Do 1 and 2 Family Homes Need HPD Signs?
You own a 1 or 2 family house, you rent part of it out, and someone told you about HPD signs. Now you are wondering if you need a lobby full of metal plates in a house that doesn't even have a lobby.
Relax. For most small homes, the answer is mostly no. But there are a few things that still apply, and they are easy to miss.
The quick answer
In short: 1 and 2 family homes are not multiple dwellings, so the full set of HPD lobby signs does not apply. If you rent to tenants, you still need to give them the gas leak notice, keep smoke and CO alarms working, show your street number and register with HPD if you don't live there.
Why small homes are different
NYC's sign rules are built around the multiple dwelling, which means 3 or more apartments. That is where the inspection frame, super sign, floor numbers and most of the notices come from. A 1 or 2 family house sits below that line.
The count is based on apartments, not people. A 2 family house with five roommates is still a 2 family house. A house with a third unit is a different story, and we cover it in HPD Signs for 3 Family Houses.
What still applies if you rent
- 1Gas leak noticeEvery tenant gets it with each lease and renewal. It explains what to do if they smell gas. If the house has a shared hallway, post a copy there too.
- 2Smoke and CO alarmsYour home still needs working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Test them when a tenant moves in.
- 3Street numberOn the front of the house, easy to read from the sidewalk. Firefighters and EMS count on it.
- 4HPD registrationRequired every year if neither you nor your immediate family lives in the house.
- 5Disaster noticeWhen a storm, disaster or long utility outage is coming and a unit isn't owner occupied, HPD expects you to notify tenants.
Want a gas leak sign for the hallway? It's $45 and ready in 2 business days. See the gas leak notice
What you can usually skip
These are multiple dwelling signs, so a 1 or 2 family home doesn't need them: the inspection visits frame, the superintendent sign, floor number signs, the housing information guide and the lobby fire safety notice. If you want the full picture of what bigger buildings post, see the complete checklist.
That said, many owners still post a small "who to call" card with their phone number by the door. It isn't required, but tenants appreciate it, and it saves you late night texts asking who to contact.
The basement apartment question
This is where owners get into trouble. If you rent out a basement or cellar unit in a 2 family house, you may actually have three apartments, and the rules for basement units are strict. Whether that unit is legal depends on your Certificate of Occupancy.
We can't sort out zoning for you, but if your house really is three units, the full set of signs applies. Check your C of O, and talk to an expediter or attorney if anything is unclear.
Thinking of adding a unit?
- Check the paperwork first.
Adding a third apartment usually means a new Certificate of Occupancy.
- Plan for the full set.
Once you are at 3 units, you need the lobby signs, floor numbers and yearly registration.
- Budget for it.
A full set for a small building usually lands over $200, which ships free from us.
Good habits for small landlords
Even without a lobby full of signs, a few simple habits keep you out of trouble. Keep a folder with each lease and the gas leak notice you gave with it. Test smoke and CO alarms when a tenant moves in and write down the date. Put your phone number somewhere your tenant can always find it, like inside a kitchen cabinet door.
And if you ever add a unit, sell to a new owner or stop living in the house, look at the rules again. Those changes are exactly when the requirements shift.
Quick answers
I rent the second floor of my 2 family. Do I need a super sign?
No. The super sign is a multiple dwelling rule. Giving your tenant your phone number is still a good idea.
Do I have to register my 2 family house with HPD?
Only if neither you nor your immediate family lives there. If you live in one unit, registration generally isn't required.
My 2 family has three tenants. Is it a 3 family now?
No. It depends on the number of apartments, not the number of people living there.
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.