# Sign Regulations in Cortland, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Cortland, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/cortland
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-17
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/13640295#13640295)

## At a glance

Cortland, New York regulates 26 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the Neighborhood Business District (NB), Professional Office District (PO) zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall and 7 sq ft, with a Min 5 ft from sidewalk or front lot line (whichever further), 3 ft from other lot lines setback (Sec. § 300-115B). Most commercial signs in Cortland 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 | 6 ft | 3 sq ft | — |
| Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4) | 2 | 4 ft | 16 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Business District (NB), Professional Office District (PO) | 8 | 4 ft | 25% of window area | — |
| Central Business District (CB) | 8 | 8 ft | 25% of window area | — |
| General Business Regional District (GB-1), General Business Local District (GB-2) | 10 | Up to 60 ft; up to 70 ft (or 20 ft above highway grade if ≤250 ft from highway) if within 800 ft of highway exit | Max 400 sq ft (if within 800 ft of limited-access highway exit, by special design); otherwise as per formula. | — |
| General Business Regional District (GB-1) | 1 | 35 ft; sign face minimum of 10 ft above ground | 440 sq ft per sign face | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Banner | — | — | — | — | Up to two per lot or use | Must not extend above the first floor facade or project beyond property lines; must not impede pedestrian traffic. | — | § 300-113B(1) |
| Construction Sign | — | — | — | — | Not specified | — | — | § 300-113B(2) |
| Community Sign | — | — | — | — | Up to two per organization/event | On property owned/rented by organization or with owner permission. | — | § 300-113B(3) |
| Directional Sign | — | — | — | Allowed within required district setback areas if they do not obstruct free and clear vision to traffic. | Not specified | Entirely on property to which it pertains, within setback if does not obstruct traffic vision. | — | § 300-113B(4) |
| Flag | — | — | — | — | Not specified | — | — | § 300-113B(5) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | — | — | — | Up to two per lot | On the lot being advertised. | — | § 300-113B(10) |
| Temporary Sign | — | — | — | — | Up to two per lot | On the lot for which intended. | — | § 300-113B(11) |
| Residential Rental Sign | 6 ft | 3 sq ft | — | — | Not specified | Building-mounted only. | — | § 300-113B(12) |

### Neighborhood Business District (NB), Professional Office District (PO)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 4 ft | 7 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from sidewalk or front lot line (whichever further), 3 ft from other lot lines | Up to one per lot | — | — | § 300-115B |
| Wall Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | Up to one per building facade with street frontage | Building facade with street frontage | — | § 300-115D |
| Projecting Sign or Suspended Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | Up to one per use | — | — | § 300-115E |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | Not specified | — | — | § 300-115F |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | One per use | — | — | § 300-115G |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of window area | — | — | Not specified | Window | — | § 300-115H |
| A-frame or Sandwich Board Sign | — | — | — | — | One per use | On property of use (not in right-of-way or public property) | — | § 300-115I |
| Ground Sign (Parking Lot Use) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | See above | One per parking lot | Parking lot use | — | § 300-115K |

### General Business Regional District (GB-1), General Business Local District (GB-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 8 ft | 16 sq ft | — | 5 ft from sidewalk/front lot line (whichever further), 3 ft from other lot lines | Up to one per lot | — | — | § 300-117B |
| Pole Sign (GB-1 only) | Up to 60 ft; up to 70 ft (or 20 ft above highway grade if ≤250 ft from highway) if within 800 ft of highway exit | Max 400 sq ft (if within 800 ft of limited-access highway exit, by special design); otherwise as per formula. | — | — | Not specified | Front lot line of at least 50 ft. Not within 300 ft of another pole sign. | — | § 300-117C |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | One per building facade with street frontage | Building facade with street frontage | — | § 300-117D |
| Projecting Sign or Suspended Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | Up to one per use | — | — | § 300-117E |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of window area | — | — | Not specified | Window | — | § 300-117G |
| Shopping Center Signs (<35,000 sq ft) | 15 ft (ground sign) | 36 sq ft (ground sign); total all signs max 100 sq ft | — | — | One ground sign, one per occupant (wall, projecting, suspended, awning) | Shopping center lot/groupings with less than 35,000 sq ft of leasable area. | — | § 300-117J(1) |
| Shopping Center Signs (35,000 to <50,000 sq ft) | 20 ft (ground sign) | 100 sq ft (ground sign); 1 sq ft per linear foot of frontage per occupant | — | — | One ground sign; one per occupant (wall, projecting, suspended, awning) | Shopping center lot/groupings with 35,000 - <50,000 sq ft of leasable area. | — | § 300-117J(2) |
| Shopping Center Signs (>=50,000 sq ft) | 20 ft (ground sign) | 150 sq ft (ground sign); 1 sq ft per linear foot of frontage per occupant | — | — | One ground sign; one per occupant (wall, projecting, suspended, awning) | Shopping center lot/groupings with 50,000 sq ft or more of leasable area. | — | § 300-117J(3) |

## Prohibited signs in Cortland

- Any sign not expressly permitted by these regulations shall be prohibited.
- No sign shall be erected or renovated without a sign permit evidencing compliance with ordinance provisions, except as provided in the article.
- Any sign for which no permit was issued or for which a permit has been revoked is prohibited.
- Obsolete signs or signs that are not properly maintained, considered structurally unsound, hazardous or otherwise unsafe are prohibited.
- Signs that contain words or pictures of an obscene or pornographic nature are prohibited.
- Signs that emit audible sounds, odor, or visible matter are prohibited.
- Signs that may be confused with a traffic control sign, signal or device or the light of an emergency or road equipment vehicle; or bear words such as 'stop', 'go slow', 'caution', 'danger', 'warning' or similar; or hide from view any traffic or street sign, signal or device are prohibited.
- Signs that interfere with official traffic lights or traffic control devices are prohibited.
- Flashing, rotating, revolving signs/lights, except barber poles or holiday decorations, are prohibited (unless they violate other listed prohibitions).
- Signs with unshielded lighting devices or reflectors placed to outline or provide the background of a sign are prohibited.
- Digital signs are prohibited unless a special use permit is obtained.
- Signs with mirrors are prohibited.
- Permanent banner, pennant, windblown or inflated signs are prohibited (except as temporary signs for up to 30 days).
- Portable signs are prohibited except sandwich board signs.
- Signs placed on a curb, sidewalk, hydrant, utility pole, trees or other objects located on or over any street or within the public right-of-way are prohibited unless otherwise permitted.
- Signs, banners, or pennants mounted on or extending above the roof of any building or structure are prohibited.
- Signs painted directly upon any unpainted stone or brick wall are prohibited.
- Illuminated signs cannot be placed or directed so as to beam light onto adjacent premises causing glare or reflection that may constitute a nuisance or traffic hazard.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained within the zone of light obstruction for any window opening into any habitable room of any residential unit as defined by the ordinance.
- No sign shall project over, occupy or obstruct any window surface required for light or ventilation by applicable code.
- No sign shall be maintained at a location where, by its position, size, shape, content, lighting or color, it obstructs or impairs traffic control signs or can be confused with such signs.
- No part of a sign (other than a supporting pole or brace less than 18 inches width/diameter) shall be located lower than nine feet from grade at the curb- or street line within certain sight triangles at intersections.

## Signs exempt from permit in Cortland

- Routine sign maintenance and changing of parts designed to be changed or changing the content of a sign without changing its physical characteristics, construction, or design does not require a sign permit.
- Up to two banners per lot or use, meeting specified conditions: displayed no more than 30 days per year, not above the first floor facade, not beyond property lines, not illuminated, and not impeding pedestrian traffic.
- Construction signs, provided they are removed within 30 days after project completion.
- Community signs by local religious, governmental, or nonprofit organizations (up to 2 per event) meeting conditions: removed within 30 days of event end and located with required permissions.
- Directional signs (with no commercial message) located on the property to which they pertain, including restrooms, telephones, parking entrance/exit; allowed within setback if they do not block vision to traffic.
- Flags, emblems or insignia of any nation, government, political subdivision, organization, or religion (including commercial/noncommercial interests), subject to flagpole height limits of zoning district.
- Governmental signs (public notice, warning, etc.); no size requirements.
- Home occupation: one sign allowed.
- Up to two noncommercial signs per lot.
- Up to two political/campaign signs per lot, removed within 30 days after relevant ballot concludes.
- Up to two real estate signs per lot, to be removed within 30 days of sale completion.
- Up to two temporary signs per lot, located on appropriate lot, removed within 30 days, and not put up again for at least 30 days.
- Residential rental signs: must be building-mounted, no higher than six feet above grade, unlit, max three square feet in area, uniform template required.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Every sign permit application must be accompanied by scaled plans and specifications showing method of construction, dimensions, location, structure, materials, and illumination apparatus.
- The sign permit application must include a calculation of the total existing sign area on the property and an attestation that the proposed and existing sign areas do not exceed the ordinance maximum.
- A sign permit is required for all signs unless explicitly exempted; variance requests for sign number, size, height, or setback are subject to area variance standards and may require Zoning Board or Planning Commission review.
- Signs requiring a special use permit (e.g., digital signs, marquee signs with bare-bulb illumination, theater marquee illumination) must undergo additional Planning Commission/special use permit procedures.

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

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