Union, NY Sign Regulations: Digital Billboards (2026)

Digital billboard standards are in § 300-52.6(C) of the Town of Union zoning chapter. Subsection C(6) limits an off-premises digital sign to 450 square feet, 35 feet in height above the elevation of the nearest highway shoulder, and a minimum setback of eight feet from any property line. Subsection C(8) requires the digital messaging to remain static for at least eight seconds before changing to the next message, with the change performed as quickly as possible, so no fade-out or fade-in, or otherwise in accordance with federal and state regulations. Subsection C(9) says the illumination and all other aspects of a digital sign must conform to all requirements of the NYSDOT and federal regulations, and C(7) sends the distance between digital signs to NYSDOT and federal rules.

Money and location come from the neighboring subsections. Under C(2) the yearly license fee for an off-premises digital sign is $500, payable by the owner to the Town of Union on a calendar basis, and failure to pay within 45 days of December 31 adds an administrative fee of 10% of the overdue payment. Under C(1) a new digital sign carries a one-time $12,500 fee and is confined to the General Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts within 500 feet of NYS Route 17/Interstate 86.

On-premises digital signs follow a separate and tighter rule in § 300-52.7(A)(5)(c). Digital messages are allowed only on monument style signs in the General Commercial Zoning District, the message can change no more than once per day, the sign cannot sit within 500 feet of a residentially zoned property, and any digital messaging reduces the allotted sign area on the site by 25%. Section 300-52.5 also prohibits animated signs and full motion or interactive signs.