File #: T2025-4403    Version: * Name: Requiring the department of buildings and the department of small business services to provide education concerning the proper installation of awnings and accessory signs, and in relation to waiving penalties and fees related to such signs.
Type: Introduction Status: Introduced
Committee: Committee on Housing and Buildings
On agenda: 11/12/2025
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the City of New York, in relation to requiring the department of buildings and the department of small business services to provide education concerning the proper installation of awnings and accessory signs, and in relation to waiving penalties and fees related to such signs
Sponsors: Justin L. Brannan
Council Member Sponsors: 1
Summary: This bill would extend the current moratorium on fines related to violations of local laws and regulations governing signs on awnings and accessory signs, which are typically signs which promote a business and are attached to the building in which the business operates. This moratorium would only apply to violations that do not pose hazards to health or safety. This bill would also require the Department of Buildings and the Department of Small Business Services to provide education and outreach concerning the laws and regulations governing such signs, so as to assist with compliance by small businesses, sign makers, and sign hangers.
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No., 2. Int. No.

Int. No.

 

By Council Member Brannan

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the City of New York, in relation to requiring the department of buildings and the department of small business services to provide education concerning the proper installation of awnings and accessory signs, and in relation to waiving penalties and fees related to such signs

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Section 3 of local law number 28 for the year 2019, as amended by local law number 43 for the year 2023, is amended to read as follows:

§ 3. Violations for existing accessory signs. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no applicable violations shall be issued on or after the effective date of the local law that established this section for an accessory sign in existence on or before such date for a period of [six years] nine years, ending on February 9, 2028, unless such accessory sign creates an imminent threat to public health or safety or the commissioner of buildings determines that such sign is otherwise not eligible for the temporary waiver created under this section.

§ 2. Section 4 of local law number 28 for the year 2019, as amended by local law number 43 for the year 2023, is amended to read as follows:

§ 4. Temporary assistance for respondents. a. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the commissioner of buildings shall establish a temporary program to provide assistance to respondents of judgments resulting from applicable violations resolved by payment by the respondent or other payor between June 1, 2006 and the effective date of the local law that established this section for a [six-year period] nine-year period ending on February 9, 2028. The assistance provided by such program shall include, but not be limited to:

1. Technical assistance in acquiring the permit or permits required to install an accessory sign;

2. Review of all permit applications relevant to the installation of an accessory sign including a preliminary review of compliance with paragraph (a) of section 32-653 or paragraph (a) of section 42-542 of the zoning resolution, or any provision amending, replacing or supplementing such sections of the zoning resolution within seven days of receiving such application; and

3. A waiver of all fees in connection with permits relevant to the installation of an accessory sign incurred on or after the effective date of the local law that established this section.

§ 3. Article 103 of chapter 1 of title 28 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 28-103.39 to read as follows:

§ 28-103.39 Education and outreach regarding awnings and accessory signs. No later than June 30, 2026, and annually thereafter, the department, in coordination with the department of small business services, shall conduct targeted outreach to educate small business owners and sign makers about local laws and regulations applicable to awnings and accessory signs and their installation, including the provisions of articles 105 and 415 of this title, the relevant provisions of the building code, and the provisions of the zoning resolution related to awnings and accessory signs. Such outreach shall include the distribution of written materials in the designated citywide languages, as defined in section 23-1101, copies of which shall also be available on the department’s website. Such written materials shall be updated whenever the relevant laws or regulations change. Such written materials and outreach shall be developed to guide business owners and sign makers in the compliant design, structure, and hanging of awnings and accessory signs and shall, at a minimum, include educational materials concerning:

1. The requirements of the zoning resolution and the building code related to the surface area, projection, and text on signs and awnings, including examples of compliant signs and awnings;

 

2. The circumstances in which a permit is required for the installation of an accessory sign;

 

3. The circumstances in which a special licensed sign hanger, or master licensed sign hanger is required to install a sign; and

 

4. The penalties for failing to comply with the above requirements.

 

§ 4. This local law takes effect immediately and is retroactive to and deemed to have been in effect as of January 1, 2025.

 

WAE

LS #18882

10/24/25 11:37 AM