Buildings news

January 21, 2026

DOB NOW

service notices

forms

bis

codes

jobs

YoutubeTwitterFacebookBuildings NewsLinkedInInstagram

Ahmed Tigani Named DOB Commissioner

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced earlier this month that he has officially appointed Ahmed Tigani as the next Commissioner of the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB). Commissioner Tigani most recently served as Acting Commissioner at our sister agency the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).

No stranger to DOB, Commissioner Tigani previously served as Chief of Staff here at the agency from 2019 to 2021, where he led on initiatives to streamline operations, accelerate project review, and strengthen transparency within the agency. Commissioner Tigani brings deep experience in housing, land use, and municipal operations working at multiple levels of city governments.

As Commissioner, he'll promote building safety, efficient development throughout the five boroughs, and helping the city deliver much needed housing while protecting both tenants and workers.


Farewell to Commissioner Oddo

Commissioner Oddo

After nearly 33 years of public service, Buildings Commissioner Jimmy Oddo officially announced his retirement from public city service. Appointed commissioner in April 2022, Commissioner Oddo spearheaded the Department's "Get Shed Down" initiative to tackle the issue of longstanding sidewalk sheds, oversaw a major 40% decrease in worker injuries on building construction sites, and implemented a number of building safety initiatives throughout the five boroughs.

We say goodbye to Commissioner Jimmy Oddo, and good luck on his next chapter.


Opening Doors to Accessibility

Last year, the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) and the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) launched the first ever Opening Doors Innovation Challenge for Accessibility in Housing and Small Businesses, with an aim towards bringing together designers, technologists, advocates, and problem-solvers to reimagine accessibility in our built environment.

Submissions to the challenge were evaluated by the 2025 Innovation Review Board Panel of Judges, and winners were selected based on creativity, feasibility, impact, and innovation.

Our first winner is Margery Perlmutter, R.A., Esq. for a proposal to revise the city's Codes to allow for smaller elevators in existing buildings where appropriate, unlocking new accessibility opportunities.

Our second winner is Elizabeth Austin Katz, AIA, WELL AP, LEED Green Associate, ICC Accessibility Inspector/Plans Examiner, for a proposal to create accessibility reports at building entrances which clearly document how spaces function for visitors and occupants.

Congratulations to both winners, and thank you for your thoughtful, innovative contributions to a more inclusive New York City. DOB hopes to work with both winners and our partner agencies to find avenues and resources to advance these proposals.

Find out More About the Two Winning Proposals


Sidewalk Shed Permits

All sidewalk shed permits issued or renewed on or after January 26, 2026, will expire every 90 days and will no longer auto-renew in DOB NOW. In addition, applicants must answer additional questions about the sidewalk shed and the progress of the work for which the sidewalk shed is required in order to obtain renewals.

These changes are the result of Local Laws 48 and 51 of 2025, and aimed at allowing DOB to more closely track sidewalk sheds citywide.

Read Our Service Notice


Get Summonses Corrected in Brooklyn

Our Intergovernmental Affairs Unit and  Administrative Enforcement Unit (AEU) will be joining the Office of Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in Flatbush, Brooklyn for the next stop in DOB's "Get Summonses Corrected" event series this Friday, January 23rd. Property owners who attend can obtain one-on-one guidance from agency experts on what they need to resolve open DOB-issued summonses other related matters associated with their buildings.

Getting these open DOB-issued violations officially resolved is important in making sure that a property is in a safe condition. In addition, closing out these violations can help property owners avoid major headaches when applying for a mortgage, home insurance and even when attempting to sell the property.

Join us at the Flatbush YMCA located at 1401 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. for this free public event. Registration is encouraged.

Register for Friday's Get Summons Corrected Event

Learn More About Resolving Open Summonses

Find Out About More Upcoming Events


Construction Safety Sweep Results

In response to a concerning rise in building construction worksite fatalities in 2025, the Department closed out the year with a new enforcement sweep and educational outreach campaign at constructions sites across the five boroughs.

Teams of DOB inspectors conducted surprise field visits at 705 work sites around the city, distributing multi-lingual safety info and conducting inspections. Our inspectors found violations at 14% of the sites we visited, and issued a total of 50 Stop Work Orders.

Our message with this sweep was simple – every worker deserves to get home safe to their family this holiday season.

New York City has seen an seen encouraging decline in worksite injuries in 2025, down by more than 30 percent citywide compared to 2024.

Reminder, that as of January 1, 2026, DOB has officially implemented a new policy limiting the number of work sites that can be primarily overseen by a Construction Superintendent to just one at a time. This change means that the primary individual responsible for safety on work sites is not dividing their attention between multiple locations.

Read Our Service Notice

 

Service Updates

Fee Update for New Alteration Job Filings in Conjunction with an Alteration‑CO (Alt-CO) in DOB NOW: Build

Reporting Construction Cost in DOB NOW

Loft Board Requests in DOB NOW: Build

Local Law 48 and Local Law 51 of 2025: Sidewalk Shed Filing and Permit Changes in DOB NOW

Fee Updates in DOB NOW: Build

Condo/Co-Op Board Added as a Stakeholderin DOB NOW: Build

Benchmarking and Retro-Commissioning Violation Civil Penalty Payments are Submitted in DOB NOW

2025 NYC Energy Conservation Code Guidance

Deadlines for Filing Electrical Plan Review and Requesting Electrical Inspections Under the 2011 NYC Electrical Code

REMINDER: New Construction Superintendent Limitations Begin January 1, 2026 – Local Law 149 of 2021 Requirements

Buildings After Hours 2026 Schedule Released

Violations for Failure to Submit Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Certification for Cycle 2, Sub-cycle A

AEUHAZ Violations, Civil Penalty Payments, and Challenges to Launch in DOB NOW: Safety

Follow up #1: Façade Inspection and Safety Program (FISP) Cycle 10

Certificates of Correction to Launch in DOB NOW: Safety

All Department Service Updates


Hearings + Rules

1 RCNY 101-03 Amendment of Rules relating to Parking Structure Compliance Reports and Façade Inspection Reports (Fees Payable to the Department of Buildings)
Promulgated Effective Date 02/01/2026

1 RCNY 103-04 Amendment of Rules relating to Parking Structure Compliance Reports and Façade Inspection Reports (Periodic Inspection of Exterior Walls and Appurtenances of Buildings)
Promulgated Effective Date 02/01/2026

1 RCNY 103-13 Amendment of Rules relating to Parking Structure Compliance Reports and Façade Inspection Reports (Periodic Inspection of Parking Structures)
Promulgated Effective Date 02/01/2026

All Department Rules


Buildings Bulletins

2026-001: The construction advisory provides guidance on security grille visibility requirements as required per The New York City Local Law 75 of 2009

All Buildings Bulletins


Local Laws

Small Business Awnings and Signs

Local Law 15 of 2026 (Intro 1456-A of 2025) A Local Law to amend the Administrative Code of the City of New York, in relation to requiring the Department of Buildings and the Department of Small Business Services to provide education concerning the proper installation of awnings and accessory signs, and in relation to waiving penalties and fees related to such signs.

Resilient Construction Standards

Local Law 12 of 2026 (Intro 1397-A of 2025) A Local Law to amend the New York City Administrative Code, Building Code, and Mechanical Code in relation to establishing resilient construction standards for tanks in stormwater flood risk areas,

Mental Health and Wellness Training

Local Law 10 of 2026 (Intro 1384-A of 2025) A local law to amend the New York City Building Code, in relation to requiring construction site safety trainings related to mental health and wellness, suicide risk and prevention, and alcohol and substance-misuse

Notifications For Sidewalk Shed

Local Law 1 of 2026 (Intro 796-A of 2024) A local law to amend the New York City Building Code, in relation to providing community boards and elected officials with notice of sidewalk shed permits.

Home Improvement Contractors

Local Law 181 of 2025 (Intro 1193-A of 2025) A local law to amend the Administrative code of the City of New York, in relation to requiring home improvement contractors to provide information on required permits to owners and requiring public outreach and education on the watch list of contractors performing work without a permit.

All DOB-Related Local Laws


Code Notes

DOB Code Notes covers an array of construction projects for both residential and commercial properties. Each Code Note explains the necessary filings, applicable codes and zoning, relevant bulletins, directives and memos for some of the most applied for construction projects in New York City.

Check Out Our Code Notes


Construction Advisories

Construction Advisory are official messages from the Department of Buildings to homeowners, building maintenance staff, construction personnel and others addressing safety issues and best practices in NYC construction.

Check Out Our Construction Advisories


Enforcement Bulletins

DOB publishes monthly bulletins detailing the agency's efforts to sanction and deter bad actors in the construction industry. You can find this information posted on the Enforcement Action Bulletin page of our website.

Additional Disciplinary Actions & Voluntary Surrenders


Upcoming Events

Throughout the year DOB holds in person and virtual events for industry professionals and members of the public.

From "Buildings After Hours", our live Q&A sessions, and virtual industry meetings, there are multiple opportunities every month to meet with DOB.

Check out our List of Upcoming Events


DOB is Hiring

The Department of Buildings is actively looking for construction professionals and other dedicated New Yorkers to join our ranks.

Check out our jobs page to see what openings we have at the agency.

Apply for Open Positions at DOB

Learn More About Careers at DOB

 

 

www.nyc.gov/buildings

comments + suggestions | unsubscribe | manage your email preferences