# Sign Regulations in Cheektowaga, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Cheektowaga, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/cheektowaga
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-07
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/8759696)

## At a glance

Cheektowaga, New York regulates 19 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (NS District)s in the NS Neighborhood Services District zoning district are capped at ≤ 30 ft measured from grade to top of sign tall and ≤ 40 sf (one sign; per face), with a ≥ 10 ft from any R District boundary and ≥ 10 ft from property line of existing residential use; not in required interior side yard; maintain corner visibility clearance per § 260-59E. setback (Sec. § 260-50F(2)(a); § 260-50F(2)(b)[1]-[3]; § 260-50F(2)(c)[2][a]; § 260-50F(2)(c)[2][b][v]). Most commercial signs in Cheektowaga require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | Flagpole top ≤ 20 feet in height | ≤ 40 square feet per flag | — |
| R Residence District | 5 | Flagpole ≤ 20 ft | ≤ 40 sf per flag | — |
| RS Residence Single District | 5 | Flagpole ≤ 20 ft | ≤ 40 sf per flag | — |
| RA Apartment District | 4 | Flagpole ≤ 20 ft | Total sign area on the lot (excluding incidental signs/building markers) ≤ 80 square feet | — |
| RMH Residential Mobile Home District | 4 | Flagpole ≤ 20 ft | Total sign area on the lot (excluding incidental signs/building markers) ≤ 80 square feet | — |
| RSC Residential Senior Citizen District | 4 | Flagpole ≤ 20 ft | ≤ 40 sf per flag | — |
| NS Neighborhood Services District | 6 | ≤ 30 ft measured from grade to top of sign | Total area of all faces on the structure must not exceed the freestanding sign face area permitted by § 260-50F(2)(c)[2] and district total per-lot cap (NS: 140 sf). | — |
| C Retail Business District; CM General Commercial District; MS Motor Service District; CF Community Facilities District; M1 Light Manufacturing District; M2 General Manufacturing District; AG Special Aggregate District | 9 | ≤ 30 ft measured from grade to top of sign | Total area of all faces on the structure must not exceed the freestanding sign face area permitted by § 260-50F(2)(c)[2] and the district total per-lot cap (C: 1,000 sf; CM: 1,000 sf; MS: 300 sf; CF: 200 sf; M1: 800 sf; M2: 800 sf; AG: 140 sf). | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Noncommercial Message Sign (Free Speech) | — | R: 16 sf; RS: 16 sf; RA: 80 sf; RMH: 80 sf; RSC: 22 sf; NS: 140 sf; C: 1,000 sf; CM: 1,000 sf; MS: 300 sf; CF: 200 sf; M1: 800 sf; M2: 800 sf; AG: 140 sf | — | — | — | Permitted in all districts. | — | § 260-50D(18); § 260-50E(1) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | — | — | Minimum 5 ft inside property line if no building exists. | — | Must be located between the front property line and the building; if no building exists, minimum 5 feet inside property line. Cannot be placed on existing signs or their frames/mounts/supports. | — | § 260-50D(17) |
| Contractor Sign (Temporary) | — | — | — | Must not be within public right-of-way. | — | On owner's property (front lawn of the business or dwelling). Cannot be located within the right-of-way. | — | § 260-50D(1)(a) |
| Flag (U.S., NYS, Town, foreign nations, or other legislative body-sanctioned) | Flagpole top ≤ 20 feet in height | ≤ 40 square feet per flag | — | Flagpole must be located a distance from the property line at least equal to the height of the pole. | — | Not mounted on roofs of buildings, top of walls, or top of other covered structures. | — | § 260-50J |
| Temporary Banner (Now Hiring) | — | — | — | Must not be in public right-of-way (§ 260-50D(3)). | One at a time per premises | On premises; banners are otherwise prohibited except this enumerated temporary exception. | — | § 260-50D(5)(a); § 260-50E(2) |
| Temporary Banner (Now Open) | — | — | — | Must not be in public right-of-way (§ 260-50D(3)). | — | On premises; banners are otherwise prohibited except this enumerated temporary exception. | — | § 260-50D(5)(b) |
| Incidental Traffic/Parking Sign (Private Property) | — | ≤ 4 square feet per face | — | — | — | Directing/guiding traffic and parking on private property. | — | § 260-50C(4) |
| Building Marker | — | — | — | — | — | On building exterior as integral decorative/architectural feature. | — | § 260-50C(3); § 260-50B (Building Marker definition) |

### NS Neighborhood Services District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | ≤ 20% of the wall area upon which attached and ≤ 200 sf total sign area (lesser governs) | — | — | — | Attached to building wall; must not extend above the eave line or top of the wall. | — | § 260-50F(2)(c)[1]; § 260-50F(2)(c)[2][b][vi]; § 260-50D(2); § 260-50D(14) |
| Freestanding Sign (NS District) | ≤ 30 ft measured from grade to top of sign | ≤ 40 sf (one sign; per face) | — | ≥ 10 ft from any R District boundary and ≥ 10 ft from property line of existing residential use; not in required interior side yard; maintain corner visibility clearance per § 260-59E. | One per building lot/parcel | Must not be located in the corner visibility area (§ 260-59E); must not project over a public right-of-way; not in required interior side yard; not within 10 ft of any R District boundary or within 10 ft of property line of an existing residential use. | — | § 260-50F(2)(a); § 260-50F(2)(b)[1]-[3]; § 260-50F(2)(c)[2][a]; § 260-50F(2)(c)[2][b][v] |
| Window Sign | — | ≤ 50% of total glass area | — | — | — | Inside window, behind glass. | — | § 260-50G(1); § 260-50D(2) |
| Portable/A-Frame Business Sign (Temporary/Mobile) | — | ≤ 32 sf per face | — | Must not be in public right-of-way. | One per premises | On private property; not permitted on public right-of-way. | — | § 260-50G(2)(a)-(e); § 260-50E(2) |
| Consolidated Freestanding Sign Support Structure (Multiple Businesses) | ≤ 30 ft (per freestanding sign height limit) | Total area of all faces on the structure must not exceed the freestanding sign face area permitted by § 260-50F(2)(c)[2] and district total per-lot cap (NS: 140 sf). | — | Same as freestanding sign setbacks (corner visibility, right-of-way projection, side yard, 10 ft separation from R district/residential property line). | One support structure per lot | On private property per freestanding sign location limits. | — | § 260-50H; § 260-50F(2)(a)-(c) |
| LED Variable Message Component (Freestanding Sign) | — | ≤ 40 sf or ≤ 50% of allowed freestanding face area, whichever is less | — | Same as freestanding sign. | — | Permitted only as part of a freestanding sign in Business and Manufacturing districts (NS qualifies). | — | § 260-50K(1)-(6); § 260-50D(2) |

### C Retail Business District; CM General Commercial District; MS Motor Service District; CF Community Facilities District; M1 Light Manufacturing District; M2 General Manufacturing District; AG Special Aggregate District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | ≤ 20% of the wall area upon which attached and ≤ 200 sf total sign area (lesser governs) | — | — | — | Attached to building wall; must not extend above the eave line or top of the wall. | — | § 260-50F(2)(c)[1]; § 260-50F(2)(c)[2][b][vi]; § 260-50D(2); § 260-50D(14); § 260-50I |
| Freestanding Sign (Single Business) | ≤ 30 ft measured from grade to top of sign | ≤ 80 sf (one face) | — | ≥ 10 ft from any R District boundary and ≥ 10 ft from property line of existing residential use; not in required interior side yard; maintain corner visibility clearance per § 260-59E. | One per building lot/parcel | Must not be located in the corner visibility area (§ 260-59E); must not project over a public right-of-way; not in required interior side yard; not within 10 ft of any R District boundary or within 10 ft of property line of an existing residential use. | — | § 260-50F(2)(a); § 260-50F(2)(b)[1]-[3]; § 260-50F(2)(c)[2][b][i]; § 260-50F(2)(c)[2][b][v]; § 260-50I |
| Freestanding Sign (Group ≤ 25,000 sf) | ≤ 30 ft measured from grade to top of sign | ≤ 100 sf | — | Same as other freestanding signs, including ≥10 ft separation from R district/residential property line and corner visibility clearance. | One per building lot/parcel | Same as freestanding sign location limits. | — | § 260-50F(2)(c)[2][b][ii]; § 260-50F(2)(a)-(b); § 260-50I |
| Freestanding Sign (Shopping Center 25,000–200,000 sf) | ≤ 30 ft measured from grade to top of sign | ≤ 120 sf | — | Same as other freestanding signs. | One per building lot/parcel | Same as freestanding sign location limits. | — | § 260-50F(2)(c)[2][b][iii]; § 260-50F(1); § 260-50F(2)(a)-(b); § 260-50I |
| Freestanding Sign (Shopping Center > 200,000 sf) | ≤ 30 ft measured from grade to top of sign | ≤ 200 sf | — | Same as other freestanding signs. | One per building lot/parcel | Same as freestanding sign location limits. | — | § 260-50F(2)(c)[2][b][iv]; § 260-50F(1); § 260-50F(2)(a)-(b); § 260-50I |
| Portable/A-Frame Business Sign (Temporary/Mobile) | — | ≤ 32 sf per face | — | Must not be in public right-of-way. | One per premises | On private property; not permitted on public right-of-way. | — | § 260-50G(2)(a)-(e); § 260-50E(2) |
| Consolidated Freestanding Sign Support Structure (Multiple Businesses) | ≤ 30 ft (per freestanding sign height limit) | Total area of all faces on the structure must not exceed the freestanding sign face area permitted by § 260-50F(2)(c)[2] and the district total per-lot cap (C: 1,000 sf; CM: 1,000 sf; MS: 300 sf; CF: 200 sf; M1: 800 sf; M2: 800 sf; AG: 140 sf). | — | Same as freestanding sign setbacks (corner visibility, right-of-way projection, side yard, 10 ft separation from R district/residential property line). | One support structure per lot | On private property per freestanding sign location limits. | — | § 260-50H; § 260-50F(2)(a)-(c); § 260-50I |
| LED Variable Message Component (Freestanding Sign) | — | ≤ 40 sf or ≤ 50% of allowed freestanding face area, whichever is less | — | Same as freestanding sign. | — | Permitted only as part of a freestanding sign in Business and Manufacturing districts. | — | § 260-50K(1)-(6); § 260-50D(2) |

## Prohibited signs in Cheektowaga

- All signs not expressly permitted by this chapter are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs (signs attracting attention to an object, product, service, place, activity, institution, organization or business not available or located on the premises) are prohibited, except for noncommercial messages.
- Any illuminated sign may not use flashing, intermittent, rotating, or moving lights; light beams may not be directed onto public streets, highways, sidewalks, or adjacent premises so as to cause glare or reflection; overhead or exposed wiring on signs or their supports is prohibited.
- No sign shall be placed in any street right-of-way or on other public property.
- Roof signs are prohibited; no sign may be placed, inscribed, or supported upon or above the highest part of the roofline, except FAA-required directional devices.
- Banners, flags, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, tethered balloons, inflatable signs or other similar moving/revolving signs or devices, and strings of lights are prohibited (subject to limited exceptions).
- No sign shall be maintained or located where, by reason of its position, size, shape, color, or appearance, it may obstruct, impair, or be confused with any traffic control sign, signal, or device, or otherwise interfere with, mislead, or tend to confuse vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
- No sign shall be attached to a utility pole or tree.
- Signs utilizing electric power connected to a distant power source by an extension cord are prohibited if the cord lies exposed on the ground or is supported in the air by props.
- No sign shall rotate or be in physical motion or have parts or elements in motion.
- No sign shall be mounted in an inverted fashion or mounted other than at a ninety-degree angle to a horizontal plane; wall-mounted signs must not project more than 12 inches from a wall.
- Search lights, rotating lights, and flashing lights are not permitted for any purpose.
- Temporary real estate signs shall not be placed on existing signs or their frames, mounts, or supports, and must be located between the front property line and the building or, if no building exists, at least five feet inside the property line (subject to a limited 'Open House' exception).

## Signs exempt from permit in Cheektowaga

- Signs erected and maintained pursuant to and in discharge of any governmental function are not considered signs.
- Signs prohibiting trespassing are not considered signs.
- Integral, decorative, or architectural features of buildings (except letters or trademarks) are not considered signs.
- Signs not exceeding four square feet per face that direct and guide traffic and parking on private property and bear no advertising are not considered signs.
- Signs not exceeding one square foot per face advertising the cost of motor fuel when attached to a fuel pump or service island canopy are not considered signs.
- Signs advertising for fundraising or recruitment for not-for-profit organizations are not considered signs.
- Contractors performing work at an address may place a sign on the front lawn of the business or dwelling for up to seven days before work commences and up to seven days after work is completed; contractors providing periodic maintenance (e.g., landscapers) may place a sign for up to seven days at the beginning of the service season; any such sign must be on the owner's property and not within the right-of-way.
- Banners/signs advertising 'Now Hiring' are allowed for up to 30 days with a temporary sign permit.
- Banners/signs advertising 'Now Open' are allowed within 30 days of a business opening.
- 'Open House' real estate signs may be placed at street corners for up to 48 hours prior to the event and must be removed directly after the event.
- Signs with no commercial message (noncommercial/free-speech signs) are permitted in all districts, subject to maximum size in Subsection I and illumination rules in Subsection D(2).
- No permit is required for signs with no commercial message.
- Incidental signs and building markers are excluded from the calculation of maximum total sign area per building lot.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A single freestanding sign identifying a group of stores as a shopping center or plaza may be permitted only if its location, size, height, and type of illumination are shown on a site plan submitted with a building permit application.

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

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