Hamburg Village, NY Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Downtown Design Guide (2026)

Article 30 of the Village of Hamburg zoning chapter exists to maintain the historic and architectural character of the traditional village core. Under § 250-30.2(A), the standards apply to all uses, except single- and two-family dwellings, within the VCC District, and to existing and new structures alike, including upgrades, reconstructions, modifications, additions, expansions and changes of exterior appearance. They work with the Village of Hamburg Building Design Standards, and where the two conflict, the chapter takes precedence under § 250-30.2(C).

Review is layered. Under § 250-30.3(A), all exterior changes to a nonresidential, mixed-use or multifamily structure in the VCC District need site plan review, and the application must include photographs of the site and building, photographs of adjacent properties, architectural drawings showing materials, colors, height and lighting, and material specification sheets. Architectural Review Committee review is also required under § 250-30.3(B). Locally designated landmarks and historic district structures also fall under Chapter 44 and its certificate of appropriateness.

The design rules are specific. Under § 250-30.4(C), new development follows a similar height and form to historic structures on its block, building frontages extend to both side property lines to the extent practicable, and no facade has a blank, uninterrupted length exceeding 40 feet. Corner buildings wrap the corner, and buildings designed to advertise a uniform corporate image are prohibited. Under § 250-30.7, facades use durable materials such as brick, stone masonry or fiber cement, no more than three exterior materials are used on one facade, and EIFS, vinyl siding, plastic panels, sheet metal, mirrored glass, plywood panels, concrete block and smooth concrete are prohibited.