Sign Regulations in New York, NY (2026)
4 verified sign regulations for New York, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Political Signs
New York City makes it unlawful to paste, post, nail or otherwise affix any political sign, poster or sticker to city property, including trees, lampposts, utility poles, bus shelters, hydrants, benches and traffic signs. Administrative Code § 10-119 covers every campaign sign stapled to a pole or zip-tied to a fence, with the Department of Sanitation authorized to subpoena phone records to track down violators.
NYC Bans Political Signs on Public Property
Significant RestrictionsNew York City Administrative Code § 10-119
It shall be unlawful for any person to paste, post, paint, print, nail or attach or affix by any means whatsoever any handbill, poster, notice, sign, advertisement, sticker or other printed material upon any curb, gutter, flagstone, tree, lamppost, awning post, telegraph pole, telephone pole, public utility pole, public garbage bin, bus shelter, bridge, elevated train structure, highway fence, ...
Holiday Displays
New York City's Fire Code caps temporary wiring for outdoor holiday lighting and other seasonal displays at 90 calendar days; wiring may run longer only during construction, remodeling, repair, or demolition work.
NYC Holiday Lighting: 90-Day Wiring Cap
Some RestrictionsNew York City Fire Code § FC605.9 (Temporary wiring)
Temporary wiring for electrical power and lighting installations is allowed for a period not to exceed 90 calendar days. Temporary wiring methods shall meet the applicable provisions of the Electrical Code. Exception: Temporary wiring for electrical power and lighting installations is allowed during periods of construction, remodeling, repair or demolition of buildings, structures, equipment or...
Digital Billboards
New York City's Zoning Resolution has no separate category for digital billboards; any sign with changing light, color, or images is a legally defined flashing sign, restricted to specific commercial and manufacturing districts citywide.
NYC Digital Billboards Count as Flashing Signs
Significant RestrictionsNew York City Zoning Resolution § 12-10
A "flashing sign" is any illuminated sign, whether stationary, revolving or rotating, that exhibits changing light or color effects, provided that revolving or rotating signs that exhibit no changing light or color effects other than those produced by revolution or rotation, shall be deemed flashing signs only if they exhibit sudden or marked changes in such light or color effects.
Freeway-Facing Signs
New York City bars new billboards within 200 feet of a City-designated arterial highway if visible from it, and requires a growing setback beyond that based on the sign's surface area.
NYC Advertising Signs Near Arterial Highways
Significant RestrictionsNew York City Zoning Resolution § 32-662
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.