# Sign Regulations in Batavia Town, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Batavia Town, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/batavia-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/15284133#15284133)

## At a glance

Batavia Town, New York regulates 27 sign types across 4 zoning districts. For Sale or For Rent Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 6 sq ft, with a Not less than 5 feet from lot line setback (Sec. §235-39B(2)). Most commercial signs in Batavia Town require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| Agricultural District (AG), Agricultural-Residential District (AG-R), Residential District (R), Hamlet Residential District (HR) | 8 | Freestanding: 25 ft | 40 sq ft per side | — |
| Commercial District (C), Industrial District (I), Industrial Park District (IP) | 12 | 35 ft | Depends on building size: <5,000 sq ft = 50 sq ft; 5,000-34,999 sq ft = 75 sq ft; 35,000-100,000 sq ft = 100 sq ft; >100,000 sq ft = 150 sq ft (per side) | — |
| Planned Business District (PBD), Highway Commercial District (HC) | 1 | 6 ft (freestanding) | 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign (Number and/or Nameplate) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per residence | Mounted on house, apartment or mailbox | — | §235-39B(1)(a) |
| Identification Lawn Sign | — | 1 sq ft (single-faced), 2 sq ft (double-faced) | — | — | 1 per residence | — | — | §235-39B(1)(b) |
| Farm Identification Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | Not less than 5 feet from lot line | 1 per farm | — | — | §235-39B(1)(c) |
| For Sale or For Rent Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | Not less than 5 feet from lot line | 1 per use | — | — | §235-39B(2) |
| Directional Signs (Exterior Lot Entrance) | — | 8 sq ft total for all directional signs per entrance | — | — | 2 per street entrance; unlimited interior directional signs | Per street entrance | — | §235-39B(3) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | Not less than 5 feet from lot line | — | — | — | §235-39B(4) |
| Window Sign (Nonresidential Zones) | — | — | — | — | — | Affixed to or within 12 inches directly behind the surface of a window | — | §235-39B(5) |

### Agricultural District (AG), Agricultural-Residential District (AG-R), Residential District (R), Hamlet Residential District (HR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Noncommercial Speech Sign (Freestanding) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | Not less than 5 feet from lot line | Max 2 per lot, only 1 may be a window sign | — | — | §235-39B(6)(d) |
| Noncommercial Speech Sign (Building-Mounted) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 per lot, only 1 window sign | In proximity to an exterior entrance | — | §235-39B(6)(c) |
| Noncommercial Speech Sign (Window) | — | Lesser of 25% of window or 2 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 per lot, only 1 window sign | Window | — | §235-39B(6)(b) |
| Home Occupation or Skilled Trade Shop Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | Not less than 5 feet from lot line | 1 per home occupation or skilled trade shop | — | — | §235-39D(1) |
| Mobile Home Park Identification Sign (AG-R only) | — | 20 sq ft | — | Not less than 5 feet from lot line | 1 per mobile home park | — | — | §235-39D(2) |
| Farm Produce or Garage Sale Sign (Temporary, Over 60 Days/Year) | — | 12 sq ft | — | Not less than 5 feet from lot line | 1 per use | — | — | §235-39D(3) |
| School/Church/Park/Public Building Sign | — | 40 sq ft per side | — | Not less than 5 feet from lot line | 1 per school, church, park, or public building | — | — | §235-39D(4) |
| Business Sign (Special Use Permit) | Freestanding: 25 ft | Wall: 20 sq ft; Freestanding: 8 sq ft per side | — | Freestanding: Not within 10 feet of property line | 1 per use with valid special use permit | — | — | §235-39D(5) |

### Commercial District (C), Industrial District (I), Industrial Park District (IP)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Noncommercial Speech Sign (Nonresidential Use) | 6 ft (freestanding) | 32 sq ft | — | Freestanding: Not less than 5 feet from lot line | Max 2 per lot | — | — | §235-39B(7) |
| Business Signs (Wall-mounted) | — | 200 sq ft or 10% of wall area, whichever is less | — | — | 2 per permitted use | Wall of building or portion thereof devoted to the use or activity | — | §235-39E(1) |
| Business Signs (Freestanding) | 35 ft | Depends on building size: <5,000 sq ft = 50 sq ft; 5,000-34,999 sq ft = 75 sq ft; 35,000-100,000 sq ft = 100 sq ft; >100,000 sq ft = 150 sq ft (per side) | — | Not less than 5 ft from lot line | 1 per use (2 for through lots) | Not less than 5 ft from lot line | — | §235-39E(2)(a) |
| Directory Sign (Shopping Center or Industrial Park) | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per shopping center or industrial park | — | — | §235-39E(2)(b) |
| Off-premises Directional Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | Not less than 5 ft from lot line | 2 per use | Not less than 5 ft from lot line | — | §235-39E(3) |
| Off-premises Advertising Sign | 35 ft | 300 sq ft | — | See additional requirements | 1 per parcel | — | — | §235-39G |
| Under-canopy Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | One per public entrance | Attached to underside of canopy/marquee | — | §235-39E(8) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 per occupancy/street frontage | Street frontage with public entrance | — | §235-39E(9) |

## Prohibited signs in Batavia Town

- No sign shall impair public safety.
- No sign shall restrict clear vision between a sidewalk and street, a driveway and a street, or between two streets.
- No sign shall be confused with any traffic sign or signal.
- No sign shall prevent free access to any door, window, or fire escape.
- Flashing, oscillating and revolving signs are not permitted, unless necessary for public safety or welfare.
- Any sign which by reason of its size, location, content, coloring or manner of illumination constitutes a traffic hazard or a detriment to traffic safety by obstructing the vision of drivers, or by obstruction or detraction from the visibility of any traffic control device on public streets and roads is prohibited.
- Signs which obstruct free ingress to or egress from a required door, window, fire escape or other required exit way are prohibited.
- Signs which make use of words such as 'Stop,' 'Look,' 'Danger,' and other words, phrases, symbols, or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic are prohibited.
- Any sign which has any visible moving part, visible revolving parts or visible mechanical movement of any description (except time and temperature revolving signs as allowed) or other apparent visible movement achieved by electrical or kinetic means, including intermittent electrical pulsations, or by action of normal wind current is prohibited.
- Signs or other exterior advertising structures displaying any obscene, indecent, or immoral matter are prohibited.
- Any sign attached to, or placed on, a vehicle or trailer parked on public or private property, except for signs meeting specific conditions described in §235-39I(6).
- Balloons, inflatable devices, streamers, sandwich board signs or pinwheels are prohibited except those temporarily displayed as part of a special sale, promotion or community event and only for a cumulative maximum of 21 days in any calendar year.

## Signs exempt from permit in Batavia Town

- The following types of signs are permitted in all districts without a zoning permit: identification signs (limited to certain sizes and purposes), one 'For Sale' or 'For Rent' sign not exceeding six square feet, directional signs (up to 2 per street entrance and unlimited interior to a lot, size limits apply), temporary signs (not exceeding 12 square feet, located at least five feet from a lot line, with removal requirements), window signs in nonresidential districts (subject to area restrictions), noncommercial speech signs in residential districts (up to two per lot with size/location limits), and noncommercial speech signs associated with nonresidential uses in business or industrial districts (up to two per lot, size and location restrictions, not illuminated except indirectly).
- Exemptions from the necessity of securing a permit do not relieve the owner of the responsibility for safe erection and maintenance in accordance with all other provisions.
- Interior signs (with the exception of window signs) are not regulated by this chapter.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All landlord or single owner controlled multiple-occupancy development complexes such as shopping centers, multiple-family housing units or planned industrial parks are required to submit a master sign plan to the Planning Board prior to issuance of individual sign permits.
- The master sign plan must establish standards and criteria for all signs in the complex that require permits, including sign locations, materials, illumination type, design, size, quantity, and uniform standards for nonbusiness signage.
- All applications for sign permits for signage within a multiple-occupancy development complex must comply with the approved master sign plan, and conformance will be verified by the Zoning Officer before permit issuance.
- Amendments to a master sign plan must be signed and approved by the development complex owner(s) before taking effect.
- Site plan review is required for all totally new signs in Commercial, Industrial, or Industrial Park districts; replacement signs (same type, size, and location) do not require site plan review but do require a zoning permit.
- Signs which are not specifically exempted require a permit from the Zoning Officer; construction documents and owner's consent are required for permit applications.

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

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