Brookhaven, NY Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Commercial/industrial max size
- 16 sq ft
- Residential max size
- 4 sq ft
- Display period
- 30 days per campaign
- Removal deadline
- 15 days after election
- Individual permit fee
- $5
- Group permit fee
- $50
- Town land/rights-of-way
- No consent granted
Summary
Political signs need a Town permit in Brookhaven, capped at 16 square feet on commercial or industrial land and 4 square feet on residential land, one per candidate, up for no more than 30 days per campaign and off the property within 15 days after the election, under § 57A-10.
With the consent of the property owner, political signs not exceeding 16 square feet in area may be located on privately owned commercial or industrial zoned property for a period not to exceed 30 days for each political campaign. Only one sign shall be permitted per candidate for each political campaign and said sign shall not be placed in a position that will obstruct or impair vision or traffic in any manner or create a hazard or disturbance to the health and welfare of the public. ... Said signs must be removed no later than 15 days after the election for political office for which said signs were placed.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4966897; v79 updated 2026-05-28; through 05-28-2026).
Full Breakdown
Section 57A-10A explains the purpose: letting candidates use inexpensive political signage while limiting visual clutter. Subsection B covers commercial and industrial zoned property: with the owner's consent, one political sign per candidate per campaign, up to 16 square feet, displayed for no more than 30 days, and positioned so it doesn't obstruct traffic vision. Subsection C sets the same consent, one-per-candidate, and 30-day rules for residential property, but caps the sign at four square feet. Subsection D requires removal no later than 15 days after the election for the office the sign supported.
Subsection E requires a temporary permit for each sign, though a candidate or political party can obtain one group permit covering every sign location if each address and the property owner's written consent are attached to the application. Subsection F sets the fee: $5 for an individual sign permit, $50 for a group permit. Subsections G and H, added in 2014, withhold consent entirely for political signs placed on land owned by the Town of Brookhaven or within Town rights-of-way or on utility poles located there.
A related provision, § 57A-11, separately bans signs, posters and stickers on public property generally and authorizes the Superintendent of Highways, Sanitation Inspectors, Town Investigators, Code Enforcement Officers, and Public Safety officials to remove them.
Violations & Fines
A political sign that's oversized, left up longer than 30 days, not removed within 15 days of the election, or placed on Town land or in a road right-of-way violates §§ 57A-10 and 57A-11. General sign violations draw a fine of $100 to $500 under § 57A-24A, while a sign specifically on public property draws a flat $250 fine under § 57A-24B.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big can a political sign be on my Brookhaven lawn?
When do I have to take down a campaign sign after Election Day?
Can I put a political sign on Town property or a utility pole?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brookhaven
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