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January 22, 2025

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Year in Review

2024 was another busy year for the Department of Buildings, with construction activity continuing to rise citywide and the agency implementing a number of new initiatives to improve safety, sustainability, and quality of life across New York City.

From taking on the challenges of Get Sheds Down and the implementation of Local Law 97, to strengthening worksite safety regulations that led to a 30% reduction in construction-related injuries, we've made major strides toward a safer, more sustainable, and more livable New York.

We are proud of the significant progress made towards these goals in 2024, and look forward to strengthening bridges with our industry partners in 2025 to build on these successes.

Read Our December Press Release About Accomplishments Made in 2024


Deadline For Building Emissions Reports

Are you on track for Local Law 97? The first deadline for the city's buildings emission limits compliance reports is less than 100 days away.

Reports showing compliance for the 2024 calendar year are required to be submitted to DOB by May 1, 2025. However, as written by the City Council, the law allows for a 60-day grace period to file these reports after the deadline, where the Department will still accept late reports without penalty.

The law also allows property owners to file a request for an additional 60-day extension after this grace period is over, all the way to August 29, 2025, if their sustainability professional is having trouble finalizing their compliance report.

Property Owners should be aware that DOB will consider extension requests if the property owner has documentation proving that they have hired and entered into a contract with a registered design professional or retro-commissioning agent by Saturday, February 1, 2025. This documentation will serve as confirmation that sustainability professionals have been retained to start the required building retrofit projects, and the property owners are making progress towards compliance with the law.

If you have questions about Local Law 97, including how to file, feel free to email us at ghgemissions@buildings.nyc.gov.

Learn More About Local Law 97

Reach Out to NYC Accelerator For Additional Assistance


Reminder About Periodic Inspections in 2025

A new year means new upcoming deadlines for property owners to submit their required periodic building inspection reports. These inspections for various building structures and equipment provide assurances to property owners that their properties are in good condition and are the cornerstone of regulations promoting building safety for all New Yorkers.

Depending on the building type, property owners may be required to perform periodic inspections for building elevators, boilers, parapets, facades, retaining walls, parking structures, and gas piping systems. Compliance with these inspection regulations is an important legal responsibility, and property owners that fail to file required inspection reports will face enforcement actions from the Department.

DOB has detailed information for property owners on our website about these requirements, how to file inspections reports, and applicable upcoming deadlines.

Periodic Gas Piping System Inspections

Periodic Inspections of Parking Structures

Facades Inspection &Safety Program

Retaining Wall Structural Inspections

Elevator Inspections and Tests

Low-Pressure And High-Pressure Boiler Inspections

Annual Parapet Observation


Correcting Summonses Assistance

Our popular "Get Summonses Corrected" campaign is back for 2025!!

Open violations on a property can be a real headache, and figuring out how to resolve those violations can be their own challenge. Through "Get Summonses Corrected," DOB is helping property owners in achieving compliance and obtaining a clean bill of health for their buildings.

Throughout the year, DOB's Administrative Enforcement Unit (AEU) will be holding in-person and online events to help answer questions about resolving violations and provide one-on-one guidance on specific situations. In many cases, the AEU team can help property owners officially resolve their open violations on the same day as the event.

The first Get Summonses Corrected event for the new year is being held today in Cypress Hills in partnership with the Brooklyn Borough President's Office. Today's event will run until 7 p.m.

Register For Today's Event in Brooklyn

Check Our Website For More Upcoming Events


Registration For Lift Directors

Earlier this month, the department implemented new requirements for Lift Directors on construction crane projects in the City.

Beginning January 1, 2025, any person acting as a Lift Director or performing the duties of a Lift Director must be registered with the Department of Buildings for this title, or be licensed by the department as a Master Rigger, or be a Master Rigging Foreman and acting as a Lift Director under the direct and continuing supervision of the Licensed Master Rigger.

Read Our Service Notice

Find Out How to Register as a Lift Director


Frigid Temperatures

If the recent cold-snap wasn't a big enough clue, the department is reminding the industry that winter is here, and that winterizing work is important to properly maintain both buildings and construction work sites.

Freezing temperatures and winter storms can cause serious maintenance issues for our city's built environment. Taking proper steps to winterize is essential to promote public safety, prevent weather-related damage, improve energy efficiency, and save money.

Read Our Code Requirements for Winterizing Construction Sites

Check Out Tips on How to Properly Winterize Buildings


Follow Us on Social Media

Want to stay up to date on the latest news at the Department and the NYC building industries? Follow us on social media to get important announcements, weather advisories, and all the latest news from DOB.

You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Threads.

 

Service Updates

DOB NOW System Maintenance January 24 – 26, 2025

2025 Cranes & Derricks Holiday Weekend Inspection Schedule

June 2010 Buildings After Hours 2025 Schedule Released

Green Roof Property Tax Abatement Request in DOB NOW: Build

Energy Efficiency Report Violation Civil Penalty Payments and
Challenge Requests to Launch in DOB NOW: Safety

Benchmarking Violation Civil Penalty Payments and Challenge Requests Launch in DOB NOW: Safety

NEW Requirements for Associated Electrical Filings for Solar and Electric Energy Storage Equipment Work Types in DOB NOW: Build

All Department Service Updates


Hearings + Rules

1 RCNY 101-19 Rules Governing Installation of Electrical Storage Systems Public Hearing: 1/23/25 @ 11:00 a.m.

1 RCNY 102-01 Amendment of Penalty Schedule for Violations involving Parking Structures (Violation Classification and Certification of Correction)
Promulgated Effective Date 2/15/25

1 RCNY 105-01 Amendment of Rules Relating to Green Roof Tax (Requirements for the Approval of a Property Tax Abatement Application for the Installation of a Green Roof)
Promulgated Effective Date 1/29/25

1 RCNY 105-03 Rule relating to Course Providers (Department-Approved Courses)
Public Hearing: 1/30/25 @ 11:00 a.m.

1 RCNY 908-01 Amendment of Rules relating to Installation and Location of Carbon Monoxide Detectors (Carbon Monoxide Detectors)
Promulgated Effective Date 1/26/25

1 RCNY 3301-03 Rule relating to Course Providers (Construction Worker Safety Information Signs)
Public Hearing: 1/30/25 @ 11:00 a.m.

1 RCNY 3321-01 Rule relating to Course Providers (Construction Worker Safety Information Signs)
Public Hearing: 1/30/25 @ 11:00 a.m.

1 RCNY 3616-06 Amendment of Deadline for Installation of Monitored Battery Primary Power Source for Natural Gas Alarm in Existing Buildings
Promulgated Effective Date 1/23/25

1 RCNY 3616-07 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 855 Amendment Relating to the Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems.
Public Hearing: 1/23/25 @ 11:00 a.m.

1 RCNY 3616-08 Amendment of Rules relating to Installation and Location of Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Promulgated Effective Date 01/26/25

All Department Rules


Buildings Bulletins

2024-008: This Bulletin clarifies when to apply the 2025 NYC Electrical Code or the 2011 NYC Electrical Code for work associated with new buildings, alterations.

All Buildings Bulletins


Local Laws

Art on Construction Equipment

Local Law 111 of 2024 (Intro No. 956-C) amendsthe New York city building code, in relation to the display of artwork on temporary protective structures on construction sites.

Basement and Cellar Apartments Pilot

Local Law 126 of 2024 (Intro No. 1127-A) amends the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to establishing a pilot program to convert existing basement or cellar apartments to habitable dwelling units.

Ancillary Dwelling Units

Local Law 127 of 2024 (Intro No. 1128-A) A Local Law to amend the building code of the city of New York and the New York city fire code, in relation to construction of ancillary dwelling units.

NYC Electrical Code

Intro No. 436-A of 2024
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the electrical code and local law 55 for the year 2024, in relation to electric vehicle supply equipment in open parking lots and parking garages, and repealing chapter 3 of title 27 of the administrative code of the city of New York in relation thereto.

All DOB-Related Local Laws


Innovation Review Board

Due to the large amount of public interest that the Department has received about our newly announced Innovation Review Board, we have extended the application deadline to February 8th, 2025.

Innovation Review Board

Apply Here


Upcoming Events

Every week, DOB holds online and in-person events for industry professionals and members of the public.

Buildings After Hours 2025 Schedule

See Our Schedule for All Upcoming Events


DOB NOW

DOB NOW is continuously being updated to address regulatory changes and in response to industry feedback.

In recent months we have added new functionality for DOB violations, solar and electric energy storage equipment work types, benchmarking and energy efficiency reports, green roof property tax abatement requests.

For a comprehensive list of recent changes to the DOB NOW: Build module, check out our regularly updated Release Notes. This guide gets into the nitty-gritty of interface and process changes related to DOB NOW: Build, helping industry professionals better navigate the public portal.

DOB NOW: Build Release Notes

FAQs and Resources for DOB NOW: Build


Small Businesses

Small business owners and entrepreneurs in New York City can receive one-on-one guidance and helpful consultations for their projects by reaching out to DOB's Small Business Team (SBT).

Whether opening a new place of business or renovating an existing one, SBT gives the City's small business owners and entrepreneurs the dedicated support they need. The first step for your small business is filling out a SBT support request form on our website.


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


Weather Advisories

January means snowfall, freezing temps, and storm weather. Don't get caught unprepared.

The Department of Buildings emails out weather advisories when NYC is expected to face high wind events and other types of severe weather.

Sign-Up For Weather Advisories

Jimmy Oddo, Commissioner

 

 

www.nyc.gov/buildings

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