# Sign Regulations in Shortsville, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Shortsville, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/shortsville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/33713495#33713495)

## At a glance

Shortsville, New York regulates 16 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Monument)s in the Industrial (I) zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 50 sq ft, with a 10 ft setback (Sec. §95-52.12 Table 52-1). Most commercial signs in Shortsville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Village Residential (R-1) | 2 | — | 2 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial (NC) | 6 | 5 ft | 12 sq ft (or 20% wall area, whichever is less) | — |
| Village Center (VC) | 6 | 4 ft | Varies: 20% of wall or 2 sq ft per linear ft frontage | — |
| Industrial (I) | 7 | 6 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 5 ft | 100 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Village Center (VC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 4 ft | Varies: 20% of wall or 2 sq ft per linear ft frontage | — | — | 1 per use | Affixed to a building or structure; does not project more than 18 inches | — | §95-52.12 Table 52-1, Wall Signs |
| Projecting Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per use | Projects more than 18 inches from building | — | §95-52.12 Table 52-1, Projecting Signs |
| Suspended Sign | — | 3.5 sq ft | — | — | 1 per use | Attached to underside of horizontal plane | — | §95-52.12 Table 52-1, Suspended Signs |
| Awning and Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per structure | Awning/canopy of structure | — | §95-52.12 Table 52-1, note at Awning & Canopy Signs |
| Window and Door Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On interior face of window or within 3 ft | — | §95-52.12 Table 52-1, Window and Door Signs |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | 3 ft | — | 1 per business | On property, or for VC District may be allowed within public right-of-way subject to conditions | — | §95-52.5S |

### Industrial (I)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument) | 6 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 10 ft | 1 per lot | At grade level with continuous foundation, not affixed to a building | — | §95-52.12 Table 52-1 |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per use | Affixed to a building or structure; does not project more than 18 inches | — | §95-52.12 Table 52-1, Wall Signs |
| Projecting Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per use | Projects more than 18 inches from building | — | §95-52.12 Table 52-1, Projecting Signs |
| Suspended Sign | — | 3.5 sq ft | — | — | 1 per use | Attached to underside of horizontal plane | — | §95-52.12 Table 52-1, Suspended Signs |
| Awning and Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per structure | Awning/canopy of structure | — | §95-52.12 Table 52-1, note at Awning & Canopy Signs |
| Window and Door Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On or within 3 ft of window or door (interior) | — | §95-52.12 Table 52-1, Window and Door Signs |
| Electronic Changeable Copy Sign | — | 30 sq ft or 50% of primary freestanding sign, whichever is less | — | Same as freestanding sign (10 ft) | 1 per lot | As part of a monument/freestanding sign | — | §95-52.11A; §95-52.12 Table 52-1 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign | See permanent sign of similar type | See permanent sign of similar type in district | — | Same as permanent sign of similar type/district | 1 per lot | On property | — | §95-52.9, §95-52.12, Table 52-1 |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | 3 ft | — | 1 per business | On property; VC may allow in right-of-way subject to conditions | — | §95-52.5S |
| Banner | 4 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per enterprise | On property | — | §95-52.5A |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per home occupation | On property | — | §95-52.5J |
| Portable Sign | 5 ft | 16 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property lines | 1 per event | On property, at least 10 ft from all property lines | — | §95-52.5Q |
| Incidental Sign | — | 3 sq ft per entrance (aggregate) | — | — | Per entrance | At entrance on property | — | §95-52.5L |
| Real Estate Sign | — | See permanent sign of same type/district | — | See permanent sign of same type/district | Up to 2 per lot | On property to which sign applies | — | §95-52.5R |
| Political & Campaign Sign | — | See permanent sign of same type/district | — | See permanent sign of same type/district | Up to 2 per lot | On property | — | §95-52.5P |

## Prohibited signs in Shortsville

- No person shall erect, place, establish, paint, or retain any sign within the Village unless all provisions of this article have been met.
- No sign shall be erected at or near any intersection in such a manner as to obstruct vision.
- No sign shall be of a shape or color that may be confused with any authorized traffic control device.
- No rotating beam, beacon, or flashing illumination shall be used in connection with any sign display.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited. All permanent signs must be located on the site being promoted, identified or advertised.
- No sign shall cover any window, door, or hinder/free egress from any door, window, fire escape, or other required exit way unless specifically permitted.
- No sign shall cover or cause the removal of architectural details to a building facade including arches, sills, moldings, cornices, and transom windows.
- Signs shall not be posted in a manner destructive to public property.
- Signs shall not be attached or applied to trees, light poles, utility poles, transit shelters, benches, trash receptacles, news racks, or existing traffic control signs.
- Obsolete signs (not advertising the use of the property) must be removed within 30 days after written notification.
- Signs for which a permit is required but no permit was issued or the permit was revoked are prohibited.
- Obsolete, improperly maintained, structurally unsound, hazardous, or otherwise unsafe signs are prohibited.
- Signs containing words or pictures of an obscene or pornographic nature are prohibited.
- Signs that emit audible sounds, odor, or visible matter are prohibited.
- Signs that may be confused with a traffic control sign, signal or device, or the light of an emergency or road equipment vehicle, or hide official traffic signs, are prohibited.
- Signs that interfere with official traffic lights or traffic control devices are prohibited.
- Flashing, rotating, revolving signs or lights are prohibited.
- Signs with unshielded lighting devices or reflectors placed to outline/provide background of a sign are prohibited.
- Cabinet signs, or any such sign that is internally illuminated, are prohibited.
- Animated signs or signs utilizing full motion or video technology are prohibited.
- Signs with mirrors are prohibited.
- Permanent banner, pennant, windblown, or inflated signs are prohibited except as temporary signs for a total of 30 days.
- Portable signs attached to or placed on an unregistered vehicle parked on private property for the primary purpose of being viewed by motorists are prohibited.
- Pennants not affixed to the face of a building are prohibited.
- Signs placed on a curb, sidewalk, hydrant, utility pole, tree, or other objects located on or over any street or within the public right-of-way, unless otherwise permitted, are prohibited.
- Signs, banners, or pennants mounted on or extending above the roof of any building or structure are prohibited.
- Signs painted directly on an exterior wall are prohibited.
- Freestanding signs supported by a single/multiple poles or posts with more than 30 inches clearance from the bottom of the sign to the ground below are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Shortsville

- Repainting, repairing, changing of parts, and preventive maintenance of signs does not require a permit.
- Changes in the message on a changeable copy sign do not require a permit.
- Repainting of supports and sign area (provided no change in sign message) does not require a permit.
- Banners or pennants meeting all specified conditions (one per enterprise, max 30 days, max 100 sq ft, not higher than 4 ft, not above first-floor facade, not beyond property lines, not illuminated, not impeding pedestrian traffic) do not require a permit.
- Temporary construction or home improvement signs (one per site, max 6 sq ft in residential, 12 sq ft in other districts, max 30 days) do not require a permit.
- Temporary decorations of patriotic, religious, charitable, or civic character with no commercial message, including holiday lights for customary periods, do not require a permit.
- Directional signs (on property, max 4 sq ft, not advertising a business, do not obstruct traffic) do not require a permit.
- Drive-through signs (one per lane, max 24 sq ft, solely for drive-through patrons, removed if facility not in use for 60 days) do not require a permit.
- Flags, emblems or insignia of any nation or political subdivision (subject to height limits; commercial flags limited to one per lot) do not require a permit.
- Gasoline station price signs (max 3 sq ft, attached to pump) do not require a permit.
- Governmental signs (official signs, public notices supported by law) do not require a permit.
- Historical signs (less than 9 sq ft, not illuminated) do not require a permit.
- Home occupation signs (one per home occupation, max 3 sq ft) do not require a permit.
- House numbers and nameplates (address/name, max 3 sq ft per dwelling unit) do not require a permit.
- Incidental signs (aggregate max 3 sq ft at each entrance, attached to permanent structure) do not require a permit.
- Internal signs (within a building not legible from the right-of-way or adjacent lots or in enclosed outdoor space not legible beyond property lines) do not require a permit.
- Limited signs advertising open house, sale, or event (max 30 days, on property where event is held) do not require a permit.
- Noncommercial signs (up to two signs per lot, any type, containing solely noncommercial messages, in conformance with regulations) do not require a permit.
- Political and campaign signs (up to 2 per lot, in conformance, posted max 30 days, removed after election) do not require a permit.
- Portable signs (one, nonilluminated, two-sided, max 16 sq ft, 5 ft high, for new business max 30 days or fire/catastrophe max 30 days, min 10 ft from property lines) do not require a permit.
- Real estate signs (up to two per lot/parcel, on property they advertise, in conformance with regulations) do not require a permit.
- Sandwich board/A-frame signs (one per business, max 6 sq ft, removed at business close, max 3 ft high/wide, nonilluminated, only displayed during business hours, in Village Center certain exceptions for placement) do not require a permit.
- Temporary signs for noncommercial events or programming in accordance with relevant regulations do not require a permit.
- Works of art that do not include a commercial message, logo, trademark, or property identification do not require a permit.
- Temporary signs (as described in § 95-52.9 and Table 52-1) do not require a permit provided all regulations are met.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for each sign unless specifically exempted by the article.
- A sign permit is required for installation of a new sign, any changes to the face of a sign, and modifications involving moving or enlarging a sign.
- An amended or new permit is required to modify, relocate, alter, or replace a sign or related design elements if such elements were a basis for approval.
- For major developments (e.g., Planning Board approval of subdivision entrance sign), approval of the Planning Board may be required prior to installation.
- Every sign application must include detailed drawings/blueprints, construction details, location plans, owner consent, and relevant permits as part of the permit process.
- No mention of a required Master Sign Plan or sign plan for multiple signs across a site, but summary references to requirements for permitted signs listed in Table 52-1 and for applications with multiple businesses on a single lot.

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

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