# Sign Regulations in Red Hook, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Red Hook, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/red-hook
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/15547355#15547355)

## At a glance

Red Hook, New York regulates 21 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (General)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 10 feet tall and No larger than 8 square feet without 3 feet of open space at bottom; larger signs require three feet open space at bottom extending the entire length., with a Signs larger than 8 square feet subject to building setback requirements setback (Sec. §200-38A(1)(b),(c),(d)). Most commercial signs in Red Hook require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 10 feet | No larger than 8 square feet without 3 feet of open space at bottom; larger signs require three feet open space at bottom extending the entire length. | — |
| Residence Districts | 6 | — | 12 square feet | — |
| Business Districts, Industrial Districts | 7 | — | 60 square feet | — |
| Business Complex | 4 | 10 feet | 20 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Temporary Sale | — | 6 square feet | — | — | Three signs per sale | May not be placed on telephone poles, sign posts, or street signs | — | §119-10(A)-(C) |
| Window or Door Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Within window or door | — | §200-38A(1)(e) |
| Hanging or Facade Signs | — | — | — | — | See zone specifics | On building | — | §200-38A(2)(c), §200-38A(1)(f) |
| Attached Sign Over Street or Road Property Line | — | — | — | — | — | Attached sign may extend up to 4 feet over property line if property line is building line; must be high enough for traffic clearance and visible from thoroughfare. | — | §200-38A(1)(a) |
| Freestanding Sign (General) | 10 feet | No larger than 8 square feet without 3 feet of open space at bottom; larger signs require three feet open space at bottom extending the entire length. | — | Signs larger than 8 square feet subject to building setback requirements | Only one freestanding sign per lot | — | — | §200-38A(1)(b),(c),(d) |

### Residence Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 12 square feet | — | — | One | On property for sale or rent | — | §200-38A(5)(a)[1] |
| Utility Identification Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On utility installation | — | §200-38A(5)(a)[2] |
| Legal/Public Welfare Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §200-38A(5)(a)[3] |
| Bulletin Board - Church/Nonprofit | — | 8 square feet | — | — | One | On property of church or nonprofit | — | §200-38A(5)(a)[4] |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | One | On dwelling | — | §200-38A(5)(a)[5] |
| Temporary Civic/Nonprofit Campaign/Event Sign (>30 days) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §200-38A(5)(a)[6] |

### Business Districts, Industrial Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Signs Allowed In Residence Districts | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §200-38A(5)(b)[1] |
| Hanging Sign | — | 12 square feet | — | — | — | Hanging on building | — | §200-38A(5)(b)[2] |
| Wall Sign (Parallel to Building) | — | 24 square feet | — | — | — | Flat against building facade | — | §200-38A(5)(b)[2] |
| Freestanding Sign | — | 15 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | §200-38A(5)(b)[2] |
| Wall Sign (Buildings Set Back More Than 50 feet) | — | 60 square feet | — | — | — | Attached wall sign for buildings with setback >50 ft | — | §200-38A(5)(b)[3] |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | One | On dwelling | — | §200-38A(5)(b)[4] |
| Window Sign (Internally Illuminated, Exception) | — | 1.5 square feet (216 sq in) | — | — | One per business | Window | — | §200-38A(6)(e) |

## Prohibited signs in Red Hook

- No sign shall be erected, moved or altered without first obtaining a permit from the Code Enforcement Officer unless specifically exempted.
- Signs are not permitted as a principal use and are only allowed as an accessory use.
- Signs are to serve as site or business identifiers, not as advertising instruments. Advertising signs must be limited in quantity and length of time displayed.
- No attached sign shall extend within a street or road property line unless said line is the building line, in which case the sign may extend over the property line for up to four feet.
- No freestanding sign larger than eight square feet shall have less than three feet of open space at the bottom, extending its entire length.
- No sign shall exceed 10 feet in height or extend above the facade of the building to which it is attached.
- Freestanding signs larger than eight square feet are subject to the same setback requirements as buildings.
- Signage located in a window or door shall occupy no more than 25% of the glazing area of that window or door and shall not be illuminated (except as otherwise specifically allowed).
- The use of moving signs, or the use of flashing or intermittent lighting in connection with signs, or the use of internally illuminated signs is not permitted (except as otherwise specifically allowed).
- Floodlights illuminating signs must be located and/or shielded so as not to interfere with neighboring residential use or detract from motorist safety; the beam must not cross any property line at more than 10% of its central intensity.
- Portable nonconforming signs (e.g., banners, spinners, signs on wheels) must be removed.
- Nonconforming signs painted or applied to fences, walls, or facades must not be repainted, restored, or replaced.
- Structural nonconforming signs that are part of or removable from a structure must be discontinued.
- Any conforming sign that is in disrepair or refers to a non-existent use must be repaired, replaced, or removed as appropriate.
- Roof signs are prohibited above coping, eaves, or cornices.
- No signs are to be placed on telephone poles, sign posts, or street signs of any kind.

## Signs exempt from permit in Red Hook

- One sign denoting the name and address of the occupants of the premises, not exceeding one square foot in area, is permitted without a permit.
- One sign denoting the contractor at construction, repair, or renovation sites in progress; not exceeding 12 square feet for nonresidential sites or three square feet for residential sites; must be removed upon completion of the project, and is not subject to a permit.
- Temporary signs displayed to advertise campaigns, drives, or events sponsored by civic, nonprofit, educational, or religious institutions for a period of not more than 30 days are not subject to a permit.
- In a business district, one internally illuminated window sign per business not exceeding 1.5 square feet (216 square inches) with constant intensity, no flashing, intermittent, or moving lights, only illuminated during business hours, and subject to all other limitations in § 200-38, is permitted notwithstanding the general prohibition on illumination.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs except those specifically noted require Planning Board review.
- A permit from the Code Enforcement Officer is required prior to erecting, moving, or altering any sign unless exempted.
- Lighting for business complex directory signs is subject to Planning Board requirements.
- The size and location of any directory placards on or about buildings within a business complex are as stipulated by the Planning Board.

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

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