Clarkstown, NY Sign Regulations: Window Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Max window sign coverage
- 20% of window area
- Counted toward cap
- permanent and temporary signs, lettering
- Excluded from cap
- hours-of-operation or address-only signs
- Approval required
- Architectural Historic Review Board
- Applies in
- HC-C, HC-VC, HC-WN hamlet centers
- Violation fine
- up to $2,500, 15 days jail
Summary
In Clarkstown's Hamlet Center Districts, a business may display a window sign behind the ground-floor storefront glass with Architectural Historic Review Board approval, but every sign in that window combined, permanent or temporary, cannot cover more than 20% of the window's glass area.
Window signs. In lieu of a facade or hanging sign, businesses are permitted a window sign or signs which are displayed behind the ground-floor storefront glass, with approval from the Architectural Historic Review Board. The total area of all window signs may not exceed 20% of the area of any window. Window signs shall include both permanent and temporary signs, posters, notices, advertisements, window lettering and similar information and shall all be counted toward the total amount of window sign area. Window signs which simply state hours of operation or street address shall not be counted against the window sign area.
Full Breakdown
Clarkstown's town-wide sign code, Chapter 243, defines a WINDOW SIGN at § 243-4 as any sign "posted, painted, placed, or affixed in or on the interior surface of a window exposed to public view," including an interior sign within three feet of the window. Inside the Hamlet Center Zoning Districts (HC-C in Congers, HC-VC in Valley Cottage, HC-WN in West Nyack), § 290-7.2K(6)(a)[1] states that Chapter 243 applies "except as otherwise stated in this section," and § 290-7.2K(6)(b)[3] is the district's own window-sign rule: businesses may display a window sign behind the ground-floor storefront glass with Architectural Historic Review Board (AHRB) approval, in lieu of a facade sign or hanging sign, but the combined area of every sign in that window, permanent or temporary, including posters, notices, advertisements and window lettering, cannot exceed 20% of the window's glass area. A sign that only states hours of operation or a street address is exempted from that 20% count.
This 20% cap repeats verbatim in the parallel Neighborhood Shopping District design chapter and the Hamlet Commercial-Nanuet/Transit Oriented Development chapter, so it functions as Clarkstown's standard window-sign ceiling across every district that carries its own AHRB design-review chapter. Because window and door signs are also listed as exempt from a sign permit town-wide under § 243-6G, subject to the Sign Design Guidelines, a business inside a Hamlet Center district still needs no separate sign permit for a compliant window sign, but AHRB review of the storefront design applies whenever the signage accompanies new construction or an exterior renovation.
Violations & Fines
Covering more than 20% of a window with signage, or installing a window sign without required AHRB approval where a renovation triggered design review, violates Chapter 243 and is enforceable under § 243-13C: a misdemeanor fine of up to $2,500 or up to 15 days imprisonment, or both, with each day of continued violation a separate offense. The Building Inspector administers and enforces the chapter and may order the excess signage removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of my storefront window can I cover with signs in Clarkstown?
Does a sign listing my store hours count toward the 20% limit?
Do I need a permit for a window sign?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clarkstown
New York rules heatmap·Compare Clarkstown to another location·View the New York sign regulations overview
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