HPD just published two proposed rules focused on digital signage in residential properties and clarifying Local Law 157 requirements. Here’s what you need to know:

Digital Signage In Residential Properties

We recently wrote about HPD’s regulatory agenda for 2025-26, which included new permissions for digital signage. Per HPD, digital signage can be a more efficient means of conveying important information to occupants and guests, and allow folks to “view information easily and efficiently.”

While the agenda didn’t include any details on what this would look like, we now have HPD’s officially proposed rule on how property managers can replace existing required signs with digital ones. Specifically:

[HPD] is proposing amendments to rules that would allow building owners the option to use a digital sign instead of posting a printed sign in a common area to advise occupants of various requirements of the Housing Maintenance Code

Per the proposal, here are the different requirements where HPD will permit owners to post a digital sign, rather than a printed one:

• Owner’s Right To Access Dwelling Rooms/Units and Requirements for Notification
  • This section covers the notice for “Interruption of Services” – where owners must post this prior to making repairs or performing other work that will disrupt key services and are expected to last for 2 or more hours
• Collection, Retention and Disposal of Garbage, Rubbish and Refuse in Multiple Dwellings
  • Hours and method of garbage collection
• ABCs of Housing- Guide Availability
  • Example post here
• Internet Capable Temperature Reporting Devices
  • If selected as part of the Heat Sensors Program, this notice (linked here) must be posted
• Bedbug History/Notice
  • The filing receipt for annual bedbug reports must be posted (or provided to residents), in addition to the Stop Bed Bugs Safely Guide

Additionally, HPD will allow notices for smoke detectors, natural gas devices, and carbon monoxide devices to be digital. These were not noted in the digital signage rule, but are detailed in HPD’s second proposed rule focused on Local Law 157. More on that below.

An important note – the new rule summary states that, “If a building owner chooses to use digital signage, such owner must use digital signage for all of the notices affected by this Rule.” This is very clearly outlined in all proposed edits to existing code. Bottom line – if you choose to go digital for one of the above sign types, you must use digital displays for all the above sign types (including detector signs). 

Signage would be required to comply with specific font sizes and types, placement, lighting, accessibility, and language outlined in the existing code. If the digital sign becomes inoperable, the owner must display physical notices as described in this section until the sign is made operable.

There may also be specific provisions for each of the above sign types. For example, using digital signage for interruption to services doesn’t preclude owners from having to post signage for the same on each floor of the building.

What isn’t included?

Based on HPD’s current list of required signage, several requirements are not specifically included as part of this proposal:

• Safe Construction Bill of Rights (required for specific work permits)
• Gas Leak Notice
• Fire Safety Notice
• “Shut The Door” Signs
• Inspection Cards
• Boiler Rooms
• Floor Signs
• Janitor Name/Address
• Maximum Occupancy
• Disaster Response
• Serial Number Signage

There may be existing digital guidelines for any of the above in their respective laws. Of course, this could change as the rule advances through the approval process, or if HPD provides additional guidance.

The hearing for this rule will take place on July 17th. You can provide comments in advance using the instructions in the rule.

Proposed Natural Gas Detector Rules

HPD’s proposed rules for Local Law 157 mostly aligned with what’s already listed in the law:

• Requirements to have devices
• Requirements to maintain and periodically replace devices
• Specific requirements for Class B multiple dwelling alternatives

The biggest, and potentially only change, is HPD’s proposal to allow digital signage for new natural gas detector sign requirements, along with carbon monoxide and smoke detector requirements. The proposed rule states that digital signs must:

1. Display the title of the digital sign in letters that measure a minimum size of .25 inches at all times;
2. Display the content of the digital sign in letters that measure a minimum size of .25 inches but can be expanded to a larger size;
3. Use lettering of bold type that is properly spaced to provide good legibility on a background of contrasting colors;
4. Be durable and substantially secured to the common area where posted;
5. Have lighting sufficient to make the digital sign easily legible;
6. Operate at all times during which the room or space where the digital sign is located is open and accessible. If the digital sign becomes inoperable, the owner must immediately display physical notices as described in this section until such time as the digital sign is made operable;
7. Display the content as required by this section in a manner that is reasonable for viewing and comprehension, which may be accomplished through the simultaneous display of all required notices with the ability to click to enlarge such notices;
8. Comply with all applicable standards of the Americans With Disabilities Act (“ADA”) Standards For Accessible Design; and
9. Display content in English, Spanish, and such other language as the owner deems necessary to adequately provide notice to the occupants.

Finally, if owners choose to post digital signage for detectors, they must use digital signage for other required notices as outlined above.

Is the due date still the same?

While the due date for Local Law 157 natural gas detector installations hasn’t *officially* changed, there is movement here. The city council has introduced a bill delaying compliance until “one year after the department of buildings determines that natural gas alarms are sufficiently available and affordable, but no earlier than January 1, 2027.”

The bill has 20 sponsors, but is currently Laid Over in Committee. The next Housing and Buildings meeting is not on the calendar, but the next full Council meeting is scheduled for June 30th.

To be clear – HPD’s proposed rules do not adjust, change, or impact the due date (which was May 1, 2025) in any way. Stay tuned for any updates from the City Council, or additional announcements about enforcement here.

Resources

• Click here to review HPD’s full proposed amendments for digital signs
  • Hearing: July 17, 2025
• Click here to review HPD’s proposed rules for natural gas detectors
  • Hearing: July 16, 2025

Stay tuned as these rules progress through the hearing and approvals process – we’ll keep you posted on any modifications, and other news regarding signs & Local Law 157.