# Sign Regulations in Valley Stream, New York

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Valley Stream, New York (NY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-york/valley-stream
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/11138916#11138916)

## At a glance

Valley Stream, New York regulates 19 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Commercial Freestanding Signs in the C-1 District, C-2 District, C-3 District zoning district are capped at 16 feet tall and 7 feet wide, with a No closer than 2.5' to property line. setback (Sec. § 99-1707.B). Most commercial signs in Valley Stream 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 | 7 | — | — | — |
| Residential Districts | 5 | — | 12 square feet | — |
| Nonresidential Districts | 5 | — | 25 square feet (total aggregate area) | — |
| C-1 District, C-2 District, C-3 District | 3 | 36 inches | 4 feet x 8 feet | — |

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

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate/Identification Sign | — | 9 inches x 18 inches | — | — | 1 per dwelling | Exterior wall of dwelling | — | § 99-1705.A, § 72-6.A(2) |
| Professional Sign | — | 9 inches x 18 inches | — | — | 1 per dwelling | Exterior wall of dwelling | — | § 99-1705.A, § 72-6.A(2) |
| Bulletin Board or Announcement/Identification Sign (Educational or Religious Institution) | — | 12 square feet | — | Minimum 20 feet from street or property line unless attached to building. | 1 per educational/religious institution | Must be at least 20 feet from street or property line, unless attached to building. | — | § 99-1705.B |
| Directional Sign | — | — | — | — | — | As necessary for vehicle and pedestrian circulation | — | § 99-1705.C |
| Temporary Construction Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 per premises under construction | On premises where construction, repair or renovation is in progress | — | § 99-1705.D, § 72-6.A(3) |

### Nonresidential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate/Professional Office Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 per office | Per office | — | § 99-1706.A |
| Bulletin Board or Directory Sign (Freestanding) | — | 25 square feet (total aggregate area) | — | Not more than 50% into required yard setback | — | Freestanding, not encroaching more than 50% into required setback depth of yard | — | § 99-1706.B(1) |
| Bulletin Board or Directory Sign (Surface-Mounted) | — | 25 square feet (total aggregate area) | — | — | — | Surface-mounted | — | § 99-1706.B(2) |
| Directional Sign | — | — | — | — | — | As necessary for vehicle and pedestrian circulation | — | § 99-1706.C |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Surface-Mounted) | — | 24 inches x 36 inches | — | — | 1 per premises | On premises advertising sale, lease or rental | — | § 99-1706.D |

### C-1 District, C-2 District, C-3 District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercial Surface-Mounted Sign | 36 inches | — | — | — | — | Directly mounted on exterior façade, not including roof area. | — | § 99-1707.A |
| Commercial Freestanding Sign | 16 feet | — | 7 feet | No closer than 2.5' to property line. | 1 per commercial location | Freestanding on premises; not attached to building. | — | § 99-1707.B |
| Temporary, Mobile or Portable Sign | 4 feet | 4 feet x 8 feet | 8 feet | — | — | — | — | § 99-1708.B(1) |

## Prohibited signs in Valley Stream

- Any illuminated sign or lighting device shall employ only lights emitting a light of constant intensity; no sign shall be illuminated by or contain flashing, intermittent, rotating, or moving lights or moving elements.
- No illuminated sign or lighting device shall direct beams or illumination upon a public street, highway, sidewalk, or adjacent premises so as to cause glare or traffic hazard.
- Any sign extending more than 16 inches beyond the face of any building is prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Portable or temporary signs shall not be placed on any premises or the front/face of a building except as provided for under specific temporary sign provisions.
- Banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, or other similar moving, fluttering or revolving devices are prohibited, except by special permit from the Board of Trustees.
- No sign shall be painted on any exterior walls, fences, retaining walls, or roofs of any building or structure.
- Billboards are prohibited.
- Animated, rotating, or revolving signs (including those that move by means other than wind) are prohibited.
- No sign (new or existing) shall be erected or altered except in conformity with the sign ordinance provisions.
- All signs must be maintained in safe, clean condition and free of hazards.
- Any sign no longer advertising an existing business or product on the premises must be removed after written notice.
- Any unsafe or insecure sign, or sign that is a menace to public safety, must be removed or repaired after notice, or immediately if it is a peril.

## Signs exempt from permit in Valley Stream

- Residential 'for sale' and/or 'for rent' signs up to 24 inches by 18 inches may be erected without a permit.
- Professional nameplates and signs denoting the names and address of occupants (not exceeding 9 inches by 18 inches) may be erected without a permit.
- Signs denoting the architect, engineer, or contractor placed on premises where construction, repairs or renovation is in progress (not exceeding six square feet and only during construction) may be erected without a permit.
- Family or identification nameplate or professional sign (up to 9 inches by 18 inches) for each dwelling in residential districts does not require a permit.
- Directional signs for ensuring adequate vehicular/pedestrian circulation in residential and nonresidential districts do not require a permit.
- Nonilluminated surface-mounted sign advertising sale, lease, or rental of premises (up to 24 inches by 36 inches) in nonresidential districts does not require a permit.
- Bulletin boards or announcement/identification signs for educational or religious institutions (not over 12 square feet, appropriately placed) in residential districts do not require a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All applications for sign permits must include architect's or engineer's drawings, specifications, and structural calculations showing size, dimensions, and location.
- A coordinated overall design with compatible colors, lettering, size, etc., is required for developments with more than one occupant, tenant, or storefront.
- A permit is required for most nonexempt signs prior to erection, except for specifically exempted sign types.
- The Board of Trustees may grant special permits for exceptions (such as banners, posters, or signs exceeding certain dimensions).
- No references to master sign plans; coordinated sign design is required in multi-tenant developments for commercial freestanding signs.
- Applications may require written consent of property owner if applicant is not owner and insurance documents.

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

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