Southold, New York: Ordinance Seemingly Bans Nearly All Residential Signs

Southold, New York, seemingly bans nearly all signs on residential property. Even where the town allows signs, it generally charges a $100 permit application fee and requires signs to be evaluated based on vague design criteria. Additionally, the town proposed amending the ordinance to single out “political” signs. On July 21, 2025, FIRE wrote to Southold officials to urge them to revise the town’s unconstitutional ordinance in a manner compliant with the First Amendment.

On July 22, Southold passed a modified amendment that still singled out “political” signs and failed to address the other problems with the ordinance. FIRE sent a follow-up letter reiterating the unconstitutionality of the ordinance on October 8.