| Buildings news |
|
September 5, 2025 |
|
|
||||||||
|
New Design Improvements For Sidewalk Sheds
The "Get Sheds Down" initiative at the Department of Buildings is our plan to reduce the number of unsightly long-standing sidewalk sheds in our communities, while improving the design of pedestrian protection equipment when it is necessary to protect public safety. As part of this initiative, and pursuant to Local Law 47 of 2025, design changes for sheds took effect on August 15th which will improve and brighten up the look of this equipment when it is needed to keep pedestrians safe from hazardous overhead conditions.
Color Options for Sidewalk Sheds and Fences 401 Old Sidewalk Sheds Down And Counting
We just hit a big milestone in our fight to tackle the issue of long standing construction sidewalk sheds. All sheds in the city that have been up for over three years are automatically enrolled in our Long Standing Shed (LSS) program, subjecting property owners to enhanced scrutiny and enforcement procedures from DOB. This program has now officially contributed to the removal of more than 400 old sidewalk sheds from across the city, after their owners were compelled to finally finish needed building repairs. While the sheds themselves play an important public safety role, leaving them up for years with no end in sight is no longer being tolerated. Building owners with long standing sheds who routinely ignore our orders to make repairs and remove the pedestrian protection in a timely manner can face criminal court charges. As DOB staffs up our enforcement teams, we expect to pursue these criminal court cases more frequently in order to get even more of these long standing sheds off of our sidewalks. Read More About our "Get Sheds Down" Plan Deadline for Parking Garage Inspections
The second deadline for the Periodic Inspection of Parking Structures (PIPS) is coming up in just a few short months. The owners of parking structures located in the Upper East Side, Upper Manhattan, and Brooklyn have until December 31, 2025, to submit their required PIPS engineering reports. Owners who have not yet contracted a Qualified Parking Structure Inspector (QPSI) to perform a PIPS inspection are strongly encouraged to get started on this requirement immediately. Failure to comply with this important safety regulation will lead to enforcement actions from the department. Find out More About the City's PIPS Requirements Check out our Parking Structure Inspection Map ADU Design Submissions
New local laws were enacted last year alongside the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity zoning text amendment to support the safe creation of Ancillary Dwelling Units (ADUs) in one- and two- family homes. To support homeowners who are interested in building a backyard ADU on their property, DOB along with HPD are putting together the city's first ever Pre-Approved Plan Library (PAPL) for ADU units. Registered design professionals who would like to contribute to the new plan library can submit their own backyard ADU design for consideration. If a homeowners chooses that pre-approved design from the plan library, they will be connected to the design professional who originally submitted the design to work together on the project. On Tuesday, September 9th, at 11 a.m. a virtual information session will be held for design professionals interested in contributing to the PAPL. At the virtual event, we'll walk through the submission process, timeline, and design requirements, and answer key questions from the design community. Find out More About the ADU For You Program Check Out the PAPL Submission Guidelines for Backyard ADU Register for This Virtual Info Session Smart Ideas at Buildings Tech Lab
The results are in for the first annual tech competition of the Buildings Tech Lab (BTL). This public-private collaborative initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Buildings and the Partnership Fund for New York, invited innovative technology companies to present their ideas on how to improve the internal operations here at DOB. We received over 90 applications for this first ever BTL competition, and after an extensive review process, eight companies were selected to collaborate with the DOB on "proof of concept" projects, working closely with the agency to test their ideas. Read the Press Release to See The Winners Find out More About the Work of These Innovative Companies Find out More About the Buildings Tech Lab The Next Generation of Builders
DOB's Youth Engagement Team is launching the next chapter of the agency's youth leadership work with DOB Next Gen (formerly known as the Youth Leadership Councils). This program is open to NYC high school students and runs from October to December. The window for applications to the program closes on September 22nd. Help us spread the word about this unique educational opportunity for high schoolers interested in becoming the city's next generation of builders. Apply for the Next Cohort of DOB Next Gen Find out More About Other Student Opportunities and Careers at DOB DOB in Your Community Returns to Manhattan
Catch DOB during the last days of summer with free, hands-on support for small property owners and small businesses! Retaining Wall Inspection Deadline
Property owners that have a retaining wall that faces a public right-of-way and is ten feet or higher must have their retaining wall inspected every five years by a Qualified Retaining Wall Inspector (QRWI). These inspection reports for this important safety requirement are due to DOB on a staggered rolling basis. All properties located in the borough of Manhattan that has a covered retaining wall are legally required to submit their retaining wall inspection report by December 31st, 2025. Failure to submit this report by the deadline will result in monthly penalties issued to the property owner. |
Service Updates Online Appointments for Standard Plan Examination Moving to Microsoft Teams 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 All Department Service Updates Hearings + Rules
1 RCNY 104-09 Amendment of Rules Relating to Permitting Requirements
for Rotating Telehandlers and Articulating Boom Cranes (Hoisting Machine
Operators)
1 RCNY 104-20 Amendment of Rules Relating to Permitting Requirements
for Rotating Telehandlers and Articulating Boom Cranes (Supervisory
Responsibilities of a Licensed Rigger)
1 RCNY 104-23 Amendment of Rules Relating to Permitting Requirements
for Rotating Telehandlers and Articulating Boom Cranes (Hoisting Machine
Operator Learners and Supervision of Learners)
1 RCNY 3319-01 Amendment of Rules Relating to Permitting
Requirements for Rotating Telehandlers and Articulating Boom Cranes
(Cranes and Derricks) Buildings Bulletins 2025-007: This Bulletin rescinds 3 TPPNs, 2 Directives, 14 Memoranda, 1 Letter which were issued by the Department but are no longer applicable under current Codes and Local Laws. 2025-008: This Bulletin clarifies the updated filing requirements for certain electrical installations subject to plan examination as triggered by the enactment of Local Law 128 of 2024.
2025-009: This bulletin establishes filing procedures for battery
containment enclosures ("BCE"s) when installed on a public right-of-way
or within a tax lot; and clarifies design requirements 2025-010: This document establishes acceptance criteria for Adhesive-Based Solar Pedestal Bonding Systems as an alternative material in the NYC Construction Codes. Local Laws Boiler Operating Engineer Licenses
Local Law 89 of 2025 (Intro 1207) Installing Natural Gas Detectors
Intro 1281 of 2025 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 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 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 Weather Advisories Twenty years ago Hurricane Katrina made landfall in the Gulf Coast, leaving unprecedented destruction in its wake. In response to this natural disaster, DOB inspectors and engineers joined a massive NYC interagency effort to help our fellow Americans with recovery operations. Hurricane season is a particularly dangerous time for severe weather events. Stay in the know about upcoming severe weather events by signing up for DOB weather advisories. Sign-Up For Weather Advisories Careers at DOB Interested in a career in public service? The Department of Buildings is actively looking for construction professionals and other dedicated New Yorkers to join our ranks and support our missions of promoting compliant development and public safety.
Learn More About Careers at DOB |
|||||
|
Jimmy Oddo, Commissioner
|
|
 |
||||
|
comments + suggestions | unsubscribe | manage your email preferences |
||||||
