Register Outdoor Ad Signs Under New DOB Rules

The New York City Department of Buildings last Wednesday announced the publication of new regulations for outdoor advertising signage. The new rules enhance the department's regulatory authority over billboards and are aimed at combating the proliferation of illegal signs near the city's major arterial highways and parks.

The new regulations implement provisions of Local Laws 14/2001 and 31/2005. This legislation focuses on advertising signs in and around public parks and highways where visual clutter has significantly increased over the last decade, causing unsightly and potentially unsafe situations. Once the new rules go into effect, owners of signs that are found to be non-compliant may incur penalties up to $25,000 per day and the signs may be removed by the city.

Buildings Department Commissioner Patricia Lancaster, FAIA, said, "These rules and their significant penalties for offenders give our inspectors and attorneys meaningful tools to help ensure that outdoor advertising companies are held accountable to the signage laws established by the City Council. I would like to thank Councilmember Melinda Katz and the entire Land Use Committee for their hard work and interest in helping the Department of Buildings make New York City a better place to live, work and build."

Pursuant to the Local Laws, outdoor advertising companies conducting business in the city must register their signs located within 900 feet and in view of an arterial highway or within 200 feet and within view of any public park that is onehalf acre or larger in area.

The new regulations (Rules of the City of New York, Chapter 49 (Rule 49)) establish the procedures by which Local Laws 14/2001 and 31/2005 will be carried out. The rules include a sign registration process, set deadlines for registration and establish enforcement and penalty procedures for non-compliance. Failure to comply may result in penalties ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 per day, in addition to the risk of sign removal, revocation of registration for the outdoor advertising company and potential exclusion from bidding on city contracts for a period of five years.

Rule 49 is effective on August 25, 2006. Beginning on that date, outdoor advertising companies will have 60 days to submit applications to register their companies and their signs. During the next 60 days, the department will review all applications and approve or deny registrations. Where applications are approved, the department will assign a registration number to the company. The company's name and registration number, along with the permit number for each sign, must be displayed on the sign within 90 days of approval. Additional information on the outdoor advertising registration program is available on the Buildings Department Web site: www.nyc.gov/buildings.

The New York City Department of Buildings ensures the safe and lawful use of buildings and properties by enforcing the Building Code and Zoning Resolution.