# Sign Regulations in Lakewood, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lakewood, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/lakewood
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.lakewoodny.gov/uploads/1/4/7/4/147433225/chapter-25-zoning-amended-042224.pdf#page=56)

## At a glance

Lakewood, New York regulates 13 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Sandwich Board Sign (On-Premises Roadside Ground)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall, 4 ft high x 3 ft wide (12 sq ft), and 3 ft wide, with a Minimum 5 ft from edge of pavement. setback (Sec. § 25-49.A(3)(c); § 25-49.B(3)(c)[1]-[6]). Most commercial signs in Lakewood require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 9 ft (measured from ground to top of sign) | 20% of storefront | — |
| Single-Family Residential (R1), Multiple-Family Residential (R2) | 2 | 9 ft | 4 sq ft (cumulative across all permanent signs per property) | — |
| Retail Business (B1) | 3 | 9 ft | 25 sq ft or 20% of storefront, whichever is greater (cumulative across all permanent signs) | — |
| Highway Business (B2) | 3 | 9 ft | 50 sq ft or 20% of storefront, whichever is greater (cumulative across all permanent signs) | — |
| Light Industrial (I1) | 3 | 9 ft | 200 sq ft or 15% of the building front, whichever is greater (cumulative across all permanent signs) | — |
| off premises sign overlay zone | 1 | 20 ft (including supports, measured from ground below the sign) | Up to 672 sq ft per face | — |

_1 additional zoning district is covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Attached to Building) | — | — | — | — | — | Attached to building wall; may not overhang a walkway or right-of-way. | — | § 25-49.A(1); § 25-49.B(1)(a)-(d); § 25-49.E(3)(a)-(c) |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument Base) | 9 ft (measured from ground to top of sign) | — | — | Must comply with zone-specific minimum setbacks; generally 15 ft measured from edge of road (see § 25-49.C Note 4). | — | On-premises; must not be placed to interfere with traffic, ingress/egress, or obscure light/air. | — | § 25-49.A(1); § 25-49.B(2)(a)-(b); § 25-49.E(2)-(3) |
| Political Sign (Temporary) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property with permission of the property owner; not on trees, utility poles, street or traffic signs within ROW. | — | § 25-49.A(3)(a); § 25-49.B(3)(a) |
| Household Sale Sign (Temporary) | 3 ft | 3 ft high x 3 ft wide (9 sq ft) | 3 ft | — | Up to 3 household sale signs. | Not on trees, utility poles, street signs or traffic signs. | — | § 25-49.A(3)(a); § 25-49.B(3)(b)[1]-[5] |
| Sandwich Board Sign (On-Premises Roadside Ground) | 4 ft | 4 ft high x 3 ft wide (12 sq ft) | 3 ft | Minimum 5 ft from edge of pavement. | 1 per business without a permit; additional require permit. | On-premises; not on trees or utility poles; not within 5 ft of edge of pavement. | — | § 25-49.A(3)(c); § 25-49.B(3)(c)[1]-[6] |
| Banner Sign (Temporary) | — | 20% of storefront | — | — | — | On-premises attached/displayed at storefront. | — | § 25-49.B(3)(d) |
| Flag Sign (Temporary) | — | — | — | — | Up to 2 per property. | On-premises. | — | § 25-49.B(3)(d) |
| Public Sign (Directional/Street/Traffic) - Exempt | — | — | — | — | — | As placed by public authority. | — | § 25-49.A(2) |

### Retail Business (B1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Permanent On-Premises) | — | 25 sq ft or 20% of storefront, whichever is greater (cumulative across all permanent signs) | — | — | Maximum 2 signs total per property; more may be allowed by special use permit if size limits are met. | Attached to building; may not overhang walkways/ROW; projection limited to 12 inches. | — | § 25-49.C (Table: B1 Permanent R; 25 sq ft or 20% storefront; Illumination EXT; Setback 15 ft); Notes 1,2,4,5; § 25-49.B(1)(a)-(d); § 25-49.D; § 25-49.E(3); § 25-49.E(2)(c) |
| Freestanding Sign (Permanent On-Premises) | 9 ft | 25 sq ft or 20% of storefront, whichever is greater (cumulative across all permanent signs) | — | Minimum 15 ft from edge of road. | Maximum 2 signs total per property; more may be allowed by special use permit if size limits are met. | On-premises; monument base required. | — | § 25-49.C (Table: B1 Permanent R; 25 sq ft or 20% storefront; Setback 15 ft; Illumination EXT); Notes 1,2,4,5; § 25-49.B(2)(a)-(b); § 25-49.D; § 25-49.E |
| Temporary On-Premises Sign (Business) | — | 15 sq ft | — | Minimum 15 ft from edge of road for freestanding temporary business signs. | Maximum 2 signs total per property; more may be allowed by special use permit if size limits are met. | On-premises. | — | § 25-49.C (Table: B1 Temporary R; 15 sq ft; Illumination EXT); Notes 4,5; § 25-49.E |

### Highway Business (B2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Permanent On-Premises) | — | 50 sq ft or 20% of storefront, whichever is greater (cumulative across all permanent signs) | — | — | Maximum 2 signs total per property; more may be allowed by special use permit if size limits are met. | Attached to building; may not overhang walkways/ROW; projection limited to 12 inches. | — | § 25-49.C (Table: B2 Permanent R; 50 sq ft or 20% storefront; Illumination INT/EXT; Setback 15 ft); Notes 1,2,4,5; § 25-49.B(1)(a)-(d); § 25-49.D; § 25-49.E(3); § 25-49.E(2)(c) |
| Freestanding Sign (Permanent On-Premises) | 9 ft | 50 sq ft or 20% of storefront, whichever is greater (cumulative across all permanent signs) | — | Minimum 15 ft from edge of road. | Maximum 2 signs total per property; more may be allowed by special use permit if size limits are met. | On-premises; monument base required. | — | § 25-49.C (Table: B2 Permanent R; 50 sq ft or 20% storefront; Setback 15 ft; Illumination INT/EXT); Notes 1,2,4,5; § 25-49.B(2)(a)-(b); § 25-49.D; § 25-49.E |
| Temporary On-Premises Sign (Business) | — | 15 sq ft | — | Minimum 15 ft from edge of road for freestanding temporary business signs. | Maximum 2 signs total per property; more may be allowed by special use permit if size limits are met. | On-premises. | — | § 25-49.C (Table: B2 Temporary R; 15 sq ft; Illumination INT/EXT); Notes 4,5; § 25-49.E |

## Prohibited signs in Lakewood

- No sign may be located so that it interferes with traffic or is confused with or obstructs the view or effectiveness of any official traffic sign, signal, or marking.
- No sign may be stapled, pasted, or otherwise attached to utility poles or trees within a road or street right-of-way.
- No sign may be located so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any window, door, or fire escape.
- No sign may be placed so that it will obscure light and/or air movement from a building.
- Signs illuminated by flashing, intermittent, or moving lights are prohibited.
- CEVMS (changeable electronic variable message signs) are not allowed.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lakewood

- Public signs (directional, street, and traffic) are exempt from all regulations of the sign section.
- Temporary signs including contractor signs, realtor signs, and political signs are subject to all regulations but do not require a permit.
- Indoor signs are subject to all regulations but do not require a permit.
- Sandwich-style on-premises roadside ground signs are listed as not requiring a permit (see notes for exception).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A zoning permit is required before creating, altering, or enlarging any outdoor sign unless the sign is exempt or requires no permit per §25-49(A)(2)–(3).
- All sign permit applications must include a plan drawn to scale showing the exact size, shape, location, and type of sign.
- All signs within 100 feet of a residential district require a special use permit.
- More than the maximum number of signs may be allowed only by special use permit with conditions attached if compatible with the neighborhood and size limits are not exceeded.
- Off-premises advertising signs are allowable only by special use permit within the designated off-premises sign overlay zone along Fairmount Ave.
- Per the district table, permanent on-premises signs in R1 and R2 require a special use permit; B1, B2, and I1 allow certain signs by right (subject to size/illumination/setback limits).
- Sandwich-style on-premises roadside ground signs are generally listed as not requiring a permit, but §25-49(B)(3)(c)[6] states that in districts where roadside stands are allowed, a permit by right is required.
- No master sign plan requirement is specified in the ordinance text provided.

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

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