# Sign Regulations in Geneseo, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Geneseo, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/geneseo
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/13102865#13102865)

## At a glance

Geneseo, New York regulates 29 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Portable Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 32 sq ft, with a 10 ft from all property lines setback (Sec. §130-88Q). Most commercial signs in Geneseo require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 23 | 6 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| Residential districts (R-1, R-2, R-3) | 3 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Nonresidential districts (MU-1, MU-2, WMU, C-1, CI-1, CR) | 4 | — | Per Table of Sign Regulations for nonresidential districts | — |
| MU-1 Mixed Use-1 Zoning District | 2 | — | Per Table of Sign Regulations for MU-1 | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Banner or Pennant | 6 ft | 150 sq ft | — | — | One per enterprise at a time | Must not extend above first floor facade, project beyond property lines, or over public right-of-way. | — | §130-88A |
| Construction or Home Improvement Sign (Residential) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One | Within limits of construction site | — | §130-88B |
| Construction or Home Improvement Sign (Non-Residential) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | One | Within limits of construction site | — | §130-88B |
| Drive-through Sign | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | One per drive-through lane | Oriented solely for use of patrons in drive-through lane, not visible from right of way. | — | §130-88E |
| Portable Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft from all property lines | One | At least 10 ft from all property lines | — | §130-88Q |
| Real Estate Sign | — | Per Table of Sign Regulations for zone | — | — | Up to two per lot | Entirely within property it applies to | — | §130-88R |
| Sandwich Board Sign or A-frame Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | 3 ft | — | One per use | Must not hinder or impede pedestrian or vehicular traffic | — | §130-88S |
| Banner for Charitable Event | 3 ft | 30 ft width x 3 ft height | 30 ft | — | One per event | Across Main Street (or other location approved by Board) | — | §130-88T |

### Residential districts (R-1, R-2, R-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Per Table of Sign Regulations for R Districts | — | — | — | On wall facing street or parking lot | — | §130-92A(1) |
| Freestanding Sign - Public/Institutional Use | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | One at each entrance | At each entrance, within property | — | §130-92A(3) |
| Freestanding Sign - Public, Quasi-public, Nonprofit, Church, School, Hospital or Similar Use | — | Per Table of Sign Regulations for R Districts | — | — | Up to two per use | — | — | §130-92A(2) |

### Nonresidential districts (MU-1, MU-2, WMU, C-1, CI-1, CR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Per Table of Sign Regulations for nonresidential districts | — | — | Two per use | On wall facing street or parking lot | — | §130-92B(1) |
| Freestanding Sign | — | Per Table of Sign Regulations for nonresidential districts | — | — | Two per use; one additional per lot if more than one business | — | — | §130-92B(1) |
| Wall Sign (Contiguous businesses) | — | Per Table of Sign Regulations for nonresidential districts | — | — | Two per business | On wall of each business | — | §130-92B(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Mall or Plaza) | — | Per Table of Sign Regulations for nonresidential districts | — | — | One | On mall or plaza property | — | §130-92B(3) |

## Prohibited signs in Geneseo

- No person shall erect, place, establish, paint, or retain any sign within the village unless all provisions of the Sign Code have been met.
- No sign shall be erected at or near intersections or railways in a way that obstructs free and clear vision.
- No sign shall be of a shape or color that may be confused with authorized traffic control devices.
- No rotating beam, beacon, or flashing illumination resembling an emergency light shall be used in connection with any sign display.
- Signs shall not be erected within nor project into or over any public right-of-way (except as specifically permitted).
- No sign shall cover any part of any window unless specifically permitted; nor cover any door, or hinder free ingress/egress from any door, window, fire escape, or other required exit.
- No sign shall cover or cause the removal of architectural details to a building facade.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited, except for uses in NYS Agricultural Districts.
- All signs, unless otherwise noted, are to be set back at least five feet from any property line or public right-of-way.
- Light sources for illuminated signs shall not be of such brightness as to constitute a hazard and shall be shielded from contiguous properties.
- Intermittent illumination, or illumination involving movement or illusion of movement, is prohibited except as permitted for electronic displays of time/temperature.
- Signs shall not be posted in a manner destructive to public property, nor attached to trees, utility poles, transit shelters, benches, trash receptacles, or newsracks.
- Any sign that no longer advertises or identifies the current or permitted use of the property must be removed within 30 days after written notification.
- Obsolete signs or signs not properly maintained, or considered structurally unsound, hazardous, or 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 traffic control signs, contain specific words like 'stop' or 'danger', or hide traffic/street signs are prohibited.
- Signs that interfere with official traffic lights or devices are prohibited.
- Flashing, rotating, or revolving signs/lights are prohibited except barber poles or holiday decorations (see related exceptions).
- Signs with unshielded lighting devices or reflectors outlining or providing background of a sign are prohibited.
- Animated signs or those using full motion or video technology are prohibited.
- Signs that utilize electronic changeable copy are prohibited.
- 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 attached to or placed on an unregistered vehicle parked for viewing by motorists are prohibited.
- Pennants not affixed to the face of a building are prohibited.
- 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 on an exterior wall are prohibited.
- Freestanding signs supported by a single pole or post with >30 inches clearance underneath, or 'pole signs', are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Geneseo

- The repainting, repairing, changing of parts and preventive maintenance of signs does not require a sign permit.
- A change in the message on a changeable copy sign does not require a sign permit.
- Repainting of supports and sign area, if there is no change in the sign message, does not require a permit.
- Replacement of a sign in-kind, if identical and conforming in size, shape, materials, color, design, and layout, does not require a permit.
- Various types of signs are allowed without obtaining a permit, provided they meet specific conditions, including: banners/pennants (one per enterprise, max 30 days, nonilluminated, etc.), temporary construction or home improvement signs, temporary patriotic/religious/civic decorations, small directional signs (no commercial message, max 4 sqft), drive-through menu signs (one per lane, max 12 sqft), flags and flagpoles (subject to district height), gasoline station price signs (max 4 sqft, attached to pump), governmental signs (any size), small historical or commemorative signs (max 9 sqft, nonilluminated), home occupation sign (one, max 4 sqft), house numbers and nameplates (max 4 sqft per dwelling), incidental signs (aggregate max 4 sqft), internal building signs/windows signs (except max 25% window/10% door coverage), limited signs for open house/yard sale (no more than 15 days), up to two noncommercial signs (per lot, size/height/setback rules apply), political/campaign signs (following size, duration, and removal rules), portable signs (in specific situations, not to exceed 30 days), up to two real estate signs (per lot), one sandwich board/A-frame sign per use (if under 3' x 3', nonilluminated, during business hours, etc.), banners for charitable/not-for-profit event (Board approval, up to 14 days), and signs for public events (Board approval, up to 15 sqft, during/around event only).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit shall be acquired from the Village Planning Board for each sign unless specifically exempted.
- Application for a sign permit must include site plan and elevations indicating proposed location and size to scale.
- A new or amended sign permit is required for installation of a new sign, a change of face, or moving/enlarging a sign.
- A new or amended sign permit is required for any modification, relocation, or replacement of a permitted sign unless covered by an exemption.
- Sign permits lapse if the zoning permit for the premises lapses, is revoked, or not renewed, or if the activity on the premises is discontinued for 180 days or more.
- For groups of stores, malls, or plazas, a single freestanding sign may be permitted subject to the Table of Sign Regulations.
- Signs in the MU-1 Mixed Use-1 Zoning District must comply with facade renovation guidelines approved/adopted by the Village Board of Trustees.
- The Table of Sign Regulations (an attachment) provides requirements for each district and sign type.

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

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