Local Law 29 of 2021 extends the moratorium on the issuance of certain accessory sign violations, and the temporary assistance program for certain accessory signs to January 1, 2023.
Moratorium on Issuance of Certain Accessory Sign Violations
The NYC Department of Buildings will not issue accessory sign violations for business storefront signs that existed before February 9, 2019, and do not exceed 150 square feet in area or exceed 1,200 pounds in weight, unless the sign creates an imminent threat to public health or safety.
The enforcement moratorium is extended to January 1, 2023.
Temporary Assistance Program for Certain Accessory Signs
The Temporary Assistance Program waives all sign permit filing fees for respondents who received a Department sign violation until January 1, 2023 if:
• the summons or violation was for a storefront sign
• The penalty imposed as a result of a hearing held at OATH’s Hearing Division (formerly known as ECB) was entered as a judgment in court NOTE: If the violation was entered as a judgment in court, a Court Docket Date will be listed on the OATH/ECB Violations Details page in the Buildings Information System (BIS).
• the judgment amount was paid between June 1, 2006 and January 1, 2021.
If the summons/violation meets all of the listed criteria:
• submit a job filing and pay the fees in DOB NOW: Build NOTE: In most cases, the raising or lowering of any sign requires a Licensed Sign Hanger. See a list of Licensed Sign Hangers and get additional sign installation information from DOB’s website.
• indicate that the filing addresses a summons/violation and provide the summons/violation number
• submit an RF1-Refund Request Application and select Overpayment (OP) in Section 3 (Reason for Refund Request). The Correct Fee in Section 4 (Payment Information) is 100% of the filing fee paid. Attach the following to the completed RF1 – Refund Request Application:
• a copy of the accessory sign summons/violation; and
• proof of payment for the entire judgment amount (i.e., a copy of the cancelled check or a credit card statement); the proof of payment must include the date the payment was made – please attach a copy of the court judgment if you have it, although the judgment is not required – see the RF1 instructions for form submission details.
For additional business assistance, contact NYC Small Business Services. Please note in the How can we help you? field that you were referred by the NYC Department of Buildings per Local Law 28 of 2019.