# Sign Regulations in Clinton, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Clinton, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/clinton
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/34223857#34223857)

## At a glance

Clinton, New York regulates 22 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Home Occupation/Professional Office Identification Sign (R-1, R-2P)s in the R-1, R-2P zoning district are capped at 5 ft tall and 2 sq ft, with a 10 ft from any side property line; Not in/projecting into public way, not above first story setback (Sec. § 260-14B(1)(c)). Most commercial signs in Clinton require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | Shall not project higher than one story or 20 feet, whichever is lower | 25% of window surface | — |
| R-1, R-2P | 3 | 5 ft | 20 sq ft | — |
| C-1, C-2 | 4 | 18 ft | 90 sq ft (aggregate, per business) | — |
| Residential District | 2 | — | 8 sq ft | — |
| Commercial District, Business District, Industrial District | 2 | — | 20 sq ft per side | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Shall not project higher than one story or 20 feet, whichever is lower | — | — | — | — | Must be compatible with and in proportion to the architectural character of the building; must not cover architectural features | — | § 260-14A(1)-(5), § 260-14C(2), (5), § 260-14G |
| Temporary Sign | — | 16 sq ft in business/industrial districts; 8 sq ft in residential districts | — | — | — | — | — | § 260-14D(3) |
| Directional Sign (Temporary or Permanent, On-premises or Off-premises) | 6 ft | 4 sq ft per face | — | — | — | For convenience of general public; must be removed during nonbusiness hours (temporary) | — | § 260-14D(4), § 260-14E(3) |
| Real Estate Sign (Temporary) | — | 6 sq ft per side (residential); 20 sq ft per side (business/industrial) | — | 15 ft from property lines (business/industrial districts) | One per premises | On premises for sale/lease/rent | — | § 260-14D(5) |
| Window Sign (Temporary) | — | 25% of window surface | — | — | — | Window | — | § 260-14D(6) |
| Construction Sign (Temporary) | — | 6 sq ft (R-1, R-2P); 16 sq ft (business districts) | — | — | One per premises | On premises where construction/renovation/repair in progress | — | § 260-14D(7) |
| Historical Marker / Plaque / Memorial Sign (Exempt) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Masonry surface or made of bronze/stainless steel, on the building | — | § 260-14E(1) |
| Number/Nameplate (Residential Identification) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | — | Mounted on house, apartment, mailbox, or lamppost | — | § 260-14E(5) |

### R-1, R-2P

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Development Sign (R-1, R-2P) | 5 ft | 20 sq ft | — | 25 ft from front property line, 10 ft from any side property line | — | On approved property for development. Not in/projecting into public way, not above first story. | — | § 260-14B(1)(a) |
| Institutional Sign (R-1, R-2P) | 5 ft | 15 sq ft | — | 10 ft from any side property line; Not in/projecting into public way, not above first story | — | On premises | — | § 260-14B(1)(b) |
| Home Occupation/Professional Office Identification Sign (R-1, R-2P) | 5 ft | 2 sq ft | — | 10 ft from any side property line; Not in/projecting into public way, not above first story | One per premises | Mounted flush on dwelling or as approved by Planning Board | — | § 260-14B(1)(c) |

### C-1, C-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign / Projecting Sign (C-1, C-2) | 5 ft per sign; not above high point of roof | 90 sq ft (aggregate, per business) | — | — | Max 2 per business | Attached flat or integral to building, or projecting ≤ 4 ft from building line | — | § 260-14B(2)(a)-(b), § 260-14C(2), (5) |
| Freestanding (Pole) Sign (C-1, C-2) | 18 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — | If within 8 ft of property line, raise bottom of sign ≥10 ft | One per premises under these specific conditions | In case of principal area w/ no building or building >50 ft from street | — | § 260-14B(2)(b) |
| Gasoline Price/Product/Promotional Sign (C-1, C-2) | 8 ft above grade | 12 sq ft per sign; 6 sq ft per side if double sided | — | 10 ft from edge of pavement | Max 2 per station | On pump island, or set at least 10 ft from edge of pavement; not in street right-of-way | — | § 260-14B(2)(c) |
| Shopping Plaza Directory/Freestanding Sign (C-1, C-2) | 9 ft min, 20 ft max above grade | 40 sq ft | — | — | One per shopping plaza | Freestanding; on shopping plaza property | — | § 260-14B(3) |

## Prohibited signs in Clinton

- No building shall be painted, illuminated, or otherwise intended for use as a sign that is not in conformance with the regulations set forth in this chapter.
- No sign, other than those listed as exempt, shall be erected, constructed or placed on a parcel until application has been made and approval granted.
- No off-premises signs shall be allowed other than as permitted under the exempt sign provision.
- No sign shall be illuminated by or contain flashing, intermittent, rotating or moving lights, except to show time and temperature.
- No sign shall impair or cause confusion of vehicular or pedestrian traffic in its design, color or placement.
- No sign shall impair visibility for the motorist at a street corner or intersection by placement and location.
- No portable sign shall be allowed other than as permitted under the exempt sign provision.
- No advertising message shall be comprised of more than one sign placed along the street or highway.
- No sign shall project into the public way or project higher than one story or 20 feet, whichever is lower.
- No sign in a residential district shall project into the public way or project higher than one story or 20 feet, whichever is lower.
- No temporary sign shall obstruct or impair access to a public sidewalk, street, driveway, traffic control sign, bus stop, fire hydrant, street furniture, or otherwise create a hazard, including a tripping hazard.
- Temporary signs shall not be attached to fences, trees, rocks, or other parts of a natural landscape.
- Temporary signs shall not be placed in a position that will obstruct or impair traffic or create a hazard or disturbance to health, safety, and welfare of the general public.
- Flags and insignia of any government are prohibited when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.
- Nonconforming signs shall be removed unless a variance is granted.
- A sign which does not advertise an existing business on the premises is subject to removal by the Code Enforcement Officer.
- A sign which obstructs the view of a public highway is subject to removal by the Code Enforcement Officer.
- A sign which is abandoned, unsafe, or insecure is subject to removal by the Code Enforcement Officer.
- The Code Enforcement Officer may cause any sign that is a source of danger to persons or property to be removed immediately without notice.

## Signs exempt from permit in Clinton

- Historical markers, tablets and statues, memorial signs and plaques; names of buildings and dates of erection when cut into masonry or constructed of bronze, stainless steel or similar material; emblems installed by governmental agencies, religious or nonprofit organizations not exceeding six square feet do not require a permit.
- Flags and insignia of any government, except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion, do not require a permit.
- On-premises and off-premises temporary, portable directional signs for the convenience of the general public, identifying businesses, public parking areas, fire zones, bus and service entrances and exits and similar signs, internally illuminated or nonilluminated, not exceeding four square feet per face and six feet in height, are exempt (must be removed during nonbusiness hours).
- Posted 'no trespassing' signs, not exceeding two square feet, are exempt from permits.
- Number and nameplates, identifying residents, mounted on the house, apartment, mailbox or lamppost, not exceeding one square foot in area, do not require a permit.
- Temporary signs as specified in §260-14D, such as real estate signs, construction signs, political campaign posters, 'for sale/lease/rent' signs, window posters, and both on- and off-premises temporary directional signs, are generally exempt provided they meet the specified conditions.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No sign other than those listed as exempt shall be erected, constructed or placed on a parcel until application has been made and approval granted.
- All signs other than those listed as exempt and temporary shall be reviewed and approved by the Village Planning Board.
- The Zoning Board of Appeals interprets this chapter and grants variances applicable to the provisions of this section.
- Shopping plazas: The design and style of individual signs must be coordinated to create aesthetic uniformity within the plaza. (This may suggest that a coordinated (master) sign plan is required for shopping plazas.)
- A special permit from the Board of Trustees is required to erect or maintain any encroachment, sign or projection in, over or upon any of the streets or public grounds, or immediately adjacent right-of-way.

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

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