# Sign Regulations in Camden, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Camden, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/camden
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-20
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://villageofcamdenny.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Code-Book.zip)

## At a glance

Camden, New York regulates 27 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Sidewalk Signs in the VC Village Center (VC), VC District zoning district are capped at 4.5 feet tall, 16 square feet, and 4 feet wide, with a Minimum 3 feet from curb setback (Sec. § 150-19E(1), table rows for Sidewalk signs – VC District: “Maximum signs per building 1”; “Maximum size 16 square feet”; “Maximum height 4.5 feet”; “Maximum width 4 feet”; “Setback from curb 3 feet”; “Duration of placement – Business hours only*; * Not applicable to charities with no set business hours”). Most commercial signs in Camden require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 18 | — | 64 square feet | — |
| R-100 Residential 100 (R-100), R-60 Residential 60 (R-60), RT Residential Transition (RT) - R Districts | 6 | 6 feet | 9 square feet | — |
| VC Village Center (VC), VC District | 6 | 20 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| HC Highway Commercial (HC) and Manufacturing (M) - HC and M Districts | 6 | 20 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| P Park Overlay (P) | 1 | — | 64 square feet | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Sign Types - General Permit Requirement | — | — | — | — | — | All zoning districts | — | § 150-19A; § 150-31A(7) |
| Portable Sign (General) | — | 32 square feet maximum for temporary portable sign for new business awaiting permanent sign | — | — | 1 temporary portable sign allowed per new business during allowed period | All zoning districts (where business located) | — | § 150-19B(1) |
| Temporary Sign (General) - R Districts | — | 4 square feet each side | — | — | — | R districts (R-100, R-60, RT) | — | § 150-19C(1)-(3) |
| Temporary Sign (General) - Park Overlay (P) | — | 64 square feet | — | — | — | P Park Overlay | — | § 150-19C(2) |
| Temporary Sign (General) - All Other Zones | — | 32 square feet | — | — | — | All districts except R districts and Park Overlay (i.e., VC, HC, M) | — | § 150-19C(2)-(3) |
| Residential Identification Sign | — | 1 square foot | — | — | — | Residential premises in all districts | — | § 150-19D(5) |
| Driveway Name Sign | — | 1 square foot | — | — | — | At driveways in all zoning districts | — | § 150-19D(6) |
| No Trespassing / Posted Sign | — | 1 square foot | — | — | — | Private property in all zoning districts | — | § 150-19D(8) |

### VC Village Center (VC), VC District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 1 square foot per linear foot of building frontage or 32 square feet, whichever is greater | — | — | — | On building walls in VC District | — | § 150-19E(1), first wall-sign table row “VC District – Maximum size 1 square foot per each linear foot of building frontage or 32 square feet, whichever is greater”; § 150-18B (VC design standard) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 16 square feet | — | — | Maximum 2 projecting signs per building (1 front, 1 rear) | Projecting from building wall in VC District | — | § 150-19E(1), table rows: “Maximum signs per building – VC District: 1 sign allowed on building front wall; 1 sign allowed on building rear wall”; “Maximum size – Projecting signs – VC District: 16 square feet”; “Minimum ground clearance – Projecting signs – VC District: 10 feet” |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 feet | 32 square feet | — | Minimum 5-foot setback | — | On-site freestanding in VC District | — | § 150-19E(1), table rows for Freestanding signs – VC District: “Maximum size 32 square feet”; “Maximum height 20 feet”; “Minimum setback 5 feet” |
| Window Sign | — | 30% of window area | — | — | — | On or in windows/doors of buildings in VC District, intended for viewing from exterior | — | § 150-19E(1), table row “Window signs – VC District: Maximum size 30% of window area” |
| Sidewalk Sign | 4.5 feet | 16 square feet | 4 feet | Minimum 3 feet from curb | 1 sidewalk sign per building | On sidewalk in front of business in VC District | — | § 150-19E(1), table rows for Sidewalk signs – VC District: “Maximum signs per building 1”; “Maximum size 16 square feet”; “Maximum height 4.5 feet”; “Maximum width 4 feet”; “Setback from curb 3 feet”; “Duration of placement – Business hours only*; * Not applicable to charities with no set business hours” |
| Temporary Sign (VC) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | — | VC District | — | § 150-19C(2)-(3) |

### HC Highway Commercial (HC) and Manufacturing (M) - HC and M Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 1 square foot per each linear foot of building frontage or 32 square feet, whichever is greater | — | — | — | On building walls in HC and M districts | — | § 150-19E(1), wall sign table row “HC and M Districts – Maximum size 1 square foot per each linear foot of building frontage or 32 square feet, whichever is greater” |
| Projecting Sign | — | 16 square feet | — | — | Maximum 2 projecting signs per building (1 front, 1 rear) | Projecting from building walls in HC and M districts | — | § 150-19E(1), table rows: “Maximum signs per building – HC and M Districts: 1 sign allowed on building front wall; 1 sign allowed on building rear wall”; “Maximum size – Projecting signs – HC and M Districts: 16 square feet”; “Minimum ground clearance – HC and M Districts: 10 feet” |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 feet | 1 square foot per each linear foot of building frontage or 150 square feet, whichever is less | — | Minimum 5-foot setback | — | On-site in HC and M districts | — | § 150-19E(1), table rows for Freestanding signs – HC and M Districts: “Maximum size 1 square foot per each linear foot of building frontage or 150 square feet, whichever is less”; “Maximum height 20 feet”; “Minimum setback 5 feet” |
| Window Sign | — | 30% of window area | — | — | — | On or in windows/doors of buildings in HC and M districts | — | § 150-19E(1), table row “Window signs – HC and M Districts: Maximum size 30% of window area” |
| Sidewalk Sign | — | Prohibited | — | — | — | HC and M districts | — | § 150-19E(1), table row “Sidewalk signs – HC and M Districts: Prohibited” |
| Temporary Sign (HC and M) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | — | HC and M districts | — | § 150-19C(2)-(3) |

## Prohibited signs in Camden

- Signs which have flashing, moving, rotating or intermittent lights other than to show time and temperature are prohibited at any location.
- Signs having moving parts, including banners, ribbons, streamers, pennants, spinners, or other similar moving, fluttering, or revolving devices, are prohibited at any location.
- Roof signs are prohibited at any location.
- Billboards are prohibited at any location.
- Portable signs (other than sidewalk signs) are prohibited at any location, except that a new business or a business in a new location awaiting installation of a permanent sign may utilize one portable sign for a period of not more than 60 days or installation of a permanent sign, whichever comes first, and no portable sign may be larger than 32 square feet.
- Signs shall not project into the public right-of-way, driveway, or pedestrian way.
- Signs shall not be erected in such a manner as to confuse or obstruct the view of any traffic sign, signal or device or obstruct the visibility for vehicles entering or exiting streets.
- Signs shall not project above the roofline or parapet of a building.
- Luminous signs, indirectly illuminated signs, and lighting devices shall not be placed or directed so as to cause glaring or nondiffuse beams of light to be cast upon any public street, or adjacent premises, or otherwise to cause glare or reflection that may constitute a traffic hazard or nuisance.
- Signs shall not be affixed to or painted upon public utility poles, public light posts, water or fire hydrants, bridges, trees, rocks, or other such structures situated on public land.
- Signs shall not obstruct any fire escape or any door or window leading thereto, nor shall any sign be attached to a fire escape.
- Signs shall not be constructed from non–commercial‑grade materials; all signs must be constructed from commercial grade materials.
- Signs must comply with all applicable NYSDOT sign standards; signs that fail to comply with NYSDOT standards are not allowed.
- Signs with light emitting diode (LED) components must have a minimum static duration of 15 seconds before a message changes; LED signs that change more frequently are prohibited.
- Signs must meet the applicable standards of the NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code; signs that do not meet those standards are prohibited.
- Signs must be securely attached to structurally sound buildings or other structures as judged by the Zoning Enforcement Officer; signs that are not securely attached or attached to unsound structures are prohibited.
- Signs must be kept in good repair with neatly painted display surfaces; any damaged sign that is not repaired or removed within 60 days of written notification (or immediately if posing a danger) may be ordered removed by the Zoning Enforcement Officer.

## Signs exempt from permit in Camden

- Temporary signs, including but not limited to announcing signs, real estate signs, subdivision signs, sale advertising signs, campaign signs, window signs, and roadside stand signs, are exempt from the zoning permit requirement, provided they comply with size limits (maximum 4 square feet per side in R districts, 64 square feet in the Park Overlay, and 32 square feet in all other zones), are in place for no more than 30 days per calendar year, and comply with all general sign standards in §150-19E(2).
- Permanent flags that are official flags of government jurisdictions, flags indicating weather conditions, and flags which are emblems of on‑premises religious, charitable, public, and nonprofit organizations are exempt from the zoning permit requirement.
- Commemorative plaques placed by historical agencies recognized by the Village, the county or the state are exempt from the zoning permit requirement.
- Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings, except letters, trademarks, moving parts, or moving lights, are exempt from the zoning permit requirement.
- Parking signs that direct and guide traffic and parking on private property and bear no advertising matter are exempt from the zoning permit requirement.
- Residential identification signs bearing only property numbers, post box numbers, or names of occupants of premises, not exceeding one square foot in area, are exempt from the zoning permit requirement.
- Driveway name signs bearing only the name of a driveway, not exceeding one square foot in area, and using a color scheme distinctly different from that used for official Village or county street signs, are exempt from the zoning permit requirement.
- Signs made exclusively of vegetative material are exempt from the zoning permit requirement.
- No trespassing and/or posted signs indicating private property, not exceeding one square foot in area, are exempt from the zoning permit requirement.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs, unless specifically exempted in §150-19C (exempt temporary signs) or §150-19D (exempt permanent signs), require a zoning permit issued by the Zoning Enforcement Officer; the permit application must include a drawing showing dimensions, proposed design, legend, colors, lighting, materials, structural details, and a plot location map showing buildings, parking areas, other signs on the same property, frontage of each unit, and any fences or other obstructions in relation to the proposed sign location.
- Placement of a sign is expressly listed as an activity requiring a zoning permit under §150-31(A)(7); no sign requiring a permit may be installed until the zoning permit is issued.
- Where a proposed use is subject to site plan review (§150-37), the site plan submission must include the location, size, and design of all proposed signs as part of the required site plan materials.
- The Planning Board’s site plan review criteria include that signs, site lighting, and the locations of all buildings and structures are in keeping with the character of the neighborhood, so sign design and placement may be conditioned or modified through the site plan approval process.
- If, during site plan review, the Planning Board determines that approval would require a variance from sign or other zoning standards, the Board may refer the application and site plans to the Zoning Board of Appeals for consideration of such variance before final site plan action.

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/camden