Department Of Buildings

NYC unveils designs for revamped sidewalk sheds

Renderings courtesy of PAU

November 19, 2025

NYC unveils designs for revamped sidewalk sheds

New York City officials are reimagining sidewalk sheds and street scaffolding, transforming these necessary but unsightly structures into safer, lighter, and more flexible structures. On Tuesday, Mayor Eric Adams unveiled six innovative designs by Arup and Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU) that enhance circulation, improve aesthetics, and let in more natural light, all while continuing to protect New Yorkers. The new sheds, which eliminate the X-shaped bars and other confining elements of current models, could be installed on city sidewalks as early as next year.
See the designs, ahead

Policy

NYC releases proposed rules for basement and backyard apartments

Image courtesy of the NYC Department of City Planning

July 18, 2025

NYC releases proposed rules for basement and backyard apartments

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City this week released proposed guidelines for building small homes in basements, backyards, garages, and other parts of existing properties. The Department of Buildings and the Department of Housing and Preservation on Tuesday released its proposed rules for constructing accessory dwelling units (ADUs)—a key element of Mayor Eric Adams' “City of Yes” housing plan aimed at expanding the city’s housing supply. The proposed rules focus largely on safety standards for basement and cellar apartments, including requirements for two exits, a ban on ADUs in high-risk flood zones, and water sensors in every room to alert residents of flooding.
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Policy

Council passes legislation to reduce NYC’s 400 miles of scaffolding

Photo by William Alatriste/NYC Council Media Unit on Flickr

March 27, 2025

Council passes legislation to reduce NYC’s 400 miles of scaffolding

By Aaron Ginsburg

Scaffolding may soon have less of a ubiquitous presence in New York City. The City Council on Wednesday passed a series of bills reforming sidewalk shed rules to shorten how long the barriers can remain up and allow for new, more appealing designs. The city currently has over 8,400 sidewalk sheds that take up roughly 400 miles of sidewalk. On average, the structures remain in place for over 500 days; over 300 sheds have stood for over five years.
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Policy

Coney Island Cyclone reopens after two-week shutdown

Photo courtesy of Philipp Potocnik on Unsplash

September 9, 2024

Coney Island Cyclone reopens after two-week shutdown

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Coney Island Cyclone is back in business after a mid-ride breakdown two weeks ago. The famous Luna Park coaster reopened on Saturday after passing a series of tests and getting approval from Department of Building (DOB) inspectors, as reported by the Associated Press.
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Policy

Coney Island Cyclone shut down indefinitely after mid-ride breakdown

Photo courtesy of Luna Park

August 26, 2024

Coney Island Cyclone shut down indefinitely after mid-ride breakdown

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Coney Island Cyclone has been closed indefinitely after a mechanical failure caused the iconic roller coaster to halt mid-ride. While the famous Luna Park coaster ascended to its drop on Thursday, an operator stopped the ride after noticing a damaged chain sprocket in its motor room, as reported by the Associated Press. The nearly century-old attraction is currently undergoing repairs and will reopen once the work is complete and the ride passes an inspection by the city's Department of Buildings (DOB), according to Luna Park.
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Policy

Scaffolding costs Manhattan businesses $9.5K in monthly revenue, study finds

Photo courtesy of Billie Grace Ward on Flickr

August 15, 2024

Scaffolding costs Manhattan businesses $9.5K in monthly revenue, study finds

By Aaron Ginsburg

Scaffolding and sidewalk sheds cost Manhattan businesses up to $10,000 in monthly revenue. Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday released a study conducted in collaboration with Mastercard that found cardholders spend between $3,900 and $9,500 less every month at Manhattan businesses covered by scaffolding and sidewalk sheds. Restaurants and bars are hit the hardest, with a 3.5 to 9.7 percent decrease in weekly transactions during the six months following the construction of sidewalk sheds.
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Policy

Adams proposes giving building owners more time to comply with Local Law 97

Billionaires’ Row © 6sqft

September 13, 2023

Adams proposes giving building owners more time to comply with Local Law 97

By Aaron Ginsburg

With the enforcement of a law capping carbon emissions quickly approaching, Mayor Eric Adams is proposing giving property owners more time to comply. The mayor on Tuesday announced the "Getting 97 Done" plan to facilitate compliance with Local Law 97, which requires buildings 25,000 square feet or bigger to meet new greenhouse gas emissions limits by 2024. Adams' proposed rules allow owners to miss the deadline to retrofit their buildings if they make a "good faith effort" to comply with the law.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MAYOR'S PLAN

Policy

6 injured after crane collapses in Hudson Yards

Photo © Ondel Hylton

July 26, 2023

6 injured after crane collapses in Hudson Yards

By Aaron Ginsburg

Four civilians and two firefighters sustained minor injuries on Wednesday morning when a construction crane on the border of Hudson Yards and Hell's Kitchen caught fire and partially collapsed onto Tenth Avenue. The fire occurred 45 stories above the construction site at 550 Tenth Avenue at roughly 7:25 a.m. when the engine compartment of the crane caught fire. The fire gradually weakened the crane's cable and sent 16 tons of concrete and the crane's boom plummeting to the ground, causing damage to 555 Tenth Avenue on its descent, according to the fire department.
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Uncategorized

Adams latest mayor to tackle NYC’s 400 miles of scaffolding with ‘get sheds down’ plan

Photo by Billie Grace Ward on Flickr

July 24, 2023

Adams latest mayor to tackle NYC’s 400 miles of scaffolding with ‘get sheds down’ plan

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City officials have a plan to remove sidewalks sheds and scaffolding from city streets. Mayor Eric Adams and Department of Buildings Commissioner Jimmy Oddo on Monday revealed "Get Sheds Down," a comprehensive overhaul of the city's scaffolding policies that aim to hastily remove longstanding sidewalk sheds and redesign them to be less intrusive using alternatives like safety netting. Under the new policy, property owners will face bigger fines if their sidewalk sheds occupy space for too long.
Details here

Policy

Preservationists, local pols hope to save 200-year-old Greenwich Village house from demolition

Photo by Spencer Means on Flickr

November 15, 2022

Preservationists, local pols hope to save 200-year-old Greenwich Village house from demolition

By Devin Gannon

A 200-year-old landmarked property in Greenwich Village once home to author Ruth McKenney could soon be demolished. The city's Department of Buildings last week ordered the immediate demolition of the rowhouse at 14 Gay Street after learning unpermitted work on the building has left it at risk of collapsing. According to The Village Sun, adjacent 16 Gay Street, also constructed in 1827, has also been compromised.
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Bed-Stuy’s historic Jacob Dangler House has been demolished

By Devin Gannon

The Jacob Dangler House, the historic French Gothic mansion that has sat on the corner of Willoughby and Nostrand Avenues in Bed-Stuy for 120 years, was demolished last week. Despite a campaign led by local residents and public officials to landmark the building, the city's Department of Buildings issued a permit for a full demolition on Tuesday, according to Brownstoner. The developer plans to build apartments on the site, as 6sqft previously reported.
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Policy

April 1, 2022

NYC sues ‘worst’ landlord who has racked up over 1,900 violations

By Aaron Ginsburg

The city this week filed a lawsuit against landlord Moshe Piller, who has accumulated over 1,900 violations for dangerous conditions across 15 buildings he owns in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday said the purpose of the lawsuit is to pressure Piller to repair his property or face "tens of millions" in civil penalties.
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Policy

The number of sidewalk sheds in NYC has tripled over past two decades

Image courtesy of Billie Grace Ward on Flickr

January 13, 2022

The number of sidewalk sheds in NYC has tripled over past two decades

By Aaron Ginsburg

Temporary sidewalk sheds are legally required to be installed at any construction site to protect pedestrians from falling debris. While they are seen as a safety necessity, the structures are eyesores that block sunlight and slow foot traffic. In New York City, the total number of sidewalk sheds has tripled over the past two decades, a new report released this week by the Independent Budget Office found. Looking at data from the Department of Buildings, the report found Manhattan was home to the most sidewalk sheds but noted the outer boroughs are starting to catch up.
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Policy

Construction resumes at controversial 200 Amsterdam Avenue tower

Rendering courtesy of Binyan Studios

April 27, 2020

Construction resumes at controversial 200 Amsterdam Avenue tower

By Devin Gannon

Construction resumed last week at a condo project on the Upper West Side two weeks after its developer halted all work in response to the state-ordered ban on non-essential projects in March. The city's Department of Buildings granted SJP Properties construction permits for the tower at 200 Amsterdam Avenue for emergency work, as THE CITY first reported, much to the frustration of some local residents and officials.
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December 31, 2019

City to double number of facade inspectors after pedestrian’s death

By Devin Gannon

The city's Department of Buildings is enhancing its facade inspection process nearly two weeks after a pedestrian was killed by a falling piece of terra cotta in Midtown. The agency announced on Monday plans to hire 12 new staff for its facade inspection team as well as increase the number of proactive re-inspections and field examinations. "New Yorkers should know that we are out in force holding owners feet to the fire, so they get repair work done as quickly as possible while still protecting the public," DOB Commissioner Melanie La Rocca said. "With our enhanced inspection protocols and expanded staff, owners who choose to skirt their obligations will face swift consequences."
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Policy

Photo by Doug Davey via Flickr cc

October 17, 2019

DOB releases new, interactive map tracking after-hours construction permits throughout the city

By Alexandra Alexa

The City’s Department of Buildings has just released a new, interactive map that shows the location of all building construction projects that have been granted permits to proceed with work outside of normal business hours. These types of permits, known as an after-hours variance (AHV), apply to work taking place before 7 a.m., after 6 p.m., or anytime during the weekend. The DOB issued 18,866 AHV permits in 2018 and received 3,729 public complaints through the 311 system regarding construction work illegally performed after hours. The map will be updated daily and include links to further information about each project so that tenants have a way of confirming the status of construction projects on their block.
More information

Department Of Buildings

NYC unveils designs for revamped sidewalk sheds

NYC releases proposed rules for basement and backyard apartments

Council passes legislation to reduce NYC’s 400 miles of scaffolding

Coney Island Cyclone reopens after two-week shutdown

Coney Island Cyclone shut down indefinitely after mid-ride breakdown

Scaffolding costs Manhattan businesses $9.5K in monthly revenue, study finds

Adams proposes giving building owners more time to comply with Local Law 97

6 injured after crane collapses in Hudson Yards

Adams latest mayor to tackle NYC’s 400 miles of scaffolding with ‘get sheds down’ plan

Preservationists, local pols hope to save 200-year-old Greenwich Village house from demolition

Bed-Stuy’s historic Jacob Dangler House has been demolished

NYC sues ‘worst’ landlord who has racked up over 1,900 violations

The number of sidewalk sheds in NYC has tripled over past two decades

Construction resumes at controversial 200 Amsterdam Avenue tower

City to double number of facade inspectors after pedestrian’s death

For $1.2M, this Park Slope brownstone co-op gets the top-floor perk of a private roof deck

DOB releases new, interactive map tracking after-hours construction permits throughout the city

252 East 57th Street in Midtown East

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