Political signs allowed on private property in Bristol County under First Amendment and Reed v. Town of Gilbert. MGL ch. 54 and local sign codes impose reasonable time/place/manner limits. Signs in state highway ROW prohibited by MassDOT.
Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton all regulate political signs through their zoning sign codes consistent with Reed v. Town of Gilbert (2015), which bars content-based restrictions. Signs on private property are generally permitted without permit, typically limited to 6 to 16 square feet in residential districts. Signs in public rights-of-way, on utility poles, on traffic signs, and on state highway ROW (Routes 24, 140, 195, 24) are prohibited and subject to removal by DPW or MassDOT. Most local ordinances previously imposed pre-election start dates and post-election removal deadlines; those have been revised since Reed to apply uniformly to all temporary signs. Post-election removal typically expected within 7 days. Political signs on public property are barred by MGL ch. 85 §8.
Signs in right-of-way: removed by DPW without notice. Signs on state highways: MassDOT removal. Oversized private-property signs: zoning notice to reduce or remove, typical fine $50 to $300.
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See how Bristol County's political signs rules stack up against other locations.
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