According to the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance, a sign is defined as any permanent or temporary structure, device, letter, words, model, banner, pennant, insignia, trade flag, or representation used as, or which is in the nature of, an advertisement, announcement, or direction and which is designed to be seen from the outside of a building. See Section 7.13 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance.
1. Review
Article 7.000 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance.
2. Gather the information needed about your sign proposal, including:
- The type of zoning district the site is in (residential, business, office or industrial)
- The length of the building or ground-floor establishment along the street
- The type of sign(s) proposed (wall, projecting, or freestanding)
- The height from the ground level to the top of each proposed sign
- The area (in square feet) of each existing and proposed sign
- The type of illumination proposed for each sign (natural, external, internal, or indirect)
- Scale drawing(s) or sketch(es) of the building or site labeling each proposed sign and showing dimensions
3. All signs must have a permit from the Inspectional Services Department (ISD) before installation. Apply for the sign permit through the City's online permitting system with all the necessary information. The sign permit application to ISD through the City's online permitting system must include Community Development Department (CDD) Sign Certification Form Cover Sheet as well as an individual form for each type of sign (wall, projecting, freestanding and nonconforming).
4. CDD certification is a part of the sign permit application review and does not constitute issuance of a permit. The sign permit is issued by ISD upon completion of all review steps.