The Planning Department recognizes that storefronts and signage significantly shape the character of a given district. To that end, The City of Boston has created regulations and guidelines to ensure that storefronts and signage complement the surrounding neighborhood while still allowing business owners to express their individuality and promote their goods and services.

Storefront and signage guidelines vary widely depending on geographic location and other factors. Please see below for more information on sign guidelines, regulations, and procedures that may apply to your business. Additionally, many signs in commercial areas of the city are subject to BPDA design review.

• Adding a new sign requires a Long Form Permit from the City of Boston's Inspectional Services Department (ISD) and may trigger Design Review.
• Replacing an existing sign requires a Short Form Permit from ISD and may trigger Design Review.
• If your building is in a Main Streets District, your sign should be reviewed by the local Main Streets organization. For more information visit Boston Main Streets.
• If your building is in a Special Zoning Overlay District, the sign or canopy must be reviewed by the Planning & Zoning and Urban Design divisions. To determine whether your property lies in a Special Zoning Overlay District, use the Zoning Viewer.
• Historic Districts have their own specific regulations regarding signs, canopies, awnings, and storefronts. Information about Historic Districts can be found in the table below.

For sign design review, please email [email protected].

The Urban Design and Zoning Reform teams are launching a joint initiative to update Boston’s sign code. The Sign Code Modernization initiative will be developed in collaboration with Boston residents and other City Departments, and will propose a zoning text amendment to the City’s sign code as well as a set of updated design guidelines for signage throughout the City.