New York City Department of Buildings
09/05/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/05/2025 14:37
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
Sidewalk sheds and solid construction fences have new color options, including hunter green, metallic gray, white, and any color that matches the exterior of an existing buildings that meets certain criteria. Read more here.
Increased Ceiling Heights for Sidewalk Sheds
Applications for sidewalk sheds filed on or after August 15, 2025, must be designed to have a clear ceiling height of at least 12 feet tall, provided that the shed does not block required light, air and egress requirements for building occupants. Read more here.
Lighting Upgrades for Sidewalk Sheds
Applications for sidewalk sheds filed on or after August 15, 2025, must meet new, increased lighting requirements to brighten up the sidewalk underneath a shed. Read more here.
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 free, in-person after-school program gives NYC high school students the chance to learn directly from DOB professionals, while exploring careers in architecture, engineering, construction, sustainability, law, and inspections.
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!
Our "DOB in Your Community" event is coming to Manhattan's Hunter College on Saturday, September 20th. DOB staff will be setting up shop in the neighborhood, helping New Yorkers in the area resolve their building-related issues.
Whether you're planning a new construction project for your business and are seeking advice on applying for a permit/hiring an industry professional, or you need help resolving an open violation or a Stop Work Order at your building, DOB staff will be on hand to assist.
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)
Promulgated Effective Date 09/20/2025
1 RCNY 104-20 Amendment of Rules Relating to Permitting Requirements for Rotating Telehandlers and Articulating Boom Cranes (Supervisory Responsibilities of a Licensed Rigger)
Promulgated Effective Date 09/20/2025
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)
Promulgated Effective Date 09/20/2025
1 RCNY 3319-01 Amendment of Rules Relating to Permitting Requirements for Rotating Telehandlers and Articulating Boom Cranes (Cranes and Derricks)
Promulgated Effective Date 09/20/2025
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.
Local Laws
Boiler Operating Engineer Licenses
Local Law 89 of 2025 (Intro 1207)
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to allowing for practical experience gained separately but concurrently with an apprenticeship to count towards the supervised practical experience time requirement for the granting of high pressure boiler operating engineer licenses.
Installing Natural Gas Detectors
Intro 1281 of 2025
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York and the New York city building code, in relation to deadlines for installing natural gas detectors and to repeal section 908.10 of the building code relating thereto.
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.
New York City Department of Buildings published this content on September 05, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 05, 2025 at 20:37 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]