# Sign Regulations in Elmsford, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Elmsford, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/elmsford
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/8653395#8653395)

## At a glance

Elmsford, New York regulates 24 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Pole Signs in the Business districts, Industrial districts zoning district are capped at 15 ft. (top of sign) tall and 16 sq. ft., with a Behind property line or sidewalk line setback (Sec. §273-21B(3)). Most commercial signs in Elmsford require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential districts | 5 | — | 16 sq. ft. | — |
| Business districts, Industrial districts | 18 | 15 ft. (top of sign) | Up to 20 sq. ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | Not exceeding 16 sq. ft. for campaign/charitable event; not exceeding 100 sq. ft. for other temporary signs, unless otherwise specified; signs in excess of 60 sq. ft. must be made of rigid materials | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Residential districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residence Identification Sign | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | On the property of the residential unit | — | §273-21A(1) |
| Identification Sign for Nonresidence | — | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | On the building or at any street frontage where there is an entrance drive | — | §273-21A(2) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 4 sq. ft. | — | Behind property line | 1 | Behind property line in area free from pedestrian traffic | — | §273-21A(3) |
| Contractor's Sign | — | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Property where work is being performed | — | §273-21A(4) |
| All other signs (Variance Required) - Option 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §273-21A(5) |

### Business districts, Industrial districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 2 ft. for each ground-floor establishment or other establishment | Up to 10% of wall area | Not wider than front of establishment | — | — | Attached flush to the wall of building; on a wall facing public street, interior courtyard, or off-street parking area serving the establishment | — | §273-21B(1) |
| Projecting Sign | 12 ft. above ground/sidewalk (top of sign); Not less than 8 ft. above ground/sidewalk (bottom of sign) | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Hung from a bracket attached to the wall of a building; no part may project higher than the front wall | — | §273-21B(2) |
| Pole Sign | 15 ft. (top of sign) | 16 sq. ft. | — | Behind property line or sidewalk line | — | Hung from post permanently set in ground behind property line or sidewalk line | — | §273-21B(3) |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft. (top of sign) | Up to 20 sq. ft. | — | Behind property line or sidewalk line | — | Permanently set in ground behind property line or sidewalk line | — | §273-21B(4) |
| Multiple Nameplate Sign | — | 2 sq. ft. per sign; total area of all nameplates not to exceed 10 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per parking entrance | On bracket or post | — | §273-21B(5) |
| Identification Sign (Additional Entrance) | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per entrance (other than principal) | At each public entrance other than the principal entrance | — | §273-21B(6) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 8 sq. ft. | — | Behind property line | 1 | Behind property line in area free from pedestrian traffic | — | §273-21B(9) |
| Freestanding Service Station or Garage Sign | Not less than 8 ft. (bottom); not more than 15 ft. (top) | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | Over private property | — | §273-21B(11) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (as defined by §273-16 and §273-26) | — | Not exceeding 16 sq. ft. for campaign/charitable event; not exceeding 100 sq. ft. for other temporary signs, unless otherwise specified; signs in excess of 60 sq. ft. must be made of rigid materials | — | — | — | As defined per use type | — | §273-16, §273-26 |
| Exempt Sign Types | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §273-16 |

## Prohibited signs in Elmsford

- It is unlawful to erect, repair, alter, or relocate any sign without first obtaining a permit from the Building Inspector.
- No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape.
- No sign of any kind shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- No sign shall be erected at the intersection of any streets in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision.
- No sign shall be erected at any location where, by reason of position, shape or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.
- No sign shall use the words STOP, LOOK, DRIVE-IN, DANGER or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in such manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
- The following sign types are prohibited: flashing or intermittently illuminated signs, searchlights, strings of incandescent lights (except holiday decorations), moving or rotating signs, pennants, streamers or other eye-catching devices, portable signs (with or without wheels, including easel-type, A-frame or other sign not permanently affixed), and new roof signs.
- V-shaped signs, consisting of two single-faced signs erected without a cover over the top of the sign, are not permitted.
- All signs must be designed and constructed to withstand a wind pressure of not less than 40 pounds per square foot and dead loads as required in the Building Code.
- No advertising shall be placed on any awning or canopy, except for the name of the owner and the business/industry/pursuit conducted within the premises (in a space not exceeding eight inches in height on front and sides).
- Projecting signs exceeding 10 square feet in area or 50 pounds in weight shall not be attached to/support by frame buildings or wooden framework.
- No new roof signs shall be permitted under this chapter.
- Temporary signs must be removed after 30 days, unless otherwise provided.

## Signs exempt from permit in Elmsford

- Real estate signs not exceeding four square feet in residential districts and eight square feet in other districts, advertising the sale, rental or lease of the premises and the name, logo, address and telephone number of the broker or agent.
- Professional nameplates not exceeding two square feet in area.
- Bulletin boards not over eight square feet in area for public, educational, charitable or religious organizations or institutions, located on the premises.
- Signs denoting the architect, engineer or contractor, when placed upon property where work is being performed, not exceeding 16 square feet.
- Occupational signs denoting the name and profession of an occupant in a commercial building, public institutional building or dwelling house, not exceeding two square feet in area.
- Memorial signs, tablets, name of a building and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or constructed of bronze or other incombustible material.
- Traffic or other governmental signs, including any temporary emergency or danger sign.
- Flags of national, state, county or municipal government not exceeding 24 square feet, or banners of public, educational, charitable or religious organizations or institutions not exceeding 24 square feet (owners/occupants may temporarily display a larger flag or banner with prior approval of Building Inspector).
- Temporary signs, not exceeding 16 square feet, pertaining to and displayed during a campaign, drive or event of a political, public, educational, charitable or religious organization or institution, provided sign is removed within five days after the event.
- Small, nonilluminated signs not exceeding two square feet strictly to identify restrooms, similar facilities, parking area entrances/exits and freight entrances, or for indicating the location or restricting the use of off-street parking areas.
- Residence identification signs, not over two square feet, for a residential unit showing the name and address.
- Signs displayed in a window indicating the availability of a public telephone or notary public and/or the possession of any required business licenses.
- Holiday decorations displayed in season.
- Temporary signs for tag or garage sales, provided the sign contains the name and address of the seller and date of the sale, is displayed only two days prior and removed the day after the sale.
- "No trespassing" signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All sign permit applications must be referred by the Building Inspector to the Architectural Review Board for review and approval.
- The Architectural Review Board may authorize variations from the standards and requirements of the chapter upon demonstration of good cause and in the interest of good design, where consistent with the purposes and intent of the chapter.
- An application for a permit must include two blueprints or ink drawings of the plans and specifications for the sign and the method of construction and attachment.
- Approval of the Electrical Inspector is required for illuminated signs before submission to the Building Inspector.
- Permit applications must include information and documentation as required by the Building Inspector to show full compliance with all applicable laws, rules or regulations; this may be interpreted as requiring a sign plan or equivalent documentation.
- Where a request does not meet district regulations, a variance (e.g. Zoning Board of Appeals for residential or demonstrated good cause and design for business/industrial) may be required.
- In business and industrial districts, where multiple establishments are served by one off-street parking area entrance, a sign identifying all establishments may be required for each entrance pursuant to an approved site plan.

## Full detail

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

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