# Sign Regulations in Syracuse, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Syracuse, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/syracuse
- **Data last verified:** 2024-12-12
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.syr.gov/files/sharedassets/public/v/2/2-departments/zoning/documents/2023-zoning-map/2023-current-zoning-map.pdf)

## At a glance

Syracuse, New York regulates 20 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the MX-3 zoning district are capped at 12 ft tall and 30 sq ft (Sec. Article 4.8, Table 4.5). Most commercial signs in Syracuse require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General | 8 | 6 ft | 64 sq ft total per property | — |
| R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 | 4 | 5 ft | 25 sq ft | Yes |
| MX-1 | 6 | 5 ft | 25 sq ft | Yes |
| MX-2 | 6 | 5 ft | 30 sq ft | Yes |
| MX-3 | 9 | 12 ft | 50 sq ft | Yes |
| MX-4 | 9 | 12 ft | 100 sq ft | Yes |
| MX-5 | 8 | 10 ft | 25 sq ft per story | Yes |
| CM, IN | 9 | 20 ft | 500 sq ft | Yes |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### MX-3

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 12 ft | 30 sq ft | — | — | — | — | Yes | Article 4.8, Table 4.5 |
| Monument Sign | 5 ft | 30 sq ft | — | — | — | — | Yes | Article 4.8, Table 4.5 |
| Multi-Tenant Sign | 12 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | — | At or near entrance | Yes | Article 4.8, Table 4.5 |
| Changeable Message Sign | — | 48 sq ft | — | — | — | — | Yes | Article 4.8, Table 4.5 |
| Window Sign | — | 15 sq ft, not to exceed 50% of window area | — | — | — | Window | Yes | Article 4.8, Table 4.5 |
| Projecting Sign | 4 ft | 10 sq ft | — | — | — | First Story | Yes | Article 4.8, Table 4.5 |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | — | 15 sq ft, not to exceed 50% of awning area | — | — | — | Awning/Canopy | Yes | Article 4.8, Table 4.5 |
| Canopy, Attached | — | 15 sq ft per side | — | — | — | Canopy | Yes | Article 4.8, Table 4.5 |

### MX-4

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 12 ft | 30 sq ft | — | — | — | — | Yes | Article 4.8, Table 4.5 |
| Monument Sign | 5 ft | 30 sq ft | — | — | — | — | Yes | Article 4.8, Table 4.5 |
| Multi-Tenant Sign | 12 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | At or near entrance | Yes | Article 4.8, Table 4.5 |
| Changeable Message Sign | 5 sq ft | 48 sq ft | — | — | — | — | Yes | Article 4.8, Table 4.5 |
| Window Sign | — | 15 sq ft, not to exceed 50% of window area | — | — | — | Window | Yes | Article 4.8, Table 4.5 |
| Projecting Sign | 4 ft | 10 sq ft | — | — | — | First Story | Yes | Article 4.8, Table 4.5 |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | — | 15 sq ft, not to exceed 50% of awning area | — | — | — | Awning/Canopy | Yes | Article 4.8, Table 4.5 |
| Canopy, Detached | — | 15 sq ft per side | — | — | — | Canopy | Yes | Article 4.8, Table 4.5 |

### CM, IN

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 12 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | — | Yes | Article 4.8, Table 4.5 |
| Monument Sign | 7 ft | 48 sq ft | — | — | — | — | Yes | Article 4.8, Table 4.5 |
| Multi-Tenant Sign | 20 ft | 500 sq ft | — | — | — | At or near entrance | Yes | Article 4.8, Table 4.5 |
| Changeable Message Sign | Not specified | 48 sq ft | — | — | — | — | Yes | Article 4.8, Table 4.5 |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | Not above the first floor | Yes | Article 4.8, Table 4.5 |
| Window Sign | — | 20 sq ft, not to exceed 50% of window area | — | — | — | Window | Yes | Article 4.8, Table 4.5 |
| Projecting Sign | Not specified | 15 sq ft | — | — | — | First Story | Yes | Article 4.8, Table 4.5 |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | — | 20 sq ft, not to exceed 50% of awning area | — | — | — | Awning/Canopy | Yes | Article 4.8, Table 4.5 |

## Prohibited signs in Syracuse

- Abandoned Signs
- Animated or Moving Signs
- Distracting or Confusing Signs
- Obscene and Indecent Signs
- Obstructive Signs or Signs in the Right-of-Way
- Posters and Handbills
- Portable Signs

## Signs exempt from permit in Syracuse

- Official government signs
- Signs located inside buildings not visible from outside
- Off-premise signs

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

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