Article 43 ARB Presentation¶
ARTICLE 43
Marquee Signs
Annual Town Meeting || April 27, 2026
Kin Lau, Chair
Arlington Redevelopment Board
Marquee Signs
BACKGROUND – ARTICLE 43
Ø The Zoning Bylaw currently prohibits
electronic message centers and
displays. Article 43 provides a
modernization path for marquee
signs, such as those located at the
Town’s two Historic theaters, the
Capital and the Regent.
Ø Currently, theater staff must change
sign lettering manually, a task that
presents a significant safety liability.
Ø Digital marquee technology has
advanced to offer programmable LED
signs that can be integrated
appropriately into historic marquee
facades.
Ø Article 43 would apply only to
Marquee signs and would require
applicants to obtain a Special Permit
for a Marquee sign through the
Redevelopment Board.
BACKGROUND – ARTICLE 43
Cabot Theatre
Beverly, MA
The Cabot Theatre in
Beverly has installed a
digitalmarquee sign,
with the new digital
display integrated into
the historical marquee.
The Cabot was built in
the 1920s, around the
same time as both the
Capitol and Regent
Theatres.
Sources
Photo, Left: Paul, Leighton, The Beverly Beat
Photo, Right: afterthefinalcurtain.net
4
AMENDMENT TEXT
Article 43
6.2.5 Standards for Permanent Signs
D. Standards for All Permanent Building-
Mounted Sign Types. The following
sign types are allowed, subject to the
criteria listed under each sign type.
(6) Marquee Sign. Marquee signs must
comply with the standards
provided in the table below.
AMENDMENT TEXT
Amend Section 6.2.5.D.(6), as
follows:
ZONING AMENDMENT – ARTICLE 43
Marquee Sign Standards
…
Special
Provisions
Requirements
Electronic
Display
Permitted for Marquee Signs only.
Special permit required.
The electronic display shall be incorporated as
an integral architectural component of an
existing marquee and shall not be freestanding
or alter the character of the marquee structure.
Content shall be limited to the display of events,
performances, or activities occurring on the
premises. Off-premises advertising and general
commercial advertising are prohibited.
Displays shall be equipped with automatic
dimming technology that adjusts brightness in
response to ambient light conditions.
No animated features, flashing, rotating, motion
picture or application creating the illusion of
motion allowed on display. See Section 6.2.3(C).
