# Sign Regulations in New Windsor Town, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** New Windsor Town, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/new-windsor-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/6190340#6190340)

## At a glance

New Windsor Town, New York regulates 22 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Nonresidential zoning districts (AP, NC, HC, LC, OLI, PI) zoning district are capped at 15 feet above ground level (measured from top of sign to average ground level at sign base) tall and 64 square feet, total all faces (Sec. § 300-45A(1)). Most commercial signs in New Windsor Town require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nonresidential zoning districts (AP, NC, HC, LC, OLI, PI) | 6 | 15 feet above ground level (measured from top of sign to average ground level at sign base) | 64 square feet, total all faces | — |
| Residential zoning districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, CL-1) | 6 | 15 feet | Applicable standards from §300-45A(3)(c): 64 square feet, 15 feet high | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | 25 feet in residential zones, 35 feet in nonresidential zones | 32 square feet per lot | — |

_2 additional zoning districts are covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Nonresidential zoning districts (AP, NC, HC, LC, OLI, PI)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 15 feet above ground level (measured from top of sign to average ground level at sign base) | 64 square feet, total all faces | — | — | 1 per site; may be 2 if site has 2 vehicle entrances, see additional requirements | Behind property line or sidewalk line; free of pedestrian traffic; not to obstruct sight distance or pose a hazard/nuisance | — | § 300-45A(1) |
| Freestanding Variable Message Display | 15 feet above ground level | 64 square feet, total all faces | — | — | see Freestanding Sign | Same as freestanding sign | — | § 300-45A(1)(e) |
| Facade Sign | — | 3.5 feet in height and 12 feet in width, or 42 square feet area, whichever is greater | 12 feet, unless area (42 sqft) is greater | — | 1 per permitted business; 2 if multiple main entrances, locations as above | On building facade for each permitted business | — | § 300-45A(2) |
| Facade Variable Message Display | — | 3.5 feet in height and 12 feet in width, or 42 square feet area, whichever is greater | 12 feet, unless area (42 sqft) is greater | — | see Facade Sign | On building facade for each permitted business | — | § 300-45A(2) |
| Temporary Sign | 15 feet for subdivision/development; 6 feet for real estate sign | 64 square feet, total all faces (unless otherwise specifically noted). Real estate: 6 square feet, development: 64 square feet. | — | — | 1 per use per type (e.g., real estate, development, general temporary sign) | On property to which sign applies. | — | § 300-45A(3) |
| Portable Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per business awaiting permanent sign | Placed on property awaiting permanent sign installation, must not obstruct pedestrian traffic or sight lines | — | § 300-45A(4) |

### Residential zoning districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, CL-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Nonresidential Business Site | 6 feet above ground level | 20 square feet, total all faces (40 sqft for multiple-residence development) | — | — | 1 per site; multiple possible at multiple-residence development entrances with PB approval, spaced >300 ft | Behind property line or sidewalk line; free of pedestrian traffic; not to obstruct sight distance or pose a hazard/nuisance | — | § 300-45B(1) |
| Occupation/Professional Sign (at Residence) | 6 feet | 6 square feet, total all faces | — | — | 1 per permitted residence | Accessory to permitted residence | — | § 300-45B(1)(d) |
| Facade Sign | — | 4 square feet | — | — | 1 per permitted business | On building facade for each permitted business | — | § 300-45B(2) |
| Facade Variable Message Display | — | 4 square feet | — | — | 1 per permitted business | On building facade for each permitted business | — | § 300-45B(2) |
| Real Estate Sign | 6 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 per structure for sale/lease/rent | On property to which sign applies | — | § 300-45B(3)(b) |
| Development Sign | 15 feet | Applicable standards from §300-45A(3)(c): 64 square feet, 15 feet high | — | — | 1 per subdivision/site plan application | In connection with marketing of lots or structures | — | § 300-45B(3)(c) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign | — | 10 square feet in residential zones, 30 square feet in nonresidential zones | — | — | 1 per construction project | Confined to site of construction | — | § 300-50A |
| Directional/Instructional Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Entirely on the property to which they pertain | — | § 300-50B |
| Flag/Emblem/Insignia-type Sign | 25 feet in residential zones, 35 feet in nonresidential zones | — | — | — | 3 per site (more with Planning Board approval) | — | — | § 300-50C |
| House Number / Name Plate | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 per unit | For each residential dwelling unit | — | § 300-50F; § 300-44A |
| Memorial Sign | — | 4 square feet (plaque); unrestricted for date cut into masonry | — | — | — | Flat against building | — | § 300-50H, § 300-50M |
| No Trespassing / No Dumping Sign | — | 1.5 square feet | — | — | — | Spaced along property as specified | — | § 300-50J |
| Political Campaign Sign | — | 32 square feet per lot | — | — | — | Confined to private property | — | § 300-50R |
| Warning Sign | — | As may be necessary | — | — | — | — | — | § 300-50N |

## Prohibited signs in New Windsor Town

- No sign shall be erected, moved, enlarged or reconstructed except as expressly permitted by this article.
- Billboards are prohibited.
- Flashing signs are prohibited, including any sign or device on which the artificial light is not maintained stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times when in use, or signs including materials which move or appear to move, unless such signs are deemed variable message displays permitted by the article.
- Signs which project over a public street or right-of-way are prohibited.
- Signs which compete for attention with or may be mistaken for a traffic signal, or signs which purport to be or are an imitation of or resemble an official traffic sign or signal, or bear words such as 'stop', 'go slow', 'caution', 'warning' or words to this effect are prohibited.
- The outlining by direct illumination of all or any part of a building, such as a gable, roof, side, wall or corner, is prohibited except for temporary holiday lighting.
- Signs made of cardboard, paper, canvas or similar impermanent materials are prohibited unless expressly allowed elsewhere in this section.
- Outdoor advertising boards that have a custom printed graphic panel or poster holder attached to hinges on the frame that allow the sign to swing with the wind are prohibited.
- A-frame or sandwich board, sidewalk or curb signs are prohibited except as set forth in § 300-50Q.
- Signs bearing or containing statements, words or pictures of an obscene, pornographic or immoral character, or which contain false advertising, are prohibited.
- Inflatable signs, figures or objects which compete for motorist attention are prohibited.
- Abandoned signs (signs that advertise an activity, business, product or service which is no longer conducted or available on the premises) are prohibited.
- No person shall park any vehicle or trailer on a public right-of-way, public property or private property so as to be visible from a public right-of-way if it has attached thereto any sign or advertising device for the basic purpose of providing advertisement of products or directing people to a business or activity located on the same premises (with limited exceptions for vehicles with current registrations).
- No sign shall be permitted which is placed on public property or over or across any street or public thoroughfare, except by the Town of New Windsor or as otherwise expressly authorized.
- No signs shall be erected, constructed or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape, required exit, window or door opening used as a means of egress.
- No sign shall be attached in any manner which will interfere with any opening required for ventilation (except over transoms where not in violation of the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code).
- No sign shall be installed closer than 24 inches horizontally or vertically to any conductor or public utility guy wire.
- No sign shall be suspended by chains or other devices that will allow the sign to swing due to wind action. All signs must be anchored to prevent lateral movement.
- No person shall maintain or permit to be maintained any sign in a dangerous or defective condition.
- No person shall erect or permit to be erected any sign which does not comply with the provisions of this article.
- No portable signs are permitted except as specifically provided for new businesses or businesses in a new location for a limited time period under §300-45A(4).
- Portable signs are not permitted in residential zoning districts.

## Signs exempt from permit in New Windsor Town

- Changing the advertising copy or message on an existing approved painted or printed sign, marquee, changeable copy sign, or similar sign specifically designed for replaceable copy does not require a sign permit.
- Painting, repainting, cleaning, or other normal maintenance and repair of a sign not involving structural changes does not require a permit. Replacement of the plastic face is exempt if due to breakage or deterioration, but not for substitution of a new advertiser.
- Changes in the content of show window displays and permitted temporary signs with a valid permit are exempt from permitting.
- Town-erected signs do not require a permit.
- Installation of required house/building identification signs per §300-44 is exempt from permitting requirements.
- Governmental signs for control of traffic and other regulatory purposes, street signs, danger signs, railroad crossing signs, and signs of public service companies indicating danger and aids to service or safety erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance of duty are exempt from permitting.
- Public notices posted by public officers or employees in the performance of their duties are exempt.
- Public signs (temporary or permanent) required or specifically authorized by any law, statute or ordinance are exempt.
- Flags, emblems or insignia-type signs of any nation, state, political subdivision, or corporation are exempt, subject to quantity and height limits.
- Temporary holiday decoration signs of a primarily decorative nature customary for holidays are exempt.
- Memorial signs, tablets, plaques, or names of buildings and dates of erection when cut into masonry, inlaid or fastened as part of the building, or constructed of bronze or other noncombustible material, are exempt.
- Religious symbols, commemorative plaques of recognized historical agencies, or identification emblems of religious orders or historical agencies, not exceeding 4 square feet and placed flat against a building, are exempt.
- Interior signs located within a building or stadium or within an enclosed lobby or court of any building and signs for and located within the inner or outer lobby, court or entrance of any theater are exempt.
- House numbers and nonilluminated nameplates for each residential dwelling unit, not to exceed two square feet, are exempt.
- Notice bulletin boards not over 20 nominal square feet in area for medical, public, charitable, civil or religious institutions on the premises are exempt.
- "No Trespassing" or "No Dumping" signs not to exceed 1.5 square feet in area, spaced appropriately, are exempt.
- One construction sign per project (subject to area limits and time limits) is exempt.
- Non-electrical, nonilluminated, directional or instructional signs as reasonably necessary, located entirely on the property, are exempt unless the project is subject to site plan review, in which case they may require Planning Board approval at the discretion of the Code Enforcement Officer.
- Warning signs alerting to danger but containing no advertising material, to be removed when danger subsides, are exempt.
- At gasoline stations and repair garages: Integral graphics or attached price signs on gasoline pumps, and graphics or company identification on island canopies are exempt; two price, product or promotional signs (subject to area and placement limits) are also exempt.
- Signs of a temporary nature for participation in approved public parades, events, or celebrations (subject to time and placement limits) are exempt.
- Banners and related signs for business openings in nonresidential districts (one-time up to 30 days), or for open house/model home in residential districts (one-time up to 15 days) are exempt, subject to noted limits.
- Political campaign signs announcing candidates seeking public office up to 32 square feet for each lot, confined to private property and removed within 14 days after the election are exempt.
- All governmental signs and variable message displays used to announce governmental sponsored events, functions, and/or services are exempt.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Applications to erect a sign must include, for freestanding signs, a site plan showing location, setbacks, elevation, copy, dimensions, and post/base assembly details.
- All signs are subject to review and permit by the Code Enforcement Officer unless exempt. The required information may include a site plan and/or building elevation drawings.
- Directory and directional signs for commercial parks and/or multifamily developments shall be provided where required by the Code Enforcement Officer or the Planning Board, and are subject to review by the Town Emergency 911 Coordinator and the officer/board requiring installation.
- For projects subject to site plan review, the Code Enforcement Officer may require Planning Board approval for directional or instructional signs.
- Additional flags, emblems, or insignia in excess of three per site must be approved by the Planning Board as part of a site plan.
- In order to allow signs otherwise not permitted, a party may request a hearing before the Zoning Board of Appeals for a variance.
- If a site has two main vehicular entrances, the Planning Board may approve one additional full-size freestanding sign at the second entrance, but not closer than 300 feet apart (discretionary).
- If a multiple-residence development has more than one main vehicular entrance, the Planning Board may approve additional full-size freestanding signs at additional entrances (not closer than 300 feet and must not be variable message displays).
- Planning Board reviews sign plans and specifications for compliance as part of broader site plan and subdivision reviews.
- Where a project is subject to site plan review, the Planning Board may require approval/application for certain exempt sign types at the sole discretion of the Code Enforcement Officer.

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

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