# Sign Regulations in Phelps, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Phelps, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/phelps
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/29627871#29627871)

## At a glance

Phelps, New York regulates 29 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Wall or Fascia Sign (Building Mounted Commercial Speech Sign)s in the C-1 District, C-2 District, C Districts, B-O District, B-O Districts, M-1 District, M-1 Districts, Nonresidential Zoning Districts zoning district are capped at Building height limit of district (except B-O: max 15 feet) tall and 100 sq ft in C or B-O Districts; 150 sq ft in M-1 District; if only one surface is visible, area reduced by 50% (Sec. §175-15E(1)-(2), (4), (5), (6)(l)). Most commercial signs in Phelps require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 14 | No higher than the building height limit of the district; except B-O District, no higher than 15 feet. | 6 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts, R District | 6 | 15 feet or one story, whichever is less | 20 sq ft | — |
| C-1 District, C-2 District, C Districts, B-O District, B-O Districts, M-1 District, M-1 Districts, Nonresidential Zoning Districts | 13 | Building height limit of district (except B-O: max 15 feet) | 100 sq ft in C or B-O Districts; 150 sq ft in M-1 District; if only one surface is visible, area reduced by 50% | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Attached to building, may project no more than 3 feet towards street, shall not extend over public street or sidewalk area. | — | §175-15B(7) |
| Building Mounted Sign | No higher than the building height limit of the district; except B-O District, no higher than 15 feet. | — | — | — | — | Mounted to building. | — | §175-15B(8) |
| Freestanding Sign | 15 feet | — | — | — | — | — | — | §175-15B(9) |
| Exempt Sign (Public Welfare) | — | — | — | — | — | As required for public welfare. | — | §175-15B(10)(a) |
| Artisans' Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises where artisan is working. | — | §175-15B(10)(c) |
| Nameplate or Identification Sign (Dwelling Unit) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling; 2 if corner lot | On premises, affixed to dwelling unit. | — | §175-15B(10)(d)[1] |
| Identification Sign (Hotel or Other Building) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1; 2 per corner lot | On premises, affixed to building. | — | §175-15B(10)(d)[2] |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 2 per property; 2 per additional frontage | On premises being advertised for sale or rental. | — | §175-15B(10)(e) |

### Residential Districts, R District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Institutional Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property; 2 per property with more than one street frontage | On property of institution (school, church, hospital, etc.) | — | §175-15D(1)(a)-(b) |
| Parking Area Accessory Sign (Entrance/Exit) | — | 2 sq ft each | — | — | 1 per entrance or exit | At parking area entrance/exit. | — | §175-15D(2) |
| Parking Area Condition/Identity Sign | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parking area; 2 if corner lot | At parking area. | — | §175-15D(2) |
| Development Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 2 per property; 2 per additional frontage | On developing property. | — | §175-15D(3)(a)-(c) |
| Private Driveway/Trespassing Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | At driveway. | — | §175-15D(4) |
| Sign Height/Projection | 15 feet or one story, whichever is less | — | — | — | — | — | — | §175-15D(5) |

### C-1 District, C-2 District, C Districts, B-O District, B-O Districts, M-1 District, M-1 Districts, Nonresidential Zoning Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall or Fascia Sign (Building Mounted Commercial Speech Sign) | Building height limit of district (except B-O: max 15 feet) | 100 sq ft in C or B-O Districts; 150 sq ft in M-1 District; if only one surface is visible, area reduced by 50% | — | — | One per establishment per public street frontage; one additional 8 sq ft building mounted sign for additional frontage | Facing a public street; securely attached to building. | — | §175-15E(1)-(2), (4), (5), (6)(l) |
| Freestanding Sign | 15 feet | 100 sq ft in C or B-O Districts; 150 sq ft in M-1; if only one surface is visible, area reduced by 50% | — | — | — | On establishment lot. | — | §175-15E(1), (4), (6)(h) |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On awning/canopy surface. | — | §175-15E(6)(a) |
| Development Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 2 per property; 2 per additional frontage | On developing property. | — | §175-15E(6)(d) |
| Institutional Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1; 2 if on corner | On property of institution | — | §175-15E(6)(i) |
| Directory Sign (Multi-tenant Structure) | — | 100 sq ft in C or B-O; 150 sq ft in M-1; (directory sign subject to same limits) | — | — | — | On property, mounted to structure. | — | §175-15E(2)(b), (6)(f) |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Attached, projection limit governed by general provision. | — | §175-15E(6)(k), see §175-15B(7) |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | In window | — | §175-15E(6)(m) |

## Prohibited signs in Phelps

- No sign shall be erected within any public way, except official traffic signs or those specifically authorized by other ordinances or regulations.
- No sign or sign structure shall be erected at street intersections so as to obstruct free and clear vision, or at any location where its position, shape, or color interferes with or is confused with any traffic sign, signal, or device.
- Attached signs shall not project from any building more than three feet toward the street, nor extend over the public street or public sidewalk area.
- No building-mounted sign shall be higher than the building height limit in the district, except in B-O District where no sign shall be higher than 15 feet.
- Height limit of freestanding signs shall not exceed 15 feet.
- Flashing signs, animated signs, and revolving illuminated signs are not permitted in C-1, C-2, or B-O Districts.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Billboards are prohibited.
- Outdoor advertising signs are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Phelps

- Signs necessary to public welfare require no permit.
- Garage sale signs require no permit.
- Artisans’ signs during work on premises, not exceeding six square feet and removed within 14 days of work completion, require no permit.
- Nameplates and identification signs (occupant or permitted home occupation), not larger than two square feet (one per dwelling unit, two on corner lots), require no permit.
- Single identification sign for hotels/buildings (other than dwellings) not exceeding six square feet and indicating only the name/address/building management (two on corner lots) require no permit.
- Real estate signs advertising sale or rental of the premises (not over six square feet, no more than two signs, more allowed for additional street frontage) require no permit.
- Temporary signs require no permit.
- Noncommercial speech signs require no permit.
- Any sign required by federal, state, or local regulations (including licensing) requires no permit.
- Interior signs require no permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Prior to the placement of any sign, a signage permit must be applied for and a fee paid, except for exempt signs.
- Multiple signs in C-1, C-2, M-1 and B-O Districts require a special use permit if total square footage exceeds maximum limits.
- Freestanding signs in C-1, C-2, M-1 and B-O Districts require a special use permit.
- Flashing/animated/revolving illuminated signs are a special use in M-1 District and require permit.
- Any changes to existing signs are considered new and require compliance and permitting.
- Only one exterior sign is allowed for certain uses, must be approved by the Village of Phelps Planning Board, and conform to all signage requirements.

## Full detail

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

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