# Sign Regulations in Cornwall Town, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Cornwall Town, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/cornwall-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/10556969#10556969)

## At a glance

Cornwall Town, New York regulates 28 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Wall Sign (Facade Sign)s in the Nonresidential Zoning Districts (PIO, PCD, HC, GC, LS) zoning district are capped at 2.5 feet; up to 3.5 feet if building face >300 ft from property line tall, 2.5 feet in height × 10 feet in width (25 sq ft max), and 10 feet wide, with a Not beyond property/sidewalk line setback (Sec. §158-18H(1)(b)[1]-[3]). Most commercial signs in Cornwall Town require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nonresidential Zoning Districts (PIO, PCD, HC, GC, LS) | 8 | 12 feet above ground level | 32 square feet, total all faces | — |
| Residential Zoning Districts (MCR, ARR, SLR, SR-1, SR-2) | 5 | 8 feet above ground level | 12 square feet, total all faces (except for multiple-residence developments: 32 square feet) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 17 | 25 feet in residential zones, 35 feet in nonresidential zones | 20 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Nonresidential Zoning Districts (PIO, PCD, HC, GC, LS)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 12 feet above ground level | 32 square feet, total all faces | — | Behind property or sidewalk line | 1, or 2 if site has two main vehicular entrances and Planning Board approves | Behind the property line or sidewalk line, free of pedestrian traffic, not obstructing sight distance, not a hazard or nuisance | — | §158-18H(1)(a)[1]-[4] |
| Wall Sign (Facade Sign) | 2.5 feet; up to 3.5 feet if building face >300 ft from property line | 2.5 feet in height × 10 feet in width (25 sq ft max) | 10 feet | Not beyond property/sidewalk line | 1 per business, or 2 if >1 main entrance (signs must be on different building faces) | On building facade, either flat or perpendicular, not above property/sidewalk line; not to obstruct sight distance or pose a hazard/nuisance | — | §158-18H(1)(b)[1]-[3] |
| Temporary Sign | — | 32 square feet, total all faces (unless otherwise specified) | — | — | 1 sign per structure per event/type; up to 3 for contractor signs | On the property to which the sign applies | — | §158-18H(1)(c)[1]-[7] |
| Temporary Sign (Real Estate) | — | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 per property | On property for sale/rent only | — | §158-18H(1)(c)[3] |
| Temporary Contractor Sign | — | 6 square feet per sign | — | — | Up to 3 per project/property | On property of building improvement or repair project | — | §158-18H(1)(c)[4] |
| Temporary Development Sign (Subdivision or Site Plan) | 12 feet above ground level | 24 square feet, total all faces | — | — | 1 per subdivision/site plan | On the property/development being marketed | — | §158-18H(1)(c)[5][a]-[e] |
| Portable Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per new/moving business instance | On property of the business | — | §158-18H(1)(d)[1]-[5] |
| Sandwich Board Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per building | Not within public sidewalk or thoroughfare, nor placed so as to interfere with pedestrian or vehicular movement, visibility, or public safety | — | §158-18M(19) |

### Residential Zoning Districts (MCR, ARR, SLR, SR-1, SR-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential Use) | 8 feet above ground level | 12 square feet, total all faces (except for multiple-residence developments: 32 square feet) | — | Behind property or sidewalk line | 1 (may be more for multiple-residence development, if Planning Board approves, min. 300 ft apart) | Behind property line or sidewalk line | — | §158-18H(2)(a)[1]-[5] |
| Occupation or Professional Sign (Accessory to Permitted Residence) | 6 feet above ground level | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 per residence | Accessory to permitted residence | — | §158-18H(2)(a)[4] |
| Wall Sign (Facade Sign, Nonresidential) | — | 4 square feet | — | — | 1 per permitted business | On the building facade for permitted business | — | §158-18H(2)(b)[1] |
| Temporary Sign (Real Estate) | — | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 per property | Entirely on the property to which the sign applies | — | §158-18H(2)(c)[2]; refers to §158-18H(1)(c)[3] |
| Temporary Contractor Sign | — | 6 square feet per sign | — | — | Up to 3 per project/property | Entirely on the property where project is performed | — | §158-18H(2)(c)[4] |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| House Number Sign (Residential) | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 per residential unit | Affixed to building or an independent structure by the road so as to be readable from the road | — | §158-18G(1), §158-18M(5) |
| House Number Sign (Commercial) | 6-8 inches | — | — | — | 1 per commercial property | Affixed to building or a structure by the road, readable from the road | — | §158-18G(1) |
| Regulatory, Directional, Instructional Sign (Nonelectrical, Nonilluminated) | — | — | — | — | As necessary | Entirely on property to which they pertain | — | §158-18M(1) |
| Flag, Emblem, Insignia Sign | 25 feet in residential zones, 35 feet in nonresidential zones | — | — | — | Up to 3, more by Planning Board approval | — | — | §158-18M(2) |
| Notice Bulletin Board for Institutions | — | 20 square feet | — | — | — | On premises of medical, public, charitable, civil, religious institution | — | §158-18M(8) |
| "No Trespassing", "No Dumping" or Similar Signs | — | 1.5 square feet | — | — | One per 250 linear feet, one per property side minimum | Spaced along property lines | — | §158-18M(9) |
| Religious Symbol, Historical Plaque or Emblem | — | 4 square feet | — | — | — | Flat against building | — | §158-18M(12) |
| Price/Product/Promotional Sign (Gas Stations/Repair Garages) | 8 feet above grade | 12 square feet per sign (6 square feet per side) | — | Min. 10 feet from pavement if not on pump island | 2 per site | On pump island or not closer than 10 feet from edge of pavement | — | §158-18M(16) |

## Prohibited signs in Cornwall Town

- No sign, billboard, advertising display, structure, poster or similar device shall be erected, moved, enlarged or reconstructed except as expressly permitted in this chapter.
- Billboards are prohibited.
- Flashing signs, or signs or devices on which the artificial light is not stationary and constant in intensity and color, or signs including materials which move or appear to move, are prohibited.
- Signs which compete for attention with or may be mistaken for a traffic signal, or imitate official traffic signs/signals, or bear words such as 'stop', 'go slow', 'caution', 'warning' or similar are prohibited.
- The outlining by direct illumination of all or any part of a building is prohibited, except temporary holiday lighting.
- Signs made of cardboard, paper, canvas or similar impermanent materials are prohibited.
- Swinging signs are prohibited.
- A-frame or sandwich board, sidewalk or curb signs are prohibited except as set forth in §158-18M(19).
- Signs which project over a public street or right-of-way are prohibited except as set forth in §158-18M(18).
- Electronic changing message centers are prohibited.
- Gas-filled figures or objects are prohibited.
- Abandoned business signs, i.e., those advertising a discontinued activity, business, product, or service on the premises, are prohibited.
- Parking vehicles or trailers for the primary purpose of advertisement is prohibited in public right-of-way, public property, or private property so as to be visible from a public right-of-way, except for vehicles with current registration used for business purposes.
- No sign is permitted on public property, or over or across any street or public thoroughfare, except as otherwise expressly authorized.
- No signs shall be erected, constructed, or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape, required exit, window, or door opening used as a means of egress.
- No sign shall be attached in any form, shape or manner which will interfere with any opening required for ventilation, except as allowed for transoms not violating code.
- Signs must maintain a minimum clearance of 24 inches horizontally or vertically from any electrical conductor or public utility guy wire.
- No person shall maintain or permit to be maintained any sign in dangerous or defective condition.
- No person shall erect a sign which does not comply with this chapter.
- Any sign which is abandoned (located on property vacant/unoccupied for 3+ months, or pertaining to an event/purpose no longer applicable) is prohibited.
- Portable signs are not permitted in residential zoning districts.
- Temporary signs (other than real estate, development, and contractor signs) are not permitted in residential zoning districts.
- Any modification or alteration to a legal nonconforming sign that makes it less compliant (in structure, copy, location, or replacement) requires the sign to immediately comply with the chapter or be removed.

## Signs exempt from permit in Cornwall Town

- Changing advertising copy or message on an existing approved painted, printed, marquee, changeable copy, or similar approved sign specifically designed for replaceable copy does not require a permit.
- Painting, repainting, cleaning, or other normal maintenance and repair of a sign not involving structural changes does not require a permit. Replacement of a plastic face due to breakage/deterioration is included, but not for new advertisers.
- Changes in the content of show window displays and permitted temporary signs with a valid permit do not require a new permit.
- Installation of required street number identification signs is exempt from permitting requirements but must comply with applicable provisions and guidelines.
- Temporary signs meeting specified requirements (location, mounting, size, duration) do not require permit (see §158-18H(1)(c), H(2)(c)), including real estate signs, contractor signs, development signs, and in nonresidential zones, other temporary signs related to a single activity or event.
- Exempt signs, per §158-18M, do not require permit unless otherwise indicated. Exempt types include: nonelectrical, nonilluminated directional/instructional signs on property; flags/emblems/insignia (within limits); governmental/regulatory signs; temporary holiday decoration signs; house numbers and nameplates; interior signs within buildings/lobbies; memorial plaques/names/dates on buildings; notice bulletin boards (subject to size/location limits); 'No trespassing'/similar signs (subject to size and spacing); official public notices; public signs required/authorized by law; religious symbols and similar plaques (with area and mounting limits); warning signs alerting to danger with no advertising; integral gasoline station graphics and limited price/product signs meeting requirements; public event/celebration signs subject to time limits; banners/pennants/similar signs under specified conditions in nonresidential or during open houses in residential; sandwich board signs, provided placed per limitations.
- Any sign required or specifically authorized by law, statute, or ordinance is exempt from standard limitations.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Applications to erect a sign must be made to the Building Inspector with information including scaled site plans and facade details as applicable.
- Freestanding identification or directory signs require a site plan showing locations, setbacks, elevations, and structural details.
- Where noted (e.g., certain exempt directional/instructional signs when the project is subject to site plan review), at the discretion of the Building Inspector these signs may require application to the Planning Board for approval.
- Flags, emblems or insignia-type signs in excess of three per property must be approved by the Planning Board as an element of a site plan.
- Requests for deviation from the permitted sign types, sizes, or standards are handled via the Zoning Board of Appeals; a hearing is required for sign variances.
- Temporary subdivision or site plan development signs require a written application prior to permit expiration for any renewal.
- All street names, including for private roads, are subject to approval by the Town Board.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Cornwall Town, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Cornwall+Town+NY&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-cornwall-town

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