Springfield, MA Outdoor Lighting: Billboard Lighting (2026)
Key Facts
- Spillover light cap
- 0.2 foot candles at residential line
- Sign-face brightness cap
- 0.3 foot candles over ambient
- Governing section
- Zoning § 9.9.39
- Zoning districts allowed
- Business B, Industrial A only
- Permit required
- Tier 3 Special Permit
Summary
Springfield, Massachusetts caps light spilling from digital non-accessory signs (billboards) at 0.2 foot candles measured at a residential property line, on top of a 0.3 foot-candle sign-brightness cap.
9.9.39 Spillover light exceeding 0.2 foot candles as measured at a residential property line is prohibited.
9.9.40 The owner of each digital, non-accessory sign shall provide the City of Springfield's Building Department information for a 24-hour contact to be able to turn off the sign promptly should a malfunction occur.
9.9.41 If at any time, more than twenty five percent (25%) of the digital display lights malfunction or are no longer working, the owner of said digital non-accessory sign shall make repairs to the sign within thirty (30) days or the sign shall be turned off until repairs are completed.
9.9.42 If after the installation of a digital non-accessory sign, the US Department of
Transportation, Federal Highway Administration or the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Office of Outdoor Advertising, concludes that digital non-accessory signs are detrimental to traffic safety, then the hazard posed by the sign shall be resolved. If the hazard can be effectively resolved by adjusting the brightness, length of display or other such performance standard, then this shall be allowed as the course of action. However, if the hazard cannot be effectively resolved by adjusting the performance of the sign, the sign shall be removed and may be replaced with a non- digital, non-accessory sign.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Springfield's Zoning Ordinance regulates digital non-accessory signs, commonly called billboards, in Article 9's sign regulations. Beyond requiring automatic photocell dimming and capping illuminance at 0.3 foot candles over ambient light on the sign face itself, Section 9.9.39 separately caps spillover light reaching a residential property line at 0.2 foot candles. Digital billboards are limited to Business B or Industrial A zones and require a Tier 3 special permit from the City Council, with additional siting restrictions near schools, parks, and residential districts.
Violations & Fines
Enforced by the Building Commissioner under the Ordinance's general penalties: a fine up to $100 for a first offense and $300 for each subsequent offense, with each day of continuing violation a separate offense, plus possible injunctive relief in Superior Court.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Springfield
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