District (SCD/Core Subdistrict) | 9 | Max height for wall sign: 20 ft from grade or top of parapet for 1-story, whichever is lower | Max per business: 25 sq ft; included in max area for wall signs per business | — |
| Stoughton Center District (SCD/Flex Subdistrict) | 7 | Max height for wall sign: 20 ft from grade or top of parapet for 1-story, whichever is lower | Max per business: 25 sq ft; included in max area for wall signs per business | — |
| Stoughton Center District (SCD/Transition Subdistrict) | 7 | Max height for wall sign: 20 ft from grade or top of parapet for 1-story, whichever is lower | Max per business: 25 sq ft; included in max area for wall signs per business | — |
| Medical Marijuana Treatment and Dispensing Facilities and Marijuana Cultivation Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Solar Power Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### Stoughton Center District (SCD/Core Subdistrict)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Max height for wall sign: 20 ft from grade or top of parapet for 1-story, whichever is lower | Max area allowed per wall: 10% of wall area; Max sign size: 40 sq ft | — | — | No limit within area maximum | Building frontage wall (street-facing) | — | Section 9.3.14.6, 9.3.14.7.d |
| Awning Sign | Top of awning no higher than first-floor level or 15 ft (lower) | Max per business: 25 sq ft; included in max area for wall signs per business | — | — | No limit if area maximum not exceeded | On awning attached to building | — | Section 9.3.14.6, definition of awning signs, awnings |
| Blade Sign | Min 8 ft above grade at lowest point, max 15 ft at highest (6 in below top of parapet for 1-story) | 6 sq ft per side | Max projection 3 ft or half sidewalk width (whichever is less) | — | See formula above | Mounted perpendicular to building facade | — | Section 9.3.14.6, definitions for blade signs |
| Ground-Mounted Sign | 4 ft | Max height 4 ft; area measured as one face for parallel faces, sum for non-parallel. | — | — | No limit if area not exceeded | Decorative landscaped base | — | Section 9.3.14.6, definition of ground-mounted sign |
| Window Sign | — | See formula | — | — | — | Mounted or displayed on window | — | Section 9.3.14.6 (window signs) |
| Mobile Sign (Sandwich Board) | — | — | — | — | — | Placed outdoors in front of premises | — | Mobile sign, Section 9.3.14.6; Section 9.3.14.8 (special permit) |
| Address Sign | — | — | — | — | Required (at least 1 per building/unit) | Near entrance, visible from street | — | Section 9.3.14.6: definition of address signs |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per home occupation | — | — | Section 9.3.14.7.e |

### Stoughton Center District (SCD/Flex Subdistrict)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Max height for wall sign: 20 ft from grade or top of parapet for 1-story, whichever is lower | Max area allowed per wall: 10% of wall area; Max sign size: 50 sq ft | — | — | No limit within area maximum | Building frontage wall (street-facing) | — | Section 9.3.14.6, SCD sign regulations table |
| Awning Sign | Top of awning no higher than first-floor level or 15 ft (lower) | Max per business: 25 sq ft; included in max area for wall signs per business | — | — | No limit if area maximum not exceeded | On awning attached to building | — | Section 9.3.14.6, definition of awning signs, awnings |
| Blade Sign | Min 8 ft above grade at lowest point, max 15 ft at highest (6 in below top of parapet for 1-story) | 6 sq ft per side | Max projection 3 ft or half sidewalk width (whichever is less) | — | See formula above | Mounted perpendicular to building facade | — | Section 9.3.14.6, definitions for blade signs |
| Ground-Mounted Sign | 4 ft | Max height 4 ft; area measured as one face for parallel faces, sum for non-parallel. | — | — | No limit if area not exceeded | Decorative landscaped base | — | Section 9.3.14.6, definition of ground-mounted sign |
| Window Sign | — | See formula | — | — | — | Mounted or displayed on window | — | Section 9.3.14.6 (window signs) |
| Mobile Sign (Sandwich Board) | — | — | — | — | — | Placed outdoors in front of premises | — | Mobile sign, Section 9.3.14.6; Section 9.3.14.8 (special permit) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 6 sq ft per side; Exception: public health/safety/construction signs up to 50 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Section 9.3.14.6 (temporary signs) |

### Stoughton Center District (SCD/Transition Subdistrict)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Max height for wall sign: 20 ft from grade or top of parapet for 1-story, whichever is lower | Max area allowed per wall: 5% of wall area; Max sign size: 30 sq ft | — | — | No limit within area maximum | Building frontage wall (street-facing) | — | Section 9.3.14.6, SCD sign regulations table |
| Awning Sign | Top of awning no higher than first-floor level or 15 ft (lower) | Max per business: 25 sq ft; included in max area for wall signs per business | — | — | No limit if area maximum not exceeded | On awning attached to building | — | Section 9.3.14.6, definition of awning signs, awnings |
| Blade Sign | Min 8 ft above grade at lowest point, max 15 ft at highest (6 in below top of parapet for 1-story) | 6 sq ft per side | Max projection 3 ft or half sidewalk width (whichever is less) | — | See formula above | Mounted perpendicular to building facade | — | Section 9.3.14.6, definitions for blade signs |
| Ground-Mounted Sign | 4 ft | Max height 4 ft; area measured as one face for parallel faces, sum for non-parallel. | — | — | No limit if area not exceeded | Decorative landscaped base | — | Section 9.3.14.6, definition of ground-mounted sign |
| Window Sign | — | See formula | — | — | — | Mounted or displayed on window | — | Section 9.3.14.6 (window signs) |
| Mobile Sign (Sandwich Board) | — | — | — | — | — | Placed outdoors in front of premises | — | Mobile sign, Section 9.3.14.6; Section 9.3.14.8 (special permit) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 6 sq ft per side; Exception: public health/safety/construction signs up to 50 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Section 9.3.14.6 (temporary signs) |

## Prohibited signs in Stoughton

- All signs must comply with State Building Code and applicable Town regulations, except those under MassDOT jurisdiction.
- Signs may not by reason of their location, shape, size, or color interfere with traffic or be confused with, or obstruct the view/effectiveness of, any official traffic sign, signal or marking; flashing or animated signs of red, yellow or green colored lights are prohibited.
- General advertising signs are prohibited (no sign advertising goods/services not offered on the premises).
- No more than two signs allowed for any business or industrial establishment in B or I Districts; no more than one sign for a premises in the R District.
- No more than two signs allowed for any one business or industrial establishment in the B or I Districts.
- Roof signs are prohibited in the Stoughton Center District (SCD).
- Electronic message boards are prohibited in the Stoughton Center District (SCD).
- Freestanding signs are prohibited in the Stoughton Center District (SCD).
- Moving or flashing signs are prohibited in the Stoughton Center District (SCD).
- Off-site signage is not allowed in the SCD except as may be approved for off-site parking by special permit.
- Change to nonconforming signs requires special permit; sign size may not be enlarged beyond maximum permitted, must become more compliant.
- Backlit signs are prohibited in the SCD; blade signs must be indirectly illuminated.

## Signs exempt from permit in Stoughton

- Any traffic or directional sign owned and installed by a governmental agency is permitted and exempt from general sign regulations.
- The limitations on number of signs do not apply to traffic or directional signs necessary for the safety and direction of residents, employees, customers, and visitors, whether in a vehicle or on foot, for any business, industry, or residence.
- Integral signs (traditionally names of noncommercial buildings, dates of erection, monumental citations, commemorative tablets) are not subject to general sign standards.
- Temporary signs for Town events or public notice may be erected as allowed by the Select Board.
- Temporary signs in service of public health/safety (including construction signs with emergency contact info, wayfinding, safety, OSHA-required signage) may exceed normal temporary sign size and duration limits, subject to Zoning Enforcement Officer's discretion.
- Temporary interior window displays (except window signs) are not subject to sign regulations unless otherwise described.
- Address signs (street numbering of buildings/units, at least 2 inches tall and visible from the street, required on every building and tenant)—not included in total signage allowed for the building.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All construction details of signs and pavement markings must be provided as part of site circulation (Section 6.1.7.20).
- Applications proposing new wireless communication structures must submit site plan and engineering plans, including lighting, fencing, landscaping, etc.
- Site Plan Approval is required for signs in the SCD per Section 9.3.5 and Section 10.6.
- Special permits for signage deviation from standards (e.g., SCD, Master Sign Plan) must be applied for with the Planning Board (SPGA) and may be approved, denied, or approved with conditions.
- Signs for Medical Marijuana Treatment and Dispensing Facilities and Marijuana Cultivation Overlay District must be reviewed by the Zoning Board of Appeals at the time of application.
- Site development review for large-scale solar installations includes signage; signage must comply with zoning bylaws and include owner and emergency contact.
- Nonconforming signs require a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals per Section 5.3 and Section 9.3.14 in the SCD.
- Proposals in the Stoughton Center District may require master/site sign plans; all sign applications must demonstrate basic requirements such as architectural compatibility, consistency with area character, and compliance with district sign standards.

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

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