# Sign Regulations in Canandaigua Town, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Canandaigua Town, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/canandaigua-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/9215751#9215751)

## At a glance

Canandaigua Town, New York regulates 31 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Ground Sign (Single-Use Development - Option 1)s in the Community Commercial District (CC), Neighborhood Commercial District (NC), Restricted Business District (RB-1), Limited Industrial District (LI), Industrial District (I), Planned Unit Development District (PUD) zoning district are capped at 20 ft tall and 40 sq ft per display / 80 sq ft total for two-sided sign, with a Minimum 15 ft from street or lot boundary (§220-81E(1)) setback (Sec. §220-83A(3)(a)-(d)). Most commercial signs in Canandaigua Town require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Community Commercial District (CC), Neighborhood Commercial District (NC), Restricted Business District (RB-1), Limited Industrial District (LI), Industrial District (I), Planned Unit Development District (PUD) | 12 | 20 ft | 50% of first sign area | — |
| Rural Residential District (RR-3), Agricultural Rural Residential District 2 (AR-2), Agricultural Rural Residential District 1 (AR-1), Residential District (R-1-30), Residential District (R-1-20), Residential Lake District (RLD), Suburban Residential District (SCR-1), Multiple Residence District (MR), Mobile Home District (MH) | 8 | 7 ft (if ground sign) | 16 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | 7 ft above adjacent ground | See §220-85 for temporary signs | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Community Commercial District (CC), Neighborhood Commercial District (NC), Restricted Business District (RB-1), Limited Industrial District (LI), Industrial District (I), Planned Unit Development District (PUD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building-Mounted Sign (Single-Use Development) | 10 ft | 1 sq ft per linear foot or 350 sq ft (whichever less) | — | — | One per principal building/use | Mounted on building | — | §220-83A(1) |
| Window Sign (Building-Mounted, Permanent, Painted) | — | 32 sq ft or 50% of window | — | — | One window sign option per building | On window | — | §220-83A(1)(b) |
| Ground Sign (Single-Use Development - Option 1) | 20 ft | 40 sq ft per display / 80 sq ft total for two-sided sign | — | Minimum 15 ft from street or lot boundary (§220-81E(1)) | One per principal building/use | On ground, adjacent to street (must follow setback requirements) | — | §220-83A(3)(a)-(d) |
| Ground Sign (Single-Use Development - Option 2) | 7 ft | 16 sq ft | — | Minimum 15 ft from street or lot boundary (§220-81E(1)) | One per site (applies to CC, NC, I, LI, RB-1 on Town roads) | On ground, adjacent to Town Road | — | §220-83A(3)(c)-(d) |
| Changeable-Copy Sign (Petroleum/Motor Vehicle Service Stations) | Same as ground sign | Same as ground sign | — | Minimum 15 ft from street or lot boundary (§220-81E(1)) | One per property (for petroleum / service stations only) | Ground sign location | — | §220-83A(4) |
| Development Identification Ground Sign (Multi-Use Development) | 20 ft | 40 sq ft per side, 80 sq ft total (double-sided) | — | Minimum 15 ft from street or lot boundary (§220-81E(1)) | One per multi-use development | Ground, identifies shopping centers/plazas/complex as a whole | — | §220-83B(1) |
| Multi-Use Development Identification Ground Sign (State Route 332 or State Route 5 and 20 Frontage, CC Only) | — | Not specified (see Schedule III); should not exceed 40 sq ft per surface/80 sq ft total per single/double-sided per other development signs | — | Minimum 15 ft from street or lot boundary (§220-81E(1)) | One per qualifying parcel | Ground (State Route 332, State Route 5 and 20 frontage only, CC district) | — | §220-83B(2) |
| Tenant Identification Sign (Multi-Use Development) | 10 ft | 1 sq ft per linear foot/350 sq ft, whichever less | — | — | One per tenant with exterior entrance | Mounted on exterior wall of tenant's unit | — | §220-83B(3) |

### Rural Residential District (RR-3), Agricultural Rural Residential District 2 (AR-2), Agricultural Rural Residential District 1 (AR-1), Residential District (R-1-30), Residential District (R-1-20), Residential Lake District (RLD), Suburban Residential District (SCR-1), Multiple Residence District (MR), Mobile Home District (MH)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single Identification Sign (Commercial, Industrial or Public Use) | 7 ft (if ground sign) | 16 sq ft | — | Minimum 15 ft from street or lot boundary (§220-81E(1)) | One per use | Ground sign or building mounted | — | §220-84A |
| Residential Development Sign (Permanent) | 7 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | One per intersection | At locations where internal road intersects adjacent public street | — | §220-84B |
| Subdivision Identification Sign (Temporary) | 7 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | One per subdivision | At subdivision | — | §220-84C |
| Home Occupation Identification Sign | 4 ft (if ground sign) | 2 sq ft | — | — | One per occupation | Ground or building mounted in RR-3, AR-2, AR-1, SCR-1, R-1-30 | — | §220-84D |
| Preexisting Nonconforming Commercial/Industrial Use Identification Sign | 7 ft (if ground sign) | 16 sq ft | — | — | One per nonconforming use | Ground sign or building mounted | — | §220-84E |
| Farm Sign | 7 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | One per farm | Ground or building mounted, on premises with agricultural use | — | §220-84F |
| Agricultural and Nursery Products Advertising Sign | 7 ft (if ground sign) | 16 sq ft (total combined area for both signs) | — | — | Maximum two | On premises with agricultural use only | — | §220-84G |
| Temporary Commercial Speech Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §220-84 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Noncommercial Speech Sign (Permanent, Residential Districts) | 4 ft above adjacent ground (for ground signs) | 8 sq ft (for ground signs) | — | — | Max two per 100 ft of lot width at street line | Ground sign | — | §220-82A |
| Noncommercial Speech Sign (Permanent, All Zoning Districts) | — | Per conforming commercial sign standard (if noncommercial message substituted) | — | — | Per conforming commercial sign requirements | Any conforming commercial speech sign | — | §220-82B |
| Noncommercial Speech Sign (Temporary) | — | See §220-85 for temporary signs | — | — | — | Anywhere allowed by temporary sign rules | — | §220-82C |
| Temporary Political, Educational, Charitable, Civic, Religious Event Sign | 7 ft above adjacent ground | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §220-85A |
| Temporary Real Estate Sale/Lease/Rental Sign (see zone-based size restrictions) | Residential: 4 ft; I/LI/CC: 8 ft; all other: 7 ft. | Residential: 6 sq ft; I/LI/CC: 24 sq ft; all other: 16 sq ft. Max total: 32 sq ft per property | — | — | 1 per parcel, more allowed by exception | Yard, or as allowed for advertising | — | §220-85B |
| Temporary Identification of Active Development Site | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per active development site | Active development site | — | §220-85C |
| Temporary Window Sign (Commercial Use) | — | No limit (nonilluminated); 4 sq ft for illuminated | — | — | — | In any window of permitted commercial use | — | §220-85E |
| Directional Sign (Entrance/Exit/Parking/Shipping) | 3 ft | 2 sq ft (one-sided), 4 sq ft (two-sided) | — | — | — | On commercial or industrial site | — | §220-80B(7) |

## Prohibited signs in Canandaigua Town

- No sign shall be permitted except in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
- No sign shall consist, in whole or in part, of banners, balloons, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, or similar fluttering devices or consist of animated or moving parts.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained which extends a distance of more than 18 inches from the front or face of a building, nor overhang or project onto any public right-of-way except as provided.
- No sign shall be illuminated by or contain flashing, intermittent, rotating or moving light(s). Lighting must be of constant intensity and color.
- No sign lighting shall exceed the intensity necessary for visibility from the nearest public ways.
- All sign lighting shall comply with the Town's dark sky standards.
- No sign shall be erected in such a manner as to obstruct the view of a traffic sign, signal, or device.
- No sign shall be attached to a fire escape or to any door or window facilitating access to a fire escape.
- No sign shall interfere with any communication or energized electrical power lines.
- No sign shall be attached to a fence, utility pole or tree.
- Signs may not be above the peak of the roof of any building or structure.
- All signs and supporting structures must be adequately maintained, neatly painted, and in good repair.
- Temporary signs shall not be attached to fences or trees and shall not obstruct or impair vision or traffic in any manner or otherwise create a hazard or disturbance.
- Signs without permit or approval required by the ordinance are prohibited.
- Commercial speech signs not pertinent to current use are prohibited.
- Abandoned signs are prohibited.
- Off-site advertising signs are prohibited except where specifically allowed.
- Commercial speech signs are prohibited in residential districts unless expressly permitted.
- Temporary signs not specified in §220-85 are prohibited.
- Except as provided in §220-85F, banners, streamers, flags and similar devices are prohibited.
- Sandwich boards which do not conform to §220-85 are prohibited.
- Signs causing a traffic hazard or interfering with traffic signs/signals are prohibited.
- Signs with glaring reflective surfaces are prohibited except for street identification numbers.
- Electronic message signs are prohibited.
- No moving images, special effects, animation, flashing, or similar features on digital or electronic signs.
- Sequencing of messages (using multiple screens for one message) on digital signs is prohibited.
- Digital and electronic signs cannot be interactive, emit sound, odor, or visible matter except light.
- Only one nonconforming building-mounted sign and one ground sign allowed on a parcel as nonconforming (by amortization schedule); all others must be removed.
- Nonconforming signs shall not be altered, rebuilt, enlarged, extended or relocated, unless made conforming.

## Signs exempt from permit in Canandaigua Town

- Governmental signs: any sign or directional device erected by a governmental agency to serve a governmental purpose, identification signs for underground utilities, posted or preserve signs per Environmental Conservation Law, or signs required by US or NY State law.
- Civic and community service signs: signs found by the Town Board to be necessary to a civic or community service or to serve the public interest, with specific findings regarding nature, size, location, design, illumination, and duration.
- Erecting or maintaining noncommercial speech signs conforming to requirements does not require approval.
- Substituting speech copy on a conforming commercial speech sign does not require approval.
- Vehicular signs (commercial speech signs displayed on licensed business vehicles used primarily for transportation; not parked to display the sign to passersby) do not require approval.
- Credit card or trade association emblems not exceeding one square foot, displayed flat on windows/doors, do not require approval.
- Temporary signs conforming to §220-85 do not require approval.
- Repainting, repairing, or maintaining a conforming commercial speech sign (without changing location, size, design, copy/logo or making it nonconforming) does not require approval.
- Directional signs for site ingress/egress/parking/shipping/receiving (no more than two square feet if one-sided or four square feet if two-sided, maximum three feet in height) do not require approval.
- Permanent noncommercial speech signs in residential districts: allowed without a permit if meeting area, height, and placement restrictions.
- Permanent noncommercial speech signs in any district: Substituting such messages on conforming commercial signs does not require a permit.
- Temporary noncommercial speech signs in any district (in conformance with ordinance) are allowed.
- Temporary identification of active development sites (signs meeting specific criteria) do not require approval.
- Nonilluminated window signs (temporary or otherwise) do not require approval.
- A single illuminated window sign no more than four square feet may be displayed for 30 days per year at commercial uses without a permit.
- Temporary signs for CC and NC districts (attention-getting devices as regulated), if under 30 days and with information filed with Zoning Officer, require no permit.
- Temporary signs for political, educational, charitable, civic, and religious events in any district (if size, duration, and other requirements are met) require no permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Applications for new development and/or uses must include a description of all needed signs.
- Site plans (for development) reviewed by the Planning Board must show sign location, size, and design as part of the approval process; the Planning Board will consider the aesthetic and neighborhood impact.
- Plans must reflect conformity and reasonable design, lettering, lighting, and material for all signs on a parcel and avoid negative aesthetic impact.
- For ground signs in single-use developments, Planning Board approval is required as part of site plan review (§220-83A(3)(b)).
- Special use permit applications for commercial speech signs in the Community Commercial District must have sign location shown on a site plan approved by the Planning Board (§220-62.1).
- Permanent commercial speech signs in multi-use developments require design uniformity and, in several instances, explicit Planning Board approval (for multi-use development identification signs, blade signs, etc.).
- Multi-tenant development identification signs and associated design/materials must be attested to, and Planning Board may waive/alter certain design provisions.
- Tenant identification signs in multi-use developments must be uniform and require suitability determination; only certain forms permitted, and others require Planning Board approval.
- Temporary business identification signs may be allowed in certain commercial districts only if a site plan describing a conforming permanent sign has been approved by the Planning Board; the Zoning Officer must review a written submission for temporary use.
- A detailed sign plan including architectural and aesthetic review is part of the Planning Board's application review process for all developments including signage (per §220-81J).

## Full detail

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

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