# Sign Regulations in Penfield, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Penfield, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/penfield
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/15184630#15184630)

## At a glance

Penfield, New York regulates 27 sign types across 2 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Business Identification) - 1 to 3 Businesses in the General Regulations For All Zones - GB, LB, LI, MUD, BN-R zoning district are capped at 20 ft tall and 20 sq ft per face, with a Set back at least 20 ft from the front property line; 25 ft from any adjacent commercial or industrial property; 50 ft from any adjacent residential property. setback (Sec. § 250-10.12A–E; § 250-10.11A–B, D–E, K). Most commercial signs in Penfield require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (2 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones - GB, LB, LI, MUD, BN-R | 27 | 20 ft | 400 sq ft total cap for all permanent industrial signs attached to buildings/structures (excluding freestanding signs) | — |
| LaSalle's Landing Development District (LLD) | 1 | — | 20 sq ft (area) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones - GB, LB, LI, MUD, BN-R

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Business Identification) - 1 to 3 Businesses | 20 ft | 20 sq ft per face | — | Set back at least 20 ft from the front property line; 25 ft from any adjacent commercial or industrial property; 50 ft from any adjacent residential property. | Max 1 per property | On the lot identifying the business(es). The building to be served by a freestanding sign shall be set back at least 35 ft from the property line. | — | § 250-10.12A–E; § 250-10.11A–B, D–E, K |
| Freestanding Sign (Business Identification) - 4 to 6 Businesses | 20 ft | 35 sq ft per face | — | ≥ 20 ft from front property line; ≥ 25 ft from adjacent commercial/industrial; ≥ 50 ft from adjacent residential. | Max 1 per property | On the lot identifying the businesses; building served must be ≥ 35 ft from property line. | — | § 250-10.12A–E; § 250-10.11A–B, D–E, K |
| Freestanding Sign (Business Identification) - More than 6 Businesses | 20 ft | 50 sq ft per face | — | ≥ 20 ft from front property line; ≥ 25 ft from adjacent commercial/industrial; ≥ 50 ft from adjacent residential. | Max 1 per property | On the lot identifying the businesses; building served must be ≥ 35 ft from property line. | — | § 250-10.12A–E; § 250-10.11A–B, D–E, K |
| Freestanding Directory Sign (Internal Access Road Intersection) | 10 ft | 40 sq ft per side (double-faced allowed) | — | ≥ 10 ft off the macadam surface of the access road; ≥ 20 ft from the state right-of-way; not closer than 50 ft to any adjacent residential property. | As needed where access roads intersect existing roads (no explicit numeric cap stated). | Located on the property on which the access road is located, at intersections where the access road meets existing roads. | — | § 250-10.12F(1)–(6) |
| Freestanding Sign (Waterfront Bay-Facing) | — | 20 sq ft (area) | — | ≥ 20 ft from the water’s edge. | 1 additional bay-facing sign (in addition to 1 freestanding at ROW). | No closer than 20 ft to the water’s edge; intended to identify the business from Irondequoit Bay. In addition to the freestanding sign permitted at the right-of-way. | — | § 250-10.12G(1)–(2) |
| Residential Nameplate Sign (Single-Family) | — | 2 sq ft per face | — | If ground-mounted: not closer than 10 ft to any side or rear property line. | 1 per dwelling | May be building-mounted or ground-mounted on private property. | — | § 250-10.16A |
| Real Estate Sign - Site > 1 Acre (Sale/Lease/Proposed Development) | 8 ft (from adjacent grade) | 32 sq ft (single- or double-faced) | — | Not closer than 10 ft to any side or rear property line. | 1 per site | On private property (not in any right-of-way). | — | § 250-10.21C |
| Real Estate Sign - Developed Commercial/Industrial Site Lease Space | 8 ft (from adjacent grade) | 32 sq ft (single- or double-faced) | — | Not closer than 10 ft to any side or rear property line. | 1 per developed site | On private property (not in any right-of-way). | — | § 250-10.21E |

### LaSalle's Landing Development District (LLD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Waterfront Bay-Facing) | — | 20 sq ft (area) | — | ≥ 20 ft from the water’s edge. | 1 additional bay-facing sign (in addition to 1 freestanding at ROW) | No closer than 20 ft to the water’s edge; intended to identify the business from Irondequoit Bay. In addition to the freestanding sign permitted at the right-of-way. | — | § 250-10.12G(1)–(2); § 250-10.3A (Town Board authority in LLD for SUP) |

## Prohibited signs in Penfield

- Flashing or moving lights on any illuminated sign are prohibited.
- Use of pennants, banners, spinners, streamers, moving, flashing, glittering or reflective, animated or rotating signs, or similar eye-catching devices is prohibited (preexisting signs of these types must conform immediately).
- Attached signs may not extend above the building roofline.
- Graphics, trademarks, and logos may not exceed 50% of any sign face area (per face for double-faced signs).
- Billboards are prohibited.
- Signs may not block ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape, nor obstruct free roof access.
- No sign other than safety-related signs may be attached to a fire escape.
- Signs may not be erected in a manner that confuses or obstructs the view of any traffic sign, signal, or device.
- No sign (except traffic signs placed by public agencies or mailbox signs) may be within the highway limits of any public right-of-way unless approved by the Town Board and any applicable state or county agency.
- Permanent signs suspended over any portion of a public right-of-way or public sidewalk are prohibited unless the owner provides an indemnification agreement acceptable to the Town Attorney prior to permit issuance.
- Portable temporary on-site business signs may not include product or pricing information (limited to business name, hours of operation, and the word "OPEN").
- Portable temporary on-site business signs may only be displayed between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
- Displaying signs for a business that has been discontinued for 60 consecutive days is prohibited; such signs must be removed immediately.
- Operating, standing, or parking a vehicle mainly for the purpose of advertising is prohibited (except vehicles used for normal delivery or passenger service).
- Nonconforming signs with a permit may not be altered, rebuilt, enlarged, extended, or relocated unless the change makes the sign conforming.

## Signs exempt from permit in Penfield

- Public signs of a noncommercial nature erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance of duty (e.g., safety, danger, trespassing, traffic control, memorial plaques, historical interest) are exempt from permit requirements.
- Integral signs (names of buildings, dates of erection, monumental citations, commemorative tablets, etc., when carved into or made of permanent materials) are exempt from permit requirements.
- Garage sale portable temporary on-site and/or off-site signs placed on private property (with timing and placement limits and not within rights-of-way) are exempt from permit requirements.
- Ideological signs are exempt from permit requirements but must comply with dimensional and setback requirements in Article II.
- Gasoline pump price signs required by state law do not require a permit (pricing may not be incorporated into identification signs).
- Single-family nameplate signs up to two square feet per face do not require a permit.
- Traffic control signs accessory to parking areas (entrance/exit signs up to two square feet per face) do not require a permit.
- Parking area signs identifying conditions of use or identity (up to six square feet, with corner-lot allowances) do not require a permit.
- Contractors’ portable temporary on-site signs during the period of work (e.g., siding, roofing, painting, lawn maintenance, snow plowing) do not require a permit.
- Real estate signs for undeveloped lots not exceeding one acre (one portable temporary sign on private property with setbacks) do not require a permit.
- Real estate signs for single-family residences for sale or lease (one portable temporary on-site sign and off-site weekend directional signs within specified hours) do not require a permit.
- Window signs identifying lease space available within developed commercial or industrial sites do not require a permit.
- Driveway signs indicating private drive or "no trespassing" (maximum one square foot per face, with setbacks) do not require a permit.
- Portable temporary on-site political signs do not require a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign package is required for business/industrial building-mounted signage; the property owner must submit sizes, colors, and designs for all proposed signs to the authorized official or appropriate board for approval (250-10.13B).
- Signs not permitted under the article require a special use permit, with a public hearing; approval by the Zoning Board of Appeals or the Town Board (for Four Corners and LaSalle’s Landing Districts) is required before a permit can be issued (250-10.3A–C).
- Informational directory signs for developments served by an internal access road must be consistent in design and architectural treatment with other signage in the development and are subject to review by the authorized official, the Zoning Board of Appeals, or the Town Board (250-10.12F(6)).
- Off-site seasonal "U-Pick" farm market signs require a permit from the authorized official; any extension beyond the growing season requires approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals (250-10.15A).
- Sign location for all signs is subject to approval by the authorized official unless otherwise specified by the Zoning Board of Appeals or the Town Board (250-10.10).
- Permit applications must include scale drawings, proposed design, legend, colors, materials, structural details, and a location map; written approval from the property owner is required (250-10.2A).
- Permanent signs suspended over a public right-of-way or sidewalk require submission of an indemnification agreement acceptable to the Town Attorney prior to permit issuance (250-10.11K).
- Changes in advertising copy or message on existing signs upon sale or change in tenancy require a permit and approval by the authorized official (250-10.8).
- Residential subdivision identification signs require submission of a deed restriction acceptable to the Town Attorney prior to issuance of a sign permit (250-10.16B).

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Penfield, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Penfield+NY&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-penfield

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