# Sign Regulations in Buchanan, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Buchanan, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/buchanan
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/15765937#15765937)

## At a glance

Buchanan, New York regulates 4 sign types across 2 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Commercial District, Industrial District zoning district must be set back See clear sight triangle requirement, § 211-20C(2) (Sec. § 211-20B, § 211-20C(2), § 211-20F(1), (7)). Most commercial signs in Buchanan require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (2 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercial District, Industrial District | 3 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Commercial District, Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building wall, must not overhang or project over public rights-of-way. | — | § 211-20B(1)-(2), § 211-20C(5), (7); general from ordinance. |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | See clear sight triangle requirement, § 211-20C(2) | — | On lot, not in public right-of-way. Allowed in clear sight triangle if lower edge is at least 7 feet above grade, supported by no more than two stanchions, each no wider than 6 inches. | — | § 211-20B, § 211-20C(2), § 211-20F(1), (7) |
| Temporary Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On premises, in accordance with general location standards. | — | § 211-20C(8) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Any Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 211-20C, § 211-20F |

## Prohibited signs in Buchanan

- No sign shall impair or cause confusion of vehicular or pedestrian traffic in its design, color or placement.
- No direct light or significant glare from an illuminated sign, other than one composed of exposed bulbs or neon, shall be cast beyond the property lines of the lot on which the sign is located.
- Signs shall be designed to be compatible with the surroundings and appropriate to the architectural character of the buildings on which they are placed.
- Groups of related signs shall express uniformity and create a sense of harmonious appearance.
- Signs shall be appropriate to the types of activities they represent.
- All signs not expressly allowed either with or without a permit under this section are prohibited.
- Signs with commercial messages which do not concern a lawful activity or are misleading.
- Signs within a public right-of-way and signs attached to utility poles, other than specific exempted public and utility signs.
- Signs placed upon or above the roof of any building.
- Beacons, pennants and strings of lights which are not permanently mounted to a rigid background, other than holiday lights and decorations having no commercial message and being displayed between November 15 and January 15.
- Inflatable signs and tethered balloons.
- Animated signs.
- General advertising (billboard or posterboard) signs which direct attention to a business, commodity, service, event or other activity which is sold, offered or conducted elsewhere than on the premises upon which such sign is located.
- Any sign which cannot be classified from the sign categories specifically permitted or exempted by this section shall be removed within one year of the effective date of this section.
- All other signs which do not meet the provisions or standards of this section shall be either conformed or removed within three years of the effective date of this section.

## Signs exempt from permit in Buchanan

- Public signs erected by a governmental body to post legal notices, identify public property, convey public information and regulate pedestrian or vehicular traffic are exempt from the prohibition on signs within the public right-of-way and on utility poles.
- Bus stop signs erected by a public transit company are exempt from the prohibition on signs within the public right-of-way and on utility poles.
- Informational signs of a public utility are exempt from the prohibition on signs within the public right-of-way and on utility poles.
- Holiday lights and decorations having no commercial message and being displayed between November 15 and January 15 are exempt from the general prohibition on beacons, pennants, and strings of lights.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit is required to erect, alter or relocate any sign allowed by permit in a commercial or industrial district unless approval is given through site development plan or special permit review.
- Subsequent permits for repainting, repair, or message changes are not required, provided no changes are made to location, size, materials, method of construction, illumination, or colors from those in the initial permit or site development plan or special permit approval.
- Permit application requirements may be modified by the Building Inspector depending on the exact nature of the sign; additional or lesser information may be required.
- No explicit requirement for a 'master sign plan' is found in the ordinance text.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Buchanan, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Buchanan+NY&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-buchanan

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