| Buildings news |
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December 29th, 2023 |
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DOB "Gets Stuff Done" in 2023
2023 was a busy year for the Department of Buildings, with increased construction activity citywide and the launch of new agency initiatives to improve safety, sustainability, and quality of life across New York City. We launched the "Get Sheds Down" plan to finally tackle the issue of long-standing sidewalk sheds. We issued rules and guidance for the new carbon emission limits for larger buildings in the City with our "Getting 97 Done" plan. We kicked off a new code revision cycle for building and construction regulations, with new volunteer code committees to update the 2022 NYC Construction Codes. We implemented major agency reforms to improve the internal processes at the agency, improved service level wait times across the board, conducted extensive construction safety outreach around the city, held in-person community events to help New Yorkers with buildings-related issues, expanded online filing options in DOB NOW, reached a new high for total field inspections by agency staff, and much more. We are proud of all of the work we got done in 2023, and look forward to building on these successes with our partners in the construction industry in 2024. Inspection Requirements in the New Year
Keeping buildings in a safe and code compliant condition is an important legal requirement for property owners in our City. Our comprehensive periodic inspection requirements help owners confirm that their buildings are safe, and not posing a hazard to the public. With the new year right around the corner, DOB is reminding property owners of the upcoming deadlines and new periodic safety inspection requirements for properties located in the five boroughs. Facades - Facade Inspection and Safety Program (FISP) reports for buildings over six stories tall in sub-cycle C are due to the Department of Buildings by February 21, 2024. Parapets - Beginning on January 1, 2024, building owner in New York City must have their building's parapets inspected by a competnant person, regardless of building heights. Parking Garages - The first deadline for the city's parking structure inspection program for properties in sub-cycle A is Sunday, December 31, 2023. Buildings with parking structures in sub-cycle B and C must also submit a initial assessment report to DOB by August 1, 2024. Gas Piping Systems - Gas piping systems in all buildings, except for one- and two-family homes, and other Occupancy Group R-3 buildings, must be inspected by a Licensed Master Plumber at least once every four years. The inspection report deadline for buildings in sub-cycle D is on December 31, 2023. Elevators - Building elevators must be inspected and tested twice annually by an approved elevator agency on behalf of the property owner. These periodic inspections must be performed by December 31, 2023. Boilers - Many low pressure boilers and all high pressure boilers must undergo annual periodic inspections. These boiler inspection reports are due on December 31, 2023. Retaining Walls - Owners of properties with a retaining wall that faces a public right-of-way and is ten feet tall or higher must have their retaining wall inspected every five years. The inspection report deadline for buildings in Brooklyn is December 31, 2023. Building Carbon Emission Limits Go Into Effect
Carbon emission limits for larger buildings, as required by Local Law 97 of 2019, officially go into effect on January 1, 2024. Ahead of this important milestone DOB published a final version of our second rule package for Local Law 97, providing clear guidance for enforcement, "Good Faith Efforts," affordable housing , beneficial electrification and more. The regulations in this agency rule were informed by the collaborative work of the city's Local Law 97 Advisory Board and Climate Working Groups. As part of the rulemaking process, a public hearing was held, where New Yorkers were able to weigh in on the regulations and suggest potential changes. Find Out More Information about Local Law 97 Contact NYC Accelerator for free 1-on-1 guidance Oldest Sidewalk Shed in NYC Removed
Mayor Eric Adams joined DOB's Facade Unit last week to watch the removal of the City's longest-standing sidewalk shed, which had been up in place for a staggering 21 years. Located in front of a landmarked apartment building in the Sugar Hill section of Manhattan, the shed was finally removed after the property owners made repairs to the building facade. These repairs started in earnest after DOB brought criminal charges against the property owners for their continued failure to properly maintain the building facade. Watch the ABC 7 Eyewitness News Story About The Shed Learn More About DOB's "Get Sheds Down" plan Job Limits For Construction Superintendents
Beginning January 2, 2024, the number of permitted building construction sites that a construction superintendent can be officially designated at the same time, will be reduced from five jobs to three. Starting on that date, DOB will not issue a permit for a project that requires a construction superintendent, if the application names a superintendent that is already designated on three or more active permits. This new policy is in keeping with Local Law 149 of 2021, which is targeted at reducing the total number permit designations for construction superintendents in stages down to just one job per professional. Construction superintendents who are designated on more than three active jobs must choose which jobs to withdraw from to reduce their total jobs to three. New Fossil Fuel Installations Phased Out for New Construction
Did you know that nearly 40% of New York City carbon emissions come from the fossil fuels used on furnaces, boilers, and hot water heaters? In order to meet NYC's ambitious carbon emissions reduction goals, the City Council passed Local Law 154 of 2021, which phases out fossil fuels in newly constructed buildings for cooking, heating and service hot water, which impacts appliances such as cooking ranges and clothes dryers. The first phase of the law goes into effect January 1, 2024, for new buildings or new buildings with existing element to remain that are 1- and 2-family homes, or buildings less than seven stories high. The law will apply to all other new building construction projects beginning on July 2, 2027. |
Service Updates Follow-up #1: In-Person Appointments for Standard Plan Examination Job Filings on Wednesdays Only Local Law 149 of 2021: Construction Superintendents are Limited to Three Jobs Local Law 154 of 2021: On-site Fossil Fuel Combustion Limitations 2022 Construction Codes: Civil Penalty for Failure to Obey a Vacate Order Buildings After Hours 2024 Schedule Released Follow-up #2: 2022 Construction Codes: Fee Changes for LNO/LOV, OP 128 and Temporary Use Letters All Department Service Updates Hearings + Rules
1 RCNY 104-10 Amendment of Rules Related to Riggers and Rigging
(Riggers rule amendment)
1 RCNY 104-20 Amendment of Rules Related to Riggers and Rigging
(Supervisory Responsibilities of a Licensed Rigger rule amendment)
1 RCNY 3316-01 Amendment of Rules Related to Riggers and Rigging
(Rigging Operations and Rigging Equipment rule amendment)
1 RCNY 103-14 Amendment of Rules Relating to LL97 Article 320
Penalty Framework
1 RCNY 103-17 Relating to LL97 Article 321 Compliance and Penalty
Framework
1 RCNY 103-18 Relating to LL88 Lighting and Submetering Buildings Bulletins 2023-019: This Bulletin rescinds 1 Directive and 19 Memoranda which were issued by the Department but are no longer applicable under current Codes and Local Laws. 2023-020: This Bulletin rescinds 2 Directives, 2 OPPNs, and 15 Memoranda which were issued by the Department but are no longer applicable under current Codes and Local Laws. 2023-021: This Bulletin rescinds 10 Directives, 4 Letters, and 47 Memoranda which were issued by the Department but are no longer applicable under current Codes and Local Laws. Local Laws Intro. No. 689-A - A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to elimination of permit and or filing fees for green building projects undertaken on one to three family homes 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. Stop Work Orders In an effort to better educate the industry on why DOB issues Stop Work Orders at construction sites, we have published a list of the top 10 reasons why these enforcement actions are taken. Thanks in part to DOB's focus on educational outreach about City regulations, we are happy to report that the number of Stop Work Orders issued in 2023 is down by about a third compared to 2022. Read Our Stop Work Order Guidance Upcoming Events Every week, DOB holds online and in-person events for industry professionals and members of the public. Have questions and need answers? Join us of for a live online Q&A session, or one of our in-person industry meetings. See Our Schedule for All Upcoming Events Enforcement Bulletins Earlier this month, DOB took actions to suspend the inspection authority of a Professional Engineer for their conduct at a building in the Morris Heights section of the Bronx, prior to a partial building collapse. 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 When severe weather strikes, it pays to be in the know. The Department of Buildings emails out weather advisories when NYC is expected to face high wind events and other types of severe weather. |
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Jimmy Oddo, Commissioner |
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