# Sign Regulations in Watervliet, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Watervliet, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/watervliet
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-27
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/10678649#10678649)

## At a glance

Watervliet, New York regulates 30 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Monument Signs in the B zoning district are capped at 10 ft tall and 36 sq ft, with a 10 ft from property line (20 ft at intersection) setback (Sec. §272-61H(2), (3), (4)(a)). Most commercial signs in Watervliet require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 14 | 2 ft | Whichever is less: 50% of facade area or 200 sq ft | — |
| R-1A, R-1, R-2, R-3 | 6 | Freestanding: 8 ft max | 24 sq ft | — |
| MU-1 | 7 | 10 ft | 36 sq ft per sign | — |
| MU-2 | 7 | 10 ft | 36 sq ft per sign | — |
| B | 8 | 10 ft | 75 sq ft per sign | — |
| LI | 8 | 10 ft | 60 sq ft per sign | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Garage Sale Sign (On-premises) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 2 | On the property of residence holding the sale | — | §166-13A(1), §272-61D(1)(c), §166-13B, §166-13C |
| Garage Sale Directional Sign (Off-premises) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 2 | Off-premises with permission of property owner (not major thoroughfare) | — | §166-13A(2), §272-61D(1)(c) |
| Sales/Rental Sign (General Regs) | — | — | — | Set back to not obstruct public right-of-way | 1 per frontage | On premises being sold/leased | — | §272-61D(4)(a)-(f) |
| Architect/Engineer/Contractor Construction Sign | — | — | — | Not to obstruct right-of-way. | 1 | On premises where construction/repair/renovation is in progress; not to obstruct right-of-way. | — | §272-61D(6) |
| Private-Owner Merchandise Sale Sign (Garage Sale, Auction, Temporary) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | §272-61D(7) |
| Window Sign (Exempt) | — | 20% of glass area | — | — | — | Window | — | §272-61D(8) |
| Gasoline Pump Price/Logo Sign | — | 2 sq ft (price); total 3 sq ft (price + logo + other) | — | — | — | On gasoline pump | — | §272-61D(9) |
| Building Identification Sign (Non-Tenant) | 2 ft | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Incorporated within facade with street frontage | — | §272-61D(11) |

### B

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign/Projecting Sign/Awning Sign | — | 75 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per establishment per facade | Each facade with street frontage | — | §272-61H(1), §272-61H(3) (Schedule F), §272-61F(3), §272-61H(4)(b)-(d) |
| Monument Sign | 10 ft | 36 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line (20 ft at intersection) | 1 (only if building set back at least 50 ft) | Business at least 50 ft from front lot line | — | §272-61H(2), (3), (4)(a) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | On building facade | — | §272-61H(3), (4)(b) |
| Sandwich Board/Sidewalk Sign | 4 ft | 8 sq ft | 30 in | — | — | In front of or on side of business | — | §272-61H(4)(f) |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building facade | — | §272-61H(4)(e) |
| Wayfinding Sign (Accessory to Parking) | — | 4 sq ft per entrance/exit sign | — | — | 1 per exit/entrance, 1 per street frontage for identity/restriction | Each parking area exit/entrance and 1 per frontage for identity/restriction | — | §272-61H(4)(g) |
| Sales/Rental Sign (MU-2, B, LI) | — | 12 sq ft | — | Not to obstruct right-of-way | 1 per frontage | On premises | — | §272-61D(4)(b) |
| Construction Sign (MU-2, B, LI) | — | 12 sq ft | — | Not to obstruct right-of-way | 1 | On premises not to obstruct right-of-way | — | §272-61D(6) |

### LI

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign/Projecting Sign/Awning Sign | — | 60 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per establishment per facade | Each facade with street frontage | — | §272-61H(1), §272-61H(3) (Schedule F), §272-61F(3), §272-61H(4)(b)-(d) |
| Monument Sign | 10 ft | 24 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line (20 ft at intersection) | 1 (only if building set back at least 50 ft) | Business at least 50 ft from front lot line | — | §272-61H(2), (3), (4)(a) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | On building facade | — | §272-61H(3), (4)(b) |
| Sandwich Board/Sidewalk Sign | 4 ft | 8 sq ft | 30 in | — | — | In front of or on side of business | — | §272-61H(4)(f) |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building facade | — | §272-61H(4)(e) |
| Wayfinding Sign (Accessory to Parking) | — | 4 sq ft per entrance/exit sign | — | — | 1 per exit/entrance, 1 per street frontage for identity/restriction | Each parking area exit/entrance and 1 per frontage for identity/restriction | — | §272-61H(4)(g) |
| Sales/Rental Sign (MU-2, B, LI) | — | 12 sq ft | — | Not to obstruct right-of-way | 1 per frontage | On premises | — | §272-61D(4)(b) |
| Construction Sign (MU-2, B, LI) | — | 12 sq ft | — | Not to obstruct right-of-way | 1 | On premises not to obstruct right-of-way | — | §272-61D(6) |

## Prohibited signs in Watervliet

- Signs with any mirror or mirrorlike surface, nor any day glowing or other fluorescent paint or pigment.
- Off-premises signs/billboards.
- Pole signs.
- Portable signs, except sandwich boards as permitted in subsection H(4)(f).
- Roof signs.
- Vehicular signs.
- Signs that detract from or obstruct public view of historic buildings or structures.
- Permanent or temporary signs erected or placed at or near the intersection of any street in such a manner as to cause a traffic hazard at the intersection or at any location where, by reason of the position, shape, color, or illumination of the sign, may interfere with, obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.
- Signs using the words 'stop,' 'look,' 'danger,' 'caution' or any other word, phrase, symbol or character which may tend to confuse, mislead or resemble any governmental or duly authorized sign.
- Mechanically rotating signs, with the exception of barber poles.
- Signs shall not use utility poles, trees, rocks or other natural features as a medium of communication or means of support.
- No sign shall be located in a public right-of-way except as otherwise permitted by the City of Watervliet.
- No sign shall flash or blink.
- Illuminated signs (including box signs, channel letter signs, backlit signs, exterior neon signs (excluding neon signs inside windows) and digital message signs) are only permitted in specified districts (not generally allowed in all zones).
- Lighting directed toward a sign shall be shielded so that it illuminates only the face of the sign and does not shine directly into a public right-of-way or residential properties.
- All signs must comply with Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and National Electric Code.
- All freestanding signs must be designed to withstand a wind pressure of not less than 20 pounds per square foot of surface area.
- All signs, including projecting signs, must be securely anchored and shall not swing or move in any manner.
- Signs, sign finishes, supports and electric work must be kept clean, neatly painted, and free from all hazards, such as, but not limited to, faulty wiring and loose supports, braces, guys and anchors.
- Abandoned signs (signs on vacant property for 90 days or more, or for events/purposes that no longer apply) must be removed upon notice.

## Signs exempt from permit in Watervliet

- Political posters, banners, and similar signs (with consent of property owner, for not more than 30 days and no later than 48 hours after election, sale, or event).
- Signs or other promotional devices relating to a special event, festival, or similar activity (with consent of property owner, for not more than 30 days and no later than 48 hours after event).
- Yard or garage sale signs meeting standards of Chapter 166.
- Signs permitted by the City of Watervliet in the public right-of-way, provided they are removed in the required time frame.
- Holiday decorations.
- Safety, directional, historical markers, or other types of signs erected and maintained by a public agency.
- Sales and rental signs (subject to area, lighting, location, and removal requirements depending on district).
- Signs denoting the name and address of the occupants of the premises, not exceeding two square feet.
- Temporary signs denoting the architect, engineer, or contractor on premises where construction, repair, or renovation is in progress, subject to area, number, setback, and removal requirements.
- Private-owner merchandise sale signs for garage sales and auction, no larger than two square feet, one per property, to be removed within 24 hours after sale.
- Window signs covering 20% of the glass area or less to which the sign is affixed or displayed.
- Gasoline station signs attached on gasoline pumps, displaying the price of fuel, not exceeding two square feet (total price/logo/other signage on pump not to exceed 3 square feet).
- Murals not exceeding 50% or 200 square feet (whichever is less) of the facade, containing no advertising.
- Building identification signs incorporated within the facade, not exceeding two feet in height or 5% of the facade, no illumination, only one per facade with street frontage.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No sign or other advertising device shall be erected, constructed, displayed, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged or altered except in conformity with this section and, where applicable, without first obtaining a permit from the Zoning Enforcement Officer.
- A permit shall be required for any change in the size, shape, lighting, materials or location of an existing sign except for exempt signs as described in the ordinance.
- Application for a permit must include: scaled plans of the sign(s), location on property, visual simulation or photo to scale, colors, materials, lettering, artwork, method of illumination, and the owner's written consent if applicant is not the owner.
- One permit application may include more than one sign, provided all signs are to be erected at the same time on one 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 6 zoning districts in Watervliet — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Watervliet+NY&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-watervliet

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