# Sign Regulations in Greenburgh, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Greenburgh, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/greenburgh
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-21
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/6816946)

## At a glance

Greenburgh, New York regulates 70 sign types across 19 zoning districts. Construction/Real Estate Sign (DS/NS/IB/LI)s in the Designed Shopping District (DS), Neighborhood Shopping District (NS), Intermediate Business District (IB), Light Industrial District (LI) zoning district are capped at ≤ 20 ft above surrounding ground tall and ≤ 5 ft × 10 ft (50 sq ft), with a ≥ 1/2 required front yard distance from front lot line; ≥ required side yard distance from side lot line. setback (Sec. § 240-3D(7)(d) referencing § 240-3D(2)(c)). Most commercial signs in Greenburgh require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (19 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 17 | ≤ 20 ft above average grade. | ≤ 32 sq ft | — |
| One-Family Residence District (R-40, R-30, R-20, R-15, R-10, R-7.5, R-5) | 3 | — | ≤ 10 ft × 5 ft (50 sq ft) | — |
| Multifamily Residence District (M-10, M-14, M-22) | 3 | ≤ 20 ft above surrounding ground level | ≤ 6 sq ft | — |
| Office Building District (OB, OB-1) | 6 | ≤ 20 ft | ≤ 50 sq ft | — |
| Limited Office Building District (LOB) | 5 | ≤ 20 ft above surrounding ground | ≤ 6 sq ft | — |
| Limited Office Building District (LOB-1) | 2 | — | ≤ 6 sq ft | — |
| Professional Building District (PB) | 4 | ≤ 20 ft above surrounding ground | ≤ 6 sq ft | — |
| Designed Shopping District (DS), Neighborhood Shopping District (NS), Intermediate Business District (IB), Light Industrial District (LI) | 7 | ≤ 20 ft | ≤ 50 sq ft | — |
| Close Business District (CB) | 7 | ≤ 20 ft | ≤ 50 sq ft | — |
| General Industrial District (GI) | 4 | ≤ 20 ft | ≤ 50 sq ft | — |
| Planned Development District (PD) | 4 | ≤ 20 ft | ≤ 50 sq ft | — |
| Urban Renewal District (Residential A District) | 4 | — | ≤ 50 sq ft | — |
| Urban Renewal District (Residential B and C Districts) | 2 | ≤ 20 ft above surrounding ground | ≤ 50 sq ft | — |
| Urban Renewal District (Public and semipublic uses) | 4 | ≤ 20 ft above surrounding ground | ≤ 50 sq ft | — |
| Urban Renewal District (Neighborhood Shopping (NS) and General Commercial (GC) District uses) | 4 | ≤ 20 ft | ≤ 50 sq ft | — |
| Urban Renewal District (Planned Commercial Development (PCDD) District) | 5 | ≤ 20 ft (where applicable) | ≤ 100 sq ft per sign | — |
| Central Avenue Mixed-Use Impact District (CA) | 7 | ≤ 20 ft (for >100,000 sq ft sites) | ≤ 50 sq ft | — |
| General Commercial District (GC) | 6 | — | ≤ 32 sq ft | — |
| Planned Commercial Development District (PCDD) | 5 | — | ≤ 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 19 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Projecting Sign (General Construction Limits) | Bottom edge ≥ 10 ft above grade. | — | — | No part shall project over any property line (except as noted over street line). | — | Wall sign projecting > 12 inches from building face. | — | § 240-3A(2)(a)-(c); § 240-3C(11), (13) |
| Yard Sign (General Freestanding Limits) | ≤ 20 ft above average grade. | — | — | No part shall project over any property line; front yard only for business yard signs; side yard clearance per district requirements. | Limited to one per lot unless otherwise specified. | Freestanding on ground; supported by uprights; not attached to a structure. | — | § 240-3A(4)(a)-(c); § 240-3C(10), (13) |
| Marquee Sign (General Construction Limits) | Bottom edge ≥ 10 ft above sidewalk/ground. | — | — | — | — | Attached to or part of roof-like projection over entrance (marquee). | — | § 240-3A(6)(a)-(c) |
| Wall Sign - Second Sign (Corner Lot, Side Street) | ≤ 2 ft | Length ≤ 1/2 of building wall to which affixed or permitted front sign length, whichever is less. | — | — | One second wall sign on corner lot when conditions met. | Corner lot in business/industrial district; faces side street. | — | § 240-3C(9) |
| Public Convenience Sign (Wall or Yard) (Illuminated) | — | ≤ 3 ft × 4 ft (12 sq ft) | — | — | 1 per lot. | All districts. | — | § 240-3C(14) |
| Directional Sign (Yard, Nonilluminated) | — | ≤ 6 sq ft | — | — | As limited by ingresses/egresses or one for off-site use. | Any district; yard (freestanding). | — | § 240-3C(15) |
| Professional Sign (Wall or Yard) (Illuminated) | — | ≤ 1 sq ft | — | — | ≤ 1 yard sign per lot. | All districts. | — | § 240-3C(17) |
| Temporary Banner | — | ≤ 32 sq ft | — | — | No more than one temporary banner at any one time per business. | Flush-mounted to building; not freestanding. | — | § 240-1 (definition); § 240-7C(1)-(9) |

### Designed Shopping District (DS), Neighborhood Shopping District (NS), Intermediate Business District (IB), Light Industrial District (LI)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Canopy/Wall/Window Business Sign(s) | ≤ 2 ft | — | — | — | Multiple signs permitted within total length cap. | On building facade; window signs per general window rule. | — | § 240-3D(7)(a) |
| Yard Business Sign (Lot ≤ 100,000 sq ft) | — | ≤ 20 sq ft | — | Front yard only; comply with general yard sign setbacks. | — | Front yard only. | — | § 240-3D(7)(b) |
| Yard Business Sign (Lot > 100,000 sq ft) | ≤ 20 ft | ≤ 50 sq ft | — | Front yard only; comply with general yard sign setbacks. | — | Front yard only. | — | § 240-3D(7)(b) (as amended 3-28-1984) |
| Gasoline Station Pump Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On fuel pumps at gasoline stations. | — | § 240-3D(7)(c) |
| Construction/Real Estate Sign (DS/NS/IB/LI) | ≤ 20 ft above surrounding ground | ≤ 5 ft × 10 ft (50 sq ft) | — | If yard sign: ≥ 1/2 required front yard distance from front lot line; ≥ required side yard distance from side lot line. | 1 per lot. | Wall or yard; yard sign front yard per setbacks. | — | § 240-3D(7)(d) referencing § 240-3D(2)(c) |
| Marquee Sign (Theater or Performing Arts Place Name Only) | ≤ 2 ft | — | — | — | 1 marquee sign. | On marquee at theater/motion-picture theater/place of public assembly. | — | § 240-3D(7)(e) |
| Attraction Panel (Theater/Auditorium) | ≤ 2 ft (if building located within 100 ft of an adjacent public street); ≤ 4 ft (if building located > 100 ft from an adjacent public street) | — | — | — | One per theater/auditorium; total length capped as noted. | On building wall for theater/auditorium. | — | § 240-3B(9); § 240-3D(7)(f) |

### Central Avenue Mixed-Use Impact District (CA)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Type I Signs (Office Uses) - Yard Business Sign (Principal Ingress) | ≤ 20 ft (for >100,000 sq ft sites) | ≤ 20 sq ft (standard); ≤ 50 sq ft (site > 100,000 sq ft) | — | Front yard only. | At each principal ingress. | At each principal ingress; front yard. | — | § 240-3D(15)(a) referencing § 240-3D(3)(b) |
| Type I Signs (Office Uses) - Canopy/Wall Business Sign (Principal Entrance) | — | ≤ 4 sq ft | — | — | One per principal entrance per structure. | Principal/accessory entrances. | — | § 240-3D(15)(a) referencing § 240-3D(3)(c) |
| Type I Signs (Office Uses) - Canopy/Wall Business Sign(s) (General) | ≤ 2 ft | — | — | — | Multiple within cap. | On building facade. | — | § 240-3D(15)(a) referencing § 240-3D(3)(d) |
| Type I Signs (Office Uses) - Construction/Real Estate Sign | ≤ 20 ft above surrounding ground | ≤ 50 sq ft | — | If yard sign: ≥ 1/2 required front yard distance; ≥ required side yard distance. | 1 per lot. | Wall or yard (front yard per setbacks). | — | § 240-3D(15)(a) referencing § 240-3D(3)(e) and § 240-3D(2)(c) |
| Type II Signs (Commercial Uses) - DS/NS/IB/LI Standards | Yard sign ≤ 20 ft (for >100,000 sq ft lots) | Yard signs per lot size thresholds | — | Front yard only for yard signs. | Multiple within caps. | Building facade; front yard for yard signs. | — | § 240-3D(15)(b) referencing § 240-3D(7)(a)-(f) |
| Type III Signs (Residential Uses) - Multifamily Signage | Construction/real estate ≤ 20 ft above ground | Entrance business signs ≤ 4 sq ft; construction/real estate signs ≤ 50 sq ft and ≤ 20 ft height. | — | Yard construction/real estate signs: front yard setback ≥ 1/2 required front yard; side yard setback ≥ required side yard. | Construction/real estate: 1 per lot; business entrance: 1 per entrance. | Entrance to multifamily structures; wall or yard for construction/real estate signs. | — | § 240-3D(15)(c) referencing § 240-3D(2)(b)-(c) |
| Type IV Sign (Nonilluminated Business Sign) | — | ≤ 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot. | On lot with Type IV use. | — | § 240-3D(15)(d) |

## Prohibited signs in Greenburgh

- It is unlawful to erect, construct, paint, alter, relocate, reconstruct, display, or maintain any sign or illumination without a written permit from the Building Inspector (except motor vehicle signs).
- Signs are prohibited unless in connection with a permitted use on the property.
- Off-premises advertising is prohibited; signs must relate solely to the business/profession conducted on the premises (except traffic and public convenience signs).
- Signs may not be constructed, erected, or located so as to obstruct visibility or create safety hazards for motorists or pedestrians.
- All illuminated business signs must be extinguished 1/2 hour after the premises close to the public and must be controlled by automatic devices (security lighting excepted).
- All illuminated signs must use steady illumination; moving or flashing parts are prohibited; if located so as to be confused with traffic signals, illumination may not be green, red, or orange-yellow.
- Illumination must be shielded or directed so direct rays are not cast onto adjacent properties.
- Flashing, moving, or changing illumination in brilliance, color, or intensity is prohibited.
- No new, altered, or moved sign may be allowed on a lot where a nonconforming sign exists.
- No sign is permitted on a public street or right-of-way except directional or traffic signs.
- A projecting sign and a yard sign are not permitted on the same lot.
- No one sign or combination of signs attached to or located within two feet of a window may cover more than 25% of any single window.
- Motor vehicle signs are prohibited in front yards unless the vehicle is actively loading/unloading or there is insufficient side or rear yard space for parking.
- Canopy signs: may not project beyond the supporting canopy; minimum 8-foot clearance above sidewalk/ground; light from an illuminated canopy sign may not be visible to the rear.
- Projecting signs: bottom edge minimum 10 feet above grade; no projection over property lines (may project over a street line up to 18 inches only if the building face is on that line); may not have advertising in a plane parallel to the surface to which attached or at an angle less than 60 degrees to that surface.
- Wall signs: may not project above parapet/eaves/roof lines; may not project more than 12 inches from the wall; bottom edge minimum 10 feet above grade.
- Yard signs: may not project over any property line; if closer than 20 feet to a street line, must maintain at least five feet of ground clearance; may not extend more than 20 feet above average grade.
- Marquee signs: may not project beyond the marquee; bottom edge minimum 10 feet above sidewalk/ground; light from an illuminated marquee sign may not be visible to the rear.

## Signs exempt from permit in Greenburgh

- Items excluded from the definition of a regulated sign: words, names, numbers, pictures, or symbols on any government, municipal, or emergency response vehicle.
- Items excluded from the definition of a regulated sign: words, names, numbers, pictures, or symbols placed in the window of any residence or religious or educational institution.
- Motor vehicle signs are exempt from the sign permit requirement (though other restrictions may apply, including front-yard prohibitions).
- Temporary banners do not require a building permit for construction or installation outside of a building (they still require a temporary banner permit and approval by the Building Inspector).
- For designated Town-wide sidewalk sale weekends, identifying signs and displays are permitted without prior permission and without fees on those days, subject to safety and other chapter requirements.
- Grand opening displays for retail establishments (flags, pennants, banners, similar items) may be approved for up to two weeks upon notice and approval by officials; illuminated displays are not permitted under this exemption.
- Signs attached to the inside of any window are not counted when calculating the permissible area for wall, canopy, or yard business signs.
- A two-faced sign with parallel faces is counted as one sign.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Central Avenue Mixed-Use Impact (CA) District: Any signage approved must conform to a unified facade, wall sign, landscape, and yard sign plan (a 'unified plan'); this plan is a required component of any development application and is subject to Site Plan Approval.
- CA District unified shopping center provisions allow adjustments to sign allowances only when included within and consistent with the unified plan and subject to Planning Board review.
- Variances: Deviations from the chapter’s strict requirements require relief from the Zoning Board of Appeals; the ZBA considers illumination intensity, location, and type, and may impose conditions on any variance granted.
- UR (Urban Renewal) District: All signs and illumination require prior review by the Department of Community Development and Conservation and a written permit from the Building Inspector; temporary construction and real estate signs require periodic six-month reviews/renewals.
- Temporary banners (Town-wide): An application with a drawing (materials, general content, location, size, display period), business/property information, and fee must be submitted and approved by the Building Inspector before display.
- Grand opening signs (Town-wide retail): At least 48 hours' advance notice is required; any otherwise prohibited signs must receive approvals from the Building Inspector, Fire Marshal, and Chief of Police; limited to two weeks and non-illuminated.
- Sidewalk sales (Town-wide): Aside from designated free weekends, sidewalk sales require an application and fee submitted to the Building Inspector; identifying signs/displays are allowed only on approved sale days and must meet safety/display limits.
- General permit process (Town-wide): A sign/illumination permit from the Building Inspector is required prior to erecting, altering, relocating, or maintaining any sign or illumination (fee based on sign area).

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

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