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// CODE SNIPPET

32-60 Sign Regulations

NYC Zoning Resolution > III Commercial District Regulations > 2 Use Regulations > 32-60 Sign Regulations
JUMP TO FULL CODE CHAPTER
(4/8/98)

32-61 Definitions

(5/22/63)

Words in italics are defined in Section 12-10 or, if applicable exclusively to this Chapter, in this Section.

32-62 Permitted Signs

(2/2/11)

C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8

In all districts, as indicated, #signs# other than #advertising signs# are permitted subject to the provisions of the following Sections:

Section 32-64 (Surface Area and Illumination Provisions)
Section 32-65 (Permitted Projection or Height of Signs)
Section 32-66 (Additional Regulations for Signs Near Certain Parks and Designated Arterial Highways)
Section 32-67 (Special Provisions Applying along District Boundaries)
Section 32-68 (Permitted Signs on Residential or Mixed Buildings)
Section 32-69 (Additional Sign Regulations for Adult Establishments)

However, notwithstanding any provision of this Section, flags, banners or pennants other than those that are #advertising signs#, located on any #zoning lot# used primarily for #community facility uses# of a civic, philanthropic, educational or religious nature, are permitted in all districts, as indicated, without limitation.

32-63 Permitted Advertising Signs

(2/2/11)

C6-5 C6-7 C7 C8

In the districts indicated, #advertising signs# are permitted subject to the applicable provisions of the following Sections:

Section 32-64 (Surface Area and Illumination Provisions)
Section 32-65 (Permitted Projection or Height of Signs)
Section 32-66 (Additional Regulations for Signs Near Certain Parks and Designated Arterial Highways)
Section 32-67 (Special Provisions Applying along District Boundaries)
Section 32-68 (Permitted Signs on Residential or Mixed Buildings)

32-64 Surface Area and Illumination Provisions

tppn
Linked Resources Available

This section has been clarified by a tppn issued by the Department of Buildings.

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(2/27/01)

C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8

In all districts, as indicated, all permitted #signs# shall be subject to the restrictions on #surface area# and illumination as set forth in this Section, provided that the following #signs# shall be exempted from such restrictions on #surface area#:

#Illuminated# non-#flashing signs# other than #advertising signs# located in a window within a #building#, with a total #surface area# not exceeding eight square feet on any #zoning lot# and limited to not more than three such #signs# in any window.

For the purpose of determining permitted #surface area# of #signs# for #zoning lots# occupied by more than one establishment, any portion of such #zoning lot# occupied by a #building# or part of a #building# accommodating one or more establishments on the ground floor may be considered as a separate #zoning lot#.

No #illuminated sign# shall have a degree or method of illumination which exceeds standards established by the Department of Buildings by rule pursuant to the City Administrative Procedure Act. Such standards shall ensure that illumination on any #illuminated sign# does not project or reflect on #residences#, #loft dwellings# or #joint living-work quarters for artists# so as to interfere with the reasonable use and enjoyment thereof. Nothing herein shall be construed to authorize a #sign with indirect illumination# to arrange an external artificial source of illumination so that direct rays of light are projected from such artificial source into #residences#, #loft dwellings# or #joint living-work quarters for artists#.

32-641 Total surface area of signs

(12/15/61)

C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8

In all districts, as indicated, the total #surface area# of all permitted #signs#, including non-#illuminated# or #illuminated signs#, shall not exceed the limitation established for non- #illuminated signs#, as set forth in Section 32-642.

32-642 Non-illuminated signs

(1/20/65)

C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8

In all districts, as indicated, non-#illuminated signs# with total #surface areas# not exceeding those shown in the following table are permitted:

District Maximum Surface Area
C3 50 square feet
C1 C2 Three times the #street# frontage of
the #zoning lot# (in feet), but in
no event more than 150 sq. ft. for
#interior# or #through lots# or 150
sq. ft. on each frontage for #corner
lots#.
C5-1 C5-2 C5-3 C5-5 Three times the #street# frontage of
the #zoning lot# (in feet), but in
no event more than 200 sq. ft. for
#interior# or #through lots# or 200
sq. ft. on each frontage for #corner
lots#.
C4 C5-4 C6-1 C6-2 C6-3
C6-4 C6-6 C6-8 C6-9
Five times the #street# frontage of
the #zoning lot# (in feet), but in
no event more than 500 sq. ft. for
#interior# or #through lots# or 500
sq. ft. on each frontage for #corner
lots#.
C8 Six times the #street# frontage of
the #zoning lot# (in feet), but in
no event more than 750 sq. ft. for
each #sign#.
C6-5 C6-7 C7 No restrictions as to size

32-643 Illuminated non-flashing signs

tppn
Linked Resources Available

This section has been clarified by a tppn issued by the Department of Buildings.

Learn more in the Linked Resources panel on the right.
(12/15/61)

C1 C2

In the districts indicated, #illuminated# non-#flashing signs# are permitted with a total #surface area# (in square feet) not exceeding three times the #street# frontage of the #zoning lot# in feet, but in no event shall the total #surface area# exceed 50 square feet for #interior# or #through lots# or 50 square feet on each frontage for #corner lots#.

32-644 Illuminated or flashing signs in C4, C5-4, C6 or C7 Districts

tppn
Linked Resources Available

This section has been clarified by a tppn issued by the Department of Buildings.

Learn more in the Linked Resources panel on the right.
(6/21/73)

C4 C5-4 C6 C7

In the districts indicated, #illuminated# or #flashing signs# with total #surface areas# not exceeding those shown in the following table are permitted:

District Maximum Surface Area
(in square feet)
C4 C5-4
C6-1 C6-2 C6-3 C6-4
C6-6 C6-8 C6-9
Five times the #street# frontage of
the #zoning lot# (in feet), but in
no event more than 500 square feet
for #interior# or #through lots# or
500 square feet on each frontage for
#corner lots#.
C6-5 C6-7 C7 No restrictions as to size

However, in a C6-1A District, #flashing signs# are not permitted.

32-645 Illuminated or flashing signs in C8 Districts

tppn
Linked Resources Available

This section has been clarified by a tppn issued by the Department of Buildings.

Learn more in the Linked Resources panel on the right.
(4/8/98)

C8

In the district indicated, #illuminated# or #flashing signs#, other than #advertising signs#, and #advertising signs# with indirect illumination, are permitted, provided that the total #surface area# of all such #signs# (in square feet) shall not exceed five times the #street# frontage of the #zoning lot# (in feet) and that the #surface area# of each #sign# shall not exceed 500 square feet.

32-65 Permitted Projection or Height of Signs

(12/15/61)

C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8

In all districts, as indicated, all permitted #signs# are subject to the applicable regulations of this Section.

32-651 Permitted projection in C6-5, C6-7 or C7 Districts

(4/8/98)

C6-5 C6-7 C7

In the districts indicated, except as otherwise provided in Section 32-653 (Additional regulations for projecting signs), no permitted #sign# shall project across a #street line# more than eight feet.

32-652 Permitted projection in all other Commercial Districts

(4/8/98)

C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6-1 C6-2 C6-3 C6-4 C6-6 C6-8 C6-9 C8

In the districts indicated, except as otherwise provided in Section 32-653 (Additional regulations for projecting signs), no permitted #sign# shall project across a #street line# more than 18 inches for double- or multi-faceted #signs# or 12 inches for all other #signs#.

32-653 Additional regulations for projecting signs

(2/27/01)

C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8

In all districts, as indicated, permitted #signs# other than #advertising signs# may be displayed as follows:
  1. Non-#illuminated signs# may be displayed on awnings or canopies permitted by the Administrative Code, with a #surface area# not exceeding 12 square feet and with the height of letters not exceeding 12 inches. Any commercial copy on such #signs# shall be limited to identification of the name or address of the #building# or an establishment contained therein.
  2. #Signs# may be displayed on marquees permitted by the Administrative Code, provided that no such #sign# in a district other than a C6-5, C6-7 or C7 District shall project more than 48 inches above nor more than 12 inches below such marquee.

32-654 Height of signs in C8 Districts

(12/15/61)

C8

In the district indicated, permitted #signs# shall not extend to a height greater than 40 feet above #curb level#, provided that non-#illuminated signs# or #signs with indirect illumination# may extend to a maximum height of 58 feet.

32-655 Height of signs in all other Commercial Districts

(1/20/65)

C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7

In the districts indicated, no permitted #sign# shall extend above #curb level# at a height greater than the following:

Districts Maximum Height (in feet)
C1 C2 C3
C5-1 C5-2 C5-3 C5-5
25
C4 C5-4 C6-1 C6-2 C6-3
C6-4 C6-6 C6-8 C6-9
40
C6-5 C6-7 C7 No restriction as to
height

32-656 Height of signs above roof

(1/20/65)

C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6-1 C6-2 C6-3 C6-4 C6-6 C6-8 C6-9

In the districts indicated, no #sign# displayed from the wall of a #building or other structure# shall extend above the parapet wall or roof of such #building or other structure#, except that a vertical #sign#, the horizontal width of which, parallel to the wall, does not exceed 28 inches, may extend no higher than 15 feet above the roof level.

32-657 Roof signs

(3/11/65)

C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6-1 C6-2 C6-3 C6-4 C6-6 C6-8 C6-9

In the districts indicated, no #signs# shall be permitted on the roof of any #building#.

32-66 Additional Regulations for Signs Near Certain Parks and Designated Arterial Highways

(2/27/01)

C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8

In all districts, as indicated, all permitted #signs# are subject to the applicable regulations of this Section.

For the purposes of this Section, arterial highways shall include all highways that are shown on the Master Plan of Arterial Highways and Major Streets as "principal routes," "parkways" or "toll crossings," and that have been designated by the City Planning Commission as arterial highways to which the provisions of this Section shall apply.

32-661 Additional regulations for signs other than advertising signs

(2/27/01)

C6-5 C6-7 C7 C8

In the districts indicated, and within 200 feet of an arterial highway or a #public park# with an area of one-half acre or more, no permitted #sign# that is within view of such arterial highway or #public park# shall exceed 500 square feet of #surface area#.

Beyond 200 feet from such arterial highway or #public park#, the surface area of such #signs# may be increased one square foot for each linear foot such #sign# is located from the arterial highway or #public park#.

Upon application, these requirements shall be waived, provided that the Chairperson of the City Planning Commission certifies that:
  1. such waiver is limited to a single, non-#flashing sign# that is located on a #zoning lot# not less than one and one-half acres; and
  2. all other permitted #signs# located on such #zoning lot# that are subject to the provisions of this Section conform with all the #sign# regulations applicable in C1 Districts.

32-662 Additional regulations for advertising signs

(2/27/01)

C6-5 C6-7 C7 C8

In all districts, as indicated, no #advertising sign# shall be located, nor shall an existing #advertising sign# be structurally altered, relocated or reconstructed within 200 feet of an arterial highway or of a #public park# with an area of one half acre or more, if such #advertising sign# is within view of such arterial highway or #public park#. For the purposes of this Section, arterial highways shall include all highways which are shown on the Master Plan of Arterial Highways and Major Streets, as "principal routes," "parkways" or "toll crossings," and which have been designated by the City Planning Commission as arterial highways to which the provisions of this Section shall apply. Beyond 200 feet from such arterial highway or #public park#, an #advertising sign# shall be located at a distance of at least as many linear feet therefrom as there are square feet of #surface area# on the face of such #sign#. However, in all districts as indicated, the more restrictive of the following shall apply:
  1. Any #advertising sign# erected, structurally altered, relocated or reconstructed prior to June 1, 1968, within 660 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of an arterial highway, whose message is visible from such arterial highway, shall have legal #non-conforming use# status pursuant to Section 52-83, to the extent of its size existing on May 31, 1968.
  2. Any #advertising sign# erected, structurally altered, relocated or reconstructed between June 1, 1968 and November 1, 1979, within 660 feet of the nearest edge of the rightof-way of an arterial highway, whose message is visible from such arterial highway, and whose size does not exceed 1,200 square feet in #surface area# on its face, 30 feet in height, and 60 feet in length, shall have legal #nonconforming use# status pursuant to Section 52-83, to the extent of its size existing on November 1, 1979. All #advertising signs# not in conformance with the standards set forth herein shall terminate.

32-663 Advertising signs on waterways

(2/27/01)

No moving or stationary #advertising sign# shall be displayed on a vessel plying waterways adjacent to #Commercial Districts# and within view from an arterial highway. For the purposes of this Section, arterial highways shall include all highways that are shown on the Master Plan of Arterial Highways and Major Streets as "principal routes," "parkways" or "toll crossings" and that have been designated by the City Planning Commission as arterial highways to which the provisions of this Section shall apply.

For the purposes of this Section, #advertising sign# is a #sign# that directs attention to a profession, business, commodity, service or entertainment conducted, sold or offered elsewhere than upon the premises of the vessel and is not #accessory# to a #use# on such vessel.

32-67 Special Provisions Applying along District Boundaries

(4/8/98)

C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8

In the districts indicated, and within 100 feet of the #street line# of any #street# or portion thereof in which the boundary of an adjoining #Residence District# is located, or which adjoins a #public park# of one-half acre or more, no #advertising sign# that faces at an angle of less than 165 degrees away from such #Residence District# or park boundary shall be permitted and all other #signs# facing at less than such an angle shall conform with all the #sign# regulations applicable in C1 Districts as set forth in Sections 32-61 to 32-68, inclusive, relating to Sign Regulations.

32-68 Permitted Signs on Residential or Mixed Buildings

(2/2/11)

C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6

In the districts indicated, any #use# listed in Use Group 1 or 2 shall conform to the #sign# regulations for #Residence Districts# set forth in Sections 22-31 to 22-34, inclusive. In #residential# or #mixed buildings#, #residential sign# regulations shall apply to the #residential# portion.

Where non-#residential uses# are permitted to occupy two floors of the #building#, all #signs accessory# to non-#residential uses# located on the second floor shall be non-#illuminated signs#, and shall be located below the level of the finished floor of the third #story#.

32-69 Additional Sign Regulations for Adult Establishments

(4/8/98)

C6-4 C6-5 C6-6 C6-7 C6-8 C6-9 C7 C8

#Signs#, other than #advertising signs#, for #adult establishments# are permitted only as set forth in this Section and are limited to locations in the districts indicated.

All permitted #signs#, other than #advertising signs#, for #adult establishments# shall conform with all the #sign# regulations applicable in C1 Districts as set forth in this Chapter, except that the provisions of Section 32-64 (Surface Area and Illumination Provisions) shall not apply. In lieu thereof, the maximum #surface area# of all #signs#, other than #advertising signs#, for #adult establishments# shall not exceed, in the aggregate, three times the #street# frontage of the #zoning lot#, but in no event more than 150 square feet per establishment, of which no more than 50 square feet may be #illuminated# non- #flashing signs#.
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