# Sign Regulations in Oakfield, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Oakfield, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/oakfield
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/33099103#33099103)

## At a glance

Oakfield, New York regulates 29 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the C-1 District zoning district are capped at 25 ft tall and 40 sq ft per side (over 40 sq ft per side prohibited)., with a 10 ft front, 5 ft side, 50 ft from other freestanding signs setback (Sec. § 295-39C(4)(b), § 295-39C(8)(b)). Most commercial signs in Oakfield require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| C-1 District | 8 | 36 in | 1296 sq in (36 in x 36 in) | — |
| C-2 District | 5 | 36 in | 1296 sq in (36 in x 36 in) | — |
| Industrial District (I) | 3 | 25 ft | 150 sq ft max; min 32 sq ft per formula. | — |
| Residential District (R-1, R-2) | 4 | — | 25% of window area. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 18 | 6 ft | 50 sq ft | — |

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

### C-1 District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 36 in | 1296 sq in (36 in x 36 in) | 36 in | — | One per business; no more than two per building. | On the sidewalk near the street in front of the existing business, not impeding pedestrian traffic or public parking. Not allowed if no sidewalk or sidewalk is inadequate. | — | § 215-1 through § 215-15 |
| Wall Sign | 3 ft; shall not extend above the second floor of the building. | 150 sq ft (whichever is less per above formula, with a minimum of 32 sq ft) | — | — | One per wall per use. | Attached to wall of building. Shall not extend beyond ends or over top of wall, nor above second floor. Not over existing building openings or on walls above the first floor. | — | § 295-39C(4)(b), § 295-39C(8)(a) |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft | 40 sq ft per side (over 40 sq ft per side prohibited). | — | 10 ft front, 5 ft side, 50 ft from other freestanding signs | One per building. | Not less than 10 ft from front property line, 5 ft from side property line. Not less than 50 ft from other freestanding sign. Cannot overhang property lines or public right-of-way. | — | § 295-39C(4)(b), § 295-39C(8)(b) |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of the area of the window | — | — | — | Window of the business | — | § 295-39C(1)(j), § 295-39C(8)(d)[1][a],[b] |
| Projecting Sign | Three feet, not higher than 13 ft from ground; not above first floor. | Not more than three feet in height. Area up to five sq ft. | — | — | One per business | Attached to building, may project over sidewalk but not vehicular areas. Minimum clearance of 8 ft over pedestrian areas. | — | § 295-39C(4)(c), § 295-39C(8)(c) |
| Awning Sign/Graphic | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | One per business (may be substituted for wall sign). | Painted or affixed to front or sides of awning; may hang below awning but not less than 8 ft from ground. | — | § 295-39C(4)(c), § 295-39C(8)(d)[3] |
| Price/Product Sign (Gasoline Stations) | 8 ft above grade | 6 sq ft per side | — | 10 ft from pavement edge | Two per station | On pump island or 10 ft from edge of pavement. | — | § 295-39C(4)(b)[8] |
| Representational Sign | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | One per establishment | Attached to establishment, not over right-of-way. | — | § 295-39C(4)(b)[6] |

### C-2 District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 36 in | 1296 sq in (36 in x 36 in) | 36 in | — | One per business; no more than two per building. | On the sidewalk near the street in front of the existing business, not impeding pedestrian traffic or public parking. Not allowed if no sidewalk or sidewalk is inadequate. | — | § 215-1 through § 215-15 |
| Wall Sign | — | 18 sq ft | — | — | One per business (part of max three: one wall or one awning, one projecting, one window sign) | Mounted on building wall, not above second or third floor. | — | § 295-39C(4)(c)[1],[2],[6] |
| Projecting Sign | Not higher than 13 ft from ground; must not extend below 8 ft clearance. | 5 sq ft | — | — | One per business (part of max three: one wall or awning, one projecting, one window sign) | Attached to building. Shall not extend over a public right-of-way more than 2/3 distance to curb. | — | § 295-39C(4)(c) |
| Awning Sign/Graphic | — | 10 sq ft; single line, letters max 10 in high. | — | — | One per business (either wall or awning sign, not both) | Painted or affixed to front/sides of awning, or hanging below awning (not less than 8 ft from ground). | — | § 295-39C(4)(c), § 295-39C(8)(d)[3] |
| Window Sign | — | Greater of 50% of window area or 4 sq ft | — | — | One per business (part of allowed three). | Window of business. | — | § 295-39C(4)(c)[2]; § 295-39C(8)(d)[1][a],[b] |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Exempt Sign - On-premises Directional | 6 ft | 4 sq ft per face | — | — | — | On premises | — | § 295-39C(1)(c) |
| Exempt Sign - Name/number plate on house/apartment/mailbox | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | — | Mounted on house, apartment or mailbox | — | § 295-39C(1)(f) |
| Exempt Sign - Lawn sign (identifying resident) | — | 1 sq ft per side | — | — | — | Yard | — | § 295-39C(1)(g) |
| Exempt Sign - Garage/auction sale sign (private owner) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On-premises | — | § 295-39C(1)(h) |
| Exempt Sign - Temporary real estate sign (residential) | — | 4 sq ft per side | — | — | One per property | On premises | — | § 295-39C(1)(i) |
| Exempt Sign - Temporary real estate sign (commercial or industrial) | — | 50 sq ft | — | 15 ft from all property lines | One per property | On premises; minimum 15 ft setback from property lines | — | § 295-39C(1)(i) |
| Exempt Sign - Temporary Construction Sign (residential) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per premises | On premises where construction, renovation or repair is in progress. | — | § 295-39C(1)(m) |
| Exempt Sign - Temporary Construction Sign (business districts) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | One per premises | On premises where construction, renovation, or repair is in progress. | — | § 295-39C(1)(m) |

## Prohibited signs in Oakfield

- No sign shall be illuminated by or contain flashing, intermittent, rotating or moving lights, except to show time and temperature.
- No sign shall impair or cause confusion of vehicular or pedestrian traffic in its design, color or placement. No such sign shall impair visibility for the motorist at a street corner or intersection.
- No sign or sign supports shall be placed upon the roof of any building.
- No sign shall consist of banners, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners or similar moving, fluttering or revolving devices.
- No advertising message shall be extended over more than one sign placed along a street or highway.
- Temporary and/or portable signs, except those installed by the Village and Town of Oakfield, shall not be attached to or placed upon any tree, lamppost, utility pole, hydrant, bridge, fence or other structure located within a public right-of-way.
- All signs shall be constructed and installed in conformance with the Code of New York State.
- No freestanding sign shall extend over or into the public right-of-way, nor shall it overhang the property lines.
- No part of a projecting sign shall extend into vehicular traffic areas, and any part extending over pedestrian areas shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet.
- No graphics or signs may project horizontally or vertically from the awning.
- Signs shall meet all requirements of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, wherever applicable.

## Signs exempt from permit in Oakfield

- Historical markers, tablets and statues, memorial signs and plaques; names of buildings and dates of erection, when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze, stainless steel, or similar material; and emblems installed by governmental agencies, religious or nonprofit organizations; not exceeding six square feet.
- 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 zones, entrances and exits and similar signs, internally illuminated or nonilluminated, not exceeding four square feet per face and six feet in height. Business names and advertising messages shall not be allowed as part of such signs.
- Nonilluminated warning, private drive, posted or no trespassing signs, not exceeding two square feet per face.
- One on-premises sign, either freestanding or attached, in connection with any residential building in any zoning district for permitted professional office or home occupation, not exceeding two square feet and set back at least 10 feet from the property line. Such sign shall state name and vocation only. Illumination shall not produce a direct glare beyond the limits of the property line.
- Number and name plates identifying residents, mounted on house, apartment or mailbox, not exceeding one square foot in area.
- Lawn signs identifying residents, not exceeding one square foot (per side). Such signs are to be nonilluminated, except by a light which is an integral part of a lamppost if used as a support, with no advertising message thereon.
- Private-owner merchandise sale signs for garage sales and auctions, not exceeding four square feet, for a period not exceeding four days within a given month.
- Temporary nonilluminated 'for sale,' 'for rent,' real estate signs and signs of similar nature concerning the premises upon which the sign is located. In a residential zoning district, one sign not exceeding four square feet per side. In a commercial or industrial zoning district, one sign not exceeding 50 feet, set back at least 15 feet from all property lines. All such signs shall be removed within three days after the sale, lease or rental of the premises.
- Temporary, nonilluminated window signs and posters not exceeding 25% of the window surface.
- Christmas holiday decorations, including lighting, are exempt from the provisions of this chapter and may be displayed in any district without a permit.
- Temporary directional signs for meetings, conventions, and other assemblies.
- One sign, not exceeding six square feet in the residential districts nor 16 square feet in the business districts, listing the architect, engineer, contractor and/or owner on premises where construction, renovation or repair is in progress.
- Political posters, banners, promotional devices and similar signs, not exceeding four square feet in the residential districts nor 16 square feet in the business districts, provided the names and addresses of the sponsor and the person responsible for removal are identified.
- Signs required by federal, state, county or Village regulations (i.e., New York State registered motor vehicle shops and New York State inspection stations).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Applications for sign permits must include elevation and plan drawings to scale, descriptions of the sign's placement and appearance, and information on materials, colors, illumination, and content.
- Permit required for erection or relocation of any sign unless specifically exempt; application must be submitted to the Zoning Enforcement Officer.
- Portable signs for new businesses require a separate permit and must comply with NY State building code.
- A Board of Appeals variance may be sought for relief from the sign code; this requires referral to the Planning Board for review and recommendation prior to the appeal hearing.
- Permit required before erecting any sign projecting over a street, sidewalk, or public alley, and a bond may be required before the permit is issued.
- All signs must be constructed and installed according to the New York State building code and other applicable regulations.

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/oakfield