3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Suffolk County, Massachusetts.
Verified from official government sources
Political signs on private property are allowed in all Suffolk County municipalities with size limits. Boston Zoning Code Article 11 limits residential temporary signs to 6 sq ft. Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop permit political signs on private property without permits. State law (MGL c. 54, §65) bars political signs on public property and campaigning within 150 feet of a polling place on election day.
MGL c. 54, § 65 (Activities at polling places; regulations; penalties)
Section 65. At an election of state or city officers, and of town officers in towns where official ballots are used, the presiding election officer at each polling place shall, before the opening of the polls, post at least three cards of instruction, three cards containing abstracts of the laws imposing penalties upon voters, and at least three specimen ballots within the polling place outside...
Suffolk County allows temporary yard-sale signs on private property. Boston Code §16-10 requires signs to be removed after the event and prohibits posting on public property or utility poles. Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop require yard-sale signs be limited in size (roughly 4 sq ft), removed within 24 hours of the sale, and never placed on poles or traffic signs.
Suffolk County municipalities allow residential holiday decorations without permits. Displays must not block sidewalks, obstruct sight lines, or create fire hazards. Boston Fire Department (NFPA 1-based code) restricts combustible decorations in multi-unit buildings. Inflatable and noise-making displays are subject to local nuisance bylaws. Most decorations should be removed within 30-45 days after the holiday.
1 cities in Suffolk County have their own sign regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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