# Sign Regulations in Warsaw, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Warsaw, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/warsaw
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/15342198#15342198)

## At a glance

Warsaw, New York regulates 28 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Noncommercial Speech Signs in the Business District, Industrial District zoning district are capped at 6 ft (freestanding) tall and 20 sq. ft., with a min 1/2 required setback to lot line. setback (Sec. §163-87.B). Most commercial signs in Warsaw require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business District, Industrial District | 13 | 20 ft | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Residential District | 9 | 4 ft (freestanding) | 16 sq. ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 3 ft (parallel to building) | 12 sq. ft. per face | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Business District, Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 2 sq. ft. per linear foot of building frontage | — | — | — | Attached to principal structure, measured along the street or parking lot with principal access. | — | §163-83.A, §163-82.E,F |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft | 2 sq. ft. per linear foot of building frontage (shared total with building signs) | — | Setback established by Planning Board for safety. | — | On property; setback established by Planning Board to prevent obstructing motorist views or nuisance. | — | §163-83.A, §163-83.C, §163-82.E,F |
| Directional Sign | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On property. | — | §163-83.B |
| Freestanding Sign (Shopping Center Directory - Facility Name Only) | 20 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per center | At shopping center or multiple use facility | — | §163-84.A |
| Wall Sign (Shopping Center/Multiple Use - Individual Business) | — | 2 sq. ft. per store frontage foot, or 20% of building face area, whichever is less. | — | — | 1 per principal activity | Attached to the face of the building. | — | §163-84.C |
| Directory Sign (At Entry/Exit of Shopping Center or Industrial Park) | — | 20 sq. ft. (any location); 12 sq. ft. (each entrance/exit) | — | — | 1 per location, 1 at each vehicular entrance/exit | Within shopping center or industrial park, at locations and entrances/exits. | — | §163-84.D |
| Noncommercial Speech Sign | 6 ft (freestanding) | 20 sq. ft. | — | Freestanding: min 1/2 required setback to lot line. | 2 per lot | Building-mounted: 1st floor front facade; Freestanding: see below. | — | §163-87.B |
| Noncommercial Speech Sign (residential use) | 4 ft (freestanding) | 6 sq. ft. (freestanding), 2 sq. ft. (building mounted), 1 sq. ft. or 25% of window for window sign. | — | Freestanding: not closer than 1/2 required setback, min 2 ft ground clearance. | 2 per lot (one may be window sign) | Building mounted (proximity to entrance), freestanding, or window. | — | §163-87.B(2) by reference to §163-87.A |

### Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Occupant/Home Occupation Sign | 4 ft (freestanding) | 4 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On property, either wall-mounted or freestanding. | — | §163-85.A |
| Identification Sign (Multi-family/Church/Library/Social Club/Public Building/Others) | 4 ft | 16 sq. ft. | — | Not closer to any lot line than 1/2 required setback. | 1 per building | On property. | — | §163-85.B |
| Sale/Lease/Rent Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq. ft. | — | Not less than 10 ft inside property line. | 2 per site | On property. | — | §163-85.C |
| Subdivision Identification Sign (Permanent) | 4 ft | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per subdivision | At entrance to subdivision. | — | §163-85.D |
| Subdivision Sales Sign (Temporary) | — | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | — | At entranceway to subdivision. | — | §163-85.E |
| Business/Home Occupation Sign (Residential District) | 4 ft (if freestanding) | 6 sq. ft. | — | If freestanding, not closer than 1/2 required setback. | — | On property, can be freestanding. | — | §163-85.F |
| Noncommercial Speech Sign (Residential) | 4 ft (freestanding) | 6 sq. ft. (freestanding), 2 sq. ft. (building mounted), 1 sq. ft. or 25% of window (window sign) | — | Freestanding not closer than 1/2 required setback; min 2 ft ground clearance. | 2 per lot (only one window sign) | Building mounted (proximity to entrance), freestanding, or window. | — | §163-87.A |
| Garage Sale Sign | — | 10 sq. ft. | — | Must not interfere with view of motorists. | — | Only on premises where sale occurs. | — | §88-6 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name/Address Sign (Private Dwelling) | — | 1 sq. ft. | — | — | — | At dwelling | — | §163-86.A |
| Professional Nameplate | — | 1 sq. ft. | — | — | — | At dwelling | — | §163-86.B |
| Sale/Lease/Rent Sign (General) | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On premises being advertised | — | §163-86.C |
| Projecting Sign | 3 ft (parallel to building) | 12 sq. ft. per face | — | — | — | Projecting over right-of-way or sidewalk; min 8 ft above ground. | — | §163-82.G |
| Flush-Mounted Building Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Flush-mounted to exterior building wall. | — | §163-82.H |
| Awning Sign | — | — | Extends max 6 ft from facade, min 7 ft above sidewalk/entryway | — | — | Fastened to facade, not ground-supported, not over 6 ft extension; min 7 ft ground clearance | — | §163-82.T |
| Flower Box Sign | — | — | Max 9 in. from building | — | — | Extending over/right-of-way from facade | — | §163-82.U |

## Prohibited signs in Warsaw

- No sign shall be erected in the Village without a permit issued by the Code Enforcement Officer, except for those signs specifically identified as exempted.
- No sign may be erected or maintained that creates a traffic hazard or nuisance or is unreasonably detrimental to adjoining properties.
- No sign may contain flashing, intermittent, rotating or moving lights, except for time and temperature signs.
- Lighting devices must only emit light of constant intensity and must not direct light to create a traffic hazard or nuisance.
- No sign or part thereof shall contain or consist of banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners or similar fluttering devices.
- No sign shall consist of animated or moving parts.
- Movable or portable signs (other than approved temporary signs) are prohibited after one year from the date of ordinance enactment.
- No signs shall be attached to fences, utility poles, or trees.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained upon the roof of any building or structure.
- No motor vehicle, mobile home or trailer primarily displaying a sign shall be parked or stationed to display that sign.
- No sign may be erected or maintained within the public right-of-way of any street, nor within 15 feet of the pavement of a public street or within 10 feet of any property line unless flush-mounted to a building.
- No off-premises advertising is permitted; signs may only advertise businesses or services existing on the premises where the sign is located.
- No sign shall confuse or obstruct the view of any traffic sign, signal or device.
- No sound amplifiers, public address systems, or other sound devices may be used as a means of advertising or to attract attention to a sign.
- All signs must be securely attached to a building or structurally sound support and maintained in good repair and neatly painted at all times.
- No sign may be erected or maintained in violation of the chapter, nor may unsafe, insecure, or signs that are a menace to the public remain after notice.
- No sign may be altered, rebuilt, enlarged, extended, or relocated unless such action makes a nonconforming sign conforming.
- No temporary sign shall be attached to fences, trees, utility poles, bridges, or traffic signs.
- No temporary sign shall obstruct or impair vision or traffic or otherwise create a hazard or disturbance to the public health and welfare.

## Signs exempt from permit in Warsaw

- The regulations do not apply to any sign or directional device erected by a governmental agency.
- The regulations do not apply to nonadvertising signs identifying underground utility lines.
- The regulations do not apply to posted or preserve signs erected pursuant to the Environmental Conservation Law of the State of New York.
- Signs bearing the name of the principal occupant and/or the street address of a private dwelling not exceeding one square foot in area are permitted in all districts without a permit.
- Professional nameplates not exceeding one square foot in area are permitted in all districts without a permit.
- Signs advertising the sale, lease, or rental of premises not exceeding six square feet in area are permitted in all districts without a permit.
- Noncommercial speech signs may be displayed without a permit, subject to detailed regulations by district.
- Temporary signs, subject to certain limitations, may be permitted (and permit/approval is not required in specific instances).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Except for temporary signs, no sign permit shall be issued without approval from the Planning Board.
- An overall sign design plan is required for multiple principal activities (e.g., shopping centers, plazas, malls, multiple commercial use facilities, or industrial parks); this plan must be submitted with the site development permit application.
- Color schemes, lettering content, and design for awnings must be approved by the Planning Board prior to installation.
- All applications for a sign permit (except temporary signs) must be forwarded to the Planning Board for review of design, size, and location; the Planning Board may approve, approve with conditions, or reject the application.
- The Planning Board must provide a written decision within 45 days of receipt of the application; if not, the Code Enforcement Officer may issue the permit if the sign complies with regulations.
- For portable signs on sidewalks, application must include approval of the Village Planning Board regarding construction, appearance, size, graphic design and content, and the Village Board may issue the permit.

## Full detail

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

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