# Sign Regulations in Alden, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Alden, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/alden
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-30
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/31556090#31556090)

## At a glance

Alden, New York regulates 17 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Public Institution Bulletin Board Signs in the Restricted Commercial District (R-C) zoning district are capped at 6 feet tall and 16 square feet, with a 25 feet from lot line setback (Sec. §279-4B(3)). Most commercial signs in Alden require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 13 | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| Rural-Agricultural District (R-A) | 13 | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3) | 13 | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| Restricted Commercial District (R-C) | 17 | 8 feet | 100 square feet | — |
| Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C-3) | 21 | 25 feet | 100 square feet | — |
| Manufacturing District (M-1, M-2) | 17 | 8 feet | 100 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Restricted Commercial District (R-C)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 12 square feet | — | — | 1 | On the premises or part thereof advertised for sale, rental or lease | — | §279-4A(1) |
| Occupant Name and Address Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 | On the premises | — | §279-4A(3) |
| Construction Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 | On premises where construction, repair or renovation in progress | — | §279-4A(4) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 4 square feet | — | — | 1 | On the premises | — | §279-4A(5) |
| Public Institution Bulletin Board Sign | 6 feet | 16 square feet | — | 25 feet from lot line | 1 | On premises of public or quasi-public organization or institution | — | §279-4B(3) |
| Subdivision Identification Sign | 8 feet | 25 square feet | — | — | 1 per major entrance | At each major entrance to the residential area or subdivision | — | §279-4B(4) |
| Ground Sign | 8 feet | 50 square feet | — | Not less than 25 feet from any adjacent business or industrial lot, 50 feet from adjacent residential lot, 15 feet from street right-of-way | For individual establishments: maximum 1 total (G or W); for multiple developments: determined during site plan review | Attached to the ground by means of an integral base | — | §279-5B(2); §279-7; §279-5C; §279-6 |
| Ground Sign | 8 feet | 50 square feet | — | 25 ft from adjacent business/industrial lot, 50 ft from residential lot, 15 ft from street ROW | 1 (G or W for individual; determined for multiple) | Attached to ground by integral base | — | §279-5B(2); §279-7; §279-6 |

### Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 12 square feet | — | — | 1 | On the premises or part thereof advertised for sale, rental or lease | — | §279-4A(1) |
| Occupant Name and Address Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 | On the premises | — | §279-4A(3) |
| Public Institution Bulletin Board Sign | 6 feet | 16 square feet | — | 25 feet from lot line | 1 | On premises of public or quasi-public organization or institution | — | §279-4B(3) |
| Subdivision Identification Sign | 8 feet | 25 square feet | — | — | 1 per major entrance | At each major entrance to the residential area or subdivision | — | §279-4B(4) |
| Ground Sign | 8 feet | 50 square feet | — | Not less than 25 feet from any adjacent business or industrial lot, 50 feet from adjacent residential lot, 15 feet from street right-of-way | For individual establishments: maximum 3 total (G, P, W); for multiple developments: determined during site plan review | Attached to the ground by means of an integral base | — | §279-5B(2); §279-7; §279-5C; §279-6 |
| Pole Sign | 25 feet | 50 square feet | — | Not less than 50 feet from adjacent residential lot line | For individual establishments: maximum 3 total (G, P, W); for multiple developments: determined during site plan review | Attached to ground by one or more poles or standards | — | §279-5B(3); §279-7; §279-5C; §279-6 |
| Ground Sign | 8 feet | 50 square feet | — | 25 ft from adjacent business/industrial lot, 50 ft from residential lot, 15 ft from street ROW | 3 (G, P, W for individual; determined for multiple) | Attached to ground by integral base | — | §279-5B(2); §279-7; §279-6 |
| Pole Sign | 25 feet | 50 square feet | — | 50 ft from adjacent residential lot line | 3 (G, P, W for individual; determined for multiple) | Attached to ground by one or more poles/standards | — | §279-5B(3); §279-7; §279-6 |

### Manufacturing District (M-1, M-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 12 square feet | — | — | 1 | On the premises or part thereof advertised for sale, rental or lease | — | §279-4A(1) |
| Occupant Name and Address Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 | On the premises | — | §279-4A(3) |
| Construction Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 | On premises where construction, repair or renovation in progress | — | §279-4A(4) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 4 square feet | — | — | 1 | On the premises | — | §279-4A(5) |
| Public Institution Bulletin Board Sign | 6 feet | 16 square feet | — | 25 feet from lot line | 1 | On premises of public or quasi-public organization or institution | — | §279-4B(3) |
| Subdivision Identification Sign | 8 feet | 25 square feet | — | — | 1 per major entrance | At each major entrance to the residential area or subdivision | — | §279-4B(4) |
| Ground Sign | 8 feet | 50 square feet | — | Not less than 25 feet from any adjacent business or industrial lot, 50 feet from adjacent residential lot, 15 feet from street right-of-way | For individual establishments: maximum 2 total (G or W); for multiple developments: determined during site plan review | Attached to the ground by means of an integral base | — | §279-5B(2); §279-7; §279-5C; §279-6 |
| Ground Sign | 8 feet | 50 square feet | — | 25 ft from adjacent business/industrial lot, 50 ft from residential lot, 15 ft from street ROW | 2 (G or W for individual; determined for multiple) | Attached to ground by integral base | — | §279-5B(2); §279-7; §279-6 |

## Prohibited signs in Alden

- No sign shall be illuminated by or contain flashing, intermittent, rotating or moving lights, except as specifically permitted in § 279-6; illuminated signs must employ constant intensity lights and comply with electrical codes.
- No illuminated sign shall cause glare or reflection that constitutes a traffic hazard or nuisance on public streets, highways, sidewalks, or adjacent premises.
- No sign shall attempt to direct traffic movement or imitate official traffic signs, signals, or devices.
- No sign shall obstruct the clear and unobstructed view of official signs, roadway entrances/exits, intersections, or approaching/merging traffic for vehicle drivers.
- Off-premises signs shall be limited to business directional signs as regulated herein; other off-premises signs are prohibited.
- No signs, except those required by the Federal Aviation Administration, shall be placed, inscribed, or supported upon or above the highest part of the roofline.
- Every sign shall be maintained in a neat, safe, and structurally sound condition, with defective parts replaced, painting/repainting, and cleaning as needed.
- No sign or part thereof shall contain or consist of banners, pennants, streamers, spinners, or similar moving devices, except as provided in § 279-4B(6).
- No signs erected or maintained on a building window shall occupy more than 30% of the window's area.

## Signs exempt from permit in Alden

- One sign per building or lot for sale, rental, or lease of premises: ≤3 sq ft in residential districts, ≤12 sq ft in commercial/industrial districts (no permit required).
- Official signs, notices, or directional devices erected/maintained by federal, state, county, or local government/agency (no permit required).
- One sign denoting name and address of premises occupants: ≤2 sq ft (no permit required).
- One sign for architect, engineer, or contractor during construction/repair/renovation: ≤32 sq ft, removed within 7 days of completion (no permit required).
- One sign for home occupation: ≤4 sq ft (no permit required).
- One sign for selling farm produce grown on premises: ≤15 sq ft, non-illuminated, removed at end of season (no permit required).
- Professional nameplates: ≤4 sq ft (permit required).
- Parking lot markers, directional signs, entrance/exit signs on premises: ≤4 sq ft, no advertising (permit required).
- One illuminated sign or bulletin board for public/quasi-public organization/institution: ≤16 sq ft, ≥25 ft from lot lines, ≤6 ft height (permit required).
- One sign identifying residential area/subdivision name: ≤25 sq ft, ≤8 ft height, at each major entrance (permit required).
- Business directional signs: ≤3 sq ft, directional info only, near state highway intersections, ≥1 ft from right-of-way (permit required).
- Temporary signs (political posters, banners, promotional devices): ≤30 days permit, not attached to fences/trees/poles, no vision obstruction/hazards (permit required).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- In multiple developments (e.g., shopping plazas, office parks, industrial parks), a coordinated signage plan shall be part of the site plan review process as regulated in the Zoning Law and Building Code Administration.
- For multiple developments, signage must exhibit uniformity for unity and harmony; wall, ground, and canopy signs permitted for individual establishments, one pole sign for development name in C Districts only; Planning Board may modify standards if plan meets intent.
- No owner, tenant, or user in multiple developments shall erect/use signs deviating from the approved coordinated signage plan; new occupants must obtain Planning Board approval for signage changes.
- For multiple developments, a coordinated signage plan must be submitted to the Planning Board in addition to the sign permit application.
- Planning Board shall review and approve coordinated signage plans for multiple developments, including locations, sizes, and number of signs, prior to issuance of permits.
- Sign standards for multiple developments determined during site plan review and development of coordinated signage plan; additional signs identifying development name may be permitted at major entrances.

## 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 6 zoning districts in Alden — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Alden+NY&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-alden

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