Are LED Signs Allowed in Nesconset, Town of Smithtown, Suffolk County, New York? A Guide to Permits, Sizes, and Zoning
EMC Sign Allowed?
✅ Yes. EMC signs are allowed in Nesconset, Town of Smithtown, Suffolk County, New York — but they are subject to strict lighting and zoning regulations.
Under Smithtown Town Code (Chapter 322 – Supplementary Use and Building Regulations):
"Accessory structures, including signs, are permitted within required front or side yards (§322-12D), subject to applicable regulations. Outdoor lighting (§322-26) must not produce glare, and flashing, intermittent, rotating, or moving lights are prohibited (except between November 15 and January 15)."
🔗 Full Ordinance – City of Nesconset, Town of Smithtown Sign Code
🔗 Zoning & GIS Map – City of Nesconset, Town of Smithtown Zoning & GIS Map
EMC Sign Summary Table
| Feature | Answer |
|---|---|
| Zoning districts that allow EMCs | Allowed as accessory structures in commercial/business zones (local confirmation required) |
| EMC sign styles allowed | Monument, Freestanding, Wall (subject to sign chapter) |
| Off-premise EMCs allowed | ❌ No |
| EMCs allowed in the public right-of-way | ❌ No |
| Minimum setback required | Must comply with yard requirements; typically 10–25 ft (local review required) |
| Use restrictions | Permitted for commercial, institutional, and civic uses; prohibited in residential zones |
| Illumination restrictions | ❌ No flashing, intermittent, rotating, or moving lights (except holiday window 11/15–1/15) |
| Shielding required | ✅ Yes – lights must be hooded/arranged to prevent glare toward highways or neighboring properties |
Zoning District Overview
The Town of Smithtown’s zoning code regulates signs as accessory structures. EMCs may be allowed in commercial and business districts but are restricted in residential zones.
When abutting residential properties, buffer yards and screening requirements apply, including:
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A minimum 50-foot setback
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A landscaped planting strip
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A solid fence for screening
To verify a property’s zoning designation, contact:
Town of Smithtown – Department of Planning & Zoning
99 West Main Street, Smithtown, NY 11787
📞 (631) 360-7540
Zoning-Specific Standards (Example Table)
Because Smithtown does not publish EMC-specific tables, the following reflects typical New York suburban standards inferred from the code:
| Commercial Districts | Highway Business (HB) | General Commercial (C-2) |
|---|---|---|
| EMC allowed | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Permitted sign types | Wall, Freestanding, Monument | Wall, Monument |
| Maximum number of EMCs | 1 per frontage | 1 per frontage |
| Maximum area (wall-mounted) | 150 sq. ft. | 100 sq. ft. |
| Maximum height | 25 ft. | 20 ft. |
| Static illumination | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Animated signs | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Off-premise content allowed | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Setback requirement | 10–25 ft. | 10–25 ft. |
(Applicants must confirm these limits directly with Smithtown officials.)
Permit Filing Requirements
To install an EMC sign in Nesconset / Smithtown, applicants must:
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Submit a Sign Permit Application to the Town of Smithtown
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Provide site plans, design drawings, and structural details
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Include lighting specifications showing hooded fixtures and dimming controls
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Pay applicable permit fees (rates vary; contact Town Hall)
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Comply with buffer yard and screening requirements when adjacent to residential uses
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Follow New York State DOT regulations for spacing and roadway safety
Local Project Examples (Optional)
At this time, no public EMC installation examples have been documented for Nesconset. Businesses planning EMC projects should consult licensed New York sign contractors experienced with Smithtown permitting and state DOT compliance.
Full Ordinance Text (Verbatim Excerpt)
Smithtown Town Code §322-26 – Outdoor and Window Lighting
"Flashing, intermittent, rotating, moving or chaser lights or signs shall not be permitted, except that holiday window displays may be permitted between November 15 and January 15. Outdoor lighting shall be so arranged that it is deflected away from highways and adjacent properties. All luminaries shall be hooded or otherwise arranged to shield the light source."
External Reference Links
🗺️ Nesconset, Town of Smithtown Zoning & GIS Map
📘 Nesconset, Town of Smithtown Zoning Sign Code
📝 Permit Application Portal