New York City’s Department of Buildings (DOB) has strict signage requirements for construction sites — and for good reason. Proper signage keeps workers safe, informs the public, and helps contractors avoid costly violations.
Whether you’re breaking ground on a new project or doing interior work in an occupied building, here are the top 5 safety signs every NYC construction site needs.
🪧 1. Work in Progress Sign
🔹 Purpose:
Tells the public what type of work is happening and displays key project info.
✅ Requirements:
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Must be posted at all major construction sites
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Needs to include:
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Project description (e.g. “New Building,” “Alteration”)
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Developer or owner name
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Contact number
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Rendering of the final building (if required)
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DOB permit number
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📏 Size:
The size of the required sign depends on the size of the frontage of the lot.
36.5″ x 55″ – Lot smaller than 60′
48″ x 72″ – Lot larger than 60′
🧱2. Site Safety Training (SST) Sign
🔹 Purpose:
Required on NYC construction sites to confirm that all workers and supervisors have completed the mandated Site Safety Training under Local Law 196.
✅ Requirements:
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Clearly states that all workers on-site must have valid SST cards
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Must be posted in English, and in other languages spoken by 10% or more of the workforce (e.g., Spanish, Chinese)
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Must be mounted at all public entry points to the site and clearly visible to workers and inspectors
📌 Pro Tip:
Make sure the sign is weatherproof and easy to read from a distance. Keep extra bilingual versions on hand for multilingual crews.
🚧 3. Sidewalk Shed Sign
🔹 Purpose:
Required when a sidewalk shed or construction fence is erected to protect pedestrians.
✅ Requirements:
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Must include:
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Site address
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311 complaint contact
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DOB permit information
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Standardized format with DOB-mandated colors and font sizes
🪚 Bonus:
Add your company logo and emergency contact for added professionalism.
⚠️ 4. Demolition Notice Sign
🔹 Purpose:
Alerts the public that demolition is underway, and informs emergency responders and inspectors.
✅ Requirements:
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Must include:
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Contractor name and license
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Emergency contact info
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Work type and safety warnings
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🔍 Tip:
Update the sign if project details change or if a stop work order is issued.
🛑 5. Safety Protocol Sign
🔹 Purpose:
Communicates essential job site rules for workers and visitors.
✅ Examples:
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“Hard Hats Required”
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“Authorized Personnel Only”
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“PPE Must Be Worn Beyond This Point”
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COVID-19 or sanitation rules (when applicable)
📍 Placement:
At all entry points and near high-risk zones like scaffolding or heavy equipment.
🚀 Stay Compliant the Easy Way
Navigating NYC DOB signage rules can be overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to be.
At Kachy Signs, we offer:
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Ready-to-print DOB-compliant sign templates
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Fast turnaround (same-day available)
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Custom safety banners, hard hat decals, blueprints, and more
Whether you’re working on a high-rise in Midtown or a gut renovation in Queens, we’ll make sure your signage meets code — and looks sharp.
📞 Need Help or a Quote?
Check out our full selection of construction signs at nydobsigns.com, or contact us for a free signage compliance check.
Let’s build smart. Let’s build safe. Let’s build NYC.