# Sign Regulations in Penn Yan, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Penn Yan, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/penn-yan
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/6828061#6828061)

## At a glance

Penn Yan, New York regulates 32 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign - Option 1s in the Village Center (VC), Residential Transition (RT) zoning district are capped at 6 feet tall and 20 square feet, with a 5 feet from right of way or property line setback (Sec. 202-64F(2)(a)). Most commercial signs in Penn Yan require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 6 feet (for ground sign) | 36 square feet | — |
| Village Center (VC), Residential Transition (RT) | 9 | 6 feet | 50% of window/door area | — |
| General Commercial (GC), Planned Business (PB), Industrial (I) | 10 | 25 feet | 100 square feet | — |
| Waterfront Development and Conservation (WDC) | 8 | 6 feet | 50 square feet | — |
| Residential District (R-1, R-2, PR, RT) | 2 | 4 feet (if on support) | 60 square inches | — |
| Commercial Premises in Residential Transition (RT), Commercial Premises in Village Center (VC) | 2 | 8 feet | 20 square feet | — |
| Commercial and Industrial Construction (GC, PB, I, WDC, RT, VC) | 4 | 12 feet | 64 square feet | — |
| Multiple Use Parcels in GC, PB, I, WDC (Shopping Centers, Plazas, etc.) | 5 | 12 feet | 36 square feet | — |
| Historic Preservation District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### Village Center (VC), Residential Transition (RT)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Option 1 (Single Tenant/Activity) | — | 36 square feet | 10 feet | — | 1 per structure | On building | — | 202-64F(1)(a) |
| Wall Sign - Option 2 (One main entrance for multiple tenants) | — | 36 square feet | 10 feet | — | 1 per tenant/use | Grouped at entrance | — | 202-64F(1)(b) |
| Wall Sign - Option 3 (Multiple main entrances for different tenants) | — | 36 square feet (total at entrance) | 10 feet | — | 1 per tenant/use at each entrance | At each main entrance | — | 202-64F(1)(c) |
| Freestanding Sign - Option 1 | 6 feet | 20 square feet | — | 5 feet from right of way or property line | 1 per premises | Ground, min 5 ft from street or property line | — | 202-64F(2)(a) |
| Canopy Sign (Under Canopy) | 2.5 feet | 10 square feet | 4 feet | — | 1 per entrance/unit | Hanging perpendicular under canopy at each entrance | — | 202-64F(2)(b)[1-3] |
| Canopy Sign (Canopy Edge or Above) | — | 12 square feet | 10 feet | — | — | Front edge of canopy, roof fascia, or facade above canopy/roof facing parking area | — | 202-64F(2)(b)[4] |
| Projecting Sign | 3 feet | 18 square feet | 6 feet projection from building | — | 1 per premises (in lieu of other options) | Projecting perpendicular from building | — | 202-64F(2)(c) |
| Entrance Sign (Replica of Primary) | 4 feet | 6 square feet | 4 feet | — | 1 per entrance | Immediate vicinity of entrance door | — | 202-64F(3)(b) |

### General Commercial (GC), Planned Business (PB), Industrial (I)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Option 1 (Single Tenant/Activity) | — | 36 square feet | 10 feet | — | 1 per structure | On building | — | 202-64G(1)(a) |
| Wall Sign - Option 2 (Grouped, One main entrance for multiple tenants) | — | 36 square feet | 10 feet | — | 1 per tenant/use | At main entrance | — | 202-64G(1)(b) |
| Wall Sign - Option 3 (Multiple Entrances) | — | 36 square feet | 10 feet | — | 1 per tenant/use at each entrance | At each tenant's entrance | — | 202-64G(1)(c) |
| Freestanding Sign (Ground) | 6 feet | 50 square feet | — | 5 ft from right of way/front; 10 ft from side/rear | 1 per premises | Ground, min 5 ft from ROW or front, min 10 ft from side/rear | — | 202-64G(2)(a) |
| Freestanding Pole Sign | 25 feet | 100 square feet | — | 3 ft from ROW/front; 5 ft from side/rear | 1 per premises | Pole-mounted, ground | — | 202-64G(2)(b) |
| Canopy Sign (Under Canopy) | 2.5 feet | 10 square feet | 4 feet | — | 1 per entrance/use | Hanging from canopy at each entrance | — | 202-64G(2)(c) |
| Canopy Sign (Edge/Above Canopy) | — | 12 square feet | 10 feet | — | — | Front edge of canopy, roof fascia, or facade above canopy facing parking area | — | 202-64G(2)(c) |
| Projecting Sign | 3 feet | 18 square feet | 6 feet (projection) | — | 1 per premises (in lieu of other options) | Affixed perpendicular to building | — | 202-64G(2)(d) |

### Waterfront Development and Conservation (WDC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Option 1 (Single Tenant/Activity) | — | 36 square feet | 10 feet | — | 1 per building | On building | — | 202-64H(1)(a) |
| Wall Sign - Option 2 (One main entrance for multiple tenants) | — | 36 square feet | 10 feet | — | 1 per tenant/use | Grouped at entrance | — | 202-64H(1)(b) |
| Wall Sign - Option 3 (Multiple Entrances) | — | 36 square feet | 10 feet | — | 1 per tenant/use at each entrance | At each tenant's entrance | — | 202-64H(1)(c) |
| Freestanding Sign (Ground) | 6 feet | 50 square feet | — | 10 feet from street/right-of-way or any lot line | 1 per premises | Ground, min 10 ft from street/right of way or any lot line | — | 202-64H(2)(a) |
| Canopy Sign (Under Canopy) | 0.5 feet | 10 square feet | 4 feet | — | 1 per entrance | Hanging from canopy at entrance | — | 202-64H(2)(b) |
| Projecting Sign | 3 feet | 18 square feet | 6 feet (projection) | — | 1 per premises (in lieu of other options) | Affixed perpendicular to building | — | 202-64H(2)(c) |
| Window Sign (Permanent) | — | 50% of window/door area | — | — | — | Painted inside glass | — | 202-64H(3)(a) |
| Entrance Sign (Replica of Primary) | — | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 per entrance | At side/rear entrance to parking/public way | — | 202-64H(3)(b) |

## Prohibited signs in Penn Yan

- No sign shall be located where it will impede or interfere in any way with a traffic control device, traffic visibility or pedestrian visibility.
- Signs are prohibited between the elevations of three feet and seven feet above the street level within the triangular area formed by two intersecting street center lines and a line connecting points on such street center lines 60 feet distant from their point of intersection.
- No sign shall be erected within the right of way lines of any street, except temporary banners for festivals or special events permitted with the approval of the Village Board of Trustees, and only if installed so as to not create any safety hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained upon the roof of any building.
- No sign attached to a building wall shall extend above the actual height of said wall.
- No sign shall be illuminated by or use flashing, intermittent, changing, rotating or moving lighting as a part thereof.
- No illuminated sign or lighting device shall be so directed as to cause a glare or deflection hazard upon a street, highway, sidewalk or adjacent premises.
- No mobile, portable or temporary sign shall be placed on the face of any building or upon any premises except for a sign intended to be used for a period of not more than 30 days and which is not permanently mounted.
- No promotional or advertising device or merchandise shall contain or consist of banners, balloons, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners or other moving devices. None of these devices shall be used to attract attention to a sign, merchandise or other means of advertising.
- No sound amplifiers, public address systems or other sound devices shall be used as a means of advertising or to attract attention to a sign or business.
- No vehicle or trailer shall be parked or placed on any property for the purpose of advertising unless it conforms with the provisions of this Code.
- Signs must be constructed of durable materials, maintained in good condition and not allowed to become dilapidated. Dilapidated signs shall be removed by the owner upon order by the Code Enforcement Officer.
- No sign shall be altered in any way subsequent to approval of plans thereof.
- No sign shall be maintained which advertises a business or activity which no longer exists on the property where said sign is located. Said sign shall be removed by the owner upon order of the Code Enforcement Officer.

## Signs exempt from permit in Penn Yan

- Signs as may be required or erected by the Village, town, county, state and or federal governments.
- Residential signs consisting of one nameplate or identification sign not larger than 60 square inches in area and indicating only the name and address of the occupant. Such sign may be attached to a building or may be on a separate support not more than four feet in height and shall be at least five feet from any property line or street line.
- Name and/or address signs affixed to mailboxes not more than 32 square inches in area on each side.
- Temporary signs pursuant to Subsection J of this section.
- Political campaign signs.
- Political campaign signs are exempt from these regulations except with respect to those regulations which enhance public safety.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permit required. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no sign shall be erected or altered until a permit has been issued by the Code Enforcement Officer.
- All signs, unless specifically exempted, require a permit application to be submitted to the Code Enforcement Office, including drawings and details as specified in Subsection K.
- If the applicant is not the owner, written consent of the owner is required with the application.
- Proof of liability insurance naming the Village of Penn Yan as an insured, is required for any sign, any portion of which includes support structures, overhangs any public property owned, controlled or maintained by the Village.
- Upon completion of installation of the approved sign the applicant shall, within 10 business days of such completion, notify the Code Enforcement Office of completion for inspection.
- Alterations to signs subsequent to approval require new approval.
- A party aggrieved by a decision regarding a sign permit application may appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a variance.

## 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 10 zoning districts in Penn Yan — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Penn+Yan+NY&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-penn-yan

---

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