# Sign Regulations in Chili, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Chili, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/chili
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-30
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/37485989?highlight=sign&highlight=signs&searchId=7409909452899269#37485996)

## At a glance

Chili, New York regulates 26 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Monument Sign (Freestanding)s in the Nonresidential districts; Agricultural District (AC); Rural Agricultural District (RA); Restricted Business District (RB); Neighborhood Business District (NB); General Business District (GB); Limited Industrial District (LI); General Industrial District (GI); Planned Unit Development District (PUD); Planned Institutional Development District (PID) zoning district are capped at 5 ft max height tall and 16 sq ft per side (32 sq ft total for two-sided sign), with a minimum 15 ft setback (Sec. §500-50(D)(2)-(7)). Most commercial signs in Chili require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 19 | 42 inches (3.5 ft) max height measured from ground to top | 40 sq ft max area | — |
| Residential districts; Residential Single-Family District (R-1); Residential Multiple-Family District (RM); Planned Residential Development District (PRD) | 3 | — | 40 sq ft max area | — |
| Nonresidential districts; Agricultural District (AC); Rural Agricultural District (RA); Restricted Business District (RB); Neighborhood Business District (NB); General Business District (GB); Limited Industrial District (LI); General Industrial District (GI); Planned Unit Development District (PUD); Planned Institutional Development District (PID) | 3 | 5 ft max height | 100 sq ft max, or as limited by 1.5 sq ft/linear ft of frontage | — |
| Floodway Overlay District (FWOD); Floodplain Overlay District (FPOD); Rural Agricultural Overlay District (RAO-20); Residential Preservation Overlay District (RPO); Planned Neighborhood Overlay District (PNOD); Airport Overlay District (AOD); Adult Use Entertainment Establishment Overlay District (AUO); Student Residence Overlay District (R-SO) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Billboard / Advertising Structure (Off-premises sign) | 5 ft max height | 32 sq ft max area | — | — | — | Permitted on private property; must comply with general siting and safety standards | — | §500-50(A)(11) |
| Changeable-copy Sign (Government, Religious, or Charitable Organization only) | — | 40 sq ft max area | — | — | — | Must conform to other restrictions for the zone district in which located | — | §500-50(A)(2) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential property) | 7 ft max height above grade | 16 sq ft max area | — | — | 1 per frontage | On the premises being advertised; one per frontage | — | §500-48(D)(12) |
| Real Estate Sign (Nonresidential property) | 12 ft max height above grade | 16 sq ft max area | — | — | 1 per frontage | On the premises being advertised; one per frontage | — | §500-48(D)(12) |
| Temporary Open-for-Inspection Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 on the subject premises; additional wayfinding signs allowed at relevant intersections during open hours | On the premises during hours open for inspection; additional signs allowed at intersections of streets directly leading to the property during open hours | — | §500-48(D)(13) |
| Temporary Commercial Pennant or Banner | — | 32 sq ft max area per banner | — | — | Max 2 per location per allowed period | On private property | — | §500-48(D)(10) |
| On-site Directional/Traffic Sign | 42 inches (3.5 ft) max height measured from ground to top | 3 sq ft max area | — | — | Max 2 per driveway entrance | On private property for service and parking | — | §500-48(D)(3) |
| Church/Educational Institution/Professional Center Sign | 20 ft max height (ground to top of sign) | 32 sq ft max area | — | — | 1 per institution | One sign per church, educational institution, or professional center | — | §500-48(D)(14) |

### Residential districts; Residential Single-Family District (R-1); Residential Multiple-Family District (RM); Planned Residential Development District (PRD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential or legally nonconforming nonresidential uses in residential districts) | — | 16 sq ft max area | — | — | No more than one wall sign | On the building face of the use | — | §500-50(B)(1); §500-50(A)(13) |
| Freestanding Signs (including Monument Signs) | — | — | — | — | 0 | — | — | §500-50(B)(1); §500-50(D)(1) |
| Changeable-copy Sign (Govt/Religious/Charitable – Residential District) | — | 40 sq ft max area | — | — | — | Must conform to residential district restrictions (i.e., building-mounted; freestanding not allowed in residential districts) | — | §500-50(A)(2); §500-50(B)(1); §500-50(D)(1) |

### Nonresidential districts; Agricultural District (AC); Rural Agricultural District (RA); Restricted Business District (RB); Neighborhood Business District (NB); General Business District (GB); Limited Industrial District (LI); General Industrial District (GI); Planned Unit Development District (PUD); Planned Institutional Development District (PID)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq ft max, or as limited by 1.5 sq ft/linear ft of frontage | — | — | 1 primary wall sign; plus 1 secondary wall sign (≤50% of first) if building faces more than one public street | Secured directly to a face of the building | — | §500-50(B)(2)(a); §500-50(A)(13); §500-48(C) |
| Monument Sign (Freestanding) | 5 ft max height | 16 sq ft per side (32 sq ft total for two-sided sign) | — | Front yard setback: minimum 15 ft | 1 per lot (shared 1 for common plan developments) | Typically oriented perpendicular to adjacent street/sidewalk; on private property | — | §500-50(D)(2)-(7) |
| Changeable-copy Sign (Government/Religious/Charitable – Nonresidential District) | — | 40 sq ft max area | — | — | — | Must conform to nonresidential district restrictions | — | §500-50(A)(2) |

## Prohibited signs in Chili

- No sign may be erected or placed in a manner that confuses or obstructs the view of any traffic sign, signal, or device.
- Signs may not use flashing, intermittent, rotating, or moving lights; illuminated sign beams or lighting devices may not be directed onto streets, highways, sidewalks, or adjacent premises so as to cause glare, a traffic hazard, or a public nuisance.
- Exterior sign lighting may not cause glare to extend onto any public right-of-way or adjacent property.
- Signs (including their lighting intensity or placement) that constitute a traffic hazard are prohibited.
- Spinners, streamers, and moving, flashing, glittering, reflective, or rotating signs are not permitted.
- A-frame signs are prohibited, except for temporary open-house signs.
- No sign may be installed, erected, or attached to a fire escape or to any door or window providing access to a fire escape.
- No wall sign may extend beyond the extremities of the wall to which it is attached.
- Signs are limited to a maximum of four colors.
- No permanent or temporary sign may be erected or placed at or near a street intersection except in compliance with § 500-55, and in no case in a manner that causes a traffic hazard.
- Commercial enterprises are prohibited from using changeable-copy (bulletin board) signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Chili

- Signs not exceeding 1 square foot bearing property numbers, names of occupants, or other identification of premises (except as elsewhere provided).
- Signs regulating the use of property (e.g., “no hunting,” “no fishing”) not exceeding 2 square feet.
- Private property traffic/service/parking directional signs not exceeding 3 square feet and 42 inches in height; maximum two per driveway entrance; ADA-required signs must comply with ADA guidelines.
- Temporary signs announcing special public or institutional events by religious or community service organizations: may be erected up to 90 days before the event and must be removed within 7 days after the event.
- Historical markers, tablets, statues, memorial signs and plaques; building names and dates cut into masonry or made of bronze/stainless steel/similar; emblems installed by governmental, religious, or nonprofit organizations, not exceeding 6 square feet.
- A single flag or insignia of any government.
- Legal notices, identification, informational, or directional signs erected or required by governmental agencies.
- Private-owner merchandise sale (garage sale/auction) signs not exceeding 4 square feet; may be erected no sooner than 72 hours prior; must be removed within 24 hours after; total sale period may not exceed 10 consecutive days.
- Gasoline station integral graphics or attached price signs on pumps and other signs mandated by regulatory agencies.
- Temporary commercial pennants or banners advertising a special event: not exceeding 32 square feet and no more than two per location; may be erected for up to 60 days and for no more than two such periods per calendar year.
- Nonilluminated temporary signs (up to 32 square feet) announcing the erection of a building, the architect, builder, or contractor: permitted for 60 days plus the construction period.
- Real estate signs on the property for sale/lease/rent: one per frontage; maximum area 16 square feet; maximum height 7 feet (residential) or 12 feet (nonresidential); printing allowed on both sides.
- One temporary freestanding open-for-inspection sign on the premises only during hours the property is available for inspection; additional freestanding open-for-inspection signs permitted at intersections of streets directly leading to the property only during those hours; such signs may not be attached to highway signs or utility poles or placed to cause a traffic hazard.
- One sign (up to 32 square feet and 20 feet in height) for each church, educational institution, or professional center.
- Political signs up to a total of 24 square feet; may be erected up to 48 days prior to the first day ballots are accepted; must be removed no later than 7 days after the election.
- Noncommercial message signs expressing the owner/occupant’s opinion or philosophy on religious, social, or economic causes, not exceeding a total of 16 square feet.
- Street address identification numbers displayed in compliance with § 500-50C and Chapter 195 (Buildings, Numbering of) are exempt from these sign regulations.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Commercial speech sign permit applications that involve more than two signs per building or site must be referred to the Planning Board for sign site plan approval.
- Monument sign applications must first be referred to the Architectural Advisory Committee for review and report (up to 60 days); the Committee may impose conditions; a negative finding results in denial; the applicant may appeal the Committee’s decision to the Zoning Board of Appeals within 30 days.

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

---

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