Sign Regulations in Lake George, New York
Lake George, New York has specific sign regulations covering 21 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Freestanding Sign, Wall Sign, Projecting 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 28, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Lake George, New York
Sample Sign Requirements in Lake George
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | 25 feet | 50 square feet | — |
| Wall Sign | — | Lesser of 1.5 sq ft/linear ft, 10% of facade, or 25 sq ft | — |
| Projecting Sign | — | 5 square feet | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
21
- Freestanding Sign
- Wall Sign
- Projecting Sign
- Menu Board
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
5
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Lake George
Other Cities in New York
Frequently Asked Questions
In Lake George, monument signs are limited to 25 feet. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Lake George, 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 Lake George, regulated sign types include Freestanding Sign, Wall Sign, Projecting Sign, Menu Board, 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 Lake George 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 Lake George are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Lake George has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Lake George, New York Sign Rules at a Glance
Lake George, New York regulates 21 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Menu Boards in the Commercial Mixed-Use Zone, Commercial Resort Zone zoning district are capped at 3 feet (any dimension) tall, 6 square feet, and 3 feet (any dimension) wide, with a Exempt from 10-foot setback requirement setback (Sec. §168-4C(2), §220-24A(2)(d)). Most commercial signs in Lake George require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Lake George, New York
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Lake George (5 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Mixed-Use Zone, Commercial Resort Zone | 10 | 25 feet | 50 square feet | — |
| Commercial zones, Commercial Zone, Commercial Mixed Use Zones | 1 | 5 feet (any dimension) | 9 square feet | — |
| Residential zones | 1 | — | 6 square feet | — |
| RMU District | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 5 feet (any dimension) | 35% of window area | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Lake George(sample of 3 of 5 zones)
Commercial Mixed-Use Zone, Commercial Resort Zone
| 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 | 25 feet | 50 square feet | 10 feet | — | One per business. One per street frontage if building fronts more than one street. | On owner's property; only one per business. One allowed per street frontage for buildings fronting more than one street. | — | Unlock | §220-24B(3), C(1), D(2), G(1)-(2) |
| Wall Sign | — | Lesser of 1.5 sq ft/linear ft, 10% of facade, or 25 sq ft | — | — | One per business; one per street frontage if building fronts more than one street, in substitution. | On building wall(s) of the premises | — | Unlock | §220-24B(5), C(1), D(1) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 5 square feet | — | — | One allowed per street frontage if building fronts more than one street (in leiu of wall/freestanding sign). | Perpendicular and attached to building face of premises advertised. | — | Unlock | §220-24B(2), C(1) |
| Menu Board | 3 feet (any dimension) | 6 square feet | 3 feet (any dimension) | Exempt from 10-foot setback requirement | One per licensed food establishment | May be attached to railing of cafe (projects max 2 inches); allowed in front of licensed food establishment, exempt from 10-ft setback | — | Unlock | §168-4C(2), §220-24A(2)(d) |
| A-Frame Sign (Seasonal Permit Only) | 3 feet | 9 square feet per side (3 ft x 3 ft max each side) | 3 feet | — | One per storefront | On sidewalk, in front of business during open hours | — | Unlock | §220-24A(2)(a)[4], §220-24B(7)(b)[13] |
| Banner Sign (Temporary) | 5 feet (any dimension) | 15 square feet | 5 feet (any dimension) | — | One per building/storefront (except for certain special banners). | On building or storefront. Max one per building/storefront; special banners (welcome, no ads) do not count toward limit. | — | Unlock | §220-24B(7)(b)[14] |
| Directional Sign | — | 3 square feet | — | — | One per curb cut/driveway. | At each curb cut/driveway associated with business or parcel. | — | Unlock | §220-24C(1)(c) |
| Lakeshore Identification Sign | — | 15 square feet | — | — | Not specified | On lakeshore, externally lit. | — | Unlock | §220-24C(1)(d) |
Commercial zones, Commercial Zone, Commercial Mixed Use 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For Sale/Lease/Rent Sign (Commercial Zone) | 5 feet (any dimension) | 9 square feet | 5 feet (any dimension) | — | One per premises | On premises for sale/lease/rent | — | Unlock | §220-24B(7)(a)[9](b,c) |
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 Window Sign | — | 35% of window area | — | — | — | Inside window | — | Unlock | §220-24B(7)(a)[1] |
| Interior Signs (Permanent) | — | 35% of window area | — | — | — | Inside window, visible from street | — | Unlock | §220-24B(4) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Lettering on front/side panel only | — | Unlock | §220-24B(6) |
| Umbrella Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | §168-4C(3); §220-24B(6)(c) |
| Directional Sign (General) | — | 3 square feet | — | — | One per curb cut/driveway | At curb cut/driveway | — | Unlock | §220-24C(1)(c) |
| Historical Tablet/Memorial Plaque/Nonprofit Emblem | — | 6 square feet | — | — | — | Installed by government agency or nonprofit; on premises | — | Unlock | §220-24B(7)(a)[4] |
| Flag (Noncommercial or Business-related) | 5 feet (any dimension) | 15 square feet | 5 feet (any dimension) | — | No more than three per 50 ft of frontage | On buildings or grounds of occupant/user | — | Unlock | §220-24B(7)(a)[8], H(1-4) |
| Private Owner Merchandise Sale Sign (e.g., Garage Sale, Auction) | — | 4 square feet | — | — | Maximum six per event | — | — | Unlock | §220-24B(7)(a)[10] |
PermitPal covers all 5 zoning districts in Lake George — 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 Lake George — start freeProhibited Signs in Lake George
- No sign shall be hung or attached to any portion of a sidewalk cafe or an awning. A-frame signs are not allowed within the cafe area. Umbrellas with advertising are not permitted.
- Except as otherwise provided, a sign permit from the Village is required prior to the erection of any sign.
- Signs are not permitted as principal uses.
- No sign shall be attached to any roof or mansard facade.
- No sign may extend more than four feet over the street, right-of-way or property line.
- No sign or part thereof shall contain or consist of animation, pinwheels, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers or other similar moving, fluttering or revolving devices. These devices, as well as strings of light, shall not be used for advertising or to attract attention when not part of a sign.
- Signs shall not contain reflective material, fluorescent paint or colors that shock the senses or scream for attention, such as bright pinks, greens, yellows and oranges.
- Signs shall not be allowed on a lot unless such signs carry advertising strictly incidental to a lawful use of the premises. No off-premises signs are permitted.
- No A-frame-type signs, portable signs, signs on rocks, trees and other parts of the natural landscape, or signs on a public street shall be allowed, except as provided herein.
- No freestanding sign, projecting building sign, marquee sign, or any other sign or lighting device shall be erected or maintained on any municipal property or right-of-way unless erected by the proper municipal authorities, except as provided herein.
- No signage shall be permitted referring to rates of any accommodations, such as but not limited to low rates, lowest rates, off-season rates, special rates, etc.
- Signs shall not contain misleading or inaccurate information such as but not limited to 'going out of business,' unless such is the case.
- Continuously scrolling signs are prohibited, except as provided herein.
- Electronic signs are limited to reader boards on a freestanding sign or inside window sign only.
- Signs attached to any door leading to the interior of the premises are limited to 25% of the individual door space. Such signage is limited to information that is relevant to the business, and information referring to the sale of a product is not allowed.
- No electronic monitors, such as TVs and computers, may be placed outdoors within view or sound of the public right-of-way with the exception of electronic devices necessary to provide service to the waitstaff or patrons.
- Any new sign which does not comply with the regulations established for the issuance of a permit or which permit is revoked or which is deemed to be an abandoned sign, or which is not maintained in good and complete condition with clean, legible lettering and graphics, is prohibited and shall be brought into compliance or removed.
- Businesses are not entitled to any additional freestanding signs due to the business being situated on two or more lots or parcels, different ownership of lots/parcels, or multiple businesses on contiguous lots, as only one freestanding sign is permitted in these cases.
- Umbrellas shall not contain any signage.
- Except as provided, wall signs, projecting signs, hanging signs and window signs must use a color palette which is complementary to the building, may only have a maximum of four colors, and graphics are limited to two graphics per sign.
Exempt Signs in Lake George
- Signs or bulletin boards customarily incidental to places of worship, libraries, museums, social clubs or societies are exempt from sign fees, if such signs do not exceed 10 square feet and are located on the premises.
- The following temporary signs are permitted without a permit, provided that such signs comply with the general regulations: (1) Temporary window signs not exceeding 35% of the window area and not displayed for more than 14 consecutive days, (2) Signs posted by governmental agencies or required by law, (3) Signs required by legal process, (4) Historical tablets, memorial plaques or emblems installed by government, religious or not-for-profit agencies not to exceed six square feet, (5) Transportation signs (e.g., bus stops) not to exceed two square feet, (6) Signs necessary for identification or operation of a public utility, (7) 'Warning,' 'Private Drive,' 'Posted,' or 'No Trespassing' signs not to exceed two square feet, (8) Noncommercial flags or emblems, up to 15 square feet, not exceeding three flags per 50 feet of frontage, (9) Signs advertising the sale, lease or rental of premises, with specific size and removal limitations, (10) Private-owner merchandise sale signs (e.g. garage sales or auctions), with size and display period limits, (11) Price signs required on gasoline pumps by state or federal law, (12) Commercial signs (e.g. 'Grand Opening', 'End of Season') no more than 15 square feet and for no more than 14 consecutive days.
- Menu board for licensed food establishments is exempt from the ten-foot setback.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Lake George
- All applications submitted are subject to review by the Code Enforcement Officer and the Lake George Village Planning Board. All plans shall be approved or disapproved or modifications made within two months of submission.
- Except as otherwise provided, a sign permit from the Village is required prior to the erection of any sign.
- Except for a menu board, the additional outdoor sign must be approved by the Planning Board.
- A-frame signs (as seasonal permits) are subject to Planning Board approval.
- Menu boards for licensed food establishments must be approved by the Zoning Office.
- Applications for a permit are available at the Village Hall for the seasonal use of banners and flags.
- The display of all other temporary signs (other than those exempted) requires a permit, issued by the Mayor, and subject to application, criteria, and deposit requirements as described in the ordinance.
Source: ecode360 municipal code