I am considering purchasing a building with a billboard, where the billboard comprised over 1/3 of the rent. The billboard is located in Queens, New York City.

I am trying to determine the legality of the billboard. I have been told by an architect the legality depends on two things - permits on the both the face and structure and the sign off of both. I have determined that the structure has a permit which has been signed off in 1944. I cannot find the permits or sign off for the permits for the face of the structure.

Also, the billboard has an open violation - "Having installed a sign with framework, brackets and sign structure without obtaining a permit"


It's confusing as I'm told the billboard is grandfathered. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Alternatively, if anyone could recommend an architect or zoning lawyer in NYC that would also be helpful!

Thanks in advance!

You definitely need to call in a lawyer on this issue. Grandfathering is confusing for even the smartest city official, and there is too much money at stake here to depend on the judgement of an employee of the city or state.

To be grandfathered, in most cases, the sign will need a legal initial permit from the city and/or state. Without an initial permit, the sign is illegal. However, in some areas -- such as Los Angeles -- the city has seemingly grandfathered even illegal signs because of the difficulty of trying to litigate to get them removed.

Anything less than a professional lawyer is a bad idea on this particular deal.