# Sign Regulations in Malta Town, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Malta Town, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/malta-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/8557498#8557498)

## At a glance

Malta Town, New York regulates 17 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Sandwich Board Signs in the Commercial District, LC Zone zoning district are capped at 4 ft per side tall, 3 ft wide x 4 ft high per side, and 3 ft per side wide (Sec. § 167-27.F(2)). Most commercial signs in Malta Town require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Off-Premises Sign Overlay Zone | 1 | 10 ft including support (measured from ground) | 40 sq ft per face | — |
| Commercial District, LC Zone | 5 | No wider than 7 ft; not more than 8 ft from ground; lighted portion: bottom not more than 40" from ground, top not more than 70" | Not more than 50% of the total sign area devoted to EMC | — |
| Downtown Parade Grounds, Historic Landmarks | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential District, RA-3, RA-2, RD-2, OS Zone | 2 | 4 ft per side | 3 ft wide x 4 ft high per side | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 42 inches (top edge) | 25% of window surface | — |

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

### Commercial District, LC Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Portable Sign (New Business) | — | — | — | — | — | At location of new business or business in a new location awaiting installation of permanent sign | — | § 167-27.F(1)(a-e) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 4 ft per side | 3 ft wide x 4 ft high per side | 3 ft per side | — | One per business; maximum four per tax map parcel | Allowed on the premises; commercial districts or legal nonconforming business or commercial use in other districts | — | § 167-27.F(2) |
| Banner Sign | — | 16 sq ft per side | — | — | Maximum 4 permits per business per year | On-premises (business) | — | § 167-27.F(3) |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) - Freestanding/Monument | No wider than 7 ft; not more than 8 ft from ground; lighted portion: bottom not more than 40" from ground, top not more than 70" | Not more than 50% of the total sign area devoted to EMC | 7 ft | — | 1 per site or per road frontage (if more than one road frontage); distance separation applies | Commercial sites except where prohibited; not allowed in LC zone or residential districts | — | § 167-27.2.1 |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) - Wall | — | Not more than 50% of the wall sign area may be EMC | — | — | As above | Commercial Zones | — | § 167-27.2.1B |

### Residential District, RA-3, RA-2, RD-2, OS Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Electronic Message Center (Prohibition) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 167-27.2.1.B(1) |
| Sandwich Board Sign (at Legal Nonconforming Business) | 4 ft per side | 3 ft wide x 4 ft high per side | 3 ft per side | — | One per business; four per parcel | At the location of a legal nonconforming business or commercial use | — | § 167-27.F(2) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (Right-of-Way) | 42 inches (top edge) | 9 sq ft | — | — | No more than two per intersection per content. No more than one per 100 yards. | Within right-of-way limits, if allowed by jurisdiction | — | § 167-27.B(4)(b), (b)[1]-[7] |
| Temporary Sign - Construction | — | 6 sq ft (residential); 32 sq ft (commercial) | — | — | One sign per location | Where construction, renovation or repair is in progress | — | § 167-27.I(9) |
| Illuminated Window Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Window | — | § 167-27.B(15) |
| Nonilluminated Informational Signs (Safety & Directional) | — | 2 sq ft per side; flags: 6 sq ft per side | — | — | — | Anywhere in Town | — | § 167-27.B(13), I(4) |
| Number/Name Plate | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | — | Mounted on house, building, apartment, or mailbox | — | § 167-27.I(5), B(16) |
| Lawn Sign (Residential Identification) | — | 1 sq ft (single-faced), 2 sq ft (double-faced) | — | — | — | Lawn at residence | — | § 167-27.I(6) |
| On-Premises Directional Sign (Noncommercial) | — | — | — | As required by code | 1 per residence | At residence | — | § 167-27.I(7) |
| Temporary, Nonilluminated Window Sign/Poster | — | 25% of window surface | — | — | — | Window | — | § 167-27.I(8) |

## Prohibited signs in Malta Town

- No sign shall be illuminated by or contain flashing, intermittent, rotating or moving lights.
- No sign shall contain any moving parts, other than the arms of a clock.
- No sign shall impair or cause confusion of vehicular or pedestrian traffic in its design, color or placement.
- No sign shall impair visibility for the motorist at a street corner or intersection by placement and location within 25 feet of the intersection of the street or highway lines.
- Except as otherwise provided herein, no sign shall consist of banners, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners or similar moving, fluttering or revolving devices.
- Neon window signs are prohibited within the Downtown Parade Grounds and on historic landmarks. Neon and tubular gas signs are prohibited.
- No sign shall project beyond property lines or over public sidewalk areas or vehicular traffic areas unless otherwise provided.
- No sign shall be located higher than the building to which it is attached.
- All signage must be constructed of durable materials and maintained in good condition.
- No permanent or temporary sign shall be erected within the confines of any median, traffic circle or roundabout or within 50 feet of the outer edge of pavement of a traffic circle or roundabout except as authorized by the governmental entity having jurisdiction.
- No permanent or temporary sign shall be erected on any real property owned by the Town, except signs erected by the Town, signs authorized by the Town Board, or temporary signs on any Town highway or road, including the right-of-way thereof, meeting the specific requirements for temporary signs.
- No permanent sign shall be erected within the limits of any Town, county, or state highway or road, including the right-of-way thereof, unless otherwise authorized by the governmental body with jurisdiction.
- Signs may not be erected which may cause hazardous or unsafe conditions.
- No sign may have more than two sides, unless otherwise provided for in this section.
- Signs are prohibited from causing glare or hampering the readability of traffic lights or signs.
- No sign shall be abandoned or allowed to go into disrepair and become unsafe, insecure or a menace to the public.
- Signs within municipal roads and rights-of-way are strictly regulated and generally prohibited unless specific requirements for temporary signs are met.
- Off-premises signs are only permitted under special exemption or in designated overlay zones.
- Pole signs are prohibited in all zones.

## Signs exempt from permit in Malta Town

- Historical markers, tablets and statues, memorial signs and plaques; names of buildings and dates of erection when cut into masonry or constructed of bronze, stainless steel or similar material, not exceeding six square feet, upon confirmation by the Code Enforcement Officer.
- Flags and insignia of any government, except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.
- On-premises directional signs for the convenience of the general public, identifying public parking areas, fire zone, entrances and exits, subject to site plan review.
- Nonilluminated no U-turns, no soliciting, private property, posted/no trespassing, no hunting, warning, and private drive not exceeding two square feet. Open/closed signs not exceeding two square feet per side, or if a flag, six square feet per side.
- Number and name plates identifying residences or businesses mounted on the house, building, apartment or mailbox, not exceeding one square foot in area.
- Lawn signs identifying residences, not exceeding one square foot or two square feet if double-faced, nonilluminated except by a lamp post light, with no advertising message.
- Commercial on-premises signs may be posted at a residence continuously, but must be removed within three days after the event taking place, or the product being sold or rented. One nonilluminated sign not exceeding four square feet is allowed per residence.
- Temporary, nonilluminated window signs and posters not exceeding 25% of the window surface.
- One sign, not exceeding six square feet in a residential district or 32 square feet in a commercial district, where construction, renovation or repair is in progress.
- Sandwich board signs when placed in accordance with regulations (no permit or fee required, only one per business, not illuminated, etc.).
- Nonilluminated, noncommercial signs on real property zoned and used as residential, within prescribed number and size limits.
- Waiver of fees for permanent signs erected by not-for-profit community service organizations for noncommercial purposes, if all other requirements are met.
- Certain content-based signs for personal and public safety (open/closed, no u-turns, no soliciting, private property, no trespassing, no hunting, warning, private drive), provided they do not exceed two square feet per side (or if a flag, six square feet per side) and are not deducted from the total square footage of allowed signage.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All commercial sign erection or changes must undergo site plan review, unless waived by the Code Enforcement Officer, or project plan review as appropriate.
- Every application for a sign permit shall be accompanied by plans to scale showing area, position, location, method of illumination, and narrative showing compliance.
- Directory signs internal to shopping centers/malls are allowed, the number and placement to be approved during site plan or project plan review or by the Code Enforcement Officer at the time of sign permit.
- Shopping center/mall signs and factors such as size/placement must be approved during site plan or project plan review or by Code Enforcement Officer at the time of sign permit.
- On-premises directional signs for the convenience of the general public (parking, fire zones, entrances, exits) are subject to site plan review.
- Off-premises/advertising sign applications are allowable only by special use permit within the Off-Premises Sign Overlay Zone.
- Applications for permits must include scaled plans and narratives evidencing compliance with construction and dimensional standards.

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

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