Brockton, MA Sign Regulations: Freeway-Facing Signs (2026)

Section 27-73 of the Brockton Zoning Ordinance, adopted by Ord. No. J05 on 11-10-15, created a separate track for Electronic Advertising Boards outside the standard sign rules in Sections 27-65 through 27-67. The zoning board of appeals may grant a special permit only if the board meets every requirement of Sec. 27-73: it must sit on a C-2, I-2 or I-3 parcel abutting Route 24, face the highway for visibility to Route 24 traffic, and stay at least 1,000 linear feet from another Electronic Advertising Board on the same side of the highway.

No board may extend more than 100 feet above grade at its base, measured to the top of the supporting pole, and the display face is capped at 672 square feet, excluding frames, aprons, catwalks and safety apparatus. Boards must sit at least 10 feet from all property lines and buildings, may be one-sided, two-sided or v-shaped to serve both directions of Route 24, and cannot revolve. Under the design criteria in Sec. 27-73(6), the zoning board must find the site appropriate, in harmony with the surrounding neighborhood, and free of material visual impact on any residential district before it grants the permit.

Sec. 27-73(7) bars animated, scrolling, flashing or video-style boards, tri-vision panels, boards with sound or pyrotechnics, and any board that could be confused with a traffic signal. Under Sec. 27-73(9), the permit is contingent on an Impact Agreement between the applicant and the mayor, which can require monetary compensation or dedicated public service announcements for the city or local nonprofits.