# Sign Regulations in Cayuga Heights, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Cayuga Heights, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/cayuga-heights
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/33622055#33622055)

## At a glance

Cayuga Heights, New York regulates 14 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Temporary Sign (Noncommercial)s in the Residential Zone, Multiple Housing Zone zoning district are capped at 4 feet tall and 6 square feet, with a Minimum 3 feet from any lot line; not in any public right-of-way setback (Sec. 305-66). Most commercial signs in Cayuga Heights require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Zone, Multiple Housing Zone | 8 | 4 feet | 18 square feet cumulative (sign and bulletin board total) | — |
| Commercial Zone | 11 | 6 feet | 20 square feet total per building | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | 10 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Residential Zone, Multiple Housing Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Professional Nameplate | — | 1 square foot | — | — | 1 per premises | Affixed to the wall of a building | — | 305-65A(2) |
| Occupant Address Sign | — | 1 square foot | — | — | 1 per premises | On residential premises | — | 305-65A(3) |
| Temporary Sign (Noncommercial) | 4 feet | 6 square feet | — | Minimum 3 feet from any lot line; not in any public right-of-way | 1 per parcel | On private property; not in right-of-way | — | 305-66 |
| Real Estate Sign | 4 feet | 6 square feet | — | Minimum 3 feet from any lot line, 15 feet from any road or driveway, not in public right-of-way | 1 per property | On the premises offered for sale, lease, or rent | — | 305-65A(1) |
| Construction Sign | 4 feet | 6 square feet | — | Minimum 3 feet from any lot line; not in public right-of-way | 1 per building permit | On premises where construction/repair/renovation is in progress | — | 305-65A(4) |
| Historic Sign | — | Consistent with other historic signs | — | — | — | Designated by a recognized governmental agency and approved by Planning Board | — | 305-68 |
| Institutional Sign (place of worship, library, museum) | — | 18 square feet cumulative (sign and bulletin board total) | — | — | 1 sign and 1 bulletin board per institution | On premises of institution | — | 305-69A(1) |
| Social Club or Society Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 per institution | On premises of such institutions | — | 305-69A(2) |

### Commercial Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign (Entrance/Exit) | — | 2 square feet | — | — | No numeric limit stated | On premises | — | 305-65A(5) |
| Building Sign (One or Two Signs Per Building) | — | 20 square feet total per building | — | — | 1 or 2 per building | Attached to or painted on the front or face of the building, or indoor sign(s) | — | 305-69B(1) |
| Building Sign (Multi-tenant Business) | — | 10 square feet total per business | — | — | 1 or 2 per business | Attached to or painted on the front or face of the building, or indoor sign(s) | — | 305-69B(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Multi-business Site) | 6 feet | 20 square feet | — | — | 1 per multi-business parcel or center | For parcel(s), development, or shopping center with more than two businesses | — | 305-69B(3) |
| Temporary Sign (Noncommercial) | 4 feet | 6 square feet | — | Minimum 3 feet from any lot line; not in any public right-of-way | 1 per parcel | On private property; not in right-of-way | — | 305-66 |
| Real Estate Sign | 4 feet | 6 square feet | — | Minimum 3 feet from any lot line, 15 feet from any road or driveway, not in public right-of-way | 1 per property | On the premises offered for sale, lease, or rent | — | 305-65A(1) |
| Construction Sign | 4 feet | 6 square feet | — | Minimum 3 feet from any lot line; not in public right-of-way | 1 per building permit | On premises where construction/repair/renovation is in progress | — | 305-65A(4) |
| Institutional Sign (place of worship, library, museum) | — | 18 square feet cumulative (sign and bulletin board total) | — | — | 1 sign and 1 bulletin board per institution | On premises of institution | — | 305-69A(1) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Utility Sign | — | 10 square feet | — | — | — | As necessary for public utility direction, information, or safety | — | 305-65A(6) |

## Prohibited signs in Cayuga Heights

- Flashing, moving or the appearance of moving, animated, rotating, oscillating, or fluttering signs.
- Signs that produce noise, sound, odor, smoke, visible vapors or particles, or any other emission.
- Signs suspended by any rope, chain, or other device that allows the sign to swing or move due to wind action.
- Signs employing a mirror or other reflective devices.
- Signs, including a flag, banner, pinwheel, balloon, pennant, or streamer.
- Signs consisting of highly reflective glass or fluorescent paint.
- Signs affixed to the exterior of a window or glass.
- Signs of such design and location that they interfere with, compete for attention with, or may be mistaken for a traffic sign or signal or may be hazardous to traffic.
- Freestanding or projecting signs within 30 feet from the intersection of rights-of-way of two or more streets, except informational signs erected by a governmental body.
- Billboards.
- Signs that are displayed in such a manner as to disturb occupants of any other building.
- Neon signs framing windows.
- Signs attached to or incorporated onto a light pole.
- Signs painted, posted, or otherwise attached to any rock, fence, or vehicle except as permitted for commercial vehicles under § 305-63E.
- Window and door signs exceeding 15% of the glass area and temporary window and door signs exceeding 10% of the glass area.
- Signs erected or located on, within, or over any public right-of-way unless specifically permitted in this article.
- Commercial signs not accessory to a commercial use located on the premises unless specifically permitted in this article.
- Any sign erected, constructed, or maintained on or above the roof of a building.
- Internally lit 'can' or cabinet signs with transparent backgrounds.
- Portable signs standing on the ground or attached to a vehicle or trailer or a vehicle or trailer used primarily as a sign or structural support, except as permitted for commercial vehicles under § 305-63E.
- Bench signs.
- Inflatable signs.
- Signs, in whole or in part, that are obscene or pornographic in character.
- Self-illuminated or back-illuminated signs, including, but not limited to, LED panels.
- Commercial 'off-premises' signs, including signs advertising a business not located on the premises or directional real estate or yard sale signs not located on the premises, are not permitted in any zoning district.
- Exposed neon tubing and signs containing words or symbols shaped or formed directly from neon tubes or similar illuminating devices are not permitted.

## Signs exempt from permit in Cayuga Heights

- Any sign owned and installed by a governmental agency or required by any law, governmental order or regulation.
- Government flags and insignia, except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.
- Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings, except letters, trademarks, moving parts or moving lights.
- Signs carried by hand.
- Signage permanently painted, sealed, or adhered on motor vehicles registered for commercial purposes and containing information pursuant to the conduct of those commercial purposes, including, but not limited to, the name, address, telephone number, website and e-mail address of the business entity owning or utilizing the vehicle.
- Signs advertising store hours and 'rules' of conduct (exempt from commercial sign requirements).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Except for specified exempt signs, no other permanent sign shall be erected in any zoning district of the Village without first securing a permit to erect such signs from the Code Enforcement Officer.
- Any modification or redesign of any existing nonexempt permanent sign shall require a permit from the Code Enforcement Officer.
- As part of the application process for a sign permit, the Code Enforcement Officer may refer the application to the Village's Planning Board for review and advice.
- Verification of the ability to control sign lighting is required as part of a sign permit application.
- Permits are required for historic signs, temporary banners for community events, and all commercial signs unless specifically exempted.
- No explicit requirement for a 'master sign plan' or sitewide sign variance meeting is mentioned; permit and review by the Code Enforcement Officer (and possible referral to the Planning Board) are required for non-exempt signs.

## Full detail

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

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