# Sign Regulations in Hingham, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Hingham, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/hingham
- **Data last verified:** 2026-02-10
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.hingham-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2145/Hingham-Zoning-By-law-PDF?bidId=#page=110)

## At a glance

Hingham, Pennsylvania regulates 15 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Directory Ground Sign (Special Permit A1)s in the Industrial District; Industrial Park District; Limited Industrial Park District; Office Park District zoning district are capped at Up to 10 ft tall, Up to 100 sq ft total area, and Up to 15 ft in length wide, with a Not specified; placement must be safe and off the main road/driveway. setback (Sec. Section V-B(3) Footnote 4 (Directory ground signs in OP, IP, LIP, Industrial Districts).). Most commercial signs in Hingham require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residence District A; Residence District B; Residence District C; Residence District D; Residence District E; Official and Open Space District | 6 | 6 ft | 20 sq ft | — |
| Business District A | 11 | 12 ft | 45 sq ft | — |
| Business District B; Waterfront Business District; Waterfront Recreation District | 8 | 12 ft | 60 sq ft | — |
| Industrial District; Industrial Park District; Limited Industrial Park District; Office Park District | 7 | 12 ft | Up to 100 sq ft total area | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | 4 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Business District A

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Sign - Parallel (As-of-right) | 5 ft above ground floor | 1 sq ft | — | n.a. | 1; secondary signs per Footnote 4 allowed (including side-street secondary sign where establishment abuts two public streets). | Affixed parallel to building wall. | — | Section V-B(3) Schedule: In Business District A; Footnotes 1, 5. |
| Building Sign - Projecting Perpendicular (Building Permit) - Option 1 | — | 4 sq ft | — | n.a. | 1 | Projecting perpendicular from building facade; may be over public sidewalk subject to 7 ft clearance. | — | Section V-B(3) Schedule: Business District A (Bldg.-Projecting; Perpendicular 4 s.f.); Footnotes 1, 5, 7. |
| Business Flag (Projecting) (Building Permit) | — | 15 sq ft | — | n.a. | 1 | Projecting from building facade. | — | Section V-B(3) Schedule: Business District A (Business flag 15 s.f. under Projecting group); Footnotes 5, 7. |
| Awning Sign (Building Permit) | — | Included within parallel building sign allowances | — | n.a. | 1 | On awning attached to facade projecting as protection against sun or rain. | — | Section V-B(3) Schedule: Business District A (Awning); Definitions (Awning; Awning Sign Area); Footnote 5. |
| Building Sign - Parallel (Building Permit) | — | 30 sq ft | — | n.a. | 1; secondary signs per Footnote 4. | Affixed parallel to building wall. | — | Section V-B(3) Schedule: Business District A (Bldg.-Parallel 30 s.f.); Footnotes 1, 5. |
| Ground Sign (As-of-right) | 6 ft | 2 sq ft | — | Minimum setback 10 ft from property lines; corner clearance requirements apply (Footnote 3). | 1 | On lot (ground/freestanding). | — | Section V-B(3) Schedule: Business District A (Ground 2 s.f., 6' height, 10' setback); Footnote 5. |
| Ground Sign (Building Permit) | 12 ft | 15 sq ft | — | Minimum setback 10 ft from property lines and 30 ft from any Residential Zoning District boundary (Footnote 3). | 1 | On lot (ground/freestanding). | — | Section V-B(3) Schedule: Business District A (Ground 15 s.f., 12' height, 10' setback, 30' from Res. Zone); Footnotes 3, 5. |
| Ground Sign (Special Permit) | 12 ft | 24 sq ft | — | Minimum setback 10 ft from property lines and 30 ft from any Residential Zoning District boundary (Footnote 3). | 1 | On lot (ground/freestanding). | — | Section V-B(3) Schedule: Business District A (Ground 24 s.f., 12' height, 10' setback, 30' from Res. Zone); Footnotes 3, 5. |

### Business District B; Waterfront Business District; Waterfront Recreation District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Sign - Parallel (As-of-right) | 5 ft above ground floor | 1 sq ft | — | n.a. | 1; secondary signs per Footnote 4 allowed. | Affixed parallel to building wall. | — | Section V-B(3) Schedule: In Business District B, Waterfront Business and Waterfront Recreation Districts; Footnotes 1, 5. |
| Building Sign - Projecting Perpendicular (Building Permit) | — | 4 sq ft | — | n.a. | 1 | Projecting perpendicular from building facade; may be over public sidewalk subject to 7 ft clearance. | — | Section V-B(3) Schedule: Business District B / Waterfront Business / Waterfront Recreation (Bldg.-Perpendicular 4 s.f.); Footnotes 1, 5, 7. |
| Building Sign - Parallel (Building Permit) | — | 30 sq ft | — | n.a. | 1; secondary signs per Footnote 4. | Affixed parallel to building wall. | — | Section V-B(3) Schedule: Business District B / Waterfront Business / Waterfront Recreation (Bldg.-Parallel 30 s.f.); Footnotes 1, 5. |
| Building Sign - Projecting Perpendicular (Special Permit) | — | 9 sq ft | — | n.a. | 1 | Projecting perpendicular from building facade. | — | Section V-B(3) Schedule: Business District B / Waterfront Business / Waterfront Recreation (Bldg.-Perpendicular 9 s.f.); Footnotes 1, 5, 7. |
| Building Sign - Parallel (Special Permit) | — | 60 sq ft | — | n.a. | See Footnote 4. | Affixed parallel to building wall. | — | Section V-B(3) Schedule: Business District B / Waterfront Business / Waterfront Recreation (Bldg.-Parallel 60 s.f.); Footnotes 1, 5, 4. |
| Ground Sign (As-of-right) | 6 ft | 2 sq ft | — | Minimum setback 10 ft from property lines; corner clearance requirements apply (Footnote 3). | 1 | On lot (ground/freestanding). | — | Section V-B(3) Schedule: Business District B / Waterfront Business / Waterfront Recreation (Ground 2 s.f., 6' height, 10' setback); Footnotes 3, 5. |
| Ground Sign (Building Permit) | 12 ft | 15 sq ft | — | Minimum setback 10 ft from property lines and 30 ft from any Residential Zoning District boundary (Footnote 3). | 1 | On lot (ground/freestanding). | — | Section V-B(3) Schedule: Business District B / Waterfront Business / Waterfront Recreation (Ground 15 s.f., 12' height, 10' setback, 30' from Res. Zone); Footnotes 3, 5. |
| Ground Sign (Special Permit) | 12 ft | 24 sq ft | — | Minimum setback 10 ft from property lines and 30 ft from any Residential Zoning District boundary (Footnote 3). | 1 | On lot (ground/freestanding). | — | Section V-B(3) Schedule: Business District B / Waterfront Business / Waterfront Recreation (Ground 24 s.f., 12' height, 10' setback, 30' from Res. Zone); Footnotes 3, 5. |

### Industrial District; Industrial Park District; Limited Industrial Park District; Office Park District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Sign - Parallel (As-of-right) | 5 ft above ground floor | 1 sq ft | — | n.a. | 1; secondary signs per Footnote 4 allowed. | Affixed parallel to building wall. | — | Section V-B(3) Schedule: In all Industrial Districts and the Office Park District; Footnotes 1, 5. |
| Building Sign - Parallel (Building Permit) | — | ≤10% of wall area | — | n.a. | 1; secondary signs per Footnote 4. | Affixed parallel to building wall. | — | Section V-B(3) Schedule: Industrial/Office Park (Bldg.-Parallel not exceeding 10% wall area - B); Footnotes 1, 5. |
| Building Sign - Parallel (Special Permit) | — | ≤10% of wall area | — | n.a. | See Footnote 4. | Affixed parallel to building wall. | — | Section V-B(3) Schedule: Industrial/Office Park (Bldg.-Parallel not exceeding 10% wall area - Z); Footnotes 1, 5, 4. |
| Ground Sign (As-of-right) | 6 ft | 2 sq ft | — | Minimum setback 10 ft from property lines; corner clearance requirements apply (Footnote 3). | 1 | On lot (ground/freestanding). | — | Section V-B(3) Schedule: Industrial/Office Park (Ground 2 s.f., 6' height, 10' setback); Footnotes 3, 5. |
| Ground Sign (Building Permit) | 12 ft | 50 sq ft | — | Minimum setback 10 ft from property lines; corner clearance requirements apply (Footnote 3). | 1 | On lot (ground/freestanding). | — | Section V-B(3) Schedule: Industrial/Office Park (Ground 50 s.f., 12' height, 10' setback - B); Footnotes 3, 5. |
| Ground Sign (Special Permit) | 12 ft | 50 sq ft per 200 ft of frontage | — | Minimum setback 10 ft from property lines; corner clearance requirements apply (Footnote 3). | Not specified in table. | On lot (ground/freestanding). | — | Section V-B(3) Schedule: Industrial/Office Park (Ground 50 s.f. per unit of 200' of frontage, 12' height, 10' setback - Z); Footnotes 3, 5. |
| Directory Ground Sign (Special Permit A1) | Up to 10 ft | Up to 100 sq ft total area | Up to 15 ft in length | Not specified; placement must be safe and off the main road/driveway. | One or more directory ground signs permitted by Special Permit A1. | Placed in a safe location off the main road or driveway; must have at least two off-street parking spaces for visitors reading the directory. | — | Section V-B(3) Footnote 4 (Directory ground signs in OP, IP, LIP, Industrial Districts). |

## Prohibited signs in Hingham

- Any sign not expressly permitted or exempted under Section V-B, including A-shaped or V-shaped signs, trailer signs, and billboards, is prohibited.
- Flashing, moving, or animated signs, or signs that attract attention by changes in light intensity or repeated motion generated by or internal to the sign, are prohibited.
- Internally illuminated signs are prohibited.
- Non-accessory signs promoting commercial activities are prohibited. Non-accessory signs promoting non-commercial activities are permitted only if they comply with Section V-B.
- No sign may be located at or near an intersection of streets or a street and driveway so as to obstruct clear vision, interfere with or be confused with traffic control devices, or otherwise create a hazard due to intensity or direction of illumination.
- No sign shall be mounted on or form part of a roof, cupola, tower, spire, chimney, enclosure, or any other object or structure located on or above a building roof.
- Parallel wall signs may not extend beyond the face of the wall horizontally or vertically and may not project more than 12 inches from the wall.
- Perpendicular wall signs may not extend above the top of the wall and may not project more than 3 feet from the wall.
- Sign lighting must be exterior, white, steady, stationary, shielded, and directed solely at the sign; backlighting is not permitted.

## Signs exempt from permit in Hingham

- Signs required or authorized by law or by permit of a federal or state government or public authority.
- Signs erected or placed on Town premises under Town By-Law or Building Code or by direction or order of the Town board or committee with lawful jurisdiction.
- Nonconforming signs as defined in the Nonconforming Signs subsection.
- Signs not exceeding 4 square feet that solely direct traffic within a parking area, indicate parking restrictions, or indicate building or unit numbers in a multi-unit complex.
- Memorial building signs or tablets denoting the name of a building and/or date of erection, not exceeding 2 square feet in residential districts or 6 square feet in other districts (subject to Historic Districts Commission regulation in local historic districts).
- Customary signs on gasoline pumps indicating the name and type of gasoline and its price.
- Holiday decorations and lights when in season.
- One unlighted ground sign advertising the sale, rental, or lease of the premises or any part thereof, not exceeding 8 square feet.
- One unlighted ground sign in a residential subdivision of six or more approved lots advertising the sale, rental, or lease of individual lots, not exceeding 40 square feet.
- One unlighted ground sign on each lot advertising the name and address of the owner, architect, engineer, and/or contractor responsible for construction on the premises, not exceeding 12 square feet.
- Paper or cardstock window signs not exceeding 11 inches by 17 inches that advertise a campaign, drive, event, or activity of a civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious organization for noncommercial purposes, provided they are removed within 30 days of initial display.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Signs permitted as-of-right (permit code N) do not require a Building Permit.
- Signs that comply with all requirements and are marked with permit code B require a Building Permit issued by the Building Commissioner.
- Signs marked with permit code Z require a Zoning Special Permit from the Board of Appeals; the Board must find the sign in harmony with the purposes of Section V-B and may specify size, height, type, location, and conditions.
- Any sign not meeting the regulations in all respects requires a Variance from the Board of Appeals under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40A, Section 10.
- After public hearing and requisite findings, the Board of Appeals may grant a Special Permit to allow more or larger signs up to the maximum total square footage allowed in the Schedule for individual businesses (see footnote 4).
- In Office Park, Industrial Park, Limited Industrial Park, and Industrial Districts (excluding retail groups), directory ground signs listing the business establishments within the development require a Special Permit A1 from the Board of Appeals; they must be placed safely off the main road with at least two off-street parking spaces and may not exceed 10 feet in height, 15 feet in length, or 100 square feet in total area.
- The Select Board may grant permits for temporary signs (one unlighted ground sign up to 4 square feet advertising a public function or activity) for a period not exceeding 30 days; temporary signs do not require Building Permits.
- Permit procedure codes: N = no permit required; B = Building Permit required; Z = Zoning Special Permit required.

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

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