So, you want to put up a sign for your business – Know that all business signs require a permit and must be reviewed by the Department of Planning and Community Development BEFORE it can be approved by the Inspectional Services Department. You can apply for a sign permit here: ISD Permit Applications.

Where to start? You must know the zoning district in which your property is located. You can find the zoning district on the Property Assessment page; enter the address (street name and number must be entered separately), and then click on the Parcel ID. The resultant page will include a variety of information about this property, including the zoning district.

Signage is regulated under the Town’s Zoning Bylaw. Begin by looking in Section 2 at the definitions for the various types of signs (which may give limits to size and placement), and then by looking at Section 6.2, which has detailed information about the types, sizes, and locations of signs allowed in all the different zoning districts. You may find it helpful to look at other signs around town, especially in the neighborhood where your sign will be sited. If you have questions, contact the Planning Department office at 781-316-3095.

You may enlist the services of a sign company to help with your application, but do not make a sign until you have received your permit. When you have a design you like, and it satisfies the guidelines in Zoning Bylaw Sections 2 and 6, you may apply for a permit. The application must include:

• a clear, COLOR picture of the sign exactly as it will appear;
• the dimensions of the sign and the lettering;
• the material(s) which the sign will be constructed from;
• any lighting and wiring information; and
• the positioning and method of mounting on building or site for display.

The more information you are able to provide, the better and more quickly the Planning Department will be able to review your sign request. The review process generally takes between 5 and 15 days. When the Planning Department review is complete, your application will be returned to the Inspectional Services Department, which will further review your application and assess a fee.

Now you are ready to have your sign built and installed!

In some cases signs that do not comply with the Zoning Bylaw, generally because they are larger or in greater number than ordinarily allowed in the zoning district, may be allowed by Special Permit. The Special Permit process requires a public hearing before the Redevelopment Board at which the proposal is evaluated in terms of the architecture of the building and the use at the location. The Special Permit process takes 4-8 weeks. If your application is not in compliance with the Zoning Bylaw, the Planning Department will notify you and let you know how to apply for a Special Permit.

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Acrobat Reader Windows Media Player Word Viewer Excel Viewer PowerPoint Viewer