Custom HPD Signs That Match Your Lobby Design
A renovated lobby with marble floors and designer lighting deserves better than a wall of mismatched notices. The good news: required signs don't have to look generic. Here's how to make them match your lobby while keeping them fully compliant.
The quick answer
In short: You can customize colors, finishes, frames, your building's name or logo and extra languages on most HPD signs. What you can't change is the required wording, the minimum text sizes and the placement rules. Customize the look, never the law.
What you can customize
- 1ColorsMatch your lobby's palette, building brand or management company colors.
- 2Finish and framesAsk about metal looks, matching frames and finishes that fit your lobby.
- 3Building name or logoAt the top of each sign, so the set looks like it belongs.
- 4Uniform sizesA set in matching sizes lines up neatly on one wall.
- 5LanguagesEnglish and Spanish, plus Chinese, Russian, Bengali or whatever your tenants read.
Send us a photo of your lobby and we'll suggest a matching set. See custom signs
What must stay the same
HPD and FDNY sample text stays exact. The gas leak notice and close the door sign have set wording.
Bold letters at least 3/16 inch on gas and detector notices, and set sizes for fire notices.
Some signs set their own colors, like the red and white close the door sign.
The inspection frame at 48 to 62 inches, near the mailboxes, no matter the design.
Design tips that work
- Keep contrast high.
Gold on black or white on navy looks great and reads easily. Gray on silver doesn't.
- Group them as one display.
A single framed panel or matching row looks intentional. Our placement guide shows how.
- Add a lobby directory.
Super, office and emergency contacts in the same style tie the wall together.
What this looks like in practice
Picture a co-op in Park Slope that just redid its lobby in dark wood and brass. The board orders the required notices in black with gold text and matching frames, with the building's name at the top of each one. The close the door signs stay red and white as required, but go up in neat brass frames on the hallway side of each stairwell door. The lobby looks finished, and every notice still passes inspection.
Is custom worth it?
For condos, co-ops and luxury rentals, usually yes. Lobbies are the first thing buyers and tenants see. For small walk ups, standard signs are the budget friendly choice. See what signs cost to compare.
Official sources: HPD Required Signage, FDNY close the door notice specs.
Quick answers
Can HPD signs be custom colors?
Most can, as long as the text is high contrast and readable. Some signs, like the close the door notice, have set colors.
Can I add my building's logo?
Yes, as long as the required wording and sizes stay the same.
Will custom signs still pass inspection?
Yes, if the wording, sizes and placement follow the rules. See the checklist.
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.