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Springfield, MA Sign Regulations: Holiday Displays (2026)

Few Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
§ 9.2.60 Pennant Signs
Holiday/seasonal string lights
Exempt, no permit needed
Non-holiday string lights, pennants
Banned citywide
Enforcement
Building Commissioner; $100-$300/day

Summary

Springfield's sign ordinance bans pennants, streamers, balloons and decorative string lights citywide, but exempts strings of lights tied to a religious holiday or seasonal celebration from that ban entirely.

Except as specifically provided in Article 9, any SIGN consisting of or containing pennants; ribbons; streamers; spinners; balloons; strings of lights not associated with a religious holiday or seasonal celebration; flags other than those located on City property that identify a nation, state, city or town.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.

Full Breakdown

Section 9.2 of the Springfield, Massachusetts (Hampden County) Zoning Ordinance lists signs prohibited in every zoning district, and Section 9.2.60 Pennant Signs bans pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, balloons, non-holiday string lights, and most flags citywide. The same sentence carves out one exception: strings of lights associated with a religious holiday or seasonal celebration are not swept into the ban, so homeowners and businesses in the Commonwealth's third-largest city can hang holiday lights without running afoul of the sign code. The ordinance sets no specific installation or removal date window for the exemption -- it turns on the holiday or seasonal purpose of the lighting, not the calendar.

Violations & Fines

Non-holiday pennants, streamers, balloons or decorative string lights remain prohibited signs; the Building Commissioner can order removal, and § 11.1.21 sets fines of $100 for a first offense and $300 for each day the violation continues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hang holiday lights in Springfield, MA without a sign permit?
Yes. Section 9.2.60 of the Springfield Zoning Ordinance exempts string lights tied to a religious holiday or seasonal celebration from the citywide ban on pennants and decorative lighting.
Are decorative string lights allowed year-round in Springfield?
The ordinance sets no date limits for the holiday exemption; it applies whenever the lights are tied to a holiday or seasonal celebration, not to a specific calendar window.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Springfield

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSignificant RestrictionsDigital BillboardsSignificant RestrictionsFreeway-Facing SignsSome RestrictionsWindow SignsSome RestrictionsPolitical SignsFew RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Snow Removal Parking RulesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome Restrictions

All Springfield rules

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