37-751

Public space signage systems

The following public space signage systems shall be required for all public plazas:

(a)        Entry plaque

The entry plaque shall be located at each street frontage or point of pedestrian entry to the public plaza. On each street frontage occupied by the public plaza, a minimum of one entry plaque shall be provided for every 40 feet of linear street frontage occupied by the public plaza. The entry plaque shall contain:

(1)        a public space symbol and required text that matches the dimensions and graphic standards provided in the Privately Owned Public Space Signage file from the Required Signage Symbols page on the Department of City Planning website. Such symbol and required text shall include the phrase “Open To Public” and shall be provided with a highly contrasting background, in a format that ensures legibility. Additional requirements and review procedures for privately owned public space signage systems are specified in Title 62, Chapter 11, of the Rules of the City of New York;

(2)        lettering at least one inch in height stating the words “Open 24 hours” or, if a nighttime closing has been authorized, pursuant to Section 37-727, shall contain the words “Open” followed by the approved hours of operation; and

(3)        an International Symbol of Access for persons with disabilities that is at least three inches square.

The entry plaque shall be mounted on a wall or a permanent free-standing post within five feet of the sidewalk with its center five feet above the elevation of the nearest walkable pavement. The maximum height of such free-standing post shall be six feet, with a maximum width and depth of 16 inches. It shall be in a position that clearly identifies the entry into the public plaza, and placed so that the entire entry plaque is obvious and directly visible, without any obstruction, along every line of sight from all paths of pedestrian access to the public plaza.

(b)        Information plaque

An information plaque constructed from the same permanent materials as the entry plaque or combined with one or more of the required entry plaques shall be provided. Information plaques shall be mounted on a wall or a permanent free-standing post within five feet of the sidewalk and shall have all required lettering located three feet above the elevation of the nearest walkable pavement. The maximum height of such free-standing post shall be six feet, with a maximum width and depth of 16 inches. The information plaque shall consist of:

(1)        a public space symbol and required text that matches the dimensions and graphic standards provided in the Privately Owned Public Space Signage file from the Required Signage Symbols page on the Department of City Planning website. Such symbol and required text shall include the phrase “Open To Public” and shall be provided with a highly contrasting background, in a format that ensures legibility. Additional requirements and review procedures for privately owned public space signage systems are specified in Title 62, Chapter 11, of the Rules of the City of New York; and

(2)        the words, in lettering one-half inch in height, “Open 24 hours” or, if a nighttime closing has been authorized pursuant to Section 37-727, the words, in lettering one-half inch in height, “Open” followed by the approved hours of operation;

(3)        in lettering three-eighths of an inch in height, the words “This public plaza contains:” followed by the total linear feet of seating, the type and quantity of trees, the number of bike racks, the number of drinking fountains and the number of any additional required amenities, such as moveable seating;

(4)        in lettering three-eighths of an inch in height, the name of the current owner of the building and the name, address, phone number and email address of the person designated to maintain the public plaza;

(5)        in lettering three-eighths of an inch in height, the statement, "Complaints or Questions: Call 311 and reference the public plaza at [insert building address]”; and

(6)        the statement, "This public plaza is accessible to persons with disabilities."

(c)        Hours of access plaque

On each street frontage occupied by the public plaza and where the City Planning Commission has authorized a limitation on the hours of access for a public plaza, pursuant to the provisions of Section 37-727, a minimum of one hours of access plaque shall be provided for every 40 linear feet of approved barrier that limits public access. The hours of access plaque shall be located on the barrier that limits public access to the public plaza and shall consist of:

(1)        a public space symbol and required text that matches the dimensions and graphic standards provided in the Privately Owned Public Space Signage file from the Required Signage Symbols page on the Department of City Planning website. Such symbol and required text shall include the phrase “Open To Public” and shall be provided with a highly contrasting background, in a format that ensures legibility. Additional requirements and review procedures for privately owned public space signage systems are specified in Title 62, Chapter 11, of the Rules of the City of New York; and

(2)        the statement: “Open” followed by the approved hours of operation.

All required public space signage shall be fully opaque, non-reflective and constructed of permanent, highly durable materials such as steel or stone.

All lettering provided on required public space signage shall be in a clear, bold, sans-serif, non-narrow font such as Arial, Helvetica or Verdana, solid in color with a minimum height of three-quarters of an inch, unless otherwise specified above, and shall highly contrast with the background color of the sign.

Top