| Buildings news |
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January 21, 2026 |
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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). 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
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.
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. 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. 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. |
Service Updates 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 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 Buildings After Hours 2026 Schedule Released 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)
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)
1 RCNY 103-13 Amendment of Rules relating to Parking Structure
Compliance Reports and Façade Inspection Reports (Periodic Inspection of
Parking Structures) 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 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. 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. 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. |
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