# Sign Regulations in Waltham, Massachusetts

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Waltham, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/waltham
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-27
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/26938143#26938143)

## At a glance

Waltham, Massachusetts regulates 22 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the Business A Districts zoning district are capped at Top of sign: 24 ft; bottom of sign: 12 ft tall and 32 sq ft, with a At least 6 ft from street line, at least 12 ft from other property lines setback (Sec. 6.622(a), 6.63, 6.742). Most commercial signs in Waltham require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business A Districts | 8 | 30 in letter height | 32 sq ft | — |
| Business B Districts, Commercial Districts, Industrial Districts | 10 | 42 in (B District); 72 in (Commercial/Industrial; see below) | 64 sq ft | — |
| Business C Districts | 6 | 30 in (letter) | 18 sq ft | — |
| Residence A-1 Districts, Residence A-2 Districts | 3 | — | 6 sq ft | — |
| Residence B Districts | 2 | — | 1 sq ft | — |
| Residence C Districts | 2 | — | 4 sq ft | — |
| Limited Commercial Districts | 2 | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| Conservation/Recreation Districts | 2 | — | 4 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | Max 50% of store front window area, deducted from wall sign allotment | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### Business A Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Width × 4 (sq ft) | — | — | 1 principal wall sign; secondary allowed (see below). | Building facade; parallel to wall | — | 6.612(a), 6.51, 6.3, 6.742 |
| Secondary Wall Sign | — | 18 sq ft | — | — | Up to 3 secondary signs per wall | Other exterior wall | — | 6.52 |
| Ground Sign | Top of sign: 24 ft; bottom of sign: 12 ft | 32 sq ft | — | At least 6 ft from street line, at least 12 ft from other property lines | 1 per lot | At least 6 ft from street line, not over a street, not within 12 ft of adjacent property | — | 6.622(a), 6.63, 6.742 |
| Projecting Sign (Double-faced) | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | Perpendicular to building | — | 6.64.2(a), 6.64.3(a) |
| Projecting Sign (V-type) | 2 ft | 32 sq ft | 75% length of store front | — | — | Perpendicular to building | — | 6.64.2(a) |
| Individual Letter Sign | 12 inches (letter height) | — | — | — | 1 principal sign per occupant per attached building (Sec. 6.55) | Face, parapet, or roof edge of building | — | 6.66.2(a) |
| Directory Sign | — | 1 sq ft per occupancy at entrance | — | — | One per occupancy per entrance | At each entrance | — | 6.53 |
| Awning Sign | 30 in letter height | 15 sq ft or 50% of awning front, whichever is less | — | — | — | Front of awning only; cannot extend >4 ft if over public way | — | 6.672 |

### Business B Districts, Commercial Districts, Industrial Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Width × 6 (sq ft) | — | — | 1 principal wall sign per establishment (additional allowed, see below) | Building facade; parallel to wall | — | 6.612(b), 6.51, 6.744 |
| Secondary Wall Sign | — | 18 sq ft | — | — | Up to 3 secondary signs per wall | Another exterior wall | — | 6.52 |
| Ground Sign | Top: 30 ft; Bottom: 14 ft | 48 sq ft | — | At least 6 ft from street line; at least 12 ft from adjacent property | 1 per lot | At least 6 ft from street line, not within 12 ft of adjacent property | — | 6.622(b), 6.63, 6.744 |
| Projecting Sign (Double-faced) | 14 ft | 64 sq ft | — | — | — | Perpendicular to building | — | 6.64.2(b) |
| Projecting Sign (V-type) | 3 ft | 64 sq ft | 75% of store front | — | — | Perpendicular to building | — | 6.64.2(b) |
| Individual Letter Sign | 42 in (B District); 72 in (Commercial/Industrial; see below) | — | — | — | — | Face, parapet, or roof edge | — | 6.66.2(b), 6.66.2(c) |
| Awning Sign | 30 in (letter height) | 15 sq ft or 50% of front of awning, whichever is less | — | — | — | Front of awning only; cannot extend >4 ft from wall over public way | — | 6.672 |
| Shopping Center Ground Sign | — | same as district max (e.g., 48 sq ft in these districts) | — | — | Up to 3 ground signs per shopping center | Each ground sign must not be within 50 ft of abutting property. | — | 6.674 |

### Business C Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Width × 3 (sq ft) | — | — | 1 | Building facade | — | 6.612(c), 6.744 |
| Secondary Wall Sign | — | 18 sq ft | — | — | Up to 3 per wall | Other exterior wall | — | 6.52 |
| Projecting Sign (Double-faced) | 18 ft above ground or not above 2nd story windowsill or roofline (whichever is lower) | 12 sq ft (6 sq ft per side) | — | — | 1 per establishment | Perpendicular to building | — | 6.64.2(c) and subsequent subpoints |
| Individual Letter Sign | 18 in letter height | — | — | — | 1 principal | Face, parapet, or roof edge | — | 6.66.2(d) |
| Directory Sign | — | 1 sq ft per occupancy/per entrance | — | — | — | At entrance | — | 6.53 |
| Awning Sign | 30 in (letter) | 15 sq ft or 50% area of front of awning (whichever is less) | — | — | — | Front of awning only; not over 4 ft from wall above public way | — | 6.672 |

## Prohibited signs in Waltham

- No swinging, flashing on and off or other animated signs, and no revolving beacons or searchlights shall be permitted, except signs that only move to indicate time, temperature or changing message (Sec. 6.41).
- No signs shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free access to any door, window or fire escape (Sec. 6.42).
- No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to create a traffic hazard or obscure/make difficult the reading of signs or signals designed to regulate and control traffic (Sec. 6.43).
- No political sign shall be affixed or attached to any tree, post, building or other structure on public property or on property of public utility (Sec. 6.441).
- All signs shall be kept in good general repair and properly maintained; the sign and immediate surrounding premises must be kept in a clean, sanitary and inoffensive condition, free of any obnoxious substances, rubbish and weeds (Sec. 6.443).
- Roof signs of any type are prohibited in all zoning districts (Sec. 6.652).
- No sign shall remain in position when it no longer serves the purpose for which it was installed; property owner must remove such signs within 30 days after cessation of the activity advertised (Sec. 6.91).
- No sign shall be attached to or hung from an awning (Sec. 6.6723).
- No sign shall project over a street unless explicitly permitted (Sec. 6.63(a)).
- No sign shall be integrally lighted by fluorescent, incandescent, neon, LED, or other similar lighting methods in certain situations (e.g., projecting and window signs) (Sec. 6.64.2(c)[5], 6.832).
- No window or window sign shall be bordered by lights which flash on and off (Sec. 6.834).
- Displays of balloons, banners, streamers and other similar displays, when used for promotional purposes and not for sale, are prohibited for hawkers/peddlers (Sec. 8-37(4)).
- No illuminated signs permitted for hawkers/peddlers (Sec. 8-37(3)).
- No more than two signs shall be attached to a vehicle for hawkers/peddlers (Sec. 8-37(2)).
- No sign shall extend over a street or sidewalk unless it is seven feet above sidewalk level and at least ten inches back from the curb (Sec. 17-6(c)).

## Signs exempt from permit in Waltham

- Political signs and advertising are exempt from sign regulations except for the prohibitions listed in Sec. 6.44.
- No permit required for a restaurant displaying a standard size (unenlarged) menu in a window (Sec. 6.835).
- No permit required for a business to display an 'open/closed' sign or business hours window sign not exceeding two square feet, if otherwise compliant (Sec. 6.836).
- No permit required for membership-in-organization window signs not exceeding one square foot, if otherwise compliant (Sec. 6.837).
- No permit required for window decals or stickers indicating alarm/security or accepted charge/credit cards if the total area does not exceed one square foot (Sec. 6.838).
- No permit required for temporary window signs advertising a sale/promotion if in place no more than 30 consecutive days and no more than 60 days per year, and otherwise compliant (Sec. 6.839).
- No sign fees required for billboards holding permits from the Outdoor Advertising Board (Sec. 6.37).
- No fees required for real estate signs advertising property for sale or rent (Sec. 6.38).
- No fees required for signs which identify a building in a manner which does not advertise a business (Sec. 6.39).
- This chapter shall not apply to residential identification signs or numbers (showing address/occupancy only) or signs advertising property for sale or rent or signs erected by federal, state or municipal agencies (Sec. 6.34).
- Signs heretofore erected and maintained, which do not comply with this chapter, may continue to be maintained as long as they comply with maintenance provisions in Sec. 6.443 (Sec. 6.841), unless they are of a type specifically required to be removed.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Prior to erection of any new sign, a permit shall be obtained from the Inspector of Buildings, with deposit/fee (Sec. 6.31).
- For existing signs at the time of adoption, owners must submit an application for an existing sign permit and pay a fee (Sec. 6.32).
- All signs require an annual continuing sign permit after the initial permit, with corresponding fees (Sec. 6.33).
- A permit must be obtained from the Inspector of Buildings prior to erecting or maintaining any advertising sign or device over/above any street or sidewalk (Sec. 17-6(a)).
- Permits for electrical work must be obtained before a sign permit will be issued (Sec. 6.745).
- A hawker/peddler must obtain a permit for any signs from the Building Inspector (Sec. 8-37).
- Every keeper of a junk shop is required to display a sign with his name/occupation in a conspicuous place (Sec. 8-75).
- There is no explicit universal requirement for a master sign plan or sign plan as a precondition for multiple signs or large complexes in the general provisions.

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

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