# Sign Regulations in Manchester Town, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Manchester Town, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/manchester-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/42078272#42078272)

## At a glance

Manchester Town, New York regulates 16 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the GC zoning district are capped at 6 feet tall and 48 square feet, with a 15 feet from property lines setback (Sec. § 325-52.16(B); Table 52-1).

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| RR, HR, M-H | 4 | 3 feet | 25% of transparent window area (all window signs combined) | — |
| HC | 7 | 3 feet | 25% of window area | — |
| GC | 8 | 20 feet | 50% of window area | — |
| GI, LI, REI | 8 | 20 feet | 50% of window area | — |
| OS | 4 | 3 feet | 25% of window area | — |
| AG | 4 | 3 feet | 50% of window area | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 3 feet | 16 square feet combined per lot | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### GC

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | — | 16 square feet per awning | — | — | 1 per awning | On awning/canopy over doors/entrances/windows/outdoor area | — | § 325-52.16(A); Table 52-1 |
| Ground Sign | 6 feet | 48 square feet | — | 15 feet from property lines | 1 per lot | On the lot; 15 foot minimum setback from property lines | — | § 325-52.16(B); Table 52-1 |
| Pole Sign | 20 feet | 32 square feet | — | 15 feet | 1 per lot | On lot; 15 foot minimum setback | — | § 325-52.16(C); Table 52-1 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 8 square feet | 4 feet | — | 1 per use | Projecting from building | — | § 325-52.16(D); Table 52-1 |
| Suspended Sign | — | 8 square feet | 4 feet | — | 1 per use | Suspended from horizontal plane | — | § 325-52.16(E); Table 52-1 |
| Wall Sign | 6 feet | 32 square feet per sign; 60 square feet cumulative per facade | — | — | 1 per facade | On building wall (1 per facade) | — | § 325-52.16(G); Table 52-1 |
| Window Sign | — | 50% of window area | — | — | n/a | On or within 12 inches of window | — | § 325-52.16(H); Table 52-1 |
| Temporary Sign | Ground: 6 ft; Wall: 6 ft | Same as analogous sign—Ground: 48 sq ft, Wall: 32 sq ft (per sign), up to 60 sq ft cumulative, Window: 50% window area | — | — | n/a | — | — | § 325-52.16(F); Table 52-1 |

### GI, LI, REI

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | — | 16 square feet per awning | — | — | 1 per awning | On awning/canopy | — | § 325-52.16(A); Table 52-1 |
| Ground Sign | 6 feet | 48 square feet | — | 15 feet | 1 per lot | On lot; 15 ft min. setback | — | § 325-52.16(B); Table 52-1 |
| Pole Sign | 20 feet | 32 square feet | — | 15 feet | 1 per lot | On lot; 15 ft min. setback | — | § 325-52.16(C); Table 52-1 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 8 square feet | 4 feet | — | 1 per use | Projecting from building | — | § 325-52.16(D); Table 52-1 |
| Suspended Sign | — | 8 square feet | 4 feet | — | 1 per use | Suspended from horizontal plane | — | § 325-52.16(E); Table 52-1 |
| Wall Sign | 6 feet | 32 square feet per sign; 60 square feet cumulative per facade | — | — | 1 per facade | On building wall (1 per facade) | — | § 325-52.16(G); Table 52-1 |
| Window Sign | — | 50% of window area | — | — | n/a | On or within 12 inches of window | — | § 325-52.16(H); Table 52-1 |
| Temporary Sign | Ground: 6 ft, Wall: 6 ft | Same as analogous sign—Ground: 48 sq ft, Wall: 32 sq ft (per sign), Total wall: 60 sq ft per facade, Window: 50% window area | — | — | n/a | — | — | § 325-52.16(F); Table 52-1 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-Frame (Sandwich Board) Sign | 3 feet | 9 square feet | 3 feet | — | 1 per use | Nonresidential district, not in public right-of-way unless by permit | — | § 325-52.14(A); Table 52-1 |
| Directional Sign (Residential District) | 3 feet | 6 square feet combined per lot | — | — | Area-based; total not to exceed 6 square feet | On property to which they pertain | — | § 325-52.14(B) |
| Directional Sign (Nonresidential District) | 3 feet | 16 square feet combined per lot | — | — | Area-based; total not to exceed 16 square feet | On property to which they pertain | — | § 325-52.14(B) |
| Governmental Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Where required for public or government functions | — | § 325-52.14(C) |
| Incidental Sign | — | 3 square feet per sign, 12 square feet cumulative per lot/property | — | — | Area-based; up to 12 square feet total | — | — | § 325-52.14(D) |
| Lawn Sign | 3 feet | 6 square feet per sign, 12 square feet cumulative per property | — | — | Area-based; up to 12 square feet total | — | — | § 325-52.14(E) |
| Neon or LED Window Sign (Nonresidential Districts only) | — | 10% of window area | — | — | 1 per use | Inside building window in nonresidential districts | — | § 325-52.14(F) |
| Noncommercial Sign | 3 feet | 6 square feet per sign, 12 square feet cumulative per lot | — | — | Area-based; up to 12 square feet total | — | — | § 325-52.14(G) |

## Prohibited signs in Manchester Town

- No sign shall be erected, constructed, or maintained so as to obstruct free egress from a window, door, or fire escape, interfere with any opening required for ventilation, or become a menace to life, health or property.
- No sign shall be erected at or near any intersection of streets, alleys, or railways in a manner that obstructs free and clear vision for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.
- No sign shall be of a shape, color, or design that may be confused with any authorized traffic control device.
- No rotating beam, beacon, or flashing illumination resembling an emergency light shall be used with any sign display.
- Signs shall maintain clearance from high voltage power lines.
- The erection of any sign and its supports, including any wiring and/or electrical components, shall be consistent with the requirements of the NYS Uniform Code and National Electrical Code.
- No sign may be constructed of untreated, unfinished, or unpainted wood, or sandblasted metal. All wood components of signs must be sealed and protected from the elements.
- No sign shall use neon, fluorescent, or DayGlo colors.
- No sign may be posted on public property or within a public right-of-way, unless otherwise approved by Town Board.
- No sign shall obscure, alter, or cover the architectural features of any building.
- All signs shall be located on the site being promoted, identified, or advertised.
- All signs shall maintain at least a ten-foot setback from all property lines, unless otherwise noted.
- Intermittent illumination or illumination which involves movement or causes the illusion of movement resulting from the arrangement of lighting is prohibited.
- Illuminated signs or lighting devices shall not be placed to permit beams or illumination to be directed upon a public street, highway, sidewalk, or adjacent premises so as to cause glare or reflection that may constitute a traffic hazard or nuisance.
- Overhead wires or exposed wires on a sign or its supporting members are prohibited.
- Internally illuminated signs are prohibited, except for reverse channel illumination (backlighting) where permitted.
- Fixtures must be fully shielded and pointing downward to minimize sky glow, glare, and light trespass.
- Spotlights or artificial lighting to illuminate signs/building faces shall only be top-mounted projecting downward.
- All signs must be maintained in safe and good structural condition, in compliance with codes and the ordinance at all times.
- Any sign that becomes obsolete, i.e., the business, product, service, event, or topic ceases operation or applicability, must be removed within 60 days of such termination.
- Any sign for which no sign permit was issued, for which a sign permit was revoked, or any other sign not explicitly authorized is prohibited.
- Any sign that is not properly maintained, considered structurally unsound, hazardous, or otherwise unsafe is prohibited.
- Any sign placed on a curb, sidewalk, hydrant, utility pole, tree or other object located on, over, or within the public right-of-way, unless otherwise permitted, is prohibited.
- Any sign that advertises an activity, business, product or service no longer conducted or available on the premises is prohibited.
- Any sign that is located off-premises from the use/structure it serves is prohibited.
- Any sign containing obscene or pornographic words or pictures is prohibited.
- Any sign emitting audible sounds, odor, or visible matter is prohibited.
- Any sign that may be confused with a traffic control sign/device or which hides any traffic/street sign, signal, or device is prohibited.
- Any sign that flashes, blinks, rotates, or revolves, or uses unshielded lighting devices, mirrors, or reflective material is prohibited.
- Any permanent sign mounted on wheels or a structure on wheels, not including registered commercial vehicles, is prohibited.
- Any sign erected on the roof or attached in any manner that would extend beyond the roofline of the structure is prohibited.
- Any banner, poster, pennant, ribbon, streamer, spinner, or balloon, unless such material is utilized as temporary signage subject to ordinance regulations, is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Manchester Town

- Safety signs, road signs, historical markers, or highway directional signs erected by municipal or governmental agencies.
- Temporary decoration of premises during customary religious, patriotic or holiday seasons.
- Signs within a building not legible from the public right-of-way or adjacent lots, or any sign within an enclosed outdoor space (e.g., athletic field) where such sign is intended only to be seen from within the enclosed space and is so oriented.
- Any official sign, public notice, or warning sign supported by federal, state or local law, including signs erected and maintained pursuant to and in discharge of any government functions (e.g., NYS inspection station identification and posted notices).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Applications for signs that are consistent with a sign plan or program previously approved for a project or building may be administratively reviewed, regardless of the sign type.
- Developments subject to review and approval under this zoning law may have proposed signage reviewed and approved as part of the special permit or site plan review process. All required sign permit application materials shall be provided as part of the special permit or site plan application.
- If any portion of this chapter is in conflict with other zoning, building, fire safety, or health codes, the higher standard prevails, which may impact sign plan review requirements.

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

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