What You Need to Know about Advertising Signs

What is an Advertising Sign?

• A sign that directs attention to goods and services at a location other than the premises where the sign is located. These signs are only permitted in certain zoning districts throughout the city.

What is NOT an Advertising Sign?

• A sign that directs attention to a business at the same location as the sign. A non-commercial sign unrelated to any commercial business.

• A non-commercial sign unrelated to any business.

What is a Sidewalk Shed?

• A sidewalk shed is a structure erected over a sidewalk to protect pedestrians from debris that might fall from work going on above that sidewalk.

What is a Scaffold?

• A scaffold is a work platform, either suspended from a roof or some other part of a building or built up from the ground, typically with a system of pipe sections. This type of scaffold is usually erected on top of a sidewalk shed, which protects the sidewalk below the scaffold.

What is the Law Regarding Signs on these Structures?

• SHEDS: 1 RCNY 27.03 allows non-advertising business signs that are covered by a sidewalk shed to be installed on the sidewalk shed. It prohibits any advertising signs on any sidewalk sheds even if they are located in a zoning district that allows advertising.

• SCAFFOLDS: 1 RCNY 27.03 does not address signs on scaffolds. Signs on scaffolds are governed by zoning.

Important Note: Signs, either advertising or non-advertising signs must comply with the regulations set forth in the Zoning Resolution (surface area, height, illumination, etc.) and Building Code (structural issues, permits, etc.). Failure to comply may result in violations and the issuance of fines. Visit the violations section for more information.

The regulations governing signs on construction fences are different from the regulations for sidewalk sheds and scaffolding. See below for pertinent information about construction fences.

What is a construction fence?

• A construction fence is a protective structure erected around a demolition or construction site. Typically, it is a solid fence at least eight feet high that protects the public from potential hazards on the site.

  
Pictured above: Examples of required fences used to secure construction sites.

What is the law regarding Signs on this structure?

• 1 RCNY 27-03 prohibits information, pictorial representations, or any business or advertising messages to be posted on construction fences. The posting of illegal signs on construction fences may result in fines and/or other penalties.

  
Pictured above: Examples of illegal signs posted on plywood construction fences.

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