HPD Signs for 3 Family Houses: What You Need
A lot of owners are surprised by this one. You own a 3 family house in Queens or Brooklyn, you maybe even live on the first floor, and an inspector tells you the building needs the same signs as a big apartment building. That is not a mistake.
Here is why, and the exact list of what to put up so you can stop worrying about it. New to all this? Start with What Are HPD Signs.
Does a 3 family house need HPD signs?
The short answer: Yes. In New York City, any building with 3 or more apartments is a multiple dwelling. That means it follows the Housing Maintenance Code and needs the standard set of HPD signs, even if the owner lives in one of the units.
The line is drawn at 3 units. A 2 family house is not a multiple dwelling, so most lobby postings don't apply to it (see our 1 and 2 family guide). Add a third apartment and the rules change, no matter how small the building is.
A 3 family house also has to register with HPD every year. The registration number HPD gives you goes on one of the signs below, so register first if you haven't yet.
2 family vs 3 family at a glance
Gas leak notice for tenants, carbon monoxide rules and a visible street number. No full lobby set.
A multiple dwelling. Registration, inspection frame, super sign, safety notices and floor numbers.
Living in the building does not change the count. Three apartments is three apartments.
The signs your 3 family house needs
These apply to almost every 3 family house. Prices are what we charge per sign on our site. The full checklist has the law behind each one.
- 1Registration number sign, $48Your HPD registration number, address and super's contact, in the entrance hall.
- 2Superintendent sign, $45Name, address, apartment and phone of whoever handles repairs. If that's you, put your info.
- 3Inspection visits frame, $35Holds the 6 x 9 inch card. Mount it 48 to 62 inches from the floor, at or near the mailboxes.
- 4Smoke and carbon monoxide notice, $45Detector rules for tenants, in a common area.
- 5Gas leak notice, $45Posted in a common area, and a copy goes with every lease and renewal.
- 6Fire safety notice, $65One in the hallway or common area, plus one inside each apartment door.
- 7Housing information guide, $55HPD's guide to tenant and owner rights, for buildings with 3 or more units.
- 8Floor number signs, $28 eachOne on each floor, so a 3 story house usually needs three.
Over $200 ships free, and most 3 family sets get there. Shop required signs
Signs that depend on your house
These ones only apply in certain situations. Go down the list and check off what fits.
Key to heating notice, $90. If the boiler sits in a locked room, post who holds the key. Two copies: one in the hall, one on the boiler room door.
Garbage collection notice, $42. Tells tenants the pickup days and where cans go. Most houses without a dumbwaiter need it.
Rent stabilized notice, $55. Only if at least one apartment is rent stabilized. English and Spanish.
Interruption of service notice, $45. Post it 24 hours before any planned shutoff of heat, water, gas or power lasting 2 hours or more.
Also make sure your street number is on the front of the house and easy to see from the sidewalk. It sounds obvious, but it is on HPD's list too.
Where to put everything
Most 3 family houses don't have a real lobby, and that's fine. Use the front entrance hall or vestibule, near the mailboxes. That one wall handles most of the list: the registration sign, super sign, inspection frame and the notices. Floor numbers go on each landing, and fire safety notices go on the back of each apartment door.
Keep it neat and at eye level. When an inspector walks in, everything should be in one easy spot. For more layout tips, see Where to Post Each HPD Sign in Your Lobby.
Mistakes we see all the time
- Thinking owner occupied means exempt.
This is the big one. If there are 3 units, the signs apply.
- Forgetting the apartment doors.
The fire safety notice goes inside every unit, not just the hallway.
- Leaving the old owner's info up.
Bought the house? Replace the registration and super signs with your own details right away.
Quick answers
I live in one of the three apartments. Do I still need the signs?
Yes. The rules are based on the number of apartments, not who lives in them.
Can I be my own superintendent?
Yes. Many small owners handle repairs themselves. Just post your own name, address and phone number on the super sign.
My basement is a rental. Is my 2 family now a 3 family?
Rules for basement apartments are complicated and depend on whether the unit is legal. Check your Certificate of Occupancy, and talk to an expediter or attorney if you are not sure.
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.