# Sign Regulations in Lewiston, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lewiston, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/lewiston
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/NY/Lewiston/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CO_APXBZO_S13SIRE)

## At a glance

Lewiston, New York regulates 22 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Real Estate Sign (Residential)s in the R-1 District: Low Density Residential Single-Family Districts (R-1), R-1a District: Medium Density Residential Single-Family Districts (R-1a), R-2 District: Residential Two-Family Districts (R-2), R-3 District: Residential Multifamily Districts (R-3), R-5 District: Residential Townhouse Districts (R-5) zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall and 6 sq ft, with a 5 ft from property line setback (Sec. Sec. 13.D.1.a, Sec. 13.E.1.A(3)). Most commercial signs in Lewiston require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1 District: Low Density Residential Single-Family Districts (R-1), R-1a District: Medium Density Residential Single-Family Districts (R-1a), R-2 District: Residential Two-Family Districts (R-2), R-3 District: Residential Multifamily Districts (R-3), R-5 District: Residential Townhouse Districts (R-5) | 9 | 4 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| R-4 District: Residential Multi-Family-Professional Office Districts (R-4) | 4 | No part of the sign shall be less than 8 ft above finish grade | 12 sq ft (one wall sign); if two street frontages, one additional wall sign allowed, and the total area of combination of signs shall not exceed 18 sq ft | — |
| RB District: Restricted Business Districts (RB), RB-2 District: Retail Business District (RB-2), B-1 District: General Business District (B-1) | 7 | Minimum 8 ft above finish grade | 40 sq ft per enterprise per front | — |
| O-P District: Open and Public District (O-P) | 3 | 4 ft | 16 sq ft | — |
| W-D District: Waterfront Development District (W-D) | 2 | 4 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 2 sq ft per side | — |

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

### R-1 District: Low Density Residential Single-Family Districts (R-1), R-1a District: Medium Density Residential Single-Family Districts (R-1a), R-2 District: Residential Two-Family Districts (R-2), R-3 District: Residential Multifamily Districts (R-3), R-5 District: Residential Townhouse Districts (R-5)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name/Address Sign (Residential) | — | 2 sq ft per side | — | — | — | On premises | — | Sec. 13.D.1.c |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | 1 per street, max 2 per premises | At least 5 ft from all property lines | — | Sec. 13.D.1.a, Sec. 13.E.1.A(3) |
| Professional Nameplate | — | 2 sq ft per side | — | — | — | On premises | — | Sec. 13.D.2.a |
| Announcement or Professional Sign (Home Occupation) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises, affixed to home | — | Sec. 9A.2.b, Sec. 13.D.1.c |
| Bulletin Board/Institutional Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | — | On premises of such institution, at least 5 ft inside property line | — | Sec. 13.D.2.c |
| Temporary Construction Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | 15 ft | 1 per construction site | At least 15 ft from any property line | — | Sec. 13.E.1.A(1) |
| Temporary Home Improvement Contractor Sign | — | 6 sq ft per face | — | 15 ft | 1 per project site | At least 15 ft from any property line | — | Sec. 13.E.1.A(2) |
| Temporary Private Sale Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per sale | On premises | — | Sec. 13.E.1.A(4) |

### R-4 District: Residential Multi-Family-Professional Office Districts (R-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 12 sq ft (one wall sign); if two street frontages, one additional wall sign allowed, and the total area of combination of signs shall not exceed 18 sq ft | — | At least three feet from building facade; at least eight feet from sidewalk surface | One (plus one extra for second street frontage, subject to combined size max) | On facade, not nearer than three feet to building facade or nearer sidewalk surface than eight feet | — | Sec. 13.D.5.a.1 |
| Projecting Sign | No part of the sign shall be less than 8 ft above finish grade | 2 sq ft per face (single face) | Largest dimension does not exceed 3 ft | — | One (of projecting, awning/canopy, or freestanding) | On building, not into right-of-way without prior written consent | — | Sec. 13.D.5.a.2 |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One (of awning/canopy, projecting, or freestanding) | On awning/canopy, on building | — | Sec. 13.D.5.a.3 |
| Freestanding Sign (Ground or Pole) | Ground sign: 8 ft; Pole: 15 ft max, with lowest portion at least 8 ft off ground (excluding supporting pole) | 12 sq ft per side (max two-sided) | — | 10 ft from right-of-way or lot line | One (of freestanding, projecting, or awning/canopy, plus one wall sign) | At least 10 ft from right-of-way or lot line; not nearer building facade than three feet or sidewalk surface than eight feet | — | Sec. 13.D.5.a.4 |

### RB District: Restricted Business Districts (RB), RB-2 District: Retail Business District (RB-2), B-1 District: General Business District (B-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 40 sq ft per enterprise per front | — | 2 ft from each end of building | Up to two sign types per enterprise, not two of same type; if multiple enterprises share building, limits apply proportionally | On building facade | — | Sec. 13.D.3.A.1 |
| Projecting Sign | Minimum 8 ft above finish grade | 6 sq ft per face (single face) | Largest dimension may not exceed 3 ft; edge not more than 36 in from building wall | — | Up to two different sign types per enterprise | On building, may not project into public right-of-way without consent | — | Sec. 13.D.3.A.2 |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | Up to two different sign types per enterprise | On awning/canopy (one per enterprise, even if multiple awnings) | — | Sec. 13.D.3.A.3 |
| Window Sign (Permanent) | — | No more than 25% of window glass area of affected window; in no case may permanent + temporary signs exceed 30% of window or 12 sq ft, whichever is less | 12 sq ft max per window | — | — | In or on window | — | Sec. 13.D.3.A.4 |
| Freestanding Sign (Ground or Pole) | Ground mounted: 8 ft max; Pole sign: 15 ft max (lowest part must be at least 8 ft above ground except pole) | 40 sq ft per face (max two faces) | — | 10 ft from property line or right-of-way | Up to two different sign types per enterprise | At least 10 ft from lot line or street right-of-way | — | Sec. 13.D.3.A.5 |
| Suspended Sign | Minimum 8 ft from grade to bottommost edge | 8 sq ft (single face) | — | — | — | Suspended from horizontal plane; not into right-of-way except with written consent | — | Sec. 13.D.3.A.6 |
| A-frame/Vertical Sign | 4 ft | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | On private property only, not within public right-of-way | — | Sec. 13.C.13 |

## Prohibited signs in Lewiston

- No sign shall be illuminated by or contain flashing, intermittent, rotating, or moving light, lights or images. Any illuminated sign or lighting device shall employ only lights emitting a light of constant intensity.
- 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 be erected in such a manner as to prevent any pedestrian or a driver of a vehicle from having a clear and unobstructed view of any official sign, entrance or exit of any sidewalk or roadway, intersection, approaching or merging traffic.
- No sign shall be attached to a vehicle parking either in the right-of-way or on private property so as to be visible from the street, which sign is designed to advertise or otherwise direct attention to a business establishment.
- No signs shall be placed on the roof of any building or project above roofline.
- Except as permitted and regulated under section 13.F, no sign or part thereof shall contain or consist of banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, or other similar moving, fluttering or revolving devices. These devices and strings of lights shall not be used for the purpose of advertising or attracting attention when not part of a sign.
- No combination of permanent and temporary window signs in a window of a building shall occupy more than 30 percent of the area of said window.
- 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 sign or fluttering device shall be erected in such manner as to obstruct free egress from a window, door, fire escape, or public way or so to become a menace to life, health or property.
- No sign, banner or material of any sort shall be suspended across any public street, sidewalk or parking lot or any driveway without a special permit issued by resolution of the board of trustees.
- No A-frame/vertical signs of any size, shape or design shall be permitted within the public right-of-way of village streets.
- Placement of any sign will not obstruct free egress from a window, door, or a fire escape and will not interfere with vehicular or pedestrian access or visibility.
- No sign shall be erected in the Village of Lewiston unless it is specifically permitted under section 13. If a sign is not specifically permitted, it constitutes a prohibited sign.
- Any nonconforming sign existing at the time of adoption of this section shall be discontinued and removed.
- All signs must be kept clean, neatly painted, and free from all hazards, such as faulty wiring or loose fastenings, and must be maintained at all times in tidy and safe conditions.
- Any sign existing on or after the effective date of these regulations which advertises a business, product, or services no longer conducted or available, shall be removed by the owner of the premises after written notice.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lewiston

- Signs advertising the sale, lease, or rental of the premises upon which the sign is located (not exceeding six square feet in area, at least five feet inside the property line, subject to removal within seven days after the property is sold or leased). No permit required.
- Official signs, notices or direction devices erected or maintained by federal, state, county or local government or an agency thereof. No permit required.
- In residential districts, signs denoting the name and address of the occupants of the premises, not exceeding two square feet in area on any one side. No permit required.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Except for such signs as are specified in section 13.D.1 (permitted in all districts with no permit), no sign shall be erected without first obtaining a sign permit in accordance with the provisions of this law.
- Application for a sign permit must be made to the historic preservation/planning commission through the village clerk-treasurer on prescribed forms, including detailed information and drawings.
- Sign permit applications are reviewed first by the zoning enforcement officer, then forwarded to the historic preservation/planning commission for review and determination, which may include a requirement for attendance at the meeting.
- A variance may be requested to the village zoning board of appeals if a sign permit is disapproved.
- A permit is required for all signs except those specifically listed as exempt (section 13.D.1 and certain temporary signs in section 13.E).
- Temporary signs (other than those listed as exempt in section 13.E.1) require a temporary sign permit, including application to the historic preservation/planning commission.
- Permit applications must provide construction details, placement plans, property owner/lessee consent, and may be subject to review for compliance with safety, aesthetics, compatibility, and harmony.
- A permit may be revoked for code violations or failure to maintain.
- Special permit is required for any sign, banner, or material suspended across any public street, sidewalk, parking lot, or driveway.
- A-frame/vertical signs require zoning officer approval and proof of insurance listing the Village of Lewiston as additionally insured. Eligibility for A-frame/vertical sign permit requires an approved primary sign.

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

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