# Sign Regulations in Albion, New York

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Albion, New York, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Albion, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/albion
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/7201578#7201578)

## At a glance

Albion, New York regulates 25 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Noncommercial Speech Sign (Freestanding)s in the Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-MH, R-C) zoning district are capped at 4 ft above grade tall and 6 sq ft, with a Not closer than 1/2 required setback setback (Sec. §290-100(A)(4)). Most commercial signs in Albion require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| Historic District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-MH, R-C) | 6 | 5 ft | 16 sq ft per side; max 32 sq ft both sides | — |
| Business, Commercial and Industrial Districts (CBD, GC, PC, LI) | 11 | 20 ft above finished grade | 48 sq ft per side | — |
| R-C District | 1 | 5 ft | 16 sq ft per side, 32 sq ft both sides | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Electronic Changeable Message Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Prohibited in Historic District. In residential zones (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-MH, R-C), must be perpendicular to the road. On corner lots must be 25 feet from intersection. | — | §290-95(L) |
| Off-Premises Directional Sign | — | 10 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 per establishment | — | — | §290-101(A) |
| Real Estate Development Sign - Residential Districts | — | 16 sq ft | — | 15 ft from property line or attached to face of building | — | On property being sold, leased, or developed; parallel to street or attached to building face | — | §290-101(B) |
| Real Estate Development Sign - Business/Commercial/Industrial Districts | — | 32 sq ft | — | 15 ft from property line or attached to face of building | — | On property being sold, leased, or developed; parallel to street or attached to building face | — | §290-101(B) |
| Development Identification Sign (Residential Subdivisions/Townhouses) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | One per entrance | At each entrance on a different street/highway | — | §290-101(C) |
| Bulletin Board (Places of Worship, Libraries, Museums, Social Clubs, Societies) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | One per entrance | May be erected for each entrance on a different street/highway on the institution premises | — | §290-101(D) |
| Recreation Area Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | One | — | — | §290-101(E) |
| Public Utility Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises of the public utility | — | §290-101(F) |

### Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-MH, R-C)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Noncommercial Speech Sign (Building-Mounted) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 2 per lot maximum (combined with window/freestanding) | Building, near entrance | — | §290-100(A)(3) |
| Noncommercial Speech Sign (Window) | — | 2 sq ft or 25% of window opening, whichever is less | — | — | 1 window sign per lot | Window | — | §290-100(A)(2) |
| Noncommercial Speech Sign (Freestanding) | 4 ft above grade | 6 sq ft | — | Not closer than 1/2 required setback | 2 signs per lot (aggregate, building/window/freestanding) | Freestanding on lot | — | §290-100(A)(4) |
| Temporary Sign (e.g., Political, Event, Campaign, etc.) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §290-99(A)-(C) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 | Premises for sale/rent | — | §290-98(H) |
| Monument Sign (R-C only, see also 'R-C District') | 5 ft | 16 sq ft per side; max 32 sq ft both sides | — | 15 ft from curb | 1 | — | — | §290-102.1 |

### Business, Commercial and Industrial Districts (CBD, GC, PC, LI)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft above finished grade | 48 sq ft per side | — | 15 ft front, 5 ft side; 25 ft from another freestanding sign | 1 per lot | Not less than 15 ft from front property line; 5 ft from side property line; not over or into public right-of-way | — | §290-97(B) |
| Wall Sign | — | Cumulative total – 1 sq ft/linear ft building frontage plus 1/4 sq ft per foot principal building set back from street line, up to 120 sq ft maximum. Minimum cumulative sign area per lot: 32 sq ft. | — | — | Total – 2 per lot, of which only 1 may be freestanding (§290-102(A)) | Building wall | — | §290-102(B), §290-97(A) |
| Representational Sign | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 per establishment | Attached to structure | — | §290-102(C) |
| Directory Sign (Shopping Center/Multi-Business Facility) | — | 12 sq ft per acre of land (max 64 sq ft); At entrance/exit: 2 sq ft per acre (max 12 sq ft) | — | — | See requirements | At location in complex or at vehicular entrance/exit | — | §290-103(D), (A), (B), (E) |
| Price/Product/Promotional Sign (Gasoline Service Station) | 8 ft above grade | 12 sq ft per sign (or 6 sq ft per side if double-sided) | — | — | 2 | On pump island or set not closer than 0 ft from the edge of the pavement, not in a location impairing visibility | — | §290-102(E) |
| Building-Mounted Noncommercial Speech Sign | — | No more than 1 sq ft per linear ft of store frontage, or 20% of the building face, whichever is less | — | — | 2 per lot max (combined with window/freestanding) | First-floor front facade | — | §290-100(B)(1)(e), §290-103(C) |
| Freestanding Noncommercial Speech Sign | 6 ft above grade | 20 sq ft | — | Not closer to lot line than 1/2 required setback | 2 per lot max (combined with window/building-mounted) | Freestanding | — | §290-100(B)(1)(c),(d) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | 10 ft from all property lines | 1 | Premises for sale/rent | — | §290-98(H) |

## Prohibited signs in Albion

- No illuminated signs or outdoor illumination shall direct light in a way which would create a traffic hazard or nuisance or be unreasonably detrimental to adjoining or neighboring properties.
- No sign shall be erected in such a manner as to confuse or obstruct the view of any traffic sign, signal or device.
- No sign or part thereof shall contain or consist of banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners or similar fluttering devices.
- No sign shall consist of animated or moving parts.
- No sign shall be attached to fences, utility poles or trees.
- No sign or sign support shall be erected or maintained above the peak of the roof of any building or structure.
- No sign which obscures visibility at elevations between three and seven feet above street level shall be placed or maintained within 25 feet of the intersection of the street or highway lines.
- No motor vehicle, mobile home or trailer on which is placed or painted any sign shall be parked or stationed in a manner primarily intended to display the sign.
- No sound amplifiers, public address systems or other sound devices shall be used as a means of advertising or to attract attention to a sign.
- No off-premises advertising signs shall be permitted other than as permitted under the exempt sign provisions and as provided for directional signs.
- No advertising message shall be extended over more than one sign placed along a street or highway.
- Electronic changeable message signs are prohibited within the Historic District but are otherwise permitted with specific limitations.
- Projecting signs shall not be permitted.
- Temporary signs shall not be attached to fences, trees, utility poles, bridges or traffic signs and shall not obstruct or impair vision or traffic in any manner or create a hazard or disturbance to the health and welfare of the general public.
- Garage sale signs shall not be placed on any public place or right-of-way of the Village, and no illuminated or lighted sign may be used to advertise a garage sale.
- Copy-change wall signs shall not be permitted.

## Signs exempt from permit in Albion

- Historical markers, tablets and statues, memorial signs and plaques; names of buildings and dates of erection when cut into masonry surface or constructed of bronze, stainless steel or similar material; and emblems installed by government agencies or religious or nonprofit organizations, not exceeding six square feet in area.
- Flags and insignia of any government, except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.
- Any sign placed by any governmental agency for public purposes or any nonadvertising sign identifying underground utility lines.
- On-premises directional signs for the convenience of the general public, identifying public parking areas, fire zones, entrances and exits and similar signs, not exceeding two square feet per face and six feet in height.
- Nonilluminated warning, private drive, posted or 'no trespassing' signs, not exceeding two square feet per face.
- Number and nameplate identifying residents, mounted on house, apartment or mailbox, not exceeding two square feet per face.
- Private-owner merchandise sale signs for garage sales and auctions, not exceeding four square feet for a period not to exceed seven days.
- Temporary nonilluminated 'For Sale,' 'For Rent,' real estate signs and signs of a similar nature, concerning premises upon which the sign is located, subject to specified size and duration restrictions.
- Holiday decorations, including lighting, in any district.
- Integral graphics or attached price signs on gasoline pumps at gasoline stations.
- Directional signs for meetings, conventions and other assemblies.
- One sign, of specified size, listing the architect, engineer, contractor and/or owner, on premises where construction, renovation or repair is in progress.
- Temporary, nonilluminated window signs and posters not exceeding 16 square feet in area or 25% of the window area, whichever is smaller.
- Noncommercial speech signs may be displayed without a permit, subject to restrictions by district and number/size/lighting.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- An overall sign design plan for any shopping center, plaza, mall or other multiple-commercial-use facility or industrial park shall be submitted with the application for site plan approval. The sign design plan must include plans for each principal activity and reflect a reasonable uniformity of design, lettering, lighting and material.
- Illuminated freestanding signs shall require site plan review by the Village of Albion Planning Board.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 5 zoning districts in Albion — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Albion+NY&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-albion

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