# Sign Regulations in Buffalo, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Buffalo, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/buffalo
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://ecode360.com/BU1237)

## 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.

## Sign rules by zoning district (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 (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 | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Canopy Sign | — | 25% canopy; under 4 SF | 75% canopy | Min 18 in; clearance 7.5/7 ft | 1 per establishment | On canopy | — | 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 | — | Sections 9.1, 9.2.1, 9.2.7 |
| Porch Sign | 1.5 ft | 12 SF | 8 ft | Clearance 7 ft | 1 | From porch | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 10 ft | Part of 350 SF | — | 15 ft | 1 | Freestanding | — | 9.2.7 |
| Pole Sign | 15 ft | Part of 350 SF | — | 7.5 ft | 1 | Poles | — | 9.2.8 |
| Porch Sign | 1.5 ft | 12 SF | 8 ft | — | 1 | Porch | — | 9.2.9 |
| Roof Sign | 15 ft | Part of 350 SF | 75% | — | 1 | Roof | — | 9.2.10 |
| Skyline Sign | 15 ft | Part of 350 SF | 75% | 5 ft | 1 | Facade upper | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 9.1.4-5, 9.2.1.B-C, 9.2.12 |

## Prohibited 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.

## Signs exempt from permit 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

- 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.

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

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