DOB Expands Enforcement For Old Sheds

The Department of Buildings is committed to tackling the persistent issue of long-standing sidewalk sheds that shroud city sidewalks and detract from quality of life in our neighborhoods.

Building on the success of our Long Standing Shed (LSS) program, which subjects older sidewalk sheds to enhanced scrutiny and enforcement procedures, and has already contributed to the removal of 385 longstanding sheds across the five boroughs, DOB is making changes to the definition of what we consider "longstanding".

Previously, any shed in the city that had been up for at least five years old was officially classified as a longstanding shed and automatically enrolled in our LSS enforcement program. Now we have lowered the threshold for inclusion in the program to any sidewalk shed that has been up for three years, greatly expanding the number of locations that will be given this extra attention to compel the owners to make needed repairs and finally get these sheds off the street.

This new expansion effort of our ongoing "Get Sheds Down" campaign is possible thanks to an infusion of new enforcement staffing positions at the Department, and sends a message that property owners can no longer delay needed building repairs indefinitely.

Read More About our "Get Sheds Down" Plan

Proposed Rules For ADUs

The Department of Buildings has announced proposed new rules for the creation of ancillary dwelling units (ADU) at existing one- and two-family homes. The proposed rules being considered for this new type of allowable housing prioritize the safety of building occupants.

These rules, along with additional rulemaking from our partners at the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) are necessary to implement this component of the "City of Yes" Housing plan.

A public hearing for this proposed rule will be held on August 18, 2025. Members of the public are welcome to provide public comment in writing or verbally during the scheduled online hearing. DOB will review and consider all public comments submitted for this rule before publishing a final adopted version of the rule which is expected to occur later this year.

Check out our Press Release

Read the Proposed Rules and Information About the Upcoming Public Hearing

Local Law 97 Deadline Extensions

The deadline for owners of covered buildings to submit their Local Law 97 emissions compliance reports to DOB has passed, but there is still time for owners to submit their reports without accruing penalties.

In order to support as many building owners as possible, DOB has opened up a window allowing owners until August 29th to file for an extension. This extension will give owners additional time to submit their calendar year 2024 emissions report - until December 31, 2025.

Don't delay in applying for your August 29th extension!

Any owner who needs free guidance on obtaining a service provider or understanding the requirements of LL97 should contact NYC Accelerator, a program of the Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice (MOCEJ).

Read our Service Notice

File for a Local Law 97 Report Extension

See our User Guide for Local Law 97 Extension Requests

Full Implementation of the Worker Wallet Card

Important reminder for scaffold workers, rigging workers, periodic gas piping inspectors, mast climber users.

As of July 1, 2025, the DOB Training Connect Worker Wallet card is the only acceptable identification card proving certification for these specialized construction roles. The Worker Wallet card consolidates multiple previous qualification cards into one secure format, which can be scanned with a smart phone to quickly display all completed certification courses.

The Worker Wallet cards for specialized training are not a replacement for Site Safety Training (SST) identification cards, which are needed to work on larger and more complex projects that are required by Code to have site safety supervision. Specialized Construction professionals working on an SST work site, must have both an SST card as well as their Worker Wallet card to perform these duties.

Read our Service Notice

Find out More About Training Programs on our Website

DOB Heads to Bergen Beach

Catch DOB on the move this summer with free, hands-on support!

Our "DOB in Your Community" event is coming to Bergen Beach in Brooklyn on Monday, August 16th. DOB support staff will be setting up shop in the neighborhood all day, helping Brooklynites in the area resolve their building-related issues.

This program, which holds events in different neighborhoods across all five boroughs, is designed to assist small property owners, business owners and residents by bringing our offices to locations that are convenient for them.

Register Here to let us Know you are Planning on Attending

Electrical Work Permits

Effective August 23, 2025, all electrical jobs previously filed in BIS that have not been signed off by the Department of Buildings will be officially considered "abandoned" on the platform.

For any jobs that are still in progress that have been designated "abandoned", the applicants will be responsible for reinstating those jobs in DOB NOW: Build.

This is a necessary course of action as the Department continues its multiyear modernization effort to move all of our processes away from the old BIS system, and to the digital DOB NOW platform.

Read our Service Notice

Join Our Team

Looking for a career in public service where you can utilize your skills learned in the construction industry? Check out the latest opportunities at the Department of Buildings!

The agency is actively looking to fill multiple positions that offer consistent schedules and great benefits. Check out the latest listings and find your next career move today!

Visit our Website to Learn More About Careers at DOB

Check out our Open Positions

Service Updates

2025 New York City Electrical Code: Electrical Jobs Filed in the Buildings Information System (BIS)

New Anti-Harassment Requirements Property Profile Flag and Additional Supporting Document in DOB NOW

Full Implementation of the Worker Wallet Card

Additional Support Available for Covered Buildings to Meet Local Law 97 Compliance In the First Year

Update to LIC2, LIC6, LIC7 Application (Safety Registration)

Course Provider Application Form and Registration Fee

All Department Service Updates

Hearings + Rules

1 RCNY 105-08 Rule relating to Ancillary Dwelling Units Outside the Temporary Residence Program Associated with a Single – or Two- Family Residence
Online Public Hearing: 08/18/2025 @ 11:00AM

All Department Rules

Buildings Bulletins

2025-005: This Bulletin revises the established operational procedures for the Professional Certification Program, which allows a Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA), as an applicant, to certify the job is in compliance with the New York City Construction Codes, Zoning Resolution and all applicable laws and rules on related application(s).

2025-006: Ancillary Dwelling Unit (ADU) Approval

All Buildings Bulletins

Local Laws

Sidewalk Shed Colors and Design

Local Law 47 of 2025 (Intro 391-A)
A local law to amend the New York city building code, in relation to studying sidewalk shed designs and improving the aesthetics of existing sidewalk sheds.

Sidewalk Shed Monthly Penalties

Local Law 48 of 2025 (Intro 393-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 penalties for sidewalk sheds in the public right-of-way.

Changes to Facade Inspections

Local Law 49 of 2025 (Intro 394-A)
A local law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to exterior wall inspection requirements.

Sidewalk Seed Lighting

Local Law 50 of 2025 (Intro 660-A)
A local law to amend the New York city building code, in relation to the required lighting under sidewalk sheds.

Facade Repair Timelines

Local Law 51 of 2025 (Intro 661-A)
A local law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to penalties for failing to complete façade repairs in a timely manner.

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

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

Read Our Industry Notice

Find Out More About Parapets

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.

Sign-Up For Weather Advisories

Construction Advisories

Throughout the year, the Department issues educational Construction Advisories on a variety of topics, addressing proper safety protocols on the work site and best industry practices in building construction.

Check Out Our Construction Advisories

Jimmy Oddo, Commissioner

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