# Sign Regulations in Utica, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Utica, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/utica
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-26
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/14013577#14013577)

## At a glance

Utica, New York regulates 15 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the NMU zoning district are capped at 15 ft tall and 60 sq ft, with a No closer to side lot lines than required side yard. setback (Sec. Sec. 2-29-134, Table; Sec. 2-29-139). Most commercial signs in Utica require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R1, RM | 1 | — | 8 sq ft (temporary, residential); 16 sq ft (temporary, business/industrial) | — |
| NMU | 7 | 20 ft | 80 sq ft | — |
| UMU | 3 | 25 ft | 60 sq ft | — |
| CBD | 3 | 25 ft | 800 sq ft | — |
| I1, I2 | 3 | 25 ft | 120 sq ft | — |
| LC | 2 | — | — | — |
| I, IMU | 1 | 30 ft | 400 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 31 ft above roof if solid; 50 ft for open-type on nonfireproof buildings, 75 ft for open-type on fireproof buildings, with up to 40% surface exposed to wind. | 800 sq ft (if considered a rooftop sign in Sec. 2-29-144); signs under 200 sq ft considered commercial signs. | — |
| Scenic and Historic District | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### NMU

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Wall Sign | 15 ft | 40 sq ft | — | — | 2 per lot frontage | — | — | Sec. 2-29-134, Table; Sec. 2-29-145; Sec. 2-21-2 |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | 12 ft | 15 sq ft | — | — | — | On canopy | — | Sec. 2-29-134, Table; Sec. 2-29-138 |
| Freestanding Sign | 15 ft | 60 sq ft | — | No closer to side lot lines than required side yard. | 1 per lot, regardless of number of businesses | Front yard only, no part may project over property line or be closer to side lot line than required side yard. | — | Sec. 2-29-134, Table; Sec. 2-29-139 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 15 sq ft (includes both sides if two-sided) | — | — | — | Front face of structure only. | — | Sec. 2-29-134, Table; Sec. 2-29-140 |
| Sidewalk Sign | 5 ft | 6 sq ft | 3 ft | — | 1 per business | Within 10 ft of primary building entrance; must not block pedestrian route/sidewalk. | — | Sec. 2-29-134, Table; Sec. 2-29-143 |
| Multitenant Sign | 20 ft | 80 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot (including freestanding sign in total) | — | — | Sec. 2-29-134, Table |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On window | — | Sec. 2-29-134, Table; Sec. 2-29-137 |

### UMU

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Wall Sign | 20 ft | 60 sq ft | — | — | 4 per lot frontage | — | — | Sec. 2-29-134, Table; Sec. 2-29-145 |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | 12 ft | 40 sq ft | — | — | — | On canopy | — | Sec. 2-29-134, Table; Sec. 2-29-138 |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft | 60 sq ft | — | See side yard requirements. | 1 per lot | Front yard only, not over property line, not closer to side lot than required side yard. | — | Sec. 2-29-134, Table; Sec. 2-29-139 |

### CBD

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Wall Sign | 25 ft | 90 sq ft | — | — | 6 per lot frontage | — | — | Sec. 2-29-134, Table; Sec. 2-29-145 |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft | 60 sq ft | — | No closer than side yard requirements. | 1 per lot | Front yard only. | — | Sec. 2-29-134, Table; Sec. 2-29-139 |
| Rooftop Sign | 10 ft (maximum letter height); total sign not exceeding 800 sq ft | 800 sq ft | — | — | — | On roof of building, subject to Planning Board site plan approval. | — | Sec. 2-29-134 (table), 2-29-144 |

## Prohibited signs in Utica

- No sign shall be erected within the public right-of-way, which includes sidewalks on both sides of every street.
- No sign shall obstruct any fire escape (or door leading thereto) or window, nor shall any sign be attached to a fire escape.
- Flashing, rotating, revolving, reflecting, intermittent, portable or mobile signs are prohibited.
- Illumination of signs shall not be directed onto a public street or adjacent premises so as to constitute a traffic hazard or public nuisance.
- Snipe signs painted, erected, affixed, or maintained on any bench, utility pole, tree, stone, or any natural object in the public right-of-way are prohibited.
- No rooftop balloons are allowed.
- No off-premises signs are allowed, except for billboards.
- All signs must be constructed per the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and be maintained in good, non-dilapidated condition.
- All non-operative or broken interior lighted illuminated signs must be repaired.
- Signs may be erected or maintained only in connection with permitted uses or uses with a valid certificate of non-conformity.

## Signs exempt from permit in Utica

- This section (Sec. 2-21-26) does not apply to signboards attached to the surface of a permanent building designed to give publicity to any business carried on in the building.
- This section (Sec. 2-21-26) does not apply to signs used to advertise the sale or lease of the property upon which they are erected.
- The provisions of Sec. 2-21-26 shall not be construed as applying to the posting of legal notice by public officers in the performance of a public duty in the manner and places prescribed by law.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No roof signboard, wall bulletin, or commercial sign may be erected until after a permit has been obtained from the commissioner of codes enforcement and the required fee is paid.
- No commercial sign extending more than 12 inches over public property shall be erected, constructed, altered or maintained until after the permit provided for in this chapter has been secured from the commissioner of codes enforcement and the required fee has been paid.
- No electrical sign or outline lighting installation shall be erected or installed unless it bears the label of UL or approval of the NY Board of Fire Underwriters; a permit and inspection application are required.
- For any business of outdoor advertising (roof signboards, wall bulletins, or commercial signs), a license and certificate of insurance must be obtained before conducting the business/erecting signs.
- Application for sign permit must include details on the applicant, property owner, location, construction details, illumination method, written consent, and existing signage on the property.
- A separate permit is required for relocation or rebuilding of existing regulated signs.
- All rooftop signs shall be subject to Planning Board site plan review and approval.
- All signs in the Scenic and Historic District require Scenic and Historic Commission approval.

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

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