# Sign Regulations in Hempstead Town, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Hempstead Town, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/hempstead-town
- **Data last verified:** 2026-05-08
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/14496711)

## At a glance

Hempstead Town, New York regulates 93 sign types across 16 zoning districts. Professional Sign - Detached (One Practitioner)s in the Residence Districts (A, AA, A1, A2, B, BB, C) zoning district are capped at Top of sign ≤ 6 ft above grade tall and 4 sq ft per face, with a Generally at least 10 ft from any property line for signs erected under §244(A), except where §245(A) lists different distances for certain subsections (this sign is not listed as an exception). setback (Sec. §244(A)(2)(a)[1]; §243 Professional Sign def.; §247(A)-(B); §246(C)). Most commercial signs in Hempstead Town require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (16 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | 32 sq ft per face | — |
| Residence Districts (A, AA, A1, A2, B, BB, C) | 17 | Clearance ≥ 10 ft over sidewalks; ≥ 18 ft over driveways; not above roofline/parapet | Default detached sign: 32 sq ft per face | — |
| Residence Districts (CA) | 5 | Top of each sign ≤ 7 ft above grade | 8 sq ft per face | — |
| Edu-Cultural Districts (E) | 12 | Detached: Bottom ≥ 7 ft; Top ≤ 15 ft | Detached sign default: 32 sq ft per face | — |
| Golden Age Residence Districts (GA) | 4 | Top of each sign ≤ 7 ft above grade | 32 sq ft per face | — |
| Mitchel Field Hotel District (MFH) | 13 | Detached: Bottom ≥ 7 ft; Top ≤ 15 ft | Detached sign default: 32 sq ft per face | — |
| Levittown Planned Residence District (LPRD) | 1 | — | Up to 24 sq in per occupant (for name/address plate) | — |
| Business Districts (X) | 15 | Top of sign ≤ 15 ft above grade (definition) | 64 sq ft per face (definition) | — |
| Light Manufacturing Districts (LM); Industrial Districts (Y) | 13 | Top ≤ 15 ft | 64 sq ft per face | — |
| Industrial Districts (Y) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Marine Residence Districts (MA) | 11 | Bottom ≥ 7 ft; Top ≤ 15 ft | Detached sign: up to 32 sq ft per face | — |
| Marine Commercial Districts (MB) | 12 | Top ≤ 15 ft | 64 sq ft per face | — |
| Marine Recreation Districts (MC); Marine Resort Districts (MD) | 12 | Top ≤ 15 ft (definition) | 64 sq ft per face (definition) | — |
| Gasoline Service Station Districts (GSS) | 4 | — | 24 sq in per occupant | — |
| Coastal Conservation District - Woodmere Club (CC-WC) (Single-Family Residential Subdistrict) | 8 | Projecting clearances as stated; detached bottom ≥ 7 ft; top ≤ 15 ft | 24 sq in per occupant | — |
| Hempstead Turnpike - Elmont District (HT-E) | 1 | As stated for each Business X sign type above | As stated for each Business X sign type above | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 16 zones)

### Residence Districts (A, AA, A1, A2, B, BB, C)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Professional Sign - Detached (One Practitioner) | Top of sign ≤ 6 ft above grade | 4 sq ft per face | — | Generally at least 10 ft from any property line for signs erected under §244(A), except where §245(A) lists different distances for certain subsections (this sign is not listed as an exception). | One per premises (one practitioner) | On the same lot as the residence. | — | §244(A)(2)(a)[1]; §243 Professional Sign def.; §247(A)-(B); §246(C) |
| Professional Sign - Detached (Multiple Practitioners) | Top of sign ≤ 6 ft above grade | Up to 10 sq ft per face (1 sq ft per practitioner) | — | Generally at least 10 ft from any property line for signs erected under §244(A), per §245(A)(2). | One per premises (serving multiple practitioners) | On the same lot as the residence housing the practitioners. | — | §244(A)(2)(a)[2]; §243 Professional Sign def.; §247(A)-(B); §246(C) |
| Religious Sign - Detached | Bottom ≥ 7 ft; Top ≤ 15 ft above grade | Default detached sign: 32 sq ft per face | — | Generally at least 10 ft from any property line for signs erected under §244(A), per §245(A)(2). | One detached sign per place of worship premises | On the same lot as the place of worship. | — | §244(A)(1)(b); Detached sign definition §243; §246(C) |
| Sale or Rent Sign - Projecting (Residential) | — | 2 sq ft | Projection ≤ 30 inches from wall; overall projection ≤ 42 inches by projecting-sign rules | Clearances and curbline offsets per projecting sign standards; otherwise governed by building face. | One per premises | Affixed to the building wall of the premises being sold/leased/rented. | — | §244(A)(2)(e); Projecting sign standards §243 (A–D); §246(C) |
| Information Sign - Museums/Libraries/Public or Parochial Schools/Governmental Safety or Legal Notices (Wall + Detached) | Detached sign: bottom ≥ 7 ft; top ≤ 15 ft | If detached: default detached sign = 32 sq ft/face; For amenity-direction wall sign: max 12 inches in maximum dimension | — | Detached signs under §244(A) generally ≥10 ft from property lines per §245(A)(2). | One wall and one detached per qualifying building (museum/library/school); plus small amenity-direction wall plates as listed | On the premises of the museum/library/school; or public areas for government safety/legal notices as applicable. | — | §244(A)(1)(f)[1]-[2]; Detached sign §243; §246(C) |
| Subdivision and Acreage Sign (Detached) | Bottom ≥ 7 ft; Top ≤ 15 ft | Default detached sign: 32 sq ft per face | — | At least 30 ft from any property line per §245(A)(5). | One per subdivision or parcel | On the subdivision or parcel advertised. | — | §244(A)(2)(b); Detached sign §243; §246(C) |
| Development Directional Sign (Off-Site) | Bottom ≥ 7 ft; Top ≤ 15 ft | Default detached sign: 32 sq ft per face | — | At least 20 ft from any property line per §245(A)(4). | One per subdivision (off-site) | Off site, on property with written consent of the owner. | — | §244(A)(2)(c); §245(A)(4); §246(C) |
| Construction or Occupancy Sign - Option 1 (Construction Team) | Detached sign: Bottom ≥ 7 ft; Top ≤ 15 ft | Swing/curb sign: 12 sq ft per face; Detached sign default: 32 sq ft per face; Wall sign: no explicit area stated | — | Detached sign under §244(A) generally ≥10 ft from any property line per §245(A)(2). | One temporary wall OR one temporary detached OR one temporary swing/curb sign (only one of these at a time) | On the premises under construction/repair/renovation. | — | §244(A)(2)(d)[1]; Swing/Curb sign def. §243; Temporary permits §246(A); Fees §247(A)(4)-(5) |

### Business Districts (X)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Detached Sign (Business Premises Identification/Advertising On-Premises) | Bottom ≥ 7 ft; Top ≤ 15 ft | Up to 32 sq ft per face (default) | — | At least 20 ft from any property line for detached signs (§245(A)(3)), unless average front setbacks on the block are <10 ft (then ≥10 ft). | One per premises | On the same lot as the business. | — | §244(F)(2)(a); Detached sign §243; §246(C) |
| Wall Sign (Business Tenant Space) | — | 2 sq ft × linear foot of tenant frontage | Sign length ≤ 90% of tenant frontage; projection ≤ 12 inches | Wall-mounted; must maintain clearances over sidewalks/parking if projecting over them (≥7 ft bottom per §246(O)). | One per tenant space | On the exterior wall abutting a public street or public/private parking field. | — | §244(F)(2)(b); Wall Sign definition §243; §246(C) |
| Directional Sign - On Private Service Roadways (8 sq ft) | — | 8 sq ft (per face) | — | Within property lines; 100-ft intersection spacing. | As needed subject to spacing | Along private service roadways within business sites. | — | §244(F)(2)(c)[1] |
| Directional Sign - Entrance/Exit Pairs (2 sq ft per sign) | Top of each sign ≤ 7 ft above grade | 2 sq ft per face (each sign) | — | No extension beyond property line. | One pair per curb cut | At curb cuts, wall-mounted or detached. | — | §244(F)(2)(c)[2] |
| Multifaced or Double-Faced Detached Sign (On-Premises Parking Areas Only) | Bottom between 7 ft and 8 ft above grade | 32 sq ft total face area per permitted sign | — | Install and protect so as not to impede traffic; maintain general property line setbacks (≥20 ft if near property lines per §245(A)(3)). | One per 100 parking spaces (fractional counts not specified; round per Town practice) | Equally distributed within the on-premises parking area; not at property edge. | — | §244(F)(2)(d) |
| Mobile Sign | Top of sign ≤ 15 ft above grade (definition) | 64 sq ft per face (definition) | — | Locate to avoid visibility hazards and to comply with general corner-lot visibility (§245(B)). | One mobile sign per premises at a time | On the same lot as the business. | — | §244(F)(2)(h)[1]-[6]; Mobile sign definition §243 |
| Marquee Sign | Bottom ≥ 10 ft above curb; cannot exceed marquee side height | — | May extend to within 2 ft of curbline; cannot exceed marquee side length | Encroachment allowed only as specified and approved; maintain 10-ft clearance above curb. | As permitted per premises | On marquee projecting over sidewalk/right-of-way with approval. | — | §244(F)(2)(i)[1]-[2] |
| Facade Sign | — | ≤ 1/3 of the facade area | Sign length ≤ 90% of tenant wall width; projection ≤ 12 inches | Wall-mounted; maintain 7-ft minimum clearance if any portion extends over sidewalk/parking/mall (§244(F)(3), §246(O)). | One per exterior building face | On exterior facades of the building. | — | §244(F)(2)(k); Facade Sign definition §243 |

### Light Manufacturing Districts (LM); Industrial Districts (Y)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Detached Sign (On-Premises) | Bottom ≥ 7 ft; Top ≤ 15 ft | Up to 32 sq ft per face | — | At least 20 ft from any property line (§245(A)(3)), unless the block-average front setback is <10 ft (then ≥10 ft). | One per premises | On the same lot as the LM/Y use. | — | §244(F)(2)(a); Detached sign §243; §246(C) |
| Wall Sign | — | 2 sq ft × linear foot of tenant frontage | Sign length ≤ 90% of tenant frontage; projection ≤ 12 inches | Maintain ≥7 ft clearance if any part projects over sidewalks/parking (per §244(F)(3) and §246(O)). | One per tenant space | On exterior wall abutting a public street or public/private parking field. | — | §244(F)(2)(b); §243 (Wall Sign) |
| Directional Sign - On Private Service Roadways (8 sq ft) | — | 8 sq ft (per face) | — | Within property lines; 100-ft intersection spacing. | As needed subject to spacing | Along private service roadways within LM/Y sites. | — | §244(F)(2)(c)[1] |
| Directional Sign - Entrance/Exit Pairs (2 sq ft per sign) | Top ≤ 7 ft above grade | 2 sq ft per face (each) | — | Must be within property boundary. | One pair per curb cut | At curb cuts, wall-mounted or detached. | — | §244(F)(2)(c)[2] |
| Mobile Sign (LM/Y) | Top ≤ 15 ft | 64 sq ft per face | — | Place to avoid hazards/visibility obstructions; corner-lot visibility (§245(B)). | One per premises at a time | On the same lot as the LM/Y use. | — | §244(F)(2)(h)[1]-[6] |
| Marquee Sign (LM/Y) | Bottom ≥ 10 ft above curb; within marquee side height | — | Within 2 ft of curbline; not beyond marquee side length | As approved; maintain 10-ft clearance above curb. | As permitted per premises | On a marquee over sidewalk/right-of-way (with approval). | — | §244(F)(2)(i)[1]-[2] |
| Facade Sign (LM/Y) | — | ≤ 1/3 facade area | Length ≤ 90% of tenant wall width; projection ≤ 12 inches | Maintain ≥7 ft clearance if extending over sidewalks/parking (§244(F)(3); §246(O)). | One per exterior face | On exterior building faces. | — | §244(F)(2)(k); §243 (Facade/Façade Sign) |
| Arcade/Covered Mall Blade Sign (Small) | — | 6 in × 18 in (no-permit size) | As above | — | One per establishment | Within arcades/covered malls. | — | §244(F)(4) |

## Prohibited signs in Hempstead Town

- Signs may not be attached to fences, trees, utility poles or similar supporting devices, or to vacant or unoccupied structures; signs may not be located so as to obstruct pedestrian or vehicular visibility or create a public hazard or disturbance (applies townwide).
- Signs that directly emit, radiate or reflect any beam, ray or glare away from the lot, or that are in motion, animated, or have flashing or intermittent illumination or changing degrees of intensity, are prohibited in any district.
- Signs shall not be painted on the exterior wall surface of any building or structure; existing painted wall signs must be removed/obliterated by the stated compliance dates.
- Surfboard signs (flag-on-pole type defined by the ordinance) are prohibited in all use districts.
- No sign shall cover any door, window or required opening, or hinder or prevent free and accessible ingress or egress to or from any door, fire escape or stairway.
- Nothing shall be attached to or suspended from any sign erected pursuant to the article.
- No portion of a sign may project out, over or into a sidewalk, parking area or mall unless the lowest portion of such encroachment is at least seven feet above grade.
- No signs may be erected or maintained on corner lots at intersecting streets if they interfere with traffic visibility across the corner.
- Erection or maintenance of signs other than those permitted in the designated use districts is prohibited unless a variance has been granted by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
- No sign is permitted except as provided in the sign article or as authorized by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
- No permit will be issued for any sign using untreated or unpainted wood structural members (wood must be painted or treated to resist decay).

## Signs exempt from permit in Hempstead Town

- Political signs tied to an election are permitted without a permit in all use districts, subject to limits: installed no more than 90 days before the election, removed within 10 days after, and maximum face area of 32 square feet.
- Any authorized sign may contain noncommercial copy in lieu of any other copy (content-neutral substitution allowed).
- If a sign permit is currently in effect, no new/additional permit is required to: replace or alter changeable copy on a marquee; change copy on a painted or printed sign; paint, clean, maintain, or make minor nonstructural repairs or part replacements; or remove and replace window signs with different copy provided prior conditions are met.
- Permit fees may be waived for signs used for religious, charitable, eleemosynary or educational purposes when owned and located on the institution’s premises, or for signs used by federal, state or municipal governments (fee waiver only; all other requirements still apply).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Any sign not permitted by the sign article requires approval/variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals before the Commissioner of Buildings may issue a permit; the BZA considers district character, other nearby signs, necessity to the primary use, potential interference with light/air or aesthetic/property values or public welfare, and Town Law §263 purposes.
- HT-E (Hempstead Turnpike - Elmont District): Design Review Board approval is required prior to issuance of a sign permit or building permit for properties in the HT-E District; the DRB applies the HT-E Design Guidelines, issues a written determination within 30 days of a complete application, and decisions are appealable to the Board of Appeals.
- Edu-Cultural (E) District: Institutional identification signs must appear on and be approved as part of the site plan approved under §120; certain informational detached signs placed in public areas must also appear on the approved site plan.
- Marquee signs that extend beyond the street line require approval of the Town Highway Division (in addition to any sign permit).
- B-MX (Baldwin Mixed-Use Overlay): Projects are subject to design guidelines reviewed by a Design Review Board; the text indicates DRB review using the B-MX Design Guidelines and Checklist, though it does not expressly condition issuance of a sign permit on DRB approval.

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

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