Sign Regulations in Olean, New York
Olean, New York has specific sign regulations covering 20 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Ground Sign, Pole or Pylon Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 21, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Olean, New York
Sample Sign Requirements in Olean
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Control Sign (Private Property, Non-Advertising) | — | 12 sq ft per sign | — |
| Identification Sign (Professional or Home Occupation) | 4 ft if on post | 2 sq ft | 5 ft from property line or 20 ft from street pavement, whichever is greater (for signs on posts) |
| Bulletin Board or Announcement Sign (Churches/Nonprofits) | — | 20 sq ft | At least 5 ft from property line. |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
20
- Wall Sign
- Ground Sign
- Pole or Pylon Sign
- All Signs
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
8
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Olean
Other Cities in New York
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Olean vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Olean, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Olean, regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Ground Sign, Pole or Pylon Sign, All Signs, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Olean vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Olean are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Olean has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
Ready to Research Olean Sign Permits?
Stop spending hours searching through municipal codes. Get instant access to Olean, New York sign regulations with PermitPal's AI-powered platform.
No credit card required · Get results in seconds
Olean, New York Sign Rules at a Glance
Olean, New York regulates 20 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Identification Sign (Professional or Home Occupation)s in the R-9 residential, R-4 residential, R-1 Single-family Residential, R-2 Single-family/General Residential, R-3 General Residential, RT Residential Transition zoning district are capped at 4 ft if on post tall and 2 sq ft, with a 5 ft from property line or 20 ft from street pavement, whichever is greater (for signs on posts) setback (Sec. Sec. 3-61; Sec. 11.1.1). Most commercial signs in Olean require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Olean, New York
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Olean (8 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | 12 sq ft per sign | — |
| R-9 residential, R-4 residential, R-1 Single-family Residential, R-2 Single-family/General Residential, R-3 General Residential, RT Residential Transition | 4 | 4 ft if on post | 20 sq ft | — |
| B-1 business, B-2 business, R-C commercial, CR commercial recreational | 3 | Maximum: 50% above roofline behind sign, not to exceed 5 ft above roofline. | 65 sq ft (total for up to 2 signs) | — |
| CC City Center, GC General Commercial | 4 | Maximum: 50% above roofline behind sign, not to exceed 5 ft above roofline. | 65 sq ft (for up to 2 signs, total area) | — |
| WC Waterfront Conservation Use District | 2 | 10 ft | 24 sq ft per side (either of two sides) | — |
| I industrial, I Industrial Use Districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| Industrial/business parks | 4 | 25 ft above ground or curb (as in 11.2.4) | 100 sq ft | — |
| Shopping centers | 2 | — | — | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Olean(sample of 3 of 8 zones)
R-9 residential, R-4 residential, R-1 Single-family Residential, R-2 Single-family/General Residential, R-3 General Residential, RT Residential Transition
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identification Sign (Professional or Home Occupation) | 4 ft if on post | 2 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line or 20 ft from street pavement, whichever is greater (for signs on posts) | One per person, per street frontage. | Affixed to building face or on post in the yard (post must be at least 5 ft from property line or 20 ft from street pavement, whichever is greater). | — | Unlock | Sec. 3-61; Sec. 11.1.1 |
| Bulletin Board or Announcement Sign (Churches/Nonprofits) | — | 20 sq ft | — | At least 5 ft from property line. | One per street frontage | On face of building or on post(s) at least 5 ft from property line. | — | Unlock | Sec. 3-62; Sec. 11.1.2 |
| Temporary 'For Sale' or 'To Let' Sign | — | 6 sq ft (aggregate) | — | — | One per street frontage. | On premises for sale/let. | — | Unlock | Sec. 3-63; Sec. 11.1.3 |
| Flag, Civic Insignia | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 3-64; Sec. 11.1.4 |
CC City Center, GC General Commercial
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | Maximum: 50% above roofline behind sign, not to exceed 5 ft above roofline. | — | — | — | — | Attached to, erected against, or painted on wall. | — | Unlock | Sec. 11.2.0.1-.7; Sec. 11.2.1.1, .2.2, .3.1-.4 |
| Ground Sign | 10 ft | 65 sq ft (for up to 2 signs, total area) | — | — | Up to 2 | Ground sign, detached; must not impact vehicle visibility. | — | Unlock | Sec. 11.2.1.2; 11.2.4 |
| Pole or Pylon Sign | 25 ft above ground or curb | 65 sq ft (one sign) | — | — | One per lot | Freestanding sign on column. | — | Unlock | Sec. 11.2.1.3; 11.2.5 |
| Projection (Hanging) Sign | — | 20 sq ft per face | 24 inches from sign face to sign face | — | One per frontage on public ROW | Hanging from building; one per frontage on public right-of-way. | — | Unlock | Sec. 11.2.1.4 |
Industrial/business parks
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pole or Pylon Sign (Identifying Park Only) | 25 ft above ground or curb (as in 11.2.4) | 100 sq ft | — | — | One per park | At industrial/business park entrance. | — | Unlock | Sec. 11.3.2(1); 11.2.4 |
| Directional Sign (Business Locations) | — | 12 in x 72 in per business | — | — | One overall sign with multi-business panels | At entrance/appropriate location within park. | — | Unlock | Sec. 11.3.2(2) |
| Directional and Safety Signs | — | As used for NYS signs | — | — | — | Entrance, exit, safety, as required. | — | Unlock | Sec. 11.3.2(3) |
| Corporation Identification Sign (External View) | Not more than 5 ft above roofline | — | — | — | — | Seen from outside the park/area | — | Unlock | Sec. 11.3.2(4) |
PermitPal covers all 8 zoning districts in Olean — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 8 zones for Olean — start freeProhibited Signs in Olean
- The construction, erection, alteration, reconstruction, display, ownership, maintenance, or operation of any sign within the city, except as provided by this article, is prohibited.
- Signposts are specifically prohibited from the public right-of-way except those necessary or recommended by the state manual of uniform traffic control devices.
- Signs overhanging the public right-of-way are specifically prohibited except as provided by this article.
- No electric sign, electrically illuminated sign, signboard, signpost, portion of any advertising nature, or otherwise shall be permitted or remain on the sidewalk or on any portion of the city streets.
- Any nonconforming sign of any type in existence on August 14, 1984, shall, after 12 months, become prohibited and unlawful unless a special permit is granted.
- Signs and billboards shall not in any way obstruct the required door or window area of any building or structure.
- Signs shall not be attached to or placed upon any portion of a fire escape.
- Signs shall not be erected that will in any way interfere with the activities of the fire department.
- Signs constructed or erected after August 14, 1984, shall not be rotating or contain any moving parts.
- No sign or lighting device shall be of the flashing, intermittent, or reciprocating type.
- It shall be unlawful to paint, post, place, or fix any business or commercial advertisement, paper, handbills or circulars, or cause the same to be done, on or to any curbstone, flagstone, sidewalk or street, or upon any tree, lamppost, hitching post, telegraph post, telegraph pole, telephone pole, hydrant, bridge, or any other structure within the city limits.
Exempt Signs in Olean
- Traffic signs erected by governmental bodies are exempt.
- Railroad warning signs are exempt.
- Municipal signs are exempt.
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection when cut in any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other combustible or noncombustible materials are exempt.
- Occupational signs denoting only the name and profession of an occupant in commercial buildings and the name and nature of occupancy in public and institutional buildings (not exceeding two square feet in area) are exempt.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Olean
- A permit (sometimes called a sign permit or license) is required before any sign or billboard may be erected, altered, reconstructed, or displayed within the city.
- Applications for permits must be accompanied by complete plans and specifications showing construction, method of support, and materials to be used.
- The code enforcement officer/building inspector may require plans and specifications to be signed by a professional engineer or architect registered in the state.
- Additional signs on a corner lot must be approved by the zoning board.
- Requests to vary strict application of requirements must be heard by the zoning board of appeals (variance process).
Source: ecode360 municipal code