Cambridge, MA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Political sign size cap
- 20 sq ft (Sec. 7.16.12.C)
- General noncommercial sign cap
- 10 sq ft (Sec. 7.16.13)
- Permit needed under cap
- No, exempt as temporary sign
- Certification trigger
- Signs over 25 sq ft (Sec. 7.19)
- Max fine
- $300 per day, per violation
Summary
Cambridge exempts political signs from a sign permit as a temporary noncommercial sign, but caps them at 20 square feet under the Zoning Ordinance. A separate 10-square-foot cap applies to noncommercial signs displayed in any district under Section 7.16.13.
C. Temporary signs of a noncommercial nature, including political signs of any kind, not exceeding twenty (20) square feet in area.
Full Breakdown
The Cambridge Zoning Ordinance treats yard signs supporting candidates or ballot questions as temporary signs under Article 7.000, Section 7.16.12(C), which exempts from the sign permit requirement "Temporary signs of a noncommercial nature, including political signs of any kind, not exceeding twenty (20) square feet in area." This sits alongside the broader Section 7.16.13 Non Commercial Signs rule, which allows noncommercial messages, including political messages, in all districts as long as the sign does not exceed ten (10) square feet in area, and specifically preserves the effect of Section 7.17 on noncommercial message display.
Because these are classified as exempt or generally permitted signs rather than signs needing Community Development Department certification, a resident does not need to file for sign certification with CDD to post a lawn sign that meets these size caps. Signs exceeding 25 square feet in area, by contrast, must be submitted to the Community Development Department for certification under Section 7.19, and CDD has ten business days to certify conformance or deny the application before the applicant can proceed to a building permit through the Inspectional Services Department.
There is no limit in the ordinance text on how far in advance of an election a political sign may go up or how long it may stay up, unlike the separate temporary holiday lighting exemption elsewhere in Article 7.000.
Violations & Fines
The Zoning Ordinance's general enforcement provision, Section 9.16, applies to sign violations: a person who violates any provision of the Ordinance may, upon conviction, be fined up to $300 per offense, with each day of a continuing violation a separate offense, or face non-criminal disposition under G.L. c. 40, § 21D with the same $300-per-day cap, enforced by the Commissioner of Inspectional Services. The Superintendent of Buildings is designated under Section 9.11 as the officer charged with enforcing the Ordinance and can deny related permits under Section 9.12 for noncompliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a political yard sign in Cambridge?
Is there a smaller size limit for political signs in Cambridge?
What happens if my political sign is too big?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cambridge
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Political Signs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle political signs.