# Sign Regulations in Lockport, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lockport, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/lockport
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-21
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/9602205#9602205)

## At a glance

Lockport, New York regulates 26 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Construction Signs in the Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4) zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 32 sq ft, with a 15 ft from lot line, 75 ft from any off-site dwelling setback (Sec. §190-125B(2); §190-132A). Most commercial signs in Lockport require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4) | 6 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Business Districts (B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, B-5) | 20 | 20 ft | See §190-133 table (district dependent) | — |
| Industrial Districts (I-1, I-2, I-3) | 20 | 20 ft | See §190-133 table (e.g., I-1: 1 sq ft/lf bldg frontage, I-2: 2, I-3: 3) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | — | — |

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

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling | Affixed to residential structure | — | §190-125B(1); §190-132A |
| Construction Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 15 ft from lot line, 75 ft from any off-site dwelling | 1 | On-premises, minimum 15 ft from the lot line and 75 ft from any dwelling not within the project | — | §190-125B(2); §190-132A |
| Political Sign | — | 4 sq ft per sign; 16 sq ft aggregate per property | — | — | Aggregate area 16 sq ft/property | Private property | — | §190-125B(8); §190-132A |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 8 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per building/lot; 1 additional if abutting more than one road | On-premises | — | §190-125B(9); §190-132A |
| Subdivision Identification Sign (Single-Family) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entryway side | Entryways to subdivisions | — | §190-126B(4); §190-132B(2) |
| Subdivision Identification Sign (Multifamily) | 6 ft | 20 sq ft | — | 25 ft from any lot line | 1 per entrance | At each entrance to development | — | §190-126B(4); §190-132B(2) |

### Business Districts (B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, B-5)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Affixed to building | — | §190-125B(1); §190-132A |
| Construction Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 15 ft from lot line, 75 ft from dwelling | 1 | On-premises, minimum 15 ft from lot line and 75 ft from dwelling not in project | — | §190-125B(2); §190-132A |
| Political Sign | — | 4 sq ft per sign; 16 sq ft max per property | — | — | Aggregate 16 sq ft/property | Private property | — | §190-125B(8); §190-132A |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot/building; 1 add'l if abutting two roads | On-premises | — | §190-125B(9); §190-132A |
| Fascia Sign | — | See §190-133 table (district dependent) | — | — | 1 per establishment | Under building fascia/soffit | — | §190-126A(2); §190-132B(1); §190-133 |
| Hanging Sign Under Canopy | 18 inches vertically | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per customer entrance | Under canopy/covered entrance/marquee/awning, min 8 ft above grade | — | §190-125B(4); §190-132B(1) |
| Ground Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft (face area); PLUS 32 sq ft extra for fuel, max 16 sq ft on one face | — | 5 ft from lot and street right-of-way | 1 per building (not multiple development) | Permanently attached at grade, min 5 ft from any lot/right-of-way | — | §190-126B(1); §190-132B(2) |
| Pole Sign (Special Locations) | 20 ft | See §190-133B for total face area; no single face > 50% of total. PLUS 32 sq ft extra for fuel at motor vehicle fuel retailers. | — | 25 ft from adjacent residential lot line | 1 per eligible building | Freestanding pole, min bottom edge 8 ft above grade, not projecting over right-of-way or lot line. | — | §190-126B(3); §190-132B(2); §190-133B |

### Industrial Districts (I-1, I-2, I-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Affixed to building | — | §190-125B(1); §190-132A |
| Construction Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 15 ft from lot line; 75 ft from any off-site dwelling | 1 | On-premises, min 15 ft from lot line, 75 ft from dwelling not in project | — | §190-125B(2); §190-132A |
| Political Sign | — | 4 sq ft per sign; 16 sq ft aggregate per property | — | — | Aggregate 16 sq ft/property | Private property | — | §190-125B(8); §190-132A |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per bldg/lot; 1 add'l if abuts more than one road | On-premises | — | §190-125B(9); §190-132A |
| Fascia Sign | — | See §190-133 table (e.g., I-1: 1 sq ft/lf bldg frontage, I-2: 2, I-3: 3) | — | — | 1 per establishment | Under fascia/soffit, min 8 ft above grade | — | §190-126A(2); §190-132B(1); §190-133 |
| Hanging Sign Under Canopy | 18 in vertical | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | Under canopy, min 8 ft above grade | — | §190-125B(4); §190-132B(1) |
| Ground Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft (+ 32 sq ft extra for fuel sales, max 16 sq ft per face) | — | 5 ft from lot line, 5 ft from ROW | 1 | Permanently at grade, min 5 ft from any lot/right-of-way | — | §190-126B(1); §190-132B(2) |
| Pole Sign (Special Locations) | 20 ft | See §190-133B for total face area; single face max 50% | — | 25 ft to residential lot line | 1 per eligible | Freestanding, min 8 ft above grade, not over ROW, 25 ft from residential lot line. | — | §190-126B(3); §190-132B(2); §190-133B |

## Prohibited signs in Lockport

- No person, firm or corporation shall affix, paint, post, hang or otherwise attach any political advertising to any lamppost, pole, tree, hydrant, street sign, building, sidewalk, wall, container, monument, apparatus, public street, or public place (including any structure or building upon public streets and places) in the City of Lockport.
- No signs may be attached to any lamppost, telegraph or telephone pole, hydrant, box, building, or other structures in or upon any public street or public place, or upon any structure in such areas, for any advertising purpose, except as allowed for licensed billposters on private property.
- No person, firm or corporation shall erect or maintain signs over any sidewalk or over the exterior line of any public right-of-way without first obtaining a license from the City Clerk; signs projecting not more than eight inches over such line may be erected without a license, subject to Building Code Administrator control.
- No license shall be issued for the erection or maintenance of advertising devices, other than 'for sale' or 'for rent' signs, on any erection, building, or property in a residential section.
- No person, firm or corporation shall attach or keep attached to any tree, plant, shrub, or protective guard in any public highway or place any rope, wire, chain, sign or other device, except for protective purposes.
- All signs not expressly permitted or exempt from regulation under the sign article are prohibited in all districts.
- Prohibited sign types in all districts include: posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, similar moving/revolving devices, strings of lights, rotating or revolving signs, beacons, signage on inoperable or unlicensed motor vehicles or vehicles not used for business or conspicuously parked for 24+ hours, off-premises advertisement signs, signage for businesses no longer operating, roof signs above roofline, signs that obstruct traffic or resemble traffic control devices, signs encroaching into clear sight lines, and signs in the public right-of-way or other public property.
- No sign shall be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to prevent or obstruct ingress/egress from any door, window, or fire escape, or be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained in a manner that obstructs vision, distracts drivers, or could be confused with traffic signs, signals or control devices.
- Overhead or exposed wires on a sign or its supporting members are prohibited.
- No person shall erect or use any sign that does not comply with all sign ordinance provisions.
- No sign shall project over the street line beyond the curb or more than 10 feet beyond the exterior street line.
- No temporary sign shall be erected or maintained for more than 30 days, except in cases outlined and with a temporary permit.
- No sign, other than illuminated or cloth/canvas, may project more than eight inches over the street line and have an area greater than 40 square feet except for temporary purposes and only by Council resolution.
- No illuminated sign over 75 square feet, or projecting more than eight inches over the street line exceeding 100 square feet, may be erected without special permission from the Council.
- Illuminated signs must not have flashing, intermittent, rotating, or moving lights.
- No illuminated sign or lighting device may be placed to direct beams onto public streets, highways, sidewalks, or neighboring premises to cause glare or traffic hazards.
- Signs must not be structurally unsound, create electrical hazards, or be maintained in a hazardous condition.
- Abandoned signs (on property vacant for three months, or pertaining to obsolete events, etc.) must be removed; failure to do so is a violation and such signs are prohibited.
- Signs projecting over a public right-of-way that become noncompliant after street improvement must be altered or removed at owner's expense.
- No more than two temporary sign permits may be issued per business per year; no temporary signs in multiple developments.
- License applications for projecting, sidewalk, or over-street signs require City liability and property insurance.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lockport

- Signs erected and maintained pursuant to and in discharge of any governmental function are exempt.
- Signs prohibiting trespassing are exempt.
- Integral, decorative, or architectural features of buildings (except letters or trademarks) are exempt.
- Any sign inside a building, not attached to a window or door, and not legible from over three feet beyond the lot line is exempt.
- Address signs identifying the occupant and address of a residential structure (one sign, max two square feet, non-internally illuminated) are exempt.
- On-premises construction signs (one per site, max 32 sq ft, 8 ft height, setback required) are exempt.
- Fuel pump signs advertising fuel cost (not over one sq ft per pump) are exempt.
- Hanging signs under canopies (one per entrance, min 8 ft above grade, max two sq ft, max 18 inches vertical) are exempt.
- Flags (max two per business, each no more than 24 sq ft, must be maintained in good condition) are exempt.
- Incidental signs assisting in traffic flow, up to 4 sq ft, no advertising, are exempt.
- Menu board signs at drive-throughs (up to two per lane, not readable from public right-of-way or residential areas, max 36 sq ft each) are exempt.
- Political signs (on private property only, not blocking clear site triangle, max 4 sq ft each/max 16 sq ft total, not erected more than 65 days before election, removed within seven days after) are exempt.
- On-premises real estate signs (one per premises, non-illuminated, size limits per district, removed within 15 days after closing/lease, one extra sign allowed if site has more than one frontage) are exempt.
- Window signs/advertising posters (temporary, affixed inside window/door, not occupying more than 50% of window area) are exempt.
- Operational and payment instructions on fuel pumps are exempt from fuel pump sign area calculation.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A coordinated sign plan is required for newly proposed multiple developments.
- Coordinated sign plans must detail standards for uniformity and state the manner by which design standards for uniform signs will be met.
- Building permits for signs within a multiple development require approval of the coordinated sign plan and then administrative approval of each sign permit.
- All signs within a multiple development must conform to the approved coordinated sign plan kept on file with the City.
- Applicants for sign permits must submit scaled elevation and plan drawings, with details on placement, illumination, design, and appearance.
- Signs not conforming to the requirements may be appealed to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a variance; such appeals are subject to Planning Board review.

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

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