Colonie, NY Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Section 190-83(A)(2) of the Town of Colonie Zoning Code classifies political and lawn signs as a permitted temporary sign type that needs no permit application, unlike most other sign categories in the same subsection, which require an application to the Building Department, referral to the Planning and Economic Development Department, and a fee. 5 square feet, the height cap is three feet for a freestanding sign, and placement is restricted to private property, so a sign cannot be planted on a Town right-of-way, median, or utility pole.

The 30-day removal clock runs from the date of the election the sign references, so a sign posted months ahead of a vote can stay up throughout the campaign as long as it comes down within a month after Election Day. Colonie treats an unremoved political sign the same as any other illegal sign under § 190-83(E): the Building Department can serve a notice on the property owner requiring removal within 10 business days, either in person or by certified mail, and if the owner does not comply, the Town may enter the property and remove the sign at the owner's cost.

The only relief from that removal duty is the general provision letting the Building Department remove a dangerous or defective sign without notice under § 190-83(F). Because lawn and political signs are listed among the article's exempt-from-permit categories, they skip the sign-permit application, PEDD referral, and six-month permit-expiration clock that governs the article's permitted commercial and subdivision sign categories.