# Sign Regulations in Williamson Town, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Williamson Town, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/williamson-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/12933184#12933184)

## At a glance

Williamson Town, New York regulates 12 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the MU-1 District zoning district are capped at 6 feet above grade tall and 100 square feet (part of aggregate per property), with a Minimum 5 feet from property line setback (Sec. §178-73B(4); §178-75C; §178-75M). Most commercial signs in Williamson Town require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-1 District | 7 | 6 feet above grade | 60 square feet (aggregate for all signs on property) | — |
| L-R District, R-1 District | 7 | 6 feet above grade | Not to exceed 50% of window area | — |
| MU-1 District | 9 | 6 feet above grade | 100 square feet (aggregate for all signs per property) | — |
| MU-2 District | 9 | 6 feet above grade | 80 square feet (aggregate per property) | — |
| C-1 District, C-2 District, I-1 District | 10 | 6 feet above grade | 200 square feet (per property, aggregate) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 4 feet above grade | 6 sq ft per face (L-R/R-1); 16 sq ft per face (all other districts); 32 sq ft per lot max | — |

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

### MU-1 District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 square feet (aggregate for all signs per property) | — | — | — | Shall not extend beyond wall or above second floor | — | §178-73B(4); §178-75B |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 feet above grade | 100 square feet (part of aggregate per property) | — | Minimum 5 feet from property line | — | 5 ft+ from property line | — | §178-73B(4); §178-75C; §178-75M |
| Projecting Sign | — | 8 square feet per face (max 2 faces) | — | — | One per facade facing a public right-of-way | Each facade facing public right-of-way; not permitted if facade has awning sign | — | §178-75E |
| Directory Sign | 6 feet above grade | 25 square feet per face (5 or fewer businesses); 3 square feet added per additional tenant, max 50 sq ft/face | — | — | One per multitenant building/plaza | One per multitenant building or plaza | — | §178-75F |
| Bulletin Board | — | 16 square feet per face | — | — | — | On premises of places of worship, libraries, museums, social clubs, societies | — | §178-75G |
| Subdivision Sign | — | 40 square feet total | — | — | One per entrance per street | At entrance to subdivision with >10 single-family or >20 multifamily units | — | §178-75H |
| Electronic Sign | — | 100 square feet (counts towards aggregate property maximum) | — | — | One per property | Not specified; drive-through signs in rear/side yards | — | §178-75I |
| Window Sign | — | Not to exceed 50% of window area | — | — | — | On window | — | §178-75J |

### MU-2 District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 80 square feet (aggregate per property) | — | — | — | Shall not extend beyond wall or above second floor | — | §178-73B(5); §178-75B |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 feet above grade | 80 square feet (per property) | — | 5 ft minimum | — | 5 ft+ from property line, not overhang | — | §178-73B(5); §178-75C; §178-75M |
| Projecting Sign | — | 8 square feet per face (max 2 faces) | — | — | One per facade facing a public right-of-way | Public right-of-way facades; not present with awning sign | — | §178-75E |
| Directory Sign | 6 feet above grade | 25 sf per face up to 5 tenants; add 3 sf per additional tenant, max 50 sf/face | — | — | One per multitenant building/plaza | One per multitenant building/plaza | — | §178-75F |
| Bulletin Board | — | 16 square feet per face | — | — | — | On certain institutional premises | — | §178-75G |
| Subdivision Sign | — | 40 square feet total | — | — | One per entrance per street | At entrance to project/subdivision | — | §178-75H |
| Electronic Sign | — | 80 square feet (part of aggregate) | — | — | One per property | Not specified | — | §178-75I |
| Window Sign | — | Not to exceed 50% of window area | — | — | — | On window | — | §178-75J |

### C-1 District, C-2 District, I-1 District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 200 square feet (per property, aggregate) | — | — | — | Shall not extend beyond wall or above second floor | — | §178-73B(6-8); §178-75B |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 feet above grade | 200 square feet (aggregate per property) | — | 5 feet or greater | — | At least 5 ft from property line, not over property line or ROW | — | §178-73B(6-8); §178-75C; §178-75M |
| Tower Sign | As limited by zone | 200 square feet (must not exceed area limits for zone) | — | 1.25x sign height from adjacent property or ROW | — | — | — | §178-75D |
| Projecting Sign | — | 8 square feet per face (max 2 faces) | — | — | One per facade facing a public right-of-way | Facade facing public right-of-way; not allowed if awning sign present | — | §178-75E |
| Directory Sign | 6 feet above grade | 25 sq ft per face (for up to 5 tenants); add 3 sq ft per additional tenant, max 50 sq ft/face | — | — | One per multitenant building/plaza | One per multitenant building/plaza | — | §178-75F |
| Bulletin Board | — | 16 square feet per face | — | — | — | On premises of places of worship, libraries, museums, social clubs, societies | — | §178-75G |
| Subdivision Sign | — | 40 square feet total | — | — | One per entrance per street | At entrance to subdivision/project | — | §178-75H |
| Electronic Sign | — | 200 square feet (counts towards property aggregate) | — | — | One per property | On property; drive-throughs in rear/side yard | — | §178-75I |

## Prohibited signs in Williamson Town

- No person shall erect, substantially modify, relocate or substantially reconstruct any sign without first obtaining a sign permit from the Building and Zoning Officer, except as otherwise provided.
- No sign permit shall be required for the repainting or repair of a sign in conformance with this chapter.
- All signs shall be sited so as not to interfere with a clear view of intersecting streets and shall be located at least 25 feet from any property line.
- No sign shall impair or cause confusion of vehicular or pedestrian traffic in its design, color or placement.
- Any signage not expressly permitted in this section is prohibited in the Town of Williamson.
- Digital or electronic signs which display constantly moving or flashing content are prohibited.
- Banners, ribbons, streamers, spinners, balloons, or other similar moving, fluttering, revolving, flashing, smoke-generating or visual signal generating or animated devices used for the purpose of advertising, illumination or attracting attention are prohibited.
- All signs, including wall-mounted and projecting signs, shall be securely anchored and shall not swing or move in any manner.
- Signs or any part of signs shall not extend over or into a public right-of-way or driveway, nor overhang a property line.
- Single-pole freestanding signs are not permitted.
- All signs shall be in accordance with the most-current version of the Building Code of New York State and shall follow all rules and regulations of such code.
- No sign shall project from an awning.
- Unpainted or unfinished treated and untreated lumber shall not be permitted for signage components.
- No person shall post any sign, banner, or advertisement of any kind within the park without prior approval of the Committee.

## Signs exempt from permit in Williamson Town

- Historical markers, tablets and statues, memorial signs and plaques; names of buildings and dates of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze, stainless steel or similar material; and emblems installed by governmental agencies, religious or nonprofit organizations may be erected and maintained without permits or fees.
- Flags and insignia of any government may be erected and maintained without permits or fees, except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.
- On-premises directional signs for the convenience of the general public, identifying public parking areas, fire zones, entrances and exits, and similar signs, do not require permits or fees.
- Nonilluminated warning, private drive, posted or no-trespassing signs, not exceeding two square feet per face, are exempt from permits and fees.
- On-premises sign, either freestanding or attached, in connection with any residential building in any district, for permitted professional offices or home occupations, stating the name and vocation only, do not require permits or fees.
- Number and nameplates identifying residences, mounted on the house, apartment or mailbox, not exceeding one square foot in area, are exempt from permits and fees.
- Lawn signs identifying residences, not exceeding one square foot per face, are exempt provided they are nonilluminated except by a light which is an integral part of a lamppost, with no advertising message thereon.
- Integral graphics or attached price signs on gasoline pumps at automotive service stations are exempt from permits and fees.
- Seasonal and holiday decorations, including lighting, are exempt from the provisions of this chapter and may be displayed in any district without a permit.
- Murals or similar designs, images, or expressions on the exterior of a building, for decoration or artistic expression and not advertising, are exempt.
- Temporary signs as described (e.g., for private-owner merchandise sales, roadside stands, real estate signs, directional signs for meetings, construction signs, political signs, and real estate development signs meeting time and size requirements) may be erected and maintained without permits or fees, provided they meet other regulations.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- When signs are required as part of the site plan review, the Planning Board shall consider the compatibility of the sign's general character in context to its location, colors, lettering, size, and overall design.
- Applications for a sign permit must include a plan indicating the location of the building, structure or land upon which the sign now exists or is to be erected, as well as elevation and plan drawings to scale if a new sign is to be erected.

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

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