Political signs on private residential property in Cambridge are allowed with size and setback limits and no permit. Signs on public property, poles, or tree-belts are prohibited.
Cambridge permits political and non-commercial signs on private residential property without a permit, subject to the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance sign limits (generally limited in size and height and must be set back from the property line). In line with Reed v. Town of Gilbert, Cambridge applies the same size and duration rules to political signs as to other temporary non-commercial signs, meaning there is no special 30-day or pre-election cutoff. Signs cannot be illuminated, cannot be placed in the public right-of-way including tree-belts, utility poles, traffic signs, or streetlights, and must not obstruct sight lines at intersections. Public Works removes signs posted illegally on public infrastructure.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Cambridge, MA
Cambridge enforces numerical decibel limits: 60 dBA day and 50 dBA night at residential receptors, with a 5 dBA penalty for tonal or impulsive sounds.
Cambridge, MA
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Cambridge, MA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Middlesex County.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle political signs.
See how Cambridge's political signs rules stack up against other locations.
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