Quick answer: Start signage 6 to 10 weeks before opening: confirm what your lease allows, get artwork and a scaled drawing, then apply for the sign permit with your village or town (hamlets like Monsey, Nanuet and Pearl River go through the town). Plan a temporary banner for opening day, door and window lettering with hours and phone, and ADA-compliant room signs for restrooms and other permanent rooms. If you'll collect sales tax, New York requires your Certificate of Authority to be displayed at your place of business.
Step 1: Read Your Lease (Weeks 10 to 8)
Before you design anything, find the signage section of your lease. Many Rockland landlords and shopping plazas control sign size, location, colors, lighting and how signs attach to the building. Some require a specific style, like channel letters on a raceway, and most want to approve drawings before you apply for a permit. Get that approval in writing.
Step 2: Get Artwork and a Scaled Drawing (Weeks 9 to 7)
- Have your logo as a vector file (AI, EPS, SVG or PDF). A blurry JPEG can be redrawn, but it adds time.
- Decide on the main sign type: channel letters, a lightbox, a flat panel or dimensional letters. Our storefront sign cost guide compares typical price ranges.
- Ask for a mockup on a photo of your actual storefront, with dimensions.
- Keep the name short and readable from the road. Fewer, bigger letters usually work better.
Step 3: Apply for the Sign Permit (Weeks 7 to 4)
In Rockland County, sign permits come from the village building department in incorporated villages like Spring Valley, Suffern and Airmont. In hamlets, they come from the town: Monsey is in the Town of Ramapo, Nanuet and New City are in the Town of Clarkstown, and Pearl River is in the Town of Orangetown. Expect to submit a scaled drawing, sign dimensions, mounting details and often landlord consent. Some applications go to a planning, architectural or zoning board, which adds weeks. Our storefront sign size and permit guide has the details.
Step 4: Plan a Temporary Sign for Opening Day
Permanent signs often aren't ready on day one. A vinyl "Now Open" banner keeps you visible while the permanent sign is in fabrication. Many villages and towns limit how big temporary banners can be and how long they can stay up, so ask the building department before hanging one. Leave dates off the design so you can reuse it.
Step 5: Doors and Windows
- Business hours, phone number and website on the entry door.
- Your name or logo on the glass at eye level, especially if the main sign is high up.
- Services or menu highlights in the windows, without covering so much glass that the store looks closed. See window graphics.
- Some local codes count window signs toward your total sign area, so check before you cover the glass.
Step 6: Interior and ADA Signs
Under the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, section 216 requires signs that identify permanent rooms and spaces, like restrooms, exits and numbered rooms, to meet section 703. That section covers raised characters, Grade 2 Braille, non-glare finishes, contrast and mounting height and location. The standards list exceptions, including building directories, company names and logos, and temporary signs used for seven days or less. Order these early. They're simple, but they're often forgotten until inspection.
Step 7: Required Postings
If you make taxable sales, register for New York sales tax before you open. The NYS Department of Taxation and Finance says to register at least 20 days before you begin business, and once you receive your Certificate of Authority, you must display it at your place of business. Other required postings, such as labor law posters, depend on your business, so check with the relevant agencies.
Step 8: Vehicles, Print and Wayfinding
- Vehicle graphics on a delivery van or service truck advertise everywhere you drive.
- A-frame sidewalk signs may need village or town permission. Ask before putting one on a public sidewalk.
- Parking, entrance and directional signs help in plazas with rear lots or shared entrances.
- Make sure your address numbers are visible from the street for customers, deliveries and emergency crews.
Quick Checklist
- Lease signage rules and landlord approval
- Vector logo and scaled drawing
- Sign permit from your village or town
- Temporary opening banner
- Door hours and window lettering
- ADA restroom and room signs
- Certificate of Authority posted (if you collect sales tax)
- Vehicle graphics, sidewalk and directional signs
Want help planning signs for your opening? Call (845) 579-3685 or use the form below with your address, opening date and a photo of the storefront.
Common Questions
How long does it take to get a business sign in Rockland County?
It varies, but plan for several weeks. Design and drawings, landlord approval, the village or town permit review and fabrication all take time. Starting 6 to 10 weeks before opening gives you room.
Do I need a permit for a business sign in Rockland County?
Most permanent exterior signs need a sign permit from the village, or from the town for hamlets like Monsey, Nanuet, New City and Pearl River. Temporary banners are often regulated too.
Do restroom signs have to be ADA compliant?
Yes. Under the 2010 ADA Standards, signs that identify permanent rooms and spaces, like restrooms, must meet section 703, which covers raised characters, Braille, contrast and mounting location.
What do I need to post at my business in New York?
If you make taxable sales, New York requires your Certificate of Authority to be displayed at your place of business. Other postings depend on your business type and number of employees.
Can I put up a temporary sign while I wait for my permanent sign?
Usually, but many villages and towns limit the size and how long temporary banners can stay up. Check with your building department before hanging one.
Sources
- NYS Department of Taxation and Finance, How to register for New York State sales tax
- U.S. Department of Justice, 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design (sections 216 and 703)
Related
Custom signs · Channel letters · Sign costs · Sign size & permit guide · Window graphics · Service areas
Get a Quote
Call (845) 579-3685 or send details below.