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What is NYC ZR § 37-753?

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This section outlines regulations for accessory signs in public plazas, treating them as streets for sign purposes. It specifies limitations on sign size, illumination, and content, as well as the number of signs allowed. Applies to building owners with establishments fronting on public plazas.

General informational summary. Not legal advice for your situation. Consult an attorney before acting on any specific matter.

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§ 37-753 Accessory signs

ZR § 37-753

A public plaza shall be treated as a street for the purposes of the applicable sign regulations. Signs, except for the plaque required by Section 37-751, are permitted only as accessory to uses permitted within the public plaza and uses adjoining the public plaza, and are otherwise regulated by the applicable district regulations set forth in Section 32-60 (SIGN REGULATIONS), except as provided below:

(a)each establishment fronting on the public plaza shall be permitted to have not more than one sign affixed to the building wall fronting on the public plaza.

(b)all signs shall be non-illuminated;

(c)all signs shall contain only the building or establishment name and address;

(d)all signs accessory to retail uses affixed to building walls may not exceed four square feet in size;

(e)not more than three accessory signs may be located within the public plaza, of which one may be freestanding. All such signs, including structures to which they are affixed, shall not be higher than three feet above the level of the adjoining public access area. Such signs shall not exceed an area of two square feet. In addition, no portion of such sign, including structures to which they are affixed, shall exceed a width of 16 inches facing a street, and 24 inches when not facing a street. For corner public plazas, such limitations shall apply to only one street frontage. If such sign is associated with a building used for office use, such sign shall contain only the names of principal building tenants and shall also contain the public space symbol as described in Section 37-751 and the words “Open to Public” in lettering at least two inches in height; and

(f)all signs located on permitted canopies or awnings within the public plaza shall contain only the building or establishment name and shall not exceed a height of one foot.

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