# Sign Regulations in Rome, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Rome, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/rome
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/NY/Rome/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICICO_CH80ZOCO_ARTXVISI)

## At a glance

Rome, New York regulates 34 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Temporary Inflatable Signs in the C-2 (Temporary Inflatable Signs) zoning district are capped at 25 ft tall, Aggregate lettering/advertising 150 sq ft, and 25 ft wide, with a Cannot extend into setbacks setback (Sec. Sec. 80-16.9). Most commercial signs in Rome require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 17 | 35 ft or district height limit, whichever is less (freestanding pole) | 32 sq ft | — |
| Historic District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Commercial Districts, WR, W, GB | 1 | 4 ft | 6 sq ft per side | — |
| Multi-family Dwellings, Non-residential Districts, All Districts (for awning/canopy/wall/projection) | 7 | 25 ft | Varies, min 40 sq ft | — |
| All Drive-through Facilities | 1 | 8 ft | 75 sq ft | — |
| C-2, GB, I (and non-residential in those districts), School/Government/Park/Cultural in any district | 1 | — | 70% of total sign area (as wall, freestanding, or marquee sign) | — |
| Non-residential Uses (excluding multi-tenant retail centers) | 1 | 20 ft; 30 ft (for lots over 200 ft frontage & 2 acres) | 50 sq ft (one sign per street frontage); 200 sq ft (for lot over 200 ft frontage & 2 acres) | — |
| Non-residential Multi-tenant Retail Centers | 1 | 25 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| Multi-family Dwellings | 1 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Residential Subdivisions | 1 | 6 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| C-2, C-3, W, GB (Non-residential uses) | 1 | — | — | — |
| C-2 (Temporary Inflatable Signs) | 1 | 25 ft | Aggregate lettering/advertising 150 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Entryway Sign | 5 ft (freestanding) | 6 sq ft | — | 5 ft from lot line (freestanding) | 1 per building entry | Within 10 ft of building entry, at entryway; 5 ft from any lot line (freestanding) | — | Sec. 80-16.7(c)(i) |
| Construction Activity Sign (Individual Single-family or Two-family dwellings or site < 1 acre) | 7 ft (freestanding) | 16 sq ft | — | 5 ft from lot line (freestanding) | 1 per street frontage | On site of construction; wall signs allowed on fence | — | Sec. 80-16.7(c)(ii) |
| Construction Activity Sign (Other sites) | 7 ft (freestanding) | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft from lot line (freestanding) | 1 per street frontage | On site of construction; wall signs allowed on fence | — | Sec. 80-16.7(c)(ii) |
| Garage or Yard Sale Activity Sign | 5 ft (freestanding) | 6 sq ft | — | Within 5 ft from lot line (freestanding) | 1 per street frontage | On site of activity; may be freestanding, wall, or window sign | — | Sec. 80-16.7(c)(iv) |
| Memorial Sign | 4 ft (freestanding) | 6 sq ft | — | 5 ft from lot line (freestanding) | 1 per street frontage | Any district; may be wall or freestanding; 5 ft from lot line (freestanding) | — | Sec. 80-16.7(c)(vii) |
| Parking Lot Circulation Sign | 4 ft (freestanding) | 4 sq ft | — | 2 ft from lot line (freestanding) | As needed | Each entrance/exit, driveway intersection, drive-through lane, other circulation points | — | Sec. 80-16.7(c)(ix)a |
| Parking Lot Information Sign | 6 ft (freestanding) | 10 sq ft | — | 5 ft from lot line abutting street (freestanding) | As needed | As needed for any parking lot; may be wall-mounted or freestanding; freestanding must be 5 ft from lot line abutting a street | — | Sec. 80-16.7(c)(ix)b |
| Real Estate Activity Sign (Residential Districts) | 5 ft (freestanding) | 16 sq ft | — | Within 5 ft from lot line (freestanding) | 1 per street frontage | On site; may be freestanding, wall, or window; 1 per street frontage | — | Sec. 80-16.7(c)(x) |

### Multi-family Dwellings, Non-residential Districts, All Districts (for awning/canopy/wall/projection)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | — | 30% of each awning surface | — | 2 ft from curb line minimum | — | Attached to or above awning, may encroach into public right-of-way (at least 2 ft from curb) | — | Sec. 80-16.10(b) |
| Canopy Sign (Non-structural) | — | 30% of canopy surface area | — | 2 ft from curb line minimum | — | On canopy, may encroach into public right-of-way (at least 2 ft from curb) | — | Sec. 80-16.10(c)ii |
| Canopy Sign (Structural, Building-attached) | — | 30% of facade area (per facade) | — | 2 ft from curb line minimum | — | On canopy facade; attached to principal structure; may encroach into public right-of-way (at least 2 ft from curb) | — | Sec. 80-16.10(c)iii |
| Canopy Sign (Structural, Freestanding) | 25 ft | 30% of each facade area (per facade) | — | District or 5 ft from lot line, whichever greater | — | Freestanding structure; subject to district setback or 5 ft from lot line, whichever greater | — | Sec. 80-16.10(c)iii |
| Wall Sign (Single Tenant Structure) | — | Varies, min 40 sq ft | — | — | Unlimited per facade (subject to total sign area limit per formula) | Affixed flat to wall (may encroach max 12" into right-of-way) | — | Sec. 80-16.10(i) |
| Wall Sign (Multi-Tenant Structure) | — | Varies, min 40 sq ft per tenant's frontage | — | — | Unlimited per eligible tenant's facade (subject to total sign area limit per formula) | Affixed flat to wall along tenant's individual frontage | — | Sec. 80-16.10(i) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | 2 ft from curb line (if projecting into right-of-way) | 1 per street frontage | Per establishment with street frontage (1 per street); may project into public right-of-way (min 2 ft from curb) | — | Sec. 80-16.10(h) |

### C-2 (Temporary Inflatable Signs)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Inflatable Sign | 25 ft | Aggregate lettering/advertising 150 sq ft | 25 ft | Cannot extend into setbacks | 1 per location at a time | On private property in C-2 only (or if city-sponsored event) | — | Sec. 80-16.9 |

## Prohibited signs in Rome

- All signs not expressly allowed by this code are prohibited.
- No sign may obstruct any ingress or egress, including fire escapes, or windows.
- No sign may be attached to a fire escape.
- No sign may be allowed to become dilapidated or deteriorated.
- Sign illumination may not be combined with reflective materials, such as mirrors, polished metal, or highly-glazed tiles, which would increase glare.
- No sign illumination may cast glare or direct light upon roadways and surrounding properties, or distract motor vehicle operators or pedestrians in the public right-of-way.
- Flashing signs are prohibited.
- Moving signs, including signs designed to be moved by wind or other natural elements, are prohibited (excluding clocks and barber poles).
- Parked advertising vehicles and vehicle signs are prohibited unless the primary purpose of the vehicle is transportation and they are operated and stored in the normal course of business in operable condition. Vehicle for-sale signs are exempt.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Snipe signs are prohibited.
- Temporary off-premise signs are prohibited.
- Signs that interfere with, obstruct the view of, or may be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device, including those illuminated in red, green, or amber resembling a traffic signal, are prohibited.
- Signs that make use of the words STOP, LOOK, DETOUR, DANGER, CAUTION, WARNING, or any similar message in a manner that misleads, interferes with, or confuses traffic are prohibited.
- Tri-vision signs are prohibited.
- Neon or LED lighting to outline doors and windows is prohibited.
- Flashing neon or LED lighting is prohibited.
- No sign may be constructed or maintained in violation of state uniform fire prevention and building code.

## Signs exempt from permit in Rome

- Painting, repainting, cleaning, changing permitted items of information, or other normal maintenance and repair of a sign not involving structural changes or changes in the electrical components are exempt from sign permit requirements (but activity increasing sign area, height, or dimension is not exempt).
- Changing the message of a changeable message sign or electronic message sign is exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Logos and labels on mechanical equipment, recycling bins, trash containers, or similar, which are part of the equipment as manufactured and/or installed, are exempt.
- Signs installed by the sponsors of public transit stations, bike-sharing stations, or car-share facilities are exempt.
- Signs installed on gas station pumps to advertise products or services available on the premises are exempt, limited to two square feet in area and one per pump station.
- The following permanent and temporary signs are allowed without a sign permit, provided they are not illuminated (unless specified otherwise) and comply with all regulations: building entryway signs, construction activity signs, flags of nations/governments/organizations, garage or yard sale activity signs, government signs, light pole banners, memorial signs, noncommercial message signs, parking lot signs (circulation and information), real estate activity signs, window signs.
- Signs painted on vehicles, trucks, or buses being operated and stored in normal course of business are exempt from vehicle sign prohibition, provided primary purpose is not display of signs and vehicles are operable. Vehicle for-sale signs are also exempt.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Sign permit applications for A-frame signs must include a placement plan showing the general location of the A-frame sign.
- Applications for signs in historic districts must be accompanied by a written statement from the chairman of the historic and scenic preservation commission confirming the sign application has been reviewed and approved by the planning board.

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

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