# Sign Regulations in Elma Town, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Elma Town, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/elma-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/27038274#27038274)

## At a glance

Elma Town, New York regulates 7 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Commercial Zone, Industrial Zone zoning district are capped at 20 feet above adjoining grade level tall and 100 square feet, with a No sign to be located within 10 feet of lot in adjacent residential zone; within 100 feet of residential zone, area limit applies. setback (Sec. [§ 144-102.1B(1)(e)-(k)](https://ecode360.com/27038957#27038957)). Most commercial signs in Elma Town require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercial Zone, Industrial Zone | 6 | 20 feet above adjoining grade level | 100 square feet | — |
| Residential Zone | 1 | — | 12 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Commercial Zone, Industrial Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 20 feet above adjoining grade level | — | — | No sign shall project across lot line; no sign within 10 feet of a lot in adjacent residential zone; within 100 feet of a residential zone, sign area cannot exceed linear feet from boundary. | — | Affixed to the building; may not project across a lot line. | — | [§ 144-102.1B(1)(a)-(k)](https://ecode360.com/27038952#27038952) |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 feet above adjoining grade level | 100 square feet | — | No sign to be located within 10 feet of lot in adjacent residential zone; within 100 feet of residential zone, area limit applies. | One per lot | On lot; may not project across lot line. | — | [§ 144-102.1B(1)(e)-(k)](https://ecode360.com/27038957#27038957) |
| Temporary Sign | 20 feet above grade (same as other signs unless otherwise specified) | — | — | — | One per year per business | On premises of business (Commercial/Industrial only). | — | [§ 144-102.1C, D](https://ecode360.com/27038964#27038964) |
| Seasonal Sign | 20 feet above grade (following general sign height constraint unless otherwise specified) | — | — | — | — | On premises of seasonal business (Commercial/Industrial only). | — | [§ 144-102.1E](https://ecode360.com/27038969#27038969) |
| Portable Lit Sign | — | 32 square feet | 4 feet x 8 feet | — | — | On premises (Industrial/Commercial only) | — | [§ 144-102.1F](https://ecode360.com/27038972#27038972) |
| Nonilluminated Sale/Rent Sign | 20 feet above grade (per general sign height limit) | 36 square feet | — | — | — | On premises, advertising sale/rent of premises. | — | [§ 144-102.1B(1)(i)](https://ecode360.com/27038961#27038961) |

### Residential Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nonilluminated Sale/Rent Sign | — | 12 square feet | 3 feet x 4 feet (see also § 144-102.1F) | — | — | On premises, advertising sale/rent of premises. | — | [§ 144-102.1F](https://ecode360.com/27038972#27038972) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Projecting Sign (Under Covered Walkway Only) | — | — | — | — | — | Must be related to exterior of the business establishment and under covered walkway. | — | [§ 144-102.1I(1)](https://ecode360.com/27038965#27038965) |

## Prohibited signs in Elma Town

- No flashing signs are permitted in any zone.
- No sign shall be erected until a sign permit is obtained from the Building Inspector (except where specifically exempted).
- No part of a sign shall be more than 20 feet above the adjoining grade level of the ground.
- No sign shall project across a lot line.
- The use of spotlights must be so as not to impede the vision of motorists and/or pedestrians.
- Projecting signs over any public way are prohibited except when hung from the underside or ceiling of a covered walkway related to the exterior of an individual business establishment.
- Any and all revolving, moving, flashing, blinking, scrolling, fading, dissolving signs or signs that appear to be in motion are prohibited.
- Fluttering banners or strings of lights not part of a sign are prohibited, except for national or religious holiday decorations.
- Signs attached to light standards, utility poles or trees are prohibited.
- Portable, seasonal, temporary or freestanding signs are not allowed except by application, approval (if required), permit, and payment of fee.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Billboards are prohibited, except for off-premises identification for businesses as established by the Town.
- Digital signs are prohibited.
- Intermittent signs are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Elma Town

- The decoration of any premises for any national holiday or religious or holiday season is not prohibited under the fluttering banners or strings of lights provision.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permission for the erection of a sign of larger size than is allowed in a particular zone requires the special permission of the Zoning Board of Appeals.
- Three dimensional signs, objects or advertising require a special motion of approval by the Planning Board.
- Portable, seasonal, temporary, or freestanding signs require application to the Building Inspector, approval by the Planning Board if required by Code, issuance of a sign permit by the Building Inspector, and payment of required fee.

## Full detail

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

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