Permit Stipulations

Rules and General Conditions

  1. All banner permits are subject to Title 34, Section 2-14(b) of the Rules of the City of New York and the additional requirements of the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT).
  2. Banners shall not be attached to:
    • Traffic signal posts containing an electrical traffic control device
    • Any NYC DOT bridges, tunnels, or bridge structures
  3. Banners shall not:
    • Obstruct the visibility of traffic signs or signals
    • Create a hazard to pedestrians or vehicular traffic
  4. The lowest point of any banner must be at least 18 feet above the roadway.
  5. Banners shall not be installed on lampposts designated as landmarks by the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
    • Installation on ornamental lampposts requires Department approval and special protection.
  6. If a banner belonging to another permittee is already installed on a pole, no additional banner may be installed on that pole.
  7. Failure to comply with these stipulations, including prompt removal when directed, may result in fines and/or permit revocation.

Banner Specifications & Content

  1. Orientation, Size, and Wind Slits
    • Vertical banners only
    • Maximum dimension of each banner is 3 feet wide by 8 feet long and must have six (6) wind slits for wind load reduction.
    • Horizontal banners, including banners hung across streets, are not permitted
  2. Double Banners
    • Two banners may be installed on the same pole only if the combined area does not exceed 24 square feet and must have three (3) wind slits for wind load reduction.
  3. Content Restrictions
    • Advertisements are prohibited
    • Sponsor trade names or logos may not exceed 10% of the total banner area
    • Corporate sponsor names or logos must be located on the lower 10% portion of the banner
    • Alcohol-related and tobacco-related sponsors are prohibited
  4. Artwork Approval
    • A final graphic of the banner, exactly as it will be produced, must be submitted with the application.
    • All banners must match the NYC DOT-approved design and no deviations are permitted.

Installation, Maintenance & Insurance

  1. Drilling into lampposts or welding bracket supports is not permitted.
  2. All mounting hardware must be corrosion resistant.
  3. The permittee is responsible for inspecting banners and poles and for replacing or removing banners that are torn, defaced, or in disrepair, including rigging.
  4. All installation, maintenance, and removal of banners and mounting equipment shall be performed at no cost to the City of New York.
  5. The permittee shall obtain and maintain Commercial General Liability insurance with coverage of at least $1,000,000 combined single limit per occurrence and shall name the City of New York, its officials, and employees as Additional Insureds, with coverage at least as broad as ISO Form CG 2026 (11/85 edition), for the duration of installation and removal.