Adams Administration Invests $1 Million to Improve New York City's Quality of Life by Expediting Asbestos Abatement Permitting

December 19, 2025

Investment Will Expedite Construction and Renovation Projects While Preserving High Quality Reviews of Safety-Critical Plans

Today the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced it would invest nearly $1 million to expedite permitting processes for construction firms and developers who have to undertake asbestos abatement projects. Construction industry leaders have expressed the need for greater efficiency in electronic filing and technical review processes for asbestos-related work with city partners. Today we are proud to move forward with a solution that expedites these timelines without compromising the health or safety of New Yorkers.

Among the initiatives to be implemented are: (i) increased efficiency to reduce the response times from application to approval; (ii) pursuit, as feasible, of self-certification by pre-qualified experts for certain types of projects, coupled with rigorous follow-on DEP scrutiny; (iii) revised amendment policies permitting more than two amendments to be included in any one application; and (iv) customer service days once a month where industry stakeholders can meet directly with DEP representatives to address their concerns. The additional funding and headcount will help facilitate implementation of these initiatives and improve efficiency and responsiveness.

"We have heard the industry's concerns and appreciate DEP responding to them in such a constructive way," said First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro. "We are all about achieving efficiencies while also ensuring public safety. That is a win-win scenario."

"We are always looking to accelerate the many permits that DEP issues that affect construction and renovation," said DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. "These resources will help us to accelerate permitting for the many responsible contractors in New York City while still protecting the public against irresponsible actors. I'm grateful to Mayor Adams and First Deputy Mayor Mastro for their support for these funds."

To support improved technical review capacity, the Adams Administration is investing nearly $1 million for nine new positions, including four laboratory chemists and five enforcement inspectors responsible for on-site compliance inspections. These additions will strengthen DEP's overall ability to review filings, identify issues proactively, and maintain rigorous asbestos enforcement standards ensuring the health and safety of New Yorkers.

DEP will continue working collaboratively with stakeholders in the construction industry to seek to refine digital filing systems, explore additional operational efficiencies, and ensure that reforms balance the need for timely construction with the critical responsibility of safeguarding New Yorkers from asbestos hazards.

Asbestos clean-ups are complex projects that are often required for renovations in buildings constructed before 1989, including renovations in affordable housing and the conversion of older office buildings to residential uses. Due to how asbestos was used in building materials, and the health impacts of asbestos disturbed during clean-ups, asbestos abatement projects are disruptive, require significant containment practices, and often require temporarily changing exit pathways in buildings. DEP's current permitting system for asbestos clean-ups was created in the aftermath of the 2007 Deutsche Bank fire, which cost the lives of two FDNY firefighters and injured 115 more due to unsafe practices during the ongoing asbestos remediation at the building when it caught fire.

"We commend the Adams Administration for its focused commitment to improving the asbestos remediation process," said Daniel Avery, director of policy, Real Estate Board of New York. "These actions will speed up approvals, prevent unnecessary project delays and maintain the highest standards of public safety."

"The Environmental Contractors Association of NYC greatly appreciates the Adams Administration's commitment to modernizing and streamlining the asbestos remediation permitting process," said Paul O'Brien, chairman, Environmental Contractors Association, and Benjamin Sanchez, board member, Environmental Contractors Association, andAric Domozick, board member, Environmental Contractors Association. "The implementation of these practical solutions will result in substantial safety and efficiency improvements across our industry."

"I would like to thank the Adams administration for working with the Environmental Contractors Association of NYC, industry leaders, and DEP and DOB principals to streamline the remediation permit review and approval process," said Bob Avaltroni, special advisor and former DEP deputy commissioner of environmental compliance, Environmental Contractors Association of NYC. "The agreed-upon changes will promote safety while moving remediation projects forward expeditiously. This will positively impact public housing/NYCHA, housing, businesses, and major projects throughout the five boroughs. The people of our great city will be the beneficiaries now and moving forward."

About the NYC Department of Environmental Protection

DEP manages New York City's water supply, providing approximately 1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water each day to nearly 10 million residents, including 8.5 million in New York City. The water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the city, comprising 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes. Approximately 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels and aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the five boroughs, and 7,500 miles of sewer lines and 96 pump stations take wastewater to 14 in-city treatment plants. DEP also protects the health and safety of New Yorkers by enforcing the Air and Noise Codes and asbestos rules. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on X.