Sign Regulations in Dobbs Ferry, New York
Dobbs Ferry, New York has specific sign regulations covering 11 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include All permanent signs, Freestanding Sign, Temporary "Open House" Sign (on private property for sale or lease). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 28, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Dobbs Ferry, New York
Sample Sign Requirements in Dobbs Ferry
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| All permanent signs | 24 inches if affixed to building facade; individual letter/graphic lines not to exceed 14 inches, total letters/symbols max 22 inches including spacing | 4 square feet (total for all signage except awnings) | — |
| Temporary "Open House" Sign (on private property for sale or lease) | — | 5 square feet | 5 feet from property line |
| Temporary "Open House" Sign (on public property or other private property) | — | 5 square feet | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
11
- All permanent signs
- Freestanding Sign
- Temporary "Open House" Sign (on private property for sale or lease)
- Temporary "Open House" Sign (on public property or other private property)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
8
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Dobbs Ferry
Other Cities in New York
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Dobbs Ferry vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Dobbs Ferry, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Dobbs Ferry, regulated sign types include All permanent signs, Freestanding Sign, Temporary "Open House" Sign (on private property for sale or lease), Temporary "Open House" Sign (on public property or other private property), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Dobbs Ferry vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Dobbs Ferry are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Dobbs Ferry has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Dobbs Ferry, New York Sign Rules at a Glance
Dobbs Ferry, New York regulates 11 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Temporary "For Sale"/"For Rent" Signs in the Residential District zoning district are capped at 4 square feet, with a 10 feet from property line (if freestanding) setback (Sec. §300-50C(6)(c)). Most commercial signs in Dobbs Ferry require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Dobbs Ferry, New York
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Dobbs Ferry (8 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OF District | 1 | 24 inches if affixed to building facade; individual letter/graphic lines not to exceed 14 inches, total letters/symbols max 22 inches including spacing | 4 square feet (total for all signage except awnings) | — |
| MDR-1 District | 1 | 24 inches if affixed to building facade; individual letter/graphic lines not to exceed 14 inches, total letters/symbols max 22 inches including spacing | 4 square feet (total for all signage except awnings) | — |
| MDR-2 District, MDR-H District, B District, MF District | 1 | 24 inches if affixed to building facade; individual letter/graphic lines not to exceed 14 inches, total letters/symbols max 22 inches including spacing | 16 square feet (total for all signage except awnings) | — |
| EI District, WF-A District, WF-B District, DT District, DB District | 1 | 24 inches if affixed to building facade; individual letter/graphic lines not to exceed 14 inches, total letters/symbols max 22 inches including spacing | 100 square feet (total); maximum 48 square feet per sign face; wall sign maximum 48 square feet | — |
| DG District, CP District | 2 | — | No single sign to exceed 200 square feet; total per business is 1 sq ft for each lineal foot of building frontage | — |
| Residential District | 3 | — | 5 square feet | — |
| Nonresidential zoning districts | 1 | Max vertical at building: 6 ft; at projecting end: 18 inches; lettering max 14 inches high, length generally not to exceed 12 feet | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | 30% of glass area or window in which displayed | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Dobbs Ferry(sample of 3 of 8 zones)
DG District, CP District
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All permanent signs | — | No single sign to exceed 200 square feet; total per business is 1 sq ft for each lineal foot of building frontage | — | — | — | Affixed to building facade, windows, street-level projecting allowed (see below) | — | Unlock | §300-50F(4), §300-50G, §300-50K, §300-50I |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Permitted (DG and CP Districts only) | — | Unlock | §300-50D(6) |
Residential District
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary "Open House" Sign (on private property for sale or lease) | — | 5 square feet | — | 5 feet from property line | — | On subject property, not closer than 5 feet to any property line | — | Unlock | §300-50C(6)(a) |
| Temporary "Open House" Sign (on public property or other private property) | — | 5 square feet | — | — | 2 per open house event | On public property or private property NOT for sale or lease | — | Unlock | §300-50C(6)(b) |
| Temporary "For Sale"/"For Rent" Sign | — | 4 square feet | — | 10 feet from property line (if freestanding) | 1 per premises | On front wall or if freestanding, on subject property not closer than 10 feet to any property line | — | Unlock | §300-50C(6)(c) |
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Projecting Sign | — | 9 square feet per side | — | — | — | On building facade, projecting outward | — | Unlock | §300-50G(2) |
| Window Sign | — | 30% of glass area or window in which displayed | — | — | — | In or on street-level windows | — | Unlock | §300-50G(5) |
| Temporary Sign | — | No more than 30% of glass area with permanent signs included | — | — | 1/20 ft frontage, max 4 per facade | As per permit | — | Unlock | §300-50H |
| Directory Sign (Shopping Plaza) | — | 3 sq ft per business, total directory max 75 sq ft | — | — | — | In directory for off-street shopping plaza | — | Unlock | §300-50I(1) |
| Directory Sign (Buildings with multiple businesses/professional offices) | — | 1 sq ft per business, total directory max 20 sq ft | — | — | — | Attached sign for building | — | Unlock | §300-50I(2) |
PermitPal covers all 8 zoning districts in Dobbs Ferry — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 8 zones for Dobbs Ferry — start freeProhibited Signs in Dobbs Ferry
- Corrugated plastic, cintra board and cardboard are prohibited as sign materials.
- Plastic or laminated signs must have a wood substrate or layer no thinner than 1/2 inch and no thicker than two inches and must be framed with wood or metal to protect the edges.
- Signs must not be drilled directly into the wall through the sign surface or frame or glued to buildings.
- No old sign may be repurposed by removing or painting over letters or symbols.
- Uplighting is prohibited. Buildings, externally lit signs, displays and aesthetic installations, must be lit from the top and illuminated downward.
- Freestanding signs are prohibited, except in the DG and CP Districts.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited.
- Signs located in windows above the first story of a building are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs on side walls of midblock buildings are prohibited.
- Illuminated signs that cause glare on an adjacent property are prohibited.
- Animated signs are prohibited.
- Illuminated flashing signs are prohibited.
- Inflated signs are prohibited.
- Tethered balloons are prohibited.
- Signs incorporating projected images are prohibited.
- Signs that emit smoke, vapors or particles, sound or colors are prohibited.
- Signs located in or projecting over a roadway are prohibited except those erected by a governmental body.
- Internally illuminated sign boxes are not permitted.
- Awnings made of metal, plastic, or other rigid materials are not allowed.
Exempt Signs in Dobbs Ferry
- Political signs are exempt from permits or fees, provided that they comply with general and specific requirements.
- Historical markers, tablets, memorial signs and plaques, names of buildings and dates of erection when cut into masonry or constructed of bronze, stainless steel or similar material, and emblems installed by governmental bodies, religious or nonprofit organizations not exceeding six square feet are exempt.
- Nonilluminated warning, private drive, posted or 'no trespassing' signs or the like that do not exceed two square feet are exempt.
- Number and nameplates identifying residents by name or residences by number, mounted on a house, apartment or mailbox, that do not exceed two square feet are exempt.
- Temporary signs for garage or tag sales that do not exceed four square feet and are displayed only between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on day(s) of the event (removed at end of sale) are exempt.
- 'Open house' and 'for sale' signs in accordance with stated dimensional and time restrictions are exempt.
- Directional signs for the convenience of the general public, identifying public parking areas, fire zones, entrances and exits and similar signs, internally or externally illuminated, are exempt.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Dobbs Ferry
- No sign may be erected or displayed on a building facade, awning or on or within a window without first obtaining a sign permit from the Land Use Officer pursuant to the results of review by the Architectural and Historic Review Board, along with any other reviews required by this chapter, except as specifically exempted.
- Alteration, enlargement or extension of a lawfully existing nonconforming site, structure or sign may require an application to the Zoning Board of Appeals and can be subject to further reviews, including but not limited to, site plan review and design and historic review.
- A temporary sign may only be displayed after receiving a temporary sign permit.
- Changes of text or lettering on a nonconforming sign require review and approval from the Architectural and Historic Review Board.
- The design and any lettering, signs, lights or other appurtenances for awnings projecting over the property line require approval by the Architectural and Historic Review Board and Land Use Officer.
- Applications to alter, enlarge or extend nonconforming signs must be submitted on forms provided by the Land Use Officer and may be subject to Zoning Board of Appeals approval.
- Directory signs for multiple businesses are subject to specified dimensional and review standards, with permits required.
Source: ecode360 municipal code