# Sign Regulations in Delhi, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Delhi, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/delhi
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/12217132#12217132)

## At a glance

Delhi, New York regulates 27 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Business B District, Industrial I District zoning district are capped at 16 ft tall and 40 sq ft, with a Not closer than 6 ft to building setback (Sec. § 300-46F(10)). Most commercial signs in Delhi 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 | 13 | — | 6 sq ft in R District; 16 sq ft in B and I Districts | — |
| AR District, R-1 District, R-2 District, R-3 District, P-D District | 4 | — | 20 sq ft per side (max two sides) | — |
| Business B District, Industrial I District | 12 | Not more than 20 ft above grade | 432 sq in | — |
| Residential Districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| Business and Industrial Districts | 1 | — | — | — |

## 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 | — | — | — | — | — | Exterior of a building or structure, display surface parallel with plane of wall | — | § 300-46B(8), § 300-46G, § 300-46H |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Not attached to or painted upon a building; independent fixed location; typically front yard only if specified for some districts | — | § 300-46B(2), § 300-46G |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Projects from exterior of building | — | § 300-46B(5), § 300-46G |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Located in the window of a building and visible from the exterior | — | § 300-46B(9) |
| Roof Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Above upper edge of building, parapet, or painted/placed on roof covering or independent structural frame | — | § 300-46B(10), § 300-46C(3) |
| Exempt Sign - Identification | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | § 300-46D(1) |
| Exempt Sign - Onsite Traffic/Parking Directional | — | — | — | — | — | Private property | — | § 300-46D(4) |
| Exempt Sign - Construction Identification | — | 6 sq ft in R District; 16 sq ft in B and I Districts | — | — | One | On premises where construction, renovation, or repair is in progress | — | § 300-46D(6) |

### AR District, R-1 District, R-2 District, R-3 District, P-D District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation/Professional Office Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | One | At Code Enforcement Officer's discretion | — | § 300-46E(1) |
| Temporary Development Sign | — | 20 sq ft per side (max two sides) | — | Not closer than 10 ft to property line | One | 10 ft minimum from any property line | — | § 300-46E(2) |
| Institutional Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | Same as structural setback of zone (if freestanding) | One per building frontage | On building frontage facing street/public place; may be wall or freestanding sign | — | § 300-46E(3) |
| Educational/Medical Institutional Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 300-46E(4) |

### Business B District, Industrial I District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Principal Sign | — | — | — | — | One | Each business location (on premises) | — | § 300-46F(3), § 300-46F(4), § 300-46L |
| Shopping Plaza Sign | — | 40 sq ft | — | — | One (additional) | On premises; if freestanding, must be only freestanding sign in shopping area | — | § 300-46F(5) |
| Accessory Sign | — | Each cannot exceed principal sign; total of accessory signs cannot exceed 1/3 maximum area for principal sign | — | — | Two | Per business location; may be projecting, wall, or freestanding (only one freestanding sign per parcel) | — | § 300-46F(7) |
| Projecting Sign | 8 ft vertical dimension; top not more than 16 ft above grade | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | Projects from exterior of building; up to 5 ft from face of building or 1/3 sidewalk width (whichever less); minimum clearance (pedestrian): 7 ft 8 in, cannot extend into vehicle traffic areas | — | § 300-46F(8) |
| Wall Sign | Not more than 20 ft above grade | 100 sq ft max | — | — | — | Mounted on building wall (frontage as determined by lineal feet, only one side if corner) | — | § 300-46F(9) |
| Freestanding Sign | 16 ft | 40 sq ft | — | Not closer than 6 ft to building | — | Front yard only; not closer than 6 ft to a building; no part over public street or sidewalk | — | § 300-46F(10) |
| Portable Sign | — | 8 sq ft each | — | — | Two | May not be placed in public right-of-way or to interfere with traffic | — | § 300-46F(12) |
| Neon Sign - Interior Only | — | 432 sq in | — | — | One | Interior only | — | § 300-46F(13) |

## Prohibited signs in Delhi

- Signs are not permitted as a principal use; signs are only allowed as an accessory use.
- Any sign or billboard deemed detrimental to public health or safety is prohibited.
- Any sign or billboard which obstructs in any fashion a traffic sign or traffic light is prohibited.
- Signs illuminated by or containing flashing, intermittent, rotating, or moving lights or devices are prohibited, except for time-and-temperature-clock signs.
- Roof signs are prohibited except religious symbols without lettering applied to the cornice tower or spire of a place of worship.
- Billboards and other off-premises advertising are prohibited except as specifically allowed elsewhere in the code.
- No illumination shall be directed upon a sidewalk, street, public place, or adjacent premises where it causes glare or a traffic hazard.
- Strings of lights not part of a sign shall not be used for advertising, outlining buildings, or otherwise attracting attention.
- All wiring to freestanding signs shall be underground.
- No principal or accessory sign shall be illuminated later than one hour past the closing time of the business or 9:00 p.m., whichever is later, except for interior window signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Delhi

- Signs not exceeding one square foot in area bearing only property number, postbox number, names of occupants, or other identification with no commercial connotation.
- Flags and insignia of any government, except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.
- Legal notices, identifications, and informational or directional signs required or erected by governmental bodies.
- Signs directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property, but bearing no advertising matter.
- Temporary signs such as real estate sale signs, lawn and porch sale signs, special event signs, and temporary window signs advertising a special item or sale. Such signs must be removed within two days after the event or sale ends.
- One sign, not exceeding six square feet in area in residential districts or 16 square feet in business and industrial districts, listing the architect, engineer, contractor, and/or owner on premises where construction, renovation, or repair is in progress. Such sign must be removed at project completion.
- Political posters and similar signs, not exceeding four square feet in residential districts or 16 square feet in business and industrial districts, with placement not exceeding 30 days and removal responsibility on the sponsor or provider.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No permit is required for signs listed as exempt under Section D.
- Except as otherwise listed as exempt, no sign is to be erected in a business or industrial district without a permit (Section L).
- Application for a permit requires a dimensioned sketch of the proposed sign and a dimensional plot plan and/or front elevation of the building (Section L(2)).
- Construction and placement of a sign shall not deviate in a substantial manner from the plans approved for issuance of the permit (Section L(5)).
- If a sign authorized by a permit is not completed and in place within six months of issuance, the permit is void (Section L(4)).

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

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