What's happening
This bill requires the immediate removal of large illegal signs and their structures in New York City after notice and hearing.
Why it matters
Strengthens Enforcement. By changing "may" to "shall," the bill removes the city's discretion and requires the commissioner to order the removal of large illegal signs and their structures, ensuring consistent enforcement rather than case-by-case decisions.
Targets Large-Scale Offenders. The law specifically applies to signs over 200 square feet, focusing on large advertisements and billboards, which often have more significant visual and neighborhood impacts than smaller signs.
Speeds Up Removal Process. The bill mandates immediate action for signs already deemed illegal, potentially reducing the time these public nuisances remain in place and addressing community complaints more swiftly.
Clarifies Legal Responsibility. The explicit requirement to remove both the sign and its supporting structure (if applicable) closes loopholes that may have allowed only the sign face to be removed, leaving structures behind and maintaining blight.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Remove Illegal Large Signs
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.488
- Referred to cities
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.843
- Referred to cities
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Remove Illegal Oversized Signs
In Assembly Committee · Cities · Sponsor Edward Braunstein
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
811
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. LANZA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Cities
AN ACT to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the declaration of a sign as a public nuisance
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 28-503.1 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by local law number 33 of the city of New York for the year 2007, is amended to read as follows:
§ 28-503.1 General. A sign with a surface area greater than 200 square feet (19 m{2}) that is erected, maintained, attached, affixed, painted on, or in any other manner represented on a building or premises in violation of the zoning resolution, this code, the 1968 building code or rules adopted pursuant thereto is hereby declared to be a public nuisance. The commissioner [may] shall, after notice and hearing, order the removal of such illegal sign [or] and its sign structure [or both], if applicable, as hereinafter provided.
§ 2. The commissioner of buildings shall immediately order the removal of any sign and its sign structure that has previously been deemed illegal.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02678-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the declaration of a sign as a public nuisance
Purpose or general idea of bill
To remove billboards that have been found to violate the New York zoning resolution, as well as the structures attached to them.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1: Amends Section 28-503.1 of the administrative code of the City of New York, as added by local law number 33 of the City of New York for the year 2007 to provide that the Buildings Commissioner shall order the removal of the illegal sign and its sign structure, if appli- cable.
Section 2: Provides the effective date.
Justification
Advertisements on billboards throughout New York City have been removed, following stricter enforcement of a 1940 law restricting ads within 200 feet of the City's main highways. However, while the advertisements have been removed, the blank billboards and their stanchions remain. This causes a serious quality of life issue for New York City residents, as these blank billboards have become magnets for graffiti.
The billboards also create a safety issue for New Yorkers. In 2012, a billboard next to the Brooklyn Queens Expressway fell onto the highway, as well as three auto repair shops below. Although this incident did not injure any drivers or pedestrians, it serves to highlight the dangers of such large signs.
Current law allows the commissioner to order the removal of the signs after notice and a hearing. This bill would make the removal of the sign and stanchion mandatory after notice and hearing.
Prior legislative history
2018: S.5441 - Third Reading Calendar / A.707 - Referred to Cities 2017: S.5441 - Died on Third Reading / A.707 - Referred to Cities 2016: S.4419 - Referred to Cities / A.3634 - Referred to Cities 2015: S.4419 - 3rd Reading Calendar / A.3634 - Referred to Cities
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.