Sign Regulations in Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York has specific sign regulations covering 65 sign types across 15 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Awning Sign, Wall Sign, Monument Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 27, 2026
Sign Regulation Overview for Buffalo, New York
Sample Sign Requirements in Buffalo
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Awning Sign | — | 25% of each awning surface; under-awning 4 SF | Min 18 inches from curb line |
| Blade Sign | — | Refer to Table 9C (part of total 175 SF) | Min 18 inches from curb; projection max 8 ft |
| Canopy Sign | — | 25% of canopy surface; under-canopy 4 SF | Min 18 inches from curb |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for BuffaloFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
65
- Awning Sign
- Wall Sign
- Monument Sign
- Sidewalk Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
15
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Buffalo
Other Cities in New York
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Buffalo vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Buffalo, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Buffalo, regulated sign types include Awning Sign, Wall Sign, Monument Sign, Sidewalk Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Buffalo vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Buffalo are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Buffalo has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Buffalo, New York Sign Rules at a Glance
Buffalo, New York regulates 65 sign types across 15 zoning districts. Monument Signs in the N-1D Downtown/Regional Hub, N-1C Mixed-Use Core, N-1S Secondary Employment Center zoning district are capped at 10 ft tall, Part of total 175 SF per Table 9C, and 125% of pedestal width or 75% of perimeter wall face if attached wide, with a Building min 15 ft from lot line setback (Sec. Sections 9.1, 9.2.1, 9.2.7). Most commercial signs in Buffalo require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Buffalo, New York
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Buffalo (15 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N-1D Downtown/Regional Hub, N-1C Mixed-Use Core | 12 | 15 ft including supports | 25% of each awning surface; under-awning 4 SF | — |
| N-1S Secondary Employment Center | 14 | 30 ft above roadbed (highway); 40 ft non-highway | 672 SF per face +20% embellishments (highway-oriented) | — |
| N-1D Downtown/Regional Hub, N-1C Mixed-Use Core, N-1S Secondary Employment Center | 45 | 40 ft above ground (30 ft for building-mounted above roof peak) | 672 SF per face +20% for extensions/embellishments | — |
| N-2C Mixed-Use Center, N-2E Mixed-Use Edge, N-3C Mixed-Use Center, N-3E Mixed-Use Edge, D-OS Square, C-R Rail | 38 | 40 ft ground or 30 ft above roof | 672 SF +20% | — |
| N-2R Residential, N-3R Residential | 36 | 5 ft | Part of 35 SF civic | — |
| N-4-30 Single-Family, N-4-50 Single-Family | 17 | 5 ft | Part of 35 SF | — |
| D-R Residential Campus | 23 | 5 ft | 25% awning; under 4 SF | — |
| D-M Medical Campus, D-E Educational Campus, D-S Strip Retail, D-C Flex Commercial | 35 | 40 ft or 30 ft building | 672 SF +20% | — |
| D-IL Light Industrial, D-IH Heavy Industrial | 36 | 40 ft | 672 SF +20% even near residential if 1000 ft | — |
| D-OG Green, D-ON Natural | 22 | 5 ft | 25% | — |
| C-M Metro Rail | 11 | 40 ft ground or 30 ft above roof | 672 SF +20% if permitted per underlying | — |
| C-W Waterfront | 6 | 30 ft highway or 40 ft non-highway/30 ft building-mt if allowed | Prohibited except underlying D-IL/D-IH: 672 SF/face +20% extensions | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 13 | Highway 30 ft above roadbed; non 40 ft ground/30 ft above roof | Highway 672 SF/face +20%; non-highway 300 SF (exceptions 672 +20% per 9.3.2.A.1.a-b) | — |
| D-OS Square | 19 | 5 ft | Part of 35 SF | — |
| C-R Rail | 27 | 40 ft ground/30 ft above roof building-mt | 672 +20% | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Buffalo(sample of 3 of 15 zones)
N-1D Downtown/Regional Hub, N-1C Mixed-Use Core, N-1S Secondary Employment Center
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monument Sign | 10 ft | Part of total 175 SF per Table 9C | 125% of pedestal width or 75% of perimeter wall face if attached | Building min 15 ft from lot line | 1 per site per ROW frontage | Freestanding attached to pedestal or perimeter wall; building setback min 15 ft from lot line | — | Unlock | Sections 9.1, 9.2.1, 9.2.7 |
| Porch Sign | 1.5 ft not including supports | 12 SF per side | 8 ft | Vertical clearance min 7 ft from porch floor | 1 per establishment per ROW frontage | Hung from porch of building | — | Unlock | Sections 9.1, 9.2.1, 9.2.9 |
| Skyline Sign | 15 ft | Part of total 175 SF per Table 9C | 75% of facade width | Projection max 5 ft from wall | 1 per ROW frontage | Attached flat or parallel to upper band of building facade | — | Unlock | Sections 9.1, 9.2.1, 9.2.12 |
| Monument Sign | 10 ft in N-1D, N-1C, N-1S, D-M, D-E, D-S, D-C, D-IL, D-IH; 5 ft in other zones | Part of total 175 SF per Table 9C | Top width ≤125% of pedestal width; if attached to perimeter wall, ≤75% of wall face width | Building min 15 ft from lot line | 1 per site per right-of-way frontage | Freestanding attached to pedestal or integral with perimeter wall; only where building setback ≥15 ft from lot line | — | Unlock | Sections 9.1.4, 9.1.5, 9.2.1.B-C, 9.2.7 |
| Porch Sign | 1.5 ft (not including supports) | 12 SF per side | 8 ft | Vertical clearance min 7 ft from porch floor | 1 per establishment per right-of-way frontage | Hung from porch of building; viewed from sidewalk at close range | — | Unlock | Sections 9.1.4, 9.1.5, 9.2.1.B-C, 9.2.9 |
| Skyline Sign | 15 ft | Part of total 175 SF per Table 9C; +10% per story above 10 if used | 75% of facade width | Projection max 5 ft from wall | 1 per right-of-way frontage | Attached flat to or parallel to upper band of building facade | — | Unlock | Sections 9.1.4, 9.1.5, 9.2.1.B-C, 9.2.12 |
| Monument Sign | 10 ft | Part of 175 SF | 125% pedestal or 75% wall | Building 15 ft lot line | 1/site/ROW | Freestanding pedestal/wall; building ≥15 ft setback | — | Unlock | 9.1.4-5, 9.2.1.B-C, 9.2.7 |
| Porch Sign | 1.5 ft excl supports | 12 SF/side | 8 ft | Clearance 7 ft porch floor | 1/est/ROW | Hung from porch | — | Unlock | 9.1.4-5, 9.2.1.B-C, 9.2.9 |
N-2C Mixed-Use Center, N-2E Mixed-Use Edge, N-3C Mixed-Use Center, N-3E Mixed-Use Edge, D-OS Square, C-R Rail
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canopy Sign | — | 25% canopy; under 4 SF | 75% canopy | Min 18 in; clearance 7.5/7 ft | 1 per establishment | On canopy | — | Unlock | Sections 9.1, 9.2.1, 9.2.4 |
| Monument Sign | 5 ft | Part of total 35 SF | 125% pedestal or 75% wall | Building 15 ft | 1 per site | Freestanding; building setback 15 ft | — | Unlock | Sections 9.1, 9.2.1, 9.2.7 |
| Porch Sign | 1.5 ft | 12 SF | 8 ft | Clearance 7 ft | 1 | From porch | — | Unlock | Sections 9.1, 9.2.1, 9.2.9 |
| Sidewalk Sign | 3-4 ft | 10 SF | — | Min 18 in; min 15 ft between | 1 | Sidewalk | — | Unlock | Sections 9.1, 9.2.1, 9.2.11 |
| Monument Sign | 5 ft | Part of total 35 SF | 125% pedestal or 75% wall face | Building min 15 ft from lot line | 1 per site per ROW frontage | Freestanding on pedestal or perimeter wall; building setback ≥15 ft | — | Unlock | Sections 9.1.4, 9.1.5, 9.2.1.B-C, 9.2.7 |
| Porch Sign | 1.5 ft not including supports | 12 SF per side | 8 ft | Vertical clearance min 7 ft from porch floor | 1 per establishment per ROW frontage | Hung from porch | — | Unlock | Sections 9.1.4, 9.1.5, 9.2.1.B-C, 9.2.9 |
| Monument Sign | 5 ft | Part of 35 SF | 125% pedestal/75% wall | 15 ft building | 1/site/ROW | Freestanding; building ≥15 ft | — | Unlock | 9.1.4-5, 9.2.1.B-C, 9.2.7 |
| Porch Sign | 1.5 ft excl supp | 12 SF/side | 8 ft | 7 ft porch floor | 1/est/ROW | Porch hung | — | Unlock | 9.1.4-5, 9.2.1.B-C, 9.2.9 |
D-IL Light Industrial, D-IH Heavy Industrial
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monument Sign | 10 ft | Part of 350 SF | — | 15 ft | 1 | Freestanding | — | Unlock | 9.2.7 |
| Pole Sign | 15 ft | Part of 350 SF | — | 7.5 ft | 1 | Poles | — | Unlock | 9.2.8 |
| Porch Sign | 1.5 ft | 12 SF | 8 ft | — | 1 | Porch | — | Unlock | 9.2.9 |
| Roof Sign | 15 ft | Part of 350 SF | 75% | — | 1 | Roof | — | Unlock | 9.2.10 |
| Skyline Sign | 15 ft | Part of 350 SF | 75% | 5 ft | 1 | Facade upper | — | Unlock | 9.2.12 |
| Monument Sign | 10 ft | Part of 350 SF | 125% pedestal or 75% wall | Building 15 ft lot line | 1/site/ROW | Freestanding pedestal/wall; building ≥15 ft setback | — | Unlock | 9.1.4-5, 9.2.1.B-C, 9.2.7 |
| Porch Sign | 1.5 ft excl supports | 12 SF/side | 8 ft | Clearance 7 ft porch floor | 1/est/ROW | Hung from porch | — | Unlock | 9.1.4-5, 9.2.1.B-C, 9.2.9 |
| Skyline Sign | 15 ft | Part of 350 SF +10%/story >10 | 75% facade width | Proj max 5 ft | 1/ROW | Parallel upper facade band | — | Unlock | 9.1.4-5, 9.2.1.B-C, 9.2.12 |
PermitPal covers all 15 zoning districts in Buffalo — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 15 zones for Buffalo — start freeProhibited Signs in Buffalo
- Abandoned or illegally erected signs are prohibited.
- Mechanically activated signs, other than barber poles and clocks, are prohibited.
- Signs or devices motivated by wind, thermal changes, or other environmental input (e.g., spinners, pinwheels, balloons, air-inflated signs) are prohibited, except for flags per Section 9.4.1.G.
- Signs on motor vehicles that are inoperable, lack current inspection or license, are not used for transportation, or are parked for more than 24 hours to advertise are prohibited.
- Signs burned, cut, painted, pasted, or affixed to rocks, trees, standpipes, fire escapes, utility poles, trash receptacles, benches, or unapproved structures/surfaces are prohibited.
- Signs painted directly on a building are prohibited, except for heritage signs per Section 9.1.7 and supplemental wall signs per Section 9.2.13.
- Signs that simulate traffic control signs/signals or use words/symbols that may interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic are prohibited.
- Temporary off-premise signs are prohibited.
- No sign may obstruct free and clear vision or use of public rights-of-way, intersections, ingress/egress points, transit stops, parking spaces, drive aisles, driveways, building entrances, fire escapes, standpipes, or accessibility ramps.
- No sign may obstruct any window or door, except window signs per Section 9.4.1.X.
- Signs must not cover architectural features of the building (e.g., transoms, insignias).
- Audio components are prohibited as part of any sign, except for drive-through menu boards per Section 9.4.1.L.
- No direct or reflected light from a sign may create hazards for pedestrians, cyclists, or motor vehicle operators.
- Colored light must not be used in a way that could be confused with traffic control devices.
- Blinking, flashing, fluttering, strobe-light effects, and streaming video are prohibited, except in the Theatre Historic District per Section 9.1.11.
- Any sign type not expressly allowed by this Ordinance is prohibited.
Exempt Signs in Buffalo
- Address signs (permanent, no permit required, max 2 SF for residential or 4 SF for non-residential, one per building per frontage).
- Athletic field signs (permanent, no permit required, may include EMC when facility in use).
- ATM signs (permanent, no permit required, limited to 'ATM' and financial institution name/logo).
- Building directory signs (permanent, no permit required, max 12 SF, one per building per frontage).
- Building identification signs (permanent, no permit required, limited to building name/function, no tenant/product advertising).
- Community bulletin boards (permanent, no permit required, max 12 SF, one per site or block face, posted signs max 2 SF).
- Flags (permanent, no permit required, must comply with U.S. flag code).
- Fuel pump signs (permanent, no permit required, max 2 SF per pump).
- Government signs (permanent, no permit required, any number/size/illumination at agency discretion).
- Home occupation signs (permanent, no permit required, max 2 SF, one per occupation, wall-mounted).
- Memorial plaques (permanent, no permit required, approval needed for public right-of-way/City property).
- Menu boards (permanent, no permit required, max 40 SF, max two per drive aisle, audio limited).
- Motor vehicle for-sale signs (permanent, no permit required, max 4 SF, one per vehicle).
- Newspaper vending box signs (permanent, no permit required, limited to periodical name).
- Parking lot directional signs (permanent, no permit required, max 4 SF and 4 ft height).
- Parking lot information signs (permanent, no permit required, max 12 SF and 6 ft height).
- Place identification signs (permanent, no permit required, max 12 SF in residential zones or 20 SF elsewhere, max 4 ft height, one per intersection).
- Property identification signs (permanent, no permit required, max 4 SF, one per building per frontage).
- Public information signs (permanent, no permit required, max 12 SF in certain zones or 20 SF elsewhere).
- Street light banner signs (permanent, no permit required, with Commissioner authorization).
- Transit advertisement signs (permanent, no permit required, by NFTA on its property/vehicles).
- Utility signs (permanent, no permit required, limited to utility identification/hazards).
- Vending machine signs (permanent, no permit required, limited to vended products).
- Window signs (permanent, no permit required, max 25% of window area or 4 SF).
- Banner signs (temporary, no permit required, max 35 SF, display periods limited, max three per year).
- Construction signs (temporary, no permit required, max 35 SF, one per site, during construction only).
- Non-commercial signs (temporary, no permit required, any non-commercial message).
- Real estate signs (temporary, no permit required, max 6 SF residential or 12 SF non-residential, one per frontage, display during sale/lease/open house only).
- Trailer signs (temporary, no permit required, max 35 SF, one per frontage, no EMC, display periods limited).
- Yard/garage sale signs (temporary, no permit required, max 6 SF and 4 ft height, one per site, display during sale only, max three per year).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Buffalo
- Electronic Message Centers (EMC) require a special use permit in N-1D, N-1C, N-1S, N-3E, N-3R zones; permitted by right in some zones like N-4-30, N-4-50, D zones; civic uses may install with special use permit in certain zones.
- Off-premise signs not oriented to a highway require a special use permit in N-1C, N-1S, N-3C zones if building-mounted.
- Highway-oriented off-premise signs are permitted by right in specified zones without additional plan mention.
- Certain sign illuminations (e.g., EMC) require special use permits in various zones per Table 9A.
Source: other municipal code