Sign Regulations in Clarence, New York
Clarence, New York has specific sign regulations covering 29 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Directional Sign (On-Premises), Temporary A-Frame (Sandwich Board) Sign, Wall Sign (General Standards). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 27, 2026
Sign Regulation Overview for Clarence, New York
Sample Sign Requirements in Clarence
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign (General Standards) | Shall not extend above the first-floor level of the building. | General: total wall sign area shall not exceed the lesser of 15% of the facade area upon which the sign is placed (all zones), or 100 sq ft in Commercial (C) or Traditional Neighborhood (TND) zones; up to 500 sq ft in Major Arterial (MA). | — |
| Freestanding Sign (General Standards) | — | Over 60 sq ft not permitted except plaza/common tenant signs approved by Sign Review Board. | Minimum 10 ft from ROW; 10 ft side yard; minimum 50 ft separation from any other freestanding sign. |
| Roof Sign (General Standards) | May not extend above the ridge of the roof. | — | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for ClarenceFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
29
- Directional Sign (On-Premises)
- Temporary A-Frame (Sandwich Board) Sign
- Wall Sign (General Standards)
- Freestanding Sign (General Standards)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
6
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Clarence
Other Cities in New York
Frequently Asked Questions
In Clarence, wall signs can be up to Shall not extend above the first-floor level of the building.. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Clarence, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Clarence, regulated sign types include Directional Sign (On-Premises), Temporary A-Frame (Sandwich Board) Sign, Wall Sign (General Standards), Freestanding Sign (General Standards), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In Clarence, monument signs typically require a Minimum 10 ft from ROW; 10 ft side yard; minimum 50 ft separation from any other freestanding sign. setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in Clarence are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Clarence has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Clarence, New York Sign Rules at a Glance
Clarence, New York regulates 29 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Monument Sign (C/I)s in the Commercial (C); Industrial Business Park (I) zoning district are capped at Max 12 ft. tall and Max 32 sq ft in area., with a ≥10 ft from ROW; ≥10 ft side yard. setback (Sec. §181-3B(1)-(5); §181-5A(8); §181-3B(4)). Most commercial signs in Clarence require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Clarence, New York
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Clarence (6 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | Flagpole and/or flag may not exceed 10 ft in height from ground level. | Over 60 sq ft not permitted except plaza/common tenant signs approved by Sign Review Board. | — |
| Major Arterial (MA) | 4 | Max 20 ft. | Up to 500 sq ft total (and not more than 15% of facade area). | — |
| Commercial (C); Industrial Business Park (I) | 5 | Max 12 ft. | Max 48 sq ft. | — |
| Restricted Business (RB) | 5 | Low profile no greater than 8.5 ft; or sign face max 24 inches above lowest adjacent ground, supported by two posts/columns. | Max 48 sq ft. | — |
| Traditional Neighborhood District (TND) | 5 | Max 10 ft from average grade. | Max 20 sq ft per side. | — |
| Residential Single-Family (RSF); Agricultural Flood Zone (A-FZ); Agricultural Rural Residential (A-RR) | 5 | Max 6 ft. | Not specified in §181-3E(3). | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Clarence(sample of 3 of 6 zones)
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign (General Standards) | Shall not extend above the first-floor level of the building. | General: total wall sign area shall not exceed the lesser of 15% of the facade area upon which the sign is placed (all zones), or 100 sq ft in Commercial (C) or Traditional Neighborhood (TND) zones; up to 500 sq ft in Major Arterial (MA). | — | — | One wall sign per establishment per street frontage; see zone-specific allowances for additional secondary signs. | Mounted flat to building wall (or hanging/awning in TND subject to specific limits and review). | — | Unlock | §181-5F(1)-(4); §181-2A; §181-2C(1)-(6); §181-5E; §181-5A(5); §181-2F(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (General Standards) | — | Over 60 sq ft not permitted except plaza/common tenant signs approved by Sign Review Board. | — | Minimum 10 ft from ROW; 10 ft side yard; minimum 50 ft separation from any other freestanding sign. | — | Must maintain minimum 10 ft setback from any roadway right-of-way and 10 ft side yard setback; may not project into public right-of-way or across property lines; LED limited to freestanding signs only. | — | Unlock | §181-2D(1), (3); §181-5G(1)-(2); §181-2D(5); §181-5A(8); §181-2E(2); §181-5D(1) |
| Directional Sign (On-Premises) | Max 6 ft above finished grade. | Max 8 sq ft per face. | — | — | — | On-premises; not located in public right-of-way. | — | Unlock | §181-6C; §181-5D(2) |
| Temporary Sign (General) | — | Max 32 sq ft. | — | 100 ft separation between temporary roadside signs. | — | Not permitted in any roadway right-of-way. | — | Unlock | §181-4A(1)-(4); §181-4B(1)-(3) |
| Temporary A-Frame (Sandwich Board) Sign | — | Max 8 sq ft per side. | — | — | One per tenant in a multi-tenant plaza. | On-premises; not permitted in roadway right-of-way. | — | Unlock | §181-4A(2) |
| Temporary Flag Sign | Flagpole and/or flag may not exceed 10 ft in height from ground level. | Max 32 sq ft. | — | Minimum 100 ft separation from other flags; not closer than 10 ft to any drive approach. | — | On the parcel of the business; not within public right-of-way; not closer than 10 ft from any drive approach to maintain visibility. | — | Unlock | §181-4A(6) |
| Plaza/Common Tenant Freestanding Sign | — | Max 48 sq ft in Commercial (C), Restricted Business (RB), and Traditional Neighborhood (TND) zones. | — | — | One common tenant freestanding sign per plaza; one building sign and one roadway sign per tenant within the common sign. | Location and size determined by Sign Review Board during site plan review; may replace existing signs subject to SRB review. | — | Unlock | §181-2B(1)-(2); §181-3B(6); §181-3C(5); §181-3D(1) |
| Secondary Wall Sign (Rear/Side-Facing) | — | Must meet dimensional requirements applicable to wall signs in the chapter. | — | — | One secondary sign per business that has a side or rear facade facing a public parking lot/street/highway/accessway (§181-9 definition of Secondary Sign). | Rear or side of commercial buildings oriented to plaza/mall parking or other public access area. | — | Unlock | §181-2F(1)-(2) |
Commercial (C); Industrial Business Park (I)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Monument Sign (C/I) | Max 12 ft. | Max 32 sq ft in area. | — | ≥10 ft from ROW; ≥10 ft side yard. | Any business establishment in the Commercial Sign District (C, RB, I) may have both one wall sign and one freestanding sign (§181-2K). | Set back minimum 10 ft from any roadway right-of-way and 10 ft from any side yard lot line. | — | Unlock | §181-3B(1)-(5); §181-5A(8); §181-3B(4) |
| Wall Sign (C/I) | May not extend above first-floor level. | Lesser of 15% of facade area or 100 sq ft. | — | — | Per frontage: one primary wall sign; plus one secondary rear/side where eligible; also allowed one freestanding sign per §181-2K. | Mounted on building facade. | — | Unlock | §181-5F(1)-(4); §181-3B(5); §181-2F(1)-(2); §181-5B |
| Plaza/Common Tenant Freestanding Sign (C/I) | — | Max 48 sq ft. | — | — | One common tenant freestanding sign per plaza; tenant signage contained within common sign. | As approved by Sign Review Board during site plan review. | — | Unlock | §181-2B(1); §181-3B(6) |
| Directional Sign (On-Premises) | Max 6 ft. | Max 8 sq ft per face; height ≤6 ft. | — | — | — | On-premises; not in ROW. | — | Unlock | §181-6C |
| Temporary A-Frame (Sandwich Board) Sign | — | Max 8 sq ft per side. | — | — | One per tenant in plaza. | On-premises; not in ROW. | — | Unlock | §181-4A(2) |
Restricted Business (RB)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Monument Sign (RB) | Low profile no greater than 8.5 ft; or sign face max 24 inches above lowest adjacent ground, supported by two posts/columns. | Max 32 sq ft in area. | — | ≥10 ft from ROW; ≥10 ft side yard. | Any business establishment in the Commercial Sign District (includes RB) may have both one wall sign and one freestanding sign (§181-2K). | Set back minimum 10 ft from any roadway right-of-way and 10 ft from side yard lot line. | — | Unlock | §181-3C(1)-(4); §181-5A(8) |
| Wall Sign (RB) | May not extend above first-floor level. | 15% of facade area. | — | — | Per frontage: one primary wall sign; plus one secondary rear/side where eligible; also allowed one freestanding sign per §181-2K. | Mounted on building facade. | — | Unlock | §181-5F(1)-(4); §181-3C(4); §181-2F(1)-(2); §181-5B |
| Plaza/Common Tenant Freestanding Sign (RB) | — | Max 48 sq ft. | — | — | One common tenant freestanding sign per plaza; tenant signage contained within common sign. | As approved by Sign Review Board. | — | Unlock | §181-3C(5); §181-2B(1) |
| Directional Sign (On-Premises) | Max 6 ft. | Max 8 sq ft per face; height ≤6 ft. | — | — | — | On-premises; not in ROW. | — | Unlock | §181-6C |
| Temporary A-Frame (Sandwich Board) Sign | — | Max 8 sq ft per side. | — | — | One per tenant in plaza. | On-premises; not in ROW. | — | Unlock | §181-4A(2) |
PermitPal covers all 6 zoning districts in Clarence — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 6 zones for Clarence — start freeProhibited Signs in Clarence
- Erecting, re‑erecting, constructing, or structurally altering any sign without a Town permit is prohibited (unless specifically exempt).
- Off‑premises signs and billboard signs are prohibited townwide (limited exemptions for small community/not‑for‑profit and seasonal agricultural directional signs).
- Freestanding signs over 60 square feet are prohibited except in shopping plazas as approved by the Sign Review Board.
- No sign may be located in, or project into, a public right‑of‑way.
- No sign may be placed, painted, or drawn upon trees, utility poles, light poles, or standards.
- Illumination may not be directed onto public streets, highways, sidewalks, or adjacent premises so as to cause hardship or danger.
- Signs that flash, blink, or scroll‑change, or whose text changes more frequently than every 30 seconds, are prohibited.
- Signs or sign parts may not rotate or move; attention‑getting devices such as pennants, ribbons, streamers, balloons, spinners, and strings of lights used for advertising are prohibited (except temporary flag signs as specifically permitted).
- LED signage is limited to freestanding signs only, and LED messages must remain of constant intensity for at least 30 seconds (no movement or scrolling).
- Painting a sign on a building is prohibited.
- No sign may prevent or obstruct free ingress to or egress from any walkway, door, window, or fire escape; no sign may be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- No sign may be erected or maintained so as to obstruct clear vision of roadways/driveways or resemble/ be confused with traffic control devices.
- No sign may employ mirror or mirror‑like surfaces or day‑glow/fluorescent paints or pigments.
- All signs must be securely anchored and shall not swing or move in any manner.
- Permanent signs must maintain a minimum 10‑foot setback from any roadway right‑of‑way and a 10‑foot side yard setback; permanent freestanding signs must be at least 50 feet from any other freestanding sign.
Exempt Signs in Clarence
- Historical markers, tablets, statues, memorial signs and plaques; names of buildings and dates of erection when cut into masonry or durable metal; and emblems installed by governmental, religious, or nonprofit organizations, not exceeding 6 sq ft.
- Flags and insignia of any government, except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.
- On‑premises directional signs (e.g., public parking, fire zones, entrances/exits) are exempt from permits if not exceeding 8 sq ft per face, not over 6 ft high, and not located in the public right‑of‑way; business names/logos may be included with Sign Review Board approval.
- Nonilluminated warning/private drive/posted/no trespassing signs not exceeding 2 sq ft.
- One on‑premises wall sign for permitted professional offices or home occupations at a residence, not exceeding 4 sq ft, stating name and vocation only.
- Street number and nameplates identifying residents, mounted on a house, apartment, or mailbox, not exceeding 1.5 sq ft.
- Lawn signs identifying residents, not exceeding 1.5 sq ft; not illuminated except by a light integral to a lamppost used as the support, with no advertising message.
- Private‑owner garage sale/auction signs not exceeding 4 sq ft for up to 10 days; may not be attached to utility poles, trees, or other off‑premises structures; must meet applicable temporary sign requirements.
- Temporary, nonilluminated real estate signs concerning the premises: up to 16 sq ft in residential sign districts and 32 sq ft in business sign districts; remove within one week after closing the transaction.
- One temporary sign for a roadway stand selling agricultural produce grown on the premises in season, up to 32 sq ft. Seasonal off‑premises agricultural produce signs are allowed if freestanding and under 16 sq ft.
- Holiday decorations, including lighting.
- Signs attached to gasoline pumps, up to 2 sq ft, on premises where retail gasoline is sold.
- Temporary, on‑premises directional signs for meetings, conventions, and other assemblies, not exceeding 8 sq ft; must be removed after the event.
- One construction identification sign listing architect/engineer/contractor/owner, up to 16 sq ft in any district, on premises where construction/renovation/repair is in progress; remove after the work/event.
- Political posters/signs up to 16 sq ft in residential districts and 32 sq ft in nonresidential districts; allowed 30 days prior to an election or political event; remove within one week after; not in the public right‑of‑way and must meet special event location restrictions.
- Signs erected by a governmental entity to fulfill official duties (e.g., traffic control, detours, posting of rules, governmental directional signs).
- Off‑premises community or not‑for‑profit activity directional signs are allowed without a permit if they do not exceed 8 sq ft and are in place no more than 60 days; temporary directional signs to seasonal agricultural products under 16 sq ft per side are also allowed without a permit; such signs may not be placed within a public right‑of‑way.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Clarence
- All permanent sign applications require architectural review by the Sign Review Board; the SRB may approve minor variations up to 10% from dimensional standards.
- All permanent sign applications are subject to a 15‑day Sign Review Board review; permits issued are subject to Town Board objection for 15 days after SRB approval.
- All new plaza signs are reviewed by the Sign Review Board during site plan review; the SRB determines the location and size of the common tenant (freestanding) sign during site plan review.
- Businesses located in a shopping mall must utilize a common tenant freestanding sign as reviewed and approved by the Sign Review Board.
- Residential subdivision/project entrance identification signs require location approval as part of site plan review by the Sign Review Board.
- Temporary A‑frame signs require an annual permit and approval by the Sign Review Board.
- Denials of signs for commercial event sales may be appealed to the Sign Review Board.
- Variances: An applicant may petition the Planning Board after public notice and a hearing; the Planning Board may approve, deny, or vary/modify the application consistent with the chapter’s purpose.
- No master sign plan requirement is specified in this chapter; site plan review is explicitly required for new plaza signs and certain subdivision/project entrance signs.
Source: ecode360 municipal code