| Buildings news |
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June 4, 2025 |
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DOB at Construction Safety Week
The first full week of May is Construction Safety Week, a time where work sites across the country participate in safety awareness events and OSHA fall prevention "stand-down" discussions aimed at educating workers on how to prevent injuries on the job. Every year for Construction Safety Week, staff at the Department of Buildings fan out across the five boroughs to talk directly with workers about the importance of required work sites safeguards, and how close adherence to safety codes can save lives. This year was no different as Buildings Commissioner Jimmy Oddo and members of our agency enforcement team attended multiple events around the city, standing with our industry partners to help strengthen that partnership. Read Our Press Release to Find Out More About Construction Safety Week 2024 Construction Safety Report
DOB's annual construction safety report is a comprehensive review of the building construction-related work site incidents in the five boroughs from the past year, providing critical transparency to the public on the state of construction safety in our city. The calendar year 2024 safety report was recently published, highlighting the most recent full year of data the department has on this critical topic. This newly released report showed major improvements for the New York City construction industry, with worker injuries dropping by 30 percent compared to 2023, and worker fatalities remaining at a 10-year low. This major progress follows multiple initiatives carried out by DOB and our industry partners to protect New Yorkers working on construction sites, which are outlined in the report. Read Our Press Release on the 2024 Construction Safety Report Watch the WCBS News Story on Construction Safety New Legislation Passed to Get Sheds Down
Mayor Eric Adams was joined by Buildings Commissioner Jimmy Oddo, elected officials, community leaders, and DOB staff for a bill signing at City Hall for several new pieces of legislation aimed at compelling building owners to make repairs so that unnecessary and unsightly sidewalk sheds can be removed from public sidewalks. These reforms to current sidewalk shed regulations will also improve the current design of pedestrian protection equipment, and will lead to changes to existing building facade inspection protocols. Many of the reforms in this legislative package were first proposed by Mayor Adams in July 2023 when he launched "Get Sheds Down," the city's comprehensive initiative to remove long-standing construction sheds on city sidewalks and create more aesthetically-appealing alternatives. The signing of these bills into law is a major win in this administration's efforts to improve the public realm, and compel property owners to properly maintain their buildings. Read the Press Release For the Get Sheds Down Bill Signing 2023 Collapse Investigation Report Released
After an extensive multi-year investigation, Buildings Commissioner Jimmy Oddo announced the official release of the cause and origin investigation report into the deadly 2023 parking garage collapse that occured at 57 Ann Street in Lower Manhattan. The report revealed that a combination of factors led to the collapse, most critically the dangerous illegal demolition of a structural brick pier inside the building that was performed without construction approvals or permits. This in-depth incident report was created in collaboration with LERA Consulting Structural Engineers (LERA), the NYC Department of Investigation (DOI), and the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, and was made available to the public in the interest of transparency. When the report was released detailing the numerous code violations that were found that resulted in this major building collapse, Commissioner Oddo said the following, "The extensive multi-agency investigation into this catastrophic collapse makes one point abundantly clear: this tragedy in the heart of Lower Manhattan was entirely preventable." Read the Press Release on the Ann Street Collapse Investigation Check Out The Full Report Here Read Our Construction Advisory on Load-Bearing Masonry Piers Watch The WABC Eyewitness News Story on Our Investigation Disaster Preparedness Exercises
In May, DOB concluded its annual Continuity of Operations (COOP) Full Scale Exercise Training, a 10-day disaster preparedness program held annually at DOB headquarters in Manhattan and FDNY's facilities in Fort Totten, Queens. The exercises during this program include simulated field operations and structural damage assessment training using real buildings in various stages of disrepair located around Fort Totten to simulate wide-scale natural disasters affecting buildings in an urban environment. Over the years, DOB personnel have used these same protocols to rapidly assess damage across wide areas after real-life natural disasters here in New York City, as well as in Puerto Rico during coordinated mutual aid deployments. Over 150 Professional Engineers, Registered Architects and Building Inspectors from various city agencies and the private sector participated in the training program. In addition to field exercises, participants studied the latest advances in mapping technology, the Citywide Incident Management System (CIMS), and effective communication tactics in the aftermath of a disaster. Read our Press Release About the COOP Training Watch NY1 New Story About our Annual Training Exercises 20th Annual No-Penalty Inspection Program
DOB's annual No-Penalty Inspection Program is
officially underway, and will be running through the end of July. This
program, now in it's 20th year, gives homeowners, business owners, and
small property owners the opportunity to request a free DOB inspection
of their buildings to check that these structures and associated
building equipment are in good, hazard-free condition. Read Our Press Release About No-Penalty Inspections DOB in Your Community Returns
The Department is once again taking our show on the
road, opening up temporary offices in neighborhoods across the five
boroughs for our "DOB in Your Community" events! Deadline For Gas Piping Inspections
Do you own or manage a building in New York City in Community Boards 2, 5, 7, 13, 18? If so, you may be required to hire a Licensed Master Plumber to have your gas piping system inspected no later than December 31, of this year. Local Law 152 requires the owners of most buildings, not including one- and two-family residential homes, to have these gas piping inspections performed, and submit the reports to the Department of Buildings.
These mandatory periodic inspections are an
important way to protect New Yorkers, by helping property owners
identify major fire safety issues, so they can fix the issue before a
catastrophic explosion or gas leak. Don't risk it, get your system
inspected by a professional. Department Launches Third-Party Elevator Inspection Pilot
With an eye toward finding innovative ways to improve speed and efficiency, the Department of Buildings is kicking off a new pilot program that authorizes approved third-party elevator agencies to perform acceptance tests on new installations, alterations, and modernization projects, now through Dec. 31, 2025. In order to ensure impartiality and compliance, these tests must be performed in the presence of a witnessing elevator agency that cannot be affiliated with the elevator work or the approved elevator agency that performed the elevator work. Additionally, a licensed director, co-director, or elevator inspector from the witnessing elevator agency must be present while the acceptance test is being performed. Note that personnel hoists and amusement rides may not participate in this pilot program. Local Law 97 Service Provider Expo
Need help with Local Law 97 compliance? Join us and our friends at NYC Accelerator on Tuesday, June 17, at the Brooklyn Navy Yard for the "LL97 Compliance: Service Provider Expo," cohosted by Con Edison, National Grid, and NYSERDA. This full-day event is designed for building owners and property managers planning for both near-term LL97 deadlines — such as LL97 reporting (the grace period ends June 30, 2025) — and long-term compliance. Connect with 100+ vetted service providers and access expert guidance to support your building's pathway to reducing energy and emissions! The expo is FREE and will begin at 9 a.m. at the Brooklyn Navy yard, 299 Sandra Street, Building 303, Brooklyn. Join Our Team
DOB is looking for New Yorkers to join our team and
support our missions of enhancing public safety, quality of life, and
sustainability in every neighborhood across the five boroughs.
Check Out Our Website to Learn More About Careers at DOB |
Service Updates Course Provider Application Form and Registration Fee 2025 Benchmarking Compliance Deadline Extended to June 30, 2025 New Requirements for Standpipe Riser Flow Test/Fire Pump Test Inspections Amendments to Retaining Wall Rule Façades Inspection and Safety Program (FISP) Cycle 10 Central Development HUB to Process Temporary Use Permits 2025 Cranes & Derricks Holiday Weekend Inspection Schedule Green Roof Property Tax Abatement Request in DOB NOW: Build All Department Service Updates Hearings + Rules
1 RCNY 101-03 Rule relating to Course Providers (Fees Payable to the
Department of Buildings)
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RCNY 102-03 Amendment of Rules Relating to Structurally Compromised
Buildings (Potentially Structurally Compromised Buildings)
1 RCNY 105-03 Rule relating to Course Providers (Department-Approved
Courses)
1
RCNY 3307-01 Amendment of
Rules relating to Artwork on Temporary Protective Structures (Artwork on
temporary protective structures) Buildings Bulletins 2025-004: This Bulletin provides guidance on certain Dining Out NYC program requirements relating to existing enclosed sidewalk cafes. 2025-003: This Bulletin provides clarification regarding the schedule for submissions and presentation format of TR8 Progress inspections as referenced in this section 2025-002: This Bulletin clarifies the requirement of an amended Certificate of Occupancy for alterations to a small, existing establishment in accordance with Zoning Resolution amendment on 06/06/2024. Local Laws Basement and Cellar Apartments Pilot Local Law 126 of 2024 (Intro No. 1127-A) amends the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to establishing a pilot program to convert existing basement or cellar apartments to habitable dwelling units. Ancillary Dwelling Units Local Law 127 of 2024 (Intro No. 1128-A) A Local Law to amend the building code of the city of New York and the New York city fire code, in relation to construction of ancillary dwelling units. NYC Electrical Code
Local Law 128 of 2024 (Intro No. 436-A of 2024 Small Businesses Small business owners and entrepreneurs in New York City can receive one-on-one guidance and helpful consultations for their projects by reaching out to DOB's Small Business Team (SBT). Whether opening a new place of business or renovating an existing one, SBT gives the City's small business owners and entrepreneurs the dedicated support they need. The first step for your small business is filling out a SBT support request form on our website. 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. Parapets Property owners with building parapets fronting the public right-of-way are required to complete an annual observation report of these rooftop parapets. Read Our Construction Advisory 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 Weather Advisories January means snowfall, freezing temps, and storm weather. Don't get caught unprepared. The Department of Buildings emails out weather advisories when NYC is expected to face high wind events and other types of severe weather. |
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Jimmy Oddo, Commissioner
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