Suffolk County, MA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Political signs in Suffolk County enjoy strong First Amendment protection following Reed v. Town of Gilbert (576 U.S. 155, 2015), which struck down content-based distinctions in sign codes. Cities may enforce content-neutral size, placement, and time regulations. Boston Zoning Code Article 11 regulates temporary signs generally: residential temporary signs cannot exceed 6 square feet in one-family/two-family districts or 12 square feet in higher-density districts. Chelsea Zoning §34-290 treats political signs as temporary and allows them on private property without permits, with size limits similar to Boston. Revere §17.16.300 permits political signs up to 6 sq ft per face in residential districts. Winthrop Zoning Bylaw §17.13 allows temporary signs up to 6 sq ft. None of the four cities may prohibit political signs outright or regulate them based on message content. State law adds restrictions: MGL c. 54, §65 prohibits political campaigning (signs, literature distribution, solicitation) within 150 feet of a polling place on election day. MGL c. 55, §18 and §39 regulate campaign-finance disclosures on signs. Signs in public rights-of-way, on utility poles, or on public property are universally prohibited — state law MGL c. 85, §8A and local ordinances treat these as litter subject to removal. Most cities require sign removal within 7-10 days after the election.