# Sign Regulations in Wheatland Town, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Wheatland Town, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/wheatland-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/10501743#10501743)

## At a glance

Wheatland Town, New York regulates 23 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 20 ft (unless major ID sign — see below). tall and 25 sq ft (up to 50% larger, i.e., 37.5 sq ft, if aggregating sign areas, per planning board approval)., with a 20 ft from right-of-way (can be less with Planning Board approval). setback (Sec. §130-48C(2)(a)-(g)). Most commercial signs in Wheatland Town require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 17 | Up to 40 ft | Up to 400 sq ft if identifying multi-tenant development | — |
| Residential areas | 3 | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — |
| Commercial zones, Industrial zones | 10 | 40 ft | 400 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | Up to 80% of tenant space/building frontage length. | — | Multiple allowed; bounded by area limitation. | Wall parallel or approximately parallel to the plane of the wall. Secondary frontage permitted at 25% of primary allocation. | — | §130-48C(1)(a)-(h); §130-47 |
| Wall Sign (Multiple Stories Option) | — | Varies; 20 sq ft for 2nd floor, 30 sq ft for 3rd, etc. | — | — | One per eligible wall per additional story. | On each of the building's primary and secondary frontages. | — | §130-48C(1)(h)[3] |
| Wall Sign - Directory | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | One per building (directory) | For 1st or upper floor tenants lacking outside frontage. | — | §130-48C(1)(h)[2] |
| Roof Sign | 6 ft above the roof surface or parapet | — | Up to 80% of the length of tenant space | — | Included in wall sign total | Roof or parapet | — | §130-48C(1)(a)-(d) |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft (unless major ID sign — see below). | 25 sq ft (up to 50% larger, i.e., 37.5 sq ft, if aggregating sign areas, per planning board approval). | — | 20 ft from right-of-way (can be less with Planning Board approval). | One per business establishment w/ frontage. | On applicant's property, min 20 ft setback from ROW (less setback possible w/ Planning Board approval), not in or over ROW. | — | §130-48C(2)(a)-(g) |
| Freestanding Sign (Major Identification) | Up to 40 ft | Up to 400 sq ft if identifying multi-tenant development | — | Not over/in ROW. Setback set per Planning Board. | One major identification sign per development; one per entrance w/ Planning Board approval. | At major entry; additional signs per entrance may be allowed. | — | §130-48C(2)(f) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 6 sq ft (unless larger approved by inspector) | — | 20 ft from property line. | Not stated. | On any premises (all zones). | — | §130-46C; §130-48I(1); §130-48C(4); §130-48J |
| Political and Noncommercial Signs | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 20 ft min from any property line | Not stated | On premises, min 20 ft from property line. | — | §130-48I(1)(a)-(i) |

### Residential areas

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On property for sale/lease or where products are raised. | — | §130-46B; §130-48K |
| Temporary Sign (Including Political/Noncommercial) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 20 ft from property line. | — | On property; minimum 20 ft from any property line. | — | §130-48I(1); §130-46C |
| Instructional, Security/Warning, Private Drive, and Handicapped Signs (Small) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | Private drive: 1 per driveway | On premises. | — | §130-48M; §130-48N; §130-48O |

### Commercial zones, Industrial zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | 80% of length of tenant space/building. | — | Multiple, subject to total area | Mounted parallel to walls. | — | §130-48C(1)(a)-(g) |
| Roof Sign | Max 6 ft above roof/parapet | — | 80% of length of tenant space/building. | — | Included in wall sign count | On roof or parapet. | — | §130-48C(1)(d) |
| Projecting Sign (Under-Canopy) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | Spacing applies, no max | Under canopy or projecting. | — | §130-48C(1)(h)[1] |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft | 25 sq ft (may aggregate to 37.5 sq ft upon Planning Board approval). | — | 20 ft from ROW (variance upon approval). | One per business with frontage | On premises with min 20 ft setback from ROW. | — | §130-48C(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Major ID) | 40 ft | 400 sq ft | — | — | One major per development; additional per entrance w/ approval | Per Planning Board; at major entrance. | — | §130-48C(2)(f) |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of window area | — | — | No limit | On or behind window/glass door. | — | §130-48G |
| EMC (Electronic Message Center) | — | Up to 50% of permitted sign area | — | — | One per street frontage per zoning lot | Within permitted sign(s) | — | §130-48E |
| Motor Vehicle Supply Station Signs | — | Wall & pole as above; Accessory: 25 sq ft; Canopy: 16 sq ft per face. | — | As for general freestanding. | See above; each type once | On building, pole, canopy as described. | — | §130-48D |

## Prohibited signs in Wheatland Town

- The use of pennants, banners, spinners, streamers, moving signs or flashing, glittering or reflective, animated or rotating signs or similar eye-catching devices is not permitted.
- Any sign or billboard directing attention to a business or to products sold elsewhere than on the same lot (off-premises signs) is prohibited.
- Abandoned signs are prohibited.
- Permanent animated, flashing, rotating signs and festoons, inflatable signs, tethered balloons, banners, pennants, searchlights, streamers, exposed light bulbs, strings of lights not permanently mounted to a rigid background, and similar features are prohibited except those specifically exempt or permitted under this code.
- Signs on vehicles placed primarily to attract attention or provide advertising, in addition to permitted signs, are prohibited.
- Signs containing words or symbols resembling highway traffic control or direction signals are prohibited.
- Merchandise, equipment, products, vehicles, or other items that are not available for purchase but intended to attract attention or for identification/advertising, unless approved as part of a site plan, are prohibited.
- Signs located on trees, utility poles, public benches, any other public property, or within any public right-of-way unless explicitly permitted by this code are prohibited.
- The use of A-frame or removable curb-side signs is prohibited except for real estate sales for available lots/houses or as permitted for special events, and with strict size limits; all nonconforming signs must be removed.
- No sign, except traffic signs placed by public agencies and existing lawfully permitted signs, may be erected, placed, or maintained within the highway limits of any public way within the Town.
- Posters and handbills affixed to structures, trees or other natural vegetation, rocks, or poles are prohibited.
- Portable A-frame or similar portable signs are prohibited except as allowed under temporary signs.
- Signs preventing free ingress or egress from doors, windows, fire escapes, or preventing free roof access, or attached to stand-pipes or fire escapes (unless safety signs), are prohibited.
- Other signs or attention-getting devices that raise concerns substantially similar to the above prohibitions are prohibited.
- No signs shall be erected, constructed or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape, required exit, window, or door opening used as a means of egress.
- Signs must not interfere with safe vehicular and pedestrian circulation or public safety signals/signs.
- Signs should not be located so as to obscure architectural features like pilasters, arches, windows, or cornices.

## Signs exempt from permit in Wheatland Town

- The owner or occupant of premises in any district may erect a sign for the sale or lease of his property or products legally raised thereon without a permit, provided the sign is not larger than six square feet.
- Nothing in this chapter applies to official traffic control signs or devices, or to signs required by government regulation.
- Temporary signs may be erected without a permit if they do not exceed six square feet; the Building Inspector/Zoning Enforcement Officer may permit larger temporary signs.
- Any public purpose, safety sign, and any other notice or warning required by federal, state, or local law, regulation, or resolution are exempt.
- Works of art that do not include a commercial message are exempt.
- Religious and other holiday lights and decorations containing no commercial message, displayed only during the appropriate time of year, are exempt.
- Flags of the United States, the state, foreign nations with diplomatic relations, and other flags adopted or sanctioned by an elected legislative body, flown in accordance with protocol, are exempt; any flag not meeting these conditions is considered a sign.
- Building markers are exempt.
- No permit is required to change the advertising copy or message on a painted or changeable-letter sign.
- No permit is required for signs reserving handicapped parking not exceeding two square feet.
- No permit is required for on-premises private drive signs, one per driveway entrance, not exceeding two square feet.
- No permit is required for on-premises signs regulating property use (e.g., 'no trespassing'), not exceeding two square feet in residential areas and five square feet in commercial/industrial zones (except for conventional 'no trespassing' signs as allowed by state law).
- Instructional or 'way-finding' signs are permitted in addition to all other signs if they serve instructional purpose, within reasonable number/size.
- Painting, repainting, cleaning, or repair maintenance of signs does not require a permit unless a structural change is made.
- Whenever any sign is removed for repair, relettering, or repainting only (with no alteration/remodeling/enlargement), such work does not require a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A comprehensive sign plan (CSP) may be required to be submitted to permit consideration of unique conditions, flexibility and creativity. CSPs are subject to Planning Board approval.
- The application of a CSP may permit additional signs and/or sign area based on demonstration of unique characteristics and appropriate landscaping; CSPs cannot impose more restrictive requirements than basic standards.
- Once a CSP is approved, subsequent applications for specific signs in compliance with the CSP may be approved administratively.
- Signs not included as part of a site plan or new construction are reviewed and approved by the Building Inspector/Zoning Enforcement Officer; the Planning Board may review/approve sign permits as part of site plan review or by referral.
- Application for a sign not permitted or appeal of denial may be presented to the Zoning Board of Appeals; a public hearing will be held and variances may be granted.
- No signs shall be erected, placed or maintained except as provided in this chapter and only after a permit has been obtained in compliance with this article.
- Site plan approval may be required as part of new construction or site development, in which case the Planning Board may review and approve sign permits.

## Full detail

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

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