# Sign Regulations in Branch, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Branch, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/branch
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28

## At a glance

Branch, New York regulates 13 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Real Estate Signs in the Residence District zoning district are capped at 5 ft (Bottom of sign above ground) tall and 2 ft x 3 ft (developed property); 2 ft x 3 ft (undeveloped property), with a See location setback (Sec. §218-8A(2), §218-6G). Most commercial signs in Branch require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residence District | 2 | 5 ft (Bottom of sign above ground) | 2 ft x 3 ft (developed property); 2 ft x 3 ft (undeveloped property) | — |
| Historic District | 4 | 5 ft (Bottom of sign above ground) | Max 25 sq ft | — |
| Restricted Business District | 2 | 5 ft (Bottom of sign above ground) | 30 sq ft | — |
| Business District | 4 | 5 ft (Bottom of sign above ground for standard) | 6 ft x 6 ft (standard); greater with special exception | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | 2 sq ft | — |

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

### Residence District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name Sign | 5 ft (Bottom of sign above ground) | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | 1 per lot | — | §218-8A(1), §218-6D |
| Real Estate Sign | 5 ft (Bottom of sign above ground) | 2 ft x 3 ft (developed property); 2 ft x 3 ft (undeveloped property) | — | See location | 1 per lot | Not nearer to adjacent street/road/highway than building line (developed); not nearer than 25 ft from adjacent street/road/highway (undeveloped) | — | §218-8A(2), §218-6G |

### Historic District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (2 or fewer tenants) | 5 ft (Bottom of sign above ground) | 3 ft x 3 ft | 3 ft | — | 1 per lot | 1 per lot | — | §218-8B(1)(b)[1], §218-10 |
| Freestanding Sign (3 or more tenants) | 5 ft (Bottom of sign above ground) | 6 ft x 6 ft | 6 ft | — | 1 per lot | 1 per lot | — | §218-8B(1)(b)[2], §218-10 |
| Wall Sign | — | Max 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | 1 per lot | — | §218-8B(2), §218-5C, §218-10 |
| Real Estate Sign | 5 ft (Bottom of sign above ground) | 4 ft x 4 ft | 4 ft | — | 1 per lot | 1 per lot | — | §218-8B(3), §218-6G |

### Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 5 ft (Bottom of sign above ground for standard) | 6 ft x 6 ft (standard); greater with special exception | 6 ft (standard) | — | 1 per lot | 1 per lot (standard); with special exception per Board of Trustees | — | §218-8D(1); §218-9A; §218-5D |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per lot | 1 per lot, facing street | — | §218-8D(2); §218-5C |
| Real Estate Sign | 5 ft (Bottom of sign above ground) | 4 ft x 4 ft | 4 ft | — | 1 per lot | 1 per lot | — | §218-8D(3), §218-6G |
| Grand Opening Signs (Freestanding Nonilluminated) | — | 4 sq ft (each, up to 2 signs) | — | — | 2 per event | Freestanding, ample space between wall and curb required | — | §218-9B(2); §218-9B(1)-(10) |

## Prohibited signs in Branch

- No types of signs shall be erected or maintained in the Village of the Branch except as provided in this chapter.
- No sign shall be constructed, erected or located which will obstruct visibility for motorists or pedestrians with respect to safety on public ways or while entering or leaving a lot.
- All illuminated signs must be illuminated by a steady source with no moving or flashing parts. Illumination must not be green, red or orange-yellow if it could be confused with traffic signals.
- No sign may be constructed, erected, maintained, altered, or moved on a lot where a nonconforming sign exists.
- No signs except directional or traffic signs are permitted on public streets or rights-of-way.
- A projecting sign shall not be installed on a lot containing a freestanding sign, and vice versa.
- No such sign or any part thereof (projecting, freestanding, wall signs, etc.) shall project over any property line.
- Illumination of the periphery of any doorways or windows is prohibited, except for holiday or festival lights.
- No sign, source of illumination, advertising display, structure, poster or device shall be erected, moved, enlarged or reconstructed except as expressly permitted.
- Banners, pennants, streamers and other exterior promotional items are not allowed in any part of the Business District (except for approved grand opening events).
- Window or inside signs are not permitted in Residence and Historic Districts as per their respective regulations.
- Mechanical, battery, or electrical inflatable devices are prohibited for grand opening displays.
- No outdoor lighting or live or mechanical/digital music permitted at grand opening events.
- No sale or display of food or merchandise or other wares at grand opening events.

## Signs exempt from permit in Branch

- Name signs, real estate signs, traffic signs and signs with an area of one square foot or less do not require a permit.
- Holiday or festival lights, commonly known as 'Christmas or Hanukkah lights,' are exempted from the prohibition on illuminating the periphery of doorways or windows.
- Freestanding traffic signs are permitted in all districts.
- Nonilluminated, freestanding directional signs are permitted in any district, within specified size and number limitations.
- Signs erected by a town, county or state agency for the purpose of informing, controlling, or directing traffic are allowed.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A written permit from the Building Inspector is required to erect, construct, paint, alter, relocate, reconstruct, display or maintain any sign or illumination, except name, real estate or traffic signs and signs of one square foot or less.
- Application for a permit must include a detailed drawing or blueprint of the proposed sign, showing construction details, lettering, lighting, and a location plan.
- All requests for special exception signs are referred by the Board of Trustees to the Planning Board for recommendations.
- Variances from the provisions of this chapter may be granted by the Board of Zoning Appeals, subject to review and conditions.
- Annual renewal of sign permits (and registration of legal nonconforming signs) is required.
- The Board of Trustees may issue special permits for grand opening events, subject to specific requirements and Board approval.

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

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