The Environmental Control Board has amended its Department of Transportation Penalty Schedule found in Section 3-124 of Subchapter G of Chapter 3 of Title 48 of the Rules of the City of New York. We have added two charges to the penalty schedule. The first charge is for a failure to remove unauthorized projections and encroachments for the city streets. These encroachments include ATMs, abandoned sidewalk cafes and fences. The second charge that has been added is for failing to obtain approval from the Department of Transportation (DOT) for a distinctive sidewalk. The addition of this charge will help protect the public from property owners who install sidewalks that do not meet the specifications required by the Department of Transportation and/or the New York City Public Design Commission. The rule also includes a number of changes to existing entries. These changes are designed to have the dual effect of making contractors more consistent in their work and provide increased public safety and mobility.

The Environmental Control Board has revised two charges to ECB’s Buildings Penalty Schedule II, found in Section 3-103 of Subchapter G of Chapter 3 of Title 48 of the Rules of the City of New York. The amendments are needed to comply with Local Law 17 of 2010. That law amended section 28-201.2.1. It established minimum civil penalties for working without a master plumber’s or master fire suppression contractor’s license. The minimum fine under the law for a first violation must be at least $2,500. The minimum fine under the law for each subsequent violation must be at least $5,000.