# Sign Regulations in Corning, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Corning, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/corning
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-21
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/30522779#30522779)

## At a glance

Corning, New York regulates 15 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Copy-Change Signs in the R1, R2, RM, MR, PMRD zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 8 sq ft, with a 6 ft from lot line or right-of-way setback (Sec. Table 5-1; §180-14C). Most commercial signs in Corning require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R1, R2, RM, MR, PMRD | 7 | 15 ft to top; minimum 7 ft clearance above grade | 8 sq ft | — |
| RT | 7 | 15 ft to top; 7 ft minimum clearance | 8 sq ft | — |
| C, CL, I, BD, Denison Parkway District | 10 | 36 in | 16 sq ft | — |
| Market Street/Bridge Street District | 9 | 24 in | 6 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 4 ft above grade | 3 sq ft per side | — |

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

### R1, R2, RM, MR, PMRD

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Residential use; attached to dwelling or mailbox | — | Table 5-1; §180-14G |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Residential use for approved home occupation | — | Table 5-1; §180-14F |
| Copy-Change Sign | 6 ft | 8 sq ft | — | 6 ft from lot line or right-of-way | 1 per street frontage | Non-residential use | — | Table 5-1; §180-14C |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 ft | 8 sq ft | — | 6 ft from lot line or right-of-way | 1 per property | Non-residential; or multifamily with 15 or more units | — | Table 5-1; §180-14E |
| Projecting Sign | 15 ft to top; minimum 7 ft clearance above grade | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per facade | Non-residential building facade | — | Table 5-1; §180-14I |
| Window Lettering/Sign | — | No more than 1 sq ft per 2 linear feet of occupancy frontage, maximum 40% of window; or 20% of glass area per window | — | — | 1 per window pane | Installed on ground floor window | — | Table 5-1; §180-14K |
| Temporary Sign | 6 ft | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per occupancy frontage | One per occupancy frontage | — | Table 5-1; §180-14J |

### C, CL, I, BD, Denison Parkway District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 2 for residential use | Residential uses only | — | Table 5-3; §180-14G |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 2 for residential use | Residential use for approved home occupation | — | Table 5-3; §180-14F |
| Awning Sign | — | Valance lettering up to 2/3 length and 1 line, not exceeding 6 in height; up to 20% of awning for graphics | — | — | 1 per awning | Nonresidential use, ground floor only | — | Table 5-3; §180-18A |
| Copy-Change Sign | 8 ft | 16 sq ft | — | 6 ft from lot line | Front: 3, Other facades: 2, Max per occupancy: 5, 1 per type per facade | Non-residential | — | Table 5-3; §180-18C |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft | 16 sq ft | — | 6 ft from lot line or right-of-way | 1 per property | Non-residential or multifamily with 15+ units | — | Table 5-3; §180-18E |
| Pole Sign | 15 ft | 16 sq ft | — | 6 ft from lot line or right-of-way | 1 per property | Permitted as specified | — | Table 5-3; §180-18H |
| Projecting Sign | 15 ft to top, minimum 7 ft clearance above grade | 16 sq ft | — | — | Front: 3, Other facades: 2, Max per occupancy: 5, 1 per type per facade | Attached to building, not over road | — | Table 5-3; §180-18I |
| Temporary Sign | 8 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per occupancy frontage | 1 per occupancy frontage | — | Table 5-3; §180-18J |

### Market Street/Bridge Street District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | — | Valance lettering up to 2/3 length (1 line, 6 in high); additional emblem/insignia up to 20% of awning area; letters max 18 in high | — | — | 1 per awning | Nonresidential use, ground floor only | — | Table 6-1; §180-16A |
| Copy-Change Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 6 ft from lot line or right-of-way | Front: 3, Rear: 2, Side: 1 per side | Non-residential | — | Table 6-1; §180-16C |
| Facade Sign | 24 in | — | — | — | Front: 3, Rear: 2, Side: 1 | Non-residential facade | — | Table 6-1; §180-16D |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 6 ft from lot line or right-of-way | 1 per property | Non-residential or multifamily with 15+ units | — | Table 6-1; §180-16E |
| Projecting Sign | 15 ft to top, 7 ft clearance minimum | 6 sq ft | — | — | Front: 3, Rear: 2, Side: 1 | On facade, not over road | — | Table 6-1; §180-16H |
| Sandwich Board | 3 ft | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per occupant | On sidewalk, primary street frontage; only where sidewalk is 8 ft or wider | — | Table 6-1; §180-16I |
| Window Lettering/Sign | — | No more than 1 sq ft per 2 linear feet of occupancy frontage, max 40% window; or 20% glass area | — | — | Front: 3, Rear: 2, Side: 1 | On ground floor window | — | Table 6-1; §180-16K |
| Temporary Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per occupancy frontage | 1 per occupant frontage | — | Table 6-1; §180-16J |

## Prohibited signs in Corning

- No sign shall be located in any manner which may cause a traffic hazard or where it may interfere with or obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.
- No sign may use words or symbols such as 'Stop,' 'Look,' 'Drive-In,' 'Left,' 'Right,' or similar that may distract, mislead, or confuse traffic.
- No sign shall be placed on a roof, roof-mounted structure, or on top of a parapet or similar architectural element of a building.
- Raising grade of a site to increase sign elevation (contrary to code) is prohibited, except when approved by the Planning Commission.
- No sign shall or have the ability to stream content or be illuminated by or contain flashing, pulsing, intermittent, rotating or revolving lights. Scrolling, fading, flashing, or movement imitation is not allowed for time, temperature, or fuel price signs.
- No sign shall consist of balloons, banners, flags, inflatables, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners or similar moving, fluttering, revolving devices, or wind-animated devices, except for permitted temporary signs.
- No person shall park any vehicle or trailer on public property or on private property so as to be visible from a public right-of-way, which vehicle has attached or located thereon any sign for the purpose of advertising or directing people to a business or activity, unless the sign is painted on or permanently attached to a business/commercial vehicle in normal use and not primarily for advertising.
- No sign shall be located as to prevent or obstruct ingress to or egress from any door, window, or exit from a building.
- No sign shall be illuminated in such a manner that the illumination becomes an infringement to the adjoining properties or exceeds 2,000 lumens.
- Billboards, off-premises, portable signs, and any sign type not listed in the ordinance are prohibited in all zoning districts, unless specifically stated.
- Signs attached to or painted on public property (including, but not limited to, public buildings, sidewalks, lamp posts, hydrants, trees, poles, etc.) are prohibited unless approved or modified by this chapter or the Director of Public Safety.
- Any sign now or hereafter existing which no longer relates to the use conducted, or a product sold, shall be removed within 30 days of cessation of the use by the owner, agent, or person having the beneficial use.

## Signs exempt from permit in Corning

- Signs erected and maintained pursuant to and in connection with any governmental function are exempt from these regulations.
- Signs listed in Table 3-1 (Exempt Signs) may be installed and maintained without a permit or a fee, provided such signs comply with the ordinance and other applicable laws.
- Community notice signs not exceeding three square feet and located within four feet of an entrance door are exempt from permit requirements.
- Temporary signs for indoor events (installed no sooner than 7 days prior and removed 2 days after, max 15 days) or outdoor events (for up to 2 days, limits per year) do not require a permit, subject to certain limits.
- Menu holders, if limited to two square feet and not used for additional business identification, are not considered signs.
- Credit card decals or similar graphics, with lettering less than one inch high and occupying one square foot or less (total no more than two square feet per entrance), are not considered window lettering signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A scaled plan showing the sign, structure, placement, location with respect to property lines, buildings, existing signage, and method of illumination is required as part of every sign permit application (except for sources or cases specifically exempted, such as certain temporary or community signs).
- Design Review Committee approval is required for signs located in recognized districts before permit issuance; a Design Review Committee review is effectively a sign plan review for such districts.
- Structure painting (painting/repainting a structure with corporate colors or similar) is considered signage and requires both a permit and site plan approval. Structure painting in a recognized district also requires Design Review Committee consideration before site plan approval.
- Representational signs require a permit, Design Review Committee approval, and Site Plan approval. Design Review Committee review occurs prior to site plan approval.
- Signs on or over public property (including public right-of-way in certain districts) may require approval via special events procedures as well as site plan review.
- Preexisting nonconforming signs must apply for a nonconforming sign permit and comply with additional restrictions and sign plan submittal.

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

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