City bans store front signs.

The city says that the law, and its enforcement of them, are very clear.

Currently S 16-118(2) of the New York City Administrative Code authorizes the New York City Department of Sanitation to issue violations to persons who fail to keep the sidewalks, air shafts, areaways, backyards, courts, alleys, etc. abutting their buildings or premises. free from garbage, refuse, rubbish, litter and other offensive material. It has been a long standing Department policy, and the New York City Environmental Control Board has determined, that A-frame signs, sandwich board signs and signs staked into the sidewalk constitute a sidewalk obstruction.

“If we see something obstructing the sidewalk, we’re going to give them a ticket,” said Sanitation spokeswoman Kathy Dawkins. She also claimed that enforcement agents “always give an explanation” before handing a store owner a ticket.

Legally, the signs cannot prop out beyond three feet from the store’s wall.