Sign Regulations in Westminster Town, Massachusetts
Westminster Town, Massachusetts has specific sign regulations covering 23 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Freestanding Sign, Projecting 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 Westminster Town, Massachusetts
Sample Sign Requirements in Westminster Town
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | 32 sq ft (per sign); cumulative max 80 sq ft per lot, minimum 32 sq ft per lot allowed regardless of frontage. | — |
| Freestanding Sign | Top edge no higher than 20 feet above ground (§ 205-44.4.D(4)). For permit signs: instead, 15 feet (§ 205-44.6.C(3)). For master plan: 15 feet. | Each face: 30 sq ft; otherwise, general limit is total cumulative 80 sq ft per lot as per § 205-44.4.D(3). | At least five feet from lot line (§ 205-44.4.D(5), § 205-44.6.C(7)) |
| Projecting Sign | Bottom at minimum 10 ft, top at maximum 15 ft above pedestrian traffic area, below bottom of second-floor windowsill (or lower than the lowest point of the roof on a one-story building) | 12 sq ft per side | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for Westminster TownFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
23
- Wall Sign
- Freestanding Sign
- Projecting Sign
- Multiple Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
4
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Westminster Town
Municipal Code1 permit application link available
Other Cities in Massachusetts
Frequently Asked Questions
In Westminster Town, monument signs are limited to Top edge no higher than 20 feet above ground (§ 205-44.4.D(4)). For permit signs: instead, 15 feet (§ 205-44.6.C(3)). For master plan: 15 feet.. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Westminster 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 Westminster Town, regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Freestanding Sign, Projecting Sign, Multiple Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In Westminster Town, monument signs typically require a At least five feet from lot line (§ 205-44.4.D(5), § 205-44.6.C(7)) setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in Westminster Town are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Westminster Town has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Westminster Town, Massachusetts Sign Rules at a Glance
Westminster Town, Massachusetts regulates 23 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Commercial Zoning District, Village Center Zoning District, Industrial Zoning District zoning district are capped at Top edge no higher than 20 feet above ground (§ 205-44.4.D(4)). For permit signs: instead, 15 feet (§ 205-44.6.C(3)). For master plan: 15 feet. tall and Each face: 30 sq ft; otherwise, general limit is total cumulative 80 sq ft per lot as per § 205-44.4.D(3)., with a At least five feet from lot line (§ 205-44.4.D(5), § 205-44.6.C(7)) setback (Sec. § 205-44.4.D(1), (3), (4), (5); § 205-44.6.C). Most commercial signs in Westminster Town require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Westminster Town, Massachusetts
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Westminster Town (4 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Zoning District, Village Center Zoning District, Industrial Zoning District | 8 | Top edge no higher than 20 feet above ground (§ 205-44.4.D(4)). For permit signs: instead, 15 feet (§ 205-44.6.C(3)). For master plan: 15 feet. | 32 sq ft (per sign); cumulative max 80 sq ft per lot, minimum 32 sq ft per lot allowed regardless of frontage. | — |
| Village Center Zoning District | 1 | — | As for other commercial zones (32 sq ft per sign) | — |
| Residential Zoning District | 6 | 6 ft | 6 sq ft (nonresidential bldg/use); churches/institutions: 10 sq ft per sign, two per building | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Westminster Town(sample of 3 of 4 zones)
Commercial Zoning District, Village Center Zoning District, Industrial Zoning District
| 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 | — | 32 sq ft (per sign); cumulative max 80 sq ft per lot, minimum 32 sq ft per lot allowed regardless of frontage. | — | — | Maximum of two signs requiring permits per business or complex, of which one may be freestanding. | Mounted parallel to building facade (see general wall sign requirements). | — | Unlock | § 205-44.4.D(2), (3), § 205-44.6.B |
| Freestanding Sign | Top edge no higher than 20 feet above ground (§ 205-44.4.D(4)). For permit signs: instead, 15 feet (§ 205-44.6.C(3)). For master plan: 15 feet. | Each face: 30 sq ft; otherwise, general limit is total cumulative 80 sq ft per lot as per § 205-44.4.D(3). | — | At least five feet from lot line (§ 205-44.4.D(5), § 205-44.6.C(7)) | One per business/complex; if lot frontage is 300 ft or more, two allowed (at least 100 ft apart) | Fixed location, self-supporting post or pole. Minimum 5 ft from lot line. | — | Unlock | § 205-44.4.D(1), (3), (4), (5); § 205-44.6.C |
| Projecting Sign | Bottom at minimum 10 ft, top at maximum 15 ft above pedestrian traffic area, below bottom of second-floor windowsill (or lower than the lowest point of the roof on a one-story building) | 12 sq ft per side | — | — | — | Affixed perpendicular to wall; not above roof or public way. | — | Unlock | § 205-44.6.A |
| Multiple Sign | — | Up to 32 sq ft per side | — | — | — | Can be wall-mounted, projecting, or freestanding. | — | Unlock | § 205-44.6.D |
| Painted Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Directly on exterior building surface. | — | Unlock | § 205-44.6.F |
| Portable Sign (including Sandwich Board/A-frame) | Less than 6 ft | 12 sq ft per side | — | — | One per business | On-premises; not within street or public ROW; if on sidewalk, must leave at least 36-inch walkway adjacent to building. | — | Unlock | § 205-44.6.G |
| Temporary Sign | — | 32 sq ft in commercial/industrial zones | — | 5 ft from all property lines and rights-of-way | Two per lot; window signs/posters counted separately | Set back at least 5 ft from all property lines and highway rights-of-way | — | Unlock | § 205-44.5.C(3)-(5) |
| Flag Business Sign (Temporary) | Pole/support max 10 ft high | 3 ft x 5 ft | — | — | One per business | Must be on-premises, cannot hang/extend over public right-of-way | — | Unlock | § 205-44.5.C(6) |
Residential Zoning District
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Name/Occupant Sign | 6 ft | 2 sq ft | — | At least 10 ft from street line | One per premises (mailbox sign excepted) | Attached to building, rod or post | — | Unlock | § 205-44.4.E(1), (6) |
| Nonresidential Bulletin/Announcement Board (Residential) | — | 6 sq ft (nonresidential bldg/use); churches/institutions: 10 sq ft per sign, two per building | — | Not nearer to street than 1/2 required front yard depth | One per permitted nonresidential use; two per church/institution building | — | — | Unlock | § 205-44.4.E(2), (6) |
| Nonconforming Nonresidential Use Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per such use | On premises with lawful nonconforming nonresidential use | — | Unlock | § 205-44.4.E(3) |
| Sale/Rent/Lease Sign (Residential) | — | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | Two per premises | On-premises | — | Unlock | § 205-44.4.E(4) |
| Contractor's Sign (Residential) | — | 6 sq ft each | — | — | Two per premises | On-building under construction | — | Unlock | § 205-44.4.E(5) |
| Temporary Sign (Residential) | — | 4 sq ft per sign | — | — | Two per lot | — | — | Unlock | § 205-44.5.C(1), (5) |
General Regulations For All Zones
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Directional Sign (Government) | — | — | — | — | — | Public ROW (must meet state/local placement regulations) | — | Unlock | Definition; § 205-44.5.A |
| Historic Marker/Tablet/Plaque | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On or in masonry/building | — | Unlock | § 205-44.5.B(1) |
| Flag/Insignia (Government) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 205-44.5.B(2) |
| On-Premises Directional Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft per face | — | — | — | Integral part of approved sign master plan for development/complex. | — | Unlock | § 205-44.5.B(3), § 205-44.4.F(4) |
| Nonilluminated Warning/Private Drive Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 205-44.5.B(4) |
| No Trespassing/Posted Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | One per 50 ft of frontage | — | — | Unlock | § 205-44.5.B(5) |
| Name Plate House/Apartment/Mailbox | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On house, apartment, or mailbox | — | Unlock | § 205-44.5.B(6) |
| Lamppost Resident Sign | — | 1 sq ft per face, two faces | — | — | — | On lamppost | — | Unlock | § 205-44.5.B(7) |
PermitPal covers all 4 zoning districts in Westminster 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 4 zones for Westminster Town — start freeProhibited Signs in Westminster Town
- No signs or advertising devices of any kind or nature shall be erected on any premises or affixed to the outside of any structure or be visible from the outside of any structure in Westminster, except as specifically permitted in this section.
- No person shall make any marks, letters or figures of any kind or place any sign, advertisement or placard upon or against any wall, fence, post, ledge, stone, tree, building or structure or upon any street in this town without the permission of the owner thereof.
- No sign shall obstruct the vision between a height of three feet and 10 feet above the surface of the street on a corner of two street rights-of-way.
- No private sign shall be placed on public property.
- No sign shall be placed on private property without written permission of the property owner.
- No sign together with any supporting device shall extend to a height above 20 feet.
- Signs must not dominate building facades or obscure any architectural details (including but not limited to arches, sills, moldings or cornices).
- Signs shall be placed so as not to obstruct the view of traffic.
- Supports and brackets shall not extend needlessly above the cornice line of the building to which the sign is attached.
- Except as otherwise permitted, all information conveyed by any sign shall pertain to the premises on which the sign is located.
- In residential districts, all signs or advertising devices shall be stationary and shall not contain any visible moving or movable parts.
- No sign or advertising device in residential districts shall be of neon or illuminated-tube type.
- Lighting of any sign or advertising device in residential districts shall be continuous (not intermittent nor flashing nor changing) and shall be so placed or hooded as to prevent direct light from shining onto any street or adjacent property.
- No sign or advertising device in residential districts shall be illuminated after 11:00 p.m.
- No signs shall be illuminated between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. unless the commercial or industrial establishment on which it is located is open for business at that time.
- No form of illumination that is flashing, moving, animated or intermittent is allowed.
- Neon signs are not allowed.
- Internally illuminated signs are not allowed.
- No connecting wires shall be exposed.
- Illumination must not produce direct glare beyond the limits of the property line.
- Awning signs (painted on or attached to fabric over a frame) are prohibited.
- Billboards (off-premises signs for printed/painted advertising) are prohibited.
- Signs with flashing, intermittent, rotating, moving or animated lights, except to show time and temperature, are prohibited.
- Signs with moving parts are prohibited.
- Any sign or sign structure that is structurally unsafe, or constitutes a hazard to safety or health due to inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, or abandonment is prohibited.
- Any sign advertising or identifying a business, service, or organization that is either defunct or no longer located on the premises is prohibited.
- It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully deface, injure, move, obstruct or interfere with any official traffic sign, signal or marking.
Exempt Signs in Westminster Town
- Temporary or permanent signs, including banners, erected and maintained by the Town, county, state or federal government for traffic direction, direction to or identification of an historic site or structure, government facility or event as approved by the Select Board.
- Historic markers, tablets, statues, memorial signs and plaques containing the names of buildings, and dates of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when installed on the building that do not exceed six square feet in total size.
- Flags and insignia of any government, except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.
- On-premise directional signs not exceeding six square feet per face and six feet in height when included as an integral part of an approved sign master plan for a development or complex. Business names and personal names shall be allowed not to exceed one square foot in area.
- Nonilluminated warning and private drive signs no larger than two square feet.
- Posted or no trespassing signs no larger than two square feet. One sign per 50 feet of frontage is allowed.
- Name plates identifying residents and numbers identifying houses, mounted on a house, apartments or mailboxes, not exceeding two square feet in area.
- Lamppost signs identifying residents, with no more than two faces and not exceeding one square foot per face. Such signs are to be nonilluminated except by a light which is an integral part of the lamppost.
- Temporary signs intended to be maintained for a continuous period of less than 60 days in any calendar year. A maximum of two temporary signs per lot in each of the prescribed cases, unless otherwise specified.
- Within residential zones, exempt temporary signs must be less than four square feet in area.
- Temporary identification signs for approved subdivisions shall not exceed 32 square feet and must be removed upon sale of the last remaining lot.
- Within commercial and industrial zones, exempt temporary signs must not exceed 32 square feet, and must be set back at least five feet from all property lines and highway rights-of-way.
- Temporary nonilluminated window signs and posters must not exceed 16 square feet in area or 30% of the window surface area.
- Exempt temporary signs must be removed within one week after the event to which they relate.
- Flag business signs made of fabric, provided only one such flag per business, not to exceed 3ft x 5ft, displayed only during business hours, pole/support not over 10ft in height, and not projecting/hanging over public right-of-way.
- While awaiting installation of a permanent sign, a business may utilize a temporary sign for no more than 30 days, or until installation of a permanent sign, whichever occurs first.
- Grand opening signs: pennants, banners, and flags may be displayed for up to 30 days after a business first opens, as long as these do not create a safety hazard.
- Flags or decorations considered to be home flags placed to show spirit, pride or seasonal activity.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Westminster Town
- Owners of single businesses or groups of contiguous commercial, industrial or residential units located together in a development may adopt a sign master plan to govern advertising.
- The sign master plan shall be approved by the Planning Board through the site plan review process specified in § 205-43, at a public hearing, and give details regarding sign placement, design, color, coordination, visibility, information messages and compatibility with the general design of the development.
- On-premise directional signs are exempt when included as an integral part of an approved sign master plan for a development or complex.
- A master sign plan is required for developments desiring coordinated, unified signage and must be approved through the site plan review and public hearing process.
Source: ecode360 municipal code