Buildings news update

June 14, 2023

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Civil Penalties Increase for Class 1 Summonses

Building owners and construction professionals with longstanding hazardous violations on their properties be advised, the civil penalties for the failure to correct Immediately Hazardous Class 1 summons (AEUHAZ) are being increased from $3,000 to $5,000.

As a part of the Department's ongoing efforts to compel prompt corrections of hazardous violations, increased penalties will apply to summonses issued on or after May 15, 2022, for conditions documented at a construction site that are not found at one- to four-family homes.

Class 1 violations are hazardous and require immediate action in order to correct and once repairs are made, owners need to certify with the Department that the violating conditions have been corrected. Filing a certificate of correction is not just an administrative matter, but a vital part of ensuring that your building is in a safe and code-compliant condition.

Learn more about the penalty increases in our full Service Notice

New Rodent Abatement Efforts on Construction Sites

Local Law 109 of 2022 opens a new front in New York City's war against Rattus norvegicus - aka the brown rat, our common rat species - by amending the NYC building code and administrative code to require rodent abatement on some construction sites in order to obtain certain construction permits.

Effective May 18, 2023, a licensed exterminator is now required to treat premises for rodent extermination for construction work/demolition that involves 50% or more of the floor area of a building, as well as vertical or horizontal enlargement that that increases a building’s floor area by more than 25%.

In conjunction with the requirements defined by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), the Department of Buildings is doing its part to deliver the dream of a rat-free NYC.

Read our full Service Update to learn more.

Get Your Site Safety Card Renewals Now

Under Local Law 196 of 2017, Site Safety Training (SST) cards for workers and supervisors expire after five years and can be renewed only after site safety refresher courses are completed.

Workers and supervisors whose cards expire in 2023 must complete refresher training courses and must do so no more than one year before applying for card renewal.

For the Worker Refresher Training necessary for to renew SST cards, workers must complete 8 hours of refresher training by choosing one of two different course programs.

For the Supervisor Refresher Training necessary to renew supervisor SST cards, supervisors must complete 16 hours of refresher training and can choose from three course programs.

Visit nyc.gov/nycsafety for more information, a list of Department-approved course providers, and answers to frequently asked questions.

DOB In Your Community

The Department of Buildings' Community Engagement Unit is coming to the Bronx.

On Saturday, June 24th, from 10 am - 3 pm, DOB representatives will be at the Northeast Bronx YMCA, located at 1250 East 229th Street, to assist small property owners and business owners where they live and work. Areas that our team can provide help with include:

  • Construction project consultation for small homes and businesses;

  • Resolving open DOB violations and OATH summonses;

  • Resolving Stop Work Orders;

  • General guidance about construction and building maintenance regulations.

The event is free and open to the public, but we encourage those interested to RSVP here.

Gas Piping System Inspection Reminder

Gas piping systems in all buildings, except for one- and two-family homes, and other buildings classified in Occupancy Group R-3, must be inspected at least once every four years by a Licensed Master Plumber (LMP), or a qualified individual working for an LMP, as per Local law 152 of 2016.

Building owners in Community Districts 11, 12, 14, 15, 17 in all boroughs have until December 31, 2023, to have their gas piping system inspected.

Visit Our Website For More Information About Periodic Gas Piping System Inspections

Frequently Asked Questions About Local law 152 of 2016

DOB is Hiring!

It's a big city out there - which is why DOB is looking for New Yorkers to join our team and further our missions of enhancing public safety, quality of life, and sustainability in every neighborhood across the five boroughs.

DOB inspectors, plan examiners, design professionals, and administrative staff all play a critical role in promoting safety and quality of life here in the greatest city in the world. As a member of DOB, you can help make New York City an even better place for everyone that lives, works, visits and builds here.

Join our team to help regulate the more than 1.1 million buildings and 40,000 active construction sites throughout New York City!

Check out our website to learn more about careers at DOB, employee benefits and current open positions.

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Jimmy Oddo, Commissioner

www.nyc.gov/buildings

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