# Sign Regulations in Glen Cove, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Glen Cove, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/glen-cove
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-21
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/11768316#11768316)

## At a glance

Glen Cove, New York regulates 9 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Ground or Freestanding Signs in the Commercial districts zoning district are capped at 15 ft tall and 24 sq ft, with a Sign must be set back at least 15 ft from the property line and building must be set back 30 ft from the front property line setback (Sec. §228-12A). Most commercial signs in Glen Cove require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercial districts | 4 | 15 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Professional offices and medical clinics | 2 | 15 ft | See wall sign area limits in §228-15 (general rule up to 50 sq ft or 100% of linear frontage, whichever is less) | — |
| Shopping centers | 2 | 15 ft | Up to 50 sq ft per occupancy or 100% of occupied frontage, whichever is less (total for all shared signs may not exceed structure's linear frontage) | — |
| Industrial district | 3 | — | 30 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Business Improvement District | 1 | Highest point no more than 12 ft; lowest point no less than 9 ft above sidewalk | 6 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 3 ft | 24 sq ft (freestanding, announcing occupancy); maximum permitted for permanent sign if building mounted | — |

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

### Commercial districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground or Freestanding Sign | 15 ft | 24 sq ft | — | Sign must be set back at least 15 ft from the property line and building must be set back 30 ft from the front property line | One per street frontage | Building/use served by the sign must be set back at least 30 ft from front property line; Sign must be set back at least 15 ft from property line. All ground signs shall be located within the property line. | — | §228-12A |
| Wall Sign | No higher than the parapet on one-story buildings or above sill of 2nd story window, and never more than 15 ft above outside grade | 50 sq ft | — | — | Amount of area allowed per frontage, see formula. Multiple occupants: each allowed signage equal to their frontage. | Attached to face of building, parallel to it. Cannot extend/project more than 12 inches over sidewalk/street/highway. | — | §228-15A-B, §228-2C(12) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 24 sq ft (freestanding); maximum permitted for permanent sign if attached to building | — | — | — | — | — | §228-17C |
| Interior Sign | — | No more than 15% of each window area | — | — | — | Affixed/painted/displayed on or within 3 ft of window | — | §228-13 |

### Professional offices and medical clinics

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 15 ft | 24 sq ft | — | Same as ground signs | One per street frontage | On site where professional office/medical clinic is permitted, see general ground sign restrictions | — | §228-12B |
| Wall Sign | — | See wall sign area limits in §228-15 (general rule up to 50 sq ft or 100% of linear frontage, whichever is less) | — | — | See formula based on linear frontage | Attached to face of the building | — | §228-15 |

### Industrial district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 30 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage with lot access | On building wall facing street with access to the lot | — | §228-15G-H |
| Identification Sign (at each access point) | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | One at each point of access | At each point of access to lot | — | §228-15H |
| Internal Directional Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Internal to lot | — | §228-15H |

## Prohibited signs in Glen Cove

- Projecting signs, except as outlined herein, and roof signs shall be prohibited.
- Flashing signs are prohibited, nor shall any signs contain intermittent or moving illumination, except for clocks and customary time and temperature devices.
- No sign or part thereof shall consist of pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners or other similar moving, fluttering or revolving devices, except for holiday seasons or grand openings as approved by the Building Department Administrator (BDA).
- A sign shall not be suspended from or attached to an awning.
- Signs noting that a property has been sold are prohibited.
- It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, alter, redesign, relocate, reconstruct or maintain any sign without first obtaining a permit from the BDA following approval by the Sign Review Committee.
- The erection, installation or maintenance of temporary signs is prohibited, except as specifically permitted.
- Signs shall not cover wholly or partially any wall opening, including doors, fire escapes and windows, nor project beyond the ends of the wall to which it is attached.
- Spray-painted signs or stenciled signs on metallic surfaces shall not be permitted.
- All signs shall be incidental, customary to and commonly associated with the principal use.
- All signs should be as small and discreet as possible.
- The number of signs should be limited to as few as practical.
- Lettering should be as small as possible but shall not exceed two feet in height.
- Garish colors, lights or materials should be avoided.
- No sign may be constructed in a manner conflicting with the City of Glen Cove Sign Ordinance.

## Signs exempt from permit in Glen Cove

- Bulletin boards or signs not over 16 square feet in area for public, charitable or religious institutions where the same are located on the premises of said institutions.
- A construction sign not exceeding 16 square feet in area, denoting the architect, engineer, and contractor when placed upon public property where work is under construction, subject to written approval of the Sign Review Committee regarding length of time.
- Directional signs, name or number plates and professional signs, not more than two square feet in area.
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into masonry or made of bronze or similar material, affixed directly to and parallel with the front face of the building and not exceeding four square feet in area.
- Signs solely devoted to prohibiting trespassing, hunting or fishing not exceeding four square feet.
- The flag or insignia of any nation or group of nations or of any governmental agency or of any political, educational, charitable, philanthropic, civic, professional, religious or like campaign, drive, movement or event.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- An overall sign plan for a shopping center is required prior to installation or replacement of any individual sign. The overall plan must satisfy all requirements and guidelines of the chapter, and individual signs shall be the same with regard to materials and color, but letter size and style may be varied.
- A permit from the BDA after review by the Sign Review Committee is required for nearly all sign installations, including hanging signs.
- If a nonconforming sign owner wishes to request an extension of the amortization period, an application with supporting documentation must be made to the Planning Board, which includes a public hearing and approval process.
- Permit applications must include sketches and supporting information indicating location, size, colors, type of lettering or other graphic representation and materials to be used, electrical or gas equipment, details of attachment and hanging, and owner/lessee consent.
- All sign permits require approval from the Sign Review Committee, which reviews applications using the criteria and guidelines from § 228-2 and the regulatory provisions of the chapter.

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

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