Sign Regulations in Boston, MA (2026)
3 verified sign regulations for Boston, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Political Signs
Political signs in Boston are regulated under the city's sign ordinance and zoning code. The city cannot ban political signs on private property due to First Amendment protections. Signs in the public right-of-way, on city property, utility poles, and traffic infrastructure are prohibited under the Boston Municipal Code.
Boston Political Sign Regulations
Some RestrictionsMass. Gen. Laws ch. 54, Sec. 65 (Activities at Polling Places — 150-Foot Political Sign Buffer)
At an election of state or city officers... no other poster, card, handbill, placard, picture or circular intended to influence the action of the voter shall be posted, exhibited, circulated or distributed in the polling place, in the building where the polling place is located, on the walls thereof, on the premises on which the building stands, or within one hundred and fifty feet of the build...
Digital Billboards
Digital and electronic billboards are forbidden across Boston except as a Board of Appeal conditional use in three named districts, Zoning Code Article 11, Section 11-7. Even there, every approved sign is capped at 500 cd/m2 nighttime luminance, restricted to 7:00 AM to 2:00 AM operation, and limited to an eight-year permit term.
Boston Electronic Sign & Billboard Rules
Significant RestrictionsBoston Zoning Code Art. 11, § 11-7
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. ... is limited to an eight (8) year time period at which time, upon timely and proper appeal, the Board may renew the permit for an additional period of eight (8) year...
Window Signs
Outside residential districts, Boston caps window signage under Zoning Code Article 11, Section 11-2(c) and (f). A permanent, non-illuminated sign on the inside of a window glass cannot exceed thirty percent of the total glass area, and a temporary sale or event sign lasting more than fifteen days follows the same thirty percent cap without needing a permit.
Boston Window Sign Coverage Limit
Some RestrictionsBoston Zoning Code Art. 11, § 11-2(c), (f)
A permanent non-illuminated sign on the inside of the glass of a window, provided that 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, and provided that signs on ground floor windows be included in calculating the total area of signs on a sign frontage. ... Temporary signs pertaining to special s...