# Sign Regulations in Watkins Glen, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Watkins Glen, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/watkins-glen
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-07
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.watkinsglen.us/pdf/document_library/zoning-law-local-law-1-of-2023.pdf#page=119)

## At a glance

Watkins Glen, New York regulates 15 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the N zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall and 16 sf, with a No closer than 3 ft from inner edge of public sidewalk or 10 ft from inner edge of public roadway, whichever greater. setback (Sec. §35.17(C) table and items 2–6; §35.16(A) table; §35.10). Most commercial signs in Watkins Glen require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| LDR, MDR | 4 | 3 ft | 6 sf | — |
| N | 9 | 4 ft | 25% of window area | — |
| VC, C, L | 11 | 12 ft | 30 sf | — |
| I | 10 | 11 ft | 30 sf | — |
| OS | 6 | 6 ft | 25% of window area | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 10 ft | 32 sf | — |

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

### N

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-Frame | 4 ft | 8 sf | — | — | 1 per use | May be placed within Village public right-of-way if it does not impede pedestrian traffic and does not block snow storage areas in winter. | — | §35.17(A) table and items 2–3; §35.16(A) table |
| Awning Sign | 2 ft | 4 sf | — | — | 1 per awning | On awning attached to building; first-floor only. | — | §35.17(B) table and items 2–5; §35.16(A) table |
| Ground Sign | 4 ft | 16 sf | — | No closer than 3 ft from inner edge of public sidewalk or 10 ft from inner edge of public roadway, whichever greater. | 1 per lot | On-site only; landscaped area required at base fully surrounding sign without obscuring visibility. | — | §35.17(C) table and items 2–6; §35.16(A) table; §35.10 |
| Projecting Sign | 3 ft | 4 sf | — | — | 1 per use | Wholly dependent upon building for support. | — | §35.17(F) table and Notes; §35.16(A) table |
| Suspended Sign | 2 ft | 6 sf | — | — | 1 per use | Under eave/soffit or other horizontal plane of building. | — | §35.17(G) table and Note; §35.16(A) table |
| Temporary Sign | 3 ft | 12 sf | — | — | 1 per use | Shall not project above the first floor nor beyond property lines. | — | §35.17(H) table and items 2–5; §35.16(A) table and Note |
| Wall Sign | 3 ft | 8 sf | — | — | 1 per structure | On building wall; shall not obscure architectural features. | — | §35.17(I) table and Notes; §35.16(A) table; §35.9(B) |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of window area | — | — | N/A | On/inside window, visible from public place. | — | §35.17(J) table and Notes; §35.16(A) table and Note; §35.13(H) |

### VC, C, L

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-Frame | 4 ft | 8 sf | — | — | 1 per use | May be placed within Village public right-of-way if it does not impede pedestrian traffic and does not block snow storage areas in winter. | — | §35.17(A) table and items 2–3; §35.16(A) table |
| Awning Sign | 3 ft | 6 sf | — | — | 1 per awning | On awning attached to building; first-floor only. | — | §35.17(B) table and items 2–5; §35.16(A) table |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft | 30 sf | — | No closer than 3 ft from inner edge of public sidewalk or 10 ft from inner edge of public roadway, whichever greater. | 1 per lot | On-site only; landscaped area required at base fully surrounding sign without obscuring visibility. | — | §35.17(C) table and items 2–6; §35.16(A) table; §35.10 |
| Pole Sign | 12 ft | 30 sf | — | No closer than 3 ft from inner edge of public sidewalk or 10 ft from inner edge of public roadway, whichever greater. | 1 per use | Freestanding on posts/columns. | — | §35.17(E) table and Note; §35.16(A) table; §35.10 |
| Projecting Sign | 6 ft | 12 sf | — | — | 1 per use | Wholly dependent upon building for support. | — | §35.17(F) table and Notes; §35.16(A) table |
| Suspended Sign | 2 ft | 6 sf | — | — | 1 per use | Under eave/soffit or other horizontal plane of building. | — | §35.17(G) table and Note; §35.16(A) table |
| Temporary Sign | 6 ft | 24 sf | — | — | 1 per use | Shall not project above the first floor nor beyond property lines. | — | §35.17(H) table and items 2–5; §35.16(A) table and Note |
| Wall Sign | 4 ft | 10% of façade OR 100 sf (whichever is less) | — | — | 1 per façade | On building wall; shall not obscure architectural features; sign board area is preferred location. | — | §35.17(I) table and Notes; §35.16(A) table; §35.15; §35.9(B) |

### I

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-Frame | 4 ft | 8 sf | — | — | 1 per use | May be placed within Village public right-of-way if it does not impede pedestrian traffic and does not block snow storage areas in winter. | — | §35.17(A) table and items 2–3; §35.16(A) table |
| Awning Sign | 3 ft | 6 sf | — | — | 1 per awning | On awning attached to building; first-floor only. | — | §35.17(B) table and items 2–5; §35.16(A) table |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft | 30 sf | — | No closer than 3 ft from inner edge of public sidewalk or 10 ft from inner edge of public roadway, whichever greater. | 1 per lot | On-site only; landscaped area required at base fully surrounding sign without obscuring visibility. | — | §35.17(C) table and items 2–6; §35.16(A) table; §35.10 |
| Pole Sign | 11 ft | 30 sf | — | No closer than 3 ft from inner edge of public sidewalk or 10 ft from inner edge of public roadway, whichever greater. | 1 per use | Freestanding on posts/columns. | — | §35.17(E) table and Note; §35.16(A) table; §35.10 |
| Projecting Sign | 3 ft | 8 sf | — | — | 1 per use | Wholly dependent upon building for support. | — | §35.17(F) table and Notes; §35.16(A) table |
| Suspended Sign | 3 ft | 8 sf | — | — | 1 per use | Under eave/soffit or other horizontal plane of building. | — | §35.17(G) table and Note; §35.16(A) table |
| Temporary Sign | 6 ft | 24 sf | — | — | 1 per use | Shall not project above the first floor nor beyond property lines. | — | §35.17(H) table and items 2–5; §35.16(A) table and Note |
| Wall Sign | 4 ft | 10% of façade OR 100 sf (whichever is less) | — | — | 1 per façade | On building wall; shall not obscure architectural features; sign board area is preferred location. | — | §35.17(I) table and Notes; §35.16(A) table; §35.15; §35.9(B) |

## Prohibited signs in Watkins Glen

- Signs may not obstruct free egress from any window, door, or fire escape, or create a menace to life, health, or property (§35.6(A)).
- Signs may not be placed at or near intersections so as to obstruct clear vision for pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorists (§35.6(B)).
- Signs may not be of a shape or color that could be confused with an authorized traffic control device (§35.6(C); §35.14(B)(2)).
- No rotating beam, beacon, or flashing illumination resembling an emergency light is allowed (§35.6(D)).
- Illuminated signs/lighting may not direct beams or cause glare/reflection onto public streets, sidewalks, or adjacent premises that could create a hazard or nuisance (§35.8(A)).
- Lighting spillover above 2 foot-candles on adjacent nonresidential properties or above 0.1 foot-candle on adjacent residential properties is prohibited (§35.8(B)).
- Flashing, blinking, oscillating, rotating, or intermittent illumination is prohibited (§35.8(C); §35.14(B)(3)).
- Overhead or exposed wires on a sign or its supporting members are prohibited (§35.8(D)).
- Single bar fluorescent tube fixtures are prohibited (§35.8(E)).
- Off-premise signs are prohibited; all signs must be located on the site of the use being promoted or identified (§35.9(C); §35.14(B)(6)).
- No sign may be posted on public property or within a public right-of-way without express Village approval (§35.9(A); §35.14(B)(8)).
- Signs may not obscure, alter, or cover the architectural features of any building (§35.9(B)).
- No freestanding sign (or any portion exceeding 3 feet in height) may be located within the clear sight triangle at street intersections, except for a supporting pole or brace up to 18 inches in width/diameter (§35.10).
- Signs constructed of untreated, unfinished, or unpainted wood, sandblasted metal, or other unfinished materials are prohibited; wood components must be sealed and protected (§35.7(C)).
- Prohibited sign types include: roof signs; signs mounted on wheels; banners, posters, pennants, streamers, spinners, or balloons (except as allowed for temporary signs in §35.17(H)); signs that emit audible sound, odor, or visible matter; signs employing vertical louvered blinds or mechanically changing/movable materials; digital/electronic signs displaying animated content; and signs with obscene or pornographic content (§35.14(A)).
- The following characteristics are prohibited: signs erected without a required permit or after permit revocation; signs that could be confused with or hide traffic control devices; signs using unshielded lighting devices, mirrors, or reflectors to outline/provide background; signs that are not properly maintained, structurally unsound, hazardous, or unsafe; signs prohibited in residential districts when located in adjacent nonresidential districts within 10 feet of the residential district property line; obsolete or abandoned signs (§35.14(B)(1)–(7)).
- Day-glo or fluorescent colors are prohibited (§35.15(D)(4)).

## Signs exempt from permit in Watkins Glen

- The Article does not apply to safety signs, road signs, historical markers, highway directional signs, or signs erected by governmental agencies (§35.1(B)(2)).
- Customary decoration of premises during religious, patriotic, or holiday seasons is not prohibited by this Article (§35.1(B)(3)).
- Permit exceptions: repainting, repairing, changing parts, or ordinary maintenance of signs; and changing the message of a sign do not require a sign permit, provided size/design/nature are not altered (§35.2(B)).
- Items not considered a 'sign' for this law: flags of nations/states/cities/organizations; merchandise, pictures, or models of products/services in customary window displays; official notices issued by courts or public officers; traffic control signs; works of art (including murals) with no commercial message/logo/graphic/trademark (§35.18, SIGN definition items 1–5).
- Signs authorized without a permit, subject to stated limits and all other regulations (§35.13): Non-illuminated directional signs located entirely on the subject property and within size limits (with cumulative area caps by residential vs. nonresidential districts), not above the first floor and not beyond property lines (§35.13(A)); Signs attached to gasoline pumps or vehicle charging stations up to 6 sq ft (§35.13(B)); Governmental signs (§35.13(C)); House numbers and residential nameplates up to 4 sq ft per dwelling unit (§35.13(D)); Incidental signs (non-illuminated, max 3 ft height and 4 sq ft area; cumulative area max 12 sq ft) (§35.13(E)); Internal signs not legible from the public right-of-way or beyond property lines (§35.13(F)); Lawn signs (max 3 ft height and 6 sq ft area; cumulative area max 12 sq ft; displayed no more than 60 days in a 120-day period; not illuminated) (§35.13(G)); One noncommercial sign per use (max 3 ft height and 6 sq ft area; not illuminated; not above the first floor) (§35.13(I)).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for all signs unless specifically exempt in §35.2(B) or §35.13 (§35.2(A)).
- Administrative review by the Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) applies to changes to existing signs and to new signs not associated with a development application; the CEO may approve, modify, deny, or refer applications to the Planning Board (§35.4(A)(1)–(2); §35.4(B)).
- Signs associated with development applications that require Planning Board approval are reviewed as part of site plan review and/or special use permit review; complete materials must be submitted at least 10 business days before the Planning Board meeting (§35.4(A)(3); §35.3(A)(3)).
- Planning Board may approve, approve with modifications, or deny sign applications it reviews; the CEO issues permits following Planning Board approval (§35.4(C)).
- Marquee sign requirements are determined through site plan review (§35.17(D)).
- Neon tubes on ground signs may be permitted only with Planning Board review and approval (§35.17(C)(6)).
- No master sign plan requirement or variance hearing requirement is specified in the provided text.

## 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 Watkins Glen — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Watkins+Glen+NY&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-watkins-glen

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