# Sign Regulations in Lancaster, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lancaster, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/lancaster
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/27169485#27169485)

## At a glance

Lancaster, New York regulates 16 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign - Ground Signs in the C Districts, M Districts zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 50 sq ft per side, with a Minimum 25 ft from adjacent business/industrial lot, 50 ft from residential lot, 15 ft from street right-of-way (§350-35E) setback (Sec. §350-35D(3)(c)). Most commercial signs in Lancaster require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | 8 ft | 60 sq ft | — |
| C Districts, M Districts | 4 | 15 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| M-IP Districts | 2 | 4 ft | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| For Sale/Lease/Rental Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | At least 5 feet inside property line | 1 per street frontage, max 2 | On premises, at least 5 feet inside the property line | — | §350-35D(1)(a) |
| Portable Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 | On-site business only | — | §350-35D(1)(c) |
| Professional Nameplate | — | 2 sq ft per side | — | — | — | On premises | — | §350-35D(2)(a) |
| Occupant Name/Address Sign | — | 2 sq ft per side | — | — | — | On premises | — | §350-35D(2)(b) |
| Construction/Architect/Engineer Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises where construction/repair is in progress | — | §350-35D(2)(c) |
| Institutional Sign or Bulletin Board | — | 16 sq ft | — | At least 5 feet inside property line | — | On premises of the institution, at least 5 feet inside property line | — | §350-35D(2)(e) |
| Advertising Sign for Commercial Enterprise | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | §350-35D(2)(f) |
| Subdivision Sign | 8 ft | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Within subdivision | — | §350-35D(2)(g) |

### C Districts, M Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Each street frontage of a building | — | §350-35D(3)(b) |
| Hanging Sign | — | 2 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 (in lieu of wall sign) | On building, alternative to wall sign | — | §350-35D(3)(b)[1-3] |
| Freestanding Sign - Ground Sign | 8 ft | 50 sq ft per side | — | Minimum 25 ft from adjacent business/industrial lot, 50 ft from residential lot, 15 ft from street right-of-way (§350-35E) | 1 | On parcel of business | — | §350-35D(3)(c) |
| Freestanding Sign - Pole Sign | 15 ft | 50 sq ft per side | — | Minimum 25 ft from adjacent business/industrial lot, 50 ft from residential lot, 15 ft from street right-of-way (§350-35E) | 1 | On parcel of business | — | §350-35D(3)(c) |

### M-IP Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Ground Sign (M-IP limitation) | 4 ft | — | — | — | — | Ground sign in M-IP | — | §350-35D(4) |
| Freestanding Sign - Pole Sign | — | — | — | — | 0 | — | — | §350-35D(4) |

## Prohibited signs in Lancaster

- No illuminated sign or lighting device shall be so placed or directed so as to permit the beams and illumination therefrom to be directed or beamed upon a public street, highway, sidewalk or adjacent premises so as to cause glare or reflection that may constitute a traffic hazard or nuisance.
- No sign shall attempt or appear to attempt to direct the movement of traffic or imitate or resemble any official sign, signal or device.
- No sign shall prevent the driver of a vehicle from having a clear and unobstructed view of any official sign or entrance or exit roadway or intersection or approaching or merging traffic.
- No projecting sign shall be erected or maintained from the front or face of a building a distance of more than 36 inches.
- No signs shall be placed on the roof of any building.
- No off-premises signs shall be permitted.
- No sign which is obsolete or not in a good state of repair or not securely affixed to a building or substantial structure shall be permitted.
- No detached signs shall be greater than 15 square feet in total area.
- No signs shall be erected, altered, moved or used except in conformance with this chapter and then only as an accessory use to a listed permitted use or to a nonconforming use which may be lawfully continued.
- All signs, including any structural supports, must be kept clean, neatly painted and free from all hazards, and must be maintained at all times in such tidy and safe condition so as not to be detrimental to the public health and safety.
- Any sign found unsafe or insecure or that is a menace to the public shall be suitably repaired or removed.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lancaster

- Signs advertising the sale, lease or rental of the premises upon which the sign is located, which sign shall not exceed six square feet in area, provided that such sign is erected or displayed not less than five feet inside the property line (no sign permit required).
- Official signs, notices or direction devices erected or maintained by federal, state, County or local government, or agency thereof.
- One portable sign relating exclusively to an on-site business, provided it is removed during nonbusiness hours of said business and does not interfere with motor vehicle sight lines at an intersection or with the free passage of pedestrians on a public sidewalk (no sign permit required).

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Lancaster, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Lancaster+NY&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-lancaster

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