# Sign Regulations in Clarence, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Clarence, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/clarence
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/10545446#10545446)

## 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.

## Sign rules by zoning district (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 (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 | 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). | — | §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. | — | §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. | — | §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. | — | §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. | — | §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. | — | §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. | — | §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. | — | §181-2F(1)-(2) |

### Commercial (C); Industrial Business Park (I)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | 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. | — | §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. | — | §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. | — | §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. | — | §181-6C |
| Temporary A-Frame (Sandwich Board) Sign | — | Max 8 sq ft per side. | — | — | One per tenant in plaza. | On-premises; not in ROW. | — | §181-4A(2) |

### Restricted Business (RB)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | 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. | — | §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. | — | §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. | — | §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. | — | §181-6C |
| Temporary A-Frame (Sandwich Board) Sign | — | Max 8 sq ft per side. | — | — | One per tenant in plaza. | On-premises; not in ROW. | — | §181-4A(2) |

## Prohibited 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.

## Signs exempt from permit 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

- 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.

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

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