# Sign Regulations in Jamestown, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Jamestown, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/jamestown
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-21
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/8319666#8319666)

## At a glance

Jamestown, New York regulates 18 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the C-2, C-3 zoning district are capped at 20 feet tall and 72 square feet per sign, with a 10 feet from property line setback (Sec. §300-0710E). Most commercial signs in Jamestown require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| L-C, R-1, R-2 | 2 | — | 2 square feet | — |
| R-C | 2 | 5 feet | 16 square feet | — |
| C-1 | 3 | 15 feet | 144 square feet (max), subject to 50% total sign area rule | — |
| C-2, C-3 | 4 | 20 feet | 144 square feet (max), subject to 50% total sign area rule | — |
| C-4, C-M, L-M, M | 5 | 24 feet | 250 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | 10 feet | 100 square feet (total per structure) | — |

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

### C-2, C-3

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 feet | 72 square feet per sign | — | 10 feet from property line | 1 per each access street, max 2 per primary structure | On premises, minimum 10 feet setback from property line | — | §300-0710E |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per each business or 1 per each access street | On premises | — | §300-0710E |
| Electronic Message Display (EMD) | — | 144 square feet (max), subject to 50% total sign area rule | — | Same as corresponding sign type (freestanding/wall) | 1 per property (may be wall or freestanding, not both) | As either freestanding or wall sign, not both | — | §300-0710G–L |
| Temporary Commercial Sign (with changeable copy) | 5 feet | 12 square feet per face | — | — | 1 per establishment (C-3 only) | Must be located within 8 feet of principal structure; when on public property, encroachment permit required | — | §300-0707B(9) |

### C-4, C-M, L-M, M

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 24 feet | 80 square feet (if building area <30,000 sq ft); 100 square feet (if building area ≥30,000 sq ft) | — | 10 feet from property line | 1 per each access street, max 2 per primary structure | On premises, minimum 10 feet setback from property line | — | §300-0710F |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per each business or 1 per each access street | On premises | — | §300-0710F |
| Electronic Message Display (EMD) | — | 144 square feet (max), subject to 50% total sign area rule | — | Same as corresponding sign type (freestanding/wall) | 1 per property (may be wall or freestanding, not both) | As either freestanding or wall sign, not both | — | §300-0710G–L |
| Off-Premises Advertising Sign (Four-lane Roadway) | 24 feet | 250 square feet | — | 10 feet from front and side property lines, and 10 feet from any building | — | C-M, L-M, M only; not less than 100 ft from traffic signals; must comply with setback, separation, and placement rules | — | §300-0711 |
| Off-Premises Advertising Sign (Two-lane Roadway) | 24 feet | 125 square feet | — | 10 feet from front and side property lines, and 10 feet from any building | — | C-M, L-M, M only; not less than 100 ft from traffic signals; must comply with setback, separation, and placement rules | — | §300-0711 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Roof | Maximum 8 feet above roofline | — | — | — | — | On roof | — | §300-0709B(2) |
| Entrance/Exit Sign (R-C, C, M Zones) | 3 feet | 5 square feet | — | 2 feet from property line | — | Set back at least 2 feet from property line | — | §300-0709D |
| Subdivision Identification Sign - Residential | 10 feet | 24 square feet | — | 10 feet from property line | 1 per subdivision | — | — | §300-0709E |
| Permitted Signs for Places of Worship, Schools, Libraries, Museums, Social Clubs or Societies - Freestanding | 5 feet | 16 square feet | — | 10 feet from property line | 1 per primary structure | On premises, minimum 10 feet setback from property line | — | §300-0710A |
| Permitted Signs for Places of Worship, Schools, Libraries, Museums, Social Clubs or Societies - Wall | — | 100 square feet (total per structure) | — | — | 1 per access street, up to total 2 per primary structure | On premises | — | §300-0710A |
| Permitted Signs for Places of Worship, Schools, Libraries, Museums, Social Clubs or Societies - Accessory Use | 5 feet | 9 square feet per sign | — | 10 feet from property line | Max 3 | On premises, minimum 10 feet setback from property line | — | §300-0710A |
| Temporary Sign | 3 ft in L-C, R-1, R-2; 10 ft in all others | 4 sq ft in L-C, R-1, R-2; 16 sq ft in R-C, C-1; 24 sq ft in C-2, C-3, C-4, C-M, L-M, M | — | See above | — | Minimum 2 ft setback from property lines/driveways in L-C, R-1, R-2; 10 ft setback in all others | — | §300-0707 |
| Historical, Government, and Directional/Warning Signs | 4 ft (for name/lawn sign); see others | 6 sq ft (government/commemorative); 5 sq ft per face (onsite directionals); 2 sq ft (warnings/private drive/no trespassing); 2 sq ft (residence ID on house/mailbox); 4 ft high for lawn sign | — | 10 feet from property line, unless otherwise stated | — | 10 ft from property line unless otherwise stated | — | §300-0706 |

## Prohibited signs in Jamestown

- No sign shall impair or cause confusion of vehicular traffic in its design, color or placement.
- No sign shall be located within the triangular area as depicted in § 300-0205.
- No sign shall be attached to trees, public utility poles, rocks or other parts of the natural landscape (except the ground).
- No sign shall be placed in a position that will obstruct or impair traffic or create a hazard or disturbance to the health, safety and welfare of the general public.
- No sign shall be located on public property without written consent from the controlling jurisdiction.
- No off-premises signs shall be allowed other than those otherwise permitted in this article.
- No sign shall consist of strobe lights, multiple banners, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners or similar moving, fluttering or revolving devices.
- No portable changeable-copy message signs are permitted, except as provided in § 300-0707.
- No trailer or vehicle with an advertising message shall be parked on a premises in a manner to serve as a sign.
- Double-faced signs are prohibited.
- All signs shall be securely anchored and shall not swing or move in any manner.
- No sign shall be erected over any public property, and no permit to install the same shall be issued, unless the description for installation and actual installation provide a clearance above the public sidewalk, public alley, public highway or other public property of at least 7 1/2 feet.

## Signs exempt from permit in Jamestown

- Historical markers, tablets and statues, memorial signs and plaques, names of buildings and dates of erection when cut into masonry or constructed of bronze, stainless steel or similar material, emblems installed by governmental agencies, religious or nonprofit organizations (not to exceed 6 square feet) are exempt from permit requirements.
- On-premise directional signs identifying public parking areas and fire zones not exceeding 5 square feet per face and containing no commercial copy other than business identification are exempt from permit requirements.
- Nonilluminated warning, private drive, posted, or no trespassing signs not exceeding 2 square feet per face are exempt from permit requirements.
- Number and name plates identifying residents and/or name of structure mounted on house, apartment or mailbox not exceeding 2 square feet (or, if a lawn sign, not more than 4 feet in height) are exempt, provided they are not internally illuminated nor contain any advertising message.
- Certain signs at gasoline and automotive service/repair stations: integral graphics or attached price signs on gasoline pumps, three auxiliary signs per station not exceeding 6 square feet each, and one portable product display sign set back at least 20 feet and not exceeding 12 square feet in area per face or 3 feet in height are exempt.
- Murals may be painted or adhered on any wall of a structure; signage/advertising with murals shall not exceed 5% of the mural area, subject to specific provisions.
- Signs at or on museums (not in R-1 or R-2), reviewed and approved with site plan review, are exempt from permit requirements.
- All temporary signs are exempt from the permit process, provided they do not violate or exceed the standards or controls outlined in § 300-0707.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit is required prior to the erection, alteration or relocation of any nonexempt sign; application must be made to the Building Inspector with required information (§ 245-1, § 300-0702, § 300-0704).
- No person shall construct, erect, install or maintain signs, awnings, canopies, marquees, or similar installations projecting over public property without obtaining a permit to install, construct or maintain the same (§ 245-1).
- Applications for sign permits must include elevation and plan drawings, placement and appearance details, and a description of the proposed sign (§ 300-0704).
- For electrical signs, a proper application must be submitted and approval from the Lighting Division of the Board of Public Utilities is required prior to erection (§ 245-6).
- Murals containing signage/advertising are considered signs for the purpose of this article and must comply with applicable sign permitting requirements (§ 300-0706F).
- Signs located at or on museums, not in R-1 or R-2 District, require review and approval as part of site plan review (§ 300-0706G).
- When a temporary changeable-copy commercial sign is located on public property (e.g., sidewalk), an encroachment permit must be obtained from the Department of Public Works (§ 300-0707B(9)(f)).
- Level 3 or Level 4 electronic message display transitions and animations may be permitted only with the approval of a special use permit (§ 300-0710K).
- All nonexempt signs require a permit and must conform to both the sign regulations and other applicable laws and ordinances (§ 300-0705A(4)).

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

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