# Sign Regulations in South Bristol Town, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** South Bristol Town, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/south-bristol-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/42668072#42668072)

## At a glance

South Bristol Town, New York regulates 11 sign types across 2 zoning districts. Off-Premises Directional Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 12 feet above highest ground point within five feet tall and 16 square feet per side, maximum two sides, with a No closer than 20 feet and no more than 60 feet from highway boundary setback (Sec. § 170-58E). Most commercial signs in South Bristol Town 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 | 8 | 20 feet overall height, measured from ground to highest point of sign or structure | 100 square feet | — |
| Residential District | 3 | 7 feet | 16 square feet | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 20 feet overall height, measured from ground to highest point of sign or structure | 32 square feet per side, maximum two sides | — | If within front setback, must be at least 20 feet from highway right-of-way. | — | May not project more than three feet from wall; may not project into public way; if on roof, must not exceed peak of building | — | § 170-58. Billboards and signs; § 170-58B, § 170-58C |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 feet overall height, measured from ground to highest point of sign or structure | 32 square feet per side, maximum two sides | — | Must not be within right-of-way. If within front setback, at least 20 feet from highway right-of-way. | — | Not in right-of-way; if within front setback, not closer than 20 feet to highway right-of-way; may be kept on private property | — | § 170-58C, § 170-58B |
| Ground Sign - Shopping Center or Multi-Use Facility | — | 100 square feet | — | — | One per facility | Located to identify center of a facility as a whole | — | § 170-58D(1) |
| Wall Sign - Shopping Center or Multi-Use Facility | — | 40 square feet per principal activity | — | — | One per principal activity | On wall of principal activity (e.g. shop or store) | — | § 170-58D(2) |
| Off-Premises Directional Sign | 12 feet above highest ground point within five feet | 16 square feet per side, maximum two sides | — | No closer than 20 feet and no more than 60 feet from highway boundary | One | On property other than principal business; must be 20 to 60 feet from highway boundary | — | § 170-58E |
| Temporary Sign - General | — | 25 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | § 170-58F(1) |
| Temporary Sign - Property Sale | 10 feet | 25 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | § 170-58F(2) |
| Temporary Sign - Property Sale (Maximum Number and Location) | — | 25 square feet | — | At least 20 feet from front and side lot lines | No more than two per original parcel | — | — | § 170-58F(3) |

### Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Occupant/Home Occupation Identification Sign | 4 feet (if freestanding) | 6 square feet per side | — | At least 10 feet from side or rear lot line and 5 feet from highway right-of-way (if freestanding) | — | If freestanding, must be at least 10 feet from side or rear lot line and 5 feet from highway right-of-way | — | § 170-58H(1) |
| Identification Sign - Farms and Multi-Family Dwellings | 6 feet above grade | 16 square feet | — | Not closer to any lot line than 1/2 the required setback | One | Not closer to any lot line than 1/2 the required setback | — | § 170-58H(2) |
| Property Sale/Lease/Rental Sign | 7 feet | 16 square feet | — | At least 5 feet inside property line | No more than one sign per road frontage | Not less than 5 feet inside property line | — | § 170-58H(3) |

## Prohibited signs in South Bristol Town

- No billboards or signs shall be erected, placed or maintained without a permit, except as provided in the section.
- No sign shall be illuminated by or contain flashing, intermittent, rotating or moving lights.
- All signs must employ only light sources emitting constant intensity; no luminous sign shall cause glare or reflection that may constitute a traffic hazard or nuisance.
- No sign shall employ any mirror or mirror-like surface in its construction.
- No signs shall project more than three feet from the wall of any building.
- No sign shall project from the roof of any building or into any public way.
- No vehicle bearing a sign shall be parked or stationed in a manner primarily intended to display the sign.
- No permanent sign shall be erected or maintained within the right-of-way.
- No sign, unless otherwise provided, shall be erected or maintained having an area greater than 32 square feet per side, and no sign shall have more than two sides.
- No sign shall exceed 20 feet in overall height, measured from ground level to the highest point of the sign or its supporting structure.
- No temporary sign shall obstruct or impair vision or traffic or create a hazard or disturbance to health and welfare.
- Any sign that no longer advertises a bona fide business must be removed within 10 days of written notice.

## Signs exempt from permit in South Bristol Town

- Signs not exceeding one square foot in area, bearing only property numbers, post box numbers, names of occupants or other identification of the premises for noncommercial purposes.
- Flags and insignia of any government.
- Legal notices or other signs required or erected by governmental bodies.
- Integral, solely decorative or architectural features of buildings, other than commercial trademarks, emblems or lettering.
- Signs directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property but bearing no advertising matter.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Before erecting, placing, or maintaining any billboard or sign, a permit in compliance with the provisions of the section must be obtained, unless the sign falls within the listed exemptions.
- For multiple principal activities conducted on a lot (such as shopping centers or plazas), all private signs associated with the project shall reflect a reasonable uniformity of design, lighting, and materials and are subject to review.

## Full detail

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

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