fighting the illegal sign industry
Protesters picket a billboard executive’s house in this KCET documentary on Los Angeles’ new signs by-law; but the funny part is when Mayor Villaraigosa, in what is not his best moment, asks volunteers for help in investigating illegal billboards and is laughed at by a town hall crowd.
» Report From The Billboard Jungle in Los Angeles ::: illegalsigns
I think it’s safe to assume that the landlord at 287 Bedford Avenue thought he would make few bucks before a building went up in the lot next to his, and that’s why he didn’t bother getting a permit for this illegal sign. Given the current building slowdown all over Williamsburg, this ad will probably be up longer than was expected. I filed complaint #3298825 with the buildings department. I will report back if things change.
I found a stop work order plastered to a large vinyl building wrap on 22nd st for Western Union. It seemed that with good reason, the DOB was treating the advertisement like a billboard. Because the premises had not obtained the coorrect permits from the DOB, the sign was in violation. I reported it on publicadcampaign and was sure similar ads cropping up around the city were illegal as well. Sure enough today I called in this illegal Snickers building wrap which has no permits and is larger than most billboards even in Times Square. Here is our complaint # 1251002
So we called in 252 west 14th back in September of 09 with this complaint (#1237517)
I was happy to see that the sign was removed today and decided to looked into whether it was the economy or the DOB that was the cause for the removal. Looks like our complaint was never followed up but complaint #(1244386) filed 12-05-08 did catch the sign enforcement units attention. Their comments are “ILLEGAL ADVERTISING COMPANY SIGN OBSERVED AT THIS ADDRESS. F AILURE TO OBTAIN VALID OAC REGISTRATION NUMBER”. Oddly enough this complaint comes two days after the company filed for a work permit which would legalize a sign in that location.
A while back we called in this billboard after watching it change from an empty space to a giant Coors Light vinyl sign over a year ago (pictured below). Despite our complaint either not being followed through by the DOB or maybe just not having been updated on the DOB website, It has recently been removed and we couldn’t be happier.
Before
After
So I know it’s been forever since anyone has posted to this site, but it’s just so cold out tracking billboards isn’t all that realistic. I did manage to find some new illegal signage after exiting a show at EXIT art in Manhattan. It goes to show how prevalent this stuff is and how just keeping a camera on hand and having a good eye is about all you really need to help solve this issue.
The site in question does have a permit for a rooftop structure to hold non-advertising copy. In fact I remember when the covenant house vinyl covered the side of this building. Yet today we can see the non-advertising copy has been changed to advertising, and that’s illegal. I filed a complaint #1247134 with the DOB. Will report back when it’s been removed. The actual ad content as of January 22nd is for Pepsi Cola.
This illegal billboard at 60 Spring street is high above the ground but no less noticeable for it. There are no permits for any signage whatsoever on this building. I called this one in and got complaint #1242183.
Lets hope we were a part of this. It seems our efforts have been somewhat fruitful as the illegal signage at 380 Canal street has been removed. Hang in there citizens of New York, only a few thousand more to go. Steve….you owe me a party. Ha!
A complaint was made against the illegal billboard at 64 3rd avenue on 8-14-2006. On 5-16-2007 the signage was deemed illegal by the DOB and was eventually removed around 7-29-2008. Recently we have become aware of the fact that the illegal billboard has been reposted without the proper permitting less than three months after it was taken down. The only permit which would constitute a legal sign is for a painted billboard which this is clearly not. The reposting of this illegal billboard is a flagrant disregard for NYC law and should be dealt with accordingly. We have called this in and were given a new complaint number 1240188. If this is the way things are going down it should be assumed that the law does not exist.
So upon speaking to someone who knows, this is what information I could retain over a quick phone conversation. It speaks heavily to the immense difficulty the Sign Enforcement Unit has in the removal of illegal signage in New York City.
05-22-98 a request #101818507 was made to erect a 22′x19′ advertising sign
06-08-98 a permit #101818507 was issued by the DOB allowing for the billboard to be erected.
fast forward 8 years in which time we assume a billboard was erected.
08-14-06 complaint #1172652 is made, bringing the issue to light for the sign enforcement unit.
05-16-07 Permit is revoked by commissioner via complaint #1193825
05-22-07 Permit is revoked by commissioner via complaint #1194328
07-20-07 Permit is revoked by commissioner via complaint #1199298
08-66-07 Permit is revoked by commissioner via complaint #1200707
11-20-07 a request # 110027097 is made to repaint an existing grandfathered sign professionally certified by HH Building Consultants and Arch.
12-12-07 a permit # 110027097 was issued by the DOB
01-31-08 the permit was revoked by the commissioner
at this point the DOB website fails to provide any information, but we do know the sign was removed for several months between approximately 7-29-08 and 10-15-08. Suddenly this sign appeared again, and for what reasons we can only speculate. Clearly the advertisement does not conform with the painted sign permit. And yet it’s also clear the DOB is doing everything it can to fight this illegal billboard. In the meantime we watch the ad copy change month to month as the profits pile up to none of our benefit.
10-25-08 Complaint #1240188 goes in to the sign enforcement unit.
