Somerville, MA Outdoor Lighting: Billboard Lighting (2026)

Article 10.8 (Commercial Signs) works as a closed list: §10.8.3(a)(i) permits only blade, wall, awning/canopy, suspended, sidewalk, window, display case, vertical blade/banner, yard, wall mural, and roof/skyline signs by right. Subsection (a)(ii) then closes the door on everything else, stating that sign types not on that list, 'including. but not limited to, billboards, monument signs, and pylon sign types,' are prohibited. Because a billboard cannot legally be erected in Somerville in the first place, the ordinance never had to write an illumination standard for one; the city's general Sign Illumination rule at §10.8.9 instead governs only the permitted sign types, requiring external light sources to be shielded so they light only the sign face and don't shine onto the public right-of-way or adjacent properties.

Section 10.8.5(a)(v) reinforces the ban a second way, separately listing 'billboards or signs advertising goods or services not provided on the premises' among prohibited sign features regardless of whether they're lit. These provisions were adopted by Ord. 2024-14, effective November 26, 2024, replacing the city's prior sign code. Enforcement runs through the Building Official, who oversees all zoning compliance for signs under Chapter 10.