# Sign Regulations in Nashua, New Hampshire

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Nashua, New Hampshire (NH)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-hampshire/nashua
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-21
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/8732067#8732067)

## At a glance

Nashua, New Hampshire regulates 14 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Banner Signs in the GB, HB zoning district are capped at 9 ft tall, 27 sq ft, and 3 ft (horizontal dimension); 9 ft (vertical dimension) wide, with a 20 ft from right-of-way; minimum 100 ft from another banner sign setback (Sec. Table 99-4, § 190-99). Most commercial signs in Nashua require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 8 ft | 50% of total allowable sign area | — |
| Historic District, H (Historic) Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential District (R-A, R-B, R-C) | 3 | 8 ft | 12 sq ft | — |
| Residential District (R-C Nonresidential Uses Only) | 1 | 8 ft | 12 sq ft | — |
| Residential District (R-A, R-B, R-C, R-C Nonresidential Uses Only) | 1 | 5 ft | — | — |
| LB | 4 | 19 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| GB, HB | 7 | 40 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| PI, AI, PI/AI | 6 | 30 ft | 150 sq ft (PI/AI), 100 sq ft (GI, if not abutting residential) | — |
| GI | 5 | 30 ft | 150 sq ft (4+ lanes), 75 sq ft (<4 lanes) | — |
| D-1, D-3, D-1/D-3, Downtown District (D-1, D-3) | 5 | 19 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| FU | 1 | — | — | — |
| Nonresidential zoning districts | 1 | 5 ft | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### GB, HB

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 40 ft | 150 sq ft | — | 20 ft from right-of-way, 25 ft from intersection | 1 | On lot (min frontage 90 ft) | — | Table 101-7, § 190-101E |
| Wall Sign | — | 150 sq ft (or 125 sq ft in HB if roof/freeway sign used; 40 sq ft per business min for multi-tenant) | — | — | See formula; up to 3 | — | — | § 190-108C(1),(2), E(1),(2) |
| Projecting Sign | 30 ft | 24 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way, 25 ft from intersection | 1 | Facade; min clearance 10 ft; max projection 5 ft, not closer than 3 ft to curbline | — | Table 104-11, § 190-104 |
| Roof Sign | 10 ft above roof | 150 sq ft | — | 3 ft from exterior wall plane | 1 | On roof | — | Table 105-13, § 190-105 |
| Banner Sign | 9 ft | 27 sq ft | 3 ft (horizontal dimension); 9 ft (vertical dimension) | 20 ft from right-of-way; minimum 100 ft from another banner sign | 2-4 (based on outdoor area) | On single vertical poles within outside display area, at least 20 ft setback; not closer than 100 ft to another such sign. | — | Table 99-4, § 190-99 |
| Identification Sign | 8 ft | 20 sq ft | — | 25 ft from intersection | 1 | On premises | — | Table 102-8, § 190-102 |
| Off-Premises Sign (Billboard) | 30 ft | 150 sq ft (facing 4+ lane streets), 75 sq ft (<4 lanes) | — | 20 ft from right-of-way; 25 ft from intersection; 400 ft from residential; 1,000 ft from another billboard | 1 | 20 ft right-of-way setback; 25 ft intersection setback; min frontage 90 ft; not within 400 ft of residential; 1,000 ft from another billboard | — | Table 103-10, § 190-103 |

### PI, AI, PI/AI

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 15 ft (PI, AI abutting residential), 20 ft (not abutting residential), 20 ft (GI) | 100 sq ft (PI/AI), 75 sq ft (GI) | — | 20 ft from right-of-way, 25 ft from intersection | 1 | On lot; min frontage 100 ft | — | Table 101-7, § 190-101F, 190-101G |
| Wall Sign | — | 150 sq ft (PI/AI), 100 sq ft (GI, if not abutting residential) | — | — | — | — | — | § 190-108C(3),(4), G |
| Projecting Sign | 30 ft | 24 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way, 25 ft from intersection | 1 | Facade; min clearance 10 ft; max projection 5 ft, not closer than 3 ft to curbline | — | Table 104-11, § 190-104 |
| Banner Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Table 99-4, § 190-99 |
| Identification Sign | 8 ft | 20 sq ft | — | 25 ft from intersection | 1 | On premises | — | Table 102-8, § 190-102 |
| Off-Premises Sign (Billboard) | 30 ft | 150 sq ft (4+ lanes), 75 sq ft (<4 lanes) | — | 10 ft from right-of-way, 25 ft from intersection, 400 ft from residential, 1,000 ft from billboard | 1 | 10 ft right-of-way setback, 25 ft intersection, min 100 ft frontage, not within 400 ft of residential, 1,000 ft from another billboard | — | Table 103-10, § 190-103 |

### GI

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 20 ft | 75 sq ft (abutting residential), 100 sq ft (not abutting residential) | — | 10 ft from right-of-way, 25 ft from intersection | 1 | On lot; min frontage 100 ft | — | Table 101-7, § 190-101G, H |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq ft (not abutting residential), 32 sq ft (abutting residential or per business) | — | — | — | — | — | § 190-108C(5), G, H |
| Projecting Sign | 30 ft | 24 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way, 25 ft from intersection | 1 | Facade; min clearance 10 ft; max projection 5 ft, not closer than 3 ft to curbline | — | Table 104-11, § 190-104 |
| Identification Sign | 8 ft | 20 sq ft | — | 25 ft from intersection | 1 | On premises | — | Table 102-8, § 190-102 |
| Off-Premises Sign (Billboard) | 30 ft | 150 sq ft (4+ lanes), 75 sq ft (<4 lanes) | — | 10 ft from right-of-way, 25 ft from intersection, 400 ft from residential, 1,000 ft from billboard | 1 | 10 ft right-of-way setback, 25 ft intersection, min 100 ft frontage, not within 400 ft of residential, 1,000 ft from another billboard | — | Table 103-10, § 190-103 |

## Prohibited signs in Nashua

- Any sign not specifically authorized by this chapter is prohibited unless required by law.
- Any sign located within, on, or projecting over a property line which borders a public or private street, highway, alley, lane, parkway, avenue, road, sidewalk, or other right-of-way, except as provided in this chapter.
- Any sign attached to any public utility pole or structure, streetlight, tree, fence, fire hydrant, bridge, curb, sidewalk, park bench, or other location on public property, except as provided herein.
- Any sign placed which, by reason of its location, will obstruct the view of any authorized traffic sign, signal or other traffic control device, or which by reason of shape, color, or position interferes with or could be confused with any authorized traffic signal or device.
- Any sign which is placed so as to prevent or inhibit free ingress to or egress from any door, window, or any exit way required by the Building Code or the Fire Code.
- Any flashing sign or other sign or lighting device, whether on the exterior of the building, or on the inside of a window which is visible beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel, or from any public right-of-way, with intermittent, flashing, rotating, scintillating, blinking, or strobe light illumination, including an electronic message device, except as provided in §190-97B, or the regulations applicable to a particular sign structure.
- Any sign with unshielded incandescent, metal halide, or fluorescent light bulbs.
- Any sign which emits audible sound, odor, smoke, steam, laser or hologram lights, or other visible matter, including any sign that employs any stereopticon or motion-picture projection.
- Any sign animated by any means, including fixed aerial displays, balloons, pennants, including strings of flags, streamers or devices affected by the movement of the air.
- Any rotating sign.
- Any banners or temporary signs, except as provided for in §190-106.
- Any portable sign or attention-getting device, including but not limited to sandwich, A-frame, tire rim, animated sign, stuffed animal, or vehicle used as a sign or sign structure; and/or string of lights arranged in the shape of a product, arrow, or any commercial message, except as provided for in §190-106, or where permitted in the D Downtown District.
- Any sign mounted, attached or painted on a trailer, boat, or motor vehicle when parked, stored, or displayed conspicuously on the public right-of-way or private premises in a manner intended to attract attention of the public for advertising purposes. This excludes business signs that are permanently painted on or magnetically attached to motor vehicles or rolling stock that are regularly and consistently used to conduct normal business activities.
- Any sign painted, attached or mounted on fuel tanks, outdoor storage containers and/or solid waste receptacles or their enclosures.
- Any unauthorized sign attached to existing signs, outdoor light poles, or other structures.

## Signs exempt from permit in Nashua

- Signs installed by government bodies.
- Utility signs.
- Real estate signs not to exceed eight square feet for single-family residential properties, 16 square feet for multifamily residential properties and 32 square feet for all other uses in all other zoning districts; limited to one per each side of the property abutting a public right-of-way and must be removed within 30 days after the sale, rental or lease.
- National, state or corporate flags (corporate flags shall not exceed 40 square feet).
- Nameplates and historic markers, maximum area of two square feet.
- Building name sign, maximum sign area of 12 square feet.
- Alterations that include repainting, changing copy, or replacement of the existing sign face, except in the Historic District.
- Charitable and public service signs.
- Political signs.
- Contractor signs not to exceed 32 square feet, except on projects exceeding one acre in size where the maximum sign area shall be 64 square feet. Must be removed within 30 days after project completion.
- Directional, directory and on-site, internal, traffic control signs in accordance with §190-100.
- Temporary signs, no greater than 12 square feet, advertising on-site employment opportunities.
- Signs affixed to the interior side of a window so as to be visible from the exterior that advertise products/services available within the building, prices, payment methods, or sales, provided they do not cover more than 25% of the total visible window area.
- Lettering, logos or graphics affixed to products or packaging displayed for on-site sales.
- Lettering, logos or graphics identifying or describing products or their manufacturers, vendors or distributors affixed to exterior of equipment such as vending machines, gasoline pumps and other similar equipment.
- Lettering, logos or graphics affixed to registered motor vehicles or equipment that identify the business owners or operators of the vehicle/equipment or their manufacturers.
- Temporary signs advertising garage or yard sales or lost pets.
- On-site temporary signs advertising the opening of a new business.
- Customary signs that give warning, no larger than two square feet in area, bearing messages such as 'Beware of Dog' or 'No Trespassing.'

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign plan is required as part of a sign permit application (see §190-94C and Article XLIII).
- If a sign permit application is denied, a revised sign permit application must include revised sign plans with drawings, measurements, illumination and other items required by Article XLIII (§190-94H).
- Applicants for a sign permit must submit with the application a sign plan including information about the sign (materials, color, illumination, animation, function, etc.) (§190-278A).
- Within Historic (H) Overlay Districts, additional information is required in the sign plan including scale drawing of the building, enlarged photographs, samples of color, lettering, materials, illumination, animation, function, dimensions, placement, materials, and detailed drawings (§190-278B).
- Where groups of three or more contiguous commercial or industrial units are to be located together in a development, or where a lesser number of businesses total not less than 20,000 square feet of gross leasable area, or where three or more businesses on contiguous lots so elect, a master sign plan may be adopted (§190-109A).
- A sign master plan must be approved by the Planning Board as part of a site plan approval application and must depict placement, design, color coordination, visibility, information messages and compatibility with the general design of the development. The master sign plan must include proposed sign locations, materials, type of illumination, design of freestanding structures, size, quantity, and uniform standards for nonbusiness signage (§190-109C).
- All applications for sign permits on a lot or parcel subject to a master sign plan must comply with the master sign plan (§190-109C(3)).

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

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