Newton, MA Sign Regulations: Digital Billboards (2026)

Sec. 10(A) prohibits any sign containing moving parts or flashing or blinking lights that create an animated effect, exempting only the portions of a sign that solely show time and temperature, which forecloses electronic message centers or digital billboard displays that rely on motion or flashing content. Subsection (B) bars red or green sign lighting if the Chief of Police finds it would create a hazard to motor vehicle operation. Subsection (C) requires all sign illumination to be continuous, either interior, non-exposed, or exterior, of reasonable intensity, and shielded so light falls only on the sign or its supporting wall rather than onto streets or nearby property.

, except signs identifying police or fire stations, a residential building, or a commercial establishment's sign, which may stay lit from 30 minutes before opening until 30 minutes after closing. Subsection (E) allows the City Council to grant a special permit for illumination of other signs only if it finds the illumination is in the public interest. Sec. 11(A) confirms that where these local sign provisions are more restrictive than the state building code (780 CMR) on location, use, size or height, the local rule controls.