Sign Regulations in Ithaca, New York
Ithaca, New York has specific sign regulations covering 24 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Temporary Political Poster, Nameplate, Construction Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 21, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Ithaca, New York
Sample Sign Requirements in Ithaca
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Political Poster | — | 15 square feet (except residential) | — |
| Nameplate | — | 144 square inches per occupant | — |
| Construction Sign | — | 5 square feet in residential zones; 15 square feet in other zones | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for IthacaFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
24
- Temporary Political Poster
- Nameplate
- Construction Sign
- Directional Entrance/Exit Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
5
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Ithaca
Municipal Code2 permit application links available
Other Cities in New York
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Ithaca vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Ithaca, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Ithaca, regulated sign types include Temporary Political Poster, Nameplate, Construction Sign, Directional Entrance/Exit Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Ithaca vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Ithaca are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Ithaca has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Ithaca, New York Sign Rules at a Glance
Ithaca, New York regulates 24 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Freestanding Business)s in the SW-1, SW-2, SW-3, WEDZ-1a, B-5, I-1 zoning district are capped at 22 feet (including framework) tall, 75 square feet, and 12 feet wide, with a At least 10 ft from public right-of-way; at least 5 ft from right-of-way or property line; at least 18 inches from private right-of-way or access. setback (Sec. §272-7A). Most commercial signs in Ithaca require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Ithaca, New York
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Ithaca (5 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 3 feet from grade | 144 square inches per occupant | — |
| Residential zones | 1 | — | 5 square feet (frontage ≤ 50 ft); 12 square feet (frontage > 50 ft) | — |
| Commercial zones | 3 | 22 feet (including framework) | 50 square feet each (max two wall signs if no freestanding sign) | — |
| SW-1, SW-2, SW-3, WEDZ-1a, B-5, I-1 | 12 | 30 feet | 500 square feet | — |
| Courthouse Special Use Zone | 1 | — | — | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Ithaca(sample of 3 of 5 zones)
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Political Poster | — | 15 square feet (except residential) | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | §272-6A(1) |
| Nameplate | — | 144 square inches per occupant | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | §272-6A(2) |
| Construction Sign | — | 5 square feet in residential zones; 15 square feet in other zones | — | — | One per premises | Premises where construction/repair/renovation is in progress | — | Unlock | §272-6A(3) |
| Directional Entrance/Exit Sign | 3 feet from grade | 6 square feet each | — | No part extends closer than 18 inches to any public right-of-way | One each 'in' and 'out' per curb cut | On premises; not within 18 inches of public right-of-way | — | Unlock | §272-6A(4) |
| Bulletin Board Sign (for places of worship, libraries, museums, clubs, societies) | — | 25 square feet | — | — | — | On premises of such institution | — | Unlock | §272-6A(5) |
| Mural | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | §272-6A(6) |
| Historic Sign | — | No size restriction if historic status approved | — | — | — | Original location unless relocating under Landmarks Commission approval | — | Unlock | §272-16 |
Commercial zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | 50 square feet each (max two wall signs if no freestanding sign) | — | — | Two (if no freestanding sign); otherwise governed by sign area limit | Building wall | — | Unlock | §272-6B(2) |
| Freestanding Sign | 22 feet (including framework) | 50 square feet (max) | — | See §272-9(A) — 10 ft from any public highway/street right-of-way; not within 18 inches of any right-of-way | One | On premises | — | Unlock | §272-6B(2) |
| Residential Building Sign (within commercial zone) | — | 12 square feet | — | — | One per residential activity | — | — | Unlock | §272-6B(2)(b) |
SW-1, SW-2, SW-3, WEDZ-1a, B-5, I-1
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign (Freestanding Business) | 22 feet (including framework) | 75 square feet | 12 feet | SW-1, SW-2, SW-3: At least 10 ft from public right-of-way; at least 5 ft from right-of-way or property line; at least 18 inches from private right-of-way or access. | One | On premises | — | Unlock | §272-7A |
| Freestanding Sign Structure (Shopping Plaza Entry) | 30 feet | — | 12 feet (maximum area per structure) | — | One per major entrance | At each major entrance, subject to Planning Board approval | — | Unlock | §272-7B |
| Wall Sign (Setback Bonus >150 ft) | — | 312.5 square feet | — | >150 ft from ROW | — | Wall (setback from right-of-way over 150 ft) | — | Unlock | §272-7B(1)(a) |
| Wall Sign (Setback Bonus >250 ft) | — | 375 square feet | — | >250 ft from ROW | — | Wall (setback from right-of-way over 250 ft) | — | Unlock | §272-7B(1)(b) |
| Wall Sign (Setback Bonus >350 ft) | — | 437.5 square feet | — | >350 ft from ROW | — | Wall (setback from right-of-way over 350 ft) | — | Unlock | §272-7B(1)(c) |
| Wall Sign (Setback Bonus >450 ft) | — | 500 square feet | — | >450 ft from ROW | — | Wall (setback from right-of-way over 450 ft) | — | Unlock | §272-7B(1)(d) |
| Canopy/Wall Sign (Filling Stations in Shopping Plazas) | — | 50 square feet per sign (up to 2 signs); total 100 sq ft | — | — | 2 | On building or canopy | — | Unlock | §272-7B(2) |
| Price Sign (Filling Stations in Shopping Plazas) | — | 15 square feet per sign | — | — | 2 | On premises | — | Unlock | §272-7B(2) |
PermitPal covers all 5 zoning districts in Ithaca — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 5 zones for Ithaca — start freeProhibited Signs in Ithaca
- No sign shall be erected or maintained in which any portion of the sign or its supporting structure projects a horizontal distance of more than 18 inches from the surface to which the sign or sign structure is attached, except as provided for certain signs.
- No sign shall be supported or attached, wholly or in part, over or above any wall, building or structure, except as otherwise provided for canopy, marquee or awning signs and as otherwise provided for ground signs, sign structures, and permitted roof signs.
- Signs on the front or sides or affixed to the top edge or bottom surface of a marquee, canopy, awning, or sunscreen shall not project more than 18 inches from the surface to which they are attached nor extend beyond any edge of such surface.
- Signs may be mounted on structures forming encroachments, but if such signs form an additional encroachment, they shall be subject to the provisions regarding encroachments and payment of required sign permit fees.
- All signs or other advertising structures which are erected at any point where pedestrians might be endangered shall have a smooth surface, and no nails, tacks or wires shall be permitted to protrude therefrom.
- All signs shall be designed and constructed to withstand wind pressure and loads as required by the Building Code.
- Prohibited in all zones: Any sign which violates any provision of law or code of the State of New York or of the United States.
- Prohibited in all zones: Any sign which obstructs a door, fire escape or building opening intended for light, air, or access.
- Prohibited in all zones: Any sign where all or any part is in motion by any means, including fluttering or rotating signs set in motion by movement of the atmosphere.
- Prohibited in all zones: Any sign displaying flashing or intermittent lights or lights changing intensity, except a sign indicating time or temperature with changes on not more than five-second cycles, except as limited for historic districts.
- Prohibited in all zones: Any sign that obscures a sign displayed by public authority for giving traffic instructions or other public information.
- Prohibited in all zones: Any sign using the words 'stop,' 'danger,' 'slow,' 'caution,' 'warning,' 'yield,' 'go,' or otherwise presents/implies stopping or caution, or likely to be confused with an official traffic sign or signal, except for private, on-premises directional signs.
- Prohibited in all zones: Any sign or illumination causing direct glare into or upon any building other than the one to which the sign may be related, or whose level of intensity exceeds the average ambient levels in the immediate area.
- Prohibited in all zones: Displays not shielded to prevent light from being directed at oncoming traffic with brilliance to impair drivers, or any device illuminated to interfere with or obscure an official traffic sign or signal.
- Prohibited in all zones: Any billboards or portable or mobile signs.
Exempt Signs in Ithaca
- Signs erected and maintained pursuant to and in discharge of any governmental function or required by any law, ordinance or governmental regulation are not considered 'signs' for the purposes of the ordinance.
- Flags, emblems, or symbols of a nation, governmental body or school, as well as memorial tablets or historical markers, are exempt from the definition of a sign.
- Murals, as defined, are not signs unless determined so during review; murals not deemed signage may be erected without permit or fee.
- Temporary political posters, not exceeding 15 square feet (or five square feet in residential districts), are permitted in any use district without a permit.
- Nameplates, not self-illuminated, denoting the names and/or address of occupants, not exceeding 144 square inches per occupant, do not require a permit.
- Signs denoting the architects, engineers and/or contractors placed on premises where construction, repair or renovation is in progress (within specified size and removal restrictions) do not require a permit.
- Directional entrance/exit signs (within specified size and placement limits) do not require a permit.
- Signs or bulletin boards customarily incident to places of worship, libraries, museums, social clubs or societies (within size and location requirements) are allowed without a permit.
- Murals (not deemed signage) do not require a permit.
- Temporary signs advertising an event for less than 10 days are exempt from permit requirement, provided the sign is removed immediately following the event.
- Signs temporarily advertising the sale, lease or rental of the premises upon which the sign is located, temporary political posters, and contractor/engineer/architect signs (subject to previous provision) are exempt from the temporary sign permit requirement.
- Decorative cloth banners designed for long-term use, reviewed by the Community Life Commission and approved by the Building Department, are exempt from temporary sign permit time limits, but must be removed if damaged or worn.
- Historic signs in any district are exempt from requirements to conform with other requirements of the chapter, provided an approved historic sign permit is obtained (with procedure as outlined).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Ithaca
- Whenever a site plan is required to be filed, the site plan shall show the proposed location of any signs to be erected, define the size and height of the signs with dimensions and elevation views as well as the street and driveway visibility.
- Shopping plazas may have one freestanding sign structure at each major entrance at a location approved by the Planning and Development Board as part of the site plan review process.
- For murals visible from a public way, a description and drawing must be submitted to the Department of Planning, Building and Development for a determination as to whether the mural constitutes signage. Murals on certain properties trigger notification to Planning and Development Board, Community Life Commission, and Landmarks Commission as applicable.
- For any variance, review, or appeal relative to sign provisions, the Board of Zoning Appeals will not take action until a report is received from the Planning and Development Board or 45 days after referral.
Source: ecode360 municipal code