# Sign Regulations in Macedon, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Macedon, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/macedon
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-31
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/34110481#34110481)

## At a glance

Macedon, New York regulates 18 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Ground Sign (Freestanding)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 20 feet maximum overall height (measured from highest level of natural ground immediately beneath the sign to the highest point of the sign or support) tall and 24 square feet maximum area, with a ≥25 ft from street line; side/rear setback at least equal to sign height; no sign within 25 ft of ROW setback (Sec. §300-193A–Q; §300-194A–G). Most commercial signs in Macedon require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 20 feet maximum overall height (measured from highest level of natural ground immediately beneath the sign to the highest point of the sign or support) | 24 square feet maximum area | — |
| Agricultural/Residential District (AR-40); Residential District (R-30) | 10 | 20 feet maximum height | 50 square feet maximum area | — |
| Residential District (R-22) | 7 | 20 feet maximum height | 50 square feet maximum area | — |
| Canal Corridor Overlay District (CCO) | 2 | Ground: ≤20 ft; Temporary: not specified; Directional: not specified; CCO Freestanding signs have a stricter ≤12 ft cap | Ground: ≤24 sq ft; Wall: per general cap; Temporary: ≤24 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Freestanding) | 20 feet maximum overall height (measured from highest level of natural ground immediately beneath the sign to the highest point of the sign or support) | 24 square feet maximum area | — | ≥25 ft from street line; side/rear setback at least equal to sign height; no sign within 25 ft of ROW | No more than two signs per business/activity on a single property; only one ground sign allowed per property | Setbacks: at least 25 feet from any street line; at least its height from any side or rear property line; no sign within 25 feet of the right-of-way of any public street or highway; no sign closer than 25 feet to any side property line unless attached to a building | — | §300-193A–Q; §300-194A–G |
| Wall Sign (Building Face Sign) | — | Per-property cap: total area of all signs on parcel ≤ 1 sq ft per linear foot of facade (excludes on-site directional signs ≤2 sq ft each). For multi-tenant centers, individual business wall/canopy sign ≤ the lesser of (i) 1 sq ft per linear foot of store frontage, (ii) 15% of the wall surface area to which attached, or (iii) 24 sq ft. | — | N/A (building-mounted). General rule: if attached to building, side lot line proximity allowance per §300-193N | Counts toward parcel cap of 2 signs and per-property area cap | Affixed to building face; not on roof | — | §300-193E, I; §300-194C; §300-195C |
| Directional Sign (On-site) | — | 2 square feet maximum area per sign | — | — | Excluded from parcel cap | On-site | — | §300-194D |
| Off-Premises Directional Sign | 12 feet maximum height | 12 square feet maximum per face; maximum two faces | — | ≥25 ft from ROW; general location limits per §300-197 | — | Must be located at least 25 feet from the right-of-way line; only permitted for industries/businesses in Town that do not front on a state highway; principal purpose must be to direct vehicles to the business location | — | §300-197; §300-200B |
| Directory Sign (Multiple-Use/Multi-Tenant Project) – Entrance/Exit | — | At each vehicular entrance/exit: ≤ 2 sq ft per acre of the center/park; not to exceed 12 sq ft total per sign | — | General ground sign setbacks apply | One center/facility identification ground sign total; one directory sign at any location (≤5 sq ft/acre, ≤24 sq ft), and one at each entrance/exit per acreage limits | At each point of entrance/exit of shopping center, industrial park, or multiple commercial facility | — | §300-195A–E |
| Temporary Sign | — | 24 square feet maximum area | — | — | — | Must not be attached to fences, trees, utility poles, bridges, or traffic signs; must not obstruct vision or traffic or create a hazard | — | §300-198 |

### Agricultural/Residential District (AR-40); Residential District (R-30)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation Sign (Residential Use) | 4 feet maximum height if freestanding | 4 square feet maximum area | — | ≥10 ft from any lot line (freestanding) | One per dwelling (implicit) | If freestanding, at least 10 feet from any lot line | — | §300-196A |
| Farm Identification Sign | — | 24 square feet maximum area | — | ≥25 ft from ROW/property line | No more than one | At least 25 feet from any right-of-way or property line | — | §300-196D |
| Roadside Stand Sign (Agricultural/Nursery Products) | — | Combined area of all roadside stand signs ≤12 square feet | — | ≥25 ft from ROW | Maximum two signs | At least 25 feet from the right-of-way line | — | §300-196G |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign (Permanent) | 7 feet maximum height | 50 square feet maximum area | — | — | — | — | — | §300-196E |
| Real Estate For Sale/Lease/Rental Sign | 4 feet maximum height | 9 square feet maximum area | — | ≥5 ft inside property line | No more than two | Erected/displayed not less than 5 feet inside the property line | — | §300-196C |
| Tourist Home/Bed-and-Breakfast Sign (Special Use) | If freestanding, not more than 4 feet in height | 8 square feet maximum area | — | — | One | May be freestanding or mounted on the building | — | §300-66H(6) |
| Identification Sign (Multiple-family dwellings and public buildings) | Shall not project more than 6 feet in height above grade | 16 square feet maximum area | — | ≥ 1/2 of required setback from any lot line | One per building | Shall not be closer to any lot line than 1/2 of the required setback | — | §300-196B |
| Ground Sign (Freestanding) – General | 20 feet maximum height | 24 square feet maximum area | — | As stated above | No more than one ground sign; no more than two signs total per business/activity | ≥25 ft from street line; side/rear setback at least sign height; no sign within 25 ft of ROW; no sign closer than 25 ft to any side property line unless attached to a building | — | §300-193A–Q; §300-194A–G |

### Residential District (R-22)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation Sign (Residential Use) | 4 feet maximum height (freestanding) | 4 square feet maximum area | — | ≥10 ft from any lot line (freestanding) | One per dwelling (implicit) | If freestanding, at least 10 feet from any lot line | — | §300-196A |
| Identification Sign (Multiple-family dwellings and public buildings) | Shall not project more than 6 feet in height above grade | 16 square feet maximum area | — | ≥ 1/2 of required setback | One per building | Not closer to any lot line than 1/2 the required setback | — | §300-196B |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign (Permanent) | 7 feet maximum height | 50 square feet maximum area | — | — | — | — | — | §300-196E |
| Subdivision Sale Sign (Temporary – 3 years) | 6 feet maximum height | 24 square feet maximum area | — | — | — | — | — | §300-196F |
| Real Estate For Sale/Lease/Rental Sign | 4 feet maximum height | 9 square feet maximum area | — | ≥5 ft inside property line | No more than two | Erected/displayed not less than 5 feet inside property line | — | §300-196C |
| Business Sign (Residential District Cap) | — | 16 square feet maximum area | — | — | — | — | — | §300-196H |
| Ground Sign (Freestanding) – General | 20 feet maximum height | 24 square feet maximum area | — | As stated above | No more than one ground sign; no more than two signs total | ≥25 ft from street line; side/rear setback at least sign height; no sign within 25 ft of ROW; general side property proximity rules | — | §300-193A–Q; §300-194A–G |

## Prohibited signs in Macedon

- No sign may be erected without a sign permit (Zoning Officer) (§300-193[A]).
- Illuminated signs may not direct light so as to create a traffic hazard, nuisance, or unreasonable detriment to adjoining properties (§300-193[C]).
- Flashing, intermittent, rotating, or moving lights on signs are prohibited; lighting must be of constant intensity (§300-193[D]).
- Projecting signs may not extend more than 18 inches from the building face, and signs may not overhang or project into a public right‑of‑way (§300-193[E]).
- Banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, and similar fluttering devices are prohibited (§300-193[F]).
- Animated or moving parts and portable/mobile-form signs are prohibited (§300-193[G]).
- Attaching signs to fences, utility poles, or trees is prohibited (§300-193[H]).
- Roof signs are prohibited (§300-193[I]).
- Parking or stationing a vehicle, mobile home, or trailer primarily to display a sign is prohibited (§300-193[J]).
- No sign may be located within 25 feet of the right‑of‑way of any public street or highway (§300-193[K]).
- Off‑premises advertising signs are prohibited (except as specifically allowed for off‑premises directional signs) (§300-193[L], §300-197).
- No sign may be closer than 25 feet to any side property line unless it is attached to a building (§300-193[N]).
- Signs may not be erected so as to obstruct or confuse any traffic sign, signal, or device (§300-193[O]).
- Sound amplifiers, PA systems, or other sound devices may not be used to advertise or attract attention to a sign (§300-193[R]).
- Per-property limits: no more than two signs relating to a single business/activity on a single property, and only one of the two may be a ground sign (§300-194[A]–[B]).
- Total area of all signs on a property may not exceed 1 square foot per linear foot of the building facade facing the principal access street (unless expressly exempted) (§300-194[C]).
- Ground signs are limited to a maximum of 24 square feet in area and 20 feet in height; must be set back at least 25 feet from the street line and at least a distance equal to the sign height from side/rear lot lines (§300-194[E]–[F]).

## Signs exempt from permit in Macedon

- Government signs: The regulations do not apply to signs or directional devices erected by governmental agencies, nonadvertising signs identifying underground utility lines, or posted/preserve signs under NY Environmental Conservation Law (§300-193[M]).
- Directional (on-site) wayfinding signs up to 2 square feet with texts such as “Office,” “Entrance,” “Exit,” “Parking,” or “No Parking” are excluded from the per‑property number and area limits (§300-194[D]).
- Off‑premises directional signs are allowed notwithstanding the general off‑premises prohibition, if they meet specific standards (e.g., max 12 sq ft per face, max 12 ft height, min 25 ft from ROW, property owner consent) (§300-197).
- Temporary signs for political, educational, charitable, civic, religious, or similar campaigns/events are allowed for up to 60 consecutive days per calendar year and must be removed within 14 days after the campaign/event; max area 24 sq ft and placement limits apply (§300-198; see also §300-193[P]).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Planning Board review is required for: multiple-business or multiple-use signs; signs requiring a variance; and any signage that will result in two or more signs on a single parcel (§300-193[A]).
- Applications involving multiple-use/tenant projects (§300-195), off‑premises directional signs (§300-197), and nonconforming sign matters (§300-199) must be forwarded to the Planning Board for approval (§300-200[B]). The Zoning Officer may also refer other sign applications to the Planning Board at their discretion (§300-200[C]).
- Multi-tenant centers/parks: An overall sign design plan must be submitted with the site development permit. It must cover each principal activity and demonstrate consistency in design, lettering, lighting, and materials (§300-195[E]).
- Site plan applications (for development generally) must include the location and design of construction materials for all proposed signs (§300-17[I]).
- Special use permit reviews consider proposed signs and exterior lighting among approval findings; signage may be conditioned in the approval (§300-14[D][6], [K]).
- All signs require a sign permit; applications must include detailed drawings/blueprints, location plans, and (for off‑premises directional signs) written authorization from the property owner where the sign will be placed (§300-200[A], §300-197[H]).

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

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