# Sign Regulations in Ithaca Town, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Ithaca Town, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/ithaca-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/32571219#32571219)

## At a glance

Ithaca Town, New York regulates 18 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Single Tenant, ≤35 mph)s in the Commercial Zones, Industrial Zones, Office Park Commercial Zones zoning district are capped at 10 ft tall and 32 sq ft, with a 15 ft from side lot line; outside ROW setback (Sec. §270-256A, B, F(1)(b)[1], F(1)(d)). Most commercial signs in Ithaca Town require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential and Conservation Zones | 8 | Freestanding flagpole max 30 ft | Aggregate 40 sq ft | — |
| Multiple Residence Zones | 2 | 6 ft except for flagpoles (see below) | 24 sq ft per sign, 36 sq ft total per parcel (aggregate), unless principal buildings >8000 sq ft, then as for large buildings in Residential. | — |
| Agricultural Zones | 8 | Freestanding pole 30 ft max | Aggregate 40 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Zones, Industrial Zones, Office Park Commercial Zones | 10 | 16 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Traditional neighborhood development transect zones (NT-3, NT-4, NT-4u, NT-5) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Residential and Conservation Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 ft except for flagpoles (max 30 ft for flagpoles) | 6 sq ft per sign, 16 sq ft total per parcel (aggregate), parcels >8000 sq ft principal buildings: 24 sq ft per sign, 32 sq ft aggregate; >500 ft from ROW: 50 sq ft per sign, 100 sq ft aggregate | — | — | — | Outside the public right-of-way; not between sidewalk and street; placed at least 15 ft from side lot line. | — | §270-254A-E, §270-254I |
| Wall Sign | — | 6 sq ft per sign; Same aggregate as Freestanding Sign (see above) | — | — | — | On the wall of principal or accessory building; may not extend beyond wall ends or top; may not project more than 9 in from building. | — | §270-254F |
| Projecting Sign | Top not above 12 ft from ground. | — | — | — | — | May extend max 3 ft from building face; not into vehicular area, over pedestrian traffic min 7 ft 6 in clearance | — | §270-254G |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | No more than 6 ft from facade, completely within awning edges. | — | §270-254H |
| Canopy Sign | — | 8 sq ft max; more than one row, max letter height 6 in. | — | — | — | No more than 6 ft from facade, within canopy edges. | — | §270-254H(4) |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On window. | — | §270-254E(2) |
| Banner | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | At least 500 ft from public right-of-way and lot line of any adjoining owner; all corners attached; made of heavyweight fabric or have air slits. | — | §270-254E(4) |
| Flag | Freestanding flagpole max 30 ft | Aggregate 40 sq ft | — | Flagpole setback equals pole height | — | One building-mounted and/or one freestanding flagpole per parcel. Setback for flagpole equals height of pole from ROW or lot line. | — | §270-254E(5) |

### Agricultural Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 ft except for flagpoles (see below) | Parcels <5 acres: 12 sq ft per sign, 24 sq ft aggregate. Parcels ≥5 acres: 24 sq ft per sign, 36 sq ft aggregate. Principal buildings >8000 sq ft: up to 24 sq ft per sign/32 sq ft aggregate, and up to 50 sq ft per sign/100 sq ft aggregate if >500 ft from ROW. | — | — | — | Outside the public right-of-way; not between sidewalk and street; placed at least 15 ft from side lot line. | — | §270-255A-D, E(4), J |
| Wall Sign | — | As per Freestanding Sign above | — | — | — | — | — | §270-255A, D, F |
| Projecting Sign | 12 ft | — | — | — | — | Panel or symbol may extend max 3 ft from building face; not into vehicular areas; min 7 ft 6 in clearance above pedestrian traffic. | — | §270-255G |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Max 6 ft from facade, within awning edges. | — | §270-255H |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On window. | — | §270-255E(1) |
| Banner | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | At least 500 ft from public ROW or lot line; mounted on poles; heavyweight fabric or with air slits. | — | §270-255E(2) |
| Flag | Freestanding pole 30 ft max | Aggregate 40 sq ft | — | Flagpole setback equals pole height | — | One building or one freestanding flagpole per parcel; setback for flagpole = height of pole | — | §270-255E(3) |
| Copy-Change Sign | — | 12 sq ft (copy-change portion) | — | — | — | — | — | §270-255I |

### Commercial Zones, Industrial Zones, Office Park Commercial Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Single Tenant, ≤35 mph) | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 15 ft from side lot line; outside ROW | One per frontage; two if entrances to more than one ROW | Outside ROW, 15 ft min from side lot line, no part over sidewalk. | — | §270-256A, B, F(1)(b)[1], F(1)(d) |
| Freestanding Sign (Multi-Tenant, ≤35 mph) | 10 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 15 ft from side lot line; outside ROW | One per development; two if entrances on more than one ROW | As above | — | §270-256F(1)(b)[2] |
| Freestanding Sign (Single Tenant, >35 mph) | 16 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 15 ft from side lot line; outside ROW | — | As above | — | §270-256F(1)(c)[1] |
| Freestanding Sign (Multi-Tenant, >35 mph) | 16 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 15 ft from side lot line; outside ROW | — | As above | — | §270-256F(1)(c)[2] |
| Freestanding Sign (Small, not counting toward number allowed) | 4 ft 6 in | 4 sq ft per sign, max 4 signs per parcel | — | As above | Max 4 | As above | — | §270-256E |
| Freestanding Sign (Office Park Commercial, exception) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | — | At least 150 ft from public ROW and lot line of adjoining owner. | — | §270-256D |
| Wall Sign | — | Based on formula | — | — | One per building frontage | On enterprise frontage wall | — | §270-256F(2) |
| Projecting Sign | Top max 12 ft from ground | 15 sq ft | — | — | One per building frontage | Extends 3 ft max from building; not into vehicular area; min 7 ft 6 in over pedestrians. | — | §270-256F(3) |

## Prohibited signs in Ithaca Town

- Off-premises signs.
- Animated signs and all electronic message centers (animated and nonanimated), including signs with blinking, flashing, strobe, chasing or alternating color lights or moving parts or messages.
- Graphics that physically or visually impair vehicular or pedestrian traffic by design, lighting, or placement.
- Pennants, valances, ribbons, spinners, streamers, searchlights, string or festoon lights, exposed luminous or fiber optic tubing (except in windows as specified) neon lights, balloons or similar devices shall not be part of an exterior or window sign, or used for advertising or attracting attention.
- Signs with phosphorescent, fluorescent, or reflective material or paint.
- Signs placed, wholly or in part, on, over, or above any roof, building, marquee or other structure unless specifically permitted by this article.
- Any sign which could be mistaken or confused with a traffic control signal or device or official public information sign.
- Copy-change signs, except as specifically permitted in this article.
- Signs on surfaces that are not flat and are not attached to a building, and sign symbols that are not attached to a building.
- All signs not expressly permitted by this article.
- Signs shall not obstruct or impair vision or traffic.
- Signs shall not be attached to utility poles, bridges, or safety, traffic or street identification signs.
- Signs shall not be placed or painted on vehicles or trailers that are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying such signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Ithaca Town

- Public safety and public emergency signs.
- Signs that are required by law, statute, ordinance or regulation, but the exemption extends only to the aspect(s) of the sign, such as size, height or location, that do not meet the requirements of this article and that are mandated by the law, statute, ordinance or regulation. All other aspects of the sign are subject to the requirements of this article.
- Art murals are not considered signs and are exempt from this article; they are subject to a separate article regarding art murals.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Sign permits are required for: (a) signs listed in §270-256A located in Commercial or Industrial Zones; (b) the erection, relocation or alteration of signs that have a variance by the Zoning Board of Appeals or that are included in a site plan approved by the Planning Board.
- All signs that require permits are subject to design review by the Director of Planning or their designee, who makes a recommendation to the Code Enforcement Officer prior to permit issuance. If design review results in a recommendation to deny, the sign is referred to the Planning Board for design review and recommendation.
- Applications for sign permits must include an application fee, information from the application form, and scaled drawings showing design, dimensions, colors, illumination details, and placement.
- A sign permit may not be issued unless the sign is in conformance with all requirements and has received all necessary approvals and/or variances from the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals, with recommendations from the Director of Planning or Planning Board considered.
- Sign permits are required for all nonconforming signs that come into compliance with code requirements, if the sign requires a permit under §270-251.
- A nonconforming sign may not be changed unless the Zoning Board of Appeals grants a variance and a sign permit is issued. When a nonconforming sign is in need of substantial repair (including replacement), it must be brought into compliance or be removed, unless a variance is granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals and a sign permit is issued.

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

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