Agency Moves to Give Owners Digital Signage Option for Certain Required Notices

The Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) recently proposed new rules that would allow owners to install digital signage in common areas in place of certain physical postings required under the Housing Maintenance Code and HPD regulations. The move is intended to offer a more efficient, centralized way to convey key information to tenants and guests.

According to HPD, digital signage “may allow for information to be conveyed more efficiently and clearly,” and offers occupants the ability to access essential building information in an organized, consistent format. These proposed rules are voluntary, but if you opt in, you must use digital signage for the full suite of applicable notices.

Which Notices Can Be Digital

The rule covers five types of notices currently required to be posted in common areas. If the proposed rule is adopted, these notices can appear on a digital sign if the owner chooses:

Interruption of services. Whenever an owner plans maintenance or repair work that disrupts essential services for two or more hours, a notice must be posted beforehand. In compliance with Housing Maintenance Code §27-2005 and HPD’s implementing rules, the notice must be posted at least 24 hours before the disruption begins and must remain visible until services are restored. The notice must include the type of service affected, the expected start time and duration of the interruption, and contact information for the owner or managing agent.

Under the proposed rule, owners may now use digital signage to fulfill the lobby posting requirement although it doesn’t eliminate the obligation to post notices on each floor if required. Emergency repairs are exempt from the 24-hour advance notice requirement, but owners must still make reasonable efforts to inform tenants by other means.

Garbage collection info. Under Housing Maintenance Code §27-2022 and related rules, owners of multiple dwellings are required to post a durable, visible sign informing residents where and when they may dispose of garbage, rubbish, and refuse. This requirement especially applies to buildings without chutes or incinerators. The sign must clearly state the exact location of receptacles and the hours during which tenants are permitted to deposit their waste. It must also be written in English and in any other language commonly spoken in the building

The proposed rule would permit owners to use digital signage to meet this requirement, provided the information remains accurate and easily accessible to residents. If collection hours or receptacle locations change, owners must update the digital display accordingly.

Housing information guide. Owners are required under Chapter 46 of the Housing Maintenance Code to notify tenants of the availability of HPD’s “ABCs of Housing” guide, a free publication that outlines the rights and responsibilities of both tenants and owners. This notice must be posted in a prominent location where mail is delivered, typically in or near the mailboxes or lobby, and must be written in both English and Spanish.

The posted message must explain that the guide is free, provide instructions on how to access it through HPD’s website or by calling 311, and must be maintained in durable, legible condition. Under HPD’s proposed digital signage rule, owners may now choose to deliver this notice through a digital display. This may include directing residents to the guide’s online location or integrating an interactive element that allows residents to view the document on-screen.

Internet-capable temperature reporting devices. For buildings selected to participate in HPD’s Heat Sensors Program, owners must post information about the program and the devices used. As required by Chapter 56 of the Housing Maintenance Code and Administrative Code §27-2033.1, the notice must explain that each apartment has been equipped with a device that continuously reports indoor temperatures to ensure compliance with legal heat requirements.

The signage must be clearly visible in a common area, such as the lobby or near the mailboxes. It must also include contact information in case tenants have questions or concerns about the devices. Under HPD’s proposed rule, this required notice may now be displayed digitally, provided the content is accurate, accessible, and updated as needed.

Bedbug infestation disclosure. Owners are required under Chapter 59 of the Housing Maintenance Code and Administrative Code §27-2018.2 to disclose the building’s bedbug infestation history and provide educational information to tenants each year. This includes a summary of infestation activity in the past 12 months (including the number of infested, treated, and re-infested units), and a guide advising tenants how to prevent, identify, and address bedbug issues. These notices must be distributed to tenants at the start or renewal of a lease or alternatively, posted in a visible, public area such as the building lobby or mailroom. Under HPD’s proposed rule, these disclosures may now be delivered digitally, using a screen that’s properly positioned and accessible to all residents. If a digital sign is used, the owner must ensure it displays the most recent filing receipt and includes the full text or a direct link to the “Stop Bed Bugs Safely” guide.

The proposal makes clear that owners can’t pick and choose among these five categories. In other words, if digital signage is used, it must be used for all five signage requirements. HPD is also proposing related rule changes under Local Law 157, which would extend the digital signage option to notices concerning smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and natural gas detectors. Those devices aren’t listed in the primary digital signage rule, but they are expected to be part of the broader framework being developed.

Design and Display Standards Apply

Even with digital displays, HPD’s existing standards for readability, language access, lighting, placement, and size still apply. Text must be legible, signage must be accessible to individuals with disabilities, and displays must be visible and properly illuminated. In the event of a malfunction, the proposed rule requires owners to revert to traditional printed notices until the screen is restored.

Signs the Rule Doesn’t Cover

The proposal leaves out several notices that will still be required to be posted physically. These include fire safety notices, the Safe Construction Bill of Rights signage required for certain work permits, gas leak notice, “shut the door” signs, boiler room access signs, inspection cards, janitor contact information, maximum occupancy information, disaster response instructions, and HPD serial number signage. While some of these notices may eventually be incorporated into the digital signage option or governed by other rules such as FDNY or DOB regulations they aren’t part of this HPD proposal.

If HPD’s proposed rule is adopted as written, owners will need to continue posting these excluded signs in printed form, even if they adopt digital signage for the five eligible categories.

What’s Next

HPD has scheduled a public hearing on the proposed rule for July 17 at 10 a.m. Owners can provide feedback in advance by sending comments to rules@hpd.nyc.gov. The final version of the rule may be revised based on public comments. Once finalized, the digital signage option would give owners the ability to modernize how they communicate core housing information.

HPD Proposes to Expand Digital Sign Option to Gas, Smoke, and CO Detectors

HPD also has introduced a proposed rule amendment that would allow owners to use digital signage to satisfy posting requirements for natural gas detector notices. This proposed rule is separate from the Department of Buildings’ (DOB) finalized rules on installation standards for Local Law 157, which were adopted earlier in 2024.

While the May 1, 2025, deadline for installing detectors remains on the books, Intro. 1281, recently introduced by Council Member Eric Dinowitz, proposes a delay. The bill would postpone the compliance deadline to one year after the DOB confirms that compliant detectors are widely available and affordable, but no earlier than Jan. 1, 2027. The push comes amid widespread concern about supply chain issues, device recalls, and limited approved manufacturers. The bill has over 20 sponsors but is still pending in committee.

While DOB’s rules govern how and where natural gas detectors must be installed, HPD’s proposal focuses solely on how required notices about those detectors and related smoke and carbon monoxide detector notices can be displayed within buildings. Under the proposed rule amendment, if you choose to go digital for any of these notices, you must go digital for all of them. The proposed rule lays out strict requirements for the digital signs. They must be securely mounted, legible with .25” minimum text height, ADA-compliant, multilingual, and continuously operational whenever the space is accessible. If a sign becomes inoperable, physical notices must be posted until it’s restored. 

New Signage Required for Rent-Stabilized Buildings

As HPD moves forward with digital signage rules, another signage requirement is taking shape. This one is in paper form and involves a new law requiring building owners to post notices about rent-stabilized units directly in building entryways. 

This law, Intro. 1037-2024, known as the Rent Transparency Act, mandates that any multiple dwelling containing at least one rent-stabilized apartment must post a sign at the building entrance. The sign must inform tenants that the building contains rent-stabilized units and explain how to verify whether their apartment is registered. The notice must:

• State that the building contains rent-stabilized units;
• Instruct tenants on how to check if their unit is rent stabilized through the DHCR;
• Include the DHCR’s contact phone number and website for rent stabilization inquiries;
• Be displayed in both English and Spanish, with access to additional translations as required by city law; and
• Inform tenants that owners must submit annual filings to the DHCR and provide tenants with relevant information.

The law was passed on May 28, 2025, and will go into effect 210 days after it’s signed by the mayor or automatically enacted. This places the expected compliance deadline in late January 2026. There will be clarifying rules from HPD ahead of the effective date.