# Sign Regulations in Chatham, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Chatham, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/chatham
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/29136780#29136780)

## At a glance

Chatham, New York regulates 17 sign types across 1 zoning district. Freestanding Sign (Detached, Commercial/Business/Industrial)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 12 ft tall and 30 sq ft (if only sign), with a 10 ft from all property lines setback (Sec. § 110-39[B], § 110-36[L]).

## Sign rules by zoning district (1 zone)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 17 | 12 ft | 30 sq ft (total area of signage per use) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Attached Sign (Resident Identification) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Mounted on the building or mailbox | — | § 110-37[A] |
| On-premises Directional Sign | 6 ft | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | On-premises | — | § 110-37[C] |
| Real Estate Sign (For Sale, Rent, Lease) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On property being advertised | — | § 110-37[F] |
| Construction Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On premises under construction or renovation | — | § 110-37[G] |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Exemption) | 3 ft | — | 2 ft | — | 1 | Sidewalk in front of premises | — | § 110-37[K] |
| Home Occupation Sign (Attached, Single-faced) | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Attached to residence | — | § 110-38[A–C] |
| Home Occupation Sign (Detached, Double-faced) | 6 ft | 5 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Detached in yard | — | § 110-38[A–D] |
| Freestanding Sign (Detached, Commercial/Business/Industrial) | 12 ft | 30 sq ft (if only sign) | — | 10 ft from all property lines | — | On subject property | — | § 110-39[B], § 110-36[L] |

## Prohibited signs in Chatham

- No sign shall be erected, installed or modified prior to the issuance of a permit, except as noted.
- No sign shall be so located as to constitute a hazard to motor vehicle, bicycle or pedestrian traffic.
- No sign shall be located as to detract from or obstruct public view of a building located within the historic overzone.
- No flashing or moving signs, except time and temperature information, shall be permitted.
- No roof signs shall be permitted.
- No sign shall project beyond any property line.
- Temporary or permanent signs resting on or attached to vehicles or trailers shall not be used as a means to circumvent the provisions of this chapter.
- Illuminated signs shall be located or designed so that no glare shall extend beyond the property line or disturb vision or constitute a hazard to a passing motorist, bicyclist or pedestrian.
- The outlining by direct illumination of all or part of a building or accessory structure is prohibited.
- All signs shall be maintained in a safe and legible condition.
- Illuminated signs shall be lighted only during the hours of operation of the use they represent or until 11:00 p.m., whichever is later.
- No more than two exterior signs per use shall be permitted unless otherwise authorized herein; the total square footage of such signs shall not exceed the maximum total area of signage permitted for such use.
- Billboards are prohibited.
- All signs shall conform to applicable federal, state and local codes.
- All detached signs shall be a minimum of 10 feet from all property lines.
- No signs shall be attached to a tree, utility pole, traffic sign post or other similar features.

## Signs exempt from permit in Chatham

- Attached signs identifying the resident and/or their address mounted on the building or mailbox, not exceeding two square feet in area, nonilluminated and containing no other information.
- Detached signs identifying the resident and/or their address, not exceeding three square feet in area, nonilluminated and containing no other information.
- On-premises nonilluminated directional signs for the convenience of the public, identifying parking areas, fire zones, handicapped spaces and similar, not exceeding three square feet in area and six feet in height, without business or personal names, logos or similar information.
- Historic markers, plaques, tablets, containing names of buildings, dates of erection, or historical data installed by governmental agencies or nonprofit organizations not exceeding six square feet in area.
- Christmas and other holiday or seasonal decorations, including lighting, that do not remain in place for more than 60 days.
- Nonilluminated real estate "for sale," "for rent," and "for lease" signs concerning the premises, one per property, not exceeding 12 square feet in area, removed within three days after sale/rental/lease.
- Nonilluminated signs listing architect, engineer, contractor, financing institution, and/or owner on premises where construction, renovation, or repair is being performed, one sign not exceeding 12 square feet in area, removed within three days after completion.
- Nonilluminated temporary private-owned merchandise sale signs (garage sales, auctions, etc.) not exceeding four square feet in area, removed within three days after the event.
- Nonilluminated temporary educational, charitable, civic, religious, and political signs not exceeding four square feet in area, not installed more than 21 days before event/election and removed within five days after; must include name and address of removal-responsible person.
- Window signs where sign area does not exceed 25% of total window area.
- One sandwich board sign, max two feet wide by three feet high, on sidewalk in front of premises, not impeding pedestrian movement, displayed only when premises is open.
- Banners, windsocks, mobiles, flags or similar devices, one per address, not projecting beyond property lines, not illuminated, not advertising goods/services on or off that property.

## Full detail

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

---

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