What Are HPD Signs and Who Needs Them in NYC
If you just bought a building, took over as super, or got a letter from HPD, you have probably heard the words "HPD signs" and wondered what exactly you are supposed to put on the wall. Good news: it is a short list, and once it is up, you are set for years.
We get this question on the phone every single day. So here is the same answer we give callers, written down in one place.
What are HPD signs?
The short answer: HPD signs are the notices New York City requires residential buildings to post, so tenants, inspectors and firefighters can quickly find who to call, what to do in an emergency and how the building is registered.
HPD stands for the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development. It enforces the Housing Maintenance Code, which is the set of rules for keeping apartment buildings safe and livable. Part of that code says owners must post certain signs in the lobby, near the mailboxes, on every floor and in a few other spots.
Think of them as the building's instruction label. A tenant who smells gas should know what to do. A firefighter should know which floor they are on. An inspector should be able to see who is responsible for the building. The signs make all of that easy.
Who needs HPD signs?
It mostly comes down to how many apartments your building has, and whether you rent any of them out.
HPD calls these multiple dwellings. Rentals, co-ops and condos all count, even if the owner lives in one of the units.
You still owe tenants a gas leak notice, posted and handed out with each lease. If you don't live there, you also register with HPD.
A home with no renters generally does not need lobby postings. If you start renting, check again.
If you are not sure which group you fall into, look up your building on HPD Online. It shows your registration and building class. Small house owners can jump to our 3 family guide or the 1 and 2 family guide.
The signs most buildings need
Here are the eight that come up most for a typical 3+ unit building. Our full checklist has every sign, the law behind each one and where it goes.
- 1Registration number signYour HPD registration number and address, in the entrance hall.
- 2Superintendent signThe super's name, apartment and phone number, at the entrance.
- 3Inspection visits frameHolds the 6 x 9 inch card inspectors fill out, near the mailboxes.
- 4Boiler room key noticeWho has the boiler room key. Two copies: lobby and boiler room door.
- 5Smoke and carbon monoxide noticeDetector rules for tenants, posted in a common area.
- 6Gas leak noticeWhat to do if you smell gas, with your gas company's emergency number.
- 7Fire safety noticeIn the lobby and inside every apartment door.
- 8Floor number signsOn every floor, usually at the stairs and elevator.
Need a few of these? Every required sign ships in 2 business days. See all required signs
Why it matters
HPD inspectors visit buildings after tenant complaints and during routine checks. When a required sign is missing or out of date, they can write a violation. Then you have to post the sign and certify the correction with HPD by the deadline.
Honestly, signs are the easiest violations to avoid. They cost very little compared to the time you spend on paperwork afterward, and most of them stay up for years once they are on the wall.
What changed recently
Rent stabilized units notice. Buildings with at least one rent stabilized apartment must post it, in English and Spanish.
Digital screens allowed for five notices. If you go digital for one, all five must be digital.
Natural gas detector notice for buildings with gas piping. The city has said this date may move.
Our advice, after years of doing this
- Buy metal, not paper.
Paper taped to the wall tears, fades and gets pulled down. A metal sign looks right to an inspector and lasts.
- Check the wording before you buy.
Some notices, like the smoke and CO notice, have been updated. Ask your seller which version they print.
- Update the super sign when your super changes.
It is the sign people forget most, and the one tenants actually use.
Ready to hang them? Our lobby placement guide shows where each one goes.
Quick answers
Do co-ops and condos need HPD signs?
Yes. Co-ops and condos with 3 or more apartments follow the same rules as rental buildings. See signs for co-ops and condos.
Can I print the notices myself on paper?
HPD wants notices large enough to read easily, and some must be framed or covered. Paper rarely lasts, so most owners choose metal signs.
Where do I find my HPD registration number?
On your yearly HPD property registration, or by looking up your building on HPD Online.
Not sure what your building needs?
Send us your address and number of apartments. We will tell you exactly which signs to order.
General information based on the NYC HPD Required Signage page as of November 2026. Not legal advice. HPD Signs NYC is not affiliated with the City of New York or HPD. Prices may change. Check nyc.gov/hpd for the latest rules.