New Rules for Sidewalk Sheds and Façades

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani recently announced a series of programs to take longstanding sheds down, reform the city's façade inspection requirements for taller buildings, and reduce the size of certain sidewalk sheds moving forward.

To move these goals forward, DOB has recently published a set of proposed agency rules that would implement new enforcement tools to compel building owners to make needed façade repairs, and safely take down sidewalk sheds on a faster timeline. The Department is also working on additional agency rules that would modernize the city's Façade Inspection & Safety Program (FISP - Local Law 11), allowing a more tailored approach to compliance that would make it easier for newer buildings in good condition to comply with the law. These FISP reforms will be informed by a comprehensive 18-month engineering study spearheaded by engineering consultants Thornton Tomasetti.

Read The full Press Release

Find Out More About the Proposed Rule for Shed Enforcement

Check out the Thornton Tomasetti FISP Study

ADU For You

We are making it easier than ever to plan and build an Ancillary Dwelling Unit (ADU) in New York City.

Last month, the DOB and and our partners at the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) unveiled new tools under the ADU FOR YOU program. These new tools include an ADU Guidebook, Pre-Approved Plan Library of backyard ADU designs, site feasibility analysis and cost estimating tools, all to assist owners who are considering a project on their property.

In addition, starting this week, DOB officially began accepting applications for cellar ADUs, further opening up choices for property owners at one- and two-family residential buildings around the city.

Read the Press Release

Visit the ADU For You Website

Check out the Pre-Approved Plan Library

Watch the DOB Commissioner Talk About ADUs on NY1

Read More About This in the New York Times

Rental Ripoff Hearings in the Five Boroughs

DOB Commissioner Ahmed Tigani and DOB staff have made visits to all five boroughs to take part in the city's "Rental Ripoff Hearings." At these events, we have been meeting with thousands of tenants, owners, and other members of the public, to talk about housing and rental issues here in the New York City.

From poor living conditions and repair delays to unconscionable business practices and non-rent fees, we heard stories from New Yorkers from all walks of live about their personal experiences, as well as ideas on how we can improve housing policy.

The city is now working on a Rental Ripoff policy report, drawing from the testimonies given at the previous hearings to inform potential legislation and government actions going forward.

Find Out More About the Rental Ripoff Hearings

Sustainability Reporting Deadlines

Reminder that covered buildings owners are required to submit all applicable sustainability reports to the Department of Buildings prior to the statutory deadlines in 2026.

Those reports include Benchmarking Energy and Water Use, Disclosure of Energy Efficiency Scores and Grades, Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions, Lighting Upgrades and Submeter Installation, and Energy Audits and Retro-Commissioning.

These reports are important to confirm that covered building owners are doing their part to help create a more sustainable and resilient city for all New Yorkers.

Read Our Service Notice about the Upcoming Deadlines

Reach out to NYC Accelerator for Assistance

Security Grille Requirements

In accordance with City Council Local Law 75 passed in 2009, security grilles installed after July 1, 2011 at certain storefront businesses that are adjacent to a sidewalk must provide at least 70% visibility by July 1, 2026.

This law applies to buildings classified as Occupancy Group B (Business) and Occupancy Group M (Mercantile). Check your Certificate of Occupancy, or, for a complete list of the types of businesses in Occupancy Group B and Occupancy Group M, refer to NYC Building Code (BC) 304.

Check Out our Construction Advisory

Negligent Contractor Suspended

Earlier this year, DOB took action to suspend the registration of General Contractor Yakov Eisenbach of Hexagon Industries Inc., following an uncontrolled wall collapse at a demolition work site in the Mount Hope section of the Bronx.

DOB's investigation into this incident found that construction workers used an excavator to smash through the building, sending debris scattering into the street. The work being performed was in violation of an active Stop Work Order, and contrary to the approved engineering plans for the demolition of the building.

This incident was the latest in an egregious pattern of unsafe and non-code compliant behavior that has led to the Department placing Stop Work Orders on all of his sites citywide.

DOB depends on responsible, professional contractors to keep their worksites safe, and while most get it right, the ones that don't will be held accountable.

Check out the full Press Release

Protect Your Health

Reminder that smoking on construction sites is dangerous and illegal. It can lead to fires or other safety issues.

Smoking tobacco products leads to a increase your risk for various health issues, like lung disease or cancer, and that risk can worsen when combined with construction workplace exposures like toxic dust, asbestos, and silica.

If you smoke or vape, you may experience uncomfortable symptoms, like irritability, trouble concentrating and anxiety, when you're unable to smoke or vape at work.

Help is available, including free or low-cost medications and counseling to manage cravings, even if you are not ready to quit.

Check Out NYC Resources to Make a Plan

Service Updates

Follow Up #7 – Local Law 152 of 2016: Changes Made by Local Law 142 of 2025 and Amendments to 1 RCNY §103-10 and §101-03

Filing Representatives to Update Mailing Address in DOB NOW

2026 Covered Buildings List for Local Law 97

Follow Up #1: Green Roof Property Tax Abatement Request Submission in DOB NOW: Build

Work Without a Permit: Requesting an Override, Reduction, or Waiver of Civil Penalties

Follow Up #1: 2025 NYC Energy Conservation Code Guidance

Follow up #1: Violations for Failure to Submit Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Certification for Cycle 2, Sub-cycle A

REMINDER: Deadlines for Sustainability Laws in 2026

REMINDER: Requirement Deadline for Roll-down Security Grilles Visibility Standards is July 1, 2026

Electrical Civil Penalties Calculated Per §28-213 of the New York City Buildings Code

Fee Updates for Parking Structure Compliance Reports and Façade Inspection Reports in DOB NOW: Safety

Cranes & Derricks Unit Holiday Weekend Inspection Schedule

DOB NOW: Licensing to Launch Electrician, Master Plumber, Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor Licenses, and Filing Representative and Special Inspection Agency Registrations

New Restrictions on Structural Permits in DOB NOW

Follow-up #2: Local Law 154 of 2021: On-site Fossil Fuel Combustion Limitations for Affordable Housing in DOB NOW

All Department Service Updates

DOB in Your Community

Our next DOB in Your Community event is scheduled for Saturday, May 2nd at 2475 Westchester Avenue, in the Bronx, giving small property owners and small business owners the opportunity to meet with DOB representatives right in their own neighborhood. This is a free event. Registration is encouraged.

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

From these "DOB in Your Community" events, "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

Work For DOB

The Department of Buildings has multiple new job postings, as we are actively looking for construction professionals and other dedicated New Yorkers to join our ranks.

Please 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

Hearings + Rules

1 RCNY 101-03 Sidewalk Sheds (Fees Payable to the Department of Buildings) Online Public Hearing: 4/27/26 @ 11am

1 RCNY 101-14 Gas Piping Instructions (Categories of Work that May or May not Require a Permit) Online Public Hearing: 4/21/26 @ 11am

1 RCNY 102-07 Sidewalk Sheds (Sidewalk shed permit renewal requirements and penalties) Online Public Hearing: 4/27/26 @ 11am

1 RCNY 103-10 Gas Piping Instructions (Periodic Inspection of Gas Piping System) Online Public Hearing: 4/21/26 @ 11am

All Department Rules

Buildings Bulletins

2026-002: This document acknowledges that horizontal safety netting in elevator hoistways protects workers from fall injuries and provides considerations for the use of netting in elevator hoistways.

2026-003: This document provides guidance for the voluntary use of building information modeling (BIM) compliance check software to analyze digital 3D models for compliance with select NYC Code provisions prior to submission of plans to the Department.

2026-004: This document provides guidance for software-powered real-time location systems as an option for satisfying specific NYC Building Code requirements and regulations.

2026-005: This Bulletin clarifies when to apply the 2020 New York City Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC) or the 2025 NYCECC to New Building (NB) and Alteration (Alt) applications.

2026-006: This Bulletin clarifies that site safety requirements are not triggered by partial demolition operations incidental to the alteration, maintenance, or repair of a façade of a building that is not more than 14 stories or 200ft in height.

All Buildings Bulletins

Local Laws

Cooling Systems

Local Law 23 of 2026 (Int. No. 994-A) A Local Law to amend the Administrative Code of the City of New York and the New York city building code, in relation to cooling systems in tenant-occupied dwellings.

Existing Building Code

Local Law 33 of 2026 (Intro 1321-A of 2025) A Local Law to amend the Administrative Code of the City of New York, in relation to the enactment of the New York city existing building code, and to repeal chapter 1 of title 27 of such code comprising the 1968 building code.

Updates For Existing Building Code

Local Law 42 of 2026 (Intro 1422-A of 2025) A Local Law to amend the Administrative Code of the City of New York and the New York City construction codes, in relation to conforming provisions of such codes with provisions of the New York city existing building code.

Energy Conservation Code

Local Law 47 of 2026 (Intro 1490-B of 2025) A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to conforming the New York city energy conservation code to the New York state energy code with amendments unique to construction in the city, and to repeal section 28-1001.2 of such administrative code relating to such conforming amendments.

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

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