Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Lawrence

Lawrence, MA Home Business: Signage Rules (2026)

Light Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Exempt sign size
150 square inches or less
Sign limit
One sign per residence
Lighting
Indirect illumination only, if lit
Applies in
Lawrence's local historic districts
Above the cap
Requires historic district commission certificate

Summary

Inside Lawrence's historic districts, a home-based business or professional sign is exempt from historic district review only if it is 150 square inches or smaller, limited to one sign per residence, and only indirectly illuminated if lit at all.

The authority of the district commission is not extended to the review of the following:... F.Signs of not more than 150 square inches in area in connection with use of a residence for a customary home occupation or for professional purposes, provided only one such sign is displayed in connection with each residence and if illuminated only indirectly;

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 8).

Full Breakdown

c. 40C. 060 carries a $25 application fee in the Prospect Hill district plus any costs of state historical commission review. 070(F) function as the operative cap: exceed any one of the three conditions and the sign is no longer exempt from commission review.

Violations & Fines

A sign that exceeds the 150-square-inch, one-sign, or indirect-lighting conditions of §15.36.070(F) is not automatically barred, but it forfeits the exemption and requires a certificate from the historic district commission before installation; the building inspector may not issue a permit affecting exterior features within the district without that certificate under §15.36.050.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big can a home business sign be in a Lawrence historic district?
Section 15.36.070(F) exempts signs of not more than 150 square inches used for a customary home occupation or professional purpose from historic district commission review, provided only one such sign is displayed and it is only indirectly illuminated.
What happens if a home occupation sign is bigger than 150 square inches?
It loses the automatic exemption under §15.36.070(F) and requires a certificate of appropriateness, hardship, or nonapplicability from the historic district commission before the building inspector can issue a permit, per §15.36.050.
Does this sign rule apply outside Lawrence's historic districts?
Section 15.36.070(F) is an exemption from historic district commission review, so it specifically governs signage within Lawrence's designated historic districts, not citywide; the city's separate zoning ordinance was not available to check for a broader sign rule.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Lawrence

Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Preferential Parking DistrictsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Breed RestrictionsSignificant RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/NeuterSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Pet LimitsSome Restrictions

All Lawrence rules

Compare Lawrence to another location·View the Massachusetts home business overview

Get notified when Signage Rules in Lawrence, MA changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.