# Sign Regulations in Riverhead, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Riverhead, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/riverhead
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-10
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/29871695#29871695)

## At a glance

Riverhead, New York regulates 57 sign types across 14 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Primary - Pole/Monument)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 10 ft from grade (except where otherwise provided elsewhere in chapter or zone) tall and 32 sq ft, with a ≥ 25 ft from each side property line; ≥ 15 ft from front and rear property lines setback (Sec. §301-249C(1)-(5); definition §301-247 (Freestanding, Pole, Monument)). Most commercial signs in Riverhead require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (14 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 32 | ≤ 15 ft (aggregate, including embellishment) | 300 sq ft and ≤ 25% of wall face | — |
| RA80, RB80, RA40, RB40 | 9 | ≤ 15 ft | ≤ 50 sq ft | — |
| Retirement Community (RC), Hamlet Residential (HR) | 8 | ≤ 15 ft | ≤ 50 sq ft | — |
| Agriculture Protection Zones (APZ) | 6 | 10 ft | 300 sq ft and ≤ 25% of wall face | — |
| Destination Retail Center (DRC), Shopping Center (SC), Business Center (BC), Business F (BUS-F) | 7 | ≤ 15 ft from grade (includes embellishment where applicable) | ≤ 300 sq ft | — |
| Commercial/Residential Campus (CRC) | 6 | ≤ 15 ft from grade | ≤ 300 sq ft | — |
| Village Center (VC), Hamlet Center (HC), Rural Corridor (RLC), Rural Neighborhood Business (BUS CR) | 5 | 10 ft | ≤ 300 sq ft | — |
| Tourism/Resort Campus (TRC), Riverfront Corridor (RFC), Downtown Center 2 (DC-2), Downtown Center 4 (DC-4), Downtown Center 5 (DC-5) | 4 | ≤ 15 ft including embellishment | ≤ 60 sq ft | — |
| Calverton Industrial (CI), Light Industrial (LI) | 4 | 10 ft | ≤ 300 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Center 1 (DC-1), Downtown Center 3 (DC-3) | 4 | 10 ft | ≤ 300 sq ft | — |
| Business PB (BUS PB) | 2 | 10 ft | Per §301-249A (≤ 25% of wall face; max 300 sq ft), but content limited | — |
| Planned Industrial Park (PIP) District | 3 | ≤ 6 ft | ≤ 60 sq ft and ≤ 1.5 sq ft per lineal foot of building front | — |
| PRP District | 2 | ≤ 30 ft | ≤ 150 sq ft per sign | — |
| Hospital (H) | 2 | Per respective provisions | Per respective provisions (e.g., Wall ≤ 300 sq ft/≤25% wall; Freestanding 32 sq ft/≤10 ft tall) | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Primary) | Shall not extend above facade or roofline; height tied to building wall face per definition | 300 sq ft and ≤ 25% of wall face | ≤ 75% of building or wall face width | — | Only one primary sign per business location | Mounted on exterior wall; must pertain to business(es) operating on the premises | — | §301-249A(1)-(3); definition §301-247 (Wall Sign) |
| Roof Sign (on Mansard or Parapet) | Vertical midpoint of sign no higher than vertical midpoint of mansard roof/parapet; shall not project above roofline | 300 sq ft and ≤ 25% of wall face | ≤ 75% of width of roof/parapet | — | Only one primary sign per business location (roof signs count toward the one primary sign) | On mansard roof or parapet; integral with building silhouette | — | §301-249B(1)-(3); definition §301-247 (Mansard Roof, Parapet, Roof Sign) |
| Freestanding Sign (Primary - Pole/Monument) | 10 ft from grade (except where otherwise provided elsewhere in chapter or zone) | 32 sq ft | — | ≥ 25 ft from each side property line; ≥ 15 ft from front and rear property lines | Only one primary sign per business location | On premises; allowed only where the nearest building is set back ≥ 20 ft from the front property line | — | §301-249C(1)-(5); definition §301-247 (Freestanding, Pole, Monument) |
| Gasoline Station Price/Identification Sign (Primary) | 15 ft above grade | 48 sq ft | — | ≥ 15 ft from front and rear property lines; ≥ 25 ft from each side property line | 1 per business location | On premises; not in any public right-of-way | — | §301-249H(1)-(5) |
| Soffit Sign (Secondary) | Bottom of sign ≥ 7.5 ft above grade | 2 sq ft | Thickness ≤ 4 inches | — | 1 per business establishment | Affixed to underside of roof overhang, perpendicular to wall adjacent to store/commercial premises | — | §301-250A(1)-(3); definition §301-247 (Soffit Sign) |
| Projecting Sign (Secondary) | Bottom of sign ≥ 7.5 ft above grade | 2 sq ft | Thickness ≤ 4 inches; projection 12–36 inches | — | 1 per business establishment | Affixed to building wall at right angle | — | §301-250B(1)-(4); definition §301-247 (Projecting Sign) |
| Menu Board (Drive-through) (Secondary) | 5 ft above grade | 32 sq ft | — | ≥ 25 ft from front property line and each sideline; ≥ 15 ft from rear property line | 1 per restaurant drive-through | In conjunction with a drive-through window | — | §301-250E(1)-(5) |
| Off-Premises Directional Sign | ≤ 6 ft from grade | 4 sq ft per sign; 12 sq ft aggregate for up to 3 businesses | — | ≥ 15 ft from public right-of-way or ≥ 5 ft from sidewalk, whichever greater; not within 100 ft approaching/beyond traffic control devices, railroad crossings, or intersections | Maximum 2 per applicant | Off-premises locations subject to approvals by DOT/DPW/Highways/private owner as applicable | — | §301-251E(1)-(7) |

### RA80, RB80, RA40, RB40

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Property Real Estate Sign | — | 4 sq ft per sign | — | — | Up to 2 | On subject property; not in public right-of-way | — | §301-254A(1); §301-251B(1)-(5) |
| Construction Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | ≥ 25 ft from sidelines; ≥ 15 ft from front/rear property lines | 1 per site | At construction site; not in parking lot/roadway/sidewalk | — | §301-254A(2); §301-251C(1)-(6) |
| Subdivision Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 | Subdivision entrance(s) | — | §301-254A(3); §301-251D(1)-(5) |
| Political Sign | — | ≤ 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property | — | §301-254A(4); §301-251H(1)-(6) |
| Off-Premises Directional Sign | ≤ 6 ft | 4 sq ft per sign; 12 sq ft aggregate per installation | — | ≥ 15 ft from public ROW or ≥ 5 ft from sidewalk; not within 100 ft of traffic control/railroad/intersection | Max 2 per applicant | Subject to DOT/DPW/Highways/private owner approvals | — | §301-251E(1)-(7) |
| Temporary Special Event Sign | ≤ 15 ft | ≤ 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 on-site + up to 2 off-site | 1 at event site; up to 2 off-site | — | §301-251G(1)-(2) |
| Incidental Signs (Exempt ≤ 2 sq ft) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | Building entrances/interiors | — | §301-252E |
| Nameplate (Exempt ≤ 2 sq ft) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per professional office/resident | Attached to building wall | — | §301-252F; §301-254C(1) |

### Retirement Community (RC), Hamlet Residential (HR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Primary - Pole/Monument) | 10 ft from grade | 32 sq ft | — | ≥ 25 ft from side lines; ≥ 15 ft from front/rear property lines | Only one primary sign per premises | On premises; only where buildings are set back ≥ 20 ft from front property line | — | §301-254C(3) (RC/HR exception); §301-249C(1)-(5) |
| Residential Property Real Estate Sign | — | 4 sq ft per sign | — | — | Up to 2 | On subject property | — | §301-254A(1); §301-251B |
| Construction Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | ≥ 25 ft from sidelines; ≥ 15 ft from front/rear | 1 per site | At construction site | — | §301-254A(2); §301-251C |
| Subdivision Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 | Subdivision entrance(s) | — | §301-254A(3); §301-251D |
| Political Sign | — | ≤ 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property | — | §301-254A(4); §301-251H |
| Off-Premises Directional Sign | ≤ 6 ft | 4 sq ft per sign; 12 sq ft aggregate per installation | — | ≥ 15 ft from ROW or ≥ 5 ft from sidewalk; not within 100 ft of specified devices/intersections | Max 2 per applicant | Subject to DOT/DPW/Highways/private owner approval | — | §301-251E |
| Temporary Special Event Sign | ≤ 15 ft | ≤ 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 on-site + 2 off-site | 1 at event; up to 2 off-site | — | §301-251G |
| Incidental/Nameplate/Temporary Window Signs (Exempt) | — | Incidental 2 sq ft; Nameplate 2 sq ft; Temp Window combined ≤ 25% of window area | — | — | — | As per §301-252 | — | §301-254C(1)-(12); §301-252 |

## Prohibited signs in Riverhead

- Off-premises commercial advertising signs (including billboards and signs affixed to utility poles) are prohibited town-wide unless otherwise specified.
- Animated, flashing, moving, rotating, revolving, chasing, oscillating, or blinking signs or devices are prohibited; exceptions are limited to time/temperature displays and traditional barber poles that are not illuminated.
- Banners, ribbons, pennants, spinners, streamers, balloons, or similar devices are prohibited unless otherwise authorized by specific provisions.
- Any sign visible from a public right-of-way that is mounted on a vehicle or trailer (or on a chassis with or without wheels) is prohibited.
- Temporary menu boards, sandwich boards, banners, posters, and other temporary signs are prohibited within 50 feet of the public right-of-way, except farm market ground identification signs.
- Any sign, handbill, or sticker affixed to traffic signs/signals or their structures, fire hydrants, utility poles, bridges, trees, rocks, statues, or sculptures is prohibited; responsibility is presumed for the person or business identified on the sign (rebuttable).
- Mobile signs standing on the ground or attached to vehicles or trailers are prohibited, except signs painted on registered vehicles identifying the owner and used in the conduct of business; vehicles or trailers may not be used primarily for advertising.

## Signs exempt from permit in Riverhead

- Temporary window signs (displayed for no more than two weeks) that, together with permanent window signage, occupy no more than 25% of the window area; must face the front property line; not illuminated or animated.
- Parking signs and traffic regulation signs erected by government authority (exempt from local permit requirements).
- Farm market temporary signs advertising specific agricultural produce: up to 10 on-premises signs with size limits; up to two additional temporary off-premises seasonal crop signs allowed in limited circumstances; subject to height, setback, and non-illumination conditions; removal at end of crop season.
- Theater outer lobby posters, provided they are enclosed.
- Incidental signs (information/emergency/public service) identifying services such as restrooms, telephones, credit cards accepted, hours of operation, vacancies, and emergency information; maximum 2 square feet; limit one per building entrance.
- Nameplates attached to a building wall bearing only the resident’s name and profession/occupation; one per professional office or resident; maximum 2 square feet (larger nameplates are treated as wall signs and require a permit).
- Historic signs designated by the Town Board through special permit or site plan review; Town Board may allow restoration, repair, and maintenance without a standard sign permit, provided the sign is or can be made structurally safe.
- Dedicatory signs (one per building) indicating name/date of erection or serving as memorial/historical plaque; bronze or other noncombustible material; not exceeding 4 square feet; allowed pursuant to Town Board review.
- Public information signs allowed by the Town Board in any district (no placement in public right-of-way and must not create a traffic hazard).
- Parking signs, public and private, subject to New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law (exempt from local permit requirements; not allowed within any public right-of-way).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan requirement is stated in Article XLVIII.
- Sign permits are required for all signs unless expressly exempted in § 301-252.
- Sign permits may be applied for directly to the Building Department or through the site plan application process to the Town Board.
- All complete sign permit applications are referred to the Architectural Review Board (ARB) for recommendation; if the ARB does not act within 30 days, the application is deemed approved.
- Variances (illumination or design issues, property line setbacks, sign dimensions) are appealed to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA).
- Town Board approval is required for more than one temporary business sign and for temporary special event signs (special event permit under Chapter 255 and sign permit application); multiple special event signs may be approved as part of the special event permit.
- Historic signs and dedicatory signs are allowed only pursuant to Town Board review (special permit or site plan review), outside the standard sign permit pathway.
- Public information signs may be allowed by the Town Board in any district without a local sign permit, subject to safety constraints.
- Banners require sign permit applications under § 105-13 and are limited to Hospital (H) and Shopping Center (SC) districts for qualifying healthcare providers; permit term is three months with an annual fee; advertising and contact information are prohibited; no illumination.
- Off-premises directional signs require prior approvals from NYSDOT, Suffolk County DPW, the Riverhead Superintendent of Highways, or the private property owner as applicable; they are non-illuminated and must meet setback and location criteria.
- Signs erected by governmental authorities must comply with the chapter unless exempt under law or specifically waived by the Town Board upon a Planning Department recommendation.

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

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