Southold Approves Political Yard Sign Regulations, Limiting Displays to 32 Square Feet

Southold, NY, has formally adopted Local Law No. 8 of 2025, implementing new regulations for political yard signs across the town. The measure, approved by the Town Board on July 22, 2025, aims to address concerns regarding aesthetics, litter, and traffic safety stemming from the proliferation of temporary signage. This development follows a period of public discussion and legal scrutiny over the proposed restrictions.

The newly enacted law permits political signs on privately owned residential, commercial, and industrial properties, provided they do not exceed 32 square feet in area. It further stipulates that signs must be securely fastened to prevent displacement and explicitly prohibits electronic or flashing displays. Additionally, the regulations forbid the placement of political signs on any Southold Town-owned land, including municipal parcels, parks, and rights-of-way.

Town officials, including Supervisor Al Krupski and Town Attorney Paul DeChance, have publicly stated the ordinance's primary objective is to mitigate public safety hazards and maintain community appearance. DeChance explained that the law seeks to "deal with issues concerning the garbage and debris left in roadways and dealing with issues of visibility when driving." Krupski also cited concerns about wire frames from discarded signs damaging public works equipment and becoming "flying projectiles."

The initial draft of the legislation faced significant opposition, notably from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), which argued it imposed "unconstitutional restrictions" on free speech. As stated in a tweet from FIRE, the amendment appeared to "single out temporary political signs in the name of 'traffic safety.'" In response to these constitutional concerns, the Town Board ultimately removed some of the most contentious provisions, such as mandatory security deposits and strict display period limitations, from the final adopted version.

While the town asserts the law is content-neutral and focused on physical aspects of signage, critics like FIRE have consistently highlighted the importance of protecting political expression. The adopted regulations represent Southold's attempt to strike a balance between preserving community aesthetics and ensuring residents' ability to display political messages on their private property, a right protected by the First Amendment.