Boston sign permit requirements

65 sq ft per face if one use on lot; 125 sq ft per face if two or more uses; not allowed in numerous listed B, S and Harborpark districts

“if there is one use, as defined by Article 8 , on the lot, the area of each face does not exceed sixty-five square feet and the top of such sign is no higher than twenty-five feet above grade; or”

25 ft above grade (single use); 30 ft above grade (two or more uses)

“the top of such sign is no higher than twenty-five feet above grade”

24 sq ft on either side, plus an additional 10 sq ft per face allowed for a sign incorporating a public service message device (e.g. time and temperature)

“the area of the sign shall not exceed twenty-four square feet on either side, excepting that an additional ten square feet on each face is allowed for a sign which incorporates a public service message device such as a time and temperature sign;”

Bottom at least 10 ft from grade; projects no more than 6 ft (plus reasonable field-fastening allowance) from building

“the bottom of the sign is at least ten feet from grade”

30% of total glass area of windows appurtenant to the use (permanent non-illuminated interior window signs)

“the total area of the sign does not exceed thirty percent of the total glass area of windows appurtenant to the use to which the sign is accessory”

Signs shall be lighted only by continuous light, except warning signs or time/temperature signs may have intermittent illumination (except in adult entertainment districts and as provided in Section 11-7)

“signs shall be lighted only by any continuous light, except that a warning sign or a sign illuminated to show time and temperature may have intermittent illumination.”

Electronic signs are a conditional use only in the Theater District, Lansdowne Street Entertainment District and Seaport Convention Center District; forbidden elsewhere. Where allowed: hours 7:00 AM-2:00 AM, night luminance not to exceed 500 cd/m2, project no more than 5 ft.

“Electronic signs shall be conditional uses in the Theater District, Lansdowne Street Entertainment District and the Seaport Convention Center District, as shown on Appendix A. Electronic signs are forbidden elsewhere in the city.”

Temporary signs pertaining to special sales or events lasting more than 15 days may be affixed to windows, total area not exceeding 30% of the window; no permit required

“Temporary signs pertaining to special sales or events lasting more than fifteen days may be affixed to windows provided that their total area does not exceed thirty percent of the window. No permit is required for such temporary sign or signs.”

Code is not a single 'general commercial' district; rules apply to all non-residential districts with district-specific exceptions (free-standing signs excluded in many B/S districts; billboards allowed only in L, B, LM, M, I, MER, W; special provisions for Midtown Shadow Overlay / Downtown Crossing and electronic sign districts). Values reported are the general non-residential district rules.

“In all other districts, there shall not be any on-premise sign except as follows:”