DOB Building Signs: What NYC Owners Must Post
Most of this blog is about HPD signs, the ones in your lobby that HPD inspectors check. But the Department of Buildings has its own set of signs and postings, and they come up most in elevator buildings, larger buildings and anywhere there's construction.
Here's a plain English tour of the DOB side, and how it fits with the HPD and FDNY signs you already know.
The quick answer
In short: DOB related signs and postings include fire signs at elevator landings, stair letters and floor numbers inside stairs, the facade inspection (FISP) certificate in the lobby, the energy grade label at the entrance for large buildings, the elevator inspection certificate and project information panels at construction sites.
HPD, FDNY and DOB: who does what
Housing rules for apartment buildings: registration, super, inspection frame and tenant notices. See the HPD checklist.
Fire safety notices on apartment doors and in lobbies, and close the door signs on stairwell doors.
Building systems and construction: elevators, stairs, facades, energy grades and job sites.
Elevator and stair signs
- 1"In case of fire, use stairs" signsAt each elevator landing in elevator buildings, usually in red on white near the call button.
- 2Stair identificationEach stair gets a letter, like Stair A, posted on the door.
- 3Floor numbers in stairsInside the stair enclosure on every floor, in bold, high contrast numbers. See floor number rules.
Older buildings may have signs installed under earlier codes, and the city has allowed some existing signs that serve the purpose. If yours are missing, faded or unclear, replace them with durable metal signs.
We make elevator fire signs, stair letters and stair floor signs in durable metal. See fire and building signs
Certificates you post
Buildings over 6 stories get a facade inspection (FISP) certificate. Post it in the lobby or vestibule within 30 days of receiving it.
Buildings over 25,000 square feet get a yearly energy grade label. Post it near a public entrance by October 31. Labels come from DOB NOW.
The elevator inspection certificate is commonly posted in the elevator car or machine room after each inspection.
A neat frame keeps these certificates clean and in one place. Many owners hang them next to the HPD notice wall shown in our lobby placement guide.
Construction site signs
During permitted work, the NYC Construction Code (section 3301.9) requires signs on site fences and sidewalk shed parapets with project information. These panels must stay legible and securely attached. If your building is doing major work, tenants also need the Safe Construction Bill of Rights, posted in the lobby and on every floor or handed to each unit, under HPD rules.
What this looks like in practice
Picture a 9 story elevator co-op in Forest Hills. The lobby has its HPD notices, but the FISP certificate from last year's facade inspection is sitting in the managing agent's file, and the energy grade label from October never went up. Two frames by the entrance fix both. Upstairs, two elevator landings are missing their "use stairs" signs. Three metal signs later, the building is covered on the DOB side too.
Tips from our shop
- Make a certificate wall.
FISP, energy grade and other certificates in matching frames by the entrance.
- Check after elevator work.
Modernizations often remove landing signs. Make sure they go back up.
- Match the stair letters.
Use the same stair letters on signs, in Part I of your FDNY guide and on any building diagrams.
Official sources: DOB Construction Site Signage Requirements, DOB Sidewalk Sheds, HPD Required Signage.
Quick answers
What signs does DOB require in NYC buildings?
Common ones include elevator landing fire signs, stair letters and floor numbers in stairs, the posted facade and energy grade certificates, and construction site project panels.
Where does the FISP certificate go?
In the lobby or vestibule, within 30 days of receiving it.
When is the energy grade label due?
Buildings over 25,000 square feet post the new label by October 31 each year. See what changed in 2026 and 2027 for other dates.
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.