# Sign Regulations in Winchendon Town, Massachusetts

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Winchendon Town, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/winchendon-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/34026988#34026988)

## At a glance

Winchendon Town, Massachusetts regulates 24 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Bracket Signs in the R80, R40, R10 zoning district are capped at 6 ft (structure), 3 ft (sign area) tall, 9 sq ft (per face), and 3 ft wide, with a 3 ft from public sidewalk setback (Sec. § 300-9.9.2; § 300-9.9.4B). Most commercial signs in Winchendon Town require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R80, R40, R10 | 14 | 50 ft | 1000 sq ft | — |
| C1, C2, I | 16 | 50 ft | 1000 sq ft | — |
| PD | 16 | 50 ft | 1000 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | — | 6 sq ft (residential), 10 sq ft (nonresidential), 40 sq ft for subdivision per district | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### R80, R40, R10

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-Frame/Sidewalk Sign | 4 ft | 8 sq ft per side | 2 ft | — | 1 per business unit | Within 8 feet from principal entrance; may be on-site or public sidewalk if does not block 4 ft accessible path. | — | § 300-9.9.1; § 300-9.9.3A; Figure 9.9.1 |
| Directory Signs and Nameplates | 6 ft above grade | 16 sq ft | — | — | See above | Building-mounted or low-profile freestanding sign; within 4 ft of entrance for nameplates | — | § 300-9.9.1; § 300-9.9.3D |
| Bracket Signs | 6 ft (structure), 3 ft (sign area) | 9 sq ft (per face) | 3 ft | 3 ft from public sidewalk | 1 per street frontage | In front of building, min 3 ft from sidewalk, 25 ft from other bracket sign | — | § 300-9.9.2; § 300-9.9.4B |
| Blade and Projecting Signs | 8 ft min from grade to bottom, 14 ft max from grade to top | 20 sq ft | 5 ft | — | 1 per business unit | May encroach public ROW but not within 4 ft of curb, min 6 in from building | — | § 300-9.9.2; § 300-9.9.4C |
| Freestanding and Yard Signs | 12 ft above grade | 12 sq ft | — | 10 ft from side, 20 ft from ROW, 50 ft from residential | 1 per street frontage | Setback: 10 ft from interior side lot line, 20 ft from ROW, 50 ft from residential district; not in public ROW | — | § 300-9.9.2; § 300-9.9.4D |
| Vertical Blade/Banner Signs | 10 ft | 20 sq ft | 4 ft | — | 1 per 15 ft facade, max 4 | Above first story. May encroach public ROW (max 3 ft projection), min 6 in from building; not above roofline | — | § 300-9.9.2; § 300-9.9.4E |
| Wall Murals | 50 ft | 1000 sq ft | 50 ft | — | 1 per building | Building facade | — | § 300-9.9.2; § 300-9.9.4H |
| Monument Signs | 5 ft (sign area), 3 ft (foundation) | 50 sq ft (per face) | 10 ft | 5 ft from front/side property line | 1 per site/development | Front edge may be 5 ft from front/side property line | — | § 300-9.9.2; § 300-9.9.4J |

### C1, C2, I

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-Frame/Sidewalk Sign | 4 ft | 8 sq ft per side | 2 ft | — | 1 per business unit | See above R80 | — | § 300-9.9.1; § 300-9.9.3A; Figure 9.9.1 |
| Display Case | Top not > 7 ft from grade | 6 sq ft (12 sq ft for theaters) | 4 ft | — | 1 per business unit | Attached to primary or secondary building wall | — | § 300-9.9.1; § 300-9.9.3B |
| Bracket Signs | 6 ft structure; 3 ft sign area | 9 sq ft | 3 ft | 3 ft from sidewalk | 1 per street frontage | In front of building; min 3 ft from sidewalk; 25 ft from another sign | — | § 300-9.9.2; § 300-9.9.4B |
| Blade and Projecting Signs | 8 ft min from grade; 14 ft max | 20 sq ft | 5 ft | — | 1 per business unit | May encroach ROW but not within 4 ft of curb; min 6 in from wall | — | § 300-9.9.2; § 300-9.9.4C |
| Freestanding and Yard Signs | 12 ft | 40 sq ft (C1/I); 20 sq ft (C2 by right), 40 sq ft (C2 by SP); 20 sq ft (PD) | — | 10 ft side, 20 ft ROW, 50 ft residential | 1 per street frontage | Setback: 10 ft side, 20 ft ROW, 50 ft from residential | — | § 300-9.9.2; § 300-9.9.4D |
| Vertical Blade/Banner Signs | 10 ft | 20 sq ft | 4 ft | — | 1 per 15 ft facade, max 4 | Above first story; may encroach ROW (max 3 ft projection), 6 in from bldg | — | § 300-9.9.2; § 300-9.9.4E |
| Marquee Signs | 6 ft or 50% of first story (whichever less); min 10 ft from grade | — | Max width: lesser of building frontage or 40 ft | 4 ft from curb | 1 per building | Above principal entrance, primary facade; 4 ft min from curb; projection 6-10 ft | — | § 300-9.9.2; § 300-9.9.4F |
| Monument Signs | 5 ft (sign), 3 ft (foundation) | 50 sq ft per face | 10 ft | 5 ft from front/side property line | 1 per property | Front edge 5 ft from front/side property line | — | § 300-9.9.2; § 300-9.9.4J |

### PD

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-Frame/Sidewalk Sign | 4 ft | 8 sq ft per side | 2 ft | — | 1 per business unit | See above | — | § 300-9.9.1; § 300-9.9.3A; Figure 9.9.1 |
| Display Case | Top not > 7 ft from grade | 6 sq ft (12 sq ft for theaters) | 4 ft | — | 1 per business unit | Attached to building wall on primary or secondary frontage | — | § 300-9.9.1; § 300-9.9.3B |
| Bracket Signs | 6 ft structure, 3 ft sign | 9 sq ft per face | 3 ft | 3 ft from sidewalk | 1 per street frontage | 3 ft from sidewalk, 25 ft from another bracket sign | — | § 300-9.9.2; § 300-9.9.4B |
| Blade and Projecting Signs | 8 ft min from grade; 14 ft max | 20 sq ft | 5 ft | — | 1 per business unit | May encroach ROW (not within 4 ft curb), 6 in from building | — | § 300-9.9.2; § 300-9.9.4C |
| Freestanding and Yard Signs | 12 ft | 20 sq ft | — | 10 ft side, 20 ft ROW, 50 ft residential | 1 per street frontage | Setback 10 ft from side, 20 ft from ROW, 50 ft from residential | — | § 300-9.9.2; § 300-9.9.4D |
| Vertical Blade/Banner Signs | 10 ft | 20 sq ft | 4 ft | — | 1 per 15 ft, max 4 | Above first story; may project up to 3 ft, 6 in from building | — | § 300-9.9.2; § 300-9.9.4E |
| Marquee Signs | 6 ft or 50% of first story; min 10 ft from grade | — | Lesser of building or 40 ft | 4 ft from curb | 1 per building | Above principal entrance, primary facade; 4 ft min from curb; 6-10 ft projection | — | § 300-9.9.2; § 300-9.9.4F |
| Monument Signs | 3 ft foundation, 5 ft sign area | 50 sq ft per face | 10 ft | 5 ft from property | 1 per site | 5 ft from front/side property line | — | § 300-9.9.2; § 300-9.9.4J |

## Prohibited signs in Winchendon Town

- All signs, including nonconforming signs, must be maintained in good condition or state of equivalent quality as approved or required by the Town. Failure to do so can result in revocation of permit and removal of sign (Sec. 300-9.4A).
- When an existing sign is removed, replaced, or repaired, all unneeded supports, braces, anchors, and supporting hardware must be removed and surfaces repaired (Sec. 300-9.4B).
- An on-premises sign advertising a discontinued business, service, or activity must be removed or have the sign face replaced within 60 days of discontinuation (Sec. 300-9.4C).
- If no new use is established within two years, the entire sign structure and mounting hardware must be removed (Sec. 300-9.4D).
- Illuminated signs indicating if a business is open must be turned off except during business hours (Sec. 300-9.6A).
- External light sources must be shielded to illuminate only the face of the sign and not shine onto public right-of-way or adjacent properties (Sec. 300-9.6B(2)).
- Electronic message or display for signs must be a continuous stream of light (nonflashing) (Sec. 300-9.6B(4)).
- Electronic display boards may not change message more than once per 10 minutes between 5:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. (Sec. 300-9.9.4D, under Electronic Display).
- Support elements and conduits must be hidden from public view to the maximum extent practical (Sec. 300-9.7A, 300-9.7B(3)).
- All electrical fixtures for signs must be installed and maintained according to Building and Electrical Code (Sec. 300-9.7B(1)).
- All electrical service for freestanding signs must be underground and concealed (Sec. 300-9.7B(2)).
- Sign structures and their associated landscape areas must be kept free of supplemental attachments or secondary uses (e.g., supplemental advertising signs, light fixtures, newspaper racks, or trash containers); use of sign structures for outdoor product display is prohibited (Sec. 300-9.7C).
- All permanent signs must be made of durable materials (Sec. 300-9.7D).
- No sign other than a supporting pole or brace (measuring 18 inches or less in width or diameter) may be located between three feet and ten feet above grade within the clear view triangle at intersections (Sec. 300-9.8).
- Temporary signs are limited to 90 days, may not be illuminated, and do not require a sign permit (Sec. 300-9.10C).
- Temporary signs cannot advertise a continuing or recurrent activity and must be removed within 7 days after information is out-of-date (Sec. 300-9.10C(1)).
- Balloon signs and air-activated graphics, feather signs (or teardrop flag), advertising murals, vehicle signs, and billboards are prohibited as temporary signs (Sec. 300-9.11).

## Signs exempt from permit in Winchendon Town

- Signs, including movable signs, erected and maintained by the Town, any municipal corporation, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or the federal government on any land, building, or structure in use by such entity (Sec. 300-9.10D(1)).
- Any signs erected by governmental entities required for public or environmental health, safety, notification purposes, or announcing the date, time, and place of elections or Town meetings (Sec. 300-9.10D(1)).
- Temporary signs meeting the standards of Section 300-9.10C do not require a sign permit, unless otherwise specified (Sec. 300-9.10C).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs placed on public property or within a public right-of-way require approval by the Town Manager or designee per the Town Manager's Policies and Procedures (Sec. 300-9.2C).
- Special permit review by the Planning Board is required for certain sign types and for all signs internally illuminated and/or including a static or dynamic message board (Sec. 300-9.9.2 Note 1, also see individual sign tables).
- Neon signs are permitted only by special permit as wall, blade, or window sign (Sec. 300-9.6E; Sec. 300-9.9.4K).
- Waivers or modifications to any requirements may be granted by the Planning Board if the waiver does not derogate from the bylaw's purpose and serves the public interest (Sec. 300-9.12).
- Sign maintenance and determination of sign compliance may require written notice and possible hearings (Sec. 300-9.4A).
- Concurrent review of sign special permits may occur with Planning Board site plan review (Sec. 300-9.3B).

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

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