# Sign Regulations in Portsmouth, New Hampshire

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Portsmouth, New Hampshire (NH)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-hampshire/portsmouth
- **Data last verified:** 2026-02-17
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.portsmouthnh.gov/cityclerk/city-ordinances)

## At a glance

Portsmouth, New Hampshire regulates 12 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Gateway Neighborhood Mixed Use Corridor (G1), Gateway Neighborhood Mixed Use Center (G2), General Business (GB) [Sign District 5] zoning district are capped at 20 ft maximum height for primary freestanding sign (Table 10.1253.10, Sign District 5). Additional driveway signs: 12 ft (same street); 15 ft (different street). (10.1251.30). tall and 100 sq ft per individual freestanding sign at primary driveway (Table 10.1251.20, Sign District 5). Additional driveway signs: 40 sq ft if on same street; 75 sq ft if on different street. (10.1251.30)., with a 10 ft for freestanding signs in Sign District 5 (Table 10.1253.10). Plus driveway visibility requirement in 10.1253.20. Setback measured as shortest distance from lot line to any part of sign (10.1253.40). setback (Sec. 10.1232 (Sign District 5); 10.1241 (freestanding P in Sign District 5); 10.1243; 10.1251.10 and Table 10.1251.20; 10.1251.30; 10.1253.10; 10.1261 Table; 10.1263.41–.43.). Most commercial signs in Portsmouth require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Rural Residential (R), Single Residence A (SRA), Single Residence B (SRB), General Residence A (GRA), General Residence B (GRB), General Residence C (GRC), Garden Apartment/Mobile Home Park (GA/MH), Natural Resource Protection (NRP) [Sign District 1] | 3 | Not permitted in Sign District 1 (Table 10.1253.10) | 16 sq ft per projecting sign. (Table 10.1251.20, Projecting sign, Sign District 1). | — |
| Mixed Residential Office (MRO), Mixed Residential Business (MRB), Waterfront Business (WB), Character District 4-L1 (CD4-L1), Character District 4-L2 (CD4-L2) [Sign District 2] | 5 | Primary driveway freestanding sign: maximum 7 ft (Table 10.1253.10, Sign District 2). Additional driveway signs: maximum 5 ft (10.1251.30). | 20 sq ft per individual freestanding sign at primary driveway (Table 10.1251.20, Sign District 2). Additional driveway signs: 10 sq ft when on same street as primary driveway; 10 sq ft on a different street. (10.1251.30). | — |
| Gateway Neighborhood Mixed Use Corridor (G1), Gateway Neighborhood Mixed Use Center (G2), General Business (GB) [Sign District 5] | 8 | Maximum height of a roof sign shall not exceed the lesser of 36 inches or 25% of the vertical height of the roof. (10.1272.30). Also must not extend above midway point between eaves and highest point of roof on pitched/hip/gambrel/mansard roofs; not permitted on flat roofs (10.1272.20). | 200 sq ft per individual wall sign (Table 10.1251.20, Wall sign, Sign District 5). | — |
| Business (B), Office Research (OR) [Sign District 4] | 6 | 20 ft maximum height for primary freestanding sign (Table 10.1253.10, Sign District 4). Additional driveway signs: 12 ft (same street); 12 ft (different street). (10.1251.30). | 200 sq ft per wall sign (Table 10.1251.20, Sign District 4). | — |
| Industrial (I), Waterfront Industrial (WI), Airport (AIR), Airport Industrial (AI), Pease Industrial (PI), Airport Business Commercial (ABC) [Sign District 6] | 8 | Not more than 36 in and no more than 25% of roof vertical height; must not extend above midpoint between eaves and highest point on pitched/hip/gambrel/mansard roofs; not permitted on flat roofs. (10.1272.20–.30). | 150 sq ft per primary freestanding sign (Table 10.1251.20, Sign District 6). Additional driveway signs: 40 sq ft (same street); 75 sq ft (different street). (10.1251.30). | — |
| Character District 4-W (CD4-W), Character District 4 (CD4), Character District 5 (CD5) [Sign District 3] | 5 | 12 ft maximum height for primary freestanding sign (Table 10.1253.10, Sign District 3). Additional driveway signs: 5 ft (same street and different street). (10.1251.30). | 40 sq ft per wall sign (Table 10.1251.20, Sign District 3). | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | Free‑standing sign heights per sign district (Table 10.1253.10); projecting sign clearance minimum 7 ft (10.1253.10); temporary freestanding max heights per 10.1223.32. | See each sign type above by sign district; these general rules apply across all underlying zoning districts based on sign district assignment in 10.1232. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### Gateway Neighborhood Mixed Use Corridor (G1), Gateway Neighborhood Mixed Use Center (G2), General Business (GB) [Sign District 5]

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft maximum height for primary freestanding sign (Table 10.1253.10, Sign District 5). Additional driveway signs: 12 ft (same street); 15 ft (different street). (10.1251.30). | 100 sq ft per individual freestanding sign at primary driveway (Table 10.1251.20, Sign District 5). Additional driveway signs: 40 sq ft if on same street; 75 sq ft if on different street. (10.1251.30). | — | Minimum setback from lot line: 10 ft for freestanding signs in Sign District 5 (Table 10.1253.10). Plus driveway visibility requirement in 10.1253.20. Setback measured as shortest distance from lot line to any part of sign (10.1253.40). | One primary freestanding sign per lot; plus one smaller freestanding sign at each additional driveway meeting 10.1251.30. (10.1243). | Freestanding on the lot, typically at driveways. One primary sign per lot at primary driveway; additional at other driveways allowed if they meet reduced standards (10.1243; 10.1251.30). | — | 10.1232 (Sign District 5); 10.1241 (freestanding P in Sign District 5); 10.1243; 10.1251.10 and Table 10.1251.20; 10.1251.30; 10.1253.10; 10.1261 Table; 10.1263.41–.43. |
| Wall Sign | — | 200 sq ft per individual wall sign (Table 10.1251.20, Wall sign, Sign District 5). | — | None specific; must be on building wall. If illumination devices are external, light source must be shielded so not visible 3 ft above grade at lot line and confined to sign (10.1263.10). | No explicit limit; governed by aggregate sign area (1.5 sq ft per linear foot) and per‑sign maximum 200 sq ft. Exempt building identification and entrance sign groups are size‑limited. | On building wall parallel to façade, extending ≤18 in from wall. Allowed on each street‑facing wall and on walls with a public entrance not facing a street (10.1271.10–.20). | — | 10.1232; 10.1241; 10.1251.10; Table 10.1251.20; 10.1261; 10.1262; 10.1271; 10.1222.30–.40. |
| Projecting Sign | — | 16 sq ft for ground floor use; 8 sq ft for upper‑floor use. (Table 10.1251.20, Projecting sign, Sign District 5). | — | No lot‑line setback specified; must maintain clearances and right‑of‑way license if applicable. | No explicit cap; governed by aggregate sign area and per‑sign maximums for ground vs upper floor. | Attached to and projecting from building wall at >45°. Minimum clearance 7 ft above grade; must not project within 1 ft of vehicular travel way. (10.1253.10, 10.1253.50). | — | 10.1232; 10.1241; 10.1251.10 and Table 10.1251.20; 10.1253.10 and 10.1253.50; 10.1261; 10.1262–10.1263; 10.1221.30–.40; 10.1271. |
| Parapet Sign | — | 200 sq ft per parapet sign (Table 10.1251.20, Parapet sign, Sign District 5). | — | No additional setback beyond building wall; subject to building placement. | At most one parapet sign per building side facing a street, and only where owner chooses parapet instead of wall sign above ground floor on that façade (10.1242). | Attached to parapet wall, face parallel, extending ≤18 in. (Parapet sign definition). | — | 10.1232; 10.1241 (parapet sign permitted in Sign District 5); 10.1242; Table 10.1251.20; 10.1261; Parapet and Parapet sign definitions 10.1290. |
| Roof Sign | Maximum height of a roof sign shall not exceed the lesser of 36 inches or 25% of the vertical height of the roof. (10.1272.30). Also must not extend above midway point between eaves and highest point of roof on pitched/hip/gambrel/mansard roofs; not permitted on flat roofs (10.1272.20). | 200 sq ft per roof sign (Table 10.1251.20, Roof sign, Sign District 5). | — | No separate setback; sign is on roof of principal building. | No numeric cap beyond aggregate sign area and building design; 10.1242 parapet/wall restriction does not apply to roof signs. | Located above eaves on pitched or gambrel roofs, above mansard wall top, etc., as defined. Not permitted on flat roofs. (Roof sign definition; 10.1272.20). Must be parallel to main façade (10.1272.10). | — | 10.1232; 10.1241 (roof sign permitted in Sign District 5); Table 10.1251.20; 10.1272.10–.30; 10.1261; roof sign definition 10.1290. |
| Awning Sign | — | 20 sq ft per awning sign (Table 10.1251.20, Sign District 5). | — | No explicit setback; as façade‑mounted elements they must comply with building encroachment norms and any applicable right‑of‑way licensing if projecting over public space. | No explicit limit beyond aggregate sign area. | On awning attached to building façade (Awning and Awning sign definitions). | — | 10.1232; 10.1241; Table 10.1251.20; Table 10.1261; Awning/Awning sign definitions 10.1290; 10.1262–10.1263. |
| Marquee Sign | — | 20 sq ft per marquee sign (Table 10.1251.20). | Text/graphics ≤1.5 ft tall on vertical faces (10.1273.10). | No specific setback; must comply with clearances and right‑of‑way rules for projecting structures. | No explicit cap; constrained by aggregate sign area and per‑sign maximum area. | On outside vertical faces of a marquee projecting from a building (Marquee and Marquee sign definitions; 10.1273.10). | — | 10.1232; 10.1241; Table 10.1251.20; 10.1273.10–.20; Table 10.1261; 10.1262–10.1263; 10.1221.40. |
| Canopy Sign | — | 20 sq ft per canopy sign (Table 10.1251.20, Canopy sign, Sign District 5). | — | No explicit lot‑line setback; canopy placement governed by site/building design and encroachment rules. | No explicit numeric cap; governed by aggregate sign area and per‑sign maximum. | Attached to or mounted on a canopy (freestanding rigid structure providing cover over outside service area). (Canopy and Canopy sign definitions). | — | 10.1232; 10.1241 (Canopy sign permitted in Sign District 5); Table 10.1251.20; Table 10.1261; 10.1252.40; canopy definitions 10.1290. |

### Business (B), Office Research (OR) [Sign District 4]

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft maximum height for primary freestanding sign (Table 10.1253.10, Sign District 4). Additional driveway signs: 12 ft (same street); 12 ft (different street). (10.1251.30). | 100 sq ft per primary freestanding sign (Table 10.1251.20, Sign District 4). Additional driveway signs: 20 sq ft (same street); 40 sq ft (different street). (10.1251.30). | — | Minimum setback 20 ft from lot line (Table 10.1253.10, Sign District 4). Plus driveway visibility standards 10.1253.20. | One primary freestanding sign per lot; one smaller per additional driveway (10.1243; 10.1251.30). | Freestanding, typically at driveways, supported from ground, not attached to building (Freestanding sign definition). | — | 10.1232 (Sign District 4); 10.1241; 10.1243; 10.1251.10 and Table 10.1251.20; 10.1251.30; 10.1253.10; 10.1261; 10.1262–.1263. |
| Wall Sign | — | 200 sq ft per wall sign (Table 10.1251.20, Sign District 4). | — | None beyond being on building. External lights must be shielded and confined to sign face (10.1263.10). | No explicit numeric cap; governed by aggregate sign area and per‑sign maximum. | On building wall parallel to façade (Wall sign definition). Allowed on all applicable façades per 10.1271. | — | 10.1232; 10.1241; 10.1251.10; Table 10.1251.20; Table 10.1261; 10.1262–.1263; 10.1222.30–.40; 10.1271. |
| Projecting Sign | — | 16 sq ft for ground floor use; 8 sq ft for upper‑floor use. (Table 10.1251.20, Sign District 4). | — | No lot‑line setback defined; must maintain 7 ft clearance and 1 ft offset from vehicular travel way. | No numeric limit; governed by aggregate area and per‑sign max. | Projecting from building wall at >45°; minimum 7 ft clearance; at least 1 ft from edge of vehicular travel way (10.1253.10, 10.1253.50). | — | 10.1232; 10.1241; 10.1251.10 and Table 10.1251.20; 10.1253.10 & 10.1253.50; Table 10.1261; 10.1262–10.1263; 10.1271; 10.1221.40. |
| Awning Sign | — | 20 sq ft per awning sign (Table 10.1251.20, Sign District 4). | — | No explicit setback; awnings project from building within right‑of‑way allowances. | No explicit cap except aggregate sign area. | On awning attached to building façade (Awning/Awning sign definitions). | — | 10.1232; 10.1241; Table 10.1251.20; Table 10.1261; 10.1262–10.1263; Awning definitions 10.1290. |
| Marquee Sign | — | 20 sq ft (Table 10.1251.20, Sign District 4). | Characters ≤1.5 ft tall on vertical faces (10.1273.10). | Not specified; controlled by building and encroachment rules. | No explicit cap; governed by aggregate sign area. | On outside vertical faces of marquee attached to and projecting from building (Marquee definitions; 10.1273.10). | — | 10.1232; 10.1241; Table 10.1251.20; 10.1273.10–.20; Table 10.1261; 10.1262–10.1263; 10.1221.40. |
| Canopy Sign | — | 20 sq ft per canopy sign (Table 10.1251.20, Sign District 4). | — | No explicit lot‑line setback; structural placement governs. | No numeric limit; governed by aggregate sign area and per‑sign max. | On canopy structure over outside service area (Canopy definitions). | — | 10.1232; 10.1241; Table 10.1251.20; 10.1252.40; Table 10.1261; 10.1262–10.1263; canopy definitions 10.1290. |

### Industrial (I), Waterfront Industrial (WI), Airport (AIR), Airport Industrial (AI), Pease Industrial (PI), Airport Business Commercial (ABC) [Sign District 6]

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft maximum height for primary freestanding sign (Table 10.1253.10, Sign District 6). Additional driveway signs: 12 ft (same street); 15 ft (different street). (10.1251.30). | 150 sq ft per primary freestanding sign (Table 10.1251.20, Sign District 6). Additional driveway signs: 40 sq ft (same street); 75 sq ft (different street). (10.1251.30). | — | Minimum setback 20 ft from lot line for freestanding signs (Table 10.1253.10, Sign District 6). Plus driveway visibility requirement (10.1253.20). | One primary freestanding sign per lot; one smaller at each additional driveway (10.1243; 10.1251.30). | Freestanding on lot, usually at driveways; definitions as above. | — | 10.1232; 10.1241; 10.1243; 10.1251.10 & Table 10.1251.20; 10.1251.30; 10.1253.10; 10.1261; 10.1262–10.1263. |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq ft per wall sign (Table 10.1251.20, Sign District 6). | — | None beyond wall‑mount; external lights must be shielded (10.1263.10). | No numeric cap; governed by aggregate sign area and per‑sign max. | On building wall parallel to façade; permitted on multiple façades per 10.1271. | — | 10.1232; 10.1241; 10.1251.10; Table 10.1251.20; Table 10.1261; 10.1262–10.1263; 10.1222.30–.40; 10.1271. |
| Projecting Sign | — | 16 sq ft for ground floor use; 8 sq ft for upper‑floor use. (Table 10.1251.20, Sign District 6). | — | No lot‑line setback specified; must maintain clearances and right‑of‑way offsets. | No explicit cap; aggregate sign area controls. | Projecting from wall at >45°; minimum 7 ft clearance; at least 1 ft from edge of vehicular travel way (10.1253.10; 10.1253.50). | — | 10.1232; 10.1241; 10.1251.10 & Table 10.1251.20; 10.1253.10 & 10.1253.50; 10.1261; 10.1262–.1263; 10.1271. |
| Parapet Sign | — | 100 sq ft per parapet sign (Table 10.1251.20, Sign District 6). | — | No additional setback; on parapet above wall. | Maximum one parapet sign per street‑facing façade instead of a wall sign above ground floor. | Attached to parapet wall parallel to wall, extending ≤18 in (Parapet sign definition). | — | 10.1232; 10.1241; 10.1242; Table 10.1251.20; Table 10.1261; Parapet sign definition 10.1290. |
| Roof Sign | Not more than 36 in and no more than 25% of roof vertical height; must not extend above midpoint between eaves and highest point on pitched/hip/gambrel/mansard roofs; not permitted on flat roofs. (10.1272.20–.30). | 100 sq ft per roof sign (Table 10.1251.20, Sign District 6). | — | No extra setback; on building roof. | No explicit cap; governed by aggregate sign area and building design. | On roof as defined; parallel to main façade (10.1272.10; roof sign definition). | — | 10.1232; 10.1241; Table 10.1251.20; 10.1272.10–.30; Table 10.1261; roof sign definition. |
| Awning Sign | — | 20 sq ft per awning sign (Table 10.1251.20, Sign District 6). | — | No explicit setback; as façade‑mounted features, they must comply with any building/right‑of‑way requirements. | No specific limit beyond aggregate area. | On awning attached to building façade (Awning definitions). | — | 10.1232; 10.1241; Table 10.1251.20; Table 10.1261; Awning definitions; 10.1262–10.1263. |
| Marquee Sign | — | 20 sq ft (Table 10.1251.20, Sign District 6). | Characters ≤1.5 ft tall (10.1273.10). | No explicit setback; subject to encroachment norms. | No explicit limit; aggregate area and per‑sign max apply. | On outside vertical faces of marquee attached to building (Marquee definitions). | — | 10.1232; 10.1241; Table 10.1251.20; 10.1273.10–.20; Table 10.1261; 10.1262–.1263; 10.1221.40. |
| Canopy Sign | — | 20 sq ft per canopy sign (Table 10.1251.20, Sign District 6). | — | No specific setback; governed by canopy location. | No numeric cap; governed by aggregate sign area and per‑sign max. | On canopy structure over outside service area (Canopy definitions). | — | 10.1232; 10.1241; Table 10.1251.20; 10.1252.40; Table 10.1261; 10.1262–10.1263; canopy definitions 10.1290. |

## Prohibited signs in Portsmouth

- Signs are permitted only as accessory uses to a permitted use on the same lot and not as principal uses on a lot; when a principal commercial use or activity is not open to the public or has been abandoned, all allowed accessory signs shall be removed regardless of their content (10.1212).
- A sign that advertises a product or service not available on the lot (an off‑premise sign) is not permitted (10.1213.20, reiterated in 10.1224.90).
- No sign shall be erected without a sign permit issued by the Code Official except as expressly allowed in the ordinance or by a decision of the Board of Adjustment (10.1221.10).
- No sign permit will be issued for any premises on which there is an outstanding violation of any part of the zoning ordinance (10.1221.20).
- Any sign located within a public right of way, including a projecting sign that extends over the public right of way, requires City Council approval and a license under Chapter 8 of the municipal code (10.1221.40).
- Animated signs are prohibited in all sign districts (10.1224.10, table at 10.1241).
- Signs that move or flash, or give the appearance of such motion (e.g., traveling lights, beacons, rotating and flashing lights), are prohibited except where such lighting devices are deemed necessary for public safety and welfare by federal, state or municipal authorities (10.1224.20).
- Banners, pennants or flags that qualify as signs under the definition of 'sign' are prohibited except as permitted by the specific flag provisions in Section 10.1222.70 (10.1224.30).
- Balloons or other inflated devices displayed more than one day per month are prohibited (10.1224.40).
- Mobile signs are prohibited (10.1224.50).
- Signs mounted, attached or painted on vehicles, trailers or boats are prohibited, except as permitted for registered motor vehicles used in the ordinary conduct of business under Section 10.1222.90 (10.1224.60).
- Any sign emitting sound is prohibited (10.1224.70).
- Any sign projected via illumination on the exterior of any structure, or on or above a surface such as a driveway, sidewalk or street, is prohibited when the structure or surface on which the sign is projected is not within the same lot as the principal use to which the sign is accessory (10.1224.80).
- Any sign not specifically allowed in a sign district is not permitted (10.1234).
- Temporary signs shall not be illuminated (10.1261.20).
- Signs shall not be illuminated between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., except during operation of a use or activity that is open to customers or the public and for not more than one hour after the activity ceases (10.1262).
- A sign or its illuminator shall not, by reason of location, shape or color, interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic or be confused with or obstruct the view or effectiveness of any official traffic signal or traffic marking (10.1263.30).
- No sign shall be erected or maintained between 2.5 feet and 10 feet above edge of pavement within the designated clear‑sight triangle where a driveway intersects with a street (10.1253.20).
- A projecting sign shall project no closer than 1 foot to the edge of the vehicular travel way (10.1253.50).
- A property owner may not accept a fee for posting or maintaining a temporary sign allowed by Section 10.1223; any sign posted or maintained in violation of this is not authorized (10.1223.34).

## Signs exempt from permit in Portsmouth

- Signs required, or deemed necessary for the public welfare and safety, by a municipal, state or federal agency (e.g., traffic control devices) are permitted without a sign permit and are not included in aggregate sign area (10.1222.10).
- Signs with sign area up to 4 square feet containing only general directive or informational content (address or unit number, directional signs to entrances/exits/parking, handicapped/no parking/loading area identification, identification/direction to a public service facility or accommodation, identification of an official inspection station, notices such as no trespassing/no hunting) are permitted without a sign permit and are not included in aggregate sign area, subject to location and height limitations (10.1222.20, 10.1222.21–10.1222.22).
- Freestanding signs pertaining to public parking in a private parking lot that has been authorized under a permit from the Department of Public Works are exempt from sign area limits regardless of sign area and do not require a sign permit (10.1222.23).
- One building identification sign per lot, either carved/embedded/embossed in the building wall above the first story (up to 12 sq ft) or a metal plaque on the wall no more than 5 feet above ground (up to 4 sq ft), is permitted without a sign permit and is not included in aggregate sign area (10.1222.30).
- Miscellaneous small signs mounted on a wall, window or door at a building entrance, limited to one grouped cluster per entrance with total group area not exceeding 4 sq ft, individual signs not exceeding 1 sq ft, and letter/graphic height not exceeding 2 inches, are permitted without a sign permit and are not included in aggregate sign area (10.1222.40).
- Internal signs (as defined: not intended to be viewed from outside the property and not visible from any street or adjacent lot) are permitted without a sign permit and are not included in aggregate sign area (10.1222.50, definition of Internal sign).
- Illuminated signs more than 3 feet behind any window or opening through which they might be visible from a private or public right of way are permitted without a sign permit and are not included in aggregate sign area (10.1222.60).
- Flags attached to a building or to a pole projecting no more than 6 feet from a building, or mounted on a flagpole, within specified number and size limits per lot and per dwelling/condominium unit, are permitted without a sign permit and are not included in aggregate sign area (10.1222.70–10.1222.72).
- Signs on registered motor vehicles that are used in the ordinary conduct of a business, provided the vehicle is not parked on or in view of a street when not actively being used in the conduct of business, are permitted without a sign permit (10.1222.80).
- Low wattage or low voltage temporary decorative lighting and displays used for holidays, festivals and special events, provided they do not pose a safety or nuisance problem due to light trespass or glare, are permitted without a sign permit (10.1222.90).
- The following temporary signs are allowed without a sign permit and are not included in aggregate sign area on a lot: (a) one temporary real estate sign while a lot or unit is for sale or lease and for 14 days after contract execution; (b) temporary signs on lots under active development, to be removed within 14 days after issuance of the first certificate of occupancy; (c) temporary signs for 120 days prior to and 14 days after an election; and (d) temporary signs up to specified small square footage limits by sign district (10.1223.10–10.1223.14).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan or general sign plan requirement is stated in the provided text.
- No provision in the provided text requires a variance meeting specifically for a sign plan.
- The only additional approval procedures mentioned are: (a) sign permits from the Code Official for most non‑exempt signs (10.1221); (b) Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic District Commission for signs in the Historic District that violate any requirement of Article 12, including design standards in Section 10.1274, in addition to the sign permit (10.1221.30); and (c) City Council approval and license for any sign located within a public right of way (10.1221.40).

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

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