Southborough, MA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Political reference
- Banners can be used for temporary political signs, § 174-11(C)(2)(h)
- Permit
- Temporary signs need none from the Inspector of Buildings
- Display period
- Thirty days unless proper sign permits obtained
- Residential districts
- Temporary sign: 6 sq. ft., 6 feet high, 1 per lot
- Business Village and Downtown
- Temporary sign: 15 sq. ft., 10 feet high, 1 per building
- Highway Business and Industrial
- Temporary sign: 25 sq. ft., 10 feet high, 1 per lot
- Fine
- Up to $300 per offense, each day separate
Summary
In Southborough, the sign bylaw at § 174-11 names temporary political signs once: banners or similar devices, otherwise barred as signs, can be used for them. Temporary signs are listed among those needing no permit from the Inspector of Buildings, and temporary signs shall not be maintained for more than a thirty-day period unless proper sign permits have been obtained.
(1) Permit not required. The following types of signs do not require a permit from the Inspector of Buildings: ... (i) Temporary signs. ... (h) Banners, pennants, streamers, ribbons, spinners and other moving, fluttering, revolving or changing devices and strings of lights shall not be used as signs or parts thereof, provided that lights may be used as part of a religious celebration not connected to commercial promotion, and further provided that banners or similar devices may be used for temporary political signs. ... (11) Temporary signs. Temporary signs shall be removed promptly after the sale, event or reason for the sign message has been concluded. Temporary signs shall not be maintained for more than a thirty-day period, except as may be otherwise specifically provided below, as determined by the Inspector of Buildings, unless proper sign permits have been obtained.
Full Breakdown
The only political reference in the Southborough sign bylaw is in § 174-11(C)(2)(h). That subsection bars banners, pennants, streamers, ribbons, spinners and other moving, fluttering, revolving or changing devices and strings of lights as signs, then provides that lights can be used as part of a religious celebration not connected to commercial promotion and that banners or similar devices can be used for temporary political signs.
Subsection C(1)(i) lists temporary signs among the signs that do not require a permit from the Inspector of Buildings. Subsection C(2)(f) separately says no sign shall be erected or altered on the exterior of any building or on any land until an application has been filed with the Building Inspector and a permit issued by him. Both print in the same section, and the Building Inspector administers both.
Subsection C(11) sets the clock. Temporary signs shall be removed promptly after the sale, event or reason for the sign message has been concluded, and shall not be maintained for more than a thirty-day period unless proper sign permits have been obtained. The next sentence exempts signs for the sale, lease, rental or construction of real estate from the thirty-day limit; the bylaw prints no equivalent exception for political signs.
The sign table in subsection D prints no separate political row, only Temporary rows by district. In the Residential, Conservation and Research, Scientific and Professional Districts a temporary sign is 6 feet high, 6 square feet and 1 per lot. In the Business Village and Downtown Districts it is 10 feet high, 15 square feet and 1 per building. In the Highway Business, Industrial and Industrial Park Districts it is 10 feet high, 25 square feet and 1 per lot. For municipal, state, federal or private educational institutions and religious institutions in a Residential District it is 6 feet high, 12 square feet and 1 per lot.
Subsection C(2)(d) bars illumination between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. with limited exceptions.
Violations & Fines
The Building Inspector, acting as Zoning Enforcement Officer, enforces the sign bylaw under § 174-24, with a fine not exceeding $300 for each offense and each day a separate offense. Under § 174-11(C)(7) the Inspector of Buildings can order the removal of any sign that is not maintained in accordance with the Zoning Bylaw.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a political sign in Southborough?
How long can a temporary political sign stay up in Southborough?
How big can a temporary sign be in a Southborough residential district?
Can a campaign use a banner in Southborough?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Southborough
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