^Here's the entire relevant section copied and pasted. I'm sure the answer is in there somewhere but I don't know which one(s) speak most directly to it. My eyes were starting to cross reading the PDF:
Some regulation sections correspond with the zoning reform of 1961. The MetLife (Pan Am) Building opened in 1959 with two colossal PAN AM wordmarks facing north and south and two large globe logomarks on the east and west. I don't know if the 1961 rewrite forbid such signage or not as 1 Penn Plaza came after with it's large stylized 1 sign in 1972.
32-60 - SIGN REGULATIONS
LAST AMENDED
12/15/1961
32-61 - Definitions
LAST AMENDED
11/19/1987
Words in italics are defined in Section 12-10 or, if applicable exclusively to this Chapter, in this Section.
32-62 - Permitted Signs
LAST AMENDED
2/2/2011
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
LAST AMENDED
2/2/2011
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
LAST AMENDED
2/27/2001
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
LAST AMENDED
12/15/1961
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
LAST AMENDED
1/20/1965
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
LAST AMENDED
12/15/1961
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
LAST AMENDED
6/21/1973
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
LAST AMENDED
4/8/1998
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
LAST AMENDED
12/15/1961
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
LAST AMENDED
4/8/1998
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
LAST AMENDED
4/8/1998
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
LAST AMENDED
2/27/2001
C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8
In all districts, as indicated, permitted #signs# other than #advertising signs# may be displayed as follows:
(a) 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.
(b) #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
LAST AMENDED
12/15/1961
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
LAST AMENDED
1/20/1965
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
LAST AMENDED
1/20/1965
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
LAST AMENDED
4/8/1965
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
LAST AMENDED
2/27/2001
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
LAST AMENDED
2/27/2001
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:
(a) 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
(b) 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
LAST AMENDED
2/27/2001
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 that 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 right-of-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 #non-conforming 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
LAST AMENDED
2/27/2001
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
LAST AMENDED
4/8/1998
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 32-62 through 32-68, inclusive, relating to Sign Regulations.
Prev
Linear Mode
