New Site Safety Training Provider Requirements and Curriculum Updates
As required by Local Law 196-17, in May 2018 DOB issued a list of course topics detailing the required site safety training curriculum for construction supervisors and workers, including a list of topics that could satisfy the training requirements. Course requirements for each topic are now available on the Department's website. All courses must comply with the requirements.
The Department has also issued additional requirements for course providers, including course delivery methods, card issuance, recordkeeping, and reporting.
Those interested in becoming a Department-approved course provider should visit the Department's website for more information and to access the application. Please contact trainingproviders@buildings.nyc.gov if you have any questions about becoming a Department-approved course provider or the requirements.
See the Service Update for more information.
No-Penalty Deck and Retaining Wall Inspection Program In Effect
Earlier this month DOB launched the eighth-annual No-Penalty Deck and Retaining Wall Inspection Program. This two-month long citywide initiative allows New Yorkers to request a free, no-penalty visual inspection of their decks, porches, and retaining walls, giving homeowners the opportunity to ensure these structures are maintained in accordance with the NYC Building Codes. Following the inspection, the Department will notify homeowners of the inspection findings and whether or not the conditions observed pose an immediate safety hazard or warrant repairs. If immediate safety hazards are found, the Department will withhold the issuance of violations for a limited time, giving homeowners the opportunity to make corrective repairs.
New Yorkers can call 311 to schedule a free, no-penalty inspection anytime between July 16 and August 31, 2018.
Read more in our press release.
Pilot Program to Test Digital Data Entry for Violations and Summonses
Starting August 6, the Department is kicking off a pilot program to streamline issuance of DOB violations and OATH summonses. Inspectors will use DOB NOW: Inspections to enter data and print violations and summonses in the field using mobile printers, instead of handwriting them. The goal of this project is to improve the accuracy of the information communicated to the public and to OATH. As a result, summons and violation data will be reflected in BIS more quickly, and will be easier to read. Based on the information gathered in the pilot, DOB expects to continue to expand digital data entry to additional units in the Department in the upcoming year.
DOB Launches Self Service Ticket Kiosks at Two Manhattan Offices
Self-service ticketing is now available for units at two DOB Manhattan Borough Office locations:
1 Centre Street, 23rd Floor
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Construction Development Inspections
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Electrical Development Inspections
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Plumbing Development Inspections
2 Lafayette Street, 12th Floor
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Building Enforcement Safety Team (BEST)
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Excavation and Interior Demolition
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Scaffold Safety Team
See the recent Service Update for a how-to guide on using the new system.
And don't forget, you can view current wait times at our borough and central offices online using the Department's new Office Wait Time tool.
Changes to Safety Registration Application Submissions
Effective immediately, LIC7 applications for Safety Registrations must be submitted to srgc7@buildings.nyc.gov for review. In addition, applicants seeking Safety Registration: Construction, Concrete and/or Demolition endorsements for construction permits for commercial properties of four stories or above will now need to schedule an appointment with the Department's Licensing & Exams Unit.
Appointments can be made by calling the Licensing & Exams hotline at (212) 393-2259, Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
All Safety Registration transactions will be handled Monday through Friday between the hours of 1:30pm to 3:30pm by appointment only.
HPD Signoff Required for Major Projects in Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Areas
Beginning August 1, 2018, applicants will be required to submit the following documents prior to the issuance of a permit and prior to sign-off for a New Building (NB) or Major Alteration Type 1 (Alt1) for properties located in Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) areas:
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Prior to Permit: a Permit Notice issued by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD);
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Prior to Signoff: a Completion Notice issued by HPD.
If you have questions about the requirements, contact DOB's Borough Offices. For more information on MIH, visit HPD's website.
New Energy Conservation Code Online Resources
To better assist the public in understanding and complying with NYC's Energy Conservation Code, DOB is continuously improving and expanding our online resources. In addition to updating our Energy Code How-to Guides and Tabular Analysis, we have recently added new information about Energy Code violations and Notices of Deficiency.
Sign up for Weather Advisories
Service Updates
Elevator Compliance Filings to Launch in DOB NOW: Safety
Updated Filing Requirements: Changes to Elevator Door Monitoring System
Electrical Enforcement Inspections Unit Relocates
2014 Construction Code Updates
Update Page # 58 reflects changes made by Local Law 34 of 2018 in relation to diaper changing accommodations.
Update Page # 59 reflects changes made by Local Law 70 of 2018 in relation to penalties for construction site safety violations that result in or are accompanied by death or serious physical injury.
Update pages are printable inserts to keep your hard copy Construction Codes up to date.
All update pages for the 2014 NYC Construction Codes.
Local Laws
Local Law 106 of 2018 (Int. No. 96-A) A Local Law to amend the Administrative Code of the City of New York, in relation to allowing residential cooperatives to consolidate required energy efficiency reports.
Local Law 105 of 2018 (Int. No. 50-A) A Local Law to amend the New York City Noise Control Code, the Administrative Code of the City of New York and the New York City Building Code, in relation to small wind turbines.
Local Law 117 of 2018 (Int. No. 610-A) A Local Law to amend the Administrative Code of the City of New York, in relation to stove knob covers.
Local Law 113 of 2018 (Int. No. 604-A) A Local Law to amend the Administrative Code of the City of New York and the New York City Building Code, in relation to requirements for smoke alarms and smoke detectors in residential and non-residential occupancies.
Local Law 111 of 2018 (Int. No. 602-A) A Local Law to amend the Administrative Code of the City of New York, in relation to self-closing doors.
Hearings + Rules
1 RCNY 3310-02 Experience Requirements for Concrete Safety Managers.
Promulgated Effective Date 07/28/2018
1 RCNY 5000-02 Corrections and Amendments to ASHRAE 90.1-2013.
Promulgated Effective Date 08/05/2018
Buildings Bulletins
2018-008: Mandates final inspection of certain work types by a registered design professional on projects not requiring new or modified certificates of occupancy.
Website Updates
New Office of the Tenant Advocate Page
New Indoor Automated Parking Garage Systems Page
Updated DOB NOW: Safety Elevator Filings Training Schedule
Updated Obtain Safety Registration Number Page
Updated Cooling Tower Registration Page
Updated Insurance Tracking Number Page
Updated Licensing Insurance Guidelines Page
Updated Safe Construction Bill of Rights
Updated Procurement Opportunities Page
Updated Agency Approved Fabricators List
Updated Approved Agencies to Qualify Pipe Welders List
Updated Electrical Advisory Board Agendas
Updated Service Level Bulletin
Updated Construction Related Accident Reports
Updated Department Approved Course Provider List
Updated Changes to Construction Superintendent & Concrete Safety Manager Registrations Page
Updated DOB NOW: Build Superseding Letter Template
Major Disciplinary Cases
$51,200 in penalties issued to building owner Melissa Sosa for the illegal conversion of a single-family home into six transient use furnished rooms, one single room occupancy (SRO) dwelling, and one furnished apartment, all with locking devices, at 33-13 98th Street, Queens.
$50,000 in penalties issued to 100 Division Street Realty Corp, for displaying an illegal outdoor advertising sign in a prohibited zone without a permit and without Department mandated decals, for failure to have a licensed sign hanger erect the sign, and for failing to register the sign at 100 Division Street, Manhattan.
$48,200 in penalties issued to HBC Corona LLC for the illegal transient use of 36 different apartments at 32-45 112th Street, Queens.
$47,400 in penalties issued to 250 Agent LLC for the illegal conversion of the first floor and two duplex units at 248 South 3rd Street, Brooklyn, into thirteen SRO dwellings.
$25,000 in penalties issued to Safety Registrant LP Ciminelli Inc. for failure to safeguard a construction site at 135 Emerson Place, Brooklyn, after a construction worker was injured in a fall and other unsafe conditions were observed at the site.
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
Industry Code of Conduct for Construction Professionals
Did You Know?
The NYC Department of City Planning recently launched their new Zoning Application Portal. It makes the details and status of all zoning and land use applications directly available to the public through an intuitive map-based interface.
Rick D. Chandler, P.E., Commissioner
