Sign Regulations in Tonawanda, NY (2026)
4 verified sign regulations for Tonawanda, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Political Signs
In the Town of Tonawanda, political lawn signs need no zoning permit if each stays under three feet tall and six square feet, the lot's combined sign area stays under 16 square feet, and no sign is illuminated. Town Board zoning code caps display at 60 days per 180-day span and requires removal within 10 days after the election closes.
Political Signs in the Town of Tonawanda
Some RestrictionsTown of Tonawanda Code § 215-34.13.E(5)
The types of signs listed below are exempt from the requirement of a permit. ... Although permits are not required for these signs, they shall conform to all other requirements of this article or may be subject to removal by the Code Enforcement Officer. ... ... E. Lawn signs. Lawn signs shall be allowed on any lot without a permit provided the following conditions are met. (1) No single sign e...
Digital Billboards
Digital signs in the Town of Tonawanda must show static messages only, with no animation, scrolling, or video, and may occupy no more than 50% of a sign's face unless the sign is a billboard, which is exempt from that cap. The Town Board's zoning code also requires photosensitive brightness controls, a 0.3-footcandle limit over ambient light, and a 50-foot residential buffer.
Digital Sign Rules in Town of Tonawanda
Significant RestrictionsTown of Tonawanda Code § 215-34.19
The following requirements shall apply to any sign utilizing digital technology. ... The extent of sign face area utilizing digital sign technology, including any screens or other display area, shall not exceed 50%. Billboards are exempt from this provision. ... Digital signs shall display static messages with no animation, no effects simulating animation, and no video. ... Digital signs shall ...
Window Signs
In the Town of Tonawanda, window signs are capped at 20% of the window's area under the Town Board's zoning sign standards. The code treats window signs as a distinct sign type with their own dimensional table, and unlike freestanding signs, no separate cap on the number of window signs, sign height, or ground clearance is listed.
Window Sign Rules in Town of Tonawanda
Light RestrictionsTown of Tonawanda Code § 215-34.16 Note 3; § 215-34.18.J
Window and temporary signs shall not count towards the maximum number of signs for any given use. ... Window sign. A sign visible from a sidewalk, street, or other public place, painted or affixed on glass or other window material, or located inside within three feet of the window, but shall not include graphics in connection with customary display of products. (1) All window signs shall be in ...
Freeway-Facing Signs
Billboards in the Town of Tonawanda are confined to parcels adjoining the Elmer G.H. Youngmann Expressway or the Niagara Section of the NYS Thruway. Where allowed, the Town Board's zoning code caps each billboard at 672 square feet and 45 feet in height, sets a 50-foot residential buffer, and bars ads for alcohol, tobacco, or adult products.
Freeway-Facing Billboards in Town of Tonawanda
Significant RestrictionsTown of Tonawanda Code § 215-34.16 Note 2; § 215-34.18.B
Billboard signs are only allowed on parcels that adjoin the Elmer G.H. Youngmann Expressway or the Niagara Section of the NYS Thruway. ... Billboard sign. Any sign that attracts attention to an object, product, service, place, activity, institution, organization, or business not available or not located on the premises where the sign is located. ... All billboard signs shall be in conformance w...
Looking for Erie County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Tonawanda city rules.
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