New York City Department of Buildings
10/29/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/29/2025 08:06
Buildings News: October 29, 2025
Another Longstanding Shed Removed
After years of blocking out the sunlight, one of the oldest sidewalk sheds in the city has finally been removed. It's all thanks to the Department's "Get Sheds Down" initiative and our Long Standing Shed (LSS) program, which uses enhanced enforcement strategies to compel property owners to start long delayed facade repairs, and remove their sheds from city sidewalks.
This shed on the Upper West Side of Manhattan was removed after DOB and our partners at the NYC Law Department worked together to bring an affirmative litigation case against the property owners, pushing them to make the needed repairs at the building.
Since the launch of "Get Sheds Down" initiative in July 2023, similar enhanced LSS enforcement actions from the Department have helped lead to the removal of 426 long-standing sheds, defined as sheds that have been up for five years or more, across all five boroughs.
Read About This Sidewalk Shed in The New York Post
Find Out More About "Get Sheds Down"
Accessibility Innovation Challenge
Last month, DOB partnered with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) to announce the launch of a new citywide innovation challenge, "Opening Doors: An Innovation Challenge for Accessibility in Housing and Small Businesses."
This open challenge invites architects, engineers, advocates, accessibility experts, and members of the public to submit forward-thinking ideas that can help shape the future of accessibility here in New York City. We are looking for ideas that can improve access to commercial and residential buildings; technology solutions for neurodiversity and sensory accessibility; and new ideas to improve vertical access solutions, such as elevators, ramps and lifts.
The deadline to submit an idea to the Opening Doors innovation challenge has recently been extended until Monday, November 3rd at 5 p.m.
Ancillary Dwelling Units Are Here
New York City has officially begun accepting applications for the construction of safe and code-compliant Ancillary Dwelling Units (ADU) in the five boroughs of New York City. This follows the passage of the Adams' administration's City of Yes for Housing Opportunity plan, which legalized this new category of housing for the first time ever in New York City.
Acceptable ADU units that can be used to house New Yorkers under new city rules include basement apartments, cellar apartments, attic apartments, and backyard cottages. Each newly constructed legal ADU units will need to comply with comprehensive requirements for zoning, construction, fire safety and occupancy, which help protect the health and safety of occupants.
Learn More About ADU Regulations
Check Out The ADU Resource Page
Local Law 97 Compliance
Did you know that out of the approximately 23,000 properties covered under Local Law 97, 94% are actively engaged with the Department and working to comply with the law in the first compliance year?
Leading up to the end of year, our goal at DOB is to get as many of the last remaining buildings as possible onto their own manageable Local law 97 compliance pathway.
The City is here to support property owners as they make efforts to reduce carbon emissions at their buildings. Owners needing assistance should contact NYC Accelerator, which provides free, personalized guidance on how to start cost-saving, energy-efficiency upgrades and reduce carbon emissions.
Find out More About Local Law 97
Find out What Help is Available From NYC Accelerator
Last Chance: Free Training on NYC's Existing Building Code
The New York City Existing Building Code (EBC) was introduced by the New York City Council on June 11, 2025. The proposed legislation, known as Intro 1321-2025, will govern the alteration and maintenance of existing buildings, amends the Administrative Code of the City of New York, and repeals the 1968 Building Code.
DOB developed this new Code in our ongoing efforts to regularly improve construction and maintenance regulations here in New York City. To help industry members understand the important changes that the upcoming EBC will bring, DOB is offering free educational training seminars.
There are only two currently scheduled training sessions left at this time. Don't miss out on these free information session.
Find Out More About the Proposed Existing Building Code
Check Out the Next Training Seminar
Parking Garage Inspection Reports
The second deadline for the Periodic Inspection of Parking Structures (PIPS) is right around the corner.
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
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.
Learn More About Local Law 152 Inspection Requirements
Join Our Team
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.
We have a number of openings for inspectors across a variety of fields. As a valued team member, you will help make New York City a better place to build, work, and live!
Service Updates
Deadline to Post Building Energy Efficiency Rating Label (E-Grade) Moved to December 31, 2025
Ancillary Dwelling Units to be Filed in DOB NOW
8-Hour Site Safety Course Code Reminder
All Department Service Updates
Hearings + Rules
1 RCNY 34-04 Repeal of Rules Relating to the Electrical Code (Definitions)
No Public Hearing for this Rule
1 RCNY 34-06 Amendment of Rules relating to Electrical Code (Electrical Code Revision and Interpretation Committee)
Public Hearing: 11/13/2025 @ 11:00AM
1 RCNY 34-07 Amendment of Rules relating to Electrical Code (Electrical Code Advisory Committee)
Public Hearing: 11/13/2025 @ 11:00AM
1 RCNY 35-01 Amendment of Rules relating to Electrical Code (Designation of Private Agencies to Perform Electrical Inspections in the City of New York)
Public Hearing: 11/13/2025 @ 11:00AM
1 RCNY 35-02 Repeal of Rules Relating to the Electrical Code (Payment of Fees for Certificates of Electrical Inspection)
No Public Hearing for this Rule
1 RCNY 36-01 Repeal of Rules Relating to the Electrical Code (Evaluation of Educational Experience of Applicants for Electrical Contractor Licenses)
No Public Hearing for this Rule
1 RCNY 36-02 Repeal of Rules Relating to the Electrical Code (Impact of Periods of Unemployment upon Applications for Electrician's License)
No Public Hearing for this Rule
1 RCNY 101-12 Amendment of Rules relating to Electrical Code (The Office of Technical Certification and Research and the Use of Material in Construction Activities)
Public Hearing: 11/13/2025 @ 11:00AM
1 RCNY 101-14 Amendment of Rules relating to Electrical Code (Categories of Work that May or May not Require a Permit)
Public Hearing: 11/13/2025 @ 11:00AM
1 RCNY 102-01 Amendment of Rules relating to Electrical Code (Violation Classification and Certification of Correction.)
Public Hearing: 11/13/2025 @ 11:00AM
1 RCNY 104-01 Amendment of Rules relating to Electrical Code (License Qualifications)
Public Hearing: 11/13/2025 @ 11:00AM
1 RCNY 104-26 Amendment of Rules relating to Electrical Code (Deactivation of License)
Public Hearing: 11/13/2025 @ 11:00AM
1 RCNY 4000-01 Amendment of Rules relating to Electrical Code (Electrical Work Review)
Public Hearing: 11/13/2025 @ 11:00AM
Buildings Bulletins
2025-011: This Bulletin clarifies filing, permit requirements for new building (NB) and alteration application related to structural work.
Local Laws
Building Demolitions
Local Law 110 of 2025 (Intro 750-A) A local law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring additional documentation when an owner seeks to demolish a building and reporting on the correction of violations.
Sidewalk Shed Art and Colors
Local Law 103 of 2025 (Int. No. 1296-A) A local law to amend the New York city building code, in relation to requiring a solid acceptable color or the display of artwork on temporary protective structures on construction sites.
Sidewalk Shed Designs
Local Law 47 of 2025 (Int. No. 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. See below Industry Notices on Local Law 47 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
2025-003: Administrative Corrections to the City of Yes Zoning Text The Department of City Planning (DCP) is issuing Administrative Corrections (ACs)
to the Zoning Resolution to fix errors in the recently adopted City of Yes related
zoning text. These changes are considered in effect as of the date of adoption of
the Zoning Text Amendment that enacted the requirements originally.
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
Manhattan Retaining Walls
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).
All properties located in the borough of Manhattan that has a retaining wall covered by these requirements are legally required to submit their retaining wall inspection report by December 31st, 2025.
New York City Department of Buildings published this content on October 29, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 29, 2025 at 14:07 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]