# Sign Regulations in Massena, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Massena, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/massena
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/7084847#7084847)

## At a glance

Massena, New York regulates 17 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Roof Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at May not project above the peak tall and 40% of roof area occupied (Sec. §300-21D(3)). Most commercial signs in Massena require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | May not project above the peak | 40% of roof area occupied | — |
| Residential Districts (Residential A, Residential B, Residential C) | 3 | — | 20 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Districts | 7 | — | 80 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Transition Districts (CTD) | 2 | 18 ft | 60 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Auto-Related Districts (CAR) | 2 | 24 ft | 120 sq ft | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Signs | — | — | — | — | — | Not in public right-of-way; not on property other than where permitted use or sale is being conducted. | — | §176-3A, §300-21B(2)(b), §300-21B(3), §300-21C(3) |
| Construction/Directional/All Signs | — | — | — | — | — | Must not impair public safety, restrict visibility, create confusion with traffic signals, or block access to doors/windows/fire escapes (§300-21B(2)(a)). | — | §300-21B(1)-(3) |
| Roof Sign | May not project above the peak | 40% of roof area occupied | — | — | — | Attached to the roof | — | §300-21D(3) |
| Double-Face Freestanding Sign | — | — | 3 ft (for width between the two faces) | — | — | Freestanding | — | §300-21D(4) |

### Residential Districts (Residential A, Residential B, Residential C)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On the same lot as principal use; attached or freestanding | — | §300-21C(1)(a) |
| Home Occupation/Professional Residence Wall Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | Attached to building face on same lot as principal use | — | §300-21C(1)(b) |
| Nonresidential Use Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per nonresidential use | On the same lot as the principal use | — | §300-21C(1)(c) |

### Commercial Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign (Residential Equivalent) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Where applicable, see residential districts | — | §300-21C(2)(a), §300-21C(1)(a) |
| Home Occupation/Professional Residence Wall Sign (Residential Equivalent) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | Attached to building face, where applicable | — | §300-21C(2)(a), §300-21C(1)(b) |
| Nonresidential Use Sign (Residential Equivalent) | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per use | On the same lot as the principal use, where applicable | — | §300-21C(2)(a), §300-21C(1)(c) |
| Principal Business Sign | — | 80 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business establishment | On building frontage per separate and distinct business establishment | — | §300-21C(2)(b) |
| Principal Sign (Multiple Businesses) | — | See formula | — | — | — | On building(s) occupied by multiple businesses | — | §300-21C(2)(c) |
| Accessory Business Sign | — | 50% of principal sign; or 25% of window area or 9 sq ft (whichever is less) for window sign | — | — | 1 per principal sign; or 1 window sign | Not on the same building face or lot side as principal sign, or in window | — | §300-21C(2)(d) |
| On-premises Directional Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | As necessary as determined by Planning Commission | On-premises, locations as approved by Planning Commission | — | §300-21C(2)(e) |

## Prohibited signs in Massena

- No sign shall be placed on the public right-of-way or on property other than where the sale is being conducted.
- No lighted signs shall be used (in context of sale signs).
- All signs must be constructed of durable material, maintained in good condition, and not allowed to become dilapidated or in a state of disrepair.
- Any sign no longer maintained in a satisfactory state of repair must be improved or removed within 30 days from notification by the Code Enforcement Officer.
- Any sign for a business, service or activity no longer in existence must be removed within one year of discontinuation.
- Any wall, surface or area from which a sign is removed must not show any remnant of the sign.
- The back or reverse side of a single-face sign visible from any public right-of-way must be finished in an appropriate manner and all structural members must be covered as appropriate.
- All construction, fixtures, wiring, and installation must conform to the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, where applicable.
- All wiring to new freestanding signs must be underground and transformers or similar installations must be located and screened to the Planning Board's satisfaction during site plan review.
- Owners of any sign overhanging the public right-of-way must provide evidence of liability insurance coverage.
- Every sign must be designed and located so as not to physically or visually impair vehicular or pedestrian traffic by design, illumination, color or placement.
- Signs must not impair public safety.
- Signs must not restrict clear vision for vehicles entering and leaving the highway or between sidewalk and street.
- Signs must not create confusion relative to any traffic sign or signal.
- Signs must not prevent free access to any door, window, or fire escape.
- No sign illumination shall be directed toward any public street or adjacent uses in a manner that would interfere with safe travel or enjoyment of abutting properties.
- No lights or string of lights may be used to advertise or attract attention to premises unless part of a sign or approved street/outdoor lighting.
- No moving, flashing, rotating or otherwise nonstationary or intermittently lighted sign shall be permitted, except time and temperature signs (with no commercial message in lighted portion) and standard barber poles.
- Neon shall not be permitted to exceed 20% of the total permissible size of any sign.
- No sign shall contain or consist of banners, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners or similar moving, fluttering or revolving devices.
- No portable sign shall be permitted except up to 72 hours without a permit from the Code Enforcement Officer.
- No temporary signs of any design shall be allowed on Village property or in the Village right-of-way in any zone within the Village of Massena.
- No such temporary or special event sign shall be attached to any fence, utility pole, tree, or any natural feature of the landscape.

## Signs exempt from permit in Massena

- Flags, emblems or insignia of a nation, municipality, service organization or school may be displayed in any district without a permit, except in connection with a commercial purpose.
- Handbills, posters, flyers, announcements or advertisements of special sales or events do not require a permit. Such temporary signs must be removed within 15 days of the date relating to their original purpose or 60 days following placement (whichever occurs first).
- One sign, either attached or freestanding, indicating only the name of the owner/occupant and street number (max 2 sq ft), on same lot as principal use, in residential districts or for residences in other districts, requires no sign permit.
- One memorial sign or tablet indicating the name of the building and/or date of construction (built in as an integral part thereof) requires no sign permit.
- Temporary unlighted real estate signs (max 3, each not larger than 6 sq ft) advertising sale, rental or lease of premises or subdivision.
- Single temporary unlighted sign not larger than 15 sq ft indicating name and address of parties involved in construction on the premises.
- For developments of six or more lots or dwelling units, real estate sign not larger than 25 sq ft at each visible street entrance from an existing street.
- Exception to temporary sign prohibition: Not-for-profit organizations may place temporary signage on Village property/in right-of-way for up to three days with Code Official approval.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs, except those specifically exempted (see Subsections C(1)(a), E, F, and G), require a sign permit and are subject to review and approval by the Planning Commission according to the site plan review process set forth under § 300-31 prior to erection or alteration.
- During site plan review, all wiring to new freestanding signs and screening of installations must be reviewed and approved by the Planning Board.
- In cases where multiple business/professional tenants share a building, total allowable sign size may be distributed among one or more principal signs as preferred by applicant and determined satisfactory by the Planning Commission under site plan review process.

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

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