Free-Standing Sidewalk Signs Pilot Program Underway

An ordinance filed by Mayor Martin J. Walsh and brought to light by Boston City Councilor At Large, Chairman of the Committee on Government Operations Michael J. Flaherty to create a pilot program regarding free-standing sidewalk signs.

Passed by the Council the bill will examine how city regulates free-standing signs in order to establish consistency and equity of signage regulation for businesses throughout the City.

The pilot program (one year), which originally started with Councilor Flaherty introducing the idea calling for a public hearing, will go into effect on January 31, 2016 and it may take a couple of weeks to put in place.

The amending of Chapter 16 of the city’s code, ordinances, regulation of advertising was a result of Docket #1080 order for a hearing regarding free-standing sidewalk signs coordinated by Councilor Flaherty.

Docket #1553 is an ordinance that replaces the current provisions of Chapter 16 Section 123 with new language regarding the distribution of advertising material and free-standing signs.

During the pilot program businesses will be allowed to use free-standing signs on public walkways provided that the businesses meet certain requirements.

All free-standing signs must comply with the following requirements: the sign must ensure accessibility of public ways and cannot interfere with public travel, signs cannot exceed 24″x36″ in dimension, signs cannot be adhered to any structures or fixtures, signs must be constructed of weather resistant material and maintained in good condition, signs can only be displayed during hours of operation, signs identifying the name, address and telephone number of the business establishment and owner of the sign, if different, signs display content limited to the business establishment’s goods, wares, services or merchandise for sale at the location of the sign and the signs cannot advertise alcohol or tobacco products. The Commissioner of Public Works is authorized to remove any free-standing signs not in compliance.

According to Councilor Flaherty’s Committee Report, in order to ensure the objectives of the ordinance, minor changes were made to Docket #1553 including adding a subsection that would establish the advertising and free-standing sign regulations as a pilot program and include a sunset provision with an end date of December 31, 2016.

These regulations will provide an opportunity for the city to implement permanent regulations and standards based upon best practices, according to the report.

In the North End there are numerous free-standing signs on just about every street sidewalk.

            Boston City Councilor Sal LaMattina whose district includes the North End supported the pilot program. “It has become a public safety problem in some of the neighborhoods and hopefully the suggested measures will help correct the problem.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.