# Sign Regulations in Poughkeepsie Town, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Poughkeepsie Town, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/poughkeepsie-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/6327184#6327184)

## At a glance

Poughkeepsie Town, New York regulates 32 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Residential Buildings, Multiple Dwellings)s in the Historic Revitalization Development District (HRDD) zoning district are capped at 3 feet for sign, 5 feet for top of monument base tall and 6 square feet, with a 5 ft from front lot line setback (Sec. §210-125.2E(1)). Most commercial signs in Poughkeepsie Town require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 20 feet or the height of the principal structure, whichever is less | 40 sq ft in nonresidential zones; 20 sq ft in residential zones | — |
| Residential Districts | 2 | 8 feet | 4 square feet | — |
| ATC District, SPC District, CHCO District, CHCO (EO) District, RRH District | 5 | 12 feet above finished grade | 15 square feet | — |
| MHC District | 4 | 8 feet above finished grade | See formula (max 100 sf per elevation, 10 sf extra for secondary entrances facing parking) | — |
| Historic Revitalization Development District (HRDD) | 7 | 36 in letters | 25 sq ft per entrance; may add icon/image for total 35 sq ft | — |
| B-N District, B-NH District, IN District, ROMNSC District | 4 | — | 50 square feet | — |
| B-H District, SHC District, FC District | 3 | — | 50 square feet | — |
| B-SC District | 8 | — | 100 square feet | — |
| O-R District, I-H District, I-L District, Q District | 3 | — | 50 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 feet or the height of the principal structure, whichever is less | 20 square feet (unless otherwise specified for the district) | — | At least 10 feet from highway right-of-way | — | Set back at least 10 feet from any highway right-of-way boundary | — | §210-123A, §210-123C, §210-123E, §210-123K, §210-123L, §210-123M, §210-123Q |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Painted on or affixed flat against the building facade | — | §210-123F, §210-123P |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | Exterior edge extends not more than six feet from the building face or 1/3 width of sidewalk | — | — | Not into vehicular traffic area; Over sidewalk requires minimum 8-feet vertical clearance; No projection from awning. | — | §210-123N, §210-123O |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of the glass area, per building side facing street | — | — | — | On the window | — | §210-123I |
| Electronic Message Display (EMD) Sign | — | 30% of total sign area | — | — | One per site | Freestanding only (not allowed as wall, window, or projecting signs) | — | §210-123.1A-N |
| A-frame/Sidewalk Sign | Three feet six inches | — | 24 inches | — | One per business | Along exterior frontage, outward to curb edge or max 10 ft (whichever less) but not to obstruct sight distance; at least five feet of unobstructed sidewalk along storefront. | — | §210-123.2A-L, §210-122A(6) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 40 sq ft in nonresidential zones; 20 sq ft in residential zones | — | — | Up to 2 banners and/or 1 freestanding sign per business per permit | Not attached to fences, trees, or utility poles; not in the public right-of-way | — | §210-120 |

### Historic Revitalization Development District (HRDD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Main Street buildings) | 18 in letters (icon may exceed if within total size) | 25 sq ft per entrance; may add icon/image for total 35 sq ft | — | — | One per entrance | On same wall as entrance; per each public business entrance | — | §210-125.2B(1) |
| Projecting Sign (Main Street buildings) | — | 10 sq ft per side (two sides allowed) | — | — | One per business | Perpendicular from building | — | §210-125.2B(2) |
| Awning Sign (Main Street buildings) | 6 inches for lettering | 25% of the area of the horizontal aspect of the awning | — | — | — | Horizontal aspect of awning, perpendicular to sidewalk | — | §210-125.2B(3) |
| Wall Sign (Other Commercial Buildings) | 36 in letters | 25% of facade area; up to 100 sq ft per sign | — | — | Two per building | On wall facing road or main entry driveway | — | §210-125.2C(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Residential Buildings, Multiple Dwellings) | 3 feet for sign, 5 feet for top of monument base | 6 square feet | — | 5 ft from front lot line | One per frontage | Set back at least 5 ft from front lot line, within a monument base of stone/brick/natural material. Landscaped base not smaller than sign area. | — | §210-125.2E(1) |
| Wall Sign (Residential Building) | 3 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | One per building | On residential building with multiple dwelling units | — | §210-125.2E(2) |
| Directional Sign (not exempt) | Sign top ≤ 6 feet; structure top ≤ 7 feet | 10 square feet | — | — | — | Consistent with Hudson Heritage Design Guidelines; on monument base | — | §210-125.2F |

### B-SC District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Shopping Center ID only) | — | 100 square feet | — | — | One per center | On shopping center property; base in monument of natural material, as approved by Planning Board | — | §210-128B |
| Wall Sign (Two-story or more enclosed shopping center - Entrance Signs) | — | 25 square feet | — | — | — | At entrances | — | §210-128C(1)(a) |
| Wall Sign (Two-story or more enclosed shopping center - External Store) | — | 5% of wall area (two-story walls), 10% (one-story), not to exceed 275 sq ft per sign, max three signs per store | — | — | Max three per store | On wall with entrance/exit to exterior | — | §210-128C(1)(b) |
| Wall Sign (One-story enclosed shopping center - Entrance Sign) | — | 25 square feet | — | — | — | At entrances | — | §210-128C(2)(a) |
| Wall Sign (One-story enclosed shopping center - Store Front) | — | 15 square feet | — | — | One per tenant | On store exterior wall | — | §210-128C(2)(b) |
| Wall Sign (Unenclosed shopping center) | — | 100 square feet | — | — | One per store | Flat against the face of the building | — | §210-128C(3)(a) |
| Wall Sign (Unenclosed shopping center, parking to rear) | — | 12 square feet | — | — | One additional if qualifying | On wall facing principal parking area | — | §210-128C(3)(b) |
| Canopy Sign (Shared Covered Walkway) | — | 2 square feet per business | — | — | One per business | Hanging under walkway, perpendicular to building | — | §210-128D |

## Prohibited signs in Poughkeepsie Town

- No sign or other advertising device shall be erected, constructed, displayed, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged or altered except in conformity with this article and, where applicable, without first obtaining a permit from the Zoning Administrator.
- No sign shall be erected which, in the opinion of the Zoning Administrator, may cause hazardous or unsafe conditions. Such signs must be removed upon direction of the Zoning Administrator following notification to the owner.
- Any sign existing which no longer identifies a business conducted or product sold on the premises due to the cessation or change of the business shall be removed by the owner within 30 days of cessation or change of business or use.
- No sign shall be located so as to obscure any signs displayed by a public agency, nor placed in such a way as to obstruct proper sight distance or otherwise interfere with pedestrian or traffic flow.
- No sign shall overhang onto an adjacent property or right-of-way.
- No pennants, balloons, ribbons, streamers, spinners or other similar moving, fluttering or revolving devices shall be allowed.
- Except for awnings, no permanent sign shall be constructed of paper, cardboard, canvas or similar materials.
- No sign shall be attached to any tree or utility pole or be painted upon or otherwise directly affixed to any rock, ledge or other natural feature.
- No sign, other than an official traffic sign, shall be erected within the right-of-way of any public street or highway.
- Except for awning signs, the use of cardboard, paper, canvas or similar impermanent material is prohibited.
- The use of fluorescent and/or Day-Glo types of paints is prohibited.
- A sign which obstructs any window or door opening used as a means of egress, prevents free passage from one part of a roof to any other part, interferes with an opening required for legal ventilation, or is attached to or obstructs any standpipe, fire escape or fire hydrant is prohibited.
- A sign that is designed and/or mounted so as to impair or cause confusion to the operator(s) of a motor vehicle is prohibited.
- No sign shall have more than two sides.
- All signs, including wall signs and projecting signs, shall be securely anchored and shall not swing or move in any manner.
- All signs shall be constructed of durable materials and shall be maintained in a good condition.
- No sign shall be illuminated by or contain a flashing, intermittent or moving light or lights.
- No sign shall be illuminated between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless the lot on which the sign is located contains a nonresidential use and is open for business.
- Wall signs must be painted on or affixed flat against the building facade.
- No wall sign shall be higher than the building to which it is attached.
- No sign shall project from an awning.
- Wiring to a freestanding sign must be underground and/or concealed within the sign structure.
- Moving signs, including any sign with visible moving parts, visible revolving parts, visible mechanical movement, or other visible movement achieved by electrical, electronic or mechanical means, including flashing, intermittent, rotating lights and any movement caused by normal wind current, are prohibited.
- Signs with optical illusion of movement are prohibited.
- Billboard signs and the conversion of any billboard sign to an electronic message display style sign are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- A sign not located on the premises to which it is associated or to which it refers is prohibited.
- Signs placed on or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers parked so as to be visible from a public right-of-way where the purpose is advertising are prohibited except where signage is incidental to the primary use of the vehicle or trailer.
- Strip lighting outlining commercial structures used to attract attention, and strings of light bulbs used in connection with commercial premises unless shielded, are prohibited.
- Televisions used for advertising or information, except when used for indirect illumination not directly exposed to public view, are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Poughkeepsie Town

- Decorative banners, flags, posters, placards and streamers on residential premises.
- Decorative banners on nonresidential premises not containing any words, labels, figures or descriptions.
- Historical markers, tablets and statues, memorial signs and plaques, and signs or symbols designated by the Town Board as historic or as having historical or cultural significance; names of buildings and dates of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze, stainless steel or similar material; and emblems installed by governmental agencies, religious or nonprofit organizations, not exceeding six square feet.
- Flags and insignia of any government or governmental agency.
- Directional signs for the convenience of the general public (e.g., identifying public parking areas, fire zones, and business entrances and exits), provided each such sign does not exceed three square feet per face and is not mounted higher than six feet in height.
- A sign of one square foot or less, affixed to the premises, denoting the name and address of the occupants.
- Memorial plaques or tablets, grave markers, statuary declaring names of buildings and date of erection when cut into masonry or constructed of incombustible materials, or other remembrances of persons or events that are noncommercial in nature.
- Signs fully located within the interior of any building or within an enclosed lobby or court, not visible from the public right-of-way, adjacent lots or areas outside the building, and signs not to exceed 30 inches by 42 inches located within the inner or outer lobby, court or entrance of any theater, intended solely for interior operation information.
- Lawn signs identifying residences not exceeding one square foot, nonilluminated except by a lamppost.
- Private owner merchandise sale signs for garage sales and auctions located on the premises, not exceeding four square feet for up to seven days in any one month.
- On-premises 'No Trespassing' or 'Private Property' or similar signs.
- One temporary, nonilluminated 'For Sale,' 'For Rent,' 'For Lease,' 'Opening Soon,' 'Coming Soon' real estate sign or similar, concerning the property upon which it is located, not exceeding six square feet in residential districts or 10 square feet per 100 feet of frontage (max 50 square feet) in nonresidential districts.
- Temporary, nonilluminated window signs and posters not exceeding 10% of the total window surface of a building.
- Drive-through menu boards.
- Signs identifying real estate, apartment, or residential subdivision developments, not to exceed two signs, each not to exceed 20 square feet, advertising only the name of the development.
- A residential building or structure with six or more units and bed-and-breakfasts/boutiques may have one 10-square-foot sign.
- Temporary informational and directional signs for meetings, conventions and other assemblies displayed only for the duration of the event.
- One sign, not exceeding two square feet in residential or 12 square feet in nonresidential districts, listing the architect, engineer, contractor and/or owner on premises where construction, renovation or repair is in progress (must be removed upon completion).
- Signs or bulletin boards customarily incidental to places of worship, schools, libraries, museums, social clubs or societies, not to exceed 15 square feet and located on the premises of such institutions.
- Political posters and similar signs.
- Scoreboards and traffic control devices are exempt from electronic message display sign provisions.
- Signs required by the Uniform Code or the Energy Code and the Town of Poughkeepsie Building Department, except for replacement or when conditions are no longer applicable.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Every application for a sign permit shall be accompanied by plans to scale showing the dimensions and area of the sign, location, colors, materials, lettering, artwork, method of illumination, and statements indicating compliance with applicable building standards.
- All freestanding signs shall require site plan approval by the Planning Board prior to installation.
- Any modification or alteration (except repairs and replacement) to a freestanding sign, a wall sign, or a projecting sign that was previously approved by the Planning Board shall be reviewed by the Director of Planning for consistency with the Planning Board's original site plan approval prior to a permit issuance.
- Applications for temporary signs shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator for a temporary sign permit.
- Signs shall be designed in accordance with an overall comprehensive signage plan in certain districts (e.g., ATC, SPC, CHCO, CHCO (EO), RRH, MHC, B-N, B-NH, IN, ROMNSC, B-H, SHC, FC, B-SC, O-R, I-H, I-L, Q), which includes unified design for multiple tenants and integration with site landscaping.
- For each multiple-tenant site in certain districts, signage must be presented as a unified plan and integrated with the overall building and site design.
- In HRDD (Historic Revitalization Development District), permitted signage is governed by a Development Master Plan approved by the Town Board, and signs must comply with any conditions imposed by the Planning Board during architectural review.
- Signage for certain historic buildings in HRDD must be reviewed by the Planning Board in consultation with the Historic Preservation Commission and State agencies as required.
- Approval by the owner of the shopping center is required for all shopping center signs.

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

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