# Sign Regulations in Northport, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Northport, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/northport
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/8670055#8670055)

## At a glance

Northport, New York regulates 14 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Sidewalk Signs in the Business districts zoning district are capped at 43 inches from pavement tall, 6 sq ft (based on dimensions), and 24 inches wide, with a Must not block sidewalk (<48" clearance must be kept open) setback (Sec. §243-3A(1)(c)). Most commercial signs in Northport require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 12 ft (20 ft in limited cases: gas station price signs, shopping center ID signs, or if 12 ft cannot be achieved due to site constraints) | 75% of awning valance area | — |
| Residence districts | 3 | 6 ft above ground surface (unless below grade) | 90 sq in | — |
| Nonresidential districts | 2 | — | 1.0 sq ft or 3.0 sq ft | — |
| Business districts | 1 | 43 inches from pavement | 6 sq ft (based on dimensions) | — |
| Highway Business district, Maritime Business district | 1 | — | — | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Parallel Wall Sign | — | 15% facade area (aggregate for all attached signs) | — | — | Maximum two exterior signs per business or activity; no more than one freestanding except for corner lots (§243-5A(1)) | Mounted on building parallel to wall; cannot obscure windows or openings. | — | §243-3A(1), §243-5A, §243-5B, §243-5D, §243-5E, §191-6 |
| Blade Sign | — | Under 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Perpendicular to building wall; must maintain a minimum clearance of 8 ft above sidewalk or grade. | — | §243-3A(1)(b), §243-2 |
| Freestanding Sign | 12 ft (20 ft in limited cases: gas station price signs, shopping center ID signs, or if 12 ft cannot be achieved due to site constraints) | 36 sq ft | — | Setback from public right-of-way at least equal to height of sign | No more than one per business except for corner lots with frontage on two streets, in which case a second freestanding sign up to half the size of the primary may be permitted | Minimum setback from right-of-way equal to sign height (§243-5C(4)) | — | §243-5A(1), §243-5B(2), §243-5C(4-6), §243-5F, §243-5G |
| Awning Valance Text | — | 75% of awning valance area | — | — | In addition to other permitted signs | On awning valance; bottom at least 7 ft above sidewalk | — | §243-5A(2)(a), §243-5F(3), §243-5H(4) |
| Window Sign | — | 2 sq ft (each) | — | — | No more than 2 per premises | Inside window | — | §243-5A(2)(b), §243-5C(1)(a) |
| Address Plaque | — | — | — | — | Not included in signage count | On or over front door, or visible from public right of way | — | §243-5A(2)(c), §243-5E(1-5) |
| On-Premises Direction Sign | — | 6 sq ft (each) | — | — | Per entrance/exit, as necessary | At entrance/exit to parking or drive-through, or as needed for circulation | — | §243-5A(2)(d) |

### Residence districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name Plate/Occupant/Accessory Use Sign | — | 90 sq in | — | — | 1 per family dwelling unit | At building | — | §243-3B(1) |
| "For Sale", "For Rent", "To Let" Sign | 6 ft above ground surface (unless below grade) | 4 sq ft | — | Detached: Min 10 ft from boundary | 1 per plot | Detached sign must be at least 10 ft from any boundary line | — | §243-3B(2) |
| Business/Nonconforming Use Sign | — | — | — | — | No more than business district regulations | On premises of nonconforming business | — | §243-3B(3) |

### Business districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sidewalk Sign | 43 inches from pavement | 6 sq ft (based on dimensions) | 24 inches | Must not block sidewalk (<48" clearance must be kept open) | 1 per building | On sidewalk near business entrance; must maintain minimum 48 inch sidewalk clearance for wheelchair passage | — | §243-3A(1)(c) |

## Prohibited signs in Northport

- No signs shall extend outward over a sidewalk or street, except as specifically allowed (e.g., parallel to a building and projecting no more than 15 inches, conforming blade signs, or sidewalk signs under certain conditions).
- No signs are permitted that are affixed to, painted on, or supported by or from trees, stones, other natural objects, vehicles, or objects other than buildings or signposts/frameworks erected for support.
- No signs that move or simulate motion by electrical, mechanical, natural or other means are allowed, except for signs within commercial or industrial establishments not visible from public rights-of-way or residential use.
- No signs may contain or depict scandalous, indecent or immoral matters.
- No signs may be illuminated at night so as to interfere with the reasonable comfort of inhabitants of adjacent residential uses.
- No signs are allowed on the roof of any building unless no other viable alternative exists for exposure and visibility, considering both building type and lack of alternatives.
- No signs may be illuminated so that any red, green or amber light source is in the line of vision from a public way of a traffic signal.
- No sign with an illuminated surface may exceed a maximum of 50 footcandles.
- No signs may use attention-getting devices such as banners, pennants, flags, streamers, posters, searchlights, string or festoon lights, flashing lights, inflatable objects, or similar devices for attracting attention, promotion or advertising, except as specifically permitted (e.g., governmental or institutional flags, when approved as facade components, or for temporary special events with a permit).
- No signs may be affixed to utility poles.
- No signs may advertise a business not located at the premises of the sign.
- No signs may utilize highly reflective materials such as mirrored glass or chrome metal.
- No signs may be located, illuminated, or of a type that interferes with or detracts from public health, safety, and welfare.
- Single-pole mounts for freestanding signs are prohibited.
- Backlit awnings are prohibited.
- No person may place any sign, poster, placard, device, graphic display, or any other form of advertising that advertises tobacco and/or other smoking products in publicly visible locations.
- Unsafe signs or unsightly, damaged, or deteriorated signs, or signs in danger of falling, shall be put in order or removed upon notice.
- Signs must be removed within 60 days after the use with which they are associated ceases to operate.

## Signs exempt from permit in Northport

- Danger or cautionary signs relating to the premises on which they are located are exempted, provided they comply with general prohibitions.
- Signs required by law, in legal proceedings, or put up by public authority are exempted, provided they comply with general prohibitions.
- Signs announcing the building activities or functions of a local church, synagogue, library, museum, educational, charitable, historical society or institution, chamber of commerce or merchants' association, or fire department or fire company are exempt so long as they do not exceed nine square feet and comply with general prohibitions.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Applicants for signs on premises that will host more than one sign shall present a planned sign program providing coordinated signing for the premises through the use of one or more common design elements such as construction materials, color scheme, lettering and images, supports and mountings, etc.
- Applications for freestanding signs must include a site plan indicating the location of the proposed sign, proposed landscaping for the base and vicinity, and the location of the nearest existing freestanding signs on both sides of the road, with photographs.
- For properties with multiple uses or shared access drives, freestanding signs should be colocated onto a single joint tenant sign (implying coordination or a sign plan).
- Applicants are encouraged to consult the Board of Architectural and Historic Review prior to preparing their submission for advice on consistency with design guidelines and requirements.

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

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