# Sign Regulations in Hamburg, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Hamburg, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/hamburg
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/39716633#39716633)

## At a glance

Hamburg, New York regulates 13 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the Low-Intensity Commercial/Residential District (LCR) zoning district are capped at 4 feet tall and 16 square feet, with a 10 feet setback (Sec. § 250-35.16B). Most commercial signs in Hamburg require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Low-Intensity Commercial/Residential District (LCR) | 7 | 12 inches | 25% of window area | — |
| Village Core Commercial District (VCC), Neighborhood Corridor Commercial District (NCC), General Commercial District (GC) | 9 | 12 inches | 25% of window area | — |
| Mixed-Use Residential District (MU-R), Mixed-Use Institutional District (MU-I) | 9 | 12 inches | 25% of window area | — |
| Residential Districts | 1 | 3 feet | — | — |
| Nonresidential Districts | 1 | 3 feet | 9 square feet | — |
| Multitenant Commercial or Mixed-Use Development | 1 | 6 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| Multistory, Multitenant Commercial or Mixed-Use Building | 1 | — | — | — |
| Corner Buildings | 1 | — | — | — |

_2 additional zoning districts are covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### Low-Intensity Commercial/Residential District (LCR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | 12 inches | — | — | — | 1 per awning | First-floor awnings only; attached to valence. | — | § 250-35.16A |
| Ground Sign | 4 feet | 16 square feet | — | 10 feet | 1 per lot | On lot | — | § 250-35.16B |
| Projecting Sign | 2 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 per use | On building facade | — | § 250-35.16D |
| Suspended Sign | 2 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 per use | — | — | § 250-35.16E |
| Temporary Sign | 4 feet | — | — | — | 1 per use | — | — | § 250-35.16F |
| Wall Sign | 3 feet | 12 square feet | — | — | 1 per structure | On facade | — | § 250-35.16G |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of window area | — | — | None specified | In/on window | — | § 250-35.16H |

### Village Core Commercial District (VCC), Neighborhood Corridor Commercial District (NCC), General Commercial District (GC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | 12 inches | — | — | — | 1 per awning | First-floor awnings only; attached to valence. | — | § 250-35.16A |
| Ground Sign | 6 feet | 24 square feet | — | 10 feet | 1 per lot | On lot | — | § 250-35.16B |
| Pole Sign | 8 feet | 16 square feet (see formula) | — | 10 feet | 1 per lot | On lot | — | § 250-35.16C |
| Marquee Sign | — | As determined by Review Board | — | — | Not specified | On building | — | Table 35.15A; Table 35.5 |
| Projecting Sign | 3 feet | 12 square feet | — | — | 1 per use | On building facade | — | § 250-35.16D |
| Suspended Sign | 3 feet | 12 square feet | — | — | 1 per use | — | — | § 250-35.16E |
| Wall Sign | 4 feet | 1 sq ft per linear ft of facade, OR 50 sq ft (whichever is less) | — | — | 1 per facade | On facade | — | § 250-35.16G |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of window area | — | — | None specified | In/on window (within 12 inches of glass) | — | § 250-35.16H |

### Mixed-Use Residential District (MU-R), Mixed-Use Institutional District (MU-I)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | 12 inches | — | — | — | 1 per awning | First-floor awnings only; attached to valence. | — | § 250-35.16A |
| Ground Sign | 6 feet | 24 square feet | — | 10 feet | 1 per lot | On lot | — | § 250-35.16B |
| Pole Sign | 8 feet | 16 square feet (per formula) | — | 10 feet | 1 per lot | On lot | — | § 250-35.16C |
| Marquee Sign | — | As determined by Review Board | — | — | Not specified | On building | — | Table 35.15A; Table 35.5 |
| Projecting Sign | 3 feet | 12 square feet | — | — | 1 per use | On building facade | — | § 250-35.16D |
| Suspended Sign | 3 feet | 12 square feet | — | — | 1 per use | — | — | § 250-35.16E |
| Wall Sign | 6 feet | 1 sq ft per linear ft of facade OR 50 sq ft (whichever less) | — | — | 1 per facade | On facade | — | § 250-35.16G |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of window area | — | — | None | In/on window (within 12") | — | § 250-35.16H |

## Prohibited signs in Hamburg

- No sign shall be erected, constructed, or maintained to obstruct free egress from a window, door, or fire escape, or to interfere with any opening for ventilation, or to become a menace to life, health, or property.
- No sign shall be erected at or near intersections in a manner that obstructs free and clear vision for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.
- No sign shall be of a shape, color, or design that may be confused with any authorized traffic control device.
- No rotating beam, beacon, or flashing illumination resembling an emergency light is permitted on any sign.
- Signs must maintain clearance from high-voltage power lines.
- The erection of signs, supports, and wiring must comply with NYS Uniform Code and National Electrical Code.
- No sign may be constructed of untreated, unfinished, or unpainted wood, or sandblasted metal. All wood components must be protected from elements.
- No sign shall use neon, fluorescent, or day-glow colors, except as allowed by ARC review.
- No sign may be posted on public property or within a public right-of-way, unless approved by Village Board.
- No sign shall obscure, alter, or cover architectural features of a building.
- All signs must maintain a ten-foot setback from property lines unless otherwise noted.
- No freestanding sign exceeding three feet in height (other than certain supports) shall be located in the designated clear sight triangle of intersecting streets where a building does not occupy the space.
- Intermittent illumination or illumination causing the illusion of movement is prohibited.
- Illuminated signs or lighting devices may not cause glare, reflection, or traffic hazards.
- Overhead wires or exposed wires on a sign or its supports are prohibited.
- Internally illuminated signs are prohibited. Reverse channel illumination (backlighting) is only allowed where permitted.
- Any sign not properly maintained or structurally unsound, hazardous, or unsafe is prohibited.
- Any sign placed on a curb, sidewalk, hydrant, utility pole, tree, or other object located on, over, or within the public-right-of-way, unless otherwise permitted, is prohibited.
- Any sign advertising an activity, business, product, or service no longer conducted or available on the premises is prohibited.
- Any sign located off-premises from the use or structure it serves is prohibited.
- Any sign with obscene or pornographic words or pictures is prohibited.
- Any sign that is internally illuminated or uses digital or LED screen technology is prohibited.
- Any sign emitting audible sounds, odor, or visible matter is prohibited.
- Any sign that may be confused with or hides from view any traffic/street sign, or resembles a light of emergency/road equipment vehicle, is prohibited.
- Any sign that flashes, blinks, rotates, revolves, or uses unshielded lighting devices, mirrors, or reflective material is prohibited.
- Any permanent sign mounted on wheels or on any structure on wheels (excluding registered commercial vehicles) is prohibited.
- Any sign erected on the roof or extending beyond the roofline is prohibited.
- Any permanent sign using a single pole (monopole sign) for support is prohibited.
- Any banner, poster, pennant, ribbon, streamer, spinner, or balloon is prohibited except as permitted temporary signage.
- Any sign mounted on a registered vehicle parked on public or private property for more than 12 hours and visible from the street is prohibited.
- No sign shall be illuminated or otherwise in violation of illumination restrictions stated in this chapter.

## Signs exempt from permit in Hamburg

- Safety signs, road signs, historical markers, or highway directional signs erected by municipal or governmental agencies.
- Temporary decoration of premises during customary religious, patriotic or holiday seasons.
- Signs within a building not legible from the public right-of-way or adjacent lots, or any sign within an enclosed outdoor space intended only to be seen from within the enclosed space.
- Any official sign, public notice, or warning sign supported by federal, state, or local law, including but not limited to signs erected and maintained pursuant to government functions.
- Normal maintenance and repair of a sign not involving structural changes, including repainting, repairing, changing parts, or cleaning.
- Specific sign types may be erected without permits if they comply with the requirements described in §250-35.14 (A-frame, directional, governmental, internal, lawn signs, interior neon, noncommercial, public, real estate/for sale signs, as outlined in that section), provided all other regulations are followed.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Applications for signs that are consistent with a sign plan or program previously approved for a project or building may be administratively reviewed, regardless of sign type (§250-35.5A(2)).
- Developments subject to review and approval under the Zoning Chapter may have proposed signage reviewed and approved as part of the special permit or site plan review process. In such case, all required sign permit application materials shall be provided as part of the special permit or site plan application (§250-35.5D).
- Painted signs and works of art, including murals (even those without a commercial message), require Architectural Review Committee review and Village Board approval (§250-35.16G(1)(a)).

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

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