# Sign Regulations in Kingston, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Kingston, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/kingston
- **Data last verified:** 2026-05-06
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://codehub.gridics.com/us/ny/kingston-adopted#/75a7055a-e73b-4909-8fae-bcc61668f344/84878930-cc34-443e-89af-ceffedb05205)

## At a glance

Kingston, New York regulates 16 sign types across 14 zoning districts. Projecting Signs in the T5MS zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall, 12 sf, and 5 ft wide (Sec. Sec 405.17 E 5 b). Most commercial signs in Kingston require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (14 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| T5MS | 13 | 8 ft | 60 sf | — |
| T5F | 13 | 8 ft | 60 sf | — |
| T5N | 11 | 6 ft | 60 sf | — |
| T4MS | 12 | 6 ft | 60 sf | — |
| T4N-O | 12 | 6 ft | 60 sf | — |
| T4N | 9 | 6 ft | 25% of window area | — |
| T3N-O, T3N | 8 | 6 ft | 25% of window area | — |
| T3L | 3 | — | 24 sf | — |
| T2C | 3 | — | 24 sf | — |
| T1N | 3 | — | 24 sf | — |
| SD-W/WMU | 7 | 6 ft | 60 sf | — |
| SD-C | 9 | 20 ft above grade | 60 sf | — |
| SD-F | 7 | 20 ft above grade | 60 sf | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | 24 sf | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 14 zones)

### T5MS

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 60 sf | — | — | 1 per shopfront | Attached flat to, mounted parallel to, or painted on building facade; above storefront or at least 12 inches from eave, edge of building, or top of parapet; street-facing building frontage | — | Sec 405.17 E 5 a |
| Wall Mural Sign | — | 60 sf | — | — | 1 per shopfront | On building facade | — | Sec 405.17 Table 405.17; E 5 a |
| Projecting Sign | 6 ft | 12 sf | 5 ft | — | 1 per shopfront | Projects outward from facade at 90 degrees; street-facing building front; corner counts for both elevations; below second story windowsill for multiples | — | Sec 405.17 E 5 b |
| Marquee Sign | 8 ft | — | 100% of building entrance plus 5 ft on either side | — | 1 per building | Attached to top or face of permanent roof-like structure over ground floor main entrance | — | Sec 405.17 E 5 c |
| Hanging Sign | 3 ft | 10 sf | 4 ft | — | 1 per shopfront | Attached to underside of soffit or awning, or projects at 90 degrees near building entrance | — | Sec 405.17 E 5 d |
| Canopy Sign | 2 ft | — | 75% of canopy width | — | 1 per shopfront | Attached above, below, or to face of canopy | — | Sec 405.17 E 5 f |
| Sidewalk Sign | 4 ft | 8 sf per face | — | — | 1 per shopfront | On public sidewalk adjacent to business; maintain 5 ft clear path; not within 3 ft of property line | — | Sec 405.17 E 5 h |
| Sale or Rental Sign | — | 4 sf | — | 15 ft if freestanding | 1 | On front wall or freestanding 15 ft from street/property line | — | Sec 405.17 D 8 |

### T5F

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 60 sf | — | — | 1 per shopfront | Attached flat to, mounted parallel to, or painted on building facade; above storefront or at least 12 inches from eave, edge of building, or top of parapet; street-facing building frontage | — | Sec 405.17 E 5 a |
| Wall Mural Sign | — | 60 sf | — | — | 1 per shopfront | On building facade | — | Sec 405.17 Table 405.17; E 5 a |
| Projecting Sign | 6 ft | 12 sf | 5 ft | — | 1 per shopfront | Projects outward from facade at 90 degrees; street-facing building front; corner counts for both elevations; below second story windowsill for multiples | — | Sec 405.17 E 5 b |
| Marquee Sign | 8 ft | — | 100% of building entrance plus 5 ft on either side | — | 1 per building | Attached to top or face of permanent roof-like structure over ground floor main entrance | — | Sec 405.17 E 5 c |
| Hanging Sign | 3 ft | 10 sf | 4 ft | — | 1 per shopfront | Attached to underside of soffit or awning, or projects at 90 degrees near building entrance | — | Sec 405.17 E 5 d |
| Canopy Sign | 2 ft | — | 75% of canopy width | — | 1 per shopfront | Attached above, below, or to face of canopy | — | Sec 405.17 E 5 f |
| Sidewalk Sign | 4 ft | 8 sf per face | — | — | 1 per shopfront | On public sidewalk adjacent to business; maintain 5 ft clear path; not within 3 ft of property line | — | Sec 405.17 E 5 h |
| Sale or Rental Sign | — | 4 sf | — | 15 ft if freestanding | 1 | On front wall or freestanding 15 ft from street/property line | — | Sec 405.17 D 8 |

### T4MS

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 60 sf | — | — | 1 per shopfront | Attached flat to, mounted parallel to, or painted on building facade; above storefront or at least 12 inches from eave, edge of building, or top of parapet; street-facing building frontage | — | Sec 405.17 E 5 a |
| Wall Mural Sign | — | 60 sf | — | — | 1 per shopfront | On building facade | — | Sec 405.17 Table 405.17; E 5 a |
| Projecting Sign | 6 ft | 12 sf | 5 ft | — | 1 per shopfront | Projects outward from facade at 90 degrees; street-facing building front; corner counts for both elevations; below second story windowsill for multiples | — | Sec 405.17 E 5 b |
| Hanging Sign | 3 ft | 10 sf | 4 ft | — | 1 per shopfront | Attached to underside of soffit or awning, or projects at 90 degrees near building entrance | — | Sec 405.17 E 5 d |
| Awning Sign | — | — | 75% of awning valence | — | 1 per shopfront | Integrated on awning material | — | Sec 405.17 E 5 e |
| Canopy Sign | 2 ft | — | 75% of canopy width | — | 1 per shopfront | Attached above, below, or to face of canopy | — | Sec 405.17 E 5 f |
| Sidewalk Sign | 4 ft | 8 sf per face | — | — | 1 per shopfront | On public sidewalk adjacent to business; maintain 5 ft clear path; not within 3 ft of property line | — | Sec 405.17 E 5 h |
| Sale or Rental Sign | — | 4 sf | — | 15 ft if freestanding | 1 | On front wall or freestanding 15 ft from street/property line | — | Sec 405.17 D 8 |

## Prohibited signs in Kingston

- Non-accessory signs and billboards shall be prohibited in all districts except as provided in Subsection J and L of this Section.
- Except for clocks and customary time and temperature devices, no sign shall contain intermittent, moving or flashing illumination.
- Signs with visible moving, flashing, revolving or rotating parts are prohibited.
- Electronic message / LED display signs are prohibited in historic districts.
- No sign shall be erected in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision for drivers; interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic; or be located where, by reason of its position, shape or color such sign may interfere with, obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device by making use of the words “STOP,” “LOOK,” “DANGER” or any other word, phrase, symbol or character or red, green or amber illumination or reflection.
- The erection, installation or maintenance of temporary signs, as defined herein, is hereby prohibited, except for the following [specific exceptions listed].

## Signs exempt from permit in Kingston

- Memorial plaques, cornerstones, historical tablets and the like.
- Signs not visible from outside the lot upon which they are situated.
- Nameplates which do not in total exceed three square feet on one property.
- Identification signs posted in conjunction with door bells or mailboxes, not exceeding a total of 30 square inches in surface area.
- Not more than one address sign, with a surface area of two square feet or less, per street frontage, which indicates the numerical address (in numbers or script) of the premises on which it is situated and the name of the occupant.
- One sign advertising the sale, lease or rental of the premises upon which it is located, which shall not exceed four square feet and, if freestanding, shall not be located nearer than 15 feet to a street or property line.
- Cautionary, directional, regulatory, warning or informational signs of a noncommercial nature, which are in the public interest, such as, but not limited to, “danger,” “no trespassing,” “exit,” “entrance,” “parking,” “one way,” “no entrance,” etc. Such signs shall not exceed two square feet each.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Where establishments share a parcel or zoning lot, a master sign plan should be prepared which addresses visual unity, shape, color, materials, type of lettering and signage.
- Signage that does not fit the specific regulations of this Section may be approved as a minor waiver, based on its merits as it relates to the unique architectural qualities of a building, a building’s historical significance, a building’s civic or institutional use, civic prominence, or unique configuration of existing conditions of a building, and the quality of design, construction, and durability of the sign.
- A second roof sign may be permitted subject to review and approval by the Planning Board.
- Signs with an area between 50 and 100 square feet may be permitted upon review and approval by the Planning Board.
- Electronic signs may be permitted in T5MS, T5F, T4MS, T4N-O, and SD-WMU with the following limits [specific conditions].
- The following additional design guidelines shall be used by the Planning Administrator or Planning Board (for Major site plans) and Landmark Preservation Commission in those cases where their review and approval of proposed signs is required.

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

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