New Real Estate Sign Law Ratifed Despite Safety Concerns

East Hampton Village properties up for sale and under construction will soon have smaller signs. 

On Friday, the village board approved an amendment to the code that restricts real estate and contractor signs to 18-by-18 inches, or just after 2.25 square feet, after and several . The former legislation limits signs to 7 square feet.

The law, which will take effect June 1, was not without its opponents, despite a unanimous board vote. 

Two groups raised safety concerns about an aspect of the amendment that will require the smaller, one-sided signs to be posted parallel to the property instead of perpendicular.

Margaret Turner, the executive director of the , said its membership was concerned drivers would strain to see real estate signs hanging parallel and even stop in the street.

The Village Preservation Society shared those concerns, according to spokeswoman Kathy Cunningham, who suggested the board allow the property owner to decide which was best and also allow the signs to remain double-sided.

While the preservation group support the village's attempt to "limit the billboard affect" on residential street, it also wanted to support businesses. "Businesses spend great sums of money on marketing and branding materials," Cunningham said, adding that the board should allow logos to be printed.

Under the new law, no objects could be appended to real estate signs, such as "Under Contract" or "Sold." The maximum height of of the sign and post could be no more than 3 feet above grade — unless a sign is posted in a window. Lastly, real estate signs would have to be removed no later than the date the property's deed is transferred.

Turner also said the alliance felt 18-by-18 was just too small for contractor signs.

Philip Weiden, a legislative liaison for the Long Island Board of Realtors, also spoke out against limiting the size of signs. "It does harm the market in small villages," he said, adding it would have a negative impact on the industry.

The Town of Shelter Island and the Village of Westhampton and Quogue have restricted the signs of real estate signs. For example, in Westhampton, the allowable size is 12-by-18 inches with a white background and sign lettering professionally done in two-inch nonmetallic light blue block.

Several real estate agents wrote the board. Some were in favor of the proposal, others were against it. Twenty-two agents from Saundres Real Estate in Bridgehampton signed a letter of opposition.

John M. Gicking, a vice president at in East Hampton, said anything larger than , was unnecessary.

"Communities which restrict the size of signs, such as Palm Beach, Shelter Island, New Canaan and others have set a high standard which helps protect the landscape and beauty of their areas. East Hampton Village should do the same," Gicking wrote.

Ricardo Gobello, an associate broker with , wrote, "Signs are free advertisement and should be strictly regulated."