Sign Regulations in Huntington, NY

If you live in Huntington or are thinking about moving there, sign regulations are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Huntington has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of sign regulations, and some of them might surprise you.

Holiday Displays

Huntington's outdoor lighting law lets homeowners and businesses put up holiday lighting only within a set window around the holiday itself. Under § 143-2(C)(9), the lights may go up no more than 45 days before the holiday being celebrated and must come down within 30 days after it ends, regardless of the fixture's brightness or shielding.

Key details: Install window: Up to 45 days before holiday. Removal deadline: Within 30 days after holiday ends. Governing section: § 143-2(C)(9), Ch. 143. Still barred: Light trespass, glare, nuisance. Fine range: $500-$1,500 per day, § 143-16.

Leaving holiday lighting up past the 30-day removal window, or installing it earlier than 45 days before the holiday, is a violation of Chapter 143 under § 143-16. A first violation carries a fine of $500 to $1,500, with each day the display remains up a separate offense; the Bureau of Administrative Adjudication may impose the same range, and the Town Attorney may also seek an injunction or up to $250 per day in civil penalties.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Huntington gives residents more flexibility on holiday displays.

Digital Billboards

Huntington's sign code outlaws billboards outright in every district, along with off-premises advertising, movable-copy, and animated signs. The only changeable-copy display allowed anywhere is a single on-premises message board of twenty square feet or less, and it must meet Chapter 143's electrical standards.

Key details: Section: § 198-93(A),(B),(F),(H),(S). Billboards: Banned in all Districts. Off-premises ads: Banned. Animated signs: Strictly prohibited. Message board cap: 20 sq ft, one per premises.

Erecting a prohibited sign such as a billboard, or operating an electronic message board without Chapter 143 compliance, is punishable under § 198-125(A): $1,000-$5,000 for a first offense, $2,000-$10,000 for a second offense within five years, and $4,000-$15,000 or up to six months in jail for a third or later offense, with each day of continued display a separate violation.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Huntington actively enforces its digital billboards requirements.

Window Signs

In Huntington's commercial districts, a window sign displayed on the inside of a storefront can't cover more than twenty-five percent of the glass. The Zoning Code's Permitted Signs section treats interior and window signage as one category and applies the cap no matter the sign's illumination or message.

Key details: Coverage cap: 25% of the window's total area. Where it applies: Commercial districts / commercially-used properties. Permit: No permit required for window signs. Enforcement: Director of Public Safety removal authority. Citation: Huntington Code § 198-92I(1).

A storefront window sign that covers more than twenty-five percent of the glass area exceeds § 198-92(I)(1) and is an unpermitted sign subject to the Director of Public Safety's removal authority under §§ 198-99 and 198-100. Because window signs bypass the standard permit process, the percentage cap is the only check, so exceeding it can trigger enforcement without a separate prior permit violation.

The Bottom Line

Huntington's sign regulations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Huntington is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Huntington can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.